Berkeley
Goodwill 2058 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA This is a nice big store. Unfortunately we were on our way to lunch and I only had a chance to look through a small portion of their clothes. The prices are about the same as most shops in the area, and though I didn’t find anything spectacular, I think it could have just been an off day. I will probably go back if I happen to be in that area again.
St Vincent De Paul - Berkeley
2009 San Pablo Ave (at University), Berkeley
(510) 841-1504
Out of the Closet - Berkeley
1600 University (at California)
Monday-Saturday 10-7
Sunday 10-6
(510) 841-2088
El Cerrito
Good Stuff Thrift Store 10313 San Pablo, El Cerrito, CA This was one of those thrift stores that is so tiny that it is near to impossible to find anything at all. I could probably count the number of dresses on my fingers and toes. They did have nice items that were in good shape, but nothing that really stood out as extraordinary to me. I doubt that I will go back by this little store. Monday-Saturday 10-4 (510) 528-9455
Oakland
Clausen House Thrift 4834 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA I went to this thrift store a while back with my mom and had some pretty good luck finding good items. This time around, the whole store looked different, and while more organized, I didn’t see a single thing in this tiny store that so much as caught my eye. I would only go back if I were walking by and needing to kill a few minutes.
Saint Vincent de Paul Outlet Store 9235 San Leandro St. Oakland, CA This was a funny store, and one that would be incredibly easy to miss. I’m not sure how my mom found it, seeing that the outlet is in back of another store, which you have to walk through to get to. They had a fair selection of clothes, were very well organized, and not too overpriced. There was a huge selection of furniture, and only one other shopper in the store, which was kind of strange, but we had lots of room to look!
Gateway Thrift Store
10500 International Blvd, Oakland
Mon-Fri 9:30-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6
Take 580 E toward Hayward, take the Golf Links
Rd/98th Ave exit, stay straight to go onto 98th Ave, turn left onto
International Blvd/CA-185 S/E 14th St
(510) 382-1849
Really cool, cheap stuff, moderately priced
clothing, $1 hardbacks,$.50 paperbacks
Bambino Thrift Shop
5290 College Ave, Oakland
(510) 658-7473
U Turn - Sells vintage clothing to benefit youth
and families of Oakland
5251 Broadway (at the corner of Broadway and
College) Oakland
(510) 654-8887 Open Tuesday-Saturday
12-7 $2 Tuesdays
Harbor House Thrift Shop
1811 11th Ave (At E. 18th St) Oakland
Take 24 to the I-580 towards Hayward, take the Park
Blvd exit, merge onto Macarthur Blvd, turn right onto Park Blvd, turn
left onto E 28th St, turn slight right onto 9th Ave, turn left onto E
19th St, E 19th becomes 11th Ave. Open Tuesday-Friday 10-12, 1-3
Saturday Sidewalk Sales, and $5 bag sales
American Cancer Society
127 41st St, Oakland
Go up 51st St, past Safeway shopping center, 51st
becomes Pleasant Valley Ave, turn right onto Piedmont, turn left onto
41st (510) 601-0100 Really nice stuff, but pricey
St Vincent De Paul - Oakland
2260 San Pablo Ave (at W Grand), Oakland
(510) 444-3790 Really good deals on
books, kitchenware, clothes, everything!
Clausen House Thrift Store
4834 Telegraph Ave (at 52nd), Oakland
(510) 653-6812
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Showcase
5615 College Ave (near the 24), Oakland
(510) 653-1527
New to You Thrift Shop
3271 Adeline St (near 32nd St), Oakland
Take the 24 to 580 toward San Francisco, take the
Market St exit, stay straight to go onto 36th St, turn left onto Adeline
(510) 428-3839 Seems to be closed
St Vincent De Paul Thrift Store
9235 San Leandro Street, Oakland
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00AM - 4:45PM
CLOSED Monday & Sunday (510) 636-4252
Head west on 98th Ave from International Blvd, turn
right onto San Leandro St, store will be on the right, before 92nd St.
United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate Thrift
Store
1970 Broadway, Oakland take the 24 to
the 980 toward Downtown Oakland, take the 27th St exit toward West
Grand, turn right onto 27th St, turn left onto MLK, turn left onto West
Grand, turn right onto Broadway Auto Row/Broadway (510)
881-5812
Salem Lutheran Home Thrift Shop
2361 East 29th St, Oakland
Take the 24 to the 580 toward Hayward, take the
Park Blvd exit, merge onto Macarthur Blvd, turn slight right, turn right
onto Beaumont Ave, Beaumont becomes 14th Ave, turn left onto 29th St.
(510) 261-1406
San Leandro
Thrift Town 16160 East 14th St. San Leandro, CA I absolutely loved this thrift store. It was huge, well organized, and packed full of fabulous items. I had a hard time finding much clothes that I liked or that were not outrageously priced. I did find some great slips here, so it could have just been an off day for the clothes I looked at. They had a wonderful selection of books, household items, vintage shoes, and luggage. I definitely, definitely am going back next time I make my rounds up North! (510) 278-1766 Nice!
