Parking in Cole Valley is tough. Really tough. But it’s worth it in order to pay a visit to wonderful shops like Egg & Urban Mercantile. (Public transportation takes you practically to their door as well.)

This is the perfect place to go when you’re trying to find a gift for hard-to-shop-for friends. (And don’t we all have a few of those?) We love how they mix in goods from local artists (like Kevin Harris and Whitney Smith) with cool products from other small manufacturers (like Bay Area-based Roost).

Egg & Urban Mercantile even has a fantastic selection of letterpress cards, so you can pick up everything you need in one trip.

Egg & Urban Mercantile
85 Carl Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 643-MERC or (415) 564-2248

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No matter how many times this store moves around or where its current lease takes it, sports enthusiasts will follow. Originally located near AT&T Park (or whatever they’re calling the Giants’ ballpark these days!), the sports emporium moved to Potrero when rents got to high in their old neighborhood. Now, they’ve crossed over to the other side of Potrero Avenue and landed in the old Hamm Brewery. An enormous mural at the store’s entrance, next to the bicycle parking, is an homage to the building’s history.

In this brand-new location, Sports Basement has lots more square footage so it no longer feels cramp. Previously, they had just too much merchandise crammed into too small an area. Now, with several levels, you can browse more easily for whatever it is you’re looking for — including bicycling, running, fitness, hiking, camping, swimming and skiing gear. And there’s even free parking, so you don’t have to fight for a spot out on the street.

Sports Basement
1590 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 575-3000

610 Mason Street (at Crissy Field in the Presidio)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 437-0100

1177 Kern Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 732-0300

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