Haight Ashbury

Haight Ashbury is at the very eastern end of Golden Gate Park. It’s where Hippie Hill meets Stanyan Street. I was a sophomore in high school in 1967, “The Summer of Love”, living only a 45-minute drive to the “The Haight”. Was it really like everyone says? Absolutely. It was a generation when we thought war and crime and discrimination and hatred were coming to an end and would never come back. Guess we were wrong.

Height Ashbury has retained that aura 55 years later. In those days the girls in the San Francisco Haight District really did wear flowers in their hair. And today, when you visit, if you wear flowers in your hair and paisley bell bottom pants you won’t even be noticed. So, dress as you wish.

The main drag is Haight Street, running from Stanyan Street to Masonic. Do not go past Masonic Avenue. Haight Ashbury has great vintage clothing shops and the people that live and work there still dress like they were living in the late 60’s.

There are great souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, head shops, bars, restaurants, and shoe stores. You can purchase “high heel sneakers” as well as modern designer shoes. Be sure to visit John Fluevog Shoes. Located at 1697 Haight Street. You will be amazed at their styles.

The Grateful Dead House is located at 710 Ashbury. The Jefferson Airplane House is at 2400 Fulton. Do NOT disturb residents. If you have issues with overly happy people or a whiff of marijuana smoke, this street is not for you. Parking is difficult around Haight Ashbury. I recommend you just patiently drive around a block or two off the main drag and watch for a parking spot. Don’t honk at people in the crosswalks. They are just enjoying the day in slow motion.