Visiting the Mission District
Clarion Alley, The Mission, San Francisco Photo uploaded by marcella&antonio
If during your travels to San Francisco, you get an overwhelming craving for a burrito, taco, empanada, enchilada, or other Latin American inspired treat, head to the Mission district, where Central American families have been making their home since the 1950s. Strolling through this neighborhood, you’ll not only satisfy a craving for authentic Latin cuisine, but you’ll be able to glimpse the rich Latin American culture as it interacts with the ever evolving area.
Mission Dolores, on the corner of 16th and Mission, is an original adobe church in California’s mission history and the oldest standing building in the city. Its unique architecture and historical value attracts visitors from all religious affiliations.
The Mission district is also known for its beautiful murals that help give San Francisco its reputation for having art built right into its buildings and sidewalks. Twenty-fourth street has the greatest concentration of murals in the city, perhaps another reason it is referred to as the “El Corazon de la Misione” or Heart of the Mission, and the perfect place to mix art into your sightseeing.
The area’s visitor center holds tours of the murals in the area, explaining the political and social messages behind the art. But you can glimpse the art on your own at Balmy Alley, where 30 elaborate paintings and luscious bougainvillea decorates the sidewalks and walls. The streets will transport you to another world and the vibrant colors can brighten any gray, fog-soaked San Francisco Day.
Top off your journey through San Francisco’s Latin America with fresh Mexican food. You can’t go wrong at any of the restaurants that add a little spice to the neighborhood, but few can surpass the quality of La Taqueria (on Mission, between 24th and 25th streets), which has been in business for 30 years. Here you can dine in a casual, diner setting, decorated by a mural that brings a little bit of the culture to the neighborhood favorite.
Though the neighborhood is saturated in old world charm and history, the area has been growing in popularity, attracting young professionals and recent college grads, and swankier restaurants that incorporate Latin American flavors into a modern scene. The Velvet Cantina adds a luxurious ambiance to their Mexican cuisine and full tequila bar.
Ready for dessert? Another San Francisco favorite, Tartine Bakery, has a second location on Valencia Street, this time offering an extensive wine bar along with their delicate pastries at Bar Tartine.
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