San Francisco/Haight

The Haight is made up of two neighborhoods: Haight-Fillmore, usually called the Lower Haight, and Haight-Ashbury, also known as the Upper Haight. The two neighborhoods are separated by a large hill and are bisected by Divisadero Street. The neighborhoods have somewhat separate histories. The Haight-Ashbury gained international fame in the 1960s as young white Hippies moved into the area and made contact with poor, young black residents in the neighborhood and surrounding areas like the Lower Haight and the Western Addition. Together, these outcasts forged the counter-culture movement for which the Haight is most well known.
Today, both the Upper and Lower Haight are residential neighborhoods served by businesses and transport along Haight Street. However, the Upper Haight is the busier tourist destination, because of the stronger identification with the Hippie era. Into the 1990s, the Lower Haight had lower rents and a larger African-American community, but that difference has eroded with the rise of rents in both areas and the steady dwindling of San Francisco's black population. The most obvious difference to a visitor today is that the Upper Haight has many more head shops and stores catering to Hippie-nostalgia foot traffic.
In the 1960s large portions of the predominantly African American Fillmore District were involuntarily relocated to the Haight-Ashbury due to the disruptive urban renewal movements of the time. At the same time, middle class whites began moving to the growing suburbs of the Bay Area, causing home values in the area to plunge. The neighborhood, with its then-surplus of affordable Victorian homes, was ripe for housing an influx of African American families as well as Beats attracted by the growing intellectual, anti-establishment community surrounding the local universities, as well as an emerging (pre-Castro District) gay and lesbian community.
With the onset of the Vietnam War, many white middle class college kids derailed by the draft now began to move into the Haight, identifying with the counterculture trends already taking place in the neighborhood and adopting Hippie ideologies and alternative lifestyles. Many thrived while other lives were ruined by destructive drugs such as speed, heroin and cocaine, and some remain committed to the Hippie dream to this day. While gentrification has turned the Upper Haight into something of a counterculture theme park (although it is also home to many young, homeless drug addicts, though no longer of the peaceful, Hippie variety), there are still plenty of eclectic finds to uncover here and one can still can get a sense of the once-bohemian nature of this area.

By car

Fell and Oak Streets, parallel one-way streets running east-west across the northern edge of the district, offer a relatively easy way to get into the district via car from Downtown to the east. A few major north-south streets which pass through Haight are Fillmore Street, Divisadero Street (which merges into Castro Street to the south) and Masonic Avenue. Parking in the area can be very limited, however, and it's far preferable to use alternate transportation for the Upper Haight area.

By public transit

MUNI operates the 7-Haight/Noriega bus route (plus the 6-Haight/Parnassus east of Masonic) running the length of Haight Street, connecting the area to Downtown. Nearby streets parallel to Haight also serve the area, for example the 5-Fulton and 21-Hayes north of the Haight district. Additionally, a few lines run north-south through the district: 22-Fillmore, 24-Divisadero, 33-Ashbury/18th and 43-Masonic.
The -Judah Muni Metro line (partially underground) also runs parallel to Haight Street several blocks to the south. An easy way to access the western portion of the Haight district (near Cole Valley) from Downtown is to take the N-Judah outbound to Cole Street, then get off and walk north. It runs under the hill topped by Buena Vista Park. The N-Judah continues westward, stopping at University of California, San Francisco before heading into the Sunset neighborhood.

If you are walking really quickly, it will take about 20 minutes to walk from the Lower Haight to the Upper Haight - and it will be good exercise going up a large hill.

• Buena Vista ParkSteep paths to the top of its 575' elevation lead to some nice views through the trees, but are easily circumnavigated by non-enthusiasts.

• Famous homes(Please note- These are all PAST addresses, none of the people listed still live there and these are peoples' homes and though they are used to and pretty tolerant of tourists taking pictures, their privacy should be respected and one should NOT go knocking on doors.)

• The Grateful Dead house

  address: 710 Ashbury St

• The Hell's Angels house

  address: 719 Ashbury St

• Janis Joplin house

  address: 635 Ashbury St

• Country Joe McDonald house

  address: 612 Ashbury St

• Big Brother and the Holding Company house

  address: 1018 Page St

• "Hippie Temptation" house

  address: 1550 Page St
  Site of the CBS documentary.

• Ron Donovan house

  address: 1828 Page St
  Former home of the psychedelic concert poster artist.

• Flipper house

  address: 879 Haight St
  Former home of the famous punk band.

• Charles Manson house

  address: 635 Cole St

• 731 Buena Vista WestFormer home of Graham Nash (and several owners later) Bobby McFerrin.

• 1235 Masonic AvePatty Hearst hid in a Symbionese Liberation Army safe-house here.

