Hayes Valley Fun

Hayes Street, courtesy of San Francisco Days

I love going to the city for a lovely weekend brunch and a bit of window shopping. And, in my opinion, there is no better place to do this than in Hayes Valley, which has been one of the reigning hip neighborhoods in San Francisco in the past few years. Full of fashionistas, wealthy 20-somethings, and oodles of cute puppies, Hayes St (between Van Ness and Webster) is one of those must-see destinations. Especially if you are in the mood for some hipster-watching!

Ritual Coffee, courtesy of Scott Beale

Steven Alan Boutique, courtesy of mission:closet

Will and I are avid window shoppers, mostly because everything on Hayes is out of our price range. But it is home to some great shopping, including Steven Alan and Will's fav, Triple Aught Design. The area is one of those places, much like the East End in London, that used to be a seedier area of the city. Now, dubbed "ultra-chic," Hayes is often mentioned for great places and products on sites like Refinery29. It's also home to some fabulous eateries at different prices.

Chocolates! courtesy of Christopher Elbow

Price: Budget
You can keep this afternoon of shopping to a budget if you find a 2 hour parking space somewhere off of Ivy or Grove Streets. Saunter up and down the strip, making sure to stop at Christopher Elbow Chocolates for some free samples. If you can drop $4.50 on a beverage, try one of their incredibly decadent hot chocolates. Although, in comparison to their truffle prices, the cup of cocoa is a steal.
If you need to feed, Off The Grid parks its trucks in the area Thurs and Friday evenings. A few gourmet food trucks stay parked around Octavia and Hayes all week, and a few different pop-up shops also make an appearance.

Straw french toast, courtesy of Flickr

Price: Moderate
If you are looking for an awesome brunch, you could always try my favorite local chain, La Boulange. They serve up some of the best french roast in town, and a grilled cheese or simple pastry is always built to perfection. And while it isn't located on Hayes, but rather down the road on Octavia, Straw really is the place for some great carnival-inspired fare. You all know I'm partial to the jenga french toast, but there are some other pretty awesome menu items.

Absinth Bar & Brasserie, courtesy of Inside Scoop

Price: Splurge
There is only one place to splurge in Hayes--Absinthe. This buzz-worthy brasserie is well known for the libations it pours in the evenings. But the hidden gem is the awesome brunch. Well, ok there was still a line out the door when we went, but it is that good (and much more veggie friendly). Brioche french toast, croque monsieur, cinnamon sticky buns...you name it. And, of course, if you still want a drink they pour champagne cocktails and bloody marys all morning.

 

Off the Grid, courtesy of Flickr

Whatever your budget, I highly suggest you take an afternoon to wander Hayes Valley. Who knows what fun adventures will start there.

xoxo,

Antonia