Cheap Car Rentals from Super Cheap Car Rental

If you're looking to get a little funky during your trip to San Francisco, be sure to check out the very groovy intersection of Haight and Ashbury! The Haight-Ashbury district (now commonly referred to as the Upper Haight) was the place to be during the age of flower power - the 1960's. Considered by many to be the center of "hippiedom", the Haight-Ashbury district boasts a rich history and plenty of culture so don't forge to add this far-out location to your San Francisco travel map! Visitors and local residents alike agree: the Haight-Ashbury will always be cool, so be sure to check it out in your upcoming Super Cheap car rental!

Early Haight-Ashbury History

The Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco has always been a place of life and prosperity. Back in the early 1900's, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was one of the fortunate areas spared from complete and utter disaster after the San Francisco Earthquake of 1905. Elaborately detailed and decorated 19th century homes can still be found throughout the district, while a select few multi-story wooden homes have been renovated and preserved. During the hippie craze of the 1960's these Victorian properties attraction hundreds of free-spirits, thanks to cheap rent and spacious interiors. It wasn't long before a bohemian subculture began to flourish in the area, creating one of the most controversial and complex neighborhoods in history!

Far-Out Flower Power!

The Haight-Ashbury district is a standout location on the San Francisco travel map for a variety of psychedelic reasons, especially in the area of music. The Haight-Ashbury district attracted all sorts of artists and musicians during the 1960s, including some famous names like Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. These psychedelic rock performers took much of their inspiration from the Haight-Ashbury hippie scene, creating songs that spoke to an entire generation. The Haight-Ashbury was also immortalized in the Scott Mackenzie song "San Francisco" which included lyrics like "In the streets of San Francisco / Gentle people with flowers in their hair" and "If you come to San Francisco / Summertime will be a love-in there".

San Francisco Travel - The Haight-Ashbury of Today

Although the Haight-Ashbury district has lost most of its hippiedom status, it still stands as a haven of alternative lifestyles. Mainstream has mixed with independent retail as more and more international businesses have begun to buy up real estate in the area. Thankfully, there are still a few great independent clothing, smoke and record stores in the area including one of San Francisco's largest music retailers, Amoeba Music. The area is also famous for unique eateries, and anarchist book stores, so be sure to take a moment and window shop during your trip. Both commercial business area and residential property are in high demand these days, thanks to the districts favorable location in between Buena Vista Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, so expect to see the odd Gap or Starbucks, but all in all, the Haight-Ashbury district still boats a far-out attitude!

The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair

If you're interested in learning more about the hippie culture of the 1960's, Super Cheap Car Rental suggests adding the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair festival to your San Francisco travel list! This annual celebration is held every June featuring great alternative music, amazing public art displays and plenty of great food. The Fair stretched along Haight all the way to Stanyan Street, with two main entertainment stages located at each end. The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair festival is sure to bring out the flower child in anyone, so grab that tie-dyed t-shirt and get ready to rock out one last time! Over 100,000 people flock to this festival each year so be sure to reserve your San Francisco travel hotel room and Super Cheap car rental well ahead of time!