Antiques--Jackson Square, a historic district just north of the Financial District's Embarcadero Center, is the place to go for the top names in fine furniture and fine art. You can find a number of Asian-art dealers here. More than a dozen dealers on the 2 blocks between Columbus and Sansome streets specialize in European furnishings from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Most shops here are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 11am to 4pm.

Art--The San Francisco Gallery Guide, a comprehensive, bimonthly publication listing the city's current shows, is available free by mail. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to San Francisco Bay Area Gallery Guide, 1369 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117 (tel. 415/921-1600); or pick one up at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center at 900 Market St. Most of the city's major art galleries are clustered downtown in the Union Square area.

Books--In addition to the listings below, there's a Barnes & Noble superstore at 2550 Taylor St., between Bay and North Point streets, near Fisherman's Wharf (tel. 415/292-6762).

Discount Shopping--San Francisco's many factory-outlet stores sell overstocked and discontinued fashions at bargain prices. The following shops are south of Market Street, in the city's warehouse district, SoMa.