Haight-Ashbury
This is San Francisco landmark is steeped in the social and political history of the post-Second World War United States. Haight Ashbury will be forever associated with one of the most iconic eras in the history of the United States, when the Summer of Love and flower power were in full bloom, and the Grateful dead were a firm favourite with many music lovers.
Haight Ashbury was instrumental in 1960s counter-culture, a haven for non-conformists and peace-loving dreamers. Among the revellers here were Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. But though these sixties musical icons are long gone, the spirit and reminders of the tie-dye wearing, incense-burning, make love-not-war generation remain very much at the fore of this bohemian district. Perhaps all the peace and love paid off in karmic terms, as this was one of the few areas in San Francisco that survived the 1906 earthquake that levelled around 80 per cent of the city.
Today, this place is still something of a cultural haven. You can hang out in the coffee houses, bookstores and music clubs, or check out some of the boutiques that sell home-made clothing and a variety of smoking paraphernalia. Laid back travellers will feel very much at home here. Some of the shops even display valuable antiques and relics of the Sixties era.
Having said that, the district has become significantly more gentrified than its sixties iteration, and snazzy boutiques and upmarket restaurants also compete for your attention in this varied and soulful region. One the Sixties were over, the hippies moved out, and the yuppies moved in, buying up the colourful Victorian terrace houses by the dozen. These ‘painted ladies’, as they are referred to colloquially, are dazzling with their bright colours and design making them an attractive addition to the area.
After you’ve strolled around the characterful streets, end your day at the oldest park in San Francisco, the Buena Vista Park and watch the sun steadily set over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.