Haight and Ashbury District

Tips to Visit This Unique SF Neighborhood with a Rich History

The Haight and Ashbury District is another infamous neighborhood in San Francisco. This unique and colorful community was home of the 'Summer of Love' in 1967. The Haight San Francisco has a rich history and continues to thrive to this day.

Below you will find out more about this interesting neighborhood. Discover a little more about its history, names of some of its famous residents along the way and all the things to see and do here.

The name Haight Ashbury comes from the crossing of these two streets. This corner in the neighborhood is where the height of the action took place. Today, locals typically refer to this area as 'The Haight'.

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Haight and Ashbury District History

In the late 1880s, the Haight Ashbury district was a neighborhood off the beaten path. Many people lived in this neighborhood to get far away from the fast paced downtown area. I guess you could have called it a 'suburb' of San Francisco at the time.

However, this district changed quite a bit over the years. It was the heart of the hippy and flower power generation in the late 1950s and 1960s. Due to its popularity during those two decades, it was the perfect spot for the 'Summer of Love' in 1967.

That year, people from all over the US came to San Francisco. The Haight and Ashbury district was the main stop for those looking for free love, drugs and rock and roll.

The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane were just a few of the bands that became famous during this time. They all lived in this neighborhood and performed free, impromptu concerts in Golden Gate Park, which borders this district on the north. The residence of the Grateful Dead in the 1960s was 710 Ashbury Street.

Another infamous person also lived in the Haight and Ashbury during this time -- Charles Manson. He moved to San Francisco shortly after being released from prison in early 1967. He moved around quite a bit, but spent a couple of years living at 636 Cole Street with his girlfriend and several other girls in his 'gang'.

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Haight and Ashbury District Today

Today, the Haight Ashbury district is still a lively and interesting part of San Francisco. There are a number of funky shops, restaurants and other historical sites. Most of them work hard to keep the flower power and hippy vibe in the neighborhood alive.

The main street down the center of the neighborhood is Haight Street. This is the commercial area today where you will find the majority of the shops and restaurants.

It starts around Masonic Avenue on the east. It stretches about five city blocks down to Stanyan Street. The famous Haight Ashbury cross streets are just one block west of Masonic Avenue.

Not only is there some great action in this stretch on Haight, but there are many beautiful houses along the side streets. The Haight and Ashbury district is one of the few that was not hard hit by the 1906 earthquake fires, so you can still see a number of Victorians that date back to the late 1800s.

While you are in the neighborhood, walk up and down some of these streets. It is the perfect photo opportunity. Some -- as you can see from the first picture on the page -- are brightly painted. Others are more subtle, but housed some very famous artists back in the 60s. The two specific addresses I mentioned above are only about a block off Haight Street.

Another historical stop is the Red Vic Theater on Haight near Cole Street. It is a small, independent movie theater that has been in the area for more than 30 years. They show second run movies and other cult classics. Instead of the standard movie theater set up, they have comfy couches and organic munchies. It's a great place for a night out on the town.

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Haight and Ashbury: Where To Eat

For lunch, you have quite a few options. One of my favorites is the Magnolia Brewery on Masonic Avenue. They brew their own beers and have a good selection on their menu. Other casual lunch options are the Blue Front Cafe or Cole Valley Cafe. You can also stop into the Haight Street Market and grab something to go.

For dinner, I recommend Cha Cha Cha on the corner of Haight and Shrader Streets. It's a tapas restaurant with funky food and a fun atmosphere. Parada 22 is right next door and it is also popular. The Alembic Bar is a great choice for some American food. It's also a great place to hang out for a drink or two.

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Tours of the Haight and Ashbury

Since the neighborhood is small, there are not a lot of options for tours. However, you can find the two top walking tours for the neighborhood below. In addition, you can find out more about the Haight and Ashbury district on a full city tour.

Walking Tours

The public library has quite a few free walks in San Francisco. They cover either a specific topic or neighborhood. Their walking tour for the Haight covers the original history of this neighborhood. These tours are great because they are free and you do not have to sign up in advance. The downside of these tours is that the groups are sometimes so large it is hard to hear the guide. Find out more about the Haight Ashbury public library free walking tour.

