I need to pick up some SF novelties as gifts for a business trip to Japan -- any suggestions on where to go and what to get? I'm looking for things in the $25-50 range, maybe something like a GG Bridge paperweight or something. If the shop is close to the Embarcadero, that's also a plus.

Thanks for the help! ^

Take a look at the bridge gift store. (http://store.goldengate.org/)

Theres a Giants Dugout (SF Giants and MLB stuff) at Embarcadero 4. Many Japanese love baseball, so perhaps you can find something appropriate there.

There's a great gift store on Potrero and Alameda called Dandelion. It has some great gifts, many unique "SF" style gifts.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions! ^

Thers a gazillion gift shops on Pier 39

"coffee table" type photograph books. they tend to weigh alot, and I wouldn't consider them to be novelties, but they give a nice overview of the city and you can find them in every book store in town. and the price can be right.

There's a great gift store on Potrero and Alameda called Dandelion. It has some great gifts, many unique "SF" style gifts.

My *favorite* store! It is great for stress-free Christmas shopping, as well as gifts any time of the year. Don't miss the second floor as well! The staff is delightful: www.tampopo.com

I never really understood why it is called both Dandelion and Tampopo. Someone told me that two stores merged, and one of the names caters to wholesalers or something. I should ask them sometime.

SFOTRAVELER:

About Dandelion and Tampopo:

Dandelion's return
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1996/12/18/BUSINESS8420.dtl

Most recent S.F. Chronicle article:

SURVIVING AND THRIVING
Owners share whatever catches their fancy
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/29/BUGN3FS92H1.DTL

prashok:

"Good" stuff:
The San Francisco Cable Car Museum (http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/)'s gift shop. The museum is fascinating, too--and admission is free.
You might find something interesting at the Visitor Information Center (http://onlysf.sfvisitor.org/plan_your_trip/vic.asp) (Hallidie Plaza, adjacent to the Powell BART/MUNI station).

"Junk" souvenirs:
Just take the F-Market streetcar (http://www.sfmuni.com/historic) toward Fisherman's Wharf, get off at the end of the line (Beach and Jones), and check out the Walgreens (http://www.walgreens.com/) at Anchorage Square (http://www.anchoratthewharf.com/). They tend not to gouge as badly as most Pier 39 (http://www.pier39.com/)-area merchants.
Walk along Grant Ave. between Bush St. and Broadway in San Francisco's Chinatown.