Haight-Ashbury Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Haight-Ashbury showing street scenes, a house and heritage architecture
Haight-Ashbury featuring a city
Haight-Ashbury which includes street scenes and a house
Haight-Ashbury which includes heritage architecture and a house
Haight-Ashbury showing street scenes, a city and signage

This San Francisco landmark is steeped in history and is redolent of a bygone era of peace and love.

This is San Francisco landmark is steeped in the social and political history of the post-Second World War United States. Haight Ashbury will be forever associated with one of the most iconic eras in the history of the United States, when the Summer of Love and flower power were in full bloom, and the Grateful dead were a firm favourite with many music lovers.

Haight Ashbury was instrumental in 1960s counter-culture, a haven for non-conformists and peace-loving dreamers. Among the revellers here were Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. But though these sixties musical icons are long gone, the spirit and reminders of the tie-dye wearing, incense-burning, make love-not-war generation remain very much at the fore of this bohemian district. Perhaps all the peace and love paid off in karmic terms, as this was one of the few areas in San Francisco that survived the 1906 earthquake that levelled around 80 per cent of the city.

Today, this place is still something of a cultural haven. You can hang out in the coffee houses, bookstores and music clubs, or check out some of the boutiques that sell home-made clothing and a variety of smoking paraphernalia. Laid back travellers will feel very much at home here. Some of the shops even display valuable antiques and relics of the Sixties era.

Having said that, the district has become significantly more gentrified than its sixties iteration, and snazzy boutiques and upmarket restaurants also compete for your attention in this varied and soulful region. One the Sixties were over, the hippies moved out, and the yuppies moved in, buying up the colourful Victorian terrace houses by the dozen. These ‘painted ladies’, as they are referred to colloquially, are dazzling with their bright colours and design making them an attractive addition to the area.

After you’ve strolled around the characterful streets, end your day at the oldest park in San Francisco, the Buena Vista Park and watch the sun steadily set over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Haight-Ashbury Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$267 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$267
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,313 reviews)
"Very nice place"

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$344 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$344
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,578 reviews)
"Me and family love this hotel. But I think the facilities charge is overpriced. And in the room doesn’t provide any kit of lotion , cotton or laundry bag."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$267 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$267
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,469 reviews)
"Very nice just a rough area."

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$521 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$521
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,750 reviews)
"My family and LOVED our stay at this beautiful hotel. It was very clean, fun, and there is so much to do in the hotel itself including workout at the best hotel gym’s I have ever seen, shop at the mini market, dine at the amazing restaurant, or relax in one of the many chairs/sofa’s/ tables scattered ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

4 out of 5
999 California Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$355 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$355
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,044 reviews)
"Some very pleasant staff and some not so. Good location."

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is NZ$204 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$204
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,922 reviews)
"It was a good stay"

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Haight-Ashbury

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Western Addition

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Alamo Square and Painted Ladies are top sights in Western Addition, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Western Addition
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Noe Valley

Appreciated for its churches and architecture, you might consider exploring Noe Valley. Check out the variety of things to see and do like 22nd St Hill, and jump on the metro at Church St & Clipper St Stop or Church St & 24th St Stop to get around the city.

Noe Valley
Pacific Heights showing a park

Pacific Heights

4/5(8 area reviews)

Take time in Pacific Heights to visit attractions like Van Ness Avenue and Mrs. Doubtfire House. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at California St & Van Ness Ave Stop to see more of the city.

Pacific Heights
California Academy of Sciences which includes interior views as well as a large group of people

Golden Gate

If you're spending time in Golden Gate, check out sights like San Francisco Botanical Garden or Japanese Tea Garden and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Irving St & 9th Ave Stop or Irving St & 8th Ave Stop.

Golden Gate
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Mission District

4/5(6 area reviews)

You might enjoy the bars while in Mission District. San Francisco Public Library is a notable sight, and you can get around town at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to see more of the city.

Mission District
Cow Hollow showing signage and street scenes

Cow Hollow

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants a bustling marina and top sights from Union Street to Van Ness Avenue – discover Cow Hollow, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Cow Hollow


Haight-Ashbury Travel Guide

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