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TripOut Gay Travel:
San Francisco
Gay Friendly Rating:
Very welcoming; this place is gay-tastic!
The brilliant, shining gay mecca by the Bay is still one of the most romantic and rewarding destinations on the planet.
San Francisco Fast Facts:
- Gayborhood Must you ask? The Castro. But seriously, this is San Francisco. The entire city is gayer than practically every other gay mecca put together!
- San Francisco Pride occurs in June. (http://www.sfpride.org/) If you're visiting in the fall you will never forget your first Halloween in San Francisco.
- Pick up the San Francisco Chronicle to check in on the local news, the classifieds, events etc...
- On the web you can check out SFGate: http://www.sfgate.com. It's a great source of information pertaining to everything San Francisco.
- If you're going to spend a day in Golden Gate park you might consider a bicycle rental. There's so much to see in the park including the de Young Memorial museum, that it would be nearly impossible to see it all on foot. Also, stay away from the park after sunset if you can.
- Yes, San Francisco is located in sunny California, but the temperature in this part of the Bay Area rarely exceeds 75 degrees. In the summer months our legendary fog rolls in and covers most of the city for the majority of the day, usually burning off by late afternoon. Winter is especially rainy so if you're visiting between the months of December and early March make sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat.
- San Francisco is comprised of more than a few overlapping neighborhoods each with its own peculiarities and characteristics. Your best bet is to grab a good map that identifies each neighborhood. Oh, and "Soma" means "South of Market (meaning Market Street).
- As a result of the temperate climate and the abundance of food and programs geared toward helping the less fortunate, there is a rather large homeless population. Many people will ask you for money. Be friendly-it's the San Francisco way-and just say something to the effect of "Sorry dude, not today," which usually resolves the inquiry without further incident.
Gayer than Christmas, San Fran was recently nominated for "Best U.S. Destination" in the 2009 Gay Travel Awards.
San Francisco Top 5
Don't leave town before checking out...
Recommended In San Francisco:
Hotels & Inns
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24 Henry Guest House 24 Henry Street
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Argonaut Hotel 495 Jefferson Street
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Beck's Motor Lodge 2222 Market Street
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Elaine's Hidden Haven 4005 Folsom Street
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Harbor Court Hotel 165 Steuart Street
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Hotel Triton 342 Grant Avenue
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Inn on Castro 321 Castro Street
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Sam & Joel's Castro Suites 927 14th Street
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Sir Francis Drake Hotel 450 Powell Street
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The Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa 1075 California Street
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Triton Hotel 342 Grant Avenue at Bush Street
Restaurants
- 2223 Market
- Absinthe 398 Hayes Street
- Acme Bread Company One Ferry Building
- Anchor Oyster Bar 579 Castro Street
- Bar Jules 609 Hayes Street
- Cafe Flore 2298 Market Street
- Catch 2362 Market Street
- Chow 215 Church Street
- Ciao Bella One Ferry Building
- Home 2100 Market Street
- Hot Cookie 407 Castro Street
- Jardiniere 300 Grove Street
- Kasa Indian Eatery 4001 18th Street
- La Mediterranée 2210 Fillmore Street
- Luna 558 Castro Street
- Mecca 2029 Market Street
- Mijita One Ferry Building, #44
- Nirvana 544 Castro St
- Orphan Andy's 3991 17th Street
- Palencia 3870 17th Street
- Peet's 2257 Market Street
- Spike's Coffee & Teas 4117 19th Street
- Tallula 4230 18th Street
- The Castro Cheesery 427 Castro Street
- The Sausage Factory 517 Castro Street
- The Slanted Door 1 Ferry Bldg
Bars & Clubs
- Asia SF 201 9th Street
- Badlands 4121 18th Street
- Cafe 2367 Market Street
- Divas 1081 Post Street
- Harvey's 500 Castro Street
- Loading Dock 1525 Mission Street
- Q Bar 456 Castro St.
- The Bar on Castro 456 Castro Street
- The Eagle Tavern 398 12th Street
- The Endup 401 6th Street
- The Lexington Club 3464 19th Street
- The Midnight Sun 4067 18th Street
- The Mint 1942 Market Street
- The Mix 4086 18th Street
- The Stud 339 9th Street
- Toad Hall 4146 18th St.
- Twin Peaks Tavern 401 Castro Street
Shopping
- Christopher Elbow 401 Hayes Street
- Ferry Plaza Farmers Market One Ferry Building, Suite 50
- Given 575 Castro Street
- Kenneth Wingard 2319 Market Street
- Levi's Store 525 Castro Street
- Propeller Modern 555 Hayes Street
- Whatever… 548 Castro St.
Sights & Activities
- Beaches
- Cable Cars
- Castro Street Castro Street
- Castro Theatre 429 Castro Street
- Chinatown
- Cruisin' the Castro
- Ferry Building One Ferry Building
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Free Museum Day
- GLBT Historical Society 499 Castro Street
- Golden Gate Park
- Lombard Street
- Painted Ladies Alamo Square
- San Francisco City Hall
- San Francisco Public Library 100 Larkin Street
- San Francisco Zoo
- Unusual House Howard and 6th Street
- YMCA 169 Steuart Street
Events
- Frameline Film Festival 145 Ninth Street, #300
- The GLBT Historical Society 657 Mission Street #300
More San Francisco: Related Websites
- http://www.sfgate.com Sfgate is a great source of information pertaining to everything San Francisco.
San Francisco: Golden Gates of Gaydom