Paxton Gate

Collectibles store · Mission Dolores

Paxton Gate

Collectibles store · Mission Dolores

4

824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Highlights

Taxidermy, fossils, insects, plants, jewelry & books.  

Featured in Eater
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824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 Get directions

paxtongate.com
@paxtongate

$$$

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824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 Get directions

+1 415 824 1872
paxtongate.com
@paxtongate

$$$

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Aug 8, 2025

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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Paxton's Gate

"This is a store for those who love curios and collecting. You'll find everything from live plants in their nursery to stuffed animal heads on the wall. Its a great place to find a gift for the person who has everything. I bet they don't have a lamp made out of a blowfish....yet! Also check out their near by children's store for toys and games that are far superior than the new plastic crap you find at big box stores." - Avocados and Coconuts

https://onthegrid.city/san-francisco/mission-district/paxtons-gate
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@eater

Despite Restaurant Closings on Valencia in the Mission, Business Owners Remain Optimistic - Eater SF

"Sean Quigley runs the 31-year-old taxidermy and quirky items shop Paxton Gate. He points to landlords’ disinterest in lowering rents as an issue and would like to see the city charge steeper vacancy taxes." - Paolo Bicchieri

https://sf.eater.com/2023/7/21/23802391/valencia-mission-restaurants-san-francisco
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@atlasobscura

8 Cool Shops in San Francisco

"Paxton Gate is an eclectic cross between a gardening store, taxidermy shop, entomological treasure trove, art book retailer, and natural history boutique. Started across town in 1992 by two landscape designers as an eccentric landscaping store, they soon began including other natural oddities like mounted exotic insects and taxidermy. After several years, the shop moved into a larger space on Valencia Street and expanded their offerings to encompass “treasures and oddities inspired by the garden and the natural sciences”. The shop features a collection of coffee table and practical books on gardening and natural sciences topics, botanical and anatomical prints, shells, bones and a large selection of unusual plants. The back room contains several types of carnivorous plants, and an area up front is dedicated to tentacled epiphytes. Paxton Gate hosts some amazing taxidermy classes catered to adults in its shop. In the annex shop down the street, Paxton Gate Curiosities for Kids, they sell unusual toys and puppets, as well as hosting a number of intriguing classes, from insect mounting, to small animal taxidermy, to shadow-puppet making for kids. They regularly host story time and holiday events for children as well. Paxton Gate also offers landscape design services." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/cool-shops-in-san-francisco
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@atlasobscura

A Rat Lover's Tour of the World

"Paxton Gate is an eclectic cross between a gardening store, taxidermy shop, entomological treasure trove, art book retailer, and natural history boutique. Started across town in 1992 by two landscape designers as an eccentric landscaping store, they soon began including other natural oddities like mounted exotic insects and taxidermy. After several years, the shop moved into a larger space on Valencia Street and expanded their offerings to encompass “treasures and oddities inspired by the garden and the natural sciences”. The shop features a collection of coffee table and practical books on gardening and natural sciences topics, botanical and anatomical prints, shells, bones and a large selection of unusual plants. The back room contains several types of carnivorous plants, and an area up front is dedicated to tentacled epiphytes. Paxton Gate hosts some amazing taxidermy classes catered to adults in its shop. In the annex shop down the street, Paxton Gate Curiosities for Kids, they sell unusual toys and puppets, as well as hosting a number of intriguing classes, from insect mounting, to small animal taxidermy, to shadow-puppet making for kids. They regularly host story time and holiday events for children as well. Paxton Gate also offers landscape design services." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/rodents-places
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don max

