HAIGHT ASHBURY
Do you ever feel like you wish you could go back in time and experience a certain era? I have already lived through the 80’s, so there is no use going back to my aquanet and fingerless lace glove days, which leaves the 50’s (I have a warm spot for sock hops and poodle skirts) and the 60’s/70’s (I definitely have a thing for the good ol days of Hendrix and hair down to my butt). Did you know you can experience the 60’s without leaving the country and then have the ability to return to the modern age all in one visit? I am speaking of Haight Ashbury in San Francisco.
Here is my number one tip about this place; DO NOT read the reviews on Trip Advisor. I know I know I am totally becoming a hypocrite since this is the site I am ALWAYS telling you to go on, but the reviews will keep you away. First of all, the “street kids” that everyone seems to be griping about, is not as much of a problem as they make it out to be, yes there are a lot of them on the street, but even though its sad, most are enormously talented and can sing, dance and play all sorts of musical instruments and they do not panhandle or ask for money. Which makes the enviornment comfortable and not one that should be avoided.
The city is just what I imagined it would have been like in the 60’s, complete with “street kids.” There are beautiful works of graffiti on every building, there seems to be a history behind everything and the architecture is unbelievable. It definitely has to be experienced and I am going to tell you the number one way to do it. The Haight Ashbury Walking Tour, which is described on the leaflet currently in front of me….
“You will rediscover the neighborhood’s forgotten history:
The often overlooked Victorian architecture and remnants
of the Haight’s former life as a resort”
Cross your fingers that you get the tour guide Izu. She is absolutely fantastic. I mean she walked up with a silk dragon jacket on complete with tie-dyed leggings…if this wasn’t going to be an authentic tour, I don’t know what was. She has lived there practically her whole life, knew everybody that was anybody that lived there such as; Jerry Garcia, Hendrix, Janis Joplin, etc. and had wonderful personal stories to tell about everyone. It truly made the tour and I could not have imagined having the same feeling of Haight Ashbury by not going on the tour.
We saw where the Grateful Dead lived, both of Janis’s living spaces, several places that Hendrix frequented, and even where the Hells Angels lived. I have got a quirky personality which I blame on my love for all things Forensic, so of course when we got to one of the houses where Charlie Manson stayed I began to take many a picture and also a received a stern talking to about how the Haight was about love and not hate. But seriously, it was HIS house…right before he got captured, how’d she expect to say that and not have me take pictures (of course the other revivers of the age of love did not, but they seemed to be in the same state of mind she was). The tour is 2 ½ hours….that’s right I said 2 1/12…for twenty dollars a person, I thought this was a tremendous deal. She also gives wonderful suggestions about places to eat. The gentlemen suitor and I actually went to two of those places (that’s right….two!).
The restaurants were;
1. Cha Cha Cha. Supposedly, this restaurant is a Tapas restaurant, but the portions were HUGE. Not to mention the prices were beyond reasonable. A huge portion of lemon calamari was $6 and I got a gigantic sirloin steak sandwich with a large side salad for $8 and then you get a pitcher (about four glasses a person) of Sangria for $20, which mind you was the most expensive thing on the menu. The staff is incredibly friendly, quick to serve, and the environment is a lot of fun. Tons of color and ambience (strangely it reminded me of an Alice in Wonderland version of the Dusk Till Dawn bar…something you’d see South of the Border), but like most restaurants in San Fran, its not very big, so try and get there before the lunch rush. Even with a wait though, I would say it’s worth it.
2. The second place we went is the Magnolia Brewery Co. Yes, even after all that Sangria, we felt compelled to taste the beer from the place that was suggested in every single eatery magazine we came upon. It was absolutely fantastic, our service was great and the beer was just as told…phenomenal! In fact, I think the gentlemen suitor cared for mine more then his own. I highly suggest that even though you partake in the Sangria, you at least come in, sit for a spell, and have a pint. You can choose to sit inside or outside and as much as we love to people watch, we chose the inside to get the feel of the pub. What can I say, I like to experience the restaurant atmosphere when I dine. This is absolutely a must to visit!
Golden Gate Park is in walking distance so you can walk it off (the wine and beer) and take in sites, such as; the tea garden and other events that may be taking place, plus they have several museums here as well (even though are plan was to frequent one or two the city and the beer pretty much took up enough of the day where everything is closed once we got there, so you can always do an early tour, hit up a museum, go for a snack and some sangria, shop and then a beer at Magnolia…le sigh…wish I thought of that first! Oh and if you are one of those that do not want to come in contact with “street kids” or if you think the homeless scene will bother you, stay clear of the park!
Another great part of Haight Ashbury is the SHOPPING! They have current stores, such as; American Apparel and amazing vintage stores that can carry lines, such as Betsey Johnson and Diane Von Furstenberg who are just some of the designer labels I saw. There were some really fun and what would be considered “Haight Ashbury” type stores; lots of tie dye, smoke shops (where marijuana is NOT sold and will be said on the sign before you walk into the store….why they have to state this makes me nervous), and other unique stores. The benefit of the shopping here, is that everything seemed to be decently priced, more so then some of the shopping I found on Union Square. So a suggestion might be that if you are looking for exclusive pieces for a decent price, save your money, shop here first and then head on over to Union Square.
The Famous Haight Ashbury Legs!
As far as your time frame goes when visiting here, I would say that you want at least a good part of the day to spend here between, the tour, shopping, and eating and of course time to just revel in the sites and the buildings.
Peace
-D-
Posted: August 7th, 2009 under Our Travels, Planning, Uncategorized.
Tags: Cha Cha Cha, Haight Ashbury, Magnolia Brewery Co., Magnolia Brewery Company, San Francisco Tapas