MISSION DISTRICT

Mission District and Noe Valley

The multicultural, multiethnic, rapidly changing human and architectural landscape of San Francisco is on daily display in "The Mission." This sunny part of the city is a captivating area which is forever changing.

The Mission is named for the Mission Dolores church, the earliest building in San Francisco, which held its first mass in 1776. It is well worth a visit and harkens back to an earlier time. The Mission Dolores was also featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, "Vertigo." Mission Street, is the longest street in the city, besides being the most interesting. This part of San Francisco exhibits mostly Hispanic characteristics, with huge Mexican and Central American influences. You can find a dizzying array of authentic Mexican restaurants, many old churches, shops of all kinds, plus grocery stores specializing in Mexican delicacies and produce. The Mission Murals are well known and can be found on buildings everywhere. These Murals depict everyday life, offer political statements, are tributes to leaders and express mythic stories. They are all different and can be found on walls and buildings on seemingly every other street.

Yet, the Mission is also the new art center, where hip little galleries, bars and restaurants have popped up due to the formerly cheap rents in the area. Today the young, the cool, the nerdy, the arty, the up and coming, and the lookie loos are all out on the street together, eating the same burritos - in the Mission. Other ethnic groups have also brought their culture and style to the Mission including recent Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese immigrants. There is still an earlier Irish and Italian contingent holding fast in the area. The Mission District is a great place to walk on a sunny day. The 16^th Street area is a nightlife zone, with an astounding number of lively bars and clubs. This area is also a great place to listen to all kinds of music - without breaking the bank. However, it is advisable to take a cab to and from this area at night as a precaution.

Noe Valley is adjacent to the Mission and is even sunnier. When the rest of the city is covered by fog, it is likely the Noe Valley will still be clear and warm. This area is one of the many beautiful "neighborhoods" of San Francisco. 24^th Street has its requisite shops, cafes and bars, plus many bookstores and restaurants. The views from this hilly part of the city can be breathtaking. [Note - Noe Valley has a large lesbian contingent for those that are interested. Lots of dogs, Subarus and single mothers . . . ] Many of the old-fashioned bars are quaint and frequented by friendly locals. It’s a good place to relax and watch a ball game while sipping a pint. Many beautifully restored Victorian homes can be found on the blocks bordering 24^th Street. Noe Valley also has quite a few pretty old churches including the Noe Valley Ministry, at 1021 Sanchez Street, which offers contemporary musical performances of diverse styles. It is worth checking out. For more information call (415) 282-2317.