Google
Paxton Gate, San Francisco – A True Cabinet of Curiosities If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure in the Mission District, Paxton Gate is a must-visit destination bursting with personality, wonder, and oddities. Atmosphere & Store Layout Upon entering, you’re immediately transported to a world merging Victorian curiosity shop with modern artistry. The store is meticulously organized yet feels like you’re wandering through the attic of a slightly mad naturalist—think walls lined with taxidermy, beautiful insects in glass, cabinets packed with fossils, bones, and rare crystals. The back area features a lush plant section with succulents, exotic greenery, and even carnivorous plants, providing a unique contrast to the animal ephemera that dominates the front. Products & Offerings Highlights include: Ethically sourced taxidermy ranging from small mice to larger, rarer specimens Real insect displays—colorful butterflies, beetles, and pinned entomology artworks Skulls, bones, fossils, and unique minerals Botanical curiosities—plants, terrarium supplies, and gardening tools Books on natural history, science, the occult, mythology, and related subjects Whimsical oddities and artful decor—perfect for unique gifts or home accents The shop also hosts workshops, such as insect pinning classes, creating an interactive, learning-friendly environment for those curious about the natural sciences. Shopping Experience Customer service is attentive and passionate about their offerings. Many visitors note how knowledgeable and kind the staff are, happy to answer questions—even about topics as unusual as whether the taxidermy is real, or how to care for a rare plant or preserve butterfly wings. The owner and team are also responsive to feedback, showing genuine care for customer satisfaction and a love for their community of artists, collectors, and explorers. Who Will Love Paxton Gate? Collectors of the rare and unusual Nature lovers, gardeners, budding entomologists Fans of the macabre, gothic, or curious décor Families with curious kids (note: some displays might be unsettling for the very squeamish) Gift seekers looking for something truly memorable Practical Tips Prices range from affordable fossils and plant cuttings to higher-end taxidermy and original art. Even if you’re just browsing, the store itself is worth a visit. The shop is located at 824 Valencia Street, easy to reach by public transit or on foot in the vibrant Mission neighborhood. Overall Impression Paxton Gate is not just a store—it’s an experience. Each visit reveals new curiosities and sparks the imagination, blending science, art, and a touch of eccentricity into one magical space. Whether you’re shopping for a one-of-a-kind gift, decorating your home, or simply searching for inspiration, this San Francisco gem won’t disappoint.

Yusi

Google
Been here so many times - got amazed by the collection each time we visit. Love this place! Like something magic happening here. Come and check it out ~

Robby Ticknor (TicknorPhoto)

Google
Wow, such a cool store! Amazing bones, rocks and books! Check it out!

Jerry Cheung

Google
Paxton Gate is a must visit. This place was one of my most fun experiences in San Francisco as a tourist. You'll truly find stuff here that you wouldn't anywhere else. They've got the craziest specimens, bookshelves full of hilarious books, and a cool mini scape/plant shop in the back. It's a window shopper's paradise. On top of that, the prices are pretty reasonable too. I got 2 awesome sea urchin specimens for $4 and $6. If you love natural sciences, you'll love Paxton Gate.

Slurmy Gunch

Google
A delightful selection of crystals and rocks, pinned bugs and taxidermies, mystical instruments (tarot cards and the like), plants, and plenty other adjacent things. A delightful place to get novelties, souvenirs, and gifts. The staff was very helpful too, always ready to answer questions or help customers more closely inspect some of the delicate merchandise kept in glass cases.

FuserAgent

Google
A lovely little shop of curiosities, plants and crystals. Very friendly service and very affordable to shop. Their back area if full of beautiful plants and books that show you how to handle your plants. The taxidermy throughout the store is fascinating as well as the handmade designer jewelry. Highly recommend

Victor Coppola

Google
Just too many questions lure you into this shop of true curios. If you need something for one of those folks who have everything, you will find it here. Great place to lose yourself amongst all the cool stuff. I particularly like the moss wall hangings. Will be back for sure.

Nicholas Pun

Google
What a nifty store full of oddities. Lost track of time as I browsed around since there is always some other cool looking treasure to be found. Would recommend popping in to see what you can find too!
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Liam S.

