Gay things to do in san francisco

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Keep your eyes open for celebrities—the celebration has become a real see-and-be-seen opportunity.

The main event, of course, is Sunday’s parade, which begins at Market and Beale streets and ends near the Civic Center. With its location just minutes from Chinatown, North Beach, and Union Square, it provides easy access to San Francisco’s finest dining and cultural landmarks.

Up until the early 1960s it was originally a neighbourhood of working-class families, like the majority of the city at that time. Expect fresh and unexpected Cali dishes served alongside juicy cocktails and a fabulous wine list that features local and internationally acclaimed favourites.

7. The Grove was officially designated a national monument in 1996, and the site underwent a recent renovation to make it a timeless landmark for generations to come.

There’s no marquee more famous in San Francisco than the one that wraps The Castro Theatre.

If you’re in town during Pride Month, also check out a screening or one of the many events hosted by the Frameline LGBTQ+ film festival.

Where to stay in San Francisco

The city of course has plenty of lodging options—The Parker Guest House, the Hotel Whitcomb, Joie de Vivre Hotels, and the W are just a few of the city’s gay-friendly hotels, and The Inn San Francisco, Bernalview Bed and Breakfast, and Chateau Tivoli are B&Bs that offer a more homey experience.

Kid- and family-friendly Pride

A note to parents: There are plenty of pride events that are family- and kid-friendly going on in San Francisco during Pride Month.

Powerhouse is known as being San Franciscos ‘raunchiest’ gay bar, where anything goes.

Self-branded as San Francisco ‘cruise-bar’ this is the place to be if you’re looking to pick-up as opposed to hitting the dance floor, although there will be a DJ playing most nights!

Powerhouse also hosts various events, but bordering on the slightly cheeky – underwear nights, wet underwear contest, leather events, armpit competitions etc.

Expect a mixed crowd in attendance – but definitely a firm favourite with the leather crowd and those into kink.

Address: 1347 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

The Eagle – Soma

Did you really expect a city with such a prominent leather and fetiʂh scene and history to not have an Eagle?

San Franciscos Eagle can be found in the Soma district, the heart of the city’s leather community.

The possible commercial exception might be the huge adult gift store known as Does your Mother Know which is based closer to the Castro for obvious reasons. Witness various events and celebrations on the auditorium’s large stage, or enjoy screenings of film festival events, repertory cinema and foreign film, with or without audience participation!

Pier 7 | Photo: Jaredd Craig

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Folsom), private beaches and some public beaches – and Baker Beach is one of those.
When entering Baker Beach from the parking lot to the left is the ‘family-friendly’ section of the beach, but to the right you will find the nudist section.
Baker Beach is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike, both because it is a nude beach, because you can walk to the Golden Gate Bridge from here, but also because it was the location of the very first Burning Man ever – when back in 1986 the founders took a small wooden figure down to the beach to burn on the Summer Solstice.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Is it fair to say that the Golden Gate Bridge is possibly the most famous beach in the world?

The compact spot, which serves Cali-cuisine, is famous for its short menu, seasonal offerings and hard-to-get tables. The first standalone museum of its kind, dedicated solely to LGBT history, the GLBT Historical Society, on 18^th Street in the Castro neighbourhood, allows visitors to learn more about the legendary political figure Harvey Milk while enjoying various temporary and permanent exhibits spanning archival materials and even graphic arts.

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It was after all the district where Harvey Milk lived, and to date you can visit Harvey Milk Plaza as well as his former campaign headquarters.
Other historical landmarks to visit include the Rainbow Walk, which covers several blocks offering a walk of fame with plaques dedicated to key LGBTQ+ pioneers of the community, and Pink Triangle Park, commemorating the gay people persecuted in WW2.

Gay-Friendly Hotels in San Francisco

Without a doubt, you will be warmly welcomed as a gay traveller in pretty much any hotel you choose to stay.

Integrating programs designed to support emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers, Frameline also provides an internationally recognised stage for the best queer cinema around the globe.

Since 1972 the event has taken place every year, changing and evolving to become the San Francisco Pride celebration as we know it today.

Fun fact: The 6-stripe rainbow flag that we are all so familiar with was actually originally created for the 1978 San Francisco Pride

San Francisco Pride usually takes place at the end of June each year, running from Friday to Sunday with a full weekend of celebrations, and of course the main highlight being the Pride Parade which kicks off on the Sunday morning.

San Francisco Pride Parade is huge – last year there were almost 300 groups participating, and over 50,000 people marching.

