The Mission or the Mission District is the name of a neighborhood in San Francisco, California. It is built near the sixth California mission, Mission San Francisco de Asis. The neighborhood is both ethnically and economically diverse, with significant contingents of Latinos, African Americans, and Cantonese-speaking Chinese. Especially around 16th, 18th, and Mission Streets, the Mission is one of San Francisco's rougher areas. Gang activity — with drive-by shootings occasionally occurring even in broad daylight — and severe graffiti tagging are ongoing problems in the Mission District.
Geography
As its name inevitably suggests, the principal thoroughfare of the Mission district is Mission Street, roughly from U.S. Highway 101 on the north to Cesar Chavez Street (formerly Army Street) on the South. Highway 101 also forms the boundary between the Mission District and its eastern neighbor, Potrero Hill, while Dolores Street separates the district from Noe Valley and The Castro to the west. To the south lies Bernal Heights.
Dolores Park is technically not classified within the Mission because it is on the west side of Dolores Street; its name has resulted in the Mission San Francisco de Asis, situated therein, acquiring the alternate, colloquial name of "Mission Dolores," and it is here from which the city's official climate records are compiled.
Sometimes the Excelsior and Crocker-Amazon districts in far south-central San Francisco are referred to as the "Outer Mission" because they share Mission Street as their main thoroughfare; by way of distinction the Mission proper is sometimes also called the "Inner Mission," "Inner" meaning closer to downtown and "Outer" signifying further away from downtown (some other San Francisco communities being correspondingly subdivided). However, most Excelsior and Crocker-Amazon residents prefer to call their neighborhoods by their respective names, and fight the label of "Outer Mission".
Climate
The microclimates of San Francisco create a system by which each neighborhood has radically different weather at any given time. The Mission's geographical location insulates it from the fog and wind from the west. As a result, the Mission has a tendency to be warmer and sunnier than the rest of the city. This climatic phenomenon becomes apparent to visitors who walk down 24th Street from Noe Valley towards Mission Street.
History
The Ohlone Indians inhabited the region of what is now the Mission District for over 2,000 years. Spanish missionaries arrived in the area during the late 18th century. They found the Ohlone living peacefully in a village at the edge of a lagoon, hunting and gathering. In this location, the Spanish founded a Mission in June, 1776. This period marked the beginning of the end of the Ohlone culture. Archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians observe that the Franciscan friars used Ohlone slave labor to complete the Mission building in 1790.
Culture
Previously known mainly for its taquerias and Mexican restaurants, the Mission has more recently become home to some of the best and most ethnically diverse restaurants in the city.
The Mission District is partly responsible for San Francisco's reputation for excellent burritos.
Transportation
The neighborhood is serviced by the BART rail system to the 16th Street or the 24th Street stops, and by Muni bus numbers 26, 12, 14, 49, 48, 33, 22 and 27. To the west, the J Church Muni Metro line runs down Church Street, and is a popular way of getting to the Mission (16th Street) from the western districts.
Highlights of The Mission
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Murals inspired by the traditional Mexican paintings made famous by Diego Rivera at 24th Street and Balmy Avenue; 18th Street and Lapidge
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Dolores Park, around the north-west corner
- Nightlife centers around the 16th and Valencia Ave intersection
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The Roxie (on 16th) is the only remaining neighborhood movie theatre
- Excellent Mexican food, especially burritos
External Links
Last updated: 05-07-2005 09:27:54
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
