SAN FRANCISCO
Ambiance
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
ambiancesf.com
Ambiance, which opened in the Haight-Ashbury in 1983 and now has four San Francisco stores, offers “cute clothes, stylish options and great variety and prices,” says co-owner and co-founder Donna O’Leary, with items priced from $5 to several hundred dollars. The focus is on personal service, and the stores offer wardrobe appointments.
EAST BAY
Persimmon
BERKELEY
(510) 524-3220
Berkeley favorite Persimmon is “a lovely little store in a great neighborhood” that has been providing charming clothing since the mid-’70s. Boutique-like but without the high pressure of other small stores makes shopping a treat.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Yum Yum Tree
LOS ALTOS
(650) 917-8900
Yum Yum Tree in Los Altos purveys fun and funky clothing and accessories, often with a European flair. Unique clothes at reasonable prices makes this a local fave.
NORTH BAY
Alice Becker
NOVATO
(415) 898-3600
Great window displays at Novato’s Alice Becker bring in clients with much anticipation, and they are not disappointed. Great service accompanies wonderful styles in both dressy and casual wear.