11 Bay Area Spots for Year-Round Swimsuit Shopping

Photo via Canyon Beachwear

San Francisco isn’t exactly known for its balmy, beachy weather, so it’s hard to find a store with a decent swimsuit selection, even during traditional swimsuit months. But a year-round swimwear selection? That’s practically unheard of.

Because vacations don’t conform to retail’s idea of swimsuit season, I’ve mapped out guaranteed spots where you can find a swimsuit 365 days a year. (Well, perhaps 363, when you take out store holidays.) Before your embark on your next beach getaway, these are the local spots where you can try—and buy—a swimsuit IRL.

Photo: La Perla

First up, we have the designer options: Eres, La Perla, and both Malia Mills locations (in Palo Alto and Marin). I'll be honest: if you're shopping at one of these boutiques, you'll be spending at least $400 on a swimsuit. (La Perla has options that cost more than $1000.) If that's cool, go forth and spend. If you're looking for something a little more budget-friendly, consider one of the following options.

Photo: Waterlilies

In the slightly-less-expensive-but-by-no-means cheap category, we have Waterlilies and Canyon Beachwear. Both carry high-end swim labels like Malia Mills and Natori, but they have a broader price ranges. Customer services at these shops is outstanding; staffers are incredibly helpful in finding styles that will work with your body type and help you feel confident. Canyon Beachwear's claims to fame are it carries lots of bra-sized tops and plus-size swimwear. Waterlilies standout perk is tailoring service. (Who knew swim tailoring was a thing?)

As we continue to slide down the price point scale, we can't forget Zoe Bikini. This San Francisco-based swim brand specializes in swim separates, and encourages you to mix and match to find the fit and color combo that makes you happiest. Also in the traditional category, we have A Touch of Brasil. Think of it as your resource for modestly-priced not-so-modest swimwear. Last, but not least, there are the three reliable options for sporty swimwear: Patagonia, Mollusk Surf Shop, or Aqua Surf Shop.

Click on any of the map points below for additional information about the store locations you see. Want to make the most of the map? Take it with you! Open it in Google Maps on your phone—you can also email it to yourself—for a customized plan on the go.