San Francisco Neighborhoods: Fillmore

• Location: Fillmore Street between Post and Jackson west of downtown, driving directions below
• How Long: Allow an hour for a brief stroll and up to half a day if you like to shop or people-watch
• Best Time to Visit: More fun after the shops open in mid-morning and livelier in the early evening.

If you like to visit neighborhoods that have more local than tourist flavor, consider spending some time on San Francisco's Fillmore Street. The street has a quiet, neighborhood feel and plenty of coffee shops and bakeries perfect for relaxing and people-watching.

One of the city's vibrant shopping streets, the Fillmore has a rich history. Young people who grew up on Fillmore Street include violinists Yehudi Menuhin and Issac Stern, poet Maya Angelou, and comedian Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny. During the 40's, 50's, and 60's the Fillmore was one of the world's leading jazz centers.

Exploring

Exploring the Fillmore means window-shopping. Shopping here is a leisurely activity - many stores don't open until 11 AM, some are closed on Mondays and most are closed on holidays. You'll find a few chain stores, but also a large number of locally-owned boutiques offering home furnishings, clothing and gift items. Several vintage clothing shops and upscale thrift shops offer bargain-hunting opportunities. One of shoppers' long-standing favorites here is Mrs. Dewson's Hats (2050 Fillmore) providing fashionable hats to many San Franciscans, including former Mayor Willie Brown.

Eats

You'll find plenty of places to eat on Fillmore Street, and one of the easiest ways to pick one is to walk around checking menus and seeing what's popular.

Entertainment

Clay Theatre (2261 Fillmore) shows art and independent films.

The Fillmore Auditorium (1805 Geary St.) has been the site of concerts and shows in San Franciscans for almost a century.

Events on Fillmore Street

Every Fourth of July, Fillmore Street is the site of one of the city's most vibrant jazz and arts festivals. The area also hosts a Holiday Village and Jazz Festival in late December.

Getting to Fillmore Street

To get to Fillmore by car, take Geary Blvd. west across Van Ness and turn right onto Fillmore (just after you pass the Japantown tower).

Like everywhere in San Francisco, parking is scarce in the Fillmore area. Streetside parking meters are seldom open and you can count on a parking ticket if you forget to feed them. Try the Pacific Medical Center garage on Webster between Clay and Sacramento or the Japantown Center lot at Fillmore and Geary.