Yelp
UPDATE: 1 Week Later! Paxton Gate exemplifies excellent care for their customers and supports their artistic endeavors. A few weeks ago I bought a pair of beautiful blue morpho butterfly wings from Paxton Gate with the intention of preserving them for crafting. The enthusiastic insect keeper recommended I cover them in two layers of resin to both preserve and strengthen them. However, the beautiful iridescent colors of the wing did not react well to the resin. I returned to Paxton Gate for support, hoping to be heard, but the shopkeeper did not seem to care about my plight. She made it feel like it was all my fault, when I was hoping for some understanding, reconciliation or compromise. Sean from Paxton Gate reached out to me to offer an explanation, apology, and to offer some more wings to attempt to preserve them again, this time with proper technique. Thank you Sean for looking out for your customers! Your curiosity keepers, your bug enthusiasts, your weirdos and artists. We all appreciate your shop so much. There's nothing like it. That you would reach out to make amends means a lot to me and many others. Now I just have to wait for another super rare perfectly blue morpho top right jumbo wing to sustainably appear next year then I'll be all set!
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Ang V.

Yelp
I loved loved loved exploring this store! They have so many freakishly cool stuff! The workers were so friendly. I asked one of them if the animals and bones they sell were real, feeling stupid I even asked, and she made me feel better saying that it was a perfectly valid question. I've never been to a store that sold taxidermy and I always assumed that they would be over 5k but it was "oddly affordable". Lots of Knick knacks, books, jewelry, and they even have a plant section in the back. I could spend hours here. A gem in the mission district, that's for sure!
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S M.

Yelp
Crazy, weird, wonderful, gorgeous, unexpected, eye-opening, exciting, quirky,....These are all words I'd use to describe the treasures that can be found in Paxton Gate. You just never know what you might find! A not-to-be-missed adventure every time!
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Rylee S.

Yelp
I love this store! There's something for everyone. I found fossils, rocks/crystals, a few plants, and a really cool pinned Peruvian beetle. It's probably my favorite store in San Francisco!
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Nancy C.

Yelp
Very interesting store! Unexpected inventory and there's something to discover each way you turn! Staff is informative and helpful.
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Lisa X.

Yelp
Been here many years before and didn't really like this place. Recently walked by with a friend and she wanted to go in again. She's been here before too. Inside - Lots of taxidermy covering the wall. I felt sadness. Some part of the store I felt like there are something creepy here. Don't know what. I told my friend I will wait for her outside.
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Bob K.

Yelp
Pretty cool / unique curiosity store in the Mission with everything from crystals to animal bones / skulls to art to a really great plant room in the back. So much to look at and really great for unique gifts or just to take in the randomness.
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Laura P.

Yelp
Oh my sweet satan do I love this store. The staff was INCREDIBLY friendly and so accommodating. Helped with everything. We came here to get me a birthday present (a skull from my boyfriend) and although they didn't have the bat skeleton that I was originally looking for we settled on an impala skull with horns. It wasn't cheap but for what I got, in my opinion, it's well worth it. We also picked up a plant and a framed butterfly. So so so beautiful and I can't stress enough how WONDERFUL the staff was. We'll be returning very soon for a few smaller skulls like a couple of raccoon skulls and a fox skull. So excited to go back!
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Annabelle R.

Yelp
I found this store online and was drawn to the quirkiness of the items they have for sale. This shop is great if you're into nature or animals, because most of the stuff is animal themed (decor, furnishings, games, toys, books, gifts) or actual animals (taxidermy). I think this theme adds to the charm of the place and gives it a lot of character. I love the displays they have for the animals, creative and detail-oriented. And I'm intrigued by the books I saw here, related to astrology, tarot, symbols, mythology, etc. They even have plants in the back nursery and outdoor garden area. Most items are a bit on the pricey side for me, but the quality and rarity seem worth coming back here for some unique gifts. We did get the bacon and cheese Crick-ettes Snax on this visit, which are real crickets, dried and seasoned (I know you could easily get these off Amazon, but we were feeling adventurous and curious). I chickened out later, when we were about to eat them. But I forced myself to imagine it was a potato chip/cracker. It tasted like a stale peanut shell, and I could not taste the "bacon and cheese" seasoning at all. Anyway, that's my experience. Oh, and the employee that helped us was friendly too, definintely encouraging the cricket-eating to cure a hangover. I hear they do events at Paxton Gate as well, so I look forward to seeing what they offer in the future.
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Rai L.

