The Mission District is where the first Spaniards settled in San Francisco and is where you will find the oldest building in San Francisco. The Mission Dolores, was constructed in 1791, and attracts many tourists. Homes in the Mission District reflect the working class nature of the neighborhood. This part of San Francisco is vibrant, cheerful and multi-ethnic, offering a welcoming hand to all. Within the Mission area,
it is easy to find many multicolored murals portraying Mexican and Latino history. Those famous Levis had their beginning here at the first Levi Strauss factory situated on Valencia Street. Homes in the Mission district are occupied by a combination of working class Latino families, young professionals, artisans as well as those who thrive in an ethnically varied community like this.
The earthquake and fires of 1906 did not destroy the homes in the
Mission so you will find numerous Victorian style homes here. The
area also has a large number of apartments to address the housing
needs of this heavily working class neighborhood. As with other areas
of this dynamic city the state of neighborhoods change noticeably
from block to block. Rental costs here have been driven up by the
sharp rise in home prices even though this district has a number of
apartments protected by rent control laws.
The Mission District is bounded by 13th Avenue to the north, Highway 101 to the east, Chavez to the south and Dolores Street to the west.
Homes here range in price from $300,000 to $800,000.
Inner Mission Valencia Corridor The attraction of this area to working class and Latino immigrants is influenced by the surplus of reasonable home rentals, thrift stores, local bars, java joints, used bookstores, art galleries and avant-garde theater. The Latino influence is still quite evident in the local eateries and there are still some older Victorian style homes mixed in with the lofts and second-hand furniture stores.
Multi-Media Gulch Previously an industrial area, now gentrification creeps in as the construction of new live in and work in loft spaces and some new office buildings are attracting a portion of the internet boom. This internet business influx has given this area the alternate name of Multi-Media Gulch and brought with it the normal trendy restaurants and clubs. The area still maintains some of its original flavor as many artists and working class families hang on to low rents.
Common in the Mission District are small zesty Mexican cafes, Mexican bakeries little shops, grocery stores and generally inexpensive food in the Mexican tradition. Numerous produce stores, Salvadoran bakeries, beauty parlors and mechanic shops, thrift shops and used-book stores complement the combination of both large and small Mexican style restaurants. This area of San Francisco has been the center for Central American and Mexican immigration since the 1950s. As with other areas of the city gentrification slowly erodes the original ethnic mix of Latinos and bohemians as young professionals invade the area pushing up what at one time were the most reasonable rents in the city.
This predominately Latino district has numerous churches offering the neighborhood community meeting places as well as important services like childcare and recreation facilities. Created by the initial Spanish settlement a few of these churches are architecturally outstanding and a number have deep historical roots. Twin Peaks offers Mission a barrier that protects it form the fog that rolls in on other parts of the city.
Latinos and bohemians have been increasingly displaced by San Francisco's influx of highly paid young professionals, while trendy restaurants and boutiques have sprung up in what used to be the neighborhood's darkest corners.
The Mission is a neighborhood of strong character and a sense of community developed over many decades. The area referred to as “The Mission” is home to almost 50,000 people and is bounded by Guerrero to the west, Potrero to the east, Division to the north and Cesar Chavez to the south. Including streets and sidewalks, this district is over 841 acres.
Mission Dolores The area around this old mission is made up of gentle hills at Dolores Street that are highlighted with palm trees. Homes here are extraordinary with beautiful gardens and a sunny climate. for those who wish to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the Mission.
El Corazon de la Misione (Heart
of the Mission) Homes in the area around 24th Street from Mission Street to Potrero Street are located near a large number of distinctive stores and eateries, burrito shops, Mexican bake shops , fresh produce markets and other small specialty shops. In this area you will find the most significant collection of murals in San Francisco. This is the center of the this mostly Hispanic neighborhood.
When you cross Valencia going east on 24th Street you will see a clear change in the neighborhood. It will be clear that gentrification is being held at bay as the trendy eating establishments of the new trend setters have not been able to establish themselves here. The homes here are smaller.
