To finish our trip, let’s explore some more culture in San Francisco!!
Mission District: talso known as The Mission, is the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco, having as its starting point the Misión San Francisco de Asís (Mission San Francisco de Assis), today called Mission Dolores, founded in 1776 by Father Francisco Palóu, back When California belonged to Spain. The neighborhood, unlike other parts of San Francisco, has a warmer and sunnier climate, which due to its geographic location is able to isolate the fog and winds typical of the city. Mission District in addition to being a landmark for San Francisco, is also known for its Mexican Community, and to experience this and still eat typical food, just stop by 24th Street, where the influence is obvious in traditional street commerce. The neighborhood also has Valencia St. as one of the most modern and main streets, full of funky shops, restaurants with a variety of bars, bookstores (such as Dog Eared Books and Borderlands), among others. In addition to the main avenues and famous alleys Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley, it is possible to visit the Dandelion chocolate factory (open every day of the week), Heath Ceramics (there is a free tour on the first and third Fridays of each month), Mission Dolores Park (one of the most famous and frequented in San Francisco, the park is a point of entertainment, leisure, socialization and for watching movies outdoors), Urban Putt (14-hole indoor mini-golf course located in a historic building featuring Victorian architecture), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (public hospital) and others stores like Best Buy. Today, The Mission is an explosion of culture, attracting more and more tourists to its streets and parks.
Balmy Alley: located in the Mission District, between 24th and 25th streets, Balmy Alley is an alley of art, which was painted by artists as a way of expressing their outrage at human rights and political abuses, containing reference to Latin American countries and cultures. Its first mural, dating from 1972, was painted by a team of women who referred to themselves as ‘Las Mujeres Muralistas’. Today, the alley is constantly changing, and adresses a multitude of styles and subjects, from human rights to local gentrification (process of transformation of urban centers through the change of the social groups presentthere, in which the low-income community leave and residents of higher strata enter). For more information, visit the website.
Clarion Alley: inspired by Balmy Alley, Clarion Alley is yet another art alley in the Mission District, between 17th and 18th streets, Mission and Valencia. Aaron Noble and Rigo, artists and local residents, came up with the idea to transform the alley walls, so They invited about forty artists, and this way created the Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP). The maintenance of the murals is a priority for local artists. During its history, which began in 1992, more than 700 graffiti have been created on its walls, addressing political, economic and social issues. For more information, visit the website.
The Castro: even though San Francisco is considered an extremely tolerant, modern and prejudice-free city and because of its historical importance for the LGBT cause, it is in Castro that the gay Community is concentrated. The city’s reputation for being ‘gay friendly’ emerged due to the prejudice suffered during World War II, in which American soldiers suspected of being homosexual were sent to San Francisco to be evaluated and determined their future in militarism, in this way, as many ended up staying in the city, the first gay ‘trench’ in the United States was formed. Later, in the 1970s due to the reputation of being ‘liberal’, there was a new migration of Young people to the city, thus creating the neighborhood The Castro. Castro District is one of the biggest and most famous gay districts in the world. Walking through the neighborhood, you can see the Twin Peaks Tavern (first bar with Windows in the area), The Café (a bar where every Wednesday there's karaoke, the fifth night is Latin, and Fridays are dedicated to drag queens RuPaul’s Drage Race), Hot Cookies (cookie shop, famous for their unorthodox shapes), The Beats Store (bead necklace store), Cliff’s Variety (gift shop), Castro Theater (Only 20th century cinema still operating in the United States. For schedule and movie information, visit the website.), historical ads panel (formerly used to advertise activist protests, and today it is used to promote local parties and events. Located near the Castro Theater), Human Rights Campaign Action Center and Store (former store owned by Harvey Milk, an American gay activist and politician, now home to one of San Francisco’s leading LGBT NGOs), LGBT Historical Society Museum (LGBT museum that tells the story of gay activism and the importance of the city), the colorful crosswalk (located between Castro and 18th St.), Seward Mini Park (park with toboggan run for adults and children), Corona Heights Park (former quarry and brick factory, today a park made up of a diversity of native and non-native plants, and home to several native animals such as the Northern aligator lizard and red-tailed Hawk), Randall Museum (the museum, located in Corona Heights Park, focuses on science, nature and the arts, and is geared towards children and educational travel. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with free admission. For more information, visit the website), Rainbow Honor Walk (Castro’s ‘walk of fame’, which has bronze plaques honoring LGBT people who stood out during history), Pink Triangle Park (memorial honoring gay men who were killed during the Hitler era), Farmer’s Market (fair with organic products, takes place every Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm, at the corner of Noe St. with Market St.), and at Christmas time, be sure to check out Tom and Jerry’s House (the homeowners have decorated the outsite of their home with garlands, lights and a pine tree, and every night Santa comes to listen to Christmas wishes).
Twin Peaks: area initially used as a lookout, today Twin Peaks (Eureka Peak – North, Noe Peak – South) is the second highest point in San Francisco, second Only to Mount Davidson, having one the most beautiful views in the city. The viewpoint is classified as a Natural Area, a protected reserve for the development of native vegetation and is part of the San Francisco Recreation Parks. For more information, visit the website.
Our Journey ends here! I hope you enjoyed it and that this post has awakened your desire to visit this little piece of the world!!!
Stay tuned for the next post on Let’s Travel the World, I’ll give you some tips!!
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