Yelp
This shop is a treasure trove for budding entomologists and nature enthusiasts. Children with a curiosity for the unusual will find this shop an exciting place to explore. It's a quirky, educational adventure that offers something for everyone in a slightly unconventional way. Trigger warning for the more squeamish children.
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Chanel G.

Yelp
Love this place! I had been meaning to go here for awhile now, and we finally made time to go! I picked the perfect day, they were having a snakes and margaritas event which is right up my alley! I was able to get a few fun unique gifts for my son and mom (for Mother's Day) Would def go again, and I can't wait to take some of their workshops in the future.
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Zach H.

Yelp
Been frequenting this place for over 20 years, and it has definitely declined severely. Went to buy a ring for a family friend, and was greeted by a woman with horrible hygiene, who was coughing in my face and proceeded to tell me that she had high and rings for sale, and had no idea about her inventory. Disorganized, rude and apparently trying to spread things that are a little bit weird. I'm not gonna go off as I have a reputation here but it was an extremely strange situation and I will never ever support them again. Take care. Don't waste your time. There's other places like love or spots that actually know what they're doing.. love of Ganesh etc. What a horrible, inexcusable joke either way peace out to Paxton gate and thank you for over two decades of memories and I wish you the best but I will not be supporting you anymore.
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Victoria R.

Yelp
Cool, weird spot with a lot of interesting oddities. Items can be expensive but you're paying to have something unique. I purchased VERY COOL odd dried flowers for a friend's birthday. I loved the gift. Glad this treasure exists.
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H F.

Yelp
A total treasure. So happy that they had survived the pandemic. It feels like you are stepping into Alice in Wonderland
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Leah E.

Yelp
I wanted to love this store but I just couldn't. Unfriendly workers, ridiculous prices and taxidermy. Taxidermy in SF? I saw the pictures and thought this place looks awesome, I got there and it just made me sad. In a culturally vibrant area like the Mission this just isn't my cup of tea- and the plant room in the back was truly sad. I thought about asking the four employees behind the counter about the giraffe and it's story and who it sold to? For how much? And I decided I better not.

Lora ..

Yelp
Interesting collections, great location, friendly people. Store is well set up. Wide range of learning supplies. Great for all ages. Just an all over great store.
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Hiram M.

Yelp
What a cool and mysterious shop this is! I imagine the feeling of walking into this place is the closest I would get to the experience of being inside the Harry Potter universe. Fossils, skeletons, dinosaurs bones and teeth, taxidermy, exotic insects, preserved reptile specimens, plants, charts, maps, rocks, crystals...everything a modern alchemist or wizard needs in their potion kit, I presume.
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Patricia P.

Yelp
I always have to stop by this place to check out the awesome taxidermy and plant selection. I picked up cute croton and some shells for a terrarium I'm planning to build. A must if you ever find yourself in the mission!
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Cindy W.

Yelp
Finally made it to Paxton Gate today after much anticipation and review hype I'm pleased to report it lived up to expectations fully! Artfully and expertly curated PG's taxidermy is responsibly sourced and attractive. I found the prices very competitive, and not outrageous. I would liken it to a modern take on a shop of curiosities with a bit of of goth theme and some great apothecary items, a large offering of decor crystals and stones and a surprise selection plants and succulents. Looked to be a a favorite of tourists too, but not overwhelming so. I enjoyed the visit and would consider purchasing a mount from them in the future.
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Rachel O.

Yelp
I am so in awe of this store. I would love to have drinks with the business owner and talk about how this vision came to life. I can't think of a time when I have entered this creative space and left without a "piece". From art to plants, to beautiful animals captured in forever beauty....we love you Paxton Gate.
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Amanda L.

