Haight Street

Haight Street is the main commercial strip of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco, California, famous as a center of the 1960s counterculture. The shopping stretch runs from around Masonic Avenue to the entrance of Golden Gate Park. Goods sold include vintage and secondhand clothing, costumes, boots, tie-dye and band shirts, vinyl records, books, head shop merchandise, jewelry, posters and 1960s-themed souvenirs, which differ from generic shopping by emphasizing used, retro and subcultural items. Quality ranges widely: some vintage dealers curate carefully chosen pieces, while others sell mass-produced novelty items aimed at tourists, so the ratio of authentic to tourist goods depends on the shop. Visitors can find genuine bargains on used clothing and records, but should inspect condition and labels. Prices run from a few dollars for secondhand items to more for designer vintage. Bargaining is occasionally possible at independent secondhand shops, particularly when buying several items, but chain stores and most boutiques keep fixed prices. Cards are widely accepted, and cash may help for small purchases. California sales tax is added at the register, and no refund is available for visitors. The atmosphere is lively and bohemian, with street musicians, murals, and a mix of tourists, students and long-time locals; weekend afternoons are busiest. Food options include pizza slices, burritos, cafes, bars, ice cream and brunch restaurants. The famous Haight and Ashbury intersection is a popular photograph spot, and Golden Gate Park, with its Panhandle, is at the western end. Visitors should be aware of panhandling in the neighborhood and keep belongings secure. Shops typically open from late morning and close in the early evening. Muni buses serve the street from downtown.