Back in the ’60s, San Fransisco, California was the heart of the peace and love movement known as hippie culture. Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and the Grateful Dead called the city their home and they turned the neighborhood into the acid-fueled artistic place it is today. More than half a century later, you can still experience the hippie culture of San Francisco while visiting these places.
Haight-Ashbury
Although there aren’t many up-and-coming artists and psychedelic explorers like there were back in the ’60s, the neighborhood still has quirky shops and places that relive the hippie movement. The Haigh-Ashbury flower power walking tour gives the history of rock ‘n ‘roll as well as the art, fashion, and Victorian architecture of the era. Check out Jammin’ on Haight boutique for psychedelic decor and tie-dye clothes.
Hotel Zeppelin
This love themed hotel located in Nob Hill has throwback decor with lava lamps, vintage prints, and a “Ban the Bomb” sign in the lobby. The rooms come with record players and the bathrooms have psychedelic wallpaper with an alphabetical list of San Francisco’s best bands.
Hippie Hill
Transport back to the Summer of Love at Hippie Hill. Although you won’t find Janis Joplin or the Grateful Dead jamming out at the park, you’ll see people holding drum circles and ceremonies, local artists selling their products, and people just enjoying the vibes.
Amoeba Records
The world’s largest independent record store opened in a former bowling alley in 1997 and since then, it’s been a staple of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. You’ll find a huge collection of CDs, cassettes, vintage records, and this store that pays tribute to the famous and lesser-known bands from the 60s. You can even watch a performance from an up-and-coming band while browsing the store.