What's not to love about the Haight-Ashbury area!! It's historic, eccentric, hippie, and vibrant!! I remember as a kid, my mother and her friends would pack us all up and make a day of it. Remember the wagons??? The adults up front. The kids wayyyyy back in the luggage area!! We would walk all around and have a nice lunch out. Go to our friend's home to play games. This area is so colorful! The old Victorian architecture, the upbeat streets, vintage shops, unique finds, fusion of cafes, the music, and great thrifting. Parking can be a bear!! There's street parking, but that's a hit and miss! Lucky for us, we parked a few blocks away and walked. There's free parking near Golden Gate Park. Some folks used the parking apps and pay to be closer. Overall, this area is nostalgic! We love it even though we aren't here as often as we would like. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

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Haight-Ashbury, the Haight, some people just call it "Hashbury. " A fun funky psychedelic neighborhood that has seen it all. The Neighbourhood has become gentrified a bit, and there are a couple of corporate places, (there's a Ben & Jerry's right on the main corner!) but there were lots of other great shops. Vintage clothing, shops, smoke shops, and a good amount of great restaurants. Lots to see, do, and buy. Definitely check out the counterculture museum. It's not expensive to get into, and it tells an interesting story about the "hippie movement", and what it was all about. The museum also have a great bookstore. It's always fun coming back to this neighborhood to see what has changed. read more

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I had always wanted to visit and explore this neighborhood as I had read about it growing up and had seen it in several movies and TV shows. There is soooo much history about this neighborhood when it comes to music and the hippie era of the 1960's. During my visit (for those of you who know older rock music), I discovered that Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead were but a few of the artists who called this area of San Francisco home. The area is very colorful, fun and a great place to shop for vintage clothing and/or grab a good meal. The buildings are older and a few needed a little TLC but that's part of the experience as everything has been left in its original form. I am glad my family and I finally had the opportunity to visit and explore this area of San Francisco. read more

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Also known as "The Haight," "Upper Haight," "Hashbury," etc. I have always called it "The Haight Ashbury" or just "Haight" for short. Copy and pasted from the internet: "The street names commemorate two early San Francisco leaders: pioneer and exchange banker Henry Haight and Munroe Ashbury, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1864 to 1870." Quality/Quantity - This used to be a fun (not always safe) place to hang out when I was in my youth. I loved to "people watch." A similar environment as Berkeley Telegraph Street, back in the day; am I outdating myself? Known for its "hippie" movement, The Summer of Love. The good news is that some of the culture is still there today. But you definitely can see the "gentrification." Remember the "Head Shop," Psychedelic Shop. The Diggers - Street Theater, performers. The Other Cafe - A comedy club that supported Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Whoopi Goldberg, etc. So much culture and history! Atmosphere - Small local neighborhood. Has/had a culture. 0.3 sq miles Approximately 10k population. Service - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. Price - Depends on what you do, eat, or drink. But think of SF prices. Owner Comment - Thank you for all the experiences over the years. read more

Having grown up during these times this was the hot spot for the hippie culture and music so when we got the opportunity to visit it was a no brainer. The haight-ashbury sign is an icon view for those of us tht were aware during tht time. It is full of shops, cafes, restaurants and of course the tourist traps. We walked down to the house where Janis Joplin lived and was kicked out of because she couldn't pay the rent. Then we walked up(pretty good incline for walking) to the Grateful Dead house and the icon porch which has been used in many photos over the years. Was a great experience and a check off of my list. read more

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The Haight and Ashbury is a famous district in San Francisco if you are looking for some vintage and hippie stuff. They had a lot of thrift stores and the funny thing was that we saw security guard in front of a thrift store. They had many cool things to see at some souvenir stores. read more

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super energetic and eccentric area! lots of people walking here and there, cool buildings and establishments all around read more

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literally one of the most ICONIC place of SF and everyone must visit here in summer. love the culture. read more

This is one of my all time favorite places to shop for vintage. It is highly improbable to leave empty handed. Whether you are with friends or on a solo adventure I have never not had a good time in tbe haight. You really don't need a discerning plan you can just wander. I had brunch at an iconic cafe, shopped, and left before the Friday crowds. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Haight Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

