Haight-Ashbury

I had been planning this day for a while, a day I decided to call Haight & Hills. I’d start out exploring famous hippie haven Haight-Ashbury. (Haight-Ashbury is also known as the Haight or Upper Haight.) Being obsessed with the ’60s, I knew I’d eat it up. The rest of the day, I’d scale some of San Francisco’s notable hills and take in the views. The day spectacularly went off as planned. A day of very un-San-Franicsco-like weather didn’t hurt at all. (Plus there were lots of flowers. Just like I couldn’t stop taking pictures of monkeys in India, I can’t stop taking pictures of flowers. Anywhere.)

'60s-style street fair posters hanging on the wall in the Pork Store Cafe, where I had breakfast. San Francisco, United States, North America. — ’60s-style street fair posters hanging on the wall in the Pork Store Cafe, where I had breakfast.

Haight-Ashbury Morning

Legs hanging out of a costume shop window in Haight-Ashbury. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Legs hanging out of a costume shop window in Haight-Ashbury.

After breakfast, I took a walk through Haight-Ashbury, on a beautiful San Francisco morning, on the way to Golden Gate Park’s Panhandle. Naturally, I took some pictures along the way.

A painted chimney in Haight-Ashbury. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A painted chimney in Haight-Ashbury.

"I met a girl who sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news..." Janis Joplin lived in an apartment in this building in 1967. It was her first place in Haight-Ashbury after moving from North Beach. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “I met a girl who sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news…” Janis Joplin lived in an apartment in this building in 1967. It was her first place in Haight-Ashbury after moving from North Beach.

The Panhandle

From Janis Joplin’s place on Lyon Street, it’s just a few steps to the Panhandle, the narrow park that juts out from the eastern border of Golden Gate Park. The Panhandle was a favorite hangout for Haight-Ashbury hippies. Bands like Big Brother and the Holding Company (with vocalist Janis Joplin), Jefferson Airplane, and the Grateful Dead played free concerts there during Haight-Ashbury’s late ’60s heyday.

Monument to assassinated president William McKinley in the Panhandle. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Monument to assassinated president William McKinley in the Panhandle.

The morning of Day 2 was my first time walking through the Panhandle. I could feel the history of the ’60s. It’s a peaceful stretch, 8 blocks long by 1 block wide.

A brilliant magnolia (I'm guessing) in the Panhandle. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A brilliant magnolia (I’m guessing) in the Panhandle.

This picture shows the peacefulness of the Panhandle. You might also be able to grasp its narrowness, at just one block wide. San Francisco, United States, North America. — This picture shows the peacefulness of the Panhandle. You might also be able to grasp its narrowness, at just one block wide.

A view from the Panhandle towards Saint Ignatius Church on Lone Mountain. I'd visit there later in the season. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A view from the Panhandle towards Saint Ignatius Church on Lone Mountain. I’d visit there later in the season.

McLaren Lodge

At the western edge of the Panhandle, I crossed Stanyan Street and reentered Golden Gate Park, just like I warned that I would at the end of Day 1! But don’t worry. I get back to Haight-Ashbury well before Part 1 is done.

A tranquil setting outside McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A tranquil setting outside McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park.

Conservatory of Flowers

Flower Power–tropical-style!

Continuing the theme of monuments to assassinated presidents, here's James Garfield, outside the Conservatory of Flower. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Continuing the theme of monuments to assassinated presidents, here’s James Garfield, outside the Conservatory of Flower.

I assumed the Conservatory of Flowers was a greenhouse filled with pretty flowers. But it was so much more than that.

The Conservatory of Flowers is a Victorian greenhouse that was built in 1878, making it the oldest building in Golden Gate Park. It’s also the oldest building of its kind in the United States. Entering it was like walking into a tropical jungle. I also felt a bit like I was in the steamy garden of Violet Venable in Tennessee Williams’s “Suddenly Last Summer”. The environment inside the Conservatory of Flowers is maintained to mimic South and Central America.

The Conservatory of Flowers contains a wide variety of orchids. This is a particularly delicate species. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Conservatory of Flowers contains a wide variety of orchids. This is a particularly delicate species.

This is quite the unusual, flamboyant specimen. Golden Gate Park, United States, North America. — This is quite the unusual, flamboyant specimen.

It's really hard to beat the beauty of this orchid. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — It’s really hard to beat the beauty of this orchid.

This is pure elegance. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — This is pure elegance.

A fabulously frivolous display. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — A fabulously frivolous display.

I'm sorry but pitcher plants are a little creepy. Then again, all carnivorous plants are pretty creepy. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — I’m sorry but pitcher plants are a little creepy. Then again, all carnivorous plants are pretty creepy.