• Sid Vicious house

  address: 32 Delmar St
  Site of Sid's non-fatal overdose after his last Sex Pistols show.

Duboce ParkThe N Judah streetcar travels along the perimeter of the park and stops at the intersection of Noe Street and Duboce Street. The park is attractive and split into a dog-friendly and a children-friendly section. There is a well maintained children's playground that attracts children from the neighborhood.

LGBT Community Center

phone: +1-415-865-5555

address: 1800 Market St

The Center houses the offices of various community organizations, and has space for public events and meetings. The ground floor features a cafe space, and on the third floor there is a cyber center which offers an hour of free computer time.

Monastery of Perpetual Adoration

phone: +1 415-566-2743

address: 771 Ashbury St

Monastery of cloistered nuns from the order of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration that holds daily services as well as special masses and novenas for holidays.

While there are a number of fun walking tours, this is also a good place to simply sit in a cafe, have a few cups of coffee, and watch other people walk the streets.

• Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking TourBy guides who experienced the 60s and can actually still remember it! 40% architecture/general neighborhood history and 60% counter-culture hippy history comprise this fun and informative 2.5 hour flashback through the neighborhood; includes a trip to the Psychedelic History Museum in a restored Victorian, open only in conjunction with the tour. Tour starts at the McDonalds parking lot at the corner of Stanyan and Waller every Tuesday and Saturday at 9:30AM, every Thursday at 2PM and every Friday at 11AM.

• The Haunted Haight Walking Tour

  phone: +1-415-863-1416
  Shows the spooky and macabre history of the neighborhood in an evening walking tour. Tour starts in front of Coffee to the People at 7PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

• Haight Ashbury Street FairOn the second Sunday of June, people pack the Upper Haight for this event featuring local bands, food stalls and plenty of shopping.

Haight-Ashbury has more shopping and variety of shops than Lower Haight, with great record stores, book stores, fabric stores, shoe stores, cafes with music and poetry, a free clinic, and head shops from the 1960s.
There are several places worth checking out, including:

• Amoeba Music

  phone: +1-415-831-1200
  address: 1855 Haight St
  The best place in San Francisco to buy vinyl and cds, new and used, with an emphasis on indie music. It has one of the largest selections for an indie music store in the country.

• Booksmith

  phone: +1-415-863-8688
  address: 1644 Haight St
  An independent bookstore that's been around since the 1970s, this bookstore is best known for its events program, with many book signings from famous and honored authors.

• Life

  phone: +1-415-252-9312
  address: 604a Haight St
  Exotic perfumes and aromatherapy oils, incense, bath beads, jewelry, purses, cards, and vaguely east Indian themed goods. Get some henna painted on your hands in the henna lounge.

• Roberts Hardware

  phone: +1-415-431-3392
  address: 1629 Haight St
  A non-chain hardware store with over 20,000 items in inventory and another 200,000 available by special order. The oldest family-owned store on Haight Street, celebrating 75 years in 2006. Staffed by knowledgeable, friendly workers who are willing to take the time to explain how to make your repairs without any of the condescension or attitude found in other stores.

Budget

• Cafe du Soleil

  phone: +1-415-934-8637
  address: 200 Fillmore St
  Owned by a Morrocan French ex-Pat, this popular cafe serves coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches, soups, and homemade potato chips. The food can be overpriced, but the atmosphere makes it a popular local hangout. Beer & wine bar, live free jazz most Sundays 5-8PM, and some outdoor seating for a pleasant day. Chic, casual, family friendly. Free wi-fi, but limited power outlets.

• Citrus Club

  phone: +1-415-387-6366
  address: 1790 Haight St
  This is an excellent noodle house with dishes chosen from all Asian traditional cuisines. Portions are generous, with an emphasis on flavor over presentation. Decent prices and an unpretentious decor make for a pleasurable group meal.

• Estela's Fresh Sandwiches

  phone: +1-415-864-1850
  address: 250 Fillmore St
  The name speaks true. Also try Estela's delicious fruit smoothies.

• Kate's Kitchen

  phone: +1-415-626-3984
  address: 471 Haight St
  Breakfast - Southern style. If you're really hungry, try the French Toast Orgy. Expect a long wait for weekend brunch (just like everywhere else in San Francisco).

• Love 'n Haight

  phone: +1-415-252-8190
  address: 553 Haight St
  Often overlooked, but a neighborhood favorite. A family-owned sandwich joint with an Asian flair. Meat and fake meat sandwiches made to order. Try the "veg" duck.

• Metro Caffe

  phone: +1-415-621-9536
  address: 247 Fillmore St
  Burgers and cheesesteaks.