Haight and Ashbury might just be the heart of San Francisco. Hippy Dippy good fun. Unique shops and lots of flavor. If I had to guide tourists around in SF this would def be a stop. The shops are so unusual and the main street has anything you would want. Food and entertainment and tie die shirts. All the different neighborhoods in SF have a different feel. I'd have to say this one feels the most authentic. It is what it is without trying so hard. Very slow and casual. Not uptight or stuffy. Personally not my favorite spot but I admire it for what it is. read more

It is what it is. Living on memories of hippie revolution, devolved into a hangout of the dubious. No, the neighborhood isn't overrun, but it is sometimes depressing, with a side of magical. That said, the Upper Haight should be designated a historical landmark. Oh, the street art, the "unusual" clothing on the denizens, fashion forward & backwards stores, the street pot trade has been wiped out by legalization. I saw a boy walking his duck, apparently no leash is required because they follow their flock/people. And there's a guy who brings his costumed cat to be admired & photographed, hopefully getting a donation. And the guy who plays the piano sitting in his van. And all the sidewalk entrepreneurs selling art & whatever. Tie dye abounds in retail & on the tourists. Speaking of, weekends are chockablock with foreign languages & fancy cameras. Clusters of street people may be panhandling, sleeping, or playing music while they smoke the ganja. Lots of dogs & occasionally a cat. So much eye candy, so much entertainment, so many great shops and some great eateries. Mendels craft store, Wasteland resale & vintage clothing, Goodwill with an entire rack of tie dyed T-shirts. Shoes! More shoes. Doc Martins, Fluevog. Out there clothing, which in other parts of the country would be called costume shops. Food! Vegan Burgers, Pork Store breakfasts, Zam Zam cocktails. Live music, comedy in the parklets, murals, graffiti, posters, colors, platform boots, wild hair colors, feathers, fringe & bell bottoms. In the Haight-Ashbury unicorns are real. read more

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I typically pass by this area when attending events at Golden Gate Park, but never got the opportunity to walk the streets of this historic neighborhood. So I enjoyed visiting some well-known spots this past Sunday, like Janis Joplin's house on Ashbury, no matter how touristy that may seem. I also passed by a lot of cool shops, eateries, and bars, like Hobson's Choice rum bar, Decades of Fashion vintage clothing store, and Haight and Ashbury gift shop apparently known for its T-shirts. I even got some goodies at the Sockshop before leaving. I love unique stores and places of interest, and the Haight-Ashbury is definitely lined with plenty of diverse businesses. As of July 2022, there were no homeless to be found on the streets or sidewalks, I don't recall a single one. But some of the buildings and establishments look run down (ie. The Red Victorian). And at least one of the the cool-looking bars (Zam Zam) only accepted cash, so that was disappointing. Street parking was also fairly difficult to find on a Sunday afternoon, a busy day in the city. Still it's a pretty cool neighborhood to appreciate art, music, culture, and history, with little quirks here and there. And it seems like a laid-back atmosphere to just let your hair down and have a good time, whether you're a tourist or a local. read more

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I love San Francisco! I've been several times and always visit Haight Ashbury after an early morning bridge walk. This trip, I was with my wife and daughter and did not break tradition. We were on the Golden Gate Bridge, at about 9 am and were in The Haight by 1pm for beers and appetizers. It was cloudy and cold, but we explored Haight Ashbury and the surrounding Castro district for about 3 hours. We visited several clothing stores and book stores. Talked to a bunch of locals. Just had a fabulous day! Everyone was friendly. The Haight was pretty quiet and very clean. I will return here every time I am in San Francisco! read more

