Third Place – Bazaar Cafe

Located on California Street between 21st and 22nd Avenues, Bazaar Cafe is an unofficial “gathering place” for the residents of the Richmond District.

Though small inside, the cafe offers an outdoor garden, complete with benches, tables, and interesting sculptures. People of all ages and backgrounds can be seen relaxing around the establishment at different times of day.

Bazaar Cafe is inviting at first glance, with the staple green awning and black-and-white checkered tiles bordering the external walls. Inside, the cafe is filled with wooden chairs and tables, stools at the counter, and neutral green walls. A stained glass sign hangs in the middle of the cafe, displaying a coffee cup and people playing guitars.

Aside from the basic cafe snacks (such as sandwiches, salads, pastries, baked goods), Bazaar Cafe offers mouth-watering dishes including curry and teriyaki. They also have an extensive drink menu, which includes various coffee drinks and teas.

Active in the community, Bazaar Cafe has an ever-changing calendar of events. Throughout the month, there are various musical acts, open mic nights, puzzle nights, and comedy showcases. On any given night, something is going on and a diverse audience is there to enjoy and participate.

Bazaar Cafe is located at 5927 California Street and is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. To find out more, go to http://www.bazaarcafe.com/ or call (415) 831-5620.

First Impressions

I have never spent too much time in the Richmond District, save for the Presidio and Ocean Beach. I’ve always found it to be quiet and relaxed compared to much of the city. Bordered by Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, The Presidio, and Lincoln Park, I somewhat see the district as a place for nature-lovers.

Within the actual borders of the neighborhood, you can find a huge and diverse array of restaurants and shops and people. The Richmond District truly showcases the diversity that San Francisco is known for.

In the actual borders of the district, the parks and beach are full of people from all over. Many people from all over the city take their morning runs through Crissy Field in the Presidio or down Ocean Beach (on a rare warm day, of course). Also in the Presidio, you can find tourists of all backgrounds and ages exploring the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Park is filled with people from all backgrounds enjoying the nature, visiting the museums, and almost any other activity you can imagine. Lincoln Park is home to the Sutro Baths, ruins worth exploring to locals and tourists alike.

Needless to say, I’ve spent most of my time in the bordering parks and beach of Richmond District than within the district itself. The neighborhood is known for being quiet and relatively safe for people, even late at night.

With such a diverse range of people from all over the city, and even all over the world, the Richmond District is truly a gem of San Francisco. If the diversity of the people doesn’t draw you in, the multitude of shops and restaurants will.

“It’s amazing living in this city…there’s so much going on. Even in this small, homey, quiet area. It’s a nice break from the hectic downtown areas,” said Matthew Espinosa, Richmond District frequenter.

As for shopping, you can find anything from clothing to used books to home goods and much more. For food, you can find anything you’re in the mood for in the Richmond. Mexican, Indian, American, Chinese, the list could stretch for pages.

After exploring the neighborhood a bit more than I had previously, I found it to be incredibly charming and exciting. Though it is quiet, there’s so much going on in all of the different attractions. The people are friendly, the food is good, the weather is decent, the nature is present, and the shopping is abundant. What more could you want from a place?

“I grew up here…lived here for over 20 years. It’s quiet, but it’s home. There’s really no place like it,” said Jaren Wilkinson, previous Richmond District resident.

Children, young adults, adolescents, and older adults can all find something to do and love in the Richmond District. If for some reason shopping and eating aren’t really your style, head right over to one of the many parks and museums or even the beach.

Maybe this is exaggerating, but the amount of things to do in the Richmond District is so plentiful, a resident could almost never leave and still have everything he/she could ever want in a home. There is truly nothing missing from this beautiful corner of San Francisco.