15 Quirky Things To Do in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury

San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is steeped in history. Other neighborhoods in SF are all well, but Haight-Ashbury is especially so.

Made famous by the hippie movement in the 1960s, Haight Ashbury was once the home to revolutionaries, famous singers (including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin) and even cult leaders (eek).

Influenced by The Beat Generation, a literary group defying the social norms of the ’50s, an influx of hippies flooded into the neighborhood in the ’60s. The colorful homes and cheap rent would attract young people from all over America, excited about counterculture ideals.

Today, the Haight-Ashbury District has become a very popular tourist destination, famed for its unique history, liveliness, and charm. You can still see a lot of those same colorful houses and buildings that attracted hippies decades ago! And of course, that hippie counterculture atmosphere still exists today.

Wondering what to do in this iconic San Francisco neighborhood? Read on to reveal the best things to do in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco.

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Table of Contents

SAN FRANCISCO IN A NUTSHELL

Here’s a quick overview of all the useful info you need to plan an awesome trip!

When To Go: September to November brings the best weather, though any time of the year is still going to be great, honestly!

Where To Stay: San Francisco Marriott Marquis Union Square for downtown convenience, Noe’s Nest Bed and Breakfast for charming Victorian vibes near the Mission District, Beck’s Motor Lodge if you plan on renting a car and want free parking (which is rare in the city).

Nearest Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK)

How to Get Around: Public transportation within SF (free parking is hard to come by). If you plan on taking day trips outside of SF, you will need a car. We recommend using Rentalcars.com to find the best deal.

Must-Do’s: Explore the trendy Mission District, quirky Haight-Ashbury, and buzzing Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf with a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder. Take a ferry ride over to explore Alcatraz Island. Go to the Saturday Farmers Market at the Ferry Building. Get pastries at b. Patisserie or Tartine Bakery.

Before You Go: Pack your puffy jacket, windbreaker, and a beanie no matter the time of year — SF’s weather can be unpredictable, and fog/wind can strike at any moment within the city!

Money Tip: If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, consider picking up a CityPASS or Go City San Francisco attraction pass! These passes have the potential to save you a ton of money on paid attractions and tours throughout the city.

Looking to see more of San Francisco with limited time?

Check out this exciting, jam-packed half-day San Francisco City Tour
CityPASS: Save 44% on San Francisco’s Muni and Cable Car rides plus admission to 4 best SF attractions

15 Quirky Things To Do In The Haight-Ashbury District

1. Take a walk down Haight Street

Haight Street has become a very popular tourist destination, famed for its unique boutiques and distinctive restaurants. The easiest thing you could do here is to take a stroll and admire the artwork, architecture, and quirky atmosphere!

It’s got all things vintage and retro–thrift stores, record stores, and bookstores, such as the world-famous Amoeba Records and bookworms’ favorite, Booksmith.

Haight Ashbury is bursting with color as well, due to its many murals, galleries, and art spaces. If you’re looking for kitschy things to see, the famous Haight Ashbury Legs are above the shop called the Piedmont Boutique (1452 Haight St).

2. Go shopping

Shopping is one of the most popular things to do in the Haight-Ashbury District. All along Haight Street, you will find vintage clothing stores, costume shops, and music stores. If vintage isn’t you’re thing, don’t worry, there are also boutique shops and several specialty stores.

Most of them are on Haight Street, so they are easy to find. Two not-to-miss shops include Indigo Vintage, a women-owned vintage shop, and Wasteland, an airy, clean shop (unlike many other vintage shops) with a great selection of unique old pieces as well as modern new styles. Be sure to stop by Held Over and Relic Vintage for some great finds too.

For all things aromatic, healing, and herby, head to Twisted Thistle Apothecary. If you’re looking for Japanese-style gift items and stationery, head to Top Drawer–my favorite place to pick up high-quality leather wallets, notebooks, and minimalistic homeware.

3. Check out the historical architecture

The Haight-Ashbury is worth walking through even if you are not a fan of the neighborhood’s flower power vibes.

Historically, Haight is one of the few neighborhoods that was not devastatingly hit by the 1906 earthquake. As a result, it has the highest concentration of intact Victorian homes in the city, which makes it a great place to admire the architecture.

