Not quite the Mission, not quite the Castro, Mission Dolores is a bustling, centrally located neighborhood with some iconic San Francisco attractions. The crown jewels of the neighborhood are Dolores Park and Mission Dolores, the oldest Spanish Mission church in San Francisco. Sun worshippers flock to Dolores Park on warm and cool days alike, and the church welcomes worshippers for regular services.
Mission Dolores Neighborhood Vibe
Located between the Mission and the Castro, Mission Dolores offers a blend of both: shops and restaurants are plentiful, and it’s got the great weather of the Mission to draw sun lovers to Dolores Park all year. Grab some ice cream from Bi-Rite, spread your blanket out on the grass in the park, and watch the world go by.
Popular Mission Dolores Home Styles
Homes for sale in Mission Dolores range from condominiums in smaller converted buildings to grand scale single-family residences. One of the most unusual homes in the neighborhood is a former church that was converted into living space. Originally on the market for $10,000,000 it has been on and off the market for several years before being sold to a private school with roots in the neighborhood.
Getting Around in Mission Dolores
The J-Church light rail line is one of the main transport options in Mission Dolores, while the #24 and #33 buses haul their fair share of commuters as well. It’s a very walkable neighborhood, not too hilly, and it’s certainly an area where living without a car is very doable.
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The Mission Dolores neighborhood, named for the earliest Spanish Mission in San Francisco, isn’t quite the Mission and it isn’t quite the Castro. It has its own unique vibe and attitude, and people love it for its central location, the sunny weather, and fantastic people watching.
Mission Dolores is defined by Dolores Park, a large park that occupies a couple of city blocks and is a popular destination. On a sunny day, you’ll find the slopes of the park hills covered with sunbathers while all of the tennis courts will be occupied with active games. Regardless of the weather, though, it is a popular spot with dog walkers, and the playground was renovated and updated a few years ago. Dolores Park is also a great spot to snap a picture of the San Francisco downtown skyline.
Mission Dolores is a very central, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that’s served by a wealth of public transit options. The neighborhood is also within a short walking distance of numerous restaurants, boutiques, nightclubs, and bars, and these days it seems to be a very popular option for the hipster set. Bi-Rite has both a grocery store and ice cream store along 18th Street, and the line for ice cream often snakes around the corner onto Dolores Street on a warm and sunny day.