Clarion Alley
Clarion Alley
Women's building
Dolores ParkThe Mission District
A visit to San Francisco is not complete without a trip to the Mission. The Mission
is perhaps the most culturally diverse and interesting of San Francisco's districts
due to its mix of latino families and young hipsters. It is packed with bookstores,
clothing boutiques, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Here you will find the best
and cheapest nightlife in San Francisco, along with some of the city's best food.
There are two main streets in the Mission: Mission St. and Valencia, running
parallel to each other. Mission Street has most of the area's Mexican food, and
Valencia has most of the boutique shopping. There is plenty of crossover, however.
Feel free to stroll down one street and back up the other between 18th Street and
24th. If you would like to see someone smoke crack, the area north of 17th St. on
Mission is place to be, especially at night.
Sights
Mission Dolores: 3321 16th St. (at Dolores St.)
Founded in 1795 by Franciscan missionaries and built by Native Americans, the
mission is the oldest building in the city. Originally named after St. Francis, it
provided the city with its name. It has survived numerous earthquakes, fires and
even a stint in the 1940s as a gambling den. The original mission used to have over
4000 monks but now only the church remains. The attached graveyard contains the
bones of California's first governor, the city's first mayor and 5000 Costanoan
Indians who died in their service.
Dolores Park: 18th St. (at Dolores St.)
Located at the intersection of the Castro, the Mission, and Noe Valley, in the park
is found a great cross-section of the city. There is a beautiful view of downtown
and the bay, and summer evenings offer free film screenings.
The Golden Fire Hydrant: 20th St & Church
Every April 18th this hydrant is painted gold in recognition of its being the only
one to work during the fire of 1906. It saved the entire area south of 20th Street.
Clarion Alley Mural Project: Between 17th and 18th Streets and Mission and
Valencia Streets.
You will find murals throughout the Mission, but here you will find a fine
collection. The whole alley is decorated from tip to toe. Not to be missed.
The Women's Building: 3543 18th St. (at Valencia St.)
Home to a dozen feminist groups, the mural covering the whole building, named the
maestrapeace, is an epic retelling of the history of women in the New World and a
grand example of the Central American artistic tradition.
Shopping
Paxton Gate: 824 Valencia (at 19th St.)
This place should by no means be missed. Go there and you will thank us.
Dining
El Buon Sabor: 124 Valencia (at 18th St.)
This is our favourite Mexican place. The crispy tacos are a great deal, and the
salsa is delicious.
Serrano Brothers Pizza: (Valencia and 22nd)
There isn't much room to sit here, but we highly recommend you order a slice. It
will take around 20 minutes, but you will be glad you waited. Slices are practically
the size of a whole small pizza, they are delicious and cheap.
The little Chinese Place: 112 18th St. (Between Mission and Valencia)
The menu here is limited, as is the seating, but the ladies here take good care of
you. The food isn't very greasy, and if you like mangoes you're in luck.
Pancho Villa Taqueria: 3071 16th St. (Between Mission & Valencia)
With a massive selection of fresh ingredients to choose from, this is one of the
best Mexican places in town. It doesn't have much in the way of atmosphere, but
they'll roll you up a huge burrito in seconds flat.
Dolores Park Cafe: 501 Dolores St. (at 18th St.)
Enjoy delicious soups, salads and sandwiches with a view of the park on the spacious
deck here. You can't beat a relaxing morning or afternoon in the sunshine, watching
people. Not to mention the free wireless internet.
Drinking
La Rondalla: 901 Valencia (at 20th St.)
Every night at La Rondalla a seven- piece mariachi band plays for your pleasure. A
small but very strong pitcher of margaritas costs only $11. The place is dark
inside and strewn with Christmas decorations, which is weird but cheery. It's a one
of a kind good time.
Bruno's: 2380 Mission St. (at 19th)
Lalune had her last birthday party here. It has perfect lighting, great big booths
to sit in, cool carpet, and a great layout. There is also an adjoining room where
they have bands play on weekends. It's not expensive at all for such a classy
place.
The Last Supper Club: (23rd and Valencia)
Tuesday afternoons bottles of southern Italian wine are half price and pints of
Birra Moretti are only $2. Best of all they offer as much delicious free pasta salad
and bruschetta as you can eat. It's the perfect place to sit as the sun sets
through the red curtains onto the dark wood inside. The food is delectable should
you choose to stick around. We're here rather often.
Zeitgeist: 199 Valencia (at Duboce)
This is where you come to drink outdoors with a lot of people in San Francisco. I
suppose it's a beer garden. There's loads of seating but the place is always packed
in the afternoon. They serve great barbecue food and if you get too drunk to make it
home you can stay in the hotel upstairs.