Me and my friend came from out if town to visit the Castro today. He's was looking forward to visiting the store because he was looking forward to it. When we got in line it appeared that the first point of contact was asking us exactly what we wanted to buy. We weren't quite sure yet and just wanted to look around. He was not friendly at all! Once we got inside the other customer service people were not smiling not friendly and seemed to just want to have us eventually leave. We bought some things but probably won't come back for awhile! Not good! read more

Great local hardware/variety store to grab a simple gift or tool for a particular project. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and the store is relatively inexpensive! Seriously, who doesn't appreciate a $avings when they can find one?! read more

See all

I've lived in the area for 20 years and Cliff's remains my go-to store when I need anything I can't get at Mollie Stone's or Walgreens. I could count on one hand the times Cliff's didn't have what I needed. The prices aren't a bargain but if you live in the 'hood, you can't beat the selection of things, the convenient location, and the helpful staff. That it's locally-owned is icing on the cake. read more

Not just a nice hardware store with housewares, fantastic Halloween window displays and costume supplies worthy of the Castro's legendary Halloweens. Cliff's has a well-equipped wood shop, metal shop, and glass shop where they'll cut your wood, metal, and glass for only $1 per minute. I've gotten life changing home projects done without hiring a handyman because of this service. Their knife sharpening is really good too. Knives worked like new again. And it's super nice being able to consult Cliff's staff about repair needs specific to older homes & Victorians. We're lucky to have this place. read more

See all

As Burning Man approaches, and as I continue to waffle over whether or not I'll make this year my first Burn, I realized I need to write a review on this shop so I have it bookmarked for future reference. ;-) Awesome wig shop with a wide variety, and they even have wig caps. I got my black bob wig (see photos) here last Halloween. On the flip side, I had wanted a fuschia wig (why I got rid of mine from college, I still don't know), and their pink wig options were not as good. By the time I had figured out my costume in the Haight, Mendel's had closed, so I came here in hopes of finding a similar pink bob. Unfortunately, there wasn't one. However, they did have the stellar black bob. At any rate, the selection here is wide, and the people that work here are friendly and willing to offer you advice & tips to help you decide. Fun! read more

I had a home project with a few curve balls and multiple staff were super helpful. So Grateful for this place. Thanks!! read more

Nice store with really neat items but staff needs an attitude adjustment - Store manager Pay attention !!! Some of the staff are rude with no reason - asked a simple question about a hardware item clerk got visibly aggravated - Not the first negative experience I had there so will prob be taking my business somewhere else. read more

Love this place. It has everything you need. I have done lots of updating to my place and Cliff's is close and has a great price point for hardware items. The glassware is great as well. Great Fabric section. And lots of supplies when you are shopping for Holloween. When I first moved in SF i got allot of what I need here. The merchandise turns over on the seasonal stuff and its fun, trendy, and campy. Its the best neighbordhood Hardware store in SF in my opinion. read more

I get all the random things I need here. All the employees are very helpful. Whenever I need paint, there's always someone to help. I've gone in to get some random hardware screws when I found some were missing. They had what I needed and someone even helped me tighten the screws on the piece I had brought in! All for only a dollar sale. read more

These long-time neighbors do NOT need a Yelp review to know they are superior to so many other competitors! I could wax on about all the great things about Cliff's Variety - but I am going to stick specifically to one subject: Light Bulbs. Ladies and Gentlemen, don't go anywhere else when buying a lightbulb...and here's why: First, a lightbulb is NOT just a lightbulb. The uninitiated might not realize just how much lighting can affect one's mood - if the lighting is warm, it can make an extreme psychological difference - if more cool, it can cause one to feel alienated and depressed. Cliff's always makes sure you are getting what you want - they ask you questions about what kind of bulb you want - what you want to achieve with the lighting. They also ask you about the fixture - what is going to fit and what isn't...it's like the equivalent of the old-fashioned shoe salesperson who would measure your feet - they are measuring your needs for, yes, lightbulbs. They also have some places in the wall where you can screw the sample bulb in to see the lighting yourself, which is very helpful. Cliff's has a policy that is very understandable when buying lightbulbs: If the package is open, it is NOT returnable. This makes sense because otherwise, people could just put their used-up old lightbulbs into the package and try to trade them for new ones which would be, of course, grossly unfair. Perhaps this is one reason why Cliff's offers such an extensive service prior to your purchase. However, I think they're just thorough people in general (I've experienced the same high level of customer care when buying paint and other things as well). When the first gentleman didn't know the answer to one of my questions, he directed me to "Bill" because "Bill knows everything". After meeting Bill, I found this to be very true - Bill *did* seem to know everything - at least as it pertained to lightbulbs. I came away feeling optimistic about my purchase. Now that the bulb is in my lamp, I am feeling even better...it's perfect brightness reminded me that I should thank Bill and his teammates for their stellar care. read more

