Ken's guidebook for Bernal Heights & San Francisco
Food Scene
This neighborhood has lots of choices for restaurants! American of course, also Chinese, SE Asian, South American, Mexican and Salvadorean. Here are some places, mostly within walking distance, that we frequent.
Best sushi in San Francisco, period. Often makes Best Restaurant lists. Justifiably not-cheap so be prepared to spend a bit.
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ICHI Sushi
3369 Mission StBest sushi in San Francisco, period. Often makes Best Restaurant lists. Justifiably not-cheap so be prepared to spend a bit.
One of the best Chinese places in SF is right here, barely a ten-minute walk. Just remember that Hunan food tends to be spicy. Get the tofu with meat sauce!
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Henry's Hunan
1708 Church StOne of the best Chinese places in SF is right here, barely a ten-minute walk. Just remember that Hunan food tends to be spicy. Get the tofu with meat sauce!
Delicious noodle soup! Ask for the pork belly and black garlic in your noodles. It's perfect. On the other side of the restaurant they serve pretty good sushi. (It's really 2 eateries sharing a kitchen in common.)
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Chloe's Cafe
1399 Church StreetDelicious noodle soup! Ask for the pork belly and black garlic in your noodles. It's perfect. On the other side of the restaurant they serve pretty good sushi. (It's really 2 eateries sharing a kitchen in common.)
Mi Lindo Peru
3226 Mission StI'm all about the Lomo Saltado.
Classic Mission burritos here. Also I really love the Al-hamre Plate, because bacon.
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Taqueria Cancun
3211 Mission StClassic Mission burritos here. Also I really love the Al-hamre Plate, because bacon.
Another good Mexican joint. Excellent quesadillas with meat! Also Mark loves their chile relleno burritos!
La Alteña
3346 Mission StAnother good Mexican joint. Excellent quesadillas with meat! Also Mark loves their chile relleno burritos!
You won't believe it but this is actually a Middle Eastern restaurant; Jordanian, to be exact. Get the rotisserie chicken with hummus and a salad. The table service is poor, though, so do take-away.
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Goood Frikin Chicken
10 29th StYou won't believe it but this is actually a Middle Eastern restaurant; Jordanian, to be exact. Get the rotisserie chicken with hummus and a salad. The table service is poor, though, so do take-away.
Aside from being some of the nicest people in the entire neighborhood, they do put out some pretty good food. Never had Cambodian before? Think Thai food but less spicy. Good for vegetarians.
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Angkor Borei Restaurant
3471 Mission StAside from being some of the nicest people in the entire neighborhood, they do put out some pretty good food. Never had Cambodian before? Think Thai food but less spicy. Good for vegetarians.
Awesome omelets! Hot sandwiches, too. So I guess it's diner food? But it's better than diner food, trust me. We're in San Francisco. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
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Toast Eatery
1748 Church StAwesome omelets! Hot sandwiches, too. So I guess it's diner food? But it's better than diner food, trust me. We're in San Francisco. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
Choices change frequently. Excellent, I mean really good, thin crust pizza. Good wine list also.
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PizzaHacker
3299 Mission StChoices change frequently. Excellent, I mean really good, thin crust pizza. Good wine list also.
Good location for an occasion. Sardinian food, very authentic. Not cheap, so for more casual fare from the same owners, try La Nebbia around the corner.
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La Ciccia
291 30th StGood location for an occasion. Sardinian food, very authentic. Not cheap, so for more casual fare from the same owners, try La Nebbia around the corner.
There are up to five start-up lunch food stalls in one location. Last time it included both Thai and Eastern European and more. The New York Times wrote a profile of this place on May 7, 2010.
331 Cortland
331 Cortland AveThere are up to five start-up lunch food stalls in one location. Last time it included both Thai and Eastern European and more. The New York Times wrote a profile of this place on May 7, 2010.
Thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas. I've had deep-dish in Chicago, and all I could think was, "It's not Little Star." Very decent beer and wine list.
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Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero StThin-crust and deep-dish pizzas. I've had deep-dish in Chicago, and all I could think was, "It's not Little Star." Very decent beer and wine list.
Take-out ice cream place, walking distance! Traditional set-up, lots of traditional flavors but, like this neighborhood, lots of Latin and Filipino flavors too. Mexican Chocolate! Buko! Halo-halo!
