San Francisco, being my kind of town, has incredible thrift shops. The best thrifting in San Francisco is in Haight Ashbury and the best shopping in Haight Ashbury is on Haight Street, which is completely lined with thrift shops.

I journeyed down to Haight Street, known to the locals as The Haight, to judge for myself whether or not the thrifting was better in New York City or in San Francisco. 

After taking me to Gus’s (the best sandwich shop in the city apparently), Raj gave me his own personal thrift tour, showing me the best spots. 

At the many stores we hit, I found, and fell in love with, a red, wine-colored cocktail dress and a lavender jacket. Anyone who thrifts knows that one or two great pieces is quite the haul. I bought a San Francisco 49-ers shirt as a souvenir and am now prepared for men to ask me if I’m a fan as a way to make small talk, should I ever wear it out in public. My flirting skills, knowing no bounds, will probably have me saying, “no I just own the shirt.”

I came close a few times to buying a vinyl jacket that I absolutely did not need. “Absolutely did not need” would describe all of the shopping that I did while in Haight Ashbury. 

I mainly wanted the statues of the naked golden ladies that were over the dressing rooms of one of the places I went to. I thought that they would make a nice addition to my Columbia apartment. 

It would really give my apartment more of a Greek-sculpture-garden vibe rather than the soggy-cardboard-box vibe it has now and you just can’t get that from William Sonoma. 

They were, alas, not for sale and so my apartment will have to make do with the aesthetically-pleasing pieces of furniture that I find on the street. 

Following that, we had a night out on the town, me with my new jacket and Raj with his equally nice clothes. I was able to take a ride in one of those utterly terrifying self-driving cars that make you fear that you’ll be careening towards a sudden death in a matter of seconds. They also make you question how far automation will put us out of work in the future, but I forced myself to think happy thoughts, like about the amazing thrifting that can be done in San Francisco.

And if you ever find yourself in San Francisco, do yourself a favor and shop at The Haight. 

The Tragic Queen,

Raquel

P.S.: Read all about my Escape to the Golden Gate that took place the day before I went thrifting.