I am so incredibly impressed with Cliff's. They are clearly setting the standard for shopping while social distancing during this time of Covid-19 pandemic. All other businesses in the area should take a page out of their book and take note! Their concern for our safety as customers is clearly just as important to them as their concern for their own safety as essential business workers on the front lines during this world-wide health crisis. BRAVO TO CLIFF'S VARIETY!!! If you have any essential needs that you must leave the house for, this is the place to go, as they are collectively risking their health to ensure that our needs get met as customers. But please if you have nonessential needs just stay home!!! Don't put these kind people at further risk just because you need an excuse to leave the house due to mere cabin fever. I nominate Cliff's Variety for the Nobel Prize for just plain getting it right! read more

I love this place! Everytime I"m in the neighborhood, I gotta go inside and see what kinds of goodies I should be buying. They've got all kinds of things from toys to housewares and now they've even got a second store right next door! The other side has really cute gift items to colorful soaps, kitschy kitchen liners to retro wallpapers. Love it. read more

Cliff's Variety - Kitschy fabrics - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was hoping to find a wingnut, for my vintage juicer Cliff's Hardware is a trusted store to me. A specialist called named "Tamdin" helped me. The wingnut I needed had a very fine thread count, and when he couldn't find the right one he rethreaded one of theirs to fit onto my juicer. Tamsin gives amazing customer service, is very knowledgeable and is a very kind person! Thank you! Bernhard read more

I swear, the folks at Cliff's are the freakin' best! I feel like they are the last hardware store staff around who know what the F is going on. Ever walk into Home Depot and find that staff don't know how to do any of the projects that you want advice on, and often don't have a clue where things are located or if they're in stock? Not at Cliff's! Nothing but knowledgeable, high quality customer service. They always have what I need (especially related to projects on old SF homes) and help me find it quickly. I have never left Cliff's without being asked if I need help with anything. Bonus: All the other fun, non-hardware related merch: bike lights, toys, fabric, gifts, cards, kitchen stuff, etc. Real talk, don't even bother going anywhere else. Save yourself the time and frustration and just go to Cliff's...they're the best! read more

Another of the Castro's jewels of a small business. Close to where we live. You can't find a more helpful and friendly staff anywhere else! We've shopped there for 3 decades, and hope it lasts 3 decades more. ps great place to find that specific light bulb for landscaping or recessed lighting, paint, glass, knife sharpening, keys, tools, hardware, you name it and more. And they have nice unusual modern items for the house. Also this place must strive for the most diverse staff in every way, and it works. They are all fabulously helpful. If you want your shopping dollars to help out a local small business that looks like a Utopia place to work for and shop in, Cliffs is the place to shop!!! read more

Cliffs used to be great but its not really a place for hardware anymore. I called for an estimate for replacing a broken pane on a smallish window. $25 for glass $60 for labor. Tax not included. So nearly $100 for a broken pane of glass replacement. BTW they want to you to do all of the dirty work before you bring in the window (removing broken pane and glazing other wise there are additional charge(s). Yikes I want to support small businesses in the neighborhood but I haven't had a pay raise in years that could keep up with these prices. I miss their old staff too. read more

Do I need a mug with woodland animals climbing a scroll shaped tree with the whimsical name "Fable Mug?" YES OF COURSE I DO!! Do I also need the matching cosmetic bag, travel case and eye pencil carrier? Well maybe not so much, but it was tough to leave the matching set behind. Let's just say that I as walked by the windows of this amazing shop yesterday, I said out loud "Oh my god, this is the best place ever!!" Variety is right-everything from little decorative odds and ends, to yarn, shower curtains, rugs, kitchen wares, hardware, paint and oh yeah Eco-Friendly shopping bags with squirrels on them that say "La-La land." I can imagine if I lived nearby this would be my go-to place for housewares and hardware-just because it's so much damn fun!! I thought the prices were okay, not the most expensive but also not the cheapest-but I'd rather give my hard earned dimes to a local shop than elsewhere. Thought the service was friendly-I was greeted and asked if I needed help. No gripes there. Can't wait to come back from time to time and see what's new. Oh, and get a La-La Land tote bag and some more woodland animal chotchkes. I walked out $7.99 poorer for my mug, but $7.99 happier each morning when I drink my tea at work with it. read more

