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For San Franciscans who attend theater openings and symphony galas, Hayes Valley is the place to buy a one-of-a-kind gown, eat a terrific meal, then dash off to hear Michael Tilson Thomas, all without traveling more than three blocks. Dashing too quickly would be a shame, as this is an ideal neighborhood for browsing. Hayes Valley is lined with galleries, small boutique shops, and places to eat that cover tastes from soul food to Sushi. For window shoppers, there are numerous diversions.

364 Hayes St. Gallery: This gallery prides itself on the variety of mediums its artists work in. Focusing mostly on contemporary and emerging artists not found at other San Francisco galleries, 364 Hayes exhibits the full gamut of art forms, from paintings to video to deconstructed textile creations. Closed Sundays and Mondays. 364 Hayes St., (415) 431-0364.

Art Options/Images -- A Gallery: Two galleries in one, Art Options focuses on glass, jewelry and other crafts, such as stone menorahs, while Images features paintings and sculpture by Bay Area artists, including well-known names in the area like Nell Melcher, Tom Atkins and the late Noal Betts. It's possible to find reasonably priced goods, including a number of items made from recycled glass. Closed Mondays. 372 Hayes St., Art Options, (415) 252-8334; Images -- A Gallery, (415) 626-2284.

Bucheon Gallery: Bucheon has added a bit of color to a space that once upon a time was a "black hole," or a neighborhood dumping ground. Exhibits of mixed media and contemporary art change every five weeks. The small gallery hosts an opening for each new exhibit on Fridays, 6 pm to 8 pm. 540 Hayes Street, (415) 863-2891
Octavia's Haze Gallery: Glassworks of varying shapes, textures and colors line the interior of this corner shop. The works, all unique, are mainly produced by Bay Area, national and Italian artists. Octavia's Haze Gallery also spotlights paintings by national as well as local artists in exhibits that change every 45 days. Closed Monday and Tuesday. 498 Hayes St., (415) 255-6818.

Polanco: Polanco heads south of the border for its displays, which focus on Mexican folk arts and fine arts, as well as antiques. Established Mexican artists are represented, as are young artists, mainly from Mexico City and Oaxaca. Though special exhibitions run only every couple of months, the gallery is always filled with colorful Day of the Dead art, masks, religious crosses, ceramic plates, silver jewelry and various trinkets. Prices are reasonable, with typical Day of the Dead works costing from $5 on up. 393 Hayes St., (415) 252-5753.

RAG--Residents Apparel Gallery: RAG features more than 20 Bay Area designers, mostly focused on women's clothes, but men's options are available. Each designer rents floor space and can post a biography with the designs. Many hail from other locales, such as Belgium, Brazil, London, and the Midwest, but all reside here now. Some of the designs are one-of-a-kind, while others are limited production. 541 Octavia St., (415) 621-7718.

Tinhorn Press/Gallery: Since 1994 Terry Chastain and John Gruenwald have bunkered down beneath Momi Toby's café with their stone lithography facilities. Though much of the machinery is still below the café, now the two artists have also moved across the street to open a combination working printshop and gallery. It's possible to watch the creative printmaking process on an etching press, which sits in the middle of the gallery, and also view the two artists' finished works. The gallery also exhibits the works of local and international printmakers. Opening receptions are held every six or seven weeks when the featured artist changes. Closed Mondays. 511 Laguna St., (415) 621-1292. (Upcoming shows)

Vorpal Gallery: Renowned for introducing the world to Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, today Vorpal touts its Escher collection as one of the world's most extensive. Vorpal first opened almost 40 years ago in North Beach, during the era of the Beat Generation. The two-floor gallery also maintains the world's largest collection of masterworks, including paintings by Picasso, Monet and Rembrandt. Exhibits change every month or two. The space is also used for films, lectures, poetry readings and parties. 393 Grove St., (415) 397-9200.