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The Haight Ashbury district got its name from the intersection of these two streets where most of the movement took place. If you stand on that corner, you will see a clock set at 4:20. ( ´`)y･~~ For us locals growing up in The City, this is where we would get our ganja back in high school. Especially if my "dealer" was unavailable, we would have to trek here and choose who you could trust. Back in the day, it was like Wild Wild West and there were a lot of "sellers" to pick and choose from. It was either hit or miss so it was buyer beware. For me, I'd prefer not to since the quality you would get was not consistent, and sometimes they would mix their products with real herbs instead of the alternative herb you were looking for. One day, my "dealer" was out of town so my "cousin" and I were fiendin' to get faded. So we drove here, parked at McDonald's parking lot and started walkin' along Haight lookin' for a seller. We came upon a trio of "sellers" across the street from Amoeba. We asked for a dime bag and he said the price. I handed him a 50 and started giving me change straight from his wallet. It was obvious that he wasn't a professional and the guy was actually blazed as he was snickering counting the change. His two friends were also snickering and it was getting awkward real quick. As he handed me all the cash, we made the exchange and we quickly hustled back to the car. As we got inside, we started counting the change and realized he gave me 50 back in 10's, 5's and singles. We started laughing and hauled ass just in case they realized their mistake. Anyway, the product wasn't the best we've had and it was dank at best. Nowadays, you can get them legally and I'm pretty certain the quality would be more consistent than how it was in the past. Also, they've cracked down on dealers over the years as it became more mainstream. The neighborhood hasn't really changed much, but it has evolved into rows of vintage clothing stores, consignment stores, eateries, smoke shops, coffee shops, and homeless young adults looking for a place to fit in. I do miss the tattoo shop that made my bull tattoo, which sadly is no longer here. It's part of The City that will always be unique and some stories that I would rather not share until I'm an old curmudgeon. read more

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This section of San Francisco is so cool. This was (and still is) the hippie district. The buildings here are very old and have a beautiful style, there are tons of s*x shops to check out, lots of vegan and non-vegan food places, and more. This place is full of character and history. Definitely a must-experience in beautiful San Francisco. read more

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San Francisco has lots of cool neighborhoods.. The Mission District.. The Marina.. Chinatown.. But nothing is as funky and eclectic as "The Haight-Ashbury". This was where the birth of the hippie and counterculture movement started back in 1966-67. Located just east of Golden Gate Park and south of the Panhandle, Haight Street covers several blocks that more or less begins at Masonic Ave and covers several major streets; Ashbury, Clayton, Cole, Shrader, & Stanyan. It is also close to Buena Vista Park which offers lots of open space to walk your dog, picnic, and check out picturesque views of the city. I've been to the Haight on dozens of occasions dating back to 1993-94. This includes visiting their music stores, clothing stores, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and everything else this place offers. What makes this place unique is that you get a broad mix of neo-hippies, homeless, tourists, and locals all strolling on any given day. For those who wish to partake in marijuana, there have been several "dealers" selling here way before it became legal in California. However, there is a dispensary that recently opened in 2020 for people who need it for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. Going back to some of the history that originated here. This was the place that helped elevate the careers for musicians such as the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, & Jefferson Airplane as well as many others that paved the way for psychedelic music, drugs, art, & fashion. Drugs such as marijuana and LSD were easily accessible and eventually, many teenagers, college students, and liberal youngsters rebelling against their parents flocked here. And many of them came outside of San Francisco and California for that matter by the thousands by car, bus, or train to participate in the "Summer of Love" in 1967. As for the present day, much of the Haight-Ashbury still carries a lot of what once existed from the late-1960's. You are able to buy some of the craziest and off-the-wall clothing here. This includes disco shirts, bell-bottoms, revealing lingerie, trippy sunglasses, colorful wigs, and elaborate costumes. There is also an abundance of pipe shops where you can get your smoke on if that is your thing. And getting here is simple as Muni runs their buses directly on Haight St (and nearby Masonic St). Parking can be scarce (especially on weekends) but since its San Francisco, its just fun to walk and check out all the unique shops. With that said and done, I am giving the "Haight-Ashbury" a solid four-star rating. The only reason it is not a perfect five stars is that you must be street smart since there are sometimes suspicious and questionable people lurking around the neighborhood. It is also highly recommended to visit here with a group of friends and be very cautious of your surroundings. Otherwise, have fun checking this place out! read more

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This neighborhood reminds me of NYC'S East Village, specifically around the St. Mark's Place area. The area is a mix of dive bars, record shops, small bookstores, vintage clothing and thrift shops, and smaller independently owned restaurants. As a lifelong punk rocker, I was right at home here. If you are a similar counterculture type, you will love visiting this area as well. Yes, there are decent number of homeless people here, but San Francisco in general has a lot everywhere and they never bothered us. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