Yelp
My ring fell apart after two weeks of purchase. Customer service was great! I didn't keep my receipt and they still helped me out and gave me store credit.
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Jaclyn B.

Yelp
Super fun and interesting store! So many crystals, fun scientific-based gifts for your fellow nerds, and awesome plant prices! The staff members were really friendly, easily approachable with questions, and very knowledgeable
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Ms. S.

Yelp
I visited the store today from about 4:20PM-4:50PM. I was the only client in the store the entire time, minus a couple clients for a few minutes. The associate with very curly short hair sitting on stool reading magazine and scrolling through phone looked up at me 5x times but didn't even smile or acknowledge me. The other associate who came out and rang up me also didn't acknowledge me at all while they talked back and forth with other associate. I had intention to spend $500+ on multiple gifts but no 'hello' or offer to assist. Instead I spent $5. I love supporting small stores but please do better and at the very least say hello. As a reminder, shoppers often drive far away only to visit your store, which was my case. The least you can do it say hello and act like you work there.
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Lia S.

Yelp
One of my favorite shops in the mission. Such unique taxidermy and animal remains. Very friendly staff and I think the items are fairly priced. They also offer insect pinning classes, so you can learn how to properly display and store an insect in a case. If you walk to the back, they have a plant nursery, how cool is that? Death in front, life in back. I've bought quite a few succulents from them. This shop is a must visit even if you're not particularly interested in bones or taxidermy, simply just for the experience of walking around and viewing their selection. I also believe everything is ethically sourced, which is a priority to me when buying anything animal related.
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Douglas A.

Yelp
Last year I bought a lamp from Paxton Gate, on a sale for 20% off. When I got it the light didn't work (a clerk told me that might happen) Anyway, looking online I found advertising for other lamps by the artist, several at Paxton Gate for 60% off! I was excited to get another, as they were expensive. I went online and filled out the order, but didn't send it as I wanted to check in the store about getting in store pickup rather than delivery. I asked the clerk about it and she didn't know about the discount, and asked me to show her. Easy to do. A few minutes later I decided that the lamp was what I wanted so I went to finish the order, it wouldn't accept the discount. I went back and the clerk told me it was a mistake and they won't honor it. It's still up online. Very disappointed, I could have just ordered it and been done, but by talking to the staff I got screwed. No offers to honor it or even make any gesture. I feel like they really don't care about the customer experience even for prior customers. #paxtongate #evanchamberslamp
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Kim P.

Yelp
Super cute place to pop in and check out "treasures & oddities" in the mission. While there's a big wow factor to most of the items in the shop, they do have a wide selection of air plants and the necessary parts to personalize your own terrarium. Bottom line: Come in to check out the taxidermied animals!
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bacon u.

Yelp
This place is awesome, i love it. the place is very cool and fun to look around. they're stuff is pretty neat and i enjoy visiting there once in a while. my favorite section in the store gotta be the crystals, they're all so beautiful.
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Dilys S.

Yelp
It's a magical world here: high quality taxidermy (some vintage massive and exotic, some whimsical, some enchanting and beautiful), all the glassware you need for an alchemy lab, healing rocks and crystals, and a full plant house in the back. The looming African savannah animals really transform us into a different world. Probably a bit dark and scary for kids but for urban adults, this is like diagon alley
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Bruno R.

Yelp
Super neat spot. A little too expensive for me but they have a lot of great pieces. Even if you don't buy anything it is a cool store to look around. Some might say it is creepy. They have human bones and lots of stuffed animals.
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Warren A.

Yelp
This store has cool stuff, cool staff, and probably the best gift wrapping in the bay area. Pay the $5 for the gift wrapping, you won't regret it.

Florian E.

Yelp
We bought a jackalope and less than a year later it was clear it hadn't been prepared correctly. We asked a professional taxidermist and he said that wrong preparation is clearly to blame. The store owner isn't responsive and my wife was just told "sometimes that happens" in the store. I highly recommend not spending a lot when buying any prepped animals as they clearly don't know what they're doing. See attached pictures...
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Jena S.

