I'm moving from the Western Addition to the Haight in a couple weeks, just a little ways away from Coffee to the People (if you're willing to overlook the cliches, they make a mean cup of coffee). City Dweller's photos capture the distinct difference you see when you walk a block north or south of Haight. If that difference weren't there, I wouldn't be moving--I'm too young to look fondly upon the ridiculous 50-year-olds in tie dye, so to me the Lower Haight has always seemed cool while the Upper Haight seemed in constant danger of succumbing to Fisherman's Wharf-style tee-shirt blight.
But the ex-hippie tourist contingent has actually fallen off a bit since I moved to the Bay Area five years ago. Amoeba has been joined in its awesomeness by Giant Robot and the Alembic and some other goodness. Boutiques and thrift stores abound. All in all, it's your typical SF neighborhood story--the hipsters and the yuppies are marching, and nobody will stand in their way.
The good news is that the Gap is gone, but the bad news is that I believe the Free Clinic has moved out as well (down by the freeway in western SOMA?). It'll be interesting to see if the Haight can stay distinctive and vibrant while hopefully losing some of the kitsch. I'll report back. Thanks for the great pics, CD.