San Francisco’s liveliest quarter is also its oldest. In 1776, the Spanish father Francisco Palou chose to build a new church in what will later become the Mission District. Mission Dolores was completed in 1791 and is now San Francisco’s oldest building.

In time, Mission District has become a magnet for young people. Actors, singers, dancers, composers, painters and sculptors love Mission District’s cultural mix and unique atmosphere. Chic bistros, gorgeous boutiques, excellent restaurants, charming hotels and large bookstores, the Mission District offers it all at affordable prices.

But what we find most interesting about Mission District is its mural paintings. From the Dolores Park Café to the Cesar Chavez Elementary School all the buildings have been turned into canvases, offering residents and visitors the privilege to admire real works of art for free. The Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center offers to guide you through mural art.

If you love reading, then you should definitely check out Mission District’s bookstores. The Borderlands, the Forest Books, the Tall Stories, the Modern Times and the amazing At Dog Eared Books will show you that, when it comes to books, in Mission District there is no frontier.

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