McAllister St, Civic Center

I was visiting a friend yesterday during the day (a weekday) and I accidentally took up 2 parking spaces. To be honest, my car is rather large so unless you had a SMART car or Mini, it probably wouldn't have fit.

After visiting for about 3 hours, I returned to my car to find a note on the windshield that said,"Hey Jerkoff, Why are you taking up 2 parking spots? Good way to get your car keyed!!" - While I appreciate the "warning" I feel like that could have been said a bit nicer.

Aside from the grumpy neighbors, whoever left the note had a point. The parking is super tight. It's extremely beautiful with all old Victorian homes in beautiful pastel colors and is one block from the famous Alamo Square park. So I can see why they got a little grumpy, but they should have known I didn't live there and was just visiting. Cut the visitors a break.

I've lived here for almost 10 years and the transformation has been tremendous. While it used to be known more as a "rough around the edges" 'hood, bordering "Western Addition," (despite its proximity to the historic Alamo Square), it's now surfing the "NOPA" wave. What a little rebranding can do for a neighborhood!

Now, Divisadero at the McAllister cross, heading south to about Oak, has become one of San Francisco's hippest neighborhoods, sprinkled with quirky store fronts, fine cuisine, health food grocery and cool coffee shops. (Even an EXCELLENT Pilates boutique called Studio Evolve on Lyon) And of course, there's no shortage of visual delights with breathtaking Victorian buildings featuring their intricate facades and unique color palates surrounding the park, including the most famous of them all--the Painted Ladies.

I feel blessed to call this pocket of town my home!

McAllister Street on the Downtown, near Market Street, side feels very “governmental” I’d say because City Hall is on McAllister Street, so is the Supreme Court of California and several federal buildings. Civic Center Plaza is also located on this street. The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and San Francisco Public library are located near here as well. There are many things to look forward to seeing (for tourists and residents of San Francisco). The Asian Art Museum is also on the street, which Asians and just about anyone interested in artifacts, art, etc should visit. As you head away from Market Street it is just mostly houses and near Golden Gate Park on McAllister is San Francisco State University.

I used to rent a converted garage on this street while I attended the University of San Francisco. Right behind Koret health Center and adjacent to St. Ignatius Church. I remember that it was typically quiet except when they had soccer games at Koret. I also remember the Laundry place on Stanyan, French Quarter, I think and the Greek/Middle Eastern Deli on the corner. Fulton 5 is a block away and so is the Golden Gate Park.

This street is very well connected to everything.All that cannot be find is silence. This is always a busy street and better place for urban living culture. Full of entertainment,crowd and all sort of food restaurants available near on this street. Very close to offices, schools and night life here is awesome. I suggest to have a look at this street for having an easy accessibility to fun and better living.

Mcallister St. extends far into the west of San Francisco, but there is only really one thing to do on it besides drive on it, and that is to visit the Indigo Restaurant. This is a great place to eat with recently updated furnishings, but this doesn't make up for the lack of things to do. If you find yourself on this street sometime when you are hungry, I definitely recommend that you visit the Indigo Restaurant. Otherwise, McAllister St. is nothing but a long stretch of office buildings.

United Nations Plaza is a beautiful area that is very unique. It is technically not a street as it really is just a plaza. Like the name suggests, it holds the UN building in San Francisco. However, the UN Plaza is more than just home to the UN, it is home to one of the best farmer markets in San Francisco. Every week, a farmer’s market is set up with food ranging from organic rotisserie chicken to organic salads. The food is delicious and even though I work across the street, I never get bored of the food there. The United Nations Plaza is conveniently located across the street from Civic Center BART and MUNI station so public transportation is ample. Market Street is busy and bustling all the time. City Hall is walking distance with a beautiful scenic view through the City Hall Park.