The district is rich in jazz history, dating back to the 1940s and ‘50s when Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Charlie Parker played at venues in the “Harlem of the West.” Other than catching a show at the Fillmore, the best way to explore the neighborhood is by foot.
There is a lot of metered and free street parking available, but pay attention to posted signs about prohibited parking during street cleaning or other times.
Do not leave valuables in your car, even during the daytime.
The Fillmore is an all-ages venue; tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster or in person at the box office.
You can get to the Fillmore via public transportation, on city buses 22, 38, 5, or 31.
Most shows at the Fillmore take place in the evening. The Fillmore Jazz Festival takes over the neighborhood every summer, and is one of the largest jazz festivals on the west coast. Every April, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in adjacent Japantown is one of the city’s favorite events.
North of Geary Boulevard, Fillmore Street runs through Pacific Heights north to the Marina District. The blocks between Post and Jackson are home to stylish boutiques and upscale eateries, where locals flock on evenings and weekends for shopping, date nights, and movies at the AMC Kabuki 8.