Another main event during the weekend is San Francisco Pride Festival, a day long event held on Saturday.

No-one actually knows the reason the sea lions decided to first reside here, but the food in the bay, and the sheltered conditions mean they decided to stay, and they have now been present at Pier 39 for over 30 years.

Whilst the number of sea lions naturally changes throughout the seasons, on average there are over 300 present, and they can be observed from the viewing platform and walkway behind Pier 39.

Pier 39 is also home to multiple shops and dining venues – many of which specialize in seafood given the location.

Now, the landmark bar offers more than a dozen beers on tap and an assortment of classic cocktails with a side of excellent people watching from the first or second floor.

A walk across the city’s most colorful crosswalk is a must-do, especially during Pride month. But after WW2, these families followed a trend of moving from the city to the suburbs, and they were replaced in their former neighbourhood by soldiers – particularly soldiers that had been discharged from the military for homosexuality.

San Francisco city become home to thousands of dishonourably discharged servicemen – and for some reason, it was the Castro district that many decided to make their home.

The Castros place in LGBTQ+ history was further cemented in 1977 when Harvey Milk, a small business owner and civil rights activist finally won his electoral campaign to be elected to the city’s Board of Supervisors after trying for four years – a campaign he ran from his camera store on Castro Street.

Locations such as the former camera store, Harvey Milk Plaza named in his memoriam after his assassination, and the plaques honouring other historical LGBTQ+ icons on the Castro rainbow walk are just some of the landmarks that can be visited today as a reminder of this district’s historical importance.

Whilst nowadays the Castro is a thriving neighbourhood of bars, shops and restaurants, it’s important to remember that the only reason this modern-day safe haven for the city’s LGBTQ+ community exists is because of the rights that have been so strongly fought for.

Visit Baker Beach

Baker Beach is the most famous of the five beaches found within the Presidio, San Franciscos National Park site.

Whilst a great place to spend a hot day, or to watch the sun set beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, some visitors have an ulterior motive for choosing Baker Beach, and that is because it is San Franciscos unofficial nude beach.

Whilst public nudity was prohibited in 2012, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as at a fair or festival with permits (i.e.

It is also home to Mission Dolores Park – a former Jewish cemetery, now one of San Franciscos most popular parks spanning 16 acres.

As soon as the sun comes out and the temperature rises, every inch of the park is covered with locals picnicking and barbecuing, and just generally hanging out.

And whilst it may be miles from the ocean, Dolores Park even has what has been dubbed its own ‘gay beach.’ Whilst New York gays have taken Sheep Meadow for themselves, the San Francisco gays have taken over the southwest, top corner of the park, on the grassy ledge overlooking the city skyline, the slope known locally as ‘The Fruit Shelf.’

This is the perfect spot to come and hang out with your friends on a sunny afternoon, with food and drinks – and whilst not an actual beach, you are guaranteed to find many boys in speedos.

Explore the Castro District and its history

The Castro district is the gay epicentre of San Francisco, and for decades has been a vital part of the city’s LGBTQ+ identity, due to the integral role the district played during the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the 60’s and 70’s.

The Castro wasn’t always a gay neighbourhood of course.

A trail-blazing destination when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights in America, the city remains as progressive and forward thinking as ever.

I visited for the first time this year, and was blown away by the diversity, the attractions, the iconic landmarks, the scenery, the LGBTQ+ history, and of course – the buzzing LGBTQ+ scene itself.

It is hardly surprising then that the city attracts so many LGBTQ+ travellers each year, and the city certainly caters to their needs and provides a warm welcome.

I found San Francisco to be the most gay-friendly city I have visited in the US so far – and hopefully my Gay Guide to San Francisco will help you to enjoy your visit as much as I enjoyed mine!

Is San Francisco gay-friendly?

Seafood and clam chowder served in bread bowls is the staple here!

From Pier 39 you are also within walking distance to many of Fisherman’s Wharfs other top attractions and entertainment venues, such as the Aquarium of the Bay, Madame Tussauds, and Ghirardelli Square – home to the world-famous chocolate shop and ice cream parlour!

Picnic in Dolores Park

The Mission is San Franciscos oldest neighbourhood, dating back to 1776.

The hotel is home to a hidden gem, the JCB Tasting Lounge, offering a decadent selection of rare wines and Champagne – ideal for an indulgent pre-dinner experience. Both sandy stretches offer great views of the famed bridge and are accessible via a bus journey to Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza (#30 for Marshall’s, #38 and #29 for Baker) plus a 15-minute walk on the other side.