Take a Self-Guided Tour of San Francisco Rock n’ Roll History

in Music News by

INTERACTIVE MAP

Welcome to the San Francisco Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour! In this tour, we’ll be visiting some of the iconic spots in the city that have been made famous by rock ‘n’ roll musicians. Let’s get started:

  1. The Fillmore: This legendary music venue has hosted some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll history, including The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. Catch a concert here to experience the spirit of the ’60s and ’70s.
  2. Haight-Ashbury: This neighborhood was the epicenter of the hippie movement in the 1960s and played host to many famous musicians, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin. Take a stroll down the street to see some of the historic landmarks, like the Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast and the Psychedelic Shop.
  3. The Warfield: Another historic music venue, The Warfield has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to Nirvana to Pearl Jam. Catch a concert here to see some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll today.
  4. Golden Gate Park: This massive park has been the site of many famous rock concerts, including the 1967 Human Be-In that featured performances by the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Check out the De Young Museum or the Japanese Tea Garden while you’re there.
  5. The Great American Music Hall: This intimate venue has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Patti Smith, The Ramones, and Tom Waits. Catch a show here for a truly unique experience.
  6. 1524 A Haight St. – The Jimi Hendrix House
    The Jimi Hendrix House at 1524A Haight St. holds historical significance as the former residence of the iconic guitarist during the height of the 1960s counterculture movement. Today, it stands as a landmark honoring Hendrix’s legacy and his influence on music and culture.
  7. The Red Vic Bed & Breakfast is a historic hotel in San Francisco that was once a hub for musicians and artists. It has hosted famous musicians like David Crosby and Graham Nash, and is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a unique rock ‘n’ roll experience.
  8. The Buena Vista Café is a historic bar in San Francisco that was frequented by rock ‘n’ roll stars like Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead. It is famous for its Irish coffee, which was first introduced to the United States at this very bar.
  9. 2400 Fulton Street: This was the home of The Grateful Dead in the 1960s and was known as the “Dead House.” Fans can take a walk by to see where the band lived and wrote some of their most famous songs.
  10. Hyde Street Studios is a historic recording studio in San Francisco that has been used by some of the biggest names in music, including Santana, The Grateful Dead, and Journey. Take a tour of the studio to see where some of the most iconic rock ‘n’ roll songs were recorded.
  11. City Lights Bookstore: This iconic bookstore was a hub for the Beat Generation in the 1950s and ’60s, and was frequented by famous musicians like Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg. Check out the Beat poetry section while you’re there.
  12. The Red Room at The Clift Hotel: This is where The Rolling Stones famously wrote the song “Satisfaction” in 1965. The hotel still stands today and the Red Room is open for guests to check out.
  13. The War Memorial Opera House: This stunning venue has hosted many famous rock concerts, including The Who’s 1971 performance of “Tommy.” Catch a show here to experience the grandeur of one of San Francisco’s most beautiful buildings.
  14. The Grateful Dead House Our final stop is the house on 710 Ashbury Street that was once home to members of The Grateful Dead. The house was the site of many famous parties and jam sessions, and is still a popular spot for tourists today. While you can’t go inside the house, it’s still worth a visit to see the exterior and soak up some of the rock ‘n’ roll history.

There you have it, the San Francisco Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour! Make sure to grab some vinyl records at Amoeba Music or Vintage Synthesizers if you’re a fan of classic rock.

Having released albums under Digital Nations, a label founded by Steve Vai, music critic Louis Raphael has remained deeply connected to the pulse of the San Francisco music scene. Following his tenure as the San Francisco Music Examiner for Examiner.com and AXS.com, he embarked on creating Music in SF® to authentically highlight the vibrant offerings of the city's music scene.

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