Music has always been a part of the Haight. To this very day, you’ll find ill-bathed folks pounding out rhythms on doumbeks and congas on the sidewalks. The ever-changing face of commerce has made the old favorite all-local, all-handmade Sol Drums (3275 San Bruno Ave., 415/468-4700, www.soldrums.com) part of the megalithic Drum Workshop.

But the legendary Haight-Ashbury Music Center (1540 Haight St., 415/863-7327, www.haight-ashbury-music.com, call for hours) remains. Come in and check out one of the best collections of musical instruments and gear anywhere on the West Coast.

Located in an old bowling alley, Amoeba (1855 Haight St., 415/831-1200, www.amoeba.com, Mon.–Sat. 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.) is a larger-than-life record store that promotes every type of music imaginable. Amoeba’s staff, many of whom are musicians themselves, are among the most knowledgeable in the business.

The award-winning Booksmith (1644 Haight St., 415/863-8688, www.booksmith.com, Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m.) bookstore boasts a helpful and informed staff, a fabulous magazine collection, and Northern California’s preeminent calendar of readings by internationally renowned authors.