Another walking tour that I recently heard about is the Haunted Haight™. This walking tour is done by a local San Francisco resident. I have not done this tour myself, but have heard quite a few good things about it. The tour takes you through the neighborhood at night and walks you to some its haunted spots. Discover more details about the Haunted Haight tour.

City Tours

If you really want to know a lot about San Francisco, then the Historic Vintage Car Tour is for you. The tour has two options: a 90 minute deluxe tour or a three hour ultimate tour. This tour is great because the groups are small. The three hour ultimate tour is the one that includes the Haight and Ashbury district. Find pricing, reviews and more details on the Historic Vintage Car Tour.

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Haight Ashbury Street Fair

If you are interested in reliving the 'Summer of Love' in the Haight, your closest option is during the annual Haight Ashbury Street Fair. This community driven event is held the second Sunday of June every year.

During the fair, the streets are lined with vendors, music and people dancing. You can find food, drinks, arts -- and almost anything else you desire. The event starts at 11 am and lasts until around 8:30 pm.

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How to Get to Haight and Ashbury

Public Buses: There are a number of ways to quickly get to the Haight and Ashbury from downtown or Union Square. The least expensive option is to take the SF Muni. Both buses 7 and 33 can take you to the heart of the action.

Hop On/Hop Off Tour: This is a tourist only bus with a number of stops around San Francisco. How it works is you buy a full day (or two day) ticket. It has several designated stops throughout the city and you can hop off and on at any of them. It's a great way to get around for the day, learn a little about the city during the ride and hop on and off to get a closer look at some of the top San Francisco attractions.

I like to do these during my first day in a new city. It gives you a chance to get a feel for the city and where everything is located. Get pricing and more details for the Hop On/Hop Off Tour.

Taxi: You can also take a taxi. A ride from downtown or Union Square should only take about 15 minutes. It will cost you around $20. Find out more about what to expect from San Francisco taxis.

Car: The parking in the Haight and Ashbury neighborhood is not as bad as some of the other SF neighborhoods. There are no big parking garages, so you'll have to drive around to find street parking. Your best bet to find a spot is to drive a block or two off Haight Street.

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China Town San Francisco: Another popular San Francisco neighborhood is Chinatown. This is the place that the city originally started. Today, it is pack full of action. Find out about Chinatown including its history, tips for shopping, ideas on where to grab some Dim Sum and more.

Union Square San Francisco Shopping: If you LOVE to shop, then San Francisco is the city for you! There is great shopping throughout the city, but Union Square has some of the best shops around. Find out more about the different places to shop in Union Square.

North Beach San Francisco: Originally settled by Italians, this neighborhood is staying true to its heritage. Here you will find Coit Tower, the infamous Beach Blanket Babylon show and many wonderful Italian restaurants. Read on to learn more about North Beach San Francisco and why you should drop by for a while during your visit.

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With this card, you'll see the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Aquarium of the Bay, the famed Academy of Sciences and either the De Young Museum / Legion of Honor OR Exploratorium. In addition, it includes a ride on a Bay Cruise during your stay -- so you can see this magnificent city from the water!

You will also receive shopping, dining and venue discounts. Pair this with the Hop on/Hop Off Tour and you are set for an amazing adventure in the city by the bay! Discover more ways to save money with the San Francisco City Pass card.

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Fishermans Wharf Hotels: Find some of the top rated hotels in Fisherman's Wharf. Here you will find the best two, three and four star hotels for your stay. You can also read a little about each one to find out their amenities and some estimates on the cost per night.

Union Square Hotels: Another popular place to stay in San Francisco is Union Square. This is in the heart of the action and there are hundreds of places to choose from -- but, which ones are the best? Read on to find the right hotel for your stay in San Francisco.

Cheap Hotels in San Francisco: Are you looking for a budget friendly option? This page provides a great list of some of the best, clean -- yet still affordable hotels in San Francisco. Many are still centrally located -- so you don't have to sacrifice your budget in order to stay near the action.