Lower Haight/Castro

One of the longest walks I’ve taken since moving to San Francisco was also one of the most interesting walks I’ve taken since moving to San Francisco. Within one downhill expedition covering a few miles I truly experienced the areas known as the Lower Haight and Castro districts. While these districts lie next to each other and absorb a bit of the culture between both locations, it was striking how different these districts truly were, evident by the signage of each neighborhood.

            When people think of Haight Street, they typically only think about the Haight-Ashbury district, or the “Upper Haight”. What many neglect to consider is the Lower Haight, taking up a far larger area than the Haight-Ashbury district. Composed of beautiful Victorian houses and small mom-and-pop type businesses, the Lower Haight has a very “homely” feel to it.  Signs for posh salons, small boutiques, and hip café’s covered the streets and made the neighborhood really feel as if it was a small community within a large city, unique and quite different from the areas surrounding it. I could feel the influence of the Upper Haight district with the styles of homes, and I could feel the influence of the Castro district with the style of stores. I suppose I could say that the audience of this signage is the 20-30 year old artistic community; the “yuppies” of the neighborhood. The Lower Haight felt like a great transition neighborhood between two amazing and so unique districts. Like a DJ producing the perfect mix, the transition was exceptional, and before I knew it I was in the heart of the Castro.

            Our first stop upon entering the famous Castro district was the Harvey Milk Center for the arts, located at Duboce Park. This center was set up to commemorate Harvey Milk, a famous gay activist and city leader. The signage of this building was very elegant and professional, appealing to both an artistic sense and a business like sense. The location of this building is significant to the history of Harvey Milk’s activism throughout the city. Duboce Park, now a very quaint recreational center was once known as “Dog Shit Park”. Signs now read to keep your dog off the grass -how ironic! As we continued into the Castro district, signage began to come more witty, sassy, and appealing to my sense of humor.  It was no question I was in the heart of gay culture within San Francisco, and as a gay man I felt as if I was home. I suppose I could say that I am a member of the audience the signage is speaking to, and the identity it’s cultivating is a gay identity. However this is not to say that this makes the neighborhood strictly for the gay community. The Castro neighborhood is a melting pot of all of the neighborhoods within San Francisco, with a rainbow twist. A very welcoming community, tailored to the interest of the gay population of San Francisco.

            Our final destination of the adventure was Dolores park, a recreational center on the fringe of the Castro district, where the Castro meets the Mission district. This park is notorious; everyone in the city knows that this is “the place to be”. With beautiful views of downtown, Dolores Park is often filled to the brim with San Franciscans enjoying the warmth and good vibes that come together to make Dolores Park such an amazing space. While this walk may have killed my legs, I feel so much more cultured now that I have experienced these districts for all that they have to offer. I now understand who each district caters for, and what identity is cultivated through the similar but unique districts.