It is SO nice to have a place in a big City that takes extra care in making you feel welcome as well as helping you with ANY advice regarding house maintenance. It doesn't matter which employee I have gone to with a question, he/she truly involves him/herself in trying to solve ANY problem. Plus, they are just plain honest. I needed what I thought was a new bulb for my flashlight. Not only did they work with me at the counter to figure out was wrong, but ALSO they showed me that a replacement bulb was already in the unit. I felt kind of guilty not having to buy a new bulb, however, their courteousness has made me a loyal customer. read more

The low employee turnover and the generally pleasant atmosphere in this store both say a lot about the owners/management. Especially considering the neighborhood, extremely reasonable pricing on most things. read more

I have been shoping at Cliff' for decades so I obviously love the store. But today, I really want to thank Drew, for such great service. I called the store on Saterday, looking for a particular type of paint recomended by a designer. He volunteered to research it for me. When I arrived at the store today, he had not only had an answer to my question but had lots of additional information as well as the paint I was looking for. I really appreciate the great service.Thanks Drew! read more

Like I had mentioned in another review of mine (Sugar and Spice) I need supplies for a wedding cake I had to bake and decorate for school. A Chef gave me some stores to check out and this was one of them. I didn't find any baking supplies but they do have a huge houseware selection which includes coffee and espresso makers, knives, old fashion wooden ice cream makers, cast iron skillets, etc. you name it, they have it. read more

Cool little shop in the Castro District! Great housewares, hardware, knick-knacks & fun stuff in general. My husband bought me an apron w/ a cool fish print for a reasonable price. The staff was super friendly & helpful. read more

You know, it 's really true. No matter how obscure the item may be, Cliff's has this uncanny way of knowing exactly what you need before you even do. When you go to Cliff's, you can be completely sure that they'll have precisely the object that will solve your particular problem, thus making your life better. The staff are the epitome of GOOD; they'll point you in the right direction if you ask, and they won't hassle you if you don't. They're friendly without being "cloyingly-Container-Store-friendly". And if you're a troublesome guy like me who really doesn't even know the name of that particular thing that I need, they can decipher your request if you just describe the problem. And they never seem to get annoyed. Love that. Love Cliff's. and it's not just the hardware. . .they have a lot of great gift items, house wears and notions too. It's an institution for good reason. read more

Home Depot can eat it as long as Cliff's (and Cole Hardware) are around. I look forward to dead light bulbs because it means I'm due for a visit to the Variety. read more

i cant remember what i came in for but... i got a rad jigsaw puzzle of a big ol lion head here at cliffs variety. they also have finger puppets and tupperware. a girls dream hardware store.....awww cliff. read more

Good selection, a mainstay of the Castro. I will echo some other's regarding inconsistent customer service. Some staff are quite friendly and helpful, and go the extra mile. However, a condescending or blasé attitude seems all too common. I have been treated **quite** rudely on several occasions, by at least two staff persons. read more

LOVE this store. As a kid, we had a neighborhood store called Village Barn that had everything from hardware, to household items, to fun little toys/ knick knacks for kids. Cliff's reminds me of that store, only 4 times the size... which means lots more fun to be had by all! read more

It is a great place to go to! It's got things for a collection and things to make board games with.

Ok, I understand its a hardware store in the Castro. They have lots of things, and keeping stock is expensive. But really, $30 dollars for a gallon of primer?!?! It makes the Home Depot trip worthwhile, and that's a shame. read more

As a former employee, I must agree: Cliff's is a tremendous place. Some of the prices may be slightly higher than other stores, especially national chains. However, those same chains do not offer full health and other benefits, a living wage and a sense of humanity to their employees. Much hot air is expended by some companies who claim to treat their employees "like family." The San Francisco-native and resident family that owns Cliff's puts their money, time and a great deal of other things where their mouths are. read more

I went in there to get some balloons for my 2 year olds birthday party. They have them, and you can pick them out in advance and just pick them up before the party. There were a ton of great toys in there - the eco friendly type without batteries too. Also my kid was wailing because I wouldn't let him have one of said toys, and the store employees were so nice trying to console him and being very sweet, as were all the other customers. Sigh. I love Cliff's. read more

aside from having everything you might need in hardware supplies, these people know how to fix things. you can ask what you might think is an obscure question and get a thorough and complete answer that you actually understand. they also have terrific prices. lowe's and HD don't hold a candle to this family owned business. best hardware store in the city. sometimes i just to to browse and usually find stuff i actually need but wasn't aware i did. (hope that makes sense) read more

Love, love, love this mixture of obscure and necessary items!

