The Mission ~ Kids Graffiti Walk
Stop #1: Clarion Alley
Clarion Alley @ Valencia St. ~ 12/20
Head down to Clarion Alley which stretches from Mission and Valencia Sts Between 17th and 18th Sts. This Alley has had over 700 murals since its inception in 1992. The Clarion Alley Mural Project site can match your favorite mural to the artist who created it and you can see other murals they have around the city. The mural are often reflect themes of social equality and inclusivity as well as powerful political messages.
If you would like to continue your mural tour you can walk to Balmy Alley which was the inspiration for Clarion founders. It’s about 20 minutes walking and has a treasure trove of murals and graffiti art along the way.
If you are interested in more but not today, Precita Eyes, which is a collective of Muralists does a fantastic mural tour. You can find information about them here.
Clarion St. ~ Mission District ~ 12/20
Stop #2: Mission Playground
Entrance on both 19th St. or Valencia St.
From Clarion and Valencia head to 19th St. I prefer to use the entrance on 19th between Valencia and Guerrero. The playground is very large and includes basketball and tennis courts, a small soccer field with artificial turf and a giant playground. There is also some fun play structures at the Valencia St entrance which is in the middle of the block that stretches from 19th to 20th.
There are restrooms & a multi purpose room that you can rent out for birthday parties when we are able to party again. The parking in this area can be difficult so all the better that we are on foot. We grabbed one of the few tables that are available inside the gated playground which is predominately structures over a very large sand area. Don’t forgot to dump out their shoes before you take them off. I should have this reminder tattooed on my wrist.
Bring lunch or grab a bite from one of the many incredible restaurants on the block. Souvla, Curry up now, Tacolicious are all right there as well as project juice and Rhea’s for deli sandos. We got some Acai bowls from the Bowld Acai truck that was parked down the street. Not sure if they are always stationed there but should you come across them, their bowls are the best.
Play until the SF weather pattern changes or the wheels come off the children and make sure you save a little energy for my favorite store in the mission. It’s right around the corner so if your littles tend to have a tough time leaving you can always flip these stops and head their first.
Indy ~ Mission Playground ~ 12/20
Stop #3: Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St. SF
Easily my favorite shop in San Francisco, Paxton Gate is full of curious oddities and strange beautiful objects of nature. The first time I happened upon this store over a decade ago, there was a taxidermy unicorn right inside the door and I was hooked. One step inside and the eye candy is tantalizing. Could be the science nerd in me but looking at skulls, insects, stuffed mice, gems and minerals, fossils and wild plants is equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
They have giants heads of wild taxidermy as well as a skunk. There is humor and mortality at every turn. My daughter collects rocks and I was really excited for her to see their offerings but due to Covid their hours had shifted and we weren’t able to go in this time around. Peeking in the windows wasn’t nearly as fun but certainly sparked her excitement so we will return on a weekend soon. Check their hours but this store is like walking through a museum and you can definitely find something you have never seen before. How often do you get to say that?
Stop #4: Dandelion Chocolate
740 Valencia St. SF
Watching Charlie and the Chocolate factory makes having a hot chocolate or brownie at Dandelion Chocolate the stuff dreams are made of. With a full view of the chocolate making operation which puts the fudge counter at the county fair to shame, the small area reserved for the cafe is always bustling with people enjoying their treats and looking to get a peek at the action.
From their european hot chocolate (a tub of melted chocolate trying to pass itself as a drink)… to the free marshmallows… to their single origin chocolate bars… every sip and morsel is decadent and dreamy. I will admit, it is an elevated sugar high experience, so choose wisely and don’t let the kids go overboard or a tummy ache is likely to follow. They don’t add anything to their cocoa nibs except sugar so the flavor is mature, dynamic and intense.
The other fun thing about this company is that the owner was in tech and sold his start-up for somewhere in the 150-200 million range. He traveled for a year and found his passion working in a chocolate factory in France. Thus Dandelion was born like a start-up with a the idea of making the best chocolate around from the cleanest and ethically sourced beans without all the add ins. Well done Sir. One for the books.
At this point we ended our day but should you still have the energy there are so many unique local stores along Valencia between 16th and 23rd Sts. Here’s a list of some of our favorite for those with a meandering spirit:
Therapy ~ Great for gifts, jewelry and clothing ~ Btwn 16th and 17th
Harringtons ~ New and Vintage Furniture ~ @ 17th St
BetaBrand ~ An interactive clothing and design shop ~ Btwn 18th and 19th
The Scarlet Sage ~ Herbal and Natural Medicine Shop (think potions not weed) ~ Btwn 22nd and 23rd
City Art Cooperative Gallery ~ Buy a unique piece of art from a local collective ~ two doors down from Paxton Gate
