A special little gem of the city. I don't blame them for being a little expensive, one would have to do so on an independent level. If you're not looking to spend much, at least check out their little gallery section. It makes me happy that they gave up floor space for it. read more

There is nothing positive I can say that hasn't already been said in previous reviews. Rare Device is a wonderful find in the city. I first read a review of its opening in the paper when I first moved here and have seen it mature into a truly wonderful part of the community. For people that are overwhelmed by the harsh lights and massive racks of big department stores, Rare Device is a shopping sanctuary. Small treasures abound for both the home and person. Definitely check out their clothing selection. Great place for unique gift shopping as well. read more

I was doing a bit of wandering around between the Mission and Hayes Valley and came across this store very unexpectedly. I had never herd of it or scene it before and I immediately walked in. It was great, they had great design books, cards, art by local artist. Everything in their was interesting and amazing. Great store for housewares. read more

An ADORABLE little store! For unique items, especially for gifts, would definitely recommend. Will be sure to stop in to see what new gems arrive! read more

If you love quirky, beautifully made stationary, greeting cards, and writing pads, and locally made artsy items, and dainty jewelry and interesting illustrations to frame and hang on your walls and and and........... I love this place so dangerously located near my work. It's like...if Etsy had an actual store to walk into. read more

Very cute store and a rare and nice collection of special decorative items and books in mission district, full of inspiration!

I love paying this shop a visit! Knowledgeable and friendly store clerk + high-quality goods. I purchased a Baggu Duck Bag, a little baby succulent, and a neato ceramic mug. Yay! :) read more

Super Cool stuff. I take away a star because of the snobbish Shop keeper/owner/manager. Stay Cute read more

A little treasure trove of art, cards, supplies, gadgets, widgets, doodads, jewelry and cool shit. And I am so happy the Little Otsu found a new home. I was worried he was wondering the streets of SF, pooping on the sidewalks of the TL. Best of all, so close to home plate! read more

Such a gem. Very cool knick-knacks that you won't find anywhere else. Candles, paper, nesting bowls, baby/kid stuff, it's all here and presented so attractively. It makes me wish that all shops could be this cute, this inviting, and with such personal attention to detail. Who-da thunk that our family's old meat market could turn into this? read more

I used to frequent the Little Otsu store on Valencia a lot back in the day. Now I can visit this gem. I have found many wonderful presents for friends, family and most importantly - myself? How amazingly selfish of me?! For starters, the art is awesome. You can get reasonable prints that are unique and very special. Its the kind of art people will always ask you about. They also have great kids stuff, which is awesome if you have extra dough to spend on a niece or nephew - not the kind of stuff the kid or the parent actually NEEDS but the stuff you fantasize about having one day for your kid. I am rambling. Check it out. Get cute stuff. read more

Holy crap thank the lawd I don't live closer to this store or I'd spend half of my income here. Their stock includes such gems as: - a little otsu film diary to keep track of all the films you watch - items by awesome artists such as: a Hark! A Vagrant! 2013 calendar by Kate Beaton - planners and agendas for every taste - book plates to keep stock/inventory of your own personal book collection If you're looking for a heartfelt, thoughful gift and have no idea what to get for someone, pay a visit to this store and you;ll definitely walk out with something awesome. Oh! The customer service is rockin'! read more

Wow! This place makes me want to get a second job so I CAN BUY IT ALL. But really, the cool stuff is so distracting and awesome. Art, cards, neat notebooks and gadgets. Whiskey stones! Its obvious when you walk into the store the owners love the place, its well laid out and it seems even when I spend a lot of time there I haven't seen everything. I seriously haven't ever walked in there without walking out with something... I might want to go there again soon - time to find that second job. read more

I first thought I would never shop here. But I was wrong! They have great stuff! Good finds for gifts, picky parents, SF merch. The owner is lovely. read more

after moving my business into the non descript hub/deco ghetto neighborhood last year, i was really missing all the shoppity shop shop that was available when i worked in hayes valley.... its getting better over here on market st....im so glad that rare device has moved in. its a real cute shop. and its hard to leave without wanting to buy something, if not everything in the store... especiallly all the shiny books and paper and bags and smooth wooden goods, its like a tactile dreamery. hopefully more and more interesting shops will open up in this hood, so I might be able to finally stop calling it the "upper lower safeway" when people ask where it is i work. read more

Love this store and its unique and curated items. I was drawn to their large selection of cards and love how they are all different and special. The messaging of their cards are really great, they offered two of their cards to me on the house - thanks massively for helping me out! I especially love their selection of SF photos, beautiful soy candles and unique printed cards. The owner, Giselle, is wonderfully warm and creative. A really great neighborhood store and I am sure that I could have spent hours in here! Thank you for the warm hospitality in hosting the Merchant's walk! read more

