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Neighborhood of San Francisco in California, United States
Photo: Christopher Beland, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
A mostly residential area of San Francisco, Western Addition stretches west from downtown's Civic Center area to Arguello Boulevard north of the Panhandle parkway. Here you'll find some of the more notable examples of Victorian architecture in a city full of them, namely the "Painted Ladies" of Alamo Square, one of the city's most famous landmarks, as well as the historical centers of the city's Japanese and African American communities, with lovely shops and restaurants reflecting the area's heritage.
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This park is best known for the famous Painted Ladies row of Victorian houses on its east side along Steiner Street, which is often the subject of many a San Francisco postcard. There are also many other pretty Victorians encircling the lovely park. The 6-Hayes bus route goes along its south side, the 5-Fulton bus passes by a block north of the park, or if you enjoy walking and don't mind modest grades you can get there by walking west from Hayes Valley or north from the Haight.
Peace Plaza and shopping mall; Ruth Asawa's incredible wrought and cast bronze origami fountains on the Nihonmachi Pedestrian Mall. At the center entrance to the Japan Center is a five-tiered Peace Pagoda, it was designed by world-famous Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi. The Center opened in 1968.
This long narrow park is the main entrance to Golden Gate Park, which goes for another 40+ blocks to the west (and the Pacific Ocean). The Panhandle also includes the most famous bicycle route in the city, the Wiggle, which follows the easy grades of a former creekbed to connect Market Street with the Fillmore, Haight, Golden Gate Park and the Avenues. You'll find a playground, basketball courts, dog walking, weekend barbecues and picnics. It's an easy two block walk to the Haight Street shopping district, or three blocks to the University of San Francisco's hilltop campus and its imposing St. Ignatius Cathedral.
Hosts concerts and contemporary bands.
Traditional Japanese-style onsen with full spa services. Communal baths are co-ed only one day per week, see calendar for details.
Various college sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.
The jazz festival happens the first weekend in July, with several music stages and a street arts fair to Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy.
San Francisco joins towns and cities across the US in celebrating the arrival of the news of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1863. Juneteenth is a celebration of African-American culture as well as a celebration of freedom from slavery and remembrance of what it is to be free.
In Japantown in the spring (April) since 1967, this popular festival includes a parade from the Civic Center to the Japantown mall area, a street fair, music and a lot to do. Great event to take kids to.
This mid-August street fair has been celebrating San Francisco's Asian cultures and raising funds for community organizations since 1973.
This extensive Japanese grocery store has remarkably good takeout sushi, which can be pleasantly eaten in either of the plazas that are part of Japantown.
Restyles the rustic foods of southern France into sleek urban classics. Wonderful (expensive) cocktails based on 100-year old recipes. Not the cheapest place in town, but affordable and the quality of the food is an excellent value. A pretty, white-tablecloth setting and excellent service make this a lovely lunch spot. Avoid weekend evenings before 8PM, when crowds from the nearby theater district can mean a wait. And they now serve absinthe.
This ultra-cute little eatery, on the bridge connecting the Kintetsu and Kinokuniya Buildings, specializes in an intriguing Euro-Japanese and Indo-Japanese hybrid cuisine called yoshoku, which has been popular in Japan for more than 100 years. Japanese 'pastas' and curried rice plates take on unexpected but delightful flavors.
Beautiful European stylized restaurant with a great menu of Italian cuisine and wine, serving walk-ins only - keeping the clientèle local and less stuffy than reservation only dinning.
For casual German food and service, beer -- of course -- served at shared tables.
Mel's Diner
This all day, late night diner is a classic bit of Americana, full of shiny stainless steel walls and counters. It's covered in American Graffiti movie posters and outtake photos, since part of the film was shot in this small chain's Lombard St. diner. Good solid comfort food, free parking, with good desserts and ice cream treats. A jukebox control at every table, sucking down your quarters to hear hits from the 1950s.
Do not expect a picturesque Bavarian scene but you will find familiar beer and food.
A super fun bar with live blues, rock and funk bands.
Good neighborhood bar in Pacific Heights with a casual atmosphere. Popular with local professionals.
European Style. Extremely cute, homey, and comfortable.
A Japanese-style hotel with a calm ambiance.
The Queen Anne provides a real San Francisco experience, being an 1890 Victorian Hotel between Pacific Heights and the Civic Center, and near Japantown. Some rooms have fireplaces, and afternoon tea is served daily.
This hotel has 29 guestrooms and 18 suites which are individually decorated. It is situated in an excellent location.
Has everything from copper rain chains and iron cabinetry findings, fine woodworking tools to bulk nails, porcelain to everyday kitchenware; just what you want in a longstanding hardware store.
Has a huge collection of washii decorative papers that is only surpassed by their incredible collection of pens, stationery and gift items.
If you're into Japanese books, magazines, or comic books (otherwise known as manga), then this is your place to be. The only San Francisco branch of the famous Japanese chain, Kinokuniya carries thousands of titles, including dozens in English. So a crash course in Japanese is not essential to shop here.
A moderately sized bookstore selling new and mostly used books.
By car
This part of town is very accessible by car. Public parking lots are abundant compared to the surrounding neighborhoods, including one beneath the Kintetsu Mall in Japantown.S.
By Muni
Several bus lines from Downtown run through Western Addition, including the 2-Clement, 5-Fulton (and 5R), 6-Hayes, 31-Balboa and (most frequent of all) the 38-Geary (and 38R).
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San Francisco · International · SFO
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