San Francisco’s Mission District
Visitors to San Francisco’s Mission District, who venture into the neighborhood only to see the famed Mission Dolores, are missing out on the type of experience one can only find in the world’s finest cities. The Mission, known for its tight-knit Latin community, great food, and gentrification, is not only the warmest portion of foggy San Francisco weather-wise, but the hustle and bustle of the street never cools off. The so-called push-cart economy is alive in the Mission with vendors selling everything from ice cream and flowers to bootlegged DVDs and papusas. A stroll through the Mission is the quintessential urban experience, such a highlight that one does not even have to set foot in one of its many establishments. But, of course, if you will be in San Francisco, you have got to get your fill. Here is the short list of what not to miss.
The Mission might just be best known for its incredible taquerias serving up San Francisco’s finest burritos. And while Papalote on 24th Street, just off of Valencia, has received national accolade for its burritos, an actual sit-down restaurant ought to take first prize. Be sure to check out Puerto Alegre on Valencia Street, between 16th and 17th for strong Margerita’s and burritos that are strong on size, strong on flavor, and incredibly light on the pocketbook. The Super Carne Asada burrito will set you back a mere five bucks, yet you might not have room for dessert!
To work off the extra pounds after visiting Puerto Alegre, walk along Valencia Street and sample the many independent bookstores in the neighborhood. There are too many to list and you can hardly miss them, but the two you cannot miss are Modern Times Books and Dog Earred Books, both on Valencia on either side of 20th Street. Modern Times features some of the best left wing titles and leftist “propaganda” in San Francisco, while Dog Earred crams shelf after shelf of primarily used books into its cozy corner location.
San Francisco is as close to a bicycling town as one gets in America and the Mission district is one place where bikes often rival cars in numbers, especially during rush hours. You have got to check out the Mission’s great bike shops – Freewheel Cycle on Valencia just up the street from Dog Earred Books boasts gems like a $8,000 custom Calfee job in the window, while Valencia cyclery between 21st and 22nd offers a wide selection of cruisers, and for the grease monkeys there is Pedal Revolution on 21st near Folsom. Pedal Revolution is best know for its garage-like location and a program that takes inner city youth off of the streets and into the shop to learn how to work on bikes.
If you are hungry for dessert after all of that walking, walk a little further to 18th and Guerrero and check out the still trendy Tartine Bakery, featuring lots of french treats and tables on the sidewalk. But beware, this place is kind of high-tone. For less of a walk and a more laid back atmosphere, stay on Valencia across from Valencia Cyclery and grab a latte and a pastry at the Mission’s hottest new addition, Ritual Coffee Roasters. Everyone from yuppies to hipsters to Mommies, Daddies, and little ones can be seen pounding away at laptops with free wireless internet, bobbing to iPods, and maybe even being “forced” to share a table when it gets crowded, which is always! But the coffee, brought in from Portland, and the cool, yet casual environs are worth a line and a stranger beside you.
There is no doubt that I have detailed a nice six hours or so in the Mission, but if you visit the neighborhood, you will no dobut discover many of the amazing things about my neighborhood that I did not have room to mention here.