Take a step back into the flower child era right here, and don't miss walking this cool and notable neighborhood. Haight-Ashbury was on our touristy list of places to visit (I had been here years prior) and walk and it did not disappoint with it's shops, murals, significant homes (Hendrix, Joplin, Grateful Dead), and places to stop for eats/drinks. You do feel like you have taken a step back into a time that was more revolutionary, yet simpler than today and it was refreshing. Easy walk, free and you can get a great cup of coffee. There is a T-shirt store on the corner (Love on Haight) that is quirky and sells some artist made tie-dye shirts/clothes that are exceptional (and a bit pricey, but hey you are touristing). The mural on the store alone is worth seeing. read more

Yes it did! I got 2 long dresses with the help from Alicia that was nice to me - she helped me with such a good attitude - she told me she made these dresses and I love them! I gave one of them to my best friend in Utah- when we got together in Las Vegas this past weekend- ty Alicia! I will post a picture of my dress this weekend- because I'm wearing it to a Birthday Party again this Saturday- read more

Let's be honest: unless you like dodging the homeless while thrift shopping, this historic neighborhood is merely a photo op, best taken at the ice cream shop on the corner which has exaggerated street signs. Nonetheless, it's free, so five stars. Especially considering my favorite calzone place is there. Though first inhabited by the Beats of the 50s who couldn't afford the North Beach, Haight Ashbury (Or Hashbury as Hunter S Thompson called it) is widely known as a main center of hippie counterculture, as it was in the late 60s and especially during the Summer of Love. The city had the country's first head shop. For a neighborhood that was spared by the fires following the earthquake of 1906, it sure is full of smoke. read more

NOTE: I originally wrote the following review on July 29, 2012. It's a review of the Haight-Ashbury, as in the neighborhood. When I wrote the review, all the other reviews were of the neighborhood. A few years back, Yelp capriciously decided to move all the reviews into a listing for a tourist-trap T-shirt shop because that shop happens to have Haight Ashbury in its name. This decision made and still makes no sense, and just today, Yelp removed one of my photos of the neighborhood because it doesn't apply directly to the T-shirt shop. Well, I wasn't reviewing the T-shirt shop at the time, and I'm still not reviewing the T-shirt shop. I didn't want this FtR, but I also don't want Yelp to take down my review, so I'm putting it in its proper place. If it gets re-merged into the T-shirt-shop listing, well, at least I tried to do the right thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brittainie B. is right on with her 3.8-star feeling. The Upper Haight was my introduction to San Francisco. OK, not really my introduction to San Francisco, but my introduction to living in San Francisco where I live in San Francisco. I thought it was dirty, grimy, and a hassle; and it is. But it's also beautiful. There's Page Street. And Buena Vista. And St. Agnes. And Janis Joplin's house. And those wonderful Wednesday and Friday parking spaces that I used consistently for two years or so. There's plenty more to love, but I miss so much too. Lori and Kristin G. have moved far away, so there'll be no more safety-in-numbers walking on Tuesday nights or Broderick Street turf wars. And the idiotic traffic circles made pedestrianing so much fun, you see. And random Indian places that keep closing and opening again. And GUMPTION. Not most of all GUMPTION, but that's a lot of the appeal these days. It doesn't deserve the same rating as the Lower Haight, which is much more down to Earth. But if I were to say that I'm not a fan of the Upper Haight, I would definitely be lying, and one thing I try ever so hard not to do in my Yelp reviews--my life is a different story--is to lie. And I guess what takes it over the four-star top is that Gavin Newsom doesn't live here anymore, and that's always a bonus. How are you enjoying Marin County, Mr. Mayor? Scumbag. read more

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Besides visiting whenever I am able, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was my home briefly many years ago. I stayed with a friend that lived behind someone's house in the garage. Once I had just a bed with kitchen and bathroom to share in The Haight. After driving across country I had no place to spend the night. Someone sent me (along with my travel friends) to this spooky old house with a referral form in hand. They said the people there would find us someone to provide a short term stay at no cost. There were many do gooders back in the hippie days. I was scared so we said my one friend was my brother and we had to stay together. After we were given an address we arrived at the nice small apartment of a professional woman. She pulled out a couch bed and we were able to sleep in peace. No fears unlike the first old spooky house we first visited. She said we could stay as long as we wanted. After a short stay we all split up and moved in different directions. I ended up moving to Berkeley where I found another room sharing kitchen and bathroom. I can't believe now that I lived like that with no privacy. Those were the days. At the time I was living in Haight and San Francisco vibes were getting bad. I'm not sure who told me about life in Berkeley but I moved there to be near University of California where I applied for work. I returned to visit my friends in Haight Ashbury enjoying shopping, music and more. It was a nice place to visit for the day. I just didn't enjoy living there. read more