Back in the SF’s prime, Haight was home to many famous artists, meaning there are a lot of homes with grand significance here.

Some notable houses to keep an eye out for: The Grateful Dead House, the Janis Joplin Home, the Painted Ladies, and the Charles Manson Home. If that’s not enough, a few additional ones include the Hunter S. Thompsons House, the Jefferson Airplane House, the Patty Hearst Hideout, the Hell’s Angels House, and the Sid Vicious Party House.

Addresses to a few of these are below:

Grateful Dead House: 710 Ashbury Street
Janis Joplin House: 122 Lyon Street or 635 Ashbury Street
Jefferson Airplane House: 2400 Fulton Street
Jimi Hendrix House: 1524A Haight Street
Charles Manson House: 636 Cole Street

Given the sheer amount of fame and fortune in this area, just imagine the life of the neighborhood back then! As mentioned before, you will find lots of colorful and ornate murals here as well, rivaling those found at the Mission District.

4. Hike to the top of Buena Vista Park

Buena Vista Park - Things To Do In Haight Ashbury CA

Situated at the edge of the Haight-Ashbury District, Buena Vista Park affords travelers and locals alike the opportunity to relax and soak in some nature. Albeit steep, this nature-abundant park has amazing views of San Francisco and the Bay at the top.

Start up the stairs at the corner of Haight Street and Buena Vista Avenue. Take the trail all the way up until you reach the top. It typically takes about 25 to 40 minutes to reach the top and once you get there, your hard work will have paid off!

5. Have a picnic in the Panhandle

The Panhandle - Things To Do In Haight Ashbury CA

The grassy meadows in the Panhandle combined with the shady canopies from the eucalyptus trees make for an ideal picnic spot in the city. I am a sucker for urban parks, which makes it another one of my favorite spots in Haight Ashbury.

The Panhandle has paved walking paths and is accessible by Stanyan Street from the western end, and Masonic Avenue if you enter through the middle.

6. Take a guided tour of the Haight-Ashbury District

love tour haight-ashbury sf — Courtesy of Viator

The tours of the Haight-Ashbury District often take you back to the Flower Power days of the 1960s! Not only do they provide you with details of its famous residents over the years, but they’ll also be doing all of this aboard a colorful, intimate 1970s Volkswagen bus.

But it doesn’t stop there— they’ll take you to many other neighborhoods in SF as well! Here are the top tours in and through this SF neighborhood:

The vintage VW buses used in these tours only seat 6-7 people—making them a super-fun and intimate San Francisco experience!

7. Attend the Haight Street Fair

If you’re lucky to be in San Francisco on the second Sunday of June and are interested in reliving the “Summer of Love” in the Haight, you absolutely must partake in the annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fair.

Every June, a non-profit organization committed to preserving the district’s unique culture and history organizes the extravagant street fair. During the fair, the streets come alive with vendors of all sorts, multiple music stages, and people dancing everywhere. You can find food, drinks, and art around every corner!

This community-driven cultural event is held on the second Sunday of June every year.

8. Buy a book at The Booksmith

The Booksmith is an independent bookstore that actively contributes to Haight-Ashbury’s counterculture identity. Not only does it have a calm atmosphere and that San Francisco charm (perfect for a break from city exploration), it hosts non-profit events such as author readings and book exchanges.

They have a great selection of books, including a good selection of eclectic options as well— perfect for browsing!

9. Listen to live music at Club Deluxe

One of Haight-Ashbury’s most popular nighttime hangouts, Club Deluxe has built its reputation as an intimate yet lively jazz club that hosts consistently great musicians. There is live music 7 days a week, which is the biggest plus in my book.

The club is conveniently located on Haight Street for anyone who is hoping to turn their San Francisco day trip into a night out. If you’re thinking about checking out Club Deluxe be prepared to dance for hours to groovy jazz and blues— I’ve never had a bad night here!

10. Dine at Cha Cha Cha

With “The Best Sangria in the World”, tapas-style food, and great music, Cha Cha Cha is a must-try. Your tastebuds will thank you once you taste the Caribbean-inspired tapas you have ordered.

If I could only recommend two things: the seafood paella and cajun shrimp. Overall, a festive, fun, and friendly spot in the neighborhood.

