{"id":26021,"date":"2024-07-02T15:45:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T15:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/?p=26021"},"modified":"2024-11-01T11:34:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T11:34:27","slug":"7-things-to-do-when-visiting-the-castro-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/7-things-to-do-when-visiting-the-castro-san-francisco\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things To Do When Visiting the Castro, San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Among the many neighborhoods in San Francisco, the Castro is one of the most famous. You\u2019ll find it in Eureka Valley, overlooked by the Twin Peaks<\/a>\u2019 Eureka Peak and sandwiched between the trendy Haight-Ashbury neighborhood (of Painted Ladies fame) and the multicultural Mission District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s not the San Francisco tourist destination Fisherman\u2019s Wharf<\/a> is, this area of San Francisco is increasingly finding a top spot on travelers\u2019 itineraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neighborhood has a lot to offer \u2014 a great nightlife scene, Instagram-worthy murals, a vibrant LGBTQ community, and rich history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning to visit? Here are seven things you must do when visiting the Castro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Admire San Francisco\u2019s historic movie palace, the Castro Theatre<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the Castro? Take a walk by the Castro Theatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This movie theatre has been officially designated a San Francisco Historic Landmark, and the neon sign outside bearing the name of the theatre has become a symbol of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theater has charmed crowds since its opening in 1922, partly due to its baroque fa\u00e7ade and opulent interior, which features an art deco chandelier. It\u2019s worth a stop even if you don\u2019t plan to see a show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Castro Theatre is currently the city\u2019s single screen movie palace. In 2008, it famously hosted the world premiere of \u201cMilk\u201d, the biopic about Harvey Milk (more on him below). In addition to hosting several movie premieres and film festivals throughout the year, the theater still screens an eclectic selection of films from new releases to classics and even fun sing-alongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Explore LGBTQ history<\/h2>\n\n\n
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If you want to learn more about LGBTQ history in San Francisco, The Castro is the place to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Francisco had a reputation as early as the 1940s as a city of tolerance. Many members of the LGTBQ community, including dishonorably discharged veterans, moved here after World War II, and several ended up settling in the Castro District thanks to its affordability at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil rights activist Harvey Milk, who owned a camera store in the Castro, he ran his electoral campaign here before becoming the first openly gay elected official in California. The success story has a sad ending, though \u2014 he was assassinated shortly after his election. You can visit the location of his camera store, now the Human Rights Campaign Action Center<\/a>, which also operates as a small museum and gift shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact:<\/strong> The plaza at the Castro Street MUNI Station is named Harvey Milk Plaza in honor of the famous activist, and a rainbow flag flies at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other LGBTQ landmarks throughout the Castro. Two of my favorites are the rainbow-striped crosswalks and the Rainbow Walk. They\u2019re not the same thing. The Rainbow Walk covers a few blocks in the Castro and features more than 30 plaques as a walk of fame for LGBTQ rights pioneers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another spot you shouldn\u2019t miss is Pink Triangle Park<\/a>, which commemorates the thousands of gay men persecuted in Nazi camps during World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go with a local to guide, and you’ll see these must-see spots and more. Our Ultimate LGBTQ Castro District Walking Tour gives you an inside look at this queer, colorful neighborhood in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Ultimate LGBTQ Castro District Walking Tour<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

3. Slide down Seward Street Slides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most unusual parks in San Francisco \u2014 and that\u2019s saying a lot \u2014 this free outdoor venue features steep concrete slides in a green and flower-filled setting. Designed by a local teenage girl, the slides were built in 1973 after the neighborhood fought against the redevelopment of the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes called a hidden gem, Seward Street Slides is no secret to locals, and you\u2019ll find quite a few here on weekends. It\u2019s popular with kids and adults \u2014 no age limit here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring a piece of cardboard to ride on, or look for discarded pieces there. You\u2019ll need one for the slide down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Ultimate LGBTQ Castro District Walking Tour <\/h3>\n \n \n\n \n Book this tour <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
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Top experiences in San Francisco<\/h2>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
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Ultimate LGBTQ Castro District Walking Tour<\/h3> \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Haunted\t\t\n\t\t
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True Crime Tales From the Haight Walking Tour<\/h3> \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n

4. Eat and drink your way through the Castro, dawn to dusk<\/h2>\n\n\n
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There are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in this vibrant neighborhood. The old-school Anchor Oyster Bar has been serving fresh oysters and clam chowders for more than 40 years. Frances offers a more upscale experience that still oozes neighborly charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some notable LGBTQ spots, too, including one of the first openly gay bars in the country, Twin Peaks, and San Francisco\u2019s only gay sports bar, Hi Tops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a night of hitting the town, you can refuel at Hot Cookie, where you can fill up on freshly baked cookies until 2 a.m. on weekends. The next morning, perk up with some java at specialty coffee shop, R\u00e9veille Coffee, which started out as a truck in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Take (lots of) photos of the amazing street art<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much of San Francisco is home to great street murals, and The Castro is no exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street art in the Castro District is unique in that it much of it touches on queer culture, either through its topic or its creator. In fact, the neighborhood has seen a renaissance of queer art lately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Street art by nature is always changing, but you can check the website of the Juanita MORE! Pride Mural Project<\/a> to see the latest art installations around the city, including in The Castro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Insider tip:<\/strong> I recommend mural-lovers check 16th Street, near the Market Street intersection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former location of Harvey Milk\u2019s Castro Camera store is also home to a Harvey Milk mural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Hit the shops on Castro Street<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The small shops on Castro Street offer quite the shopping selection. Because of the neighborhood\u2019s population, the area is a particularly good destination to shop for men\u2019s fashion. Two of the best are the upscale consignment shop, Sui Generis, and a local favorite, Knobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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