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Mitchell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose AvenueTake-out ice cream place, walking distance! Traditional set-up, lots of traditional flavors but, like this neighborhood, lots of Latin and Filipino flavors too. Mexican Chocolate! Buko! Halo-halo!
Take-out ice cream for hipsters! Long lines, often, but soooo good. The first place in decades to serve salted-caramel, and it's still one of their best flavors. Choices change with season.
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Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th StTake-out ice cream for hipsters! Long lines, often, but soooo good. The first place in decades to serve salted-caramel, and it's still one of their best flavors. Choices change with season.
A traditional Jewish deli, updated for contemporary tastes.
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Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
3150 24th StA traditional Jewish deli, updated for contemporary tastes.
Fantastic vegetarian food, Indian style. So good. Very affordable. They specialize in delicious dosas. What are dosas? Eat there and find out!
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Udupi Palace
1007 Valencia StFantastic vegetarian food, Indian style. So good. Very affordable. They specialize in delicious dosas. What are dosas? Eat there and find out!
Traditional Arab/Palestinian food. Cheap and good. Get the hummus. Good for vegetarians.
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Old Jerusalem
2966 Mission StreetTraditional Arab/Palestinian food. Cheap and good. Get the hummus. Good for vegetarians.
This is not another taqueria. El Buen Comer is a Mexico City-style restaurant, not formal but it's a nicer place with table service and high-quality food. They have wonderful soups and mole. Open for lunch and dinner.
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El Buen Comer
3435 Mission StThis is not another taqueria. El Buen Comer is a Mexico City-style restaurant, not formal but it's a nicer place with table service and high-quality food. They have wonderful soups and mole. Open for lunch and dinner.
We love Arizmendi. It's a very Mediterranean kind of bakery, with pizza and focaccia rather than patisserie, and it's very good. If you want a great loaf of bread, this is the place to go in the neighborhood. BONUS: it's worker-owned and operated. Also good for vegetarians, I think.
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Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th AveWe love Arizmendi. It's a very Mediterranean kind of bakery, with pizza and focaccia rather than patisserie, and it's very good. If you want a great loaf of bread, this is the place to go in the neighborhood. BONUS: it's worker-owned and operated. Also good for vegetarians, I think.
Drinks & Nightlife
The neighborhood has several great places for hanging out after dinner (or before!). Here's where to catch a cocktail or two.
Adorable, dark and cozy bar with excellent and creative mixed drinks. They have a Hammond Organ and they know how to use it.
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The Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission StAdorable, dark and cozy bar with excellent and creative mixed drinks. They have a Hammond Organ and they know how to use it.
One of our favorite hang outs in the City! Mixed crowd: old and young, gay and straight, or whatever. Salsa Sundays are the best! Drag shows and live indie bands too.
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El Rio
3158 Mission StOne of our favorite hang outs in the City! Mixed crowd: old and young, gay and straight, or whatever. Salsa Sundays are the best! Drag shows and live indie bands too.
It's a clean, well lighted place for beer and pinball. Some newer games along with a couple of classics. Great beer selection (you won't find Micheloeb here) and BONUS they also serve updated Hawaiian food out of their kitchen.
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Outer Orbit
3215 Mission StIt's a clean, well lighted place for beer and pinball. Some newer games along with a couple of classics. Great beer selection (you won't find Micheloeb here) and BONUS they also serve updated Hawaiian food out of their kitchen.
Entertainment & Activities
This is the pride and joy of San Francisco. If there's a movie you're even sort of interested in seeing there, just do it! It's amazing inside, Wurlitzer Organ, huge screen, Art Deco.
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Castro Theatre
429 Castro StThis is the pride and joy of San Francisco. If there's a movie you're even sort of interested in seeing there, just do it! It's amazing inside, Wurlitzer Organ, huge screen, Art Deco.
Hip movie house that blends Hollywood blockbusters with strong Indie and cult films. They have a full bar and a bar menu, and you get 'table service' in your seat.
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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
2550 Mission StHip movie house that blends Hollywood blockbusters with strong Indie and cult films. They have a full bar and a bar menu, and you get 'table service' in your seat.
Arts & Culture
In a few short years, this historical museum has become a must-see for tourists and locals alike.
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GLBT Historical Society Museum
4127 18th StIn a few short years, this historical museum has become a must-see for tourists and locals alike.
One of two fabulous science museums in San Francisco, located in Golden Gate Park. Great exhibits featuring one of the best planetariums in the country; a Philippine coral reef with amazing fish; and a rainforest bio-dome.
