Part of the Western Addition, a vast section of the City west of Van Ness Avenue that was annexed in 1851. Much of it was sand dunes and was noted as "The Great Sand Waste" on early maps.

The urban renaissance continues in this area of mixed-use buildings and demographics.

The freeway that separated this neighborhood from the opera, ballet, and theatre-going crowd, was torn down and provided new access and a very colorful mix of people, restaurants and small business.
Alcove of house in far right of photo to the right showing careful restoration in progress.
Eastlake rowhouses on the south side of Hayes looking East above Buchanan
There is a feeling of pride throughout this neighborhood. You see people sweeping, painting, caring, whether it is a home owner or what is more likely a renter in one of the subsidized townhomes that are dotted throughout this area.
Ground-floor cafe on the east side of Buchanan in a beautifully maintained building topped with an oval-windowed Baroque dome