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Haight-Ashbury
The Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, also known as The Haight, is a neighborhood named for and centered around the intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets. The neighborhood actually spans an area of several city blocks bounded by Golden Gate Park to the west, the Golden Gate Panhandle to the north, Buena Vista Park to the east, and Frederick Street to the south.
The Haight was first settled during the 1880s, when several Victorian houses were put up for new residents. By the Depression in the 1930s, the neighborhood hit hard times. As a result, most of the residents left the area and many of the houses were vacated.
The Haight-Ashbury district gained fame during the 1960s, when thousands of hippies moved to the area, a move made possible by the abundance of cheap housing. Characterized by long hair, use of hallucinogenic drugs, and their carefree lifestyle, hippies became a symbol of the American counterculture movement. By 1967, in what became known as the Summer of Love, several well-known psychedelic rock artists inclduing Jefferson Starship, the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin had moved into the area.
Today, the Haight is an upscale neighborhood with several shops, restaurants and cafes as well as dozens of beautiful restored Victorian houses. Interesting tourist spots in the neighborhood include the Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Cha Cha Cha, Buena Vista Park and the Golden Gate Panhandle.
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