SAN FRANCISCO Nostalgia Tour: Revisiting Our Family's Beginnings
Zeke and Terri overlooking Dolores Park in San Francisco, CA near their first place on Church/20th
Every city holds stories, but some hold the chapters of our lives. Our recent walk through San Francisco's Mission District and Noe Valley wasn't just about exploring neighborhoods, it was about revisiting the streets where our family story began.
Back in the late '90s, we called the corner of Church and 20th home, with Dolores Park as our front yard. Walking these streets again, we found a neighborhood that's both changed dramatically and somehow stayed exactly the same. The J-Church still rumbles past Victorian houses, and Dolores Park continues to offer one of the city's best views, even if the playground where our kids once played has been modernized.
Our search for a legendary garlic shrimp burrito led us through the Mission's evolving landscape. Valencia Street, once a row of auto repair shops, has transformed into a corridor of boutiques and restaurants. Yet between the trendy storefronts, we found glimpses of the neighborhood we knew including the same vibrant murals, the persistent aroma of fresh tortillas, and corner stores that have weathered decades of change.
The heart of our nostalgia tour was Shotwell and 18th Street, where we started our family in a brand-new condo that seemed perfectly sized for our young family's dreams. Standing there, memories flooded back: nightly walks with our first dog Katie and a new baby in the stroller up to Dolores Park, midweek climbs at Mission Cliffs with coworkers (still there!), and countless trips to neighborhood restaurants (Delfina and Foreign Cinema) and local shops (Bi-Rite).
Noe Valley, our occasional escape while living in the Mission, has maintained its village-like charm while embracing inevitable change. The stroller brigade that once dominated 24th Street has evolved, but the neighborhood's family-friendly character endures.
What struck us most was how compact these neighborhoods are. You can walk from Mission Dolores to Noe Valley in minutes, though the hills might make you question your choices. Each block holds memories: first steps, favorite cafes, impromptu picnics in Dolores Park, and the daily rhythms of young family life in the city.
For those exploring San Francisco, these neighborhoods offer more than just tourist attractions. They're living communities where you can still find the authentic pulse of the city:
Dolores Park's picture-perfect views
The Mission's incredible food scene
Noe Valley's charming shopping streets
Hidden gems like City Art Cooperative
Bi-Rite's still-amazing ice cream and grocery store
Join us as we walk through the streets that shaped our family's story and discover how San Francisco's neighborhoods continue to evolve while keeping their distinctive character.