MALLS...AND MUCH MORE
San Francisco Center (Market and Fourth sts.) This shopping attraction features a piano player and spiral escalators that circle a sunlit atrium amidst nine shopping floors.
Crocker Galleria (50 Post St.) Inspired by Milan's Galleria, this three- story, domed shopping emporium houses restaurants and specialty stores that include Versus Gianni Versace and Stephane Kélian shoes.
Embarcadero Center (Clay and Battery to Drumm and Sacramento sts.) This sprawling shopping center comprises four buildings, each with three tempting floors that add up to more than 100 stores and 40 restaurants.
The Cannery (Leavenworth and Beach sts.) This former peach-packing plant is now home to street performers, shopping, art galleries, and eateries. Go to sight-see, dine, or simply relax under the shady olive trees.
Ghirardelli Square (surrounded by North Point, Polk, Beach, and Larkin sts.) Mecca for chocolate lovers, this 1864 landmark building contains over 70 shops and eateries. Free daily outdoor entertainment. Don't leave without a bar of cocoa-flavored bliss.
Union Square (bounded by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton sts.) The world's grandest specialty stores -- Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Gump's, and Neiman Marcus -- are concentrated in this four-block area. Upscale neighbors include North Beach Leather, Polo Ralph Lauren, Chanel Boutique, Shreve & Co. jewelers, and Brooks Brothers.
Pier 39 (off the Embarcadero). Irresistibly designed to snare tourists, this waterfront extravaganza overflows with people, snacks, and souvenirs. Amusements include jugglers, a carousel, and a thrilling turbo ride. It's a few minutes walk to Fisherman's Wharf, where the seafood's fresh and crab's in season through June.
Yerba Buena Square (899 Howard St.) is San Francisco's largest outlet shopping mall.
SHOPPING AT SHOPS WITH STYLE
Indulge the child within by heading for the science-toy-filled Imaginarium (3535 California St.). Book lovers still make the literary hegira to City Lights Bookstore (261 Columbus Ave.), in the center of North Beach. Its magazine and poetry sections are noteworthy.
Good taste is in store for men at Emporio Armani (1 Grant St.), Wilkes Bashford (375 Sutter St.), and Bally of Switzerland (238 Stockton St.), all in the Union Square area.
