#InstaGuide: The Mission
Yesterday, we did our very first 49 Miles #InstaGuide on Instagram. It was an overwhelming success! We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this guide to The Mission.
By sharing your photos on Instagram with #SFGuide, we were able to source photos from our library and from the Instagram community. We will continue to feature photos shared with #SFGuide on the 49 Miles Instagram. Follow us on Instagram to get The Mission #InstaGuide and future guides and tips in your feed!
Follow us on Instagram to get The Mission #InstaGuide and future guides and tips in your feed!
Ritual Coffee Roasters
Coffee always comes first in our book. Get caffeinated at Ritual Coffee’s Valencia Street location with a cup of their delicious Gibraltar Coffee, San Francisco’s version of a Cortado. Ritual Coffee Roasters is a coffee roaster based in San Francisco, with four cafés in the City and Napa. Photo: @cristinadlg
Ritual Espresso Bar: 1026 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Thursday: 6:00AM-8:00PM, Friday: 6:00AM-10:00PM, Saturday: 7:00AM-10:00PM, Sunday: 7:00AM-8:00PM
Dandelion Chocolate
Treat yourself to something sweet (or bittersweet) at Dandelion Chocolate‘s shop and factory in the heart of The Mission. Don’t just satisfy your sweet tooth — book a tour or class to get the full Willy Wonka experience! Dandelion recently opened a new location in Tokyo, joining Blue Bottle, Tartine, A16, and others in San Francisco’s culinary exodus to Asia. Photo: @49milessf
Dandelion Chocolate: 740 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday–Thursday: 10:00AM-9:00PM, Friday & Saturday: 10:00AM-10:00PM
Schedule a tour or class: www.dandelionchocolate.com
Ventana by Mel Rice
Pick up some cute, handmade accessories for your home, or a friend, at the smallest shop in San Francisco: Ventana/Mel Rice Ceramica. Melissa Rice has developed a simple, clean way of designing functional pieces for any room, and is inspired by the sight, smell, and sound of the Pacific Ocean. Photo: @jodigroup
Ventana/Mel Rice Ceramica: 853 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00-7:00PM
Shop Online: www.melriceceramica.com
Balmy Alley
Take a stroll down Balmy Alley to soak in inspiring street art. The murals began in the 1980s asa na act of protest against human rights and political abuse in Central America. Today, Balmy Alley features the largest concentration of murals in San Francisco. While the murals constantly change, the subjects still focus on human rights, as well as gentrification. Photo: @luregranterian
Balmy Alley: Located off of 24th Street in the Mission, parallel to Treat and Harrison.
Learn more about Balmy Alley: www.balmyalley.com. Get a tour: www.precitaeyes.org.
Craftsman & Wolves
Craftsman & Wolves… ’nuff said, TBH. Pastry wizard William Werner opened Craftsman & Wolves in 2012. The modern patisserie serves up muffins, bonbons, coffee, and more. Pictured is The Rebel Within, the patisserie’s famous muffin baked with asiago, sausage, and green onion, filed with a soft-cooked egg. Photo: @onceuponatownsf
Craftsman & Wolves: 746 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Thursday: 7:00AM-6:00PM, Friday: 7:00AM-7:00PM, Saturday: 8:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
aQuarius recOrds
“Getting the music to the people since at least 1970,” aQuarius recOrds is so old, it can’t even remember when it opened. This independent music shop is the place to discover new and old music in The Mission. aQuarius offers a large selection of vinyl and CDs, covering a wide variety in a comfy space. Photo: @49milessf
aQuarius recOrds: 1055 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Friday: 12:00-8:00PM, Saturday: 11:00AM-9:00PM, Sunday: 11:00AM-8:00PM
Dolores Park
Dolores Park is EVERY reason to come to The Mission. Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, weekend or week day, you’ll always find people relaxing in this park. With a $20.6 million renovation recently completed, San Francisco’s favorite park is completely reopened with new restrooms, renovated tennis and basketball courts, improved disability access, and a new overlook in the southwest corner. Locals of all ages gather at this outdoor hotspot for picnics, tanning, and people-watching. Photo: @kylelegg
Dolores Park: Located off of Dolores between 18th and 20th Streets
Daily: 6:00AM-10:00PM
Misíon San Francisco de Asís
Built by Spanish missionaries in 1776, Misión San Francisco de Asís, or Mission Dolores, is San Francisco’s oldest surviving structure. It has witnessed the rapid transformation of San Francisco, from a small Pueblo with a Presidio, to Gold Rush boomtown, to the bustling city it is today. The opulent church was constructed in an old Spanish style with lush gardens and a unique, historic cemetery. Admission to the Mission is $5.00, and totally worth it. Just try not to be possessed by Carlotta Valdez. Photo: @born415
Mission Dolores: 3321 16th Street, San Francisco, CA
Daily: 9:00AM-4:30PM
Bi-Rite Market & Creamery
