Haight Ashbury Resources:
Brief History of the Haight:
The Haight will probably always be known for its famous psychedelic era and for the Summer of Love. But before the throngs of kids rolled off buses in 1967, Haight Ashbury was primarily a middle class neighborhood, surviving the tumult of economic booms and busts.
Cheap rents and vacant Victorians -- from post-war decline -- drew hippies and artists in the 60s. When runaway teens followed the movement west, the character of the neighborhood changed yet again.
An important icon from the Summer of Love remains: Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, set up in 1967 to provide medical care for those with little or no means.
Haight Ashbury Today:
The Haight today retains some of its grunge. But, like all neighborhoods in San Francisco, faces the push and pull of gentrification, an always controversial proposition in San Francisco.
You'll find vintage shops and populist zones like the Peace Cafe at the Red Vic -- a venue for peace-inspired talks and events. Amoeba Records and the Magnolia and Toronado (brew pubs) are examples of the independent commerce which anchors the Haight with San Francisco roots.
In an around the funky elements, you'll find renovated Victorians (throughout the Haight and Cole Valley) which can now fetch millions of dollars.
Haight People:
The Haight can seem very young and twenty-something when you're spinning through on a weekend. But the area is a decent mix of youth culture, families and professional singles and couples.
The sleepier enclave of Cole Valley, adjacent to the Haight and just a few blocks from the famous Rainbow Mural, embodies a different temperament altogether. It's a bit more sedate and tends to bring in the crowd that enjoys its bistros, restaurants and charming coffee stops.
Haight Ashbury Character:
The Haight and Cole Valley can keep an architecture buff busy for weeks. Strolling on any street will take you past stunning Victorians in all styles.
Haight Street itself (Upper Haight) is a center of activity. But move just a few blocks in any direction and you'll encounter an almost bucolic serenity of tree-lined streets.
To the east is the Lower Haight, known for being more sketchy. It's also a diverse demographic mix, with housing in the area traditionally more affordable.
For specific information on neighborhood safety, the SFPD has an interactive Crime Map where you can search by zip code.
Demographics (94117):
- Population: 38,738
- Median Age: 32.3
- Largest Age Group: 25 to 34 years - 37.4%
- Families: 8.6%
- With Children Under 18: 8.6%
- With Individuals 65 Years and Over: 10.0%
- Non-Family: 74.3%
- Average Family Size: 2.65
Housing in the Haight (94117):
- Median Housing Price: $ 1,096,337
- Average Price Per Square Foot: $492
SF Chronicle List of Real Estate Brokers - Sample Rents: $1200 (studio) to $2500 (2-Bedroom)
Craig's List is the best resource for rentals - Owner-Occupied Units: 23.4% *
- Renter-Occupied Units: 76.6% *
Sources: Trulia, *US Census