The Mission District San
Francisco's Mission District is the oldest neighborhood in the city.
Spanish Missionary Father Francisco Palóu founded Mission San Francisco
de Asis (a.k.a. Mission Dolores) on June 29, 1776 and since then the
Mission District has been a destination spot. Mission de Asis After
the Gold Rush the neighborhood housed the first professional baseball
stadium in 1868 known as the Recreation Grounds seating 17,000 people,
parts of this still remain at Garfield Square (Folsom & 25th St.). Soon after the 1906 earthquake the Mission District became a major thoroughfare for commercial activity and still today it is filled with unique shops, bars, taquerias, parks, churches, murals and much more! After the "dot com" boom and through gentrification, over the years, the gang violence has lessened, giving the neighborhood a well needed face-lift. And even though the area has the largest population of Latinos in the city, it is culturally diverse with everyone from senior citizens to neo-hipsters walking the streets at all hours of the night. The Mission is also know for its' abundance of taquerias and is home of the first San Francisco burrito. Dive bars are the next infamous treat of The Mission, followed by some of San Francisco's best restaurants and clubs. The Mission District also has a warmer "micro-climate" which makes it a fun all day destination spot and is fairly large. In fact, it can be split into four essential areas- 24th Street, Dolores & Valencia, 16th Street & Dolores, Mission to Potrero. POINTS OF INTEREST:
Brava Theater Center: Once the York, once the Roosevelt- which opened in 1926 as a vaudeville house. Now this renovated Deco space hosts plays largely written by women and minorities, as well as holding workshops for kids and adults in most aspects of theater production, from writing to directing to acting. 2781 24th St., between York and Hampshire. (415) 647-2822 Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center: The center offers weekend tours of dozens of colorful murals in the neighborhood, explaining the political and social messages behind some of the artwork. To view murals go to Balmy Alley. Balmy runs from 24th Street to 25th Street, between Treat and Harrison streets. 2981 24th St., at Harrison Street, (415) 285-2287. Galeria de La Raza: This established Latino art gallery, founded in 1970, features dynamic and sometimes controversial exhibits. 2857 24th St., near Bryant Street, (415) 826-8009. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts: This center also has a gallery, and on many nights you can catch a play or a Latin American movie or take salsa lessons. 2868 Mission St., at 25th Street, (415) 821-1155. St. Peter's Catholic Church: This Roman Catholic church is a lesser-known San Francisco landmark, built out of redwood in 1886 for a parish then composed primarily of Irish immigrants. Though a 1997 fire (started by a votive candle) all but destroyed the building and its interior artwork, it has since been restored to pristine condition. Alabama Street, near 24th Street. (415) 282-1652.
Mission Dolores: At the corner of 16th and Dolores streets, overshadowed by an ornate basilica, sits a modest adobe chapel, one of the two original missions in San Francisco and the oldest standing building in the city. The inside of the chapel (note the ceiling patterned after Costonoan basket weaving -- Costonoans were the native inhabitants of the area) and the mission's cemetery and gardens will give you a feel for old times. Women's Building Mural: Don't miss the incredible mural on the Women's building on 18th Street, between Valencia and Guerrero streets.
The Roxie and Little Roxie: The Roxie plays underground feature films and documentaries. 3117 16th St., near Valencia Street, (415) 863-1087. The Lab: Visit this no-frills gallery for experimental work by emerging and established artists. 2948 16th St., between Mission and Capp streets, (415) 864-8855. Victoria Theatre: Built in 1908, this San Francisco landmark and former vaudeville house stages plays, shows films and hosts lectures and readings, mostly tending toward to avant-garde. 2961 16th St., at Capp Street, (415) 863-7576.
CELLspace: On the outside, CELLspace is a facade of murals. On the inside, it's a mixed-use space that is home to a variety of free classes in breakdancing, lo-rider bicycle construction, salsa and merengue dancing, and more. There's the Crucible Steel gallery in the front of the space, which exhibits local emerging artists on a roughly monthly basis. And there are concerts, parties, plays, fundraisers and a free after-school program. 2050 Bryant St., between 18th and 19th streets. (415) 648-7562. HOW TO GET HERE: Take MUNI Bus: 9, 12, 14, 22, 27, 33, 49 (Get off at 16th & Mission) Take MUNI Underground J-Church (Get off at Church & 16th walk East towards Dolores) Take BART - San Francisco Milbrae, Daly City or SFO line to 16th & Mission or 24th & Mission CAFES, RESTAURANTS, BARS & SHOPS: Restaurants & Cafes:
Bars & Shops:
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