Yelp
I'm hella frustrated about this because I've loved Paxton Gate for years. I thought I already had written a 5 star review on here. Apparently not. And then apparently I got the worst experience I've ever had in my multiple years of coming here. It was absolutely disappointing. Awhile back I'd gotten a button here which sadly had fallen off of the backpack which it was on. It was important to me & when I came back I wanted to find it again. I saw three folks doing absolutely nothing at the register complaining to eachother essentially & politely asked if I could get some assistance looking for the button. "Hi. I'm looking for a button I bought here before..." "We only have what's in there" the first person told me. Ok... I didn't even get to... but alright. I dug through a sea of buttons. The first woman was rude. Ok she went away, let me try this other one. "Excuse me but can you..." "No." she said abruptly. Round 3 next. I've been digging through buttons for a bit now going through each one by one. I saw someone with a shirt on that said "Be Kind" with a shift change I hoped there was an attitude change. Absolutely not. "I'm not going to help you. Do it yourself." this one told me while looking over at someone else & talking ironically helpful to some blonde conventional woman who approached from the left asking about something else. I'd walked in with skates & 50s glasses. Maybe these folks didn't think I had money to spend there or something. They were rude & snubby which was hella frustrating given that I've loved & raved about this shop several times over the many years I've been coming here. I'm a freelance writer & have an adoration for death, gardening, and essentially everything I thought this shop was about... except this horrible attitude. I tweeted about this when this incident happened here: https://twitter.com/Scandalous/status/1163229933537116161 What an absolute shame. I love this store. I hope this isn't a new & ongoing thing.
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Lauren C.

Yelp
Oh my god. This place is the coolest and if you're looking for a unique gift, you're going to find it here! Don't be intimidated by it- there are lots of options and you'll be able to find a lovely piece for anyone. Whether it's a fossilized shark tooth, twisty green plants or a class for taxidermy- they've got it all! My favorites are the little taxidermy mouse heads.
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Gerard Y.

Yelp
Interesting store. I've always walked past this store over the years and thought it was just a taxidermy store until I walked in a few days ago. It's that and more. The animals looks like they're very much still alive. Very detailed. Preserved stuff like rats in jars too. They have a nice variety of succulents in the back of the store and you can even walk out to their patio to see even more. Also love how they have books that are plant and anatomy based too. A book showing all the wonderful strains of Marijuana or species of mushrooms caught my interest. They also had trays and other decorative stuff which is a bit pricey but I guess it would make for a unique gift.
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Mari H.

Yelp
This shop is loaded with fossils and shells and minerals and a beautiful succulent air garden selection in the back. It's an unexpected treasure on Valencia...then again, Valencia is just loaded with eye candy. I only had eyes for the minerals once I saw the front case. My hubs is super into these things and it kills as a gift. Fresh back from a show they had an incredible selection to choose from, which is pretty much all anyone who loves or wants to gift one of these beauties could ask for. They're reasonably priced and they enjoy the shared enthusiasm. They are also knowledgable on what each one is called as well as stock that might not be on display. Many thanks for all the assistance!
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John S.

Yelp
Paxton Gate is filled with all sorts of plants and home decor, ranging from affordable $4 succulents to extravagant taxidermy mantlepieces ranging in the thousands. I visited the store with the intent of purchasing the former to decorate a new home, and I was more than pleased to discover that this store offered a wide variety of plants to choose from. Additionally, there was a potting station with soil and gravel for you to prepare your plant for your home which delighted me. The store had friendly associates who offered great advice when it comes to selecting your plants and pots. Given their wide assortment of beautiful decor and plants with affordable pricing, I definitely would return to this store to decorate my home in the future.

Ay K.

Yelp
One of my favorite stores and a favorite spot to take people new to the Bay Area. I've gotten a moth, a beetle, and a springbok horn here. The staff are super helpful when I'm asking about what kinds of bugs they have.
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Hikari M.

