Self-Guided Tour through the Mission District

Take a walk through the Mission District and Castro Neighborhood with our Self-Guided Walking Tour Map.  Start your tour at the 24th Street BART Station and end at Harvey Milk Plaza. See great projects, murals and stop into one of the neighborhood spots for some highly recommended coffee or ice cream

1. 24th Street BART Station: Start your walking tour here. At the BART station notice the abstract, cast-stone art lining the station walls. Also, check out the recently renovated station plaza area on the southwest corner.
2. 24th Street: This tree-lined street is filled with Mexican bakeries and other distinctly latino stores in the heart of the Mission Neighborhood.
3. Balmy Alley Murals: This outdoor gallery is a high point of a visit to the Mission. Murals on this alley began three decades ago and adorn fences, garage doors, and the backs of the homes.
4. Humphry Slocombe: This Ice cream shop is highly recommended.
5. 14 Mission Rapid Project: As part of Muni Forward, the SFMTA is implementing transit priority and traffic safety improvements along Mission Street.
6. Valencia Street Design and Parklets: Redesign of Valencia Street included a road diet, bike lanes, and a center turn lane. Parklets are also included, which are parking spaces converted to semi-permanent public open There are several along Valencia Street, each with a unique design.
7. Ritual Coffee Roasters: This top-of-the-line craft coffee purveyor serves up delicious lattes, coffee by the cup, and
8. Tartine Bakery: This bakery is famous for its morning buns and long lines. It’s a great spot for people watching while you wait for a treat.\
9. Bi-Rite Grocery: This organic grocer is well-known for its fresh produce, fine selection of cheeses and meats, and made-to-order sandwiches.
10. Mission-Dolores Park: The recent redesign and reopening of the park was welcomed by residents and visitors New features include a play area, renovated tennis courts, and improved ADA access.
11. Mission Dolores: This is San Francisco’s oldest building, survivor of many earthquakes. It was 6th of 21 California missions built on the California coast and was established in 1776.
12. Castro Street: This two-block stretch of Castro Street is an historic center of the LBGT (lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, transgender) community and a destination for visitors from around the world. This portion of Castro Street also serves an important transit function in the City: the Castro Muni Metro subway station, F-Line historic streetcar turnaround, and several Muni bus lines all directly serve this area.
13. Harvey Milk Plaza: Named after the first openly gay politician elected to public office in the U.S., this plaza is the starting point for many LBGT marches and rallies.
14. End of walking tour. Access to Muni Metro at Harvey Milk Plaza, including lines K, L, and M. Transfer to BART at Civic Center Station.

Directions via Google Maps