Fantastic store. Cliffs makes it fun to need hardware. Plenty of cool stuff to keep kids busy. Helpful staff. Just about everything. read more

Old school business with old school values and impeccable customer service. The two gentlemen in fabric helped me pick an amazing pattern for a table cloth that I needed for a Summer of Love party. Really appreciate feeling valued when I go in there. read more

I walked in to buy a rug that I saw in the front window. The attendant wouldn't let me see the rugs inside the store. The micro aggressions were rampant, bad vibes all around. I reluctantly made my purchase because the rug was cute. Will not be going back to this store and will make sure to tell all my friends and family to avoid it. I prefer to support local businesses but I prioritize those that are nice to their customers. read more

Not only does this place have everything but the employees are so awesome here! Cliff's Variety serves as a great example of how to give customer service. I interacted with 5 different employees while here and all were warm, welcoming, and helpful. Even the security personnel welcomed me with a smile. Finding the balance between serving as a deterrent for crime yet not being uninviting is hard for security to do. But Cliff's security managed it with ease. The juxtaposition of their alert, solid stance against their warm, friendly smiles was a great reminder that all are welcomed except those that misbehave. More security personnel should behave in this manner. I needed black #2 X 1/4" wood screws to screw back on decorative metal paneling that had fallen off a chest in my guest room. I was having a hard time finding the screws at other hardware stores so a friend suggested I try Cliff's. Cliff's, he explained, has everything from hardware to craft supplies to gag items to everything in between so, if I was going to find the screws I needed anywhere, it would be Cliff's. The exact screws I needed weren't at Cliff's but an employee spent 15 minutes of his time helping me find a suitable substitute. When we couldn't find the right screws, he even went so far as to bring down a bag of random screws from storage and help me look through them. I could not find an exact match but he suggested I jimmy-rig the screws instead: "Use a sharpie to paint the brass black!" and "Fill the hole with a little bit of wood putty" he said. I purchased the 5 screws I needed for approximately 60 cents. I know that the 60 cents I spent didn't even pay for the employee's time in the short run but I can guarantee it did in the long run. The suggestions he made worked and my chest is now fixed. I tend to be a very loyal customer and will go out of my way to shop at a place that gives great customer service at awesome prices. In the future, I plan to purchase from Cliff's versus some other shop. Thank you, Cliff's!!!! read more

Picture one of those general stores in an old western, but updated for contemporary needs and goods. Such is Cliff's Variety. My first memorable experience for Cliff's was walking by it everyday around Halloween, seeing ridiculous "costumes" in the display window. From these windows, I really had no idea what was inside. All stores try to make money off Halloween, but Cliff's seemed to be doing it as somewhat of a joke. Fast forward to the holiday season. I need a last minute white elephant gift. So last minute that I'm on my way to muni to get to the party. So I step in Cliff's for the first time. On my right there are several aisles of miscellaneous toys and games. Then the store transitions into holiday decorations, home goods, and gardening/outdoor tools. Really, it's a bizarre selection of stuff. But ultimately, I did find my white elephant gift: a deck of holographic playing cards. I don't know if I'll ever come back here again. But I have to admire it's strange presence on Castro. read more

where do i begin? Lots of both useful and kitchy products. They have 2 parts next door to each other. One side has hardware and kitchen appliances, kids toys, and gardening supplies. The other has more interior decorations, bathroom furnishings, and fun items. All the staff are very nice and helpful. It is definately a "variety" of things. for example, you can get a very nice espresso maker and a composting pot for your kitchen.... AND a pack of fake pink mustaches (i actually got the latter - see my photos). it is a ton of cool stuff, all in your face, all at once. just go in.... you know you want to. read more

Cliff's Variety - Mustaches for girls :{) - Hardware Stores Near Me - San Francisco, California

Where else can you find everything you need to create an exquisite drag costume, games for your kids, all the accoutrements you need to throw a party, gardening equipment, a ceiling medallion to go around your chandelier, AND get your knives sharpened at a reasonable price?!! Or maybe you need a new coffee machine, shower curtain, a kitschy mug for that coffee, an American flag, a Pride flag, a Bi Pride flag, a Transgender Pride flag, a set of new dinner plates, or drill bits! Cliff's Variety Store is your local source for all of these things and much, much more!!! Cliff's is mostly WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE, except for a few difficult turns when items are placed by the entrances/ends of aisles...but employees are VERY helpful about moving any impediments and helping you access anything in the store! There are very few stores left in San Francisco that really epitomize the nature of this city, and the character of their individual neighborhood...but Cliff's is one of that dying breed!! This store is truly a San Francisco treasure!!!! read more