Yelp
One of the coolest and most intriguing shops in the Bay Area! They're certainly not cheap; small tumbled stones run around $5, with larger ones being more expensive. Posters are $5.50, where other stores carry the same ones for $4.50; the store I work in carries them for $4.95. Also, $25 for a large glass jar with a standard metal twist-on lid? There are nicer ones at Daiso for $3. That being said, there are some unique items you won't find anywhere else. Being a huge snake person, I was able to get a clean snake rib and vertebrae for less than $20. They have a nice plant section with mainly succulents, but I found a large, lovely, healthy ZZ plant for $15 that I cherish. Long story short: crystals, posters, and glass jars/ storage-- buy somewhere else; bones, books, plants-- great!
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Jaylena P.

Yelp
What a creative place to discover the oddities you never thought you loved. Carnivorous plants, roaring Lion heads, finger chopping Beatles, random furriness, Orchids and so much more! The shop is split in half with the rear housing plants, shrubs, flowers and potting supplies. Usually there is a knowledgable gardener that will answer your questions. Terrariums are the rage now, so you can bet that Paxton Gate has alllll the supplies you need to build the epic rrerium. They even offer classes! The front of the shop houses the fun stuff - taxidermy galore! Bugs, heads, shells, stones, apothecary tools and even a small book section. I could spend hours in here.. in fact I did! The staff are beyond friendly and very knowledgable about their wares. One of the staff gave me advice on how to care for my new carnivorous plant. Definitely an amusing shop to explore when in the Mission and if you live here.. well lucky you!
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Ashley S.

Yelp
I could spend an entire day in here and still not see the entire store; it's jam packed with anything and everything kinda dark and mysterious. It was an amazing experience and I simply cannot wait to go back. I was fascinated by pretty much everything they had to offer. I ended up walking away with five beautiful posters crystals, whales, two cacti, and an octopus, as well as a red fox skull (I've always wanted a skull so it was a fantastic birthday gift to myself. Also a die hard fan of Juniper fox on ig so), and a bunch of sea critters to make a shadow box for my new apartment in Monterey. My sister made one of the hanging cactus planters and it turned out so cute. You get to pick your plant, extra vegetation, rocks, glass, lava, etc. Very excited about all of my purchases~ The staff was just as lovely and so helpful! Thank you! I don't want to say anything bad about anyone else but I've watched the show Oddities sf and been to Love to Death a few times without knowing this place existed and I'm so glad I found this gem instead because that place is over rated and over priced. Not to mention that owner is not too nice of a lady.
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Celine T.

Yelp
I normally don't write reviews on Yelp but I was extremely excited to come and shop here(and probably buy something) but left disappointed. My boyfriend and I are from Orange County and we both love weird and odd collectables. I called in advance to make sure they were open and the lady told me that they were open till 5pm, not once mentioning that we needed to make a reservation in advance to shop in store. We arrived after a 30 min uber ride from our hotel only to find out you need a reservation to shop in store. I asked the lady at the door if there is anyway we can come inside since there was no one shopping inside and she said you have to make a reservation 24 hrs in advance but not once did the lady mention it over the phone. I asked if we purchased something curbside if they can ship it to our house since we flew out here from OC and she basically said just go shop on the website since itll be easier lol. Cool store (from what it looks like outside and pictures) , rude shitty staff.
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Lynne B.

Yelp
I wanted to like this store. I like to collect animal skulls and bones I find while hiking. I think they're beautiful and each one has a story, a life behind it. What I felt on walking in was sensory overload (can there be a thing as too much taxidermy? That question has been answered for me), followed by discomfort and sadness. I want to believe that these are all "ethically sourced" but with the sheer volume present I highly doubt that. Buying pinned butterflies from Asia that were raised on a butterfly farm to be killed and pinned and sold to Westerners doesn't constitute ethical in my book. I understand it does for others and I'm not looking to shame someone who loves them. I can't even begin to rationalize trophy heads. Overall I'd say the place gave me the feeling of disrespecting the lives behind the collectibles. Maybe that's why the employees have such poor reviews? The store exudes disregard. It was....gross consumption, and I left feeling ashamed.
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Donna R.