cliff's has the distinction of being owned by the family of one of my friends from elementary school. (yep, i'm a native). why is this relevant, you ask? it's not. though we did sell girl scout cookies in front of the store one year, selling out our entire stock in about 2 hours. but i digress. cliff's is a true hardware store- you can find anything you might need within their walls. a new le creuset stock pot? check. nails for hanging up a new poster? check. glitter for that art project you are working on? check. read more

I'm so glad this store exists. Seriously. Living in Twin Peaks it is very convenient for me to hop on the 37, hope off at Castro and Market and walk on over here. I'm really impressed that their prices are very fair (very close to BB&B). I always want to buy stuff I don't need when I go here (that seems to happen to a lot of people from what I can tell). I think I'll go get some keys made and buy a red light bulb tomorrow just because. read more

This store is just really fucking cool. I bought a Rene Magritte calendar here once. What other place in the world would I find such a thing?!?! Great service too. read more

I love hardware stores in general but I am rarely impressed with hardware store service, especially in places such as Ace and the kind. I always felt differently at Cliff's Variety, always felt completely satisfied with the help I have received. Yes sometimes you have to wait a little but once someone is with you, they really try to understand what you are trying to do then help you kindly, non judgmentally and efficiently until you have everything you need (plus they always have everything you can imagine and at better price than anywhere else!) Well yesterday I realized this was only the tip of the iceberg...I went for a special project that required a custom cut shelf (they are pretty much the only ones who do this in the city). The person who helped took the time to find everything I needed to do the work and we figured there was a precut shelf that would be perfect. They needed to do an extra work on the shelf which they did super fast after I explained my difficult situation. Won't go into details. I bring the shelf home (3 flights of stairs) and unfortunately hurt my back carrying it. I had taken a day off the next day just to do this work (single mother of a baby, can't do drilling with the baby at home) so when I realized the shelf was not the correct size and I would have to carry it back to the shop and get another one and wait and carry one back up and likely lost the day I was really upset and depressed. I called Cliff variety and when I explained my situation to one of the managers/owners (Richard) he did what I dreamed they would do but never believed they would. I know they had mislabeled the shelf so they would likely offer me another shelf if I returned that one but I really could not do that and he took the time to listen to me fully and offered to help without hesitating. He cut another shelf, laminated it, drove it to my place (a good 20min drive), took it up the stairs to my apartment. Not only that, but he had done extra post processing to make the shelf perfect and safer for my child (at no cost) and stayed at least 30min if not longer to help me with the mess I was in, trying to complete my project. I could not believe it! I was so grateful, It really made my day! That is customer service at its very best. I was already a return customer but this shop has me now forever and I will advertise it any chance I get. THANK YOU AGAIN Richard and the team at Cliff's Variety, you guys rock! read more

From Halloween costumes to vintage door knobs, cooking supplies to fluorescent crayons, CLIFF'S has everything you'd want in hardware AND variety store. Always a joy to shop here! read more

Cliff's is really 2 stores, the variety cum hardware store and the craft/wig/home goods store. Both are well worth your time. Yes, prices for last minute necessities like drain cleaner are a bit more than at Target, but come on, it's a neighborhood store. Paying Castro neighborhood rents. The people are super nice (even to us straight girls), they've got lots of gay ephemera, and you can buy Cat Butt hand soap for your bathroom. read more

the motherlode for supplies and artsy things. Cool kitchenware, kids arts stuff, lightbulbs, hardware things and fabric. fantastic. all in one place. read more

I love Cliff's. When I lived nearby in the mid-90s, my roommates and I would try to think of the most obscure things that we could and then see if we could stump Cliff's. Pretty much every time Cliffs had the items that we were thinking of. They are that good. They have EVERYTHING. While I do love Cliff's, I really want to ding them for the Annex. Generally, the staff are great and VERY helpful. However, there is one older woman that I've now had two really bad interactions with and I needed to share. Maybe a year ago I was in the Annex looking at hats with my daughter. We tried on a few and were joking about them - all the while being glared at by an employee who was putting things away nearby. After hearing her grumbling about us, I approached her and asked what was wrong. She said that we shouldn't be trying on the hats and that we should stop touching things. I made a point to talk to another employee about getting help with items and was content to glare back at her as I left. Well, fast forward to a few days ago. I'm back with my daughter looking for a patch. The same lady followed my daughter everywhere she walked. Told her not to touch things and then while we were checking out, gave me a tongue lashing for looking and winding the LED flashlights with my daughter. My GOD. This lady must really not be happy. I looked her in the eye and said. "I remember you. You're not a very nice person. Please don't help us." She walked across to the other side of Cliffs. I checked out. I hope that she leaves Cliffs and goes to work somewhere where kids won't bother her. I guess that's why she chose the Castro. But, times have changed. Maybe she should work at the CVS pharmacy... I do hope that Cliff's lets her go. read more