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Vísindafélag Kaliforníu
55 Music Concourse DrOne of two fabulous science museums in San Francisco, located in Golden Gate Park. Great exhibits featuring one of the best planetariums in the country; a Philippine coral reef with amazing fish; and a rainforest bio-dome.
Another great science museum in San Francisco! New amazing location on the piers of SF Bay. Exhibits here should be touched and played with. (Map is WRONG, new location is Pier 15 on Embarcadero!)
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Exploratorium
Green StreetAnother great science museum in San Francisco! New amazing location on the piers of SF Bay. Exhibits here should be touched and played with. (Map is WRONG, new location is Pier 15 on Embarcadero!)
Mark's favorite museum, full of nickelodeons, player pianos, and other antique coin-operated entertainments. Pretty cool place, but unfortunately in the heart of tourist central.
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Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfMark's favorite museum, full of nickelodeons, player pianos, and other antique coin-operated entertainments. Pretty cool place, but unfortunately in the heart of tourist central.
My favorite museum in San Francisco, and one of my favorite in the world! Dan Flavin, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Frida Kahlo, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol, the collection is amazing and an absolute must for lovers of 20th and 21st century art.
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StMy favorite museum in San Francisco, and one of my favorite in the world! Dan Flavin, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Frida Kahlo, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol, the collection is amazing and an absolute must for lovers of 20th and 21st century art.
This is an amazing art gallery specializing in photos. Their collection is astonishing. They do thematic shows. FREE but you must make an appointment before showing up. One of my must-see's.
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Pier 24 Photography Museum
24 PierThis is an amazing art gallery specializing in photos. Their collection is astonishing. They do thematic shows. FREE but you must make an appointment before showing up. One of my must-see's.
The de Young often features traveling exhibits from all over the world. It's in a fantastic modernist building which has a tower that you can go up (free of charge) for a great view of Golden Gate Park and the surrounding city.
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de Young safn
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrThe de Young often features traveling exhibits from all over the world. It's in a fantastic modernist building which has a tower that you can go up (free of charge) for a great view of Golden Gate Park and the surrounding city.
Berggruen is an international gallery that represents some of the very top contemporary artists in the world. (Or at least the North American and European world.) If you are in the SoMa (South of Market Area), it's worth a visit. It's also around the corner from SFMOMA, if you didn't get your modern art fix already.
Berggruen Gallery
10 Hawthorne StBerggruen is an international gallery that represents some of the very top contemporary artists in the world. (Or at least the North American and European world.) If you are in the SoMa (South of Market Area), it's worth a visit. It's also around the corner from SFMOMA, if you didn't get your modern art fix already.
One of the best art galleries anywhere. I'm never disappointed, no matter what they're showing. The location is a bit out of the way, but very much worth the effort of getting there.
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Catharine Clark Gallery
248 Utah StreetOne of the best art galleries anywhere. I'm never disappointed, no matter what they're showing. The location is a bit out of the way, but very much worth the effort of getting there.
Minnesota Street Project is a collection of small art galleries in the Dogpatch neighborhood. The exhibitions can be great or ridiculous, depending on your taste and what they've gone on at the moment. But the galleries are pretty good overall, and it's a very interesting building, too. Check out their website to find out what's being shown.
It's not far, but there's no convenient public transit between our home and the galleries, so probably you'd want to bike or take a rideshare. There are cafes and small eateries nearby.
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Minnesota Street Project
1275 Minnesota StMinnesota Street Project is a collection of small art galleries in the Dogpatch neighborhood. The exhibitions can be great or ridiculous, depending on your taste and what they've gone on at the moment. But the galleries are pretty good overall, and it's a very interesting building, too. Check out their website to find out what's being shown.
It's not far, but there's no convenient public transit between our home and the galleries, so probably you'd want to bike or take a rideshare. There are cafes and small eateries nearby.
American Conservatory Theater is the most prominent repertory theatre in The City. It has a long history going back to the 1960s, and the building goes back much further than that.
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A.C.T.'s Geary Theater
415 Geary StAmerican Conservatory Theater is the most prominent repertory theatre in The City. It has a long history going back to the 1960s, and the building goes back much further than that.
SF Playhouse is a local repertory company. They do not have the biggest budgets in town, but they do a remarkable job nonetheless. The acting is nearly always great, and they do really interesting plays and musicals. We go frequently.
