Fillmore St, Pacific Heights

Fillmore around Geary street is one of the more famous shopping areas in the country; and, it's for a reason! This stretch of Fillmore is in the very posh neighborhood of Pacific Heights and it is spectacularly beautiful. The biggest houses I have yet to encounter in my lifetime are in Pacific Heights. And, the shopping follows suit to some extent. A lot of the shops are housed in Victorian buildings which adds a lot of charm to the experience. And, because there is some diversity to the stores combined with restaurants and bars, there's always a bit of bustle to the street.
Now, let's get down to business: the shopping. The women's clothing runs the gamut from Marc Jacobs to Crossroads Vintage (one of my faves) to Jigsaw in a matter of a few blocks. There isn't a woman alive who can't find something in her taste and budget on this street. There are a couple of pet stores, a bunch of jewelry boutiques and even a benefit shop and who doesn't love makeup . . (besides most men)? Seriously, if they had a Whole Foods on this street, you would never have to leave it. There are even a bunch of home stores. Those are all really shishi but the people in the neighborhood can afford it and they have some beautiful pieces in them if you just want to browse. There's even an acupuncture place on this street for crying out loud!
And, after you're tired from all of the shopping and personal enjoyment, you can even eat and drink on Fillmore. Most of the restaurants are, well . . .they're not exactly casual, but you find a pizza place or a Noah's bagel if you just want to grab something and you look like a schlub. There's even a Coffee Bean and a Peet's (although I'm in camp Coffee Bean, myself). There is, seriously, nothing you lack in regards to enjoying a leisurely day on Fillmore. The scenery is beautiful, the shops are fantastic and there's food and booze. What could go wrong?

I really like the Fillmore and I LOVED the Fillmore when I was single. There are so many great places to hang out, grab a drink with friends, go dancing, or just chill. Seems like no matter what you are in the mood for there is something for whatever you mood. It's most known to local singles for the Triangle which are 3 bars that are on adjacent corners: Balboa Cafe, City Tavern, and East Side West. When the weather is hot (which is about 2-3 weeks the entire year in SF) this intersection is packed with people wanting to grab a drink and sit outside with their cocktail. East Side West has some good eats too. Something a little more funky? The Comet Club or The MatrixFillmore. Two really fun places to get your groove on after 10pm.

It also has some great restaurants near Lombard, like PlumpJack Cafe. (white table cloth - fine dining). For low key - there's Pizza Orgasmica.

FIllmore starts out in the Marina district, which is very yuppy. Lots of expensive homes and apartments which are built on man-made land and waiting to fall into the harbor when the next big quake hits. As you move up the hill it gets more sophisticated in Pac Heights with nice restaurants and shops. As you head down the hill through Pac Heights you cross over Geary St. and get into Japan town and the Jazz district - this area can be dangerous. The next area you hot is the lower Haight - hippy central with plenty of ethnic food to offer.

All in all, this street has something for everyone if you visit the section that best suits you! It has many restaurants and shops.

I've lived on Fillmore Street in the Fillmore Jazz Preservation district for nearly eight years now. I've seen a lot of changes in that time, but my love for my neighborhood has only grown.

Fillmore Street is one of the major commecial streets in San Francisco. It flourished as a commercial center after the 1906 quake, as it was one of the few major shopping streets to survive the quake and fire. Today, it stretches from Chrissy Field in the Marina, down through the trendy shops and restaurants of Pacific Heights, past Japantown and the jazz and music clubs in my neighborhood, past some slightly dodgey areas on the edge of the Western Addition, to the Lower Haight's counter-culture vibe. Along this street, you'll find monied yuppies, large Asian and African American communities, and a few left-over hippies. That's diversity!

Fillmore Street offers a wide variety of diversions as well. As I mentioned, my neighborhood is well-know for the music clubs found there, such as The Fillmore, Yoshi's, Rasela's, The Sheba Lounge, and John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room. The Sundance Kabuki movie theater has been a great addition to the neighborhood, and several excellent restaurants have sprouted up in the immediate viscinity. For a different type of movie-going experience, there's also the wonderful Clay Theater up the hill. Don't miss the midnight movies there. Or, if spa treatments are more your thing, you could hit the baths or grab a massage before your film, because there are day-spas virtually next-door to both theaters.

If you're loooking for food, you're in good luck. Again, Fillmore street offers diversity of cuisine, ambiance, and price range. You'll find sushi, Indian, steaks, African, Mexican, creperies, Greek, fast food, seafood, French, Italian, Korean, and more. We even have a "chocolate cafe."

Shopping is excellent, if pricy, along Fillmore Street through Pacific Heights. Independent boutiques selling a wide variety of wares can be found next to exclusive stores for high end designers. One thing is obvious, there is a lot of disposable income in San Francisco! Continuing up and then down the Fillmore hill, you'll find some more moderately priced shops in the Marina. Shopping on Fillmore can be very neighborhoody. Shop owners of stores I frequent greet me warmly, which is nice when you live in a big city. On the other end of the shopping spectrum, you can find some well-stocked head shops in the Lower Haight if that's your thing, or visit the new organic ice cream shop or whole foods market there.

Oh, and how can I forget to mention the Fillmore Farmers' Market held every Saturday morning? With live jazz and all sorts of vendors, it's the ultimate neighborhood gathering place. Truly, Fillmore Street is one of San Francisco's gems!