San Francisco

Kate Powers Hayes Valley, a four-block corridor west of Civic Center Plaza, is drawing more style mavens than an Eames retrospective at SFMOMA.

You'll need at least a weekend to hit all the shops—and a month to pay the credit card bills. At Friend (401 Hayes St.; 415/552-1717), columns etched with poetry set the stage for mod furniture and accessories. Avant-garde threads by Belgian and Bay Area designers share floor space with Oakland artist Ann Weber's biomorphic cardboard sculptures at MAC (387 Grove St.; 415/863-3011). Alabaster (597 Hayes St.; 415/558-0482), a store for antique home-furnishings and curiosities, stocks vintage hotel silveralongside contemporary Fortuny silk scarves. Half-restaurant, half-pâtisserie, Citizen Cake (399 Grove St.; 415/861-2228; lunch for two $35) is the perfect spot to refuel: try a crisp Cuban sandwich. STAY Book a room at the Inn at the Opera (333 Fulton St.; 415/863-8400; www.innattheopera.com; doubles from $129) within walking distance of it all. DON'T MISS Emerging artists at the Bucheon Gallery (389 Grove St.; 415/863-2891), housed in a space designed by local sculptor Lawrence LaBianca.
—Kevin Raub

From New York to Paris, "shopping concierges" make weekend sprees a breeze. At the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park (50 Central Park S.; 800/241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com; packages from $2,475, including stay), travel in chauffeur-driven style on a daylong expedition with former fashion editor Kathleen Beckett. Expect private consultations with designers such as Miguel Adrover and Proenza Schouler.

The personal shopper at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (120 E. Delaware Place; 800/332-3442; www.fourseasons.com; doubles from $320) will plot a customized buying tour and accompany those who need second opinions.

If you long for that Parisian look, try the three-day Je Ne Sais Quoi Package at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée (25 Ave. Montaigne, Paris; 800/223-6800; www.plaza-athenee-paris.com; package from $2,285, including stay), complete with hairstyling and makeup applications and a guided shopping tour.
—Adriana Gardella

Summer is a great time for antiquing. Your arsenal: a sharp eye, negotiating skills, and a wad of small bills. Just be sure your car's got enough room to haul back all the treasures.
—Rima Suqi

WHAT Upwards of 800 booths at the Alameda Point Antiques & Collectibles Faire (510/522-7500; www.antiquesbybay.com; entry fee $5-$15). WHERE Less than an hour east of San Francisco, on a former naval base. WHEN The first Sunday of the month, from 6A.M. to 3 P.M. FINDS Every item sold is at least 20 years old—from electronics (vintage phones, eight-track players) to toys.

WHAT The new Chicago Antique Market (312/951-9939; www.chicagoantiquemarket.com; entry fee $8) handpicks its 175 sellers. WHERE An entire city block in the Randolph Street Market District. WHEN The last Sunday of every month, May through October. FINDS There's always a different collecting theme—plus a vintage-outfit contest, and food from hot restaurants Onesixtyblue and La Luce.

WHAT The Scott Antique Markets (740/569-2800; www.scottantiquemarket.com; entry fee $3), in Atlanta, has been dubbed the Brimfield of the South for its 2,400 booths—most indoors (air-conditioned, thankfully). WHERE The Atlanta Exposition Center (3650 Jonesboro Rd.). WHEN July 9-11 and August 13-15. FINDS Picture Scarlett O'Hara selling the contents of Tara—times 20.