As an important and touristy place to visit in San Francisco, this area is pretty and cool in some p[arts but I honestly didn't feel comfortable or safe here, so we only stayed for 1/2 an hour and left. We had coffee...delicious!! and got our bus to continue with our tour. read more

If your wild at heart with tattoos and you have a thing for the odd and unusual. This is for you! It is like going back in time and everything melted with colorful wax. Yes a lot of homeless but they seem to be having a lot fun on something. anyhow, lots of shops to explore with alot of art all over. I had a hard time blinking my eyes because at every glance I would discover a wonder. Everything was like a piece of art. Pf course I am a fan! Love it! read more

We dragged my mom here and she almost refuse to get out of the car when she saw all the craziness that the street has to offer. She was much happier when she realized that Haight is home to many cool consignment stores such as Wasteland, Crossroads Trading and Buffalo where she can score a shirt for $10 and a scarf to match for $7. She was also a fan of the Whole Foods market at the end of the block where you can sanitize your hands, use the bathroom and get an organic juice for the same price as the shirt you just bought. Good times! read more

A historic neighborhood, though the Summer of Love was a couple of years before I was born I still have heard about Haight and Ashbury. Sadly, the bus tour brought me here on a Sunday morning and it was still way to early for much of the area to have come to life. Great graffiti if that's something you're into capturing. Also many store front are brightly painted and well worth a look. On the way back to the bus stop, I could very strongly smell the wacky tobaccy. I think I got a second hand high. Duuuuuude. read more

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Yes! It's Haight Ashbury for me. When I was in about 5th grade, I had a schoolmate tell me about Haight Ashbury in SF and the kids in elementary school were hearing about the hippies. My parents were not hippies, but were young adults in SF sometime before hippiedom. I have some fantasy about hippies and hippie life, but it's long gone. Haight Ashbury is a myth, legend, and relic of hippies. And it's about 50 years later in SF. Haight Ashbury is expensive. It's a place to eat, drink, nightlife. I am on Haight much. I go to Amoeba, The Booksmith/Bindery, coffee, try some of the crappy restaurants, and dream of a time long ago where the Grateful Dead was hanging out on Haight Ashbury. I have been to Haight so many times...infinite times. I love the Haight--no HATE! read more

This iconic corner street now turned neighborhood is still pretty funky and crowded with shops that scream "flower power" and "peace and love". I enjoyed visiting all the shops, specially some crystal shops and some Tibetan and Indian shops. There are also some artsy shops and clothing stores. And, of course, a lot of stoners and people walking without shoes. It is San Fran, after all... read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

This was a HAD TO for my husband while we were on our honeymoon staying in Sausalito. Besides, his mom and my dad were both huge hippies back in the day and had both experienced this area when they were younger when it was in its prime. I had to take one star away, but for a few things wrapped into one because this really was a good experience for us. YAY!: Lots and lots of history here. You gotta love it. Also, lots of really cool, hip stores and shirts are very fairly priced, not over priced like lots of touristy places are. I really wished we would have dined here to get an even better experience. I LOVED the Bob Marley mural that they had at the Central Haight Market was bad ass. Had to take a butt load of pictures in front of it and of it. We also bought stuff from there too to add to the experience :) Loved that they had the hippie bus drive by. I so felt like I was living in the 70s. NAY: Totally wasn't cool with all the people there trying to hit you up to support their causes, etc. We got stopped by this one guy that kept wanting us to donate money monthly for the gay and lesbian alliance. I totally support that cause, but I'll sign something, I'm not in the position to be donating 50 bucks a month right now. Parking is crappy. Wayyyy too much traffic. However, I can't wait to go back :) read more

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I felt like a tourist in San Francisco has to visit Haight. It's a unique part of the city that has a story and a style all it's own. I was excited at the chance to visit. Tattoo shops, organic coffee shops, vintage clothing stores, cafes, and boutiques make up the majority of the store fronts. Definitely stop for a meal. The food was wonderful and their aromas will draw you in off the sidewalk. The shops were a nostalgic excitement for me with nag champa, patchwork pants, the floor length circle skirts, and beautiful baubles. The prices, however, were staggering, yanking me from memory lane and plopping me in tourist trap town. $25 for a modest agate pendant in a costume jewelry setting?! We were also targeted by street dealers (I guess jeans and a black blouse hive me away as a tourist????) several times. I guess between that, the overpriced nature, and the sore lack of celebration of the area's history, I was a little disappointed. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

