A visit to San Francisco's Mission District isn't complete without a tour of its vibrant murals. Easily accessible via public transportation, the district is the nexus of the city's Latin culture, with hundreds of colorful murals bedecking walls, garages and nearly every other nook and cranny. Here are tips for making the most of mural-gazing in "The Mission."
Take a tour. Precita Eyes Mural Arts Association is an inner city, community-based mural arts organization that aims to enrich and beautify urban environments and educate people about public community mural art. Based in San Francisco's Mission District, the nonprofit offers walking, bicycle and bus tours of the area's murals with the profits going to support its worthy cause (see Resources below).
Check out Clarion Alley, particularly between Valencia and Mission, Sycamore and 17th Streets. Teeming with artistic renderings at every turn, this alley is a glorious gateway to a prismatic world of urban culture.
A must-see is "Maestrapeace," the magnificent mural spanning The Women's Building at 18th Street between Valencia and Guerrero streets. Created by seven female muralists and their helpers, this extraordinary mural stands as a visual celebration of the courageousness and achievements of women throughout history.
Stop by the 24th Street BART Station. The Mission and 24th Street BART Station plays home to a wide assortment of visit-worthy murals, including M. Rios' aptly-titled work "BART."
Across the street from BART stands the only muraled McDonald's, displaying a work called "Culture of the Crossroads." Created by children from the Mission District, the mural was part of a 1998 Precita Eyes project. Also stroll down Lilac Alley, Horace Alley or Lucky Alley to take in some of the latest impromptu work by muralists.
Visitors will swoon at "Swoon's Angel," an urban angel gracing a brick wall on Hampshire off 24th Street. Experts recommend it as an excellent example of a relief mural that is non-permanent; visit it before time takes its toll.
Be sure to check out Balmy Alley between 24th and 25th Streets and Treat and Harrison. This alley's creative roots stretch back to the city's organized artist protests against Central American wars. Today it stands as not only the most famous Mission mural alley, but also its oldest.