Sunny days at Dolores Park would not be complete without Bi-Rite’s salted caramel or honey lavender ice creams. (Okay, or any of the other flavors they offer.) This celebrated neighborhood market garners raves for its locally sourced grocery items and homemade fare. Head here before (or after) Dolores Park to stock up on wine/beer, sandwiches, and — most importantly — ice cream. Photo: @49milessf
Bi-Rite Market: 3639 18th Street, San Francisco, CA
Daily: 9:00AM-9:00PM
Bi-Rite Creamery: 3692 18th Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday–Thursday: 11:00AM-10:00PM, Friday & Saturday: 11:00AM-11:00PM
Foreign Cinema
Open since 1999, Foreign Cinema is a staple of both San Francisco and The Mission. This truly special restaurant features a covered outdoor dining area where they screen foreign films. Foreign Cinema has helped shaped the City’s inventive food scene since its opening. You’ll most likely need a reservation to get a table here, so plan ahead for a special night out or brunch. And do not skip on the Sesame Fried Chicken! Photo: @stefarazzi
Foreign Cinema: 2534 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday–Wednesday: 5:30-10:00PM, Thursday–Saturday: 5:30-11:00PM, Saturday & Sunday Brunch: 11:00AM-2:30PM
C.R.E.A.M.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! This counter-service chain offers ice cream sandwiches made with a choice of flavored cookies and toppings. CREAM stands for “Cookies Rule Everything Around Me”, which is fitting since the shop’s original offerings were based around ice cream sandwiches. Today, CREAM offers everything from take-home pints to ice cream tacos. Yes, ice. cream. tacos. We won’t judge you if you head here for dinner on Taco Tuesday. Photo: @extrapetite
CREAM: 3106 16th Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday–Thursday: 2:00-11:00PM, Friday & Saturday: 12:00PM-1:00AM
Shop CREAM’s online store: www.creamnation.com
Locanda
Locanda is Delfina’s sister restaurant, so it’s no surprise that this trendy, Roman-inspired restaurant’s innovative pasta dishes are absolutely delicious! (I mean, look at that picture. Mouth watering.) Roman classics, cocktails, and a formidable wine list round out the menu at this local favorite. Photo: @pasta
Locanda Osteria: 557 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Sunday–Thursday: 5:30-10:00PM, Friday & Saturday: 5:30-11:00PM
Explore Locanda’s menu: www.locandasf.com
West of Pecos
Whether you’re looking for a place to grab brunch, dinner, or happy hour drinks, West of Pecos has got you covered. Swinging saloon doors lead to chile-spiced, smoky flavors at this eatery in the heart of The Mission. Inspired by the tastes and vibes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, West of Pecos offers four types of margaritas — including two spicy variants, punch bowls, and a list of signature cordials. Photo: @jeremirebecca
West of Pecos: 550 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Thursday: 5:00-10:00PM, Friday: 5:00-11:30PM, Saturday: 11:00AM-11:30PM, Sunday: 11:00AM-10:00PM
Browse the menus: www.westofpecos.com
Azalea SF
As you saw in our El Niño shopping guide in Hayes Valley, we’re huge fans of local boutique, Azalea. Azalea is a trendy boutique offering upscale clothing items, accessories, and shoes for men and women. It’s our go-to spot for retail therapy, and has a second location Valencia Street. The shopping selection is so great the boys of Yummertime recently hosted a happy hour there! Photo: @yummertime
Azalea on Valencia: 956 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Friday: 12:00-8:00PM, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM-8:00PM
Shop Azalea online: www.azaleasf.com
Tacolicious & Mosto
Something about The Mission’s unique history and cultural identity makes us crave margaritas when we’re out there. Tacolicious happens to have some of the best in town, on top of tacos, small plates, and other tequila-based cocktails. Neighboring Mosto features over 300 types of tequila and mescal, plus small bites served in a space lit by mason jars. Photo: @miss_palmieri
741 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Tacolicious: Daily: 11:30AM-12:00midnight
Mosto: Daily: 5:00PM-12:00midnight
Blondie’s Bar
If tequila isn’t your thing, then run — don’t walk — to Blondie’s Bar, where they serve large-and-in-charge martinis and cocktails. Seriously, the drinks are huge, so pace yourself! Enjoy DJ-spun tunes and live music, plus a sidewalk patio for people-watching. Photo: @tutibaron
Blondie’s Bar: 540 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Thursday: 4:00PM-2:00AM, Friday–Sunday: 2:00PM-2:00AM
Dog Eared Books
Reading is sexy, and so is Dog Eared Books! This bookstore has been supplying new, used, and remaindered books, as well as magazines, calendars, and notebooks in an easy-going atmosphere since 1992. Dog Eared Books also features a selection of small-press titles. What do we recommend you pick up? It’s a toss-up between Cool Gray City of Love by Gary Kamiya, or local illustrator Wendy McNaughton’s Meanwhile in San Francisco: The City in Its Own Words. Photo: @kylelegg
Dog Eared Books: 900 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Monday–Saturday: 10:00AM-10:00PM, Sunday: 10:00AM-9:00PM
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