Since we're relatively new to SF, hubby and I enjoy walking around different 'hoods to shop and eat. Haight was an interesting mix of tourists and grungy 20yr olds who think being dirty, homeless and high is cool. I loved all the vintage shops but their pricing seemed so out of whack with similar places elsewhere in the city. I guess you can add 50% to prices so tourists can proudly proclaim that they bought it in the Haight. It was also a surprise to see so many "no dog" signs on shop doors. SF is so dog friendly but when I asked shop clerks "why" most said they have had problems with leg lifting, aggressive dogs (usually accompanying the dirty hip street kids) and assorted other problems. Thanks irresponsible owners! Very few restaurants had outdoor seating so we had to walk to lower Haight before we could score a dog-friendly spot for dinner. It made for an interesting afternoon but I'm not sure I'll make Haight one of my regular stops. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

Being the quintessential San Francisco tourist that I was and the fact GBF#1 really wanted to check out the Haight and all it's 'thrift stores' I went. Let's just say I hated the Haight; I'm not a fan of hippies, granola or patouli. And to top it off just about every shop we went into I was given the WTF are you doing in here? look. I in turn gave them the leave me the F alone look, I wasn't having it. If you like hippies, patouli, street "kids" begging for money, used clothing stores or Ben and Jerry's ice cream you'll like the Haight. If not I suggest by passing on the photo op of the Haight/Ashbury street sign. read more

The Haight-Ashbury - Local Flavor Near Me

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The Haight-Ashbury is a sensory immersion. It's a one-of-a-kind place on Earth. there is a ton of history here, so it wouldn't hurt to watch a few YouTube videos about the Summer of Love, hippie movement, etc, before visiting. But if you don't, you'll still get the idea. This is the place to come if you want to find some retro second-hand clothes, some amazing first-hand clothes, some pizza restaurants and coffee shops. Don't even try to find parking on the curbside unless you just happen upon it. Drive down toward the kezar stadium and park in the paid public parking. one of the best things about the Haight-Ashbury is that it's the Eastern gateway to the Golden gate Park. Just a few blocks away from Haight Street is hippie Hill. read more

Hey you, come over here. We're going to ride our fixies down the expensively dirty streets of Haight, past Amoeba, Ambiance, and Villains to take overly artistic photos in front of the graffiti murals on Shrader. We'll inhale the marijuana-fused air of the city, exhale rainbows and lollipops, and absorb the essence of the 60s while frolicking through Buena Vista park with daisy chains strewn through our hair. At Ben and Jerry's, we'll split an Imagine World Peace in a waffle dish, gossip about politics, green alternatives to living, and discuss Michael Pollan novels. It'll be a summer of love. Are you coming? read more

Cool vintage clothing stores and coffee shops make-up the once known home for the '60s "Summer of Love." The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin all lived within a couple blocks of the famous Haight-Ashbury intersection. Many different people, from street kids to European tourists to musicians, take the streets of this colorful neighborhood, to walk, talk, and shop, and to take pictures of the many murals painted on the brick buildings. Of course, all must get their very own image of the Haight-Ashbury street sign! Aside from taking pictures and people-watching, the Haight is great for shopping! Two favorites: Dollhouse Bettie and Amoeba Music. Check 'em out! Before you leave, don't forget to make a stop across the street to Hippy Hill. Tip: if you want to go there while anything is open, be sure to visit between the hours of 11:00AM and 6:00PM. The Verdict: Go for the records. Go for the vintage clothes. Go for the history. Go to support street kids. Whatever the reason, find one and go! read more

The shops there are very unique, so all shopaholics must make a stop here! And for music lovers, there's Amoeba music which is a huge store. And even if you're not a fan of music, just peek inside to see their huge selection of posters. And like the previous review, try to take public transportation. I was lucky to find parking the times I visited there, but it was very stressful.. It took me an hour the last time! read more

