Where is the Grateful Dead house?

The famous Victorian house where the Grateful Dead lived in the 60s is located at 710 Ashbury Street. It is a private residence, so please respect the owners' privacy from the sidewalk.

What was the Summer of Love?

The Summer of Love was a social phenomenon in 1967 when as many as 100,000 people, mostly young 'hippies,' converged in Haight-Ashbury. It was a defining moment for 1960s counterculture, emphasizing peace, love, and anti-war sentiment.

Is Haight-Ashbury safe to visit?

Generally, yes, especially during the day when the streets are bustling with tourists and shoppers. Like any urban area, it's best to stay aware of your surroundings. The area can be grittier than other tourist spots, retaining some of its counterculture edge.

What is the best time to visit?

Late morning to afternoon is ideal. Shops typically open around 11:00 AM. The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair usually takes place on the second Sunday of June.

Why are there so many Victorian houses?

Haight-Ashbury was one of the few neighborhoods spared from the fires following the 1906 earthquake. This preservation allowed it to retain the highest concentration of Victorian homes in the city.

Haight-Ashbury: The Heart of the Counterculture

Haight-Ashbury

Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll in San Francisco's most colorful neighborhood.

Plan Your Visit The Summer of Love

1967 Summer of Love

94117 Zip Code

100+ Vintage Shops

#1 Victorian Enclave

The Hippie Capital of the World

Before it was the epicenter of a cultural revolution, "The Haight" was a quiet upper-middle-class neighborhood. But in the mid-1960s, low rent and large Victorian houses attracted a new wave of bohemians, artists, and musicians.

By 1967, the Summer of Love attracted nearly 100,000 young people from across America. They came seeking a utopia of music, drugs, and free love. Legends like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Grateful Dead all lived within a few blocks of the famous intersection.

Although the "Summer" ended, the neighborhood remains a living monument to counterculture, maintaining its rebellious spirit and vibrant aesthetics.

The neighborhood survived the 1906 fires, preserving these "Painted Ladies."

Bohemian Boulevard

What to do on Haight Street today.

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Vintage Shopping

The strip is famous for high-end vintage and costume shops.

• Wasteland (Designer resale)
• Buffalo Exchange
• Decades of Fashion

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Music History

Walk the steps of rock legends.

• Grateful Dead House (710 Ashbury)
• Jimi Hendrix's Apt (1524 Haight)
• Amoeba Music (End of the street)

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Vibe Check

Experience the local atmosphere.

• Coffee at The Red Victorian
• People watching at "The Corner"
• Murals and Street Art

Frequently Asked Questions

Uncover the secrets of the Haight.

Where did the Grateful Dead live?

The Grateful Dead house is located at 710 Ashbury Street. They lived there from 1966 to 1968. It was raided by police in October 1967. It remains a private residence today, but fans frequently stop by for photos.

Who were the "Diggers"?

The Diggers were a radical community-action group based in Haight-Ashbury. They opened "Free Stores" where everything was free, served free food daily in the Panhandle, and organized free concerts. They were crucial to sustaining the influx of youth during the Summer of Love.

Is it safe to visit?

Haight-Ashbury is generally safe for tourists, especially during the day when shops are open. It retains some grit and you will likely see transient youth (sometimes called "gutter punks") with dogs near the park entrance, a tradition that dates back decades. Standard city precautions apply.

What happened to the "Summer of Love"?

It technically ended with a mock funeral. In October 1967, community activists staged a funeral for "The Hippie," burning symbols of the counterculture to signal that the media hype had ruined the movement. Many original residents moved away as the neighborhood became overcrowded and dangerous, but the spirit eventually stabilized into the eclectic mix seen today.

Who are Haight and Ashbury named after?

The streets were named long before the hippies arrived. Henry Haight was an early San Francisco banker and exchange dealer (uncle to a California governor). Munroe Ashbury was a city supervisor in the 1860s. Neither of them could have predicted their names would become synonymous with psychedelia!

Where is Janis Joplin's apartment?

Janis Joplin lived at 112 Lyon Street (in the Haight) and later at 635 Ashbury. Like the Dead house, these are private homes.