The Mission District
Commonly known as “The Mission,” it is one of San Francisco’s most colorful and culturally rich neighborhoods. It is firmly rooted in Latino culture, with early residents hailing from Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and beyond. With its vibrant Latino heritage, this area is filled with historic murals that tell the story of social movements and cultural pride, especially along Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley. The Mission District neighborhood is an outdoor gallery.
Things to do and see:
Mission Dolores Park—a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. With wide green lawns, stunning city views, and plenty of space to relax or picnic, it’s a perfect place to people-watch or catch the sunset over San Francisco. The park also hosts various cultural events and music performances, especially in the summer.
Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)—the oldest building in San Francisco, dates back to 1776 and is the city’s original Spanish Mission. The missions were a chain of Spanish Colonial religious outposts that stretched through a large part of the Western United States and Mexico. These buildings are fascinating to visit, constructed using adobe (a white mud-brick building material common in Spanish Colonial architecture). You can tour the beautiful old chapel, stroll through its peaceful gardens, and learn about the history of the Mission and its role in shaping the city’s past.
Explore Valencia Street and Mission Street—These two bustling streets run through the heart of Mission and offer a mix of trendy shops, thrift stores, bars, and cafés. Valencia Street is known for its hip boutiques, independent bookstores, and coffee spots, while Mission Street has a more traditional Latin American vibe with taquerias, bakeries, and local markets.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts—This cultural hub offers exhibits, classes, and events celebrating Latino arts and culture. Visitors can enjoy art installations, performances, dance classes, and painting. It’s a wonderful place to learn more about the neighborhood’s cultural roots and artistic expression.
Explore independent bookstores and vinyl shops—bookstores like Dog Eared Books and Alley Cat Books are local favorites with unique collections, events, and community spaces. For vinyl lovers, Amoeba Music and Mission Records offer everything from Latin rock to indie and classic records.
Local Markets and Boutiques—The Mission is home to quirky boutiques, vintage shops, and unique markets where you can find everything from handmade crafts to secondhand treasures. Paxton Gate is an unusual store with curiosities and oddities, while Casa Bonampak specializes in traditional Mexican folk art.
Nightlife
Bars, Breweries, and Live Music—The Mission District has a lively nightlife scene with diverse drinks and live music options. Check out El Techo for rooftop cocktails, The Chapel for live music, and Trick Dog for inventive cocktails. There’s a mix of dive bars, cozy wine bars, and trendy spots where you can experience the local vibe. Cerveceria de Mate Veza serves craft beers with a South American influence, and Southern Pacific Brewing offers a wide selection in a spacious warehouse setting.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
The Mission District is known for its Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations each November. The vibrant event includes a procession, elaborate altars, and community gatherings to honor loved ones who have passed away. It’s a moving and colorful cultural experience that welcomes everyone to participate.
Street Art
The art scene in The Mission is thriving! The entire neighborhood is one big canvas. Since the 80s, local and international artists have flocked to The Mission to leave their mark here. You’ll see quite a few murals just by walking around the neighborhood, but there are a few specific spots that stand out:
Balmy Alley
A stretch of road between 24th and 25th streets has been turned into an art gallery. The entire sides of buildings are painted, every inch bursting with color. Here, you’ll find the Latino influences I was speaking of.
Clarion Alley
Local artists spearheaded this commissioned mural project. The Clarion Alley Mural Project—or CAMP—is the artist collective that maintains this mural, which is located in the alley between 17th and 18th streets.
Women’s Building Mural
In 1994, several well-known artists painted this mural on 18th Street, known as Maestra Peace. It depicts the contribution of women throughout history. This is a community center that celebrates women’s contributions to society and showcases powerful images of cultural icons that activists worldwide.
Carnaval Mural
Found on 24th and Van Ness and often called the “Golden Dreams of the Mission,” this mural depicts scenes from the first Carnaval San Francisco Festival in 1979.