Page 141 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

309
US308-309_CIT_SanFrancisco.indd
308-309_CIT_SanFrancisco.indd
CITIES
ABOVE Victorian ornamentation in Haight-Ashbury
LEFT Rows of “Painted Ladies” on Alamo Square
Neighborhood
Hang-outs
The real heart of San Francisco lies in its
neighborhoods, and one of the best ways to
enjoy the city is to skip the tourist areas and hang
out where the locals do. No neighborhood is
more famous than Haight-Ashbury, the
psychedelic hub of the counterculture of the 1960s
on the edge of Golden Gate Park. These days, the
die-hard hippies and head shops are joined by
boutiques and restaurants and equally fashionable
customers. Survey the scene from The Grind Café,
a local favorite.
The Mission District is another edgy
neighborhood, where working-class Hispanic
families, artists, and cool youth create a vibrant
atmosphere. Stroll along 24th Street to see some of
the area’s fantastic street murals – pick up a map at
Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitor Center – then
have lunch or dinner in one of the many Latino
restaurants or hip eateries.
The adjoining neighborhoods of Castro and
Noe Valley are great for walking, thanks to the
“golden fire hydrant” opposite Dolores Park that
saved the beautiful homes here from the fires of
the 1906 earthquake. Castro is home to San
Francisco’s large gay and lesbian community. The
flamboyant Castro Theatre is a suitable landmark
and a great place to catch a movie.
Richmond is a bustling residential district
between the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, home
to Russian descendants and Chinese immigrants
who have formed a second Chinatown here. Next
to the Civic Center, Hayes Valley has gentrified into
a trendy neighborhood of great bars, restaurants,
galleries, and boutiques. Try the popular Absinthe
Brasserie and Bar to enjoy cuisine of top quality.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Absinthe Brasserie and Bar 398 Hayes St at Gough, Hayes Valley;
www.absinthe.com
The Castro Theatre Market St, 429 Castro St, Castro; www.thecastro
theatre.com
The Grind Café 783 Haight St, Haight-Ashbury; www.thegrindcafe.com
Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitor Center 2981 24th St, Mission District;
www.precitaeyes.org
309 14/4/09 15:56:18
309
16/4/09 12:47:18