This letter smells good

Let's explore the Ministry of Scent in San Francisco (and learn a little about perfume, too)

I love living in San Francisco for many reasons, one being you get to play tourist in this incredible place. Even after landing here almost twenty years ago, it feels like there’s always a new park, museum, vista, oddity, or specialty shop to uncover. Ministry of Scent is like that—one of those places I have long wanted to visit, but never had. The name alone is compelling, no?

A small perfume shop with a location on Valencia in the Mission and on Fillmore in Pacific Heights, Ministry of Scent features fragrances from niche and independent perfume houses. And, each outpost carries slightly different things. You might find one brand here and not there, or some brands’ lineups split between the two locations.

I would classify myself as a perfume lover who knows next to nothing about the art and science of perfumery. But that’s just it—the fact that it’s chemistry meets craft is so compelling to me. Recently, I found myself in Pac Heights on an errand and popped into the shop to (finally!) check it out.

Let me just say—it's a true fragrance playground.