Great News! – you’re Heading to San Francisco!

Looking to get away from all the “touristy” attractions, to dive deeper, and get an authentic, artistic, and cultural experience of the city?

Then I highly recommend spending an afternoon wandering around the Mission District!

The Mission District, commonly known as “The Mission,” is one of the oldest and most authentic neighborhoods in San Francisco.

In the past, home to mostly Latina working – class families, today the Mission has become home to the city’s hipster generation.

Something you will notice immediately when wandering through the Mission is the artistic expression covering the shops, walls, and streets of this neighborhood.

To begin your authentic journey, I recommend you start your day along the corner of Potrero and 24th street.

From there, embark your way down 24th Street to Valencia.

Need a coffee or breakfast to fuel you for your epic day?

Make a pit stop at Dynamo Donut and Coffee!

Enjoy their eloquent artisinal pastries, and hands down the best coffee I’ve ever had!

But make sure to get there early because their tasty treats sell out fast!

(Side Note: They’re closed on Monday’s!) 

Other Coffee Shops in the Mission I recommend checking out:

Atlas

 ( Located on corner of 20th street and Alabama )

Tempo’s

( Located on corner of 24th street and Harison )

(I highly recommend trying the Roasted Mushroom  Panini!)

Coffee not your thing? That’s ok! Stop on over to Sidewalk Juice!

Offering freshly made juices, smoothies, teas, and snacks.

Throughout the Neighborhood, hundreds of walls, fences, and homes/buildings are filled with colorful works of art.

Make sure to take a stroll over to these iconic (most instagram worthy) locations, for views of artwork you don’t want to miss! (You might even get to catch a mural in the making)

• Balmy Alley (Between 24th St. and 25th St., and Treat St. and Harrison St.)

• Clarion Alley (Between 17th St. and 18th St., and Mission St. and Valencia St.)

• Cypress Alley (Between Mission Street and Van Ness Avenue) 

And don’t be afraid to wander down all the other alleyways that catch your eye!

Once you make your way down 24th Street to Valencia, take a Right and wander your way down Valencia.

Filled with shops from local artisan’s, boutiques, thrift stores, and many more.

Find yourself a spot to grab lunch/dinner on this street too!

• Chocolate Lovers make sure to stop in Dandelion Chocolate!

When you get to Valencia and 18th Street, take a left on 18th, walk down two blocks, until you get to Dolores Street, and go check out Dolores Park!

If it’s a nice sunny day, especially on a weekend, the park will be filled with gatherer’s from all around!

Stop at a convenience store, buy a bottle of wine/pack of beer, some snacks, and enjoy the afternoon there. (P.S. It’s always fun to people watch! )

For those who have a sweet tooth, walk across the street to Bi-Rite Creamery – Hands Down the best ice cream spot in the Mission!