Now: Balboa Street has some beloved neighborhood establishments, and the east section is a little bit of a Russian enclave. Walk through and see how many Russian-flavored places you can spot. Balboa is the northern counterpart to Irving Street, the commercial area closest to Golden Gate Park.
Then: The Balboa Theater at 38th Avenue was opened in 1926.
How To Get There: The 31-line Muni bus follows a straight path here from Turk Street at Market, but it's a long ride. Parking is difficult along Balboa Street itself, and the immediate side streets. It is two blocks north of Golden Gate Park, so it's an easy walking detour from there, especially if you're driving and have parked on Fulton near the east end of the park.
Looking west on Balboa Street, from 2nd Avenue
Balboa Street and 6th Avenue
Kent Cleaners, at 3rd Avenue and Balboa Street
Javaholics Coffee House, on Balboa at 6th Avenue
Frankenart Mart, on Balboa Street at 6th Avenue
The Richmond restaurant and wine bar, on Balboa Street at 7th Avenue
Namu Asian-inspired California Cuisine, on Balboa near 6th Avenue
Katia's Russian Tea Room, on 5th Avenue at Balboa
O'Keefe's, on 5th at Balboa
Thai Noodle Jump, on Balboa near 7th Avenue
Unidentified establishment at 6th Avenue and Balboa
Balboa Sushi, at 5th Avenue
Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe, on Balboa at 5th Avenue
Globus Russian Bookstore, on Balboa at 5th Avenue
Window display at Globus Bookstore
Lucky Ocean Aquarium, on Balboa at 2nd Avenue
Drink Liquor, on 2nd Avenue at Balboa
Rossi Playground and Pool, at Arguello Boulevard and Anza Street, just off of Balboa
Baseball field at Rossi Playground
Field in Rossi Playground
Better Food Market, on Balboa near 32nd Avenue
Barking Lot pet groomers, on Balboa near 33rd Avenue
Kwok Hong Chinese Herbs, on Balboa at 34th Avenue
Jook Time Dim Sum, on Balboa at 35th Avenue
Occasional Glass, on Balboa at 35th Avenue
Chino's Taqueria, on Balboa at 35th Avenue
Sweet House, on Balboa at 36th Avenue
Le Bread, on Balboa at 36th Avenue
Zephyr Cafe, on Balboa at 37th Avenue
Nibs Bakery, on Balboa near 38th Avenue
Superior Palace Seafood, on Balboa at 37th Avenue
The Balboa Theater, on Balboa Street at 37th Avenue
Balboa Teriyaki, on Balboa near 37th Avenue
Americana Grill, on Balboa near 37th Avenue
Crown Hardware, on Balboa Street near 38th Avenue
Balboa Street between 37th and 38th Avenue
Happy Dragon Chinese Restaurant, on Balboa near 38th Avenue
Kam's Chinese Restaurant, on Balboa near 38th Avenue
Comment about Richmond/Balboa Street here: