Haight
Completed on Sunday, March 21st, '04
This is certainly the most famous street so far. The neighborhoods this street encompasses go by lots of different names: "The Haight", "Haight-Ashbury", "Upper Haight", and "Lower Haight". The distinction between upper and lower on this street is literal: Upper Haight is markedly higher in elevation than the lower portion east of Divisadero. Also, Upper Haight is more often covered in fog, and this contrast in weather is also marked by a similar boundary.
You always see a bunch of kids on the sidewalk in Upper Haight asking for money and trying to be clever. Today the guy asked for change to feed his whelp. So that was my lesson for the day. Also, even though I've been in the city for about ten years now, I had never been in Buena Vista Park before. So that was another pleasant discovery.
You always see a bunch of kids on the sidewalk in Upper Haight asking for money and trying to be clever. Today the guy asked for change to feed his whelp. So that was my lesson for the day. Also, even though I've been in the city for about ten years now, I had never been in Buena Vista Park before. So that was another pleasant discovery.
Notes:
- Lower Haight contains a few of my favorite bars of yore: Noc Noc, Mad Dog in the Fog, and Toronado.
- Upper Haight attracts the tourists buying tie-dyed handbags and used clothes.
- Almost got run over by an SUV during this expedition. A little scary.
- Just my opinion, but I think you'll find the prettiest women in the city walking around Upper Haight on warm Sunday afternoons.
Comments:
the gap / ben and jerry's (owned by a multinational conglomerate now) on the corner of haight and ashbury are a travesty. If only we could round it out with a mini-Walmart and an Applebee's we'd be all set. Always an interesting street, and great bars esp. Nok Nok.
posted by Sam Featherstone on Wednesday, May 12th, '04 at 6:47 PM PT
click here if you would like to make a comment.
The far western end of Haight Street, looking from Golden Gate Park.
The Haight Street Sign at the end of Golden Gate Park.
Best place to buy CDs anywhere.
This is where I go to get cheap $5 sunglasses.
Best place to see a movie and eat popcorn with yeast on it.
Aub Zam Zam, the little bar to the right of the hardware store, has a storied history. The former owner and operator, before he passed away recently, was notorious for kicking people out of his rarely open bar for not wearing the right clothes or ordering the right drink.
Ben and Jerry's at the corner of Haight and Ashbury.
Booo! Gap, also at the intersection with Ashbury.
I just always get a kick out of those legs sticking out of the window.
Very nice mural.
Here comes my introduction to Buena Vista Park. I guess it's pretty scary at night.
But very pleasant during the day.
Look down at the intersection with Divisadero. See how we're near the end of the fogline?
This place is absolutely packed, with a 2-hour wait sometimes, right before Halloween and Burning Man.
This photo kind of turned out strangely.
I like the painting.
Noc Noc. Still one of the top bars in the city. Hi Ramahnt!
There you see Toronado and Rosamunde sausage grill. I'm glad they're still around, because at first it appeared like they might not make it.
Mad Dog in the Mofo.
Two Jacks Seafood. I remember eating here a few times and it was pretty darn good. It's been a while, need to try it again.
See how sunny it is here?
My friend Sam used to live in this building.
Remnants of the Central Freeway. Good riddance!
I never knew this was here. Doesn't look as prestigious as, say, Hastings, does it?
The eastern end, where it intersects with Gough and Market