Mural madness in the Mission

Those in the know say there are more than 600 murals across San Francisco—and I bet the Mission tops any murals-per-mile record around. New murals pop all the time, like magic when the fog lifts. And for those that are fading, a group of artists is dedicated to restoring them.

The murals in the Haight and the Mission in particular reflect the rich cultural and ethnic heritage of those neighborhoods. You can see the most – and some of the best – murals in the Mission, within an eight-block walk that starts at the 24^th St Bart station and includes the Balmy, Lucky, and Horace alleys. Intensely colorful, whimsical, and often political, the murals bring to life the struggles and joys of the Latino population that has called this neighborhood home.

To see the Mission murals, your best bet is to start at Precita Eyes Cultural Center. For five dollars, you can pick up a map for your own walking tour. Or better yet, join one of their walking or bike tours and learn about the artists and the history of each mural. In addition to helping people discover the treasures on the walls, garage doors, and along the fences of the Mission’s streets and alleys, Precita Eyes provides a community for artists, offers art classes for children and adults, and is a great place to find unique gifts.