Heart of the CityThe Mission
In the eyes of its residents, if you haven’t visited the Mission, then you haven’t really visited San Francisco. Start your journey here.
San Francisco’s Mission District can lay claim to some indisputable titles. It’s the oldest neighborhood of the city. It’s the warmest neighborhood of the city. To the people who make it run—through their businesses, their art, and their activism—it’s the heart of the city, too.
The Mission
Bringing Coffee to the Mission
“I had been working in the restaurant industry for a while,” says San Francisco native Nabeel Silmi, “And I felt the need to move on and do something on my own.” In 2009, Nabeel took a chance on a storefront for lease on Mission Street and opened Grand Coffee, named for the old movie theater next door.
“At that time, you could only find specialty coffee in upscale neighborhoods. So, what I wanted to do was make it available to everybody.”
The neighborhood took notice; ten years later, Grand Coffee had reached such success that Nabeel was able to open a second location, just a block away.
The Best Coffee in San Francisco
Need a boost to get through your travel itinerary? Whether you’re exploring the Mission or elsewhere, here are some great stops for a caffeine fix.
Drink Up
Unique San Francisco Dining Experiences
Next door to Grand Coffee is Foreign Cinema, an acclaimed restaurant that pairs its meals and cocktails with vintage film screenings. Discover more singular dining experiences around the city.
Let's EatCreating Art in the Mission
There are some long-time San Franciscans who can say that they’ve witnessed the evolution of the Mission; but few can say that they shaped it as definitively as Susan Cervantes has.
The executive director of the Precita Eyes Muralists since 1977, Susan’s work as an artist and organizer is visible in the alleys and on the walls of many Mission buildings—including the enormous Maestra Peace mural that climbs three stories high on the side of The Women’s Building on 18th Street.
You won’t find her John Hancock in the corner, though; each artwork undertaken by Precita Eyes is a team effort. “We do a community design workshop with everyone that wants to be involved,” she explains. “We discuss what is it that they want to see in the mural, and then together, we make a design with everybody’s ideas included. No one is left out.”
“You’re giving the community ownership and giving them a voice. That’s what people really like about what we do, and why we’re still here today.”
Visitors to the Mission will find murals that celebrate Latino history and heritage, as well as those that spotlight more challenging themes. For Susan and her muralists, nothing is off limits. “There’s a story behind each one, and a strong message,” she says. “Everybody has a different way of approaching it, viewing it, and identifying with it. I think that’s the beauty of it.”
Get the Mission Mural Guide
On almost every street, behind almost every corner, there are stories being told in the Mission. Discover the neighborhood’s incredible collection of murals.
Learn MoreBuilding A Legacy in the Mission
Amparo Vigil’s family restaurant, Puerto Alegre, was opened by her father and uncles more than 50 years ago—and she’s been a part of it from the beginning. “We were little,” she remembers, “Waiting tables, making food, chopping up things.”
Outsiders may think everyone in San Francisco has some esoteric tech job, but locals like Amparo know better. “There’s a lot of working class people here in the Mission, willing to do the work, to stay connected.”
She feels that sense of community every day. “I walk up 24th Street and say hello to everybody along the way. I come down Valencia Street; the same thing. I love that I know people and that people know me.”
Amparo has seen the neighborhood evolve, and her business has evolved with it; whether that be expanding Puerto Alegre’s menu of classic Mexican dishes or securing a liquor license to serve up some of the best margaritas in the neighborhood.
“There’s five generations of us here and I want to stay,” she says. “I want to keep it going.”
How to Eat Your Way Through the Mission
From decadent chocolates to over-stuffed burritos and beyond, there are countless reasons to visit the Mission on an empty stomach.
Let's Eat
The Best Streets for Bar Hopping in SF
Puerto Alegre is on Valencia Street, one of the best and busiest stretches of the city for a fantastic night out with friends.
Learn MoreThe Heart of the City
Whether they brew, paint, or cook, these Mission locals all agree on one thing: the Mission is the heart of the city.
In Nabeel’s opinion, the diversity of the Mission is what drives it. “Just walking down the street, you’re going to hear different languages, different types of music. We have so much in such a small space.”
“There are a lot of cross-cultural experiences,” says Susan. “You can relax. You can enjoy it. You can be part of it.”
For Amparo, there’s no overstating the value of the Mission—now, then, or in the future. “Without the Mission, San Francisco would not have its heart. It would lose its color. It would lose its life. If Latinos continue to thrive here, you will always have a Carnaval. You will always have a Day of the Dead. You will always have Puerto Alegre. And you will always have wonderful people and families working together to make this a place where we can all thrive.
Find Short-Term Rentals in San Francisco
Tyler is the Sr. Manager of Global Content & Communications at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco since 2015 and has been part of the San Francisco Travel team for just as long. He enjoys splashy production numbers and outdoor sporting events equally, which means you can usually find him at one of San Francisco’s many great theaters or at Oracle Park, cheering on the Giants.
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