Salvation Army 2179 E. 14th St. San Leandro, CA The day we went to this thrift store turned out to be 50% off day, and it was a zoo! Despite the fact that I didn’t buy anything they did have a great selection of items. There was a full wall full of dresses, and a lot of nice ones in there. The prices were pretty fair on most of the items, though I did stumble upon some things that seemed way too high for what it was. Next time I stop by this store I want to go the night before the sale.
Goodwill 14750 E. 14th St. San Leandro, CA We happened to stumble across this thrift shop while in search of Thrift Town, and both my mom and I were pleasantly surprised. They had tons of clothing, and a lot of really nice vintage pieces (unfortunately none my size!). The prices, though higher than I’m used to paying in San Diego, were very reasonable. I bought an incredible vintage leopard print cape, which unfortunately my mom kidnapped from me.
Goodwill 14410 Washington Ave. 11 San Leandro, CA I hit the jackpot in this store. There were hardly any shoppers, which I always like because I don’t feel the need to race around and beat everyone to the good things! I bought some vintage clothes here and a wicker bag. There were lots of things to choose from, and the prices were good. I definitely will stop back by here.
Salvation Army Thrift Store
2179 E 14th St, San Leandro
This is between the Gateway thrift store and Thrift
Town. International becomes E 14th St.
(510) 895-0602
Cornerstone Thrift & Variety
16404 E 14TH ST
San Leandro, CA
Take 24 to the I-580 towards Hayward, take the
163rd Ave exit toward Miramar Ave/164th Ave, turn slight right onto
163rd Ave, turn left onto E 14th St/CA-185
(510) 481-5879
San Francisco
Thrift Town 2101 Mission St San Francisco, CA This thrift store is enormous, it is two levels of rows upon rows of clothing. I have bought things here before, but didn’t find anything this trip. They separate out their vintage pieces on another rack, which makes for easy browsing, but they cost a bit more than in other shops. The line in here is always so long that I often feel intimidated when I go in there. I hate waiting in line!!
Community Thrift Store 625 Valencia St San Francisco, CA I have visited this store a number of times, and with only a little luck. It is in the middle of town, and swarming with hipsters. The prices on clothes are so high, I would say skip the clothes and head to a vintage boutique, though they occasionally have a few nice items. They have a great selection of housewares, books (tons and tons!), records
Goodwill 1700 Haight St San Francisco, CA Despite that this store is in the midst of a very popular shopping area, I have always found good stuff in here. Of course it is competing with several vintage shops, so the prices are high on their vintage clothes, which they have a decent selection of. From what I have noticed the other items in the store are much more reasonably priced. Last time I was up there I bought a wonderful knit hat for only $3. I will definitely stop back by here on my next trip to the Haight.
Goodwill 1700 Fillmore St. San Francisco (415)441-2159 I was definitely surprised by this thrift store. Usually when you see others dressed in a similar fashion as yourself, you can bet that it is pretty picked over. They had a good selection of everything; lots of shoes, books, bags, belts, and clothes. I had limited time in here, so I didn’t even get a chance to check out the housewares, but next time I am in the neighborhood I will try and give it a second look.
Out of the Closet - Church
100 Church St, San Francisco
Monday-Saturday 10-7
Sunday 10-6
(415) 252-1101
Out of the Closet - Mission
2415 Mission St, San Francisco
Monday-Saturday 10-8
Sunday 10-6
(415) 920-9521
Out of the Closet - Polk
1498 Polk St (at California), San Francisco
Monday-Saturday 10-7
Sunday 10-6
(415) 771-1503
Tavern Guild Community Thrift Store
625 Valencia St, San Francisco
(415) 861-4910
Alameda
Saint Vincent de Paul 2315 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA This was my second time in this store, and both times I have had really good luck. They have a good selection of books, furniture, clothes, and more. Unlike other thrift stores, Saint Vincent de Paul has very consistent pricing. Slacks are all the same price, belts all the same price, and tees all the same price. I find that comforting, as they don’t jack up the price on something they think someone may want. Definitely give this one a try, this is where I found my 25¢ dress!
Goodwill 2319 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA I wandered into this shop, after hitting up the Saint Vincent de Paul next door. This is a decent sized store, with a decent selection of clothes. I found a few things I was sort of liked, but not enough to buy. Prices were about average. I’ll probably come back, but only because of the Saint Vincent de Paul next door!
San Bruno
Salvation Army 300 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA My mom and I were wandering around wasting time before she dropped me off at the airport when we stumbled upon this thrift shop. It was a really great one. They had a lot of clothes at reasonable prices, and a fair amount of vintage. They also had some really fabulous mid-century antique furniture, which I loved, and wished I could have brought home with me!
Walnut Creek