The selection of products is great, and Cliff's used to be my favorite hardware store. I have gone there for over thirty years, but it is no longer the same store. I can't take the rudeness of the present employees anymore. I refuse to set foot in the place again. I have had it. This is so sad because Cliff's wasn't always like this. The employees and the owner were always friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They used to treat every household problem as solvable. I stopped going because I wasn't getting the help I needed to solve my minor plumbing or electrical problems. And they were always rude. If you asked for help, they reacted as if you were disturbing them. Why do they do that? I think they have hired the wrong people, who don't know a lot about how things can be fixed. If they don't purge the staff, they'll go under. I would give zero stars if I could. read more

They carry everything from tiny weird toys, to eye-bolts, to egg cups, to plant food, to umbrellas. And they are local. And they have attractive, polite, and attentive sales staff, that always take my most convoluted art project seriously. I love this joint! read more

Heaven! I LOVE going in here, and always find something fun to buy. The clerk told me "if we don't sell it, you don't need it" - TRUE! This is a 80 or 90 year institution in the Castro. Prices are excellent, the people, the selection. SO many reasons to love Cliff's. I suggest people stop buying the stuff that Cliff's sells on Amazon and give Cliff's a try! read more

YAY Cliff's Variety!!! I love to look for toys here! I got this really rad Syphilis is the Enemy luncbox here. I wonder where it is. I want to go here right now! Oh, I think they sell non syphilis related items also. read more

Love, love, love the staff at Cliff's! My first time purchasing and using fabric dye. Scott had knowledgeable product information to make a great recommendation. In addition, upon checking out, he made sure I had everything I'd need for my project, eg non iodized salt, and provided me with helpful tips for a successful experience! Yay! Because of Scott I had nary an issue and my finished product actually came out better than I had imaged it would! Love the product, love the color, love Cliff's, Scott! -Ciao from The Contessa! read more

I came here when I was a kid. They have alot of different stuff. They like a hardware and arts + crafts kinda store. Didn't go there that since I move away from 18th and Noe. They also have toys to learn about science. read more

I've been coming here for 25 years. These people are the true sense of a neighborhood business. I rarely leave empty handed.

Cliff's is a gay man's version of a hardware store. It's handy, yet chic. This is why we all wanna live here...Cliff's over Home Despot any day....xo read more

I love this place. Weekend walks almost always involve a stop through Cliff's. They have a very good selection of fun print cotton fabrics - not a ton of options, but its stuff you'd actually want to make into clothes and wear. The fabric is a bit on the pricey side, but these days that seems to be the case everywhere. read more

A type of shop you'd only find in a big city, it's a combination of a hardware store that sells kitchen appliances and a dollar/novelty shop. There's a little something for everyone here. I highly recommend going inside and browsing around if you're in the area. read more

This place has everything. everything! They allow dogs and even give my dog a treat every time we come in. Super friendly, one of the guys even told me I look like the pretty rich girl from Bridesmaid. Compliment? I'll take it! Needless to say I come here often. read more

I love Cliffs Variety, always have. I used to pop in back in the 80s. I'm so glad it's still there. They have one of a kind items for the home, and it's a great place to pick up a souvenir of San Francisco that's something other than a cable car. read more

I came to Cliffs to get another set of house keys made when I lost mine. The thing is, is the first time they made the keys, the keys didn't fit into my key whole, so it turned into an ordeal to get a pair that fit made. They were super cool and nice about it though. Other then that I love this place. read more

The very best store in the city. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Any sort of hard to find hardware is available, but it's the staff's help fixing things that makes Cliffs exemplary. Thank you for all your help!!! read more

Indeed, I bought my first feather boa here. I have no idea what has become of it. There's a rumor that it slipped down a manhole into the drainage system and grew to enormous size, feeding off discarded lipsticks and clove cigarette butts, and then one day it came poking up out of someone's shower drain and became Scissor Sisters. read more

On my first visit ever to SF, my BFF brought me in here because she likes the store and she figured it carried the type of knick knacks I would also love. Oh how well she knows me. We both purchased starter chopsticks because they were so random. What does a starfish have to do with sushi? Nevermind, I don't actually want to know. Also I got some postcards and spent a good chunk of time just looking at the toys and other assorted items they stock. I would love to be a buyer for a store like this. It's like Oriental Trading except in real life! read more