Welcome to
The Mission
Described as one of the nation’s “coolest” and “hippest” neighborhoods, it’s also the oldest neighborhood in the city. All the “cool kids'' flock to the Mission for its diverse array of retail and culinary pleasures. Thanks to its unique microclimate and strategic location that shield it from the city's fog and wind it’s also one of the sunniest neighborhoods! The Mission District in San Francisco was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people before the arrival of Spanish missionaries. The missionaries founded Mission San Francisco de Asis, which eventually led to the decline of the indigenous population. The area was home to various ranchos owned by Spanish-Mexican families and was separated from San Francisco by a two-mile wooden plank road. The Mission District became a popular destination for various attractions, including bull and bear fighting, horse racing, baseball and dueling. The district was also home to the first professional baseball stadium in California. Later, the district was primarily inhabited by Irish and German immigrants until the 1906 earthquake, which displaced many residents and businesses into the area. Mexican immigrants began moving into the district in the 1940s and 1950s, followed by Central American immigrants in the 1960s. Through the 70’s and 80’s it became a haven for the LBTQ movement and had a lively punk scene.
Lively, fast-paced, stylish, for foodies, vibrant, hip, sunny
At A Glance
THE NEIGHBORS
Artsy, hip and energetic.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A blend of cultural diversity, street art and urban grit.
THE LIFESTYLE
Endless dining and shopping options made colorful by a lively bustle.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
The endless warm sunny days with very little sign of “Karl the Fog.”
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
A vibrant populace on Valencia Street and side streets lined with Victorian and Edwardian architecture to modern buildings plus street art and vibrant murals.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
Life at the city’s cultural epicenter.
Located In The Mission
Nearby Neighborhoods
Potrero Hill, The Castro, Noe Valley, Bernal Heights, SoMa, Duboce Triangle, Hayes Valley
East to West Boundaries
Church St. to the west, Potrero St. to the east
North to South Boundaries
13th St. plus Duboce Ave. to the north, Cesar Chavez St. to the south
Commute Times
- Financial District via auto: 20 minutes
- Financial District via transit: 15 minutes
- South San Francisco via auto: 20 minutes
- Silicon Valley via auto: 50 minutes
AROUND THE BLOCK
The Mission is exciting, energetic and chaotic — full of forward-thinking, creative individuals with a vested interest in their community, be they native San Franciscans or recent arrivals to the area.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Mission’s sheer volume of dining and shopping options may be overwhelming, but its locals welcome that happy dilemma. Residents delight in the knowledge that they can eat out at a different restaurant every night of the week for a month and never have to repeat.
THE LIFESTYLE
San Franciscans flock to the Mission for dinner, for drinks, to see music, visit a gallery, or perhaps just to lie in the sun with the crowds at Dolores Park. But this is not just a place to congregate at night; the Mission is well known for the quiet, narrow lanes connecting its larger streets, tree-lined blocks where neighbors sit on their front steps, sharing the day’s news and soaking in gorgeous views of the downtown skyline.
UNEXPECTED APPEAL
The sunny, warm climate. As you walk downhill from 24th Street in the west towards Mission Street in the east, you'll notice the temperature rise and the sun shining brighter. This makes the Mission a popular destination for those seeking to escape the cold fog and enjoy the neighborhood's beautiful weather.
NEIGHBORHOOD AESTHETIC
Mission architecture ranges from Victorian to Edwardian to modern buildings and homes, but one of the most distinctive features of the Mission is its street art. The neighborhood is home to numerous murals and graffiti pieces, many of which showcase bold and colorful designs with powerful messages. The street art in the Mission reflects the neighborhood's strong cultural identity and social consciousness.
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
Almost everyone you meet on the street in the Mission is madly in love with their neighborhood’s dynamic cultural experiences. If you’re like them, you’ll find it easy to find things to love, starting with the unshakable knowledge that nowhere else will have the energy and the style of your newly chosen home.
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