Loved shopping here as a teenager (had a crushed velvet stage, skirts, tanks, dresses- my style was a lot different at age 18, mixing clothes from Esprit, the Gap, Contempo and the stores here), still loved today. The vibe is eclectic, free spirited, bohemian, independent, and unique. Yes, it was known for many years because of the Summer of Love, drugs and hippies. It's become a hodge-podge of ethnic restaurants- caribbean, mexican, thai, middle eastern, indian, etc., cafes (coffee), bars (nightlife), bookstore, boutiques, vintage stores and thrift shops (ooh). Here's what remains from when I shopped here as a teenager: The Wasteland (a tad overpriced), Villains (yup, same category), Buffalo Exchange (love love love this store- this location is what started my preference for this store; my brother's friend told me about this place), Goodwill ( we found a GPS holder NIB for $4.99), Aardvark's Odd Ark, Amoeba, and Recycled Records. I liked a cotton clothing store called Dharma, too but it's no longer there, oh well. The ones that joined later on, that I really like are: Ben & Jerry's (they have the Vermonster here- for those of you who don't know this about me, I love ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen custard, etc.- it is my dessert of choice, much like chocolate is to my husband, but no, I couldn't finish the Vermonster myself, are you crazy?), and Crossroads Trading Company (april/may 2010- found a plaid wheat colored Dooney & Bourke wristlet for $10, which retailed for $55- I went to the one at the Castro years ago; that's how I found about this one). I wanted to go into "Held Over," but sometimes when you see the word Vintage, it screams "expensive." At least, that's what it means sometimes in LV (The Attic). If you like doc martens (I still have three pairs that I wore when I was in college- they last forever, if you get sick of them, take them to Buffalo Exchange), check out John Fluevog's. If you like Stussy, you're in luck, there's a store here. There is much more than I mentioned, BTW. Pretty much something for everyone. Anyway, in restrospect, this is a unique colorful place as a whole, and I love the thrift stores, so I will always be back whenever I'm in town. Parking can be tricky (used to park on the side streets as a teen) but if you're lucky, you can find a spot with a meter and fill it with coins, as you might be a while browsing; my husband had to make a few trips there, had to be honest about that. Yeah, part of the area (broken into two parts, but I really didn't go the entire length of the district as a teen) is gritty, might be dirty (every city's got 'em- the dirty part of LA, for example, is Hollywood Blvd.- gross), and homeless people are around the corner, but in all my years of shopping here (usually with my sister, best friend, and BF at the time), I've never had a problem with the people here- you see every type (goth, yuppie, druggies, free spirit, casual, families, singles, older, tourists, locals, etc.) here, for the most part, actually get along, gasp, imagine that. I cannot say the same for the experience at night, because I ventured here mostly during the day time. It might be different, worse, I don't know, but I can't comment on it. read more

I love Haight and Ashbury. I used to come here a lot back in the days when new wave and punk rock were in. The place has lots of cool boutiques, little cafes, eateries , vintage stores, record shops, incense shops etc. The vibe is chill and if the weather is nice, the place is perfect for hiking or lazing around in cafés and bookstores -- but you'll have to navigate through plenty of panhandlers, Neo-punks, club kids, fashionites, tourists and drag queens. read more

Thrifters and coffee-lovers will be happy to hear there is plenty to do in this area. Lots of thrift and vintage stores to check out and many cafés for my fellow caffeine addicts. I spent the majority of the day just wandering and looking at whatever seemed cool. A decent amount of homeless but none of them approach and definitely still kid-friendly. The only negative... I have the bladder of a goldfish. So finding bathrooms is essential to my experience somewhere and i have some advice. If you stop at a cafe or restaurant and buy something, USE THE RESTROOM. Please don't convince yourself that you don't really have to go thaaatt bad (we've all done it). If you're a paying customer you've earned the right. If you happen to be withdrawing cash and think "hey maybe it's time to go here at the bank" you're out of luck, no public bathroom. I ended up paying $7 for a drink I didn't need at Whole Foods where I was able to use the restroom. But... if you pay for the bathroom, maybe they should at least keep #2's off the ground? Just a quick warning, but besides the bathroom dilemma I loved the area and you will too. read more

It's okay, what you would expect. Lots of homeless, and a 60s Stoner vibe. A place you'd like to visit once. Definitely Hit the pork store Cafe for breakfast 1451 Haight Street.. read more