Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
208
Continue east on 24th Street until you pass Treat Ave-
nue. Halfway down the block on your right will be:
7
Balmy Alley
In the 1980s, an ingenious gr oup of ar tists
began transforming a nondescript back
Just across the street, you'll find:
0
Discolandia
If y our kids ar e musically adv enturous,
they might appreciate a quick visit to this
well-known Latin American music stor e.
Don't be surprised if y ou find them doing
a little shake to a salsa beat (2964 24th St.;
&
415/826-9446
).
Continue east to the corner with Bryant Street:
!
Galeria de la Raza
Dedicated to fostering public appreciation
of Chicano/Latino ar t and cultur e, this
small gallery holds captivating exhibitions
and per formances. I f the galler y doesn 't
inspire the kids, they may pr efer checking
out the papier mache dolls and other
clever Latin American impor ts in the gift
shop (2857 24th St.;
&
415/826-8009
).
Now turn around and backtrack westward on 24th
Street until you reach Mission Street. Turn left and
walk one block until you reach:
@
Mission Cultural Center
This nonpr ofit organization pr omotes
Latino cultural ar ts and offers dance,
alley r unning betw een garage doors and
garden walls into an eclectic galler y of
expressive art, enhanced with lovely flower-
ing vines and plants. Your children are sure
to appr eciate the at times whimsical, at
times earnest, always pr ovocative murals.
Ask them to see if they can find any “ sym-
bols” in the murals—like a butter fly of
freedom or a third eye of wisdom. That will
keep them entertained for quite a while.
Walk to the end of Balmy Alley to:
8
Garfield Square
Among the many impr essive murals ar e
The P rimal S ea
on 26th S treet and the
1973 Diego Rivera mural with Mayan and
Aztec themes, on H arrison Street. Be sure
also to check out the brightly decorated
homes, including those acr oss the str eet
from the Rivera mural.
Walk back on Balmy Alley to 24th Street and turn right.
Cross Harrison Street and at 2981 24th St. you'll see:
9
Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center
This group is responsible for many of the
murals in the ar
7
painting, and folk-ar t classes. The mural
above the entrance, depicting A ztec gods,
dancing skeletons, and seemingly destitute
farmers, could disturb some kids. I f so,
take them quickly inside. H opefully, the
artist curr ently on exhibit in the second-
floor gallery will be more uplifting. Either
way, you've seen many ex citing things on
your tour . N ow y ou can take the kids
across the street to:
ea, and also offers ar
t
classes for childr en. Ask inside this cheer-
ful center about ne w murals in the ar ea.
The center also offers mural tours on
weekend mornings at 11am and during
the week by appointment. ( Tours are $10
adults, $8 students with ID, $5 seniors
and kids 12-16, free for kids under 12.)
Turn right out the door. A few doors down, on the
corner with Alabama St., is:
TAKE A BREAK
Cap your tour the Mission District
with a v ery Mission-style meal: a
burrito stuffed with your favorite fillings.
La
Corneta Taqueria
(p. 147) makes the best
ones in the neighborhood.
TAKE A BREAK
Dominquez Bakery
(2951 24th
St.;
&
415/821-1717
). St op
into this v ery basic, but enticing , baker y
for satisfying baked goods like
pan dulce
(sweet br ead) or
elotes,
c orn-shaped
sweet bread.
Churros
are available only on
weekends.
