Paxton Gate — Local services in San Francisco

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...

Did you ever read the Harry Potter series as a kid (or as an adult haha) and desperately wish that you could visit the stores in Diagon Alley? Well none of the items in Paxton Gate will let you do magic, and you enter through a door in the mission rather than the through the back of a pub, but outside of those two minor difference, Paxton Gate is exactly the same.

There are the truly witchcraft-y items like preserved animals and bones, and also decorations in that style, such as carved animal skulls and taxidermy. But there's also many more mainstream items, like creative artwork, plants, maps, and antique instruments, all stacked floor to ceiling and all pulling at your attention. The prices are quite low for what you get as well; almost nothing felt overpriced to me, which is rare for this type of store and quite rare for San Francisco.

It's a great place to buy gifts, but perhaps an even better place to take people from out of...

I learned about Paxton Gate when listening to Yoon Ha Lee's Hexarchate Stories, and I knew I had to check it out. There is a fascinating selection of items ranging from creative taxidermy displays, to preserved critters in test tubes, to rocks and minerals and gardening supplies. Also, the new taxidermy items are ethically sourced, i.e., no animals were harmed in their creation.

All of that would've been enough to justify the trip, but what puts this spot over the top is the amazing staff. In a store where the items could sell themselves, I was floored by the level of kindness and patience demonstrated by everyone working in the store. I felt welcomed and encouraged to browse. (And as a result spent way more money than I'd been intending.) Sincerely can't say enough good things about the people who work here. I'm now contemplating a return visit less than 48 hours...