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San Francisco Playhouse
450 Post StSF Playhouse is a local repertory company. They do not have the biggest budgets in town, but they do a remarkable job nonetheless. The acting is nearly always great, and they do really interesting plays and musicals. We go frequently.
Parks & Nature
My favorite park in SF! The corner at 20th and Church has the iconic view of the skyline. Casual during the week; on the weekends it's a major social scene for hipsters and gays. Expect anything.
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Mission Dolores Park
19th StreetMy favorite park in SF! The corner at 20th and Church has the iconic view of the skyline. Casual during the week; on the weekends it's a major social scene for hipsters and gays. Expect anything.
Neighborhood sight. Climb to the top and get one of THE BEST views of San Francisco! Locals only, tourists do not come here; it's our secret.
We have a favorite way to get up there:
Head northeast on Coleridge St toward Virginia Ave
Turn right onto Virginia Ave
Turn left onto Lundys Ln. (Some of the cutest houses are on this little block.)
Turn right onto Esmeralda Ave
From this point, continue more or less straight up the hill, using the sidewalk stairs to pass between homes.
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Bernal Heights Park
3400-3416 Folsom StNeighborhood sight. Climb to the top and get one of THE BEST views of San Francisco! Locals only, tourists do not come here; it's our secret.
We have a favorite way to get up there:
Head northeast on Coleridge St toward Virginia Ave
Turn right onto Virginia Ave
Turn left onto Lundys Ln. (Some of the cutest houses are on this little block.)
Turn right onto Esmeralda Ave
From this point, continue more or less straight up the hill, using the sidewalk stairs to pass between homes.
Go see the redwoods! It's so close to the city, once you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. And it's one of the oldest and busiest parks in the nation. The trees are gorgeous and impressive, yet it's all a very easy trail, and quite flat. You may have seen it in Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo with Jimmy Stewart. I believe reservations are now required ahead of time.
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Muir Woods þjóðminjasafn
Go see the redwoods! It's so close to the city, once you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. And it's one of the oldest and busiest parks in the nation. The trees are gorgeous and impressive, yet it's all a very easy trail, and quite flat. You may have seen it in Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo with Jimmy Stewart. I believe reservations are now required ahead of time.
Larger than Central Park in Manhatten, with lots of meadows, playgrounds, great museums, and other attractions. It's gorgeous, with lots of secret pockets of beauty and quiet.
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Golden Gate Park
Larger than Central Park in Manhatten, with lots of meadows, playgrounds, great museums, and other attractions. It's gorgeous, with lots of secret pockets of beauty and quiet.
Alcatraz is one of the classic tourist places to see. I must admit, it's really worth it. If nothing else, you get a nice (but chilly and windy) ride on a ferry on the San Francisco Bay, and the view of the City from the island is fantastic.
That said, Alcatraz itself is very interesting. Its history is the history of San Francisco, of California, and of the United States and Mexico. They have great tours, including the audio tour that you can rent, but also live ranger tours.
The first Spaniard to discover the island was Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, who charted San Francisco Bay and named the island “La Isla de los Alcatraces,” which translates as “The Island of the Pelicans,” from the archaic Spanish alcatraz, “pelican”, a word which was borrowed originally from Arabic: al-qaṭrās, meaning sea eagle.
It's a National Park now, run by the federal government, and one of the most popular in the country. You MUST reserve your tickets ahead of time, sometimes weeks ahead of time.
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Alcatraz-eyja
Alcatraz is one of the classic tourist places to see. I must admit, it's really worth it. If nothing else, you get a nice (but chilly and windy) ride on a ferry on the San Francisco Bay, and the view of the City from the island is fantastic.
That said, Alcatraz itself is very interesting. Its history is the history of San Francisco, of California, and of the United States and Mexico. They have great tours, including the audio tour that you can rent, but also live ranger tours.
The first Spaniard to discover the island was Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, who charted San Francisco Bay and named the island “La Isla de los Alcatraces,” which translates as “The Island of the Pelicans,” from the archaic Spanish alcatraz, “pelican”, a word which was borrowed originally from Arabic: al-qaṭrās, meaning sea eagle.
It's a National Park now, run by the federal government, and one of the most popular in the country. You MUST reserve your tickets ahead of time, sometimes weeks ahead of time.
Shopping
Great bookstore with an excellent and spacious cafe; specializes in science fiction and fantasy. New and used.
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Borderlands Books
1740 Valencia StGreat bookstore with an excellent and spacious cafe; specializes in science fiction and fantasy. New and used.