Yelp
Friendly staff, lots of cool items at great prices. I came all the way from Elk Grove to specifically shop here.
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トモ Tomo Toro E T.

Yelp
When here after reading all the reviews expecting it to be a freaky place, but I found it to be much more tame than what I expected. I been to a store on Clark Street in Chicago (I don't know if it still exists) where the theme was death and pain with crime scene photos and some really scary stuff. Compared to that, this was Animal Kingdom at Disneyworld. Didn't buy anything here and I cannot think of an occasion where I would buy something here. I am not a big fan of giving a gift which I wouldn't want.
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Stefany V.

Yelp
If I had a house, Paxton Gate would be where I go for whimsical interior design and gardening needs! Store has a unique selection of natural decor items from gemstones to taxidermy, animal skin rugs, and shells. Head out back and there are both indoor and outdoor garden areas, with leafy plants, succulents, and even pitcher plants. Walking into this store is like how I'd imagine a real-life Miss Frizzle decorates her home. Prices are kind of all over the place, with some great deals to be had if you know what you're looking for. Staff are helpful but generally stay out of your way so you can explore, small baskets are available by the door to hold eclectic items as you go. Keep an eye out for the matted nature prints from local artists, available in the $50-100 range.
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Blanche M.

Yelp
My young daughter is fascinated by this store, and whenever we visit SF we like to come here and buy unusual trinkets. We were excited to see on their website that they were indeed open this past weekend. Drove there, spent 30 minutes looking for parking, and arrived to see it was open by appointment only. There were no customers inside, and we asked if we could make an appointment, to be told that they only book appointments on the website 24 hours in advance. I understand that they want to limit visitors during covid, but there was no obvious information on their website indicating this. It was super disappointing.
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Kelsey Y.

Yelp
WOW! AMAZING!!! very cool place to come visit! I loved how eclectic this store is ranging from selling animal bones and teeth, to plants and terrariums and collectable rocks! Price ranged from pretty cheap to kind of expensive at least for the items I looked at which was animal bones were cheap (about 1.50 to a few dollars) and pre-made terrariums were averaged $38 in recycled glass bottles. They have the place kind of separated so the animal related things, and rocks were up front and in the back room and outside patio area they have the plants and items to create terrariums. Very cute! I would come back to purchase some cute plant holders and the plants themselves. Definitely recommend trying this place out! :)
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JP H.

Yelp
Pinned butterflies, stuffed deer, snake skeletons, cacti, books ... the volume of natural oddities here that you won't find anywhere else is stunning. The prices are what they are but the inventory is so cool, you'll want to bring your friends from out of town. They offer taxidermy and pinning classes too!
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Kristi G.

Yelp
Where oh where can I find a unicorn, some glass eyes and a vintage lion claw? It's my lucky day, Paxton Gate offers one stop shopping. This modern oddity shop offers everything from strange to surreal. I've never considered myself a fan of taxidermy, but their collection is quite unique. I inquired once about one of the creatures and found out you can rent them if you wanted to use them for a photo shoot or something of the like. Go in with an open mind because besides the curiosities there are quite a few pretty little things that would compliment most home's decor. There is also jewelery, books and art. It's no little shop of horrors, but there is also a good selection for those with a green thumb. Carnivorous plants, air plants and succulents to name a few. They also have beautiful Victorian terrariums that vary in size. Get on the mailing list or check their Facebook page and go to their annual sidewalk sale (around May). This is when everything is affordable. Goods are typically slightly damaged, but still in good condition. The staff is friendly and well versed on all subjects that fill the store. You can also take gardening, terrarium, insect pinning and taxidermy classes there. This is a great place to ogle and buy presents that will get people talking.