I have a piece of local advice: I live in San Francisco, and, to my knowledge, the best hat store here is actually accross the bay in Oakland: the Hat Guys on Broadway and 18th (right next to the 19th St. BART station, so it's easy to get there from San Francisco).
Coincidentally, I bought a Milan straw Biltmore (2 1/4 brim Arlington, similar to the one pictured in the link you posted) from them just four days ago. I'm very happy with the lid, and even happier with the service there. The selection is huge and the prices are decent (mine cost $69, as opposed to $65 online). If you're in the area, I'd pay them a visit, if only to browse.
I actually fly in and out of Oakland on my trip--in fact I am staying there the last nite at Hawthorn Suites Oakland/Alameda 1628 Webster St
Alameda, CA--so (late flight last day) I may just swing by there --have rental car--not far I bet!
San Francisco also has a superb hatmaker in Michael Harris, owner of Paul's Hat Works. But it's not a hat shop, per se. He sells a few Biltmores, mostly velour felts, but chiefly takes orders for custom hats. When I was up there he showed me a Panama he was working that was so fino I was almost afraid to touch it. His hats are beautiful, but his prices are high -- about $1,500 per.
Also (while on the subject of panamas), is there any real difference (other than the fact that PanamaBob is one of "us" between panamahat.biz and panamahatsdirect.com?
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