How graceful is this lone water lily? Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — How graceful is this lone water lily?

Calling Robert Mapplethorpe! I think it would be hard for a plant to get more phallic-looking than anthurium. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Calling Robert Mapplethorpe! I think it would be hard for a plant to get more phallic-looking than anthurium.

The fanged pitcher plant is even creepier than your average pitcher plant. It's quite large, and check out those fangs pointed down from the top. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — The fanged pitcher plant is even creepier than your average pitcher plant. It’s quite large, and check out those fangs pointed down from the top.

This tropical delight is infinitely more attractive than the fanged pitcher plant. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — This tropical delight is infinitely more attractive than the fanged pitcher plant.

This daintiest of water lilies. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — This daintiest of water lilies.

It's time to move on, but the Conservatory of Flowers tempts you to stay with this outrageously gorgeous display. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — It’s time to move on, but the Conservatory of Flowers tempts you to stay with this outrageously gorgeous display.

Directly across the street from the Conservatory of Flowers, "Our National Pastime". This pitcher has been winding up since 1889. And on this day, he appears to be observing Red Nose Day! Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, United States, North America. — Directly across the street from the Conservatory of Flowers, “Our National Pastime”. This pitcher has been winding up since 1889. And on this day, he appears to be observing Red Nose Day!

Now I promise, that’s the last of Golden Gate Park. For the rest of this post, it’s nothing but Haight-Ashbury.

Cha Cha Cha

But first, lunch. Well, lunch…in Haight-Ashbury. Cha Cha Cha is a restaurant featuring Caribbean and Cajun food. And it has quite the colorful décor. I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.

I guess you could say the decor at Cha Cha Cha can be considered folk art. San Francisco, United States, North America. — I guess you could say the decor at Cha Cha Cha can be considered folk art.

Cha Cha Cha's charming hostess. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Cha Cha Cha’s charming hostess.

The Summer of Love

Be sure to wear flowers in your hair.

Mural of the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia in Haight-Ashbury. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Mural of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia in Haight-Ashbury.

Finally, it was time to take in the sights of Haight-Ashbury. Many of the sights relate to the Summer of Love of 1967.

The dark side of Haight-Ashbury. Charles Manson and member of his Family--including Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwrinkel, and "Squeaky" Fromme--lived in this house for a while in 1967 before ultimately moving on to LA. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The dark side of Haight-Ashbury. Charles Manson and member of his Family–including Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwrinkel, and “Squeaky” Fromme–lived in this house for a while in 1967 before ultimately moving on to LA.

It was good fortune that I toured Haight-Ashbury (not to mention other places in San Francisco) in 2017. It was the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. The Summer of Love is when Haight-Ashbury became the mecca for hippies and psychedelic rock.

The Red Victorian opened in 1904 the Jefferson Hotel. At Haight-Ashbury's peak in 1967, it became the Jeffrey Haight. Since the '70s, when it was renamed the Red Victorian, it's been a hotel incorporating environmental and somewhat New Age ideals. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Red Victorian opened in 1904 the Jefferson Hotel. At Haight-Ashbury’s peak in 1967, it became the Jeffrey Haight. Since the ’70s, the Red Victorian is a hotel incorporating environmental and somewhat New Age ideals.

San Francisco’s and Haight-Ashbury’s landmark year kicked off on January 14, 1967, at an event in Golden Gate Park called the the Human Be-In. (You might remember the picture I took of a poster for the Summer of Love at the Beat Museum.) The Human Be-In was partially inspired by the implementation of a law banning LSD in California. LSD guru Timothy Leary was there encouraging the tens of thousands who showed up to tune in, turn on, drop out. Allen Ginsberg was there, personifying the bridge between the Beats of the ’50s and the hippies of the ’60s.

High-profile vintage shop Wasteland.

The Human Be-In got major coverage in the national news. Teens and young adults all over the United States decided they needed to be in San Francisco, where it was all happening. And the Summer of Love ensued.

The Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic was founded in June of 1967 to treat the kids that were flooding the streets of Haight-Ashbury from all over. Treatment for substance abuse and mental health fast because a dire need. The concept of the modern free clinic was born right here. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic was founded in June of 1967 to treat the kids that were flooding the streets of Haight-Ashbury from all over. Treatment for substance abuse and mental health fast because a dire need. The concept of the modern free clinic was born right here.

Haight-Ashbury became flooded with youth, media, tourists, and drugs. Homelessness, drug addition, and crime took over. The Summer of Love became less lovely. By October, local activists had enough and threw a mock event, “The Death of the Hippie”.

