The Metreon

Opened in 1999 by Sony as a massive place for movies, games, shopping and all forms of entertainment, the 350,000-square-foot Metreon Center on the corner of 4th and Mission eventually collapsed under the weight of its own grand vision. But this San Francisco real estate, within steps of Moscone Center, Yerba Buena Gardens, MOMA and other world-class attractions, was too good to leave unused. The new Metreon is sleeker, studded with smaller shops and chock-full of the latest technology that only a city next to Silicon Valley could harness. Besides the clothing, food and accessories you can find in the City Target, the highlight for shoppers at the Metreon is usually the quirky, beloved local store, Chronicle Books, a great place to find a truly authentic San Francisco gift.