San Francisco is not easy to pack for—and the weather in fall doesn’t make it much easier, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors. Some visitors pack for a New England autumn and are greeted by Dallas summer; others prep for California’s Mediterranean climate and end up with a day of bone-chilling wind and fog. Both can happen in the same week. You can find plenty of quick-fix, inexpensive options for cooler clothes, as well as gear for bundling up, at the ubiquitous corner drug store—but why not instead shop for more fashionable apparel that you can proudly wear at home as well? Here are half a dozen options for great shops in San Francisco that tend to stock all-weather gear year-round.
Goldwin
Boutique shop for a stylish, hip international brand that focuses on “city dwellers who commune with nature on weekends.” 444 Jackson St., 628.221.2342, goldwin-sports.com
Icebreaker Touchlab Union Square
This New Zealand company’s bread and butter is Merino wool garments that are both warmer when they need to be and still breathe well. 170 Post St., 415.399.9615, icebreaker.com
Mission Workshop
San Francisco-based boutique brand has its only brick-and-mortar store in the Mission, focused on hip, sturdy and incredibly well-made backpacks and apparel. 40 Rondel Place (alley off of 16th Street), 415.864.7225, missionworkshop.com
The North Face
Sprawling brand-focused emporium with enough room to hold apparel for any season that San Francisco can muster up on any given day. 180 Post St., 415.433.3223, thenorthface.com
Patagonia
The well-known brand’s North Beach shop offers outdoor apparel for the gamut of needs, from yoga to surfing to mountain biking. 770 North Point St., 415.771.2050, patagonia.com
REI
Outdoors retailer with everything from hiking boots to tent stakes, but also a wide range of clothing for all seasons, including Columbia, Mountain Hardware, Marmot and REI’s own brand. 840 Brannan St., 415.934.1938, rei.com
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the retailers.