The Pirate Store! It is a store where a pirate might get in some supplies, like eye-patches or lard...but really it's a front for after-school English and Math tutoring run by McSweeney's and Dave Eggers.
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The Pirate Store
826 Valencia StreetThe Pirate Store! It is a store where a pirate might get in some supplies, like eye-patches or lard...but really it's a front for after-school English and Math tutoring run by McSweeney's and Dave Eggers.
This is Mark's favorite place to quest for new finds for the wardrobe. It's a good quality, and very picky, thrift store. It's not unusual to find something from Gucci or Prada, yet things are not super pricey.
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Crossroads Trading
1901 Fillmore StThis is Mark's favorite place to quest for new finds for the wardrobe. It's a good quality, and very picky, thrift store. It's not unusual to find something from Gucci or Prada, yet things are not super pricey.
City Lights is THE quintessential San Francisco bookstore. It's not in this neighborhood (unfortunately) but I'd be there all the time if it was. This is the bookstore & publishing house owned by Ferlinghetti, who is celebrating his 100th birthday this year (2019).
City Lights was the publisher for the Beat Generation, and continues its tradition of publishing literature in translation, poetry, and political theory. They are one of the most culturally significant stores of any kind in the country, influencing whole movements.
If you pass through Chinatown or North Beach, consider making a stop here.
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City Lights Booksellers
261 Columbus AveCity Lights is THE quintessential San Francisco bookstore. It's not in this neighborhood (unfortunately) but I'd be there all the time if it was. This is the bookstore & publishing house owned by Ferlinghetti, who is celebrating his 100th birthday this year (2019).
City Lights was the publisher for the Beat Generation, and continues its tradition of publishing literature in translation, poetry, and political theory. They are one of the most culturally significant stores of any kind in the country, influencing whole movements.
If you pass through Chinatown or North Beach, consider making a stop here.
Sightseeing
These are a few of my favorite things to show friends from out of town. But there are a lot more places than just these.
The iconic bridge. It's gorgeous when it's sunny, and it can be astonishing in the fog, too.
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Gullna hlið brúin
Golden Gate BridgeThe iconic bridge. It's gorgeous when it's sunny, and it can be astonishing in the fog, too.
This is still a real Chinatown, the neighborhood where many immigrants stay when they arrive in this country. Ironically, not necessarily the best area for Chinese food, but the bustle and noise and decor can't be beat.
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Chinatown
This is still a real Chinatown, the neighborhood where many immigrants stay when they arrive in this country. Ironically, not necessarily the best area for Chinese food, but the bustle and noise and decor can't be beat.
San Francisco is famous for its murals. Clarion Alley is literally an alley in the Mission District with murals on pretty much every vertical surface. They are curated and are the kinds of street art that might appear in a hipster art book. It usually has a pretty good diversity of artists and artistic points of view.
The murals are sometimes replaced by newer ones.
Definitely worth seeing, and it's free.
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Clarion Alley
Clarion AlleySan Francisco is famous for its murals. Clarion Alley is literally an alley in the Mission District with murals on pretty much every vertical surface. They are curated and are the kinds of street art that might appear in a hipster art book. It usually has a pretty good diversity of artists and artistic points of view.
The murals are sometimes replaced by newer ones.
Definitely worth seeing, and it's free.
Balmy Alley is home to some of the most classic mural art in San Francisco.
The street is located in the Mission District in San Francisco, California. The block-long alley is one of the best places to see a concentrated collection of murals in San Francisco. The murals began in the mid-80's as an expression of artists' outrage over human rights and political abuses in Central America. Today the alley contains murals on a myriad of styles and subjects from human rights to local gentrification.
The murals are sometimes replaced by newer ones.
The alley is best viewed on foot- either by yourself or on a guided tour from Precita Eyes Mural Arts.
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Balmy Alley
50 Balmy StBalmy Alley is home to some of the most classic mural art in San Francisco.
The street is located in the Mission District in San Francisco, California. The block-long alley is one of the best places to see a concentrated collection of murals in San Francisco. The murals began in the mid-80's as an expression of artists' outrage over human rights and political abuses in Central America. Today the alley contains murals on a myriad of styles and subjects from human rights to local gentrification.
The murals are sometimes replaced by newer ones.
The alley is best viewed on foot- either by yourself or on a guided tour from Precita Eyes Mural Arts.