Fun store with an eclectic variety and great layout. Masks, kitschy items, feather boas, stationary, materiel, fun gifts, you name it. Great fun to look around and discover unique items. Staff were a bit distant, but not unfriendly. We found some great gifts to bring our mates back home. Also found some awesome masks for dress up and play. read more

Like always, Cliff's saved the day. Joseph, an employee, took a great deal of time to determine why my French press was malfunctioning. Virtually, any other store's employee would have simply told me where to buy a new one; however, in typical Cliff's style, he patiently determined where the malfunction was and advised that I return home to look for the missing part rather than simply replace the device. I did just that and found the small missing part and therefore, there was no need to replace my coffee maker. Cliff's will ALWAYS be my initial go-to shop for a huge array of items. Their prices are competitive and the employees are friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful...just like Joseph. read more

Cute store. I picked up a couple folders and decided to get just one. Laid the one I didn't want on a shelf and employee behind the counter rudely shouted "did you get that from there?" Stunned, I said no. He then belted "well can you put it back where you got it from?". Ive been in retail my entire adult life and have never demanded a customer restock an item. Way to ruin a fun time. Manager was apologetic but still, grossly unacceptable behavior on that employee's part. I certainly won't be returning. read more

Castro district is a fun area. Love the different hangouts, bars, shops. This is a great place to STOP and spend an hour looking and not really needing anything. But you WILL buy something lol. Love! read more

I got out of the habit of going to Cliffs when one of my good friends down the street passed on. I found myself looking for little odd items all good variety stores carried in the past I could not find elsewhere. I finally made it out to the Castro after not going for three years and found everything I wanted at Cliffs at a reasonable price. It made me realize I was wasting my time trying to get this stuff at Brownies or Downtown Hardware and Cliff's was more reasonable on one of the items I could find downtown. One of the items Downtown wanted $20 for and Cliffs wanted $3.50 for as an example. Cliff's is a San Francisco pleasure to deal with along with being a tradition in the Castro and city wide. You might do better going to Cliff's first as they still carry the stuff you used to find almost everywhere but cannot find anywhere these days... read more

Love this place. Staff knows how to find anything! And I usually find something I didn't know I needed. Great Castro gem! Don't buy on Amazon.... shop local. read more

Very well equipped with materials that are only slightly marked up compared to stores like Home Depot. The staff there are immensely helpful. read more

Again, it's the tone and attitude that really irks me. Also, the wrong information I was given today almost cost me a second trip into the store until I re-read the description on the toilet seat I was buying. This was a universal seat--that's all I needed to confirm. I was told it wouldn't fit and I wouldn't be able to return it if I opened the packaging. ( It did fit by the way.) And, when being rung up today, I mentioned that the seat was going to be too heavy for just one bag and in addition to that, it was raining out. The bag wouldn't last when wet. The response was, "There is also a handle on the toilet seat packaging and it you maneuver it just right, you'll be able to hold on to the bag and the seat at the same time". .......maneuver........ Only here--- Why didn't you just give me another bag?...... So unnecessarily school marm-like. read more

I was visiting in San Francisco, particularly in the Castro area, and was taken to Cliff's. What a great store! We got stuffed animals for nieces and nephews, bright orange dish cloths, orange salt/pepper shakers, etc. and had a heartfelt experience with someone collecting funds for HIV research (My cousin/brother had died in the very first wave of AIDS, before anyone knew what it was). Good store, great experience. Wish we had such a comprehensive place in New England! read more

This is a nifty store with everything from notebooks to kitchen towels to hardware and quirky household goods! Things seemed reasonably priced, and there's A LOT to go through. The store is clean and had a nice ambiance. Would definitely come back again! read more

