Castro street san francisco gay gay

Vibrant and eclectic, the Castro/Upper Market neighborhood is an internationally famous symbol of gay freedom, a top tourist destination full of stylish shops and popular business spots, and a thriving residential area that thousands of San Franciscans call home.

Its streets are filled with lovingly restored Victorian homes, rainbow pride flags, shops offering one-of-a-kind merchandise, heritage streetcars, lively bars and restaurants, and numerous gay-borhood landmarks including Harvey Milk Plaza, the Castro Theatre, Pink Triangle Park and Memorial, and the large SF Woman loving woman Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center.

The Castro District, better known as The Castro, is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California, which is also known as Eureka Valley.

San Francisco&#;s gay village is most concentrated in the business district that is located on Castro Street from Market Lane to 19th Street. It extends down Market Street toward Church and on both sides of the Castro neighborhood from Church Street to Eureka Street. Although the greater gay community was, and is, conc

Historical Essay

by Chris Carlsson,

Castro Street Just,

Castro Street Scene s

Photos: Crawford Barton, Gay and Dyke Historical Society of Northern California

Many across the Merged States consider San Francisco to be a “Gay Mecca” due to its large gay society located primarily in the Castro District as well as the city’s relatively liberal attitude towards sex. Until the ’s, though, the Castro was largely a white active class Irish neighborhood known as “Eureka Valley.” A move came during Planet War II, when many soldiers came to San Francisco and formed male lover relationships. These soldiers then stayed in the city after being discharged for homosexuality. In the s, Beat Identity erupted in San Francisco and notoriously rebelled against middle class values, thus aligning itself with homosexuality and helped bring gay tradition to mainstream attention. In the mid to late s, groups such as the Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society were born, as skillfully as the Tavern Guild, which was the first openly gay business association. By , there were 50 queer or

San Francisco Castro: Top Things to Do & Look In this Famous, LGBT District

The San Francisco Castro district is an internationally recognized neighborhood that supports the LGBTQ (lesbian, lgbtq+, bisexual, transgender and queer) community.

This progressive and accepting neighborhood was also home to one of the most significant queer rights activists of the s, Harvey Milk.

In my experience of visiting this district often, there are plenty of fun things to do here during the day and at night.


You will discover this gorgeous mural on the side of a school building in this colorful district.

I love walking around this lively and colorful neighborhood. While this SF district is recognizable for its support of the LGBTQ community, you will find that many families also call this neighborhood home.

Is the Castro safe? Absolutely. In reality, due to its powerful sense of community, it's one of the safest in San Francisco.

During your visit, you will immediately see the fun innateness of the community all the way down to the names of some of the bars, restaurants and shops. My two favorites are "Does

Castro’s newest gay bar

The specify is a nod to the city’s 49 square miles and also an exclusive lineup of over 49 beer and wine options, and 10 beers on draft.

Buy eGift Card

Take a few moments to customize your Bar 49 eGift card. There is no delivery fee and cards are delivered within minutes.

Buy eGift Card

Monday- Friday until 6pm
$3 off tapped beers
$3 off house wines
$10 Frose, spritz and frozen margaritas