Rare Device - Unique cards from Rare Device. Thank you! - Cards & Stationery Near Me - San Francisco, California

Rare Device has a great blend of design & art for your home, bookshelf, or best friend. If you love beautiful stationery, cute cards, foreign design books, and work from new artists, this is your spot. The staff is helpful without watching you like a hawk. They even have a modest gallery space. I hope Rare Device hangs around SF for a while. read more

i have to say that the name of this store truly befits it. you can find a variety of items from jewelry to baby clothes to house goods - all one of a kind and from independent (some local) artists. i loved perusing everything in there! what's a plus is the customer service was warm and friendly. LOVED this store - definitely a great place to purchase unique gifts..or something for yourself! LOVE my purse :) read more

Great stuff, and good service. But I do think it is sad that I spend over $100 in this little boutique and they can not provide me with a bag. I understand the law in this city. But I also realize what a silly un monitored law that it is. I own a small business and as a business owner I make the decision to offer my clients a bag.....Especially when they graciously choose my business over all of the others, to spend their money in. Its the least I can do. So sorry Rare Device, you won't get a good rating for this reason. read more

This is my favorite independent shop in SF. It's a bit on the pricey side, but worth going in just to look at all the great artwork and funky things for sale. read more

It's a shame that this store does have a wonderful and unique selection of trinkets for sale, because their customer service is AWFUL, and I will never return to such a place that cares so little about their customers. After having read so many great things about the space and looking online at what they have for sale, I was very excited to finally check the store out in person. My friend and I walked in the store, and we were not even greeted by the clerk, who looked directly at us, gave us a sideward glance and rolled her eyes before going back to whatever she was working on up near the register. Being in such a small intimate space, you'd think a welcoming greeting would be possible, but apparently not. That set an awkward and inhospitable tone. The clerks apathetic attitude continued when I asked for help with an item. She seemed very put out to have to help me, (even though there is a limited amount of space on the floor for items to be shown, so one has to ask the clerk for assistance to see other styles and colors of some items). I had several other questions about different items in the store, and every interaction I had with this person left me wondering if I had inadvertently done something to offend her, because her attitude was so disinterested and put out. The whole experience was very unpleasant, and after leaving the store my friend said to me, "Was it just me or was that clerk having the worst day /month/ year/ life ever? She was terrible. It makes me never want to shop there again" I had to agree. While I do agree that there are unique and well designed things to buy in this store, you can find these things online, or at many other stores in town. Good customer service is what makes you want to come back to a place, not just what they have for sale. People shop at small boutiques because they appreciate the intimate environment and personal interaction that is often lacking at big retail stores. I work in a customer service job as well, so I understand that small things like smiling, saying hello, saying please and thank you, and being grateful that people are in need of your services and supporting your establishment, are all very important. The owners and employees of this store might want to consider these things. read more

An amazing assortment of clothes, books and gifts that you will not see elsewhere situated in a lovely space in a great part of town. I want to go back and by the silver chicken feet and that hot pair of denim! read more

I stopped in here on my way over to FLAX this afternoon. Everything in the store is lovely. I could have spent my entire paycheck here without blinking. They have beautiful cards, unique jewelry, modern house stuff, and even great clothes in the back. Not to mention there's an awesome Amy Ruppell mural on the wall. I will probably be making a regular treck over here and get myself in trouble when I can't pay the rent! A very welcome addition to the neighborhood! read more

this store is a treasure for my neighborhood. i used to live right by doe & would stop there for my last-minute, adorable & affordably-priced gifts for friends...or me. but now i live right by rare device & i'm so happy they opened. they're my new go-to place for gifts. in fact, it was practically one-stop-shopping there for gifts for my boyfriend for xmas. their selection is great--beautiful housewares to cool desk accoutrement, cute clothes to original jewelery, plus little tschotchke & fun cards. thanks, rare device, for making my neighborhood all that much cooler! read more

the perfect place to get That Little Something. I shopped for a 5 month old, a 14 year old, and a 34 year old, and found fabulous things for all! read more

This place is kind of random, takes the word eclectic to a whole new level. Has terraniums (that are actually quite nice and not that expensive), wallets, watches, books (but kind of random books), cards, art that honestly isn't my favorite and baby clothes. What is it with random boutiques all including baby clothes?Aren't there baby clothes stores? that being said, its a block from my place and if I need a unique gift for someone I can absolutely find something here....You might not find something for yourself, certainly not something you need, but if you are looking for a gift you will be happy you popped in. read more