The diva-queen, shaming attitude is the key issue with review, and this is based on two experiences. I rarely ever make reviews, but this one has to be heard. Also, I must note I've been going here for a few years now - and I have two homes. I'm VERY handyman proficient, but always eager to learn more. 1) First horrible experience was buying light bulbs. I needed 20 light bulbs to be replaced, they didn't have the regular light bulbs I wanted. They did however had the LED versions, except they were $20 each. I didn't want to spend over $400 on light bulbs at this time, I simply didn't have the money. I got a LOT of shaming back: "Really??? You'll save X money in the long term and save the planet." I would LOVE to save the planet, but simply not having the money currently, and shaming me the store is not really great customer service. 2) I went in to buy caulking. I asked for black caulking and he said pointed me to this particular one, and then he asked what it is used for - I said inside and possible wet surfaces. He then said, "you can't use that one for wet surfaces". I responded with: "It says "outdoor use, I assume that means it can resist rain/water". He said "No, use this one because I said so.", which was premium caulking and substantially more. I wanted to learn more between the two types of caulking for my own learning experience. I asked "Why not this one, it says it's fine for outdoor AND indoor use - including water." and he said "No, no no, you have to use this one because I said so." There was literally no logical or scientific reason unfortunately provided by him, and he just made me look like an idiot standing there. To be honest - he's the idiot, he had failed to explain to me the difference between the two caulkings and it's his speciality, it's his job! I responded with "Look, I just want to understand the differences for my personal learning." and he kept giving me very ambiguous and uneducated responses + attitude. Unfortunately I'll never go back - the customer service attitude is just truly unfortunately. I had better experience at Lowes... read more

Thank you Cliff's for having so many items I never realized I needed and love. I really appreciate your thoughtful response when I felt unwelcome based on an employee's behavior. I'm a regular shopper here and really enjoy popping in and bringing out of towners here. Love ya Cliffs! read more

A wise pick-up artist once said, "There are four kinds of women who go to the hardware store by themselves. Single, recently single, recently divorced, lesbian who will let me watch...Sorry, five. Recently widowed." As a member of the "single and not entirely useless" category, I find myself at Cliff's often. And as a girl in the Castro, I'm not surprised that this place is fabulous and completely devoid of creepers looking to pick me up in the garden mulch section. I've gotten all sorts of things at Cliff's - hot glue gun, plunger (please, let's be mature), funnels (ok, not that mature), sparkly heart stickers, Norwegian and Irish mini flags, mardi gras beads, light bulbs, towels, cleaning supplies, heavy-duty staples, and the all-too-crucial finger puppets. The people who work there are both knowledgeable and friendly, and they make my visits short and sweet. Cliff's is definitely not your mother's hardware store, but if it was, she'd probably be safe from being hit on, too. read more

In case you haven't already picked up a mask for the upcoming SF Elite Masquerade Ball, check out Cliff's! They have a nice selection. Remember... you can't get into the event without a mask ;) Save the date and pick up another mask for the SV Elite Masquerade Party on 10/22! read more

I know there's a bitch in my closet somewhere, but I can't find her! The halogen light bulb in the recessed fixture in my closet went out the other day. After much struggling to figure out how to get to the bulb, I was able to extract the entire fixture from the ceiling. Now would be a good time to mention that my *tool box* consists of 1 steak knife, 1 butter knife, a roll of duct tape, the stilleto heels of about 200 pairs of shoes, a keen sense of how things fit together and my strong will and determination. Armed with the aforementioned, I still could not liberate the bulb from the fixture, but did manage to turn what was once a one piece unit into two pieces in a way that my keen sense suggested it was not intended to be. I put the whole thing in a bag and brought it to Cliff's Variety. I made my way past a display of feather boas and sparkly tiaras to the counter and showed the man standing behind it my dilemma. He turned around and opened a tool chest with enough drawers to hold all of Elton John's glasses (think late 80s when he tried to get in touch with his butch side by switching from Versace to Gaultier and selling all his old stuff...) I suspected there were no butter knives in this man's tool chest. I was also disappointed, though admittedly not surprised, to discover that Reg's glasses weren't in there either. Using an instrument he referred to as a screwdriver, he removed the old bulb and then helped me select a new bulb bright enough to shine the light, shine the light on all of Philadelphia as well as the dark corners of any closet in the Castro. He replaced the bulb in the fixture and set about reuniting the two pieces. He determined that two discs had disintegrated from too much heat and would need to be reinforced. He returned to the tool box and emerged with two metal ones. He screwed everything back into place, handed me the fixture and charged me $6.50 for the light bulb. It was the same bulb I'd seen at Walgreens for $8 not counting the additional cost of a screwdriver, a box of washers and my patience!!!! Feeling like the bitch is indeed back, I threw in a boa and a tiara. Just because Elton gave up his doesn't mean I have to. read more

Was trying to find some fabric that would match a dress I was having altered & Cliffs Variety Store was the closest to the tailor's location By mistake, I walked into the hardware / home furnishings side of the place but a helpful redirection led me to the correct location - it was the door, next door! All kinds of fabrics & sewing essentials for all kinds of fun creations Alas, they did not have the "boring" regular old fabric I needed but if I ever find myself looking for muppet-fur or sparklie disco attire, this will most definitely be the place I'll come to get stocked up! read more