11. Attend a free show at Amoeba Music

Amoeba Music is one of three stores owned by the independent music chain of the same name (located in Haight-Ashbury, Berkeley, and Hollywood). What makes the Haight-Ashbury location special is its massive size, which makes it a must-see for casual and diehard music fans alike.

This iconic record store is a must-visit for music lovers, with a vast selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, and DVDs. They also host live music performances and other events, which is probably the biggest draw of this venue.

Each month, they offer several free shows at their Haight Street Store, so if you’re interested in catching new and even established artists, be sure to check their online calendar before you arrive.

12. Get drinks at The Alembic

The Alembic is a down-to-earth yet still intimate cocktail bar with American food fare. It’s a great place to grab a drink or two in the Haight—before, after, or even for dinner.

In terms of cocktails, they have at least 100 different forms of bourbon and scotch, as well as creative seasonal cocktails. Must try food items include pickled deviled egg, duck hearts in skewers, bone marrow, pork belly.

13. Explore the massive Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park - 55 Best Things To Do In San Francisco CA - Travels With Elle

Golden Gate Park, located to the west of Haight-Ashbury, is such a dreamy place to spend a few hours. This park was modeled after Central Park in New York City and is actually 20% larger than Central Park!

And when we say it’s large, it’s really large. Golden Gate Park spans over 1,000 acres and houses a ton of museums, gardens, and attractions.

A few notable attractions here include the Conservatory of Flowers, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the de Young Museum, home to many fine arts, and a sculpture garden, as well as the California Academy of Sciences, a natural history museum with a planetarium, aquarium, and indoor rainforest.

These museums have free museum days about once a month, so be on the lookout for those free days.

The Japanese Tea Garden is also free before 10am if you go on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. You can also check out the Golden Gate Park Rose Garden, completely free at all times, featuring over 60 rose beds. The peak time to see roses is during the summer, but there’s always something on display no matter the season.

Aside from the many gardens and museums here, you can also climb Strawberry Hill, which is the highest point in the park. The park also features paddle boating in Stow Lake, the Shakespeare Garden, Lawn Bowling + Archery on Sundays, and Lindy in the Park (free swing lessons). There’s even a Ferris wheel to ride within Golden Gate Park now!

You can also check the park’s events calendar to see if there’s anything special going on that piques your interest.

Local Tip: If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, take some time looking for the secret Faery Door, where you can leave tiny gifts and messages for the magical faeries that live behind the tiny door within the tree (they like bells, shells, rocks, acorns, tiny treats, and tiny rolled up messages). There are more secret doors throughout SF and across the rest of the Bay Area if you’re interested in continuing the hunt!

14. Stroll through The Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers, mentioned briefly above, is a stunning Victorian greenhouse located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park that is known for its beautiful collection of rare and exotic plants from around the world.

This historic landmark has been a beloved attraction in San Francisco for over 140 years and is a must-see for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

At the conservatory, you can explore the different rooms of the greenhouse, each with its own unique climate and collection of plants, including tropical orchids, carnivorous plants, and towering palms.

The Conservatory of Flowers is also known for its stunning light displays and special events, such as the annual “Butterfly Zone” exhibit, which features hundreds of live butterflies from around the world.

If you’re a fan of all things flora, nature, and greenery, you won’t want to miss this one!

15. Have a picnic on Hippie Hill

Hippie Hill is known for being a popular gathering spot in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park where people come to relax, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. It is particularly famous for its association with the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s, and is still a place where people come to express their individuality and promote peace and love!

Love to people-watch? Hippie Hill is the place to do it! Visitors to Hippie Hill can often find live music, street performers, and vendors selling handmade crafts and food.

And if you’re visiting during the month of April, this is a “420” hotspot!

Looking to see more of San Francisco, CA?

Check out this exciting, jam-packed half-day San Francisco City Tour
CityPASS: Save 44% on San Francisco’s Muni and Cable Car rides plus admission to 4 best SF attractions

How To Get To the Haight-Ashbury District

By Car

If you have a car, you can drive directly to the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Getting to a neighborhood by car is the easy part!

