Croatian American Cultural Center

It all started in 1857 along the San Francisco Waterfront, where a community of immigrants from the Dalmatian coast had settled and established coffee houses, restaurants, saloons and produce stores. In fact, by 1875, at least forty percent of the coffee houses and twenty percent of the restaurants on the Waterfront area were owned by men of Croatian-Dalmatian origin. In the late 80s the Cultural Committee initiated two events which have become traditions at the Center, and bring together longtime members with the general public in celebration. The Marko Polo Festival (now called the San Francisco Croatian Festival) is held each fall to celebrate Croatian heritage exemplified by the famous explorer Marko Polo, who was born on Korcula Island when it was under Venetian rule. Poklada (now called the San Francisco Tamburitza Festival) is the traditional Croatian Prelenten Carnival, held every President’s Day weekend. Both events offer food and drink, music, participatory dancing, and performances. These two events are highlights for the SMBS members as well as the extended folk dance and music community in the San Francisco Bay Area.