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MISSION DISTRICT |
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This area, roughly bordered by Mission, Potrero,
Dolores, and Caesar Chavez, owes its name to Mission
Dolores, pictured below, the city’s oldest building
built by the Spanish Franciscans in 1776. Take a
self-guided tour of the Mission, at 16th Street and
Dolores, daily 9am - 4pm; 415-621-8203. Mission Street,
the main thoroughfare through this vibrant
neighborhood, reflects the area’s Mexican and Latino
heritage as do the murals on building walls. Call
415-806-0049 (jwalks.com)
for Mission walking tours; or 415-285-2287 for tours of
the local mural art.
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NOB
HILL & RUSSIAN HILL |
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 To
the north of Union Square, at the top of California Street
is Nob Hill, the site on which San Francisco's early
millionaires Gold Rush and railroad nabobs (slang for
wealthy men, which gave Nob Hill its name) built their
mansions, now established as some of the city¹s finest
hotels: the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins and the Huntington.
Russian Hill sits to the north of Nob Hill, south of
Fisherman's Wharf, west of North Beach. The famous curves of
Lombard Street are here. The city's Grace Cathedral, at 1100 California Street, famed for
its Ghiberti doors ("The Gates of Paradise"), labyrinths,
varied stained glass, and medieval furnishings, as well as
its organs and choir has become an international pilgrimage
center for church-goer and visitor alike.
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NORTH BEACH |
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Centered along Columbus Avenue just south of
Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach is known for its
Italian heritage, as the birthplace of The Beat
Generation, and for its restaurants, sidewalk cafes,
and nightlife. You won’t turn a corner without
enjoying the smell of freshly roasted coffee from
local roasteries. Visit the Beat Museum at 540
Broadway with exhibits about the writers, artists,
and political activists from “the era that changed
the world.” Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Ask about
their Literary and Beat Walking Tours. 800-KER-OUAC. thebeatmuseum.org. Stop by historical City
Lights Booksellers on Columbus Avenue, founded by
Lawrence Ferlenghetti, the first all paperback
bookstore. The majestic towers of the Church of
Saints Peter & Paul overlook Washington Square, at
Stockton and Union Streets, a popular park to relax
and take in the sights. Two blocks away at 610
Vallejo Street is the Shrine of St. Francis of
Assisi Church, dedicated to the city’s namesake.
Visit daily 11am-5pm to view historic murals.
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PACIFIC OCEAN |
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The west end of the city ends at the Pacific Ocean.
Blustery Ocean Beach the stretch of coast from Lands End
to Fort Funston, has flat sandy beaches and paved
walkways for strolling, biking and skating. The water is
not suitable for swimming, but surfers take advantage of
the consistent waves. On a clear day, the sunsets can be
spectacular. Enjoy the view over cocktails or a meal at
The Cliff House or Beach Chalet, both located on Great
Highway. Take Geary Boulevard west all the way to the
coast.
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 This
former military base is now a public park and part of
GGNRA (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). Crissy
Field, the stretch of shoreline extending from Marina
Green to the Golden Gate, features a restored tidal
marsh, coastal dunes, a promenade popular with joggers
and strollers, and picnic area. Presidio Visitor Center
is open daily 9am - 5pm in the Officers' Club, Building
50, on Moraga Avenue near Arguello Boulevard
415-561-4314. The George Lucas Digital Arts Center near
the Lombard Gate is surrounded by landscaped greens the
public can browse. The Presidio Golf Course near the
Arguello Gate is open to the public year-round. A
2.5-mile stretch of the Bay Area Ridge Trail starts next
to the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse. |
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