Welcome to the Excelsior District | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Welcome to the Excelsior District

Fun Fact: Princess Diaries famous house was filmed in Excelsior

165
Welcome to the Excelsior District

San Francisco is mainly known for all the tourist attractions in the Financial, Richmond, and Mission districts. Each district has its own unique environment, but are all very common for its welcoming attitude. In San Francisco communties are divided by districts and each and every one of them has its own history. One specific district that not a lot of people talk or hear about is Excelsior, my beautiful hometown.

Excelsior District is located outside of the Mission District and in between Ingleside and Hunter's Point. If you are not from San Francisco or currently living in the city, but still have no idea where I am talking about here is a pretty little map for your convenience.


SF DistrictsPinterest

In its earliest days Excelsior was predominantly Italian, Swiss, and Irish. Around the 80's Excelsior became predominantly Latino, and Filipino. Just like the Mission, Ingleside, Bernal Heights, Ocean View and Visicitation Valley are considered the most ethnically diverse districts in San Francisco.

As some of you may know, San Francisco streets are named after San Francisco mayors, representatives, celebrities, and historical figures. Excelsior on the other hand its streets are named after European cities. If you have been on the 14 going towards Excelsior, you will notice a beautiful bridge before entering the district with the names of each street. Crossing that bridge will make one feel like they are entering a new world and a vibe that San Francisco does not neccessarily emits.


Excelsior BridgeMax Debel


So what are some attractions in Excelsior?

Once you enter the district you will see a bunch of restaurants of different cultures such as Salvadorean, Mexican, Chinese, Filipino, Thailanese, and more. And the best part is that everything is within walking distance, I mean how great is that? These restaurants have been in business for a very long time. Before I was even born. Plus, the food they serve is extremely delicious and authentic that you will not get from a lot of restaurants.

Let's name some shall we.

Henry Hunan's Restaurant

Excelsior Action Group

This is the best Chinese restaurant in Excelsior. It is owned by a very welcoming and beautiful couple who is constantly checking to see if the food is okay, if there is more that they can do, or asking if the accomodations are alright. Pricing is great and the vibe one receives after walking in is so relaxing. 10/10 Recommend.

Taqueria Guadalajara 

SF Weekly

OH.MY.GOD. As we all know the Mission District has some of the best taquerias ever, but this one right here is amazing as well. Just by walking down the street one can smell the carne asada. This restaurant is busy all the time, I do not remember a time where they had a slow day. Yes it is that good.

Restaurante Familiar 

Yelp

BEST SALVADORAN FOOD EVER. I have been going to this restaurant since I was a baby; basically family with the owners. The service is very nice and welcoming, but the wait for the food to arrive feels like a lifetime. Typically the wait would be around twenty to thirty minutes. On the bright side, once the food comes you will forget how long the wait was. Every dish is cooked just right.

Now that is just a few out of many restaurants in Excelsior where you will not regret going. Although the thought of coming here for the good food sounds tempting it is not the only thing that makes this district unique.Excelsior is filled with both big and tiny parks where families or group of friends can play on the swings or compete in the soccer fields.

There are three main parks: Excelsior Park, John Mclaren Park, and Crocker Park.


Crocker Park


John Mclaren Park


Excelsior Park


Excelsior Park is mainly known for bringing your younger sibilings after school or elementary baseball games. The park itself is very secluded, you will not find it unless you drive around the neighborhood. Unlike Crocker and John Mclaren where it is out in the open. Both of these parks are connected, but each with a different purpose. Crocker is famously known for its soccer fields and homemade pupusas. John Mclaren is known for the dogpark and long steep hikes, but it is so big that driving is a neccessity. People out of Excelsior always come to these parks to meet and hang out with friends, families, or walk their dogs.

Now that you have a sense of what Excelsior District is like take in consideration this is a district that has been untouched. Excelsior has and will remain that way because we want to maintain that uniqueness and feeling of family.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178497
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

5714
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451469
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22723
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments