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This leafy, picturesque cemetery is a gently contemplative place. Many of San Francisco’s early leaders are buried here. Central to the space is a life-size sculpture of Father Junipero Serra.

The central building still retains the original redwood beams, lashed together with rawhide. The amber-colored window glass gives the interior warmth, reflected off gold-leafed fixtures.

The hand-carved, gilded and painted wooden reredos and side altars were brought from Mexico in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

The imaginative painted ceiling design derives from Ohlone basketry.

Just outside the chapel is a diorama showing what life was like at the mission 200 years ago. A small museum at the back of the chapel contains documents that pertain to the mission’s history.

The modest white façade of the chapel is typical of the Mission Style. Its four columns support niches for three bronze bells, which are inscribed with their names and dates. They were added to the mission in the late 18th century.

These images along the front of each of two side balconies in the basilica detail the seven moments when Mary was overcome with sorrow.

At the rear of the basilica, jewel-like stained-glass windows depict scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, revolutionary patron saint of San Francisco. The lower side windows depict the 21 California Missions.

Undulating like a rollercoaster, this is one of the loveliest streets in San Francisco. Palm trees grace its center all the way along.

One of the few large green spaces in the Mission District, this park is situated high on a hill and affords excellent views of the city. It was originally the site of San Francisco’s main Jewish cemetery, but was transformed in 1905.