The Mission continues as vibrant, cultural oasis for SF Latino community 

A crowd of people parade down the street, waving flags as they dance by. A woman dressed in a blue samba outfit raises her hands in the air while two men at her sides play conga drums. People, hanging out of their apartment windows, try to get a glimpse of the commotion down below. 

The scene feels loud, yet it makes no noise.  

This is because it is from a mural, depicting the first ever Carnaval that took place in the city in 1979. The mural, which sits on the side of a building on 24th and Van Ness St., is just one of the many artistic pieces that tells the history of San Francisco’s Mission District. 

This district is the crowded and colorful home of one of San Francisco’s largest Latino communities, and is named after the historic California Mission, San Francisco de Asis which was built in 1776.  

Just a block down from this landmark is Mission Dolores Park, a spot that holds value to both locals and tourists alike due to the scenic views it provides of the rest of the city.  

“I really enjoy being here on the weekend,” Eude Lesperencie, who had just taken a walk around Mission Dolores said. “People tend to aggregate in the park on the weekends to hang out with friends.” 

It is common to see people having picnics, hosting dance parties, or taking naps when the San Francisco sun finally decides to peek through the clouds. 

Lesperencie was a resident of the Mission district until he moved back in with family recently. However, he often comes back to his favorite spots on nearby Valencia St. 

“It’s very vibrant, with great food,” Eude Lesperencie said. “People in general here are pretty friendly and welcoming people. ‘Four Barrels’ used to be my go-to for coffee and to hangout. It’s hard to go wrong [with food] here.” 

Some consider Valencia St. to be one of the trendier areas in the Mission District, given its many boutiques and restaurants. 

Friends Lorena Sanchez and Casandra Lozano, for example, travelled from Santa Rosa to the Mission District specifically for the shops it has. 

“It was about an hour and a half drive,” Lozano said. “But we’re looking for some cool thrift shops, just walking around and stuff. There’s good vibes here.” 

According to Mission Local, an independent news site that covers the area, the district begins on Dolores St. and is bordered on the east by the 101 Bayshore Freeway. However, the streets closest to the heart of the district tend to reveal its deep, Latino roots.  

“I feel like culture is stronger in the Mission than other parts [of San Francisco],” Justine Caemmerlen, who has lived in the neighborhood for the past 3 years said. “People here are the type to run into each other and stop to say hi.” 

The intersection of 24th And Mission St. is an example of the close-knit community that exists here. On the weekends, these streets are filled with families enjoying their time off. Blue tents line the sidewalks, each selling something new and exciting—jewelry, sweets, stuffed animals, or fresh fruits.  

“It really has its own culture,” Caemmerlen said. “You can tell that a lot of people are proud to have grown up here.” 

*This article was written as part of the JOUR 300GW: Reporting course at San Francisco State University