California landmark No. 327, but first for San Francisco, Mission Dolores is an impressive sight indeed. Though not grand in size, it nonetheless stands tall: 114' long x 22' wide.

This petite church, located at 320 Dolores Street, is the oldest intact structure in the city, withstanding the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and over 240 years since its founding. Every year, the parish welcomes thousands of new visitors. Gaze upon frescoes, original adobe walls and tiles, and inside its museum -- artifacts and manuscripts. It's spiritual, historic, and picturesque.

• Open daily 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Services held in the Old Mission and the Basilica
• Museum open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the summertime

Trivia: You may have seen it before if you're a fan of suspense. Mission Dolores, or Mission San Francisco de Asís, was featured in Alfred Hitchcock's classic Vertigo.

^{* Mission Dolores. Photo © San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.}

The 14th Annual North Beach Jazz Fest (July 20-27) kicks off this Sunday with its traditional "Jazz on Grant," an evening of free jazz in more than a dozen clubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Then Monday, the seven-day fest begins. In that time, more than 50,000 guests are expected to visit North Beach and by celebration’s end, over 100 artists will have performed at 30-plus venues in and and around the neighborhood.

There have been a few changes in the last few years. In 2007, the fest was still a five-day event and in 2006, it was on the brink of being shut down. However, with compromises met and rules enforced, the ambition of expanding the fest back to seven days seemed a natural progression. Proof that things were again on the right track.

So in 2008, it's seven days once more, which means two more days to catch it while here. Locations will include Washington Square Park, the Great American Music Hall (two shows added for 2008), and home-base Mojito.

Should you attend, you'll experience what some have referred to as the "soul of San Francisco." As festival organizers note, "North Beach Jazz Fest has purposely maintained a distinctly grassroots, homegrown feel by consistently featuring local talent, and incorporating the neighborhood's unique jazz culture into the festivities."

Related: More About North Beach | North Beach Photo Tour from California Travel

^{* Poster © North Beach Jazz Festival.}