Visit these hidden gems in the Mission District

Art, culture and food give you plenty to do in this neighborhood that steps from BART. Photo courtesy of Conscious Wanderlust.

It’s easy to spend the day in San Francisco’s Mission District. While the food alone is reason enough to visit, the neighborhood offers much more. Home to cool boutique shops, inspiring street art, historic sites, a popular park and lively nightlife — a trip to the Mission is a real treat. Easily accessible by BART, lucky visitors can start their morning with a tasty rooftop brunch before exploring one of the city’s most exciting and flavorful neighborhoods. Here’s how to make the most of your trip to the Mission District. 

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Enjoy brunch with a beautiful view at El Techo. Photo courtesy of El Techo.

Enjoy brunch at El Techo or coffee at Ritual | 24^th St Mission

Any perfect day in the Mission starts with a hearty brunch. Head to El Techo for Latin American cuisine, cocktails and cool rooftop views. With options like huevos rancheros, tres leches french toast, cocktails and more — you might want to stay a while. Take BART to 24^th St Mission to dine with a view 0.3 miles away at 2516 Mission St.

If a light bite and a cup of coffee is more your style, start your day in the Mission with a delicious cup of coffee at Ritual. Sit and sip, or get yours to go and wander Valencia Street. You’ll find Ritual 0.4 miles from 24^th St Mission at 1026 Valencia St. 

The Mission District is filled with murals and public art. Photo courtesy of SF Travel. 

Explore street art | 24^th St Mission, 16^th St Mission

After brunch and cocktails (or coffee), check out the inspiring murals in the Mission District. Many murals display important social, political and cultural themes and can be seen everywhere from building walls to garage doors and fences. Two of the most popular spots to visit street art are Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley. Balmy Alley runs between 24th St. and 25th St., 0.4 miles from 24th St Mission. Clarion Alley runs between 17th St. and 18th St. and is 0.1 miles from 16th St Mission. 

The oldest intact building calls the Mission Distrct home. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times. 

Visit Mission Dolores |16^th St Mission

While exploring the Mission District, make sure to stop and check out Misión San Francisco de Asís, or Mission Dolores. The white adobe church, the oldest intact building in San Francisco, dates back to 1776. It’s open daily for visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take BART to 16^th St Mission to witness this city landmark 0.4 miles away 3321 16th St.

Get classic Latin and Mexico food staples for lunch here. Photo courtesy of La Taqueria SF. 

Have lunch at La Taqueria | 24th St Mission

When it’s time for lunch, there’s no better place than La Taqueria. Arguably the best burritos in the city, this casual eatery offers classic favorites. Try the carne asada — it’s delicious! Take BART to 24^th St Mission for traditional Mexican cuisine 0.1 miles away at 2889 Mission St. 

Pack your climbing shoes and get ready to sweat at Mission Cliffs. Photo courtesy of Mission Local.

Climb a wall at Mission Cliffs | 16^th St Mission

If you’re into rock climbing try Mission Cliffs. With five-story walls to scale visitors can get quite a workout. There’s 23,000 square feet of climbing terrain, 2,000 square feet of bouldering space and a 50-foot-high lead wall. Take BART to 16^th St Mission for the ultimate climbing adventure 0.7 miles away at 2295 Harrison St.

Play with friends or join a league at Mission Bowling Club. Photo courtesy of Mission Bowling Club.

Bowl a strike at the Mission Bowling Club | 16^th St Mission

For something fun, but a little less strenuous than rock climbing, try your luck at bowling. The Mission Bowling Club is six lanes of fun. Plus, they have draft beer, tropical cocktails, savory snacks and entres. Take BART to 16^th St Mission for a friendly competition 0.3 miles away at 3176 17th St.

Books are just one shopping option in the Mission. Photo courtesy of Dog Eared Books.

Go shopping | Between 24^th St/Mission and 16^th St Mission

The Mission is home to so many unique boutiques, many of which are on or near Valencia St. Wander the area between 24^th St Mission and 16^th St Mission to find everything from clothing to candles. Favorites include Reformation for sustainable fashion, Gravel and Gold for accessories and home goods and Dog Eared Books to browse the shelves and find your new favorite story. There’s even a Pirate Supply Store for unique gifts and pirate gear. If you love vintage finds, you can’t go wrong at Community Thrift.

Visit the sunniest hill in SF. Photo courtesy of SF Travel.

Relax at Mission Dolores Park | 16^th St Mission

The Mission is one of the sunniest neighborhoods in San Francisco, making Dolores Park one of the most popular places in the city to soak in some rays. This 16-acre oasis in the heart of the Mission offers plenty of green space for a picnic, a soccer field, tennis courts, a basketball court and a playground. The main highlight, though, is the view. Before the sun goes down, appreciate the stunning San Francisco skyline from the park’s sprawling hillside. Take BART to 16^th St Mission for gorgeous views, recreational activities and a place to relax in the sunshine 0.6 miles away at the corner of Dolores St. and 18^th St. 

Enjoy a colorful spread at Prubechu. Photo courtesy of SF Chronicle.

Dinner at Prubechu | 16^th St Mission

This Guamanian eatery in the Mission is a casual outdoor eatery with plenty of greenery in planters, twinkly lights and upbeat music. The menu is full of classic Chamorro dishes and creative twists, like tinaktak, coconut braised beef, handmade egg noodles, mushrooms, tomatoes and long beans as well as chicken kelaguen marinated in lemon with scallion and coconut. Whether on a date or with a group, Prubechu is the perfect place for dinner. Take BART to 16^th St Mission for delicious Chamorro cuisine 0.2 miles away at 2224 Mission St.

Close out the evening with drinks. Photo courtesy of Arcana.

Late-night wine, beer and cocktails | 16^th St Mission and 24^th St Mission

When your day in the Mission turns to night, there are loads of fun places to enjoy a local beer, a glass of wine or a creative cocktail. If you’re in the mood for a beer, head to Zeitgeist’s outdoor patio bar. Here, you’ll find an extensive craft beer menu 0.5 miles from 16^th St Mission. For wine in a unique setting, try Arcana 0.3 miles from 24^th St Mission. The natural wine bar is also a plant boutique. For cocktails, try the 60s-themed Beehive, 0.5 miles from 16^th St Mission. While these three are great options for drinks in the Mission District, they are just a few of the many fun bars in this vibrant neighborhood. 

What's your favorite thing to do in the Mission District?

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