{"id":25945,"date":"2024-03-01T11:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T11:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/?p=25945"},"modified":"2024-11-01T11:47:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T11:47:00","slug":"13-mission-district-experiences-everyone-should-try-in-sf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/13-mission-district-experiences-everyone-should-try-in-sf\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Mission District Experiences Everyone Should Try in SF"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Each San Francisco neighborhood has its own unique charm and culture, and the Mission District stands out as one of the best, a longtime favorite for travelers visiting the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located toward the southeastern edge of San Francisco, the district has changed quite a bit over the years, from a colonial Spanish outpost in the 18th century to the trendy neighborhood of today. And there’s plenty to do in the Mission District when you visit. Whether you want to dig into the history or enjoy the food, art, games, and culture that keeps this corner of the city hopping, you’ve got options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll cover the must-do experiences to try when you\u2019re here, including where to eat, what to see, and how to make sure you don\u2019t miss anything. Consider this your ultimate checklist of the best things to do in the Mission District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we’re starting off with my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mission burritos<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"burrito\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I just had to start here. You\u2019re in The Mission!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You simply can’t pass up the most famous food export from this corner of the city. A Mission-style burrito is no joke, so be sure to work up an appetite before tackling one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The classic Mission burrito features a steamed flour tortilla, which increases its flexibility so it can cover the massive amount of ingredients that will go inside. The finished creation couldn\u2019t be more delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mission burrito history goes back to the 1960s. The taqueria \u201cLa Cumbre\u201d is generally credited with creating the first one, though there\u2019s a fierce burrito debate in San Francisco. Another taqueria, El Faro, claims they created the first \u201csuper burrito\u201d in 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wherever it originated, we all can be thankful that it\u2019s here today. Burritos are to San Francisco what pizza is to New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Eclectic stores on Valencia Street<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Valencia<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Whether you are looking for trendy fits like Taylor Stitch and Lululemon or looking for some vintage threads, Valencia Street has you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valencia Street is one of the main arteries of The Mission. The colorful street has window-shopping galore. Seeking that one vinyl record you can\u2019t find anywhere? It\u2019s probably at Stranded Records. Love indie books? Hit up Dog Eared Books or Borderland Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you\u2019ll notice about Valencia is the eye popping color of the buildings that surround it. This is a common motif of The Mission, but it\u2019s especially noticeable here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find all kinds of strange topics, from taxidermy to Santer\u00eda (Afro-Cuban folk religion). There is also an abundance of food and drink options for when you get burnt out on all the shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Mission Dolores<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Mission<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When visiting the Mission District, you should stop by the building that gave it its name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mission San Francisco de As\u00eds \u2014 more commonly known as Mission Dolores \u2014 is the oldest standing building in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The missions were a chain of Spanish Colonial religious outposts that stretched through a large part of the Western United States and Mexico. Constructed using adobe (a white mud-brick building material common among Spanish Colonial architecture), these buildings are fascinating to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This particular mission was founded in 1776. It has survived numerous earthquakes and fires, and the facade of the original adobe house remains largely unchanged since its construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next to the original building stands a much larger basilica, built in 1918, making it hard to miss this historic landmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Dolores Park<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Dolores<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Directly behind Mission Dolores is the ever popular Dolores Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park is built on a large sloping hill that offers a great view of downtown with an equally great view of the folks who visit in case you want to enjoy a little people-watching. Dolores Park has long been frequented by counter-culture San Franciscans, and it shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll just drop in a photo to illustrate.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"acrobats<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s also ample space to lay out a blanket plus picnic tables in abundance, so this is a good spot for an al fresco meal. And families will want to check out the new playground just completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, Dolores Park is a nice place to hang with the locals on a sunny San Francisco day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Ice cream in the Mission District<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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