This is intended to be a Grateful Dead themed cache,
situated at the edge of San Francisco’s famous Haight-Ashbury district.The decade of the 1960's is a unique era in American history. Young people no longer followed the teachings of their elders, but rejected them and created a unique culture of their own. This new culture was so radical, that it's members were given a special name which is still used today; they were called Hippies. The Hippie movement started in San Francisco and quickly spread across the United States, through Canada, and into parts of Europe, but it had its greatest influence in America. Hippies came from many different backgrounds, but they were united by their rejection of traditional values. In this era, “under 25” became a magical age, where all things seemed possible. Hippies flocked to a certain area of San Francisco, centered near the corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets, where the world got their first view of this unique group. This place has since been known as the Haight-Ashbury district. The Hippies were so different, that the conservative middle-class could not relate to or understand them at all; they were viewed as aliens. There were tours of the district and it was called "the only foreign tour within the continental United States.”
The Haight-Ashbury district lies in the very center of San Francisco. In the years of 1965-1966 the Hippies completely took over Haight-Ashbury and spread their psychedelic theme throughout the whole area. Golden Gate and Buena Vista parks hosted dozens of counter-culture events, including free concerts by The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, and anti-war rallies held by Hippie political leaders like Abbie Hoffman. Before LSD became illegal in late 1966, pharmacies up and down Haight Street sold the ‘miracle drug’ over the counter.
The psychedelic jam-band Grateful Dead gave voice to this radical movement, and they often held impromptu free concerts in the street, illegally closing off this part of Haight Street with their musical magic. The Dead lived in Haight-Ashbury (710 Ashbury) for years, along with Jefferson Airplane (2400 Fulton,) Janis Joplin (112 Lyon,) Allen Ginsberg (1360 Fell) among others. I encourage you to visit this nearby ‘electric’ neighborhood.
I cannot emphasise stealth enough. This is a very busy urban area, so please be prepared to protect the cache by aborting your mission if you are faced with stubborn muggles. Climbing is not a problem here, but parking is. BEWARE, the meter maids are ruthless and quick as bunnies. This is actually a cache you can easily do on foot, or just tell the cab driver to wait…