• Rosamunde Sausage Grill

  phone: +1-415-437-6851
  address: 545 Haight St
  Delicious sausages and not much else. Now with a vegan choice! Get here early Tuesday (11AM) to get in line for their once a week burgers. They sell out instantly! Get it for here, to go, or bring it next door to Toronado and have it with some beer.

Mid-range

• Axum Cafe

  phone: +1-415-252-7912
  address: 698 Haight St
  This Ethiopian restaurant is very affordable. Try the vegetarian sampler. If you are hungry, order for two. Wash it down with an Ethiopian beer (2 kinds).

• Cha-Cha-Cha

  phone: +1-415-386-7670
  address: 1801 Haight St
  Popular Cuban tapas place. Good sangria. Typical wait is 1–2 hours on weekends, and they don't take reservations. Great bar, always crowded with a fun 'artsy' crowd. Be warned, the sangria packs a punch!

• The Grind

  phone: +1-415-864-0955
  address: 783 Haight St
  Coffee shop with breakfast, lunch, and an amazing array of desserts, pastries, and munchies. Indoor and patio seating.

• Indian Oven

  phone: +1-415-626-1628
  address: 233 Fillmore St
  This Indian restaurant is on the expensive side, although it is pretty good. Expect a wait any day of the week.

• Memphis Minnie's

  phone: +1-415-864-7675
  address: 576 Haight St
  Great southern-style barbecue and (oddly enough) sake. Amazing mac-n-cheese.

• Mythic Pizza

  phone: +1-415-864-1999
  address: 551 Haight St
  Pizza by the slice.

• Naan 'n' Chutney

  phone: +1-415-255-1625
  address: 525 Haight St
  Indian and Pakistani.

• Pork Store Cafe

  phone: +1-415-864-6981
  address: 1451 Haight St
  Extremely popular breakfast spot. Always a line on the weekends. Very inexpensive and friendly diner atmosphere and food.

• Squat & Gobble

  phone: +1-415-487-0551
  address: 237 Fillmore St
  Cafe and crepery, part of a small San Francisco chain. Popular for breakfast and lunch, crowded on weekends. Outdoor dining on the back patio when the weather is nice. The side potatoes are a favorite.

• Squat & Gobble

  phone: +1-415-864-8484
  address: 1428 Haight St
  This is the chain's other Haight location.

• Thep Phenom

  phone: +1-415-431-2526
  address: 400 Waller St
  Sometimes called the best Thai in San Francisco; call ahead as this restaurant can be very busy. Or walk in with a small party and have a Singha in the back while you wait to be seated at a family-style table.

Splurge

• Minas Brazilian Restaurant & Cachaçaria

  phone: +1-415-626-8727
  address: 41 Franklin St
  Traditional Brazilian food, very affordable, but mixed reviews on service.

Markets

• Haight Street Market (aka Gus's)

  phone: +1-415-255-0643
  address: 1530 Haight St
  Family-owned grocery store serving the Upper Haight since 1981. Well-stocked, and with a good range of organic fruit and veg. Also has a deli counter that makes a wide range of sandwiches, which can be eaten at the parklet outside.

Bars

• The Alembic

  phone: +1-415-666-0822
  address: 1725 Haight St
  Styling itself a 'Whiskey Bar', the Alembic is a place to have classic cocktails as well as original creations. The house Manhattan, made with Rye Whiskey, is phenomenal.

• Aub Zam-Zam

  phone: +1-415-861-2545
  address: 1633 Haight St
  A 1930s vintage cocktail bar with a beautifully restored arabesque art-deco decor. Written up in 'W' and 'Newsweek' magazines for the best martinis in the US back in the 80s. Drinks are moderately expensive but of exceptional quality, even from the well. An intimate and classy setting for a romantic evening with a juke box that leans toward swing and big band music. Named for the Well of Zamzam, one of the holiest places in Islam, a source of blessed beverages.

• Danny Coyle's

  phone: +1-415-558-8375
  address: 668 Haight St
  Irish pub where the Guinness is served with a smile, and if you're lucky, an Irish accent to match.

• Club Deluxe

  phone: +1-415-552-6949
  address: 1511 Haight St
  This small, stylish bar has been around for a long time. It's all about Giovanni's Neapolitan Pizza and freshly squeezed cocktails. Deluxe hosts free comedy on Monday nights and jazz every other night, always by local acts. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd is arty and hip.

• Gold Cane

  phone: +1-415-626-1112
  address: 1569 Haight St
  A great place for cheap, strong drinks, and friendly bar-tenders. Divey atmosphere, local crowd. Has a pool table and small outdoor patio for smokers of all types.

• Hobson's Choice

  phone: +1-415-621-5859
  address: 1601 Haight St
  Offering a selection of well over 100 rums, this "Victorian punch house" themed bar is best known for it's original alcoholic punches that you can order by the glass or by the bowl. (watch out, they're stronger than you think!) The corner location and large windows make it a perfect spot to grab a drink and people-watch. Go on Sundays when they offer a lavish make-your-own Bloody Mary bar with plenty of fixin's. (don't worry, they'll mix it for you if you're not so inclined) A friendly staff and great jukebox brings the locals in early, more of a younger crowd late night and on weekends.

• Kezar Pub & Restaurant

  phone: +1-415-386-9292
  address: 770 Stanyan St
  A popular English-themed pub where you can watch soccer.

• Mad Dog in the Fog

  phone: +1-415-626-7279
  address: 530 Haight St
  This is an English pub where you can come to watch soccer on TV or go out back where you can smoke. Occasionally live music at night. The hotline for when matches are being played is +1-415-442-7994. Since they open for live matches from England as early as 6AM, its the best place to get a beer before noon in the area on the weekend.

• Magnolia

  phone: +1-415-864-7468
  address: 1398 Haight St
  Serves solid food and microbrews, including some excellent cask conditioned beers.

• Molotov's

  phone: +1-415-558-8019
  address: 582 Haight St
  Leans towards rockabilly and mohawk crowd. Dog and food friendly.

• Nickie's

  phone: +1-415-255-0300
  address: 466 Haight St
  Dance club and bar - Grateful Dead night every Monday, and popular dub and funk nights during the week as well.

• Noc Noc

  phone: +1-415-861-5811
  address: 557 Haight St
  A very artsy atmosphere. You can get many Trappist monk beers here. Live DJ nightly. Tarot readings Mondays 6-9PM. Beer, wine and sake (no hard liquor). Alas for smokers: Big Brother finally put down the rebellion and smoking is now relegated to the sidewalk in front.

• Toronado

  phone: +1-415-863-2276
  address: 547 Haight St
  This bar has forty-six beers on tap and a bottled beer menu which covers two whole pages. They serve many microbrews and imports from Germany, Belgium, and Japan. Come through the Dutch door and if there is no room in the front bar, there is a back room with tables. No food is served, but you may bring food in from any of the many restaurants nearby. This is a cash only establishment.

• Trax

  phone: +1-415-864-4213
  address: 1437 Haight St
  A gay bar for gay men and lesbians that is also very much straight-friendly. Small, divey, and a local's scene. Drinks are cheap, and on Saturday nights it offers ridiculously cheap drink specials ($1 well cocktails before 10PM).

• Underground SF

  phone: +1-415-864-7386
  address: 424 Haight St
  Dance club and bar, formerly called The Top, which features different theme nights, some of which are geared towards alternative culture.

Coffee

• Cafe du SoleilPopular cafe serving decent coffee and lattes.

• Cafe International

  phone: +1-415-552-7390
  address: 508 Haight St
  Offers net access, live music, food, and a variety of beverages from coffee, tea, beer, wine to fresh squeezed juices. Good desserts.

• Coffee to the People

  phone: +1-415-626-2435
  address: 1206 Masonic Ave
  A favorite community gathering spot, Coffee to the People serves giant sandwiches, hearty soups, and organic and fair trade coffee and tea. Their croissant breakfast sandwiches are especially popular with locals. The shop is laptop/work friendly, with free wi-fi and almost a dedicated section to people working around notepads and notebooks. The shop has an overtly political theme and decor and is a good spot for people watching.

• Metro Hotel

  phone: +1-415-861-5364
  address: 319 Divisadero St
  A reasonably priced hotel just one block north of Haight Street. The rooms are quite basic, but functional, clean, and quite inexpensive for the central city. There is an excellent French restaurant downstairs, with outdoor dining and weekend brunch. Rooms directly over Divisadero Street can be quite loud on the weekends.

• Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1-415-864-1978
  address: 1665 Haight St
  A throwback to the Haight-Ashbury's glory days during the 1960s, this peace and love themed B&B has several eclectically themed rooms and suites, as well as a cafe downstairs.

• Coffee to the PeopleSee above in Drink. Free wireless internet.

• San Francisco Public Library - Park Branch

  phone: +1-415-355-5656
  address: 1833 Page St

The Haight has been a magnet for wandering youth for decades and that continues today and is part of the neighborhood's character. Some of the people can behave poorly - aggressive panhandling and obnoxious behavior sometimes happen, but it's more likely you'll be asked for money or to buy soft drugs. However, these people are almost never violent. Either ignore them or be brave and strike up a conversation - they might have an interesting story.
Both areas of the Haight can be dangerous late at night after the bars close. Travel smart when on foot at night. There are always other people walking up and down Haight Street so you won't be alone.