Parking is usually the most annoying part. In terms of parking, have two options:

you can park at a metered spot on Haight Street
you can try to find parking on the side streets – this is what I do personally
- This is the free option! If you manage to find parking on Haight’s neighboring streets, you’ll be able to park for 2 hours free of charge. NOTE: The 2-hour limit is enforced, so do keep an eye on the time to avoid getting a parking ticket.

By Bus/Muni

Getting to this neighborhood by bus is pretty easy as multiple bus routes pass through or near Haight-Ashbury. To find a bus route near you, use the SFMTA app.

From Downtown, The Embarcadero, Hayes Valley, or Sunset District: Take Bus 7 and get off on whichever part of Haight Street you want (this bus has multiple stops on Haight)
From Ocean Beach: Take Bus 5 along Fulton to Clayton St and walk to Haight.
From Presidio Heights or Balboa Park: Take Bus 43 Masonic. This bus also has multiple stops on Haight.

Where To Stay In The Haight-Ashbury District, San Francisco

Lodging within Haight-Ashbury itself is limited, but we like the following:

Stanyan Park Hotel – Located in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, Stanyan Park Hotel is in the historical district and near a metro station. Stanyan Park Hotel is family-friendly and offers 36 accommodations with free self-serve breakfast and free WiFi in public areas.

Becks Motor Lodge – The stylish Becks Motor Lodge is in San Francisco’s Castro District neighborhood, an area with great shopping. Mission Dolores Park is about a 13-minute walk from here. All 58 rooms provide conveniences like refrigerators and coffee makers, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Best of all, there is FREE parking–a rarity in San Francisco! (Check with the hotel, as parking is limited)

Staying in SF-proper is definitely not cheap. If you don’t mind taking public transportation, consider staying in South San Francisco, Daly City, or even Millbrae (you’ll be close to the SFO airport). Hotels here are so much cheaper than staying within San Franscisco.

Check pricing and availability on other San Francisco hotels here on Expedia.

Best Time To Visit San Francisco, California

In our humble opinion, the best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November. Unlike many other places in the US, the fall season offers some of the city’s warmest and most pleasant temperatures. Unless there’s a massive heatwave in effect, summer temps usually hover in the 60’s and 70’s. The other benefit of traveling during these months is that there will be fewer crowds than in the summertime.

Spring is another good time to visit thanks to its mild temperatures and lack of rain. Summers are great too, but just expect higher than average tourism as most travelers tend to seek out sunny weather activities in the city.

If you’re just looking to avoid rain, any time from April to November is good.

Regardless of when you choose to visit San Francisco, be sure to bring plenty of layers. Similar to other California coastal cities/towns, the weather here can be so unpredictable (one minute brisk and foggy, the next minute warm and sunny). Below is a photo of a chilly, brisk, and foggy afternoon in mid-July!

Essential Travel Tips For San Francisco, California

If you’re driving into the city from elsewhere, be prepared for the horrendous Bay Area traffic, especially on weekdays during the morning and afternoon rush hours. The same goes for driving out of the city! Hopping onto the bridge to leave San Francisco could take almost an hour during rush hour. Plan your drives accordingly to avoid traffic.
Do not rent a car if you’re primarily going to stay in SF. Traffic sucks and parking is an expensive nightmare. What’s worse is that if you do rent a car, many hotels charge $35+ for overnight parking. If you’re considering street parking as an alternative, good luck because most hotels are located in metered street parking areas. San Francisco is relatively small, so most tourist attractions are close to each other and public transportation options are plentiful.
511.org is a great resource that will provide you with detailed SF and Bay Area transportation information. Available both as an app and on the web, it should be your go-to resource for Bay Area traffic, transit, carpool, vanpool, and bicycling information. Since it’s catered towards commuters, it’s more comprehensive than Google Maps.
Dress in layers. Even in the summer, mornings and evenings in San Francisco can be cool and chilly due to the coastal climate. Packing layers when you head out to explore will help you stay prepared for any kind of weather. Of my 20+ years of living in the Bay Area, I have never gone to SF without bringing a jacket with me.
Wear extremely comfortable walking shoes. Even though public transportation is plentiful, San Francisco is a very walkable city and you’re going to be doing some hill climbing while you’re at it.
Expect fog and wind while in San Francisco, and bring layers so that when it rolls in, you’re prepared! Sure there are clear, sunny days, but that’s more common in the summer and early fall.