The Summer of Love is still celebrated in Haight-Ashbury. Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin, seen in this mural, are its king and queen. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The Summer of Love is still celebrated in Haight-Ashbury. Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin, seen in this mural, are its king and queen.

George Harrison and his wife Pattie Boyd. San Francisco, United States, North America. — George Harrison and his wife Pattie Boyd.

George Harrison and Pattie Boyd visited Haight-Ashbury while they were in town in that August. The Beatles had just released the soundtrack to the Summer of Love, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” He was quickly recognized. You can imagine how completely surrounded they soon became. And they had dropped a little acid before arriving. The whole thing was a bad trip for George and Pattie. They couldn’t wait to get out of there.

This must be the place! San Francisco, United States, North America. — This must be the place!

From what I understand, the real Summer of Love was actually 1966, before the world knew about Haight-Ashbury. It was all parties, music, love, and mellow drugs. By the end of the ’60s, speed and heroin took over Haight-Ashbury. The area started getting rehabilitated by the end of the ’70s. Now, it’s Hippie Epcot!

This slightly scary mural in Haight-Ashbury is a little bit more modern. Definitely 21st century. San Francisco, United States, North America. — This slightly scary mural in Haight-Ashbury is a little bit more modern. Definitely 21st century.

Being somewhat obsessed with the ’60s, I was really excited to be in San Francisco for the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. On the morning of January 14, 2017, I headed to Golden Gate Park to soak in the spirit of the Human Be-In, exactly 50 years later. I saw small groups there being all spiritual together in celebration. Lots of tie-dye. A went to event that night that featured musicians from the era, along with Wavy Gravy. Mr Gravy is a legendary hippie, activist, and Woodstock Festival fixture.

"No angel born in hell..." The late '60s home of the San Francisco chapter of the Hell's Angels. They were a welcome presence on the scene...until they weren't. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “No angel born in hell…” The late ’60s home of the San Francisco chapter of the Hell’s Angels. They were a welcome presence on the scene…until they weren’t.

Directly across Ashbury Street from the Hell's Angels house, the house of the Grateful Dead. The Hell's Angels were able to keep an eye out for anyone out to cause trouble for the Dead. — Directly across Ashbury Street from the Hell’s Angels house, the house of the Grateful Dead. The Hell’s Angels were able to keep an eye out for anyone out to cause trouble for the Dead.

An image of Jerry Garcia on the sidewalk in front of the Grateful Dead house. San Francisco, United States, North America. — An image of Jerry Garcia on the sidewalk in front of the Grateful Dead house.

"But she just smiled and turned away..." And who lived right down the street from the Angels and the Dead? Janis Joplin. She moved into the 2nd floor apartment here in 1967 from her place on Lyon Street that I passed by in the morning. It definitely looks like it was an upgrade. San Francisco, United States, North America. — “But she just smiled and turned away…” And who lived right down the street from the Angels and the Dead? Janis Joplin. She moved into the 2nd floor apartment here in 1967 from her place on Lyon Street that I passed by in the morning. It definitely looks like it was an upgrade.

A row of pretty Victorians in Haight-Ashbury. San Francisco, United States, North America. — A row of pretty Victorians in Haight-Ashbury.

The '70s were the hangover to the '60s. This beautiful house is one of the safe houses where the Symbionese Liberation Army holed up with Patty Hearst in 1975. Haight-Ashbury hadn't yet recovered from the disaster that the Summer of Love had turned into. So nobody noticed the dangerous radicals next door. San Francisco, United States, North America. — The ’70s were the hangover to the ’60s. This beautiful house is one of the safe houses where the Symbionese Liberation Army holed up with Patty Hearst in 1975. Haight-Ashbury hadn’t yet recovered from the disaster that the Summer of Love had turned into. So nobody noticed the dangerous radicals next door.

San Francisco's famous Painted Ladies (beautifully painted Victorian homes) are located on Alamo Square. But Haight-Ashbury has its very own Painted Ladies. San Francisco, United States, North America. — San Francisco’s famous Painted Ladies (beautifully painted Victorian homes) are located on Alamo Square. But Haight-Ashbury has its very own Painted Ladies.

Closer-up on some of the gorgeous detail on Haight-Ashbury's Painted Ladies. San Francisco, United States, North America. — Closer-up on some of the gorgeous detail on Haight-Ashbury’s Painted Ladies.

You may have noticed that the residences in the last several pictures are primary situated on a hillside setting. That’s because the southern part of Haight-Ashbury is on the slope of Buena Vista Heights. So that brings us to the “Hills” part of my Haight & Hills day, coming up next. (Well, after the food diary.)

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]