Exploring the Mission District in San Francisco

The Mission District in San Francisco, colloquially referred to as “The Mission,” is a vibrant, diverse community of people and places. It is San Francisco’s oldest neighborhood, named after its oldest building erected in 1776, Mission Dolores Basilica. The historic aspects of the neighborhood, alongside the new restaurants and sightseeing destinations, make The Mission the perfect neighborhood in San Francisco to explore on a day off or even to move to.

The Food

Most of the Mission’s bars and restaurants lie between 16th and 22nd Street. At night, this section of the town lights up with activity, with a whole host of activities and nightlife to participate in. Of course, exploring in the afternoon is also a great option if you want to experience more than just the nightlife.

The Mission has a large Latin American community, so naturally, the community is full of authentic Latin American food. Tacos are especially all the rage, with loads of food trucks and restaurants in which to eat, such as Tacolicious and La Taqueria.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go at night, The Mission is full of trendy bars. Shotwell’s Bar is one of the oldest in San Francisco, opened over 100 years ago. It offers a wide selection of craft beer on tap, perfect for anyone’s tastes. The Beauty Bar is perfect for a ladies’ night out on the town, and it features martinis and manicures from 7 to 11 PM, as well as a DJ who plays for those who like to get up and dance the night away.

The Sights

The Mission is a popular place to view art, as it has numerous murals and art installations all across the neighborhood. Like The Mission’s popular food destinations, the art scene in the Mission District is heavily influenced by Latin American culture. There is even The Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts, a furniture store that was converted into an arts center in the 1970s for the growing Latin American population .

More sightseeing destinations in The Mission include:

• Clarion Alley – This artists’ collective features many beautiful murals as part of the Clarion Alley Mural Project.

• Galeria de la Raza – This is another interesting artists’ collective and art gallery that serves Latin American artists within the community.

• Mission Dolores Park – It’s one of San Francisco’s most popular parks, perfect for dog walking or having picnics with loved ones.

• Foreign Cinema – You can watch a movie on a projection screen while you eat at this very popular, very unique attraction.

So What Are You Waiting for?

The Mission District has plenty of available tours to ensure that you fully explore all of what the neighborhood has to offer. From helicopter tours, to bike tours, and even a hippie bus tour, there are plenty of options for you to find your perfect way around town. Of course, if you prefer to go your own pace, you can explore The Mission on foot with a group of friends or a few loved ones and have a blast, too. So what are you waiting for? Come to the Mission to know more about the area and experience its wonders for yourself.