This store is adorable. They have tons of great trinkets and would probably be a good spot to find a present for someone. They sell some Rifle Paper company stationary, washi tape, prints and other great items. Some items can be a little pricey but if you're looking for something a little unique like tumbler glasses that don't sit flat (instead they roll like a top on cone...if that makes sense) then this is a good place to stop by. Another gem in the NOPA/ Western Addition area. read more

I really like this store. You know some stores with cute for-your-house personal things really have junk that you'll never use. ( I will never understand the attraction to The Curiosity Shoppe or Little Otsu on Valencia ) but Rare Device actually has useful things. And I like the two owners a bunch. Fun parties on occasion too. I need to remind myself more often how much I like this store and go in more! read more

This store is incredibly adorable if you are looking for some unique gifts and it really caters to local SF creators and products. They have some finds! Drop in if you need a quick birthday present or thank you card or just a general "you're great" item for someone special. read more

Keep me out of here because I want everything in the shop -- from the jewelery to the purses to the clothes to the books, I want it all. The only thing I don't want is those skinny jeans that they sell. Why won't those jeans go out of style already? read more

All I can say is bad customer service. I went in one afternoon in a big hurry and got about $80 worth of thank you cards, stamps, ink and plain white cards as I knew I wanted to write some thank you notes but I wanted to talk to my husband and see which ones he liked best. We decided to go with the stamps and blank cards so I went to return one set of Thank you cards that weren't the direction we wanted to go. Turns out everything was final sale because it was part of their pop up. Nothing was posted saying final sale, the sales associate did not say it was final sale and it was a full price item so I had no reason to believe it was final sale. What kind of high end store refuses returns on full priced items that are unopened? This one. I'll never shop here again because that's just a ridiculous policy. read more

Rare Device is a terrific addition to the neighborhood! Welcome to NOPA. The design of the store is minimalist and an excellent upgrade from the Lo-Cost Meat Market that used to be in this space. Distinctive baby clothes, unique children's books, simple but elegant jewelry, and an excellent selection of cards, small notebooks, and whimsical art. Very surprised by the reasonable prices. Owners were understandably nervous on opening day but attentive and friendly. read more

I love all these small hipster gift shops that SF has. Rare Device is another one of these quirky, well-designed gift shops. They sell some really cool prints maps of SF, quirky Happy Birthday/Thank you/other occasion cards, random trinkets that you never need but always want like plants in a tiny pot or quirky books. Just a whole host of neat little gifts for friends or maybe something to spruce up your apartment. read more

This place seems to get better and better each time I visit. An unusual fact because it was already great to start with. They have some really cool "organically" designed bracelets and pottery that remind me of coral or dried vegetation. I'm not really sure what some people are talking about apathetic customer service since I get good service each time I go. read more

Just popped in this evening on my walk home from work, and this is sure to be my newest stop-in-often-and-covet shoppe. So you all better start spending your money here. That way, they stick around and then I get to look and scheme and plan before I finally break down and buy that freakin amazing necklace I waaaaant. read more

Even though the store isn't huge, it packs a lot of great finds. It also uses the limited space wisely. There is a dressing room nook so that you can try on the clothes that they sell. And I love that they have a small gallery space to showcase/sell works by independent artist. read more

I come here to get my "etsy" fix. Great little pieces of art and knick-knacks by independent artists. I like browsing the jewelry and paper goods. They also have some nice art displays just to look at. The only problem is that I'm hardly ever just in the neighborhood since there's not much else to see around those parts other than restaurants. read more

This store has many cute items. It also is very ascetically pleasing inside. I picked up a few odds and ends here. The selection is limited but very cute quality stuff that I easily found items to take home. read more

yes yes yes and more YES. cute stuff all over the place. cards, art, jewelry, notebooks, etc. it's lovely. a friend and i popped in after breakfast a few weeks ago - she had wanted to check it out and oddly, i don't really like shopping but i may or may not have purchased a piece of art which is now hanging next to my bed. BUT IT'S SO CUTE. okay, so yeah, if you're in the neighborhood, hop to it and go. read more

Whenever I walk by this place, I have to go inside. They have the coolest stuff -- cool coffee table books, cool affordable art, nifty little gadgets and household decorative items as well as useful kitchen/bar items. It's a great place for buying unusual, unique one of a kind stuff without having to spend a fortune. They also have a small space in the back with things like bags, leather goods and clothing (mostly ladies clothing though). A collection of sweet jewelry and nifty watches rounds this place out as one of my favorite little stores in my neighborhood. Only complaint is that the staff could be a little friendlier although when asked for help, they gladly give it. read more