San Francisco, some refer to it as the Gay-Mecca, the Gay Mother load or America’s most romantic city. However you label it San Francisco is a great place to start and end a cruise. Comedian/actress and gay advocate Margaret Cho once joked that straight people in San Francisco identify themselves with beige triangle bumper stickers because everyone in town is gay. There is a measure of truth to this.  It’s been said that 20% of all men living in San Francisco identify gay with 15% of all women living in San Francisco identify as lesbian.  Most straight San Franciscans are extremely gay-friendly and most neighborhoods, not just the Castro, are bustling with gay people and rainbow flags.

San Francisco is a city where it is not uncommon to see same sex couples walking down the street holding hands or kissing. There are many gay bars and restaurants in the city but most straight or traditional establishments welcome gays and lesbians. San Francisco is not a city that covers much geographical area. The city is 7 miles by 7 miles and a great city to explore. And it is an easy city to get around with the West Coasts best public transportation including subway, underground/above ground light rails, buses, trolley cars, world famous cable cars and even reasonably fared taxis.  It’s also a very walkable city, rated #1 by www.walkscore.com , however there are some heart pounding hills so make sure you bring your walking shoes if you plan to explore on foot.

Whenever visitors come to San Francisco they immediately think of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars, Victorian Houses, shopping and amazing meals. San Francisco is the most cultured city West of the Mississippi, with a world-class symphony, ballet, opera, theatre, museums, galleries and designer couture. With comfortable weather throughout the year it is a city for sports lovers and people who enjoy an active lifestyle. People are outdoors whenever the sun is shining enjoying outdoor coffeehouses, eateries and parks. Street entertainers are plenty performing around almost any corner on a warm evening. And on the warmest days (ironically late Spring and early Fall sports the warmest and sunniest days in San Francisco) you will find the area’s beaches jam-packed with sun worshipers, with the gay beaches attracting those who like to sun bathe au natural. Public nudity is legal in the city as long as there are no complaints by onlookers and it is not lewd.

The biggest gayborhoods are the Castro (mainly men), the Mission (lesbians and mixed-younger), Noe Valley (couples with kids), Bernal Heights (lesbian couples with kids), Polk Gulch (mainly men and trans) and SOMA (mainly men, leather/Levi).

The most popular tourist areas in the city are Fisherman’s Warf and Union Square. Fisherman’s Warf (including Pier 39) is teaming with tourists day and night. There are maritime museums, tall sailing ships, a submarine, countless stores selling trinkets and treasures, a Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and some of San Francisco’s most famous, but not necessarily the best, seafood restaurants. Fresh dungenous crab is the specialty of the Warf. Next door to Fisherman’s Warf is Pier 39, a Disney-esque outdoor mall filled with shops and eateries. The Warf and Pier 39 are just a 5-minute stroll from the Cruise Terminal at Pier 35 along the Embarcadero and will be visible from your ship.

The Gayborhoods

The Castro is as “gay as gay can get”, with rainbow flags on every lamppost, multiple gay bars nestled in between restaurants and shops, quaint Victorian and Edwardian buildings, sex toy shops, churches and community resource centers. The Castro Theatre, a 1920’s movie palace where indie films and mainstream films are shown, is the epicenter of the neighborhood. The above ground F-Line trolley car terminates right around the corner from the Castro Theatre and is the most scenic way to travel to and the Cruise Ship Terminal at Pier 35. The F-Line also travels over to Fisherman’s Warf and loops back around to go back to the Castro. The fare is $2.00 one way and it takes about 45 minutes to travel to the Castro from Pier 35.

The Mission neighborhood is massive and eclectic. This is the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco and has little hoods within the neighborhood. Best noted for the Latino population that makes up a large area of the Mission, amazing taqerias abound. If you love burritos you have to try out a burrito at one of the local taqerias. They are massive and can feed a couple, or a hungry bear.  The Mission also houses The Lexington, the biggest lesbian bar in San Francisco (3464 19th Street), and the original Good Vibrations (603 Valencia Street at 17th Street), the feminist landmark vibrator store that has been a friend and employer to the LGBT community for over 30 years. The heart of the neighborhood bars and establishments are on Valencia Street from 16th Street to 24th Street. You’ll find hip shops, bars, vintage clothes stores, used books and records, great restaurants (Ethiopian to Southern Indian to Peruvian) and colorful people. At 16th Street, between Valencia Street and Mission Street lies Este Noche, a Latino hole-in-the-wall gay bar that has legendary Latin themed drag shows nightly. This neighborhood is where the young indie folks live. better known as the Mission Hipsters. The Mission can be reached by BART from downtown. Exit 16th Street or 24th Street. You will be on Mission Street, a very Hispanic neighborhood that resembles an avenue in Tijuana more than San Francisco. Head West one block up to Valencia Street to find the Mission hot spots.

Bernal Heights is at the southern end of The Mission. It is a quaint little neighborhood with stores that seem like they would be found in a gay Mayberry RFD, with mom and mom shops, restaurants, lesbian bars and residential bungalows and houses. Bernal Heights is not a hot spot for entertainment but this is the neighborhood where you will see lesbian couples walking their dogs, strolling their kids and mingling with their neighbors. This neighborhood can be reached by MUNI bus or the MUNI J-Church under/above ground train. Exit at 30th Street ($2.00 fare one-way) and walk four blocks east down 30th street to Mission Street, turn right (south) and walk two blocks to Courtland Ave. Walk up the hill and the shops and restaurants will line both sides of Courtland.

Noe Valley is an upper scale neighborhood filled with urban professionals and their families, same-sex couples and single gay and lesbians. Restaurants, boutiques and coffee houses abound with a new Whole Foods open on 24th Street. There are no “gay” bars, but there are a few pubs along 24th Street that are gay-friendly and a great place to grab a beer. This is a great place to pick up a handsome doctor or lesbian lawyer.  To reach Noe Valley from downtown take the MUNI J-Church under/above ground train ($2.00 fare one-way) and exit at 24th Street. Walk west (to your right) one block. The shops and establishments extend west to Castro Street. To reach Noe Valley from the Castro take the #24 MUNI bus (grab it along Castro Street, $2.00 fare one-way), travel over the hill and exit at 24th Street. To get back to the Castro just back track and catch the bus on the other side of the street.

Polk Gulch is the original gayborhood. Booming in the ‘60s with gay bars and notoriously gay-friendly establishments it has fallen behind in popularity due to the rise of the Castro as the premiere gayborhood and to the demise of its neighboring hood, the Tenderloin which has a large problem with the homeless, hustlers and drug lords.  That said, Polk Gulch is in the process of gentrification with new businesses pushing out the homeless, hustlers, head shops and other establishments.  Historically it is still the epicenter of Transgender San Francisco with several historical drag/trans bars mixed in with a few neighborhood gay bars (notorious for hustlers).  The neighborhood is home to a diverse array of restaurants, from Korean BBQ to Crepes to Sushi and much more.  The neighborhood is bisected by the California Street Cable Car (at California Street and Polk Street) and is bordered by the Civic Center, City Hall, many government buildings and the Asian Art Museum.

The Castro-
It Doesn't Get Any Gayer...

Becks Motor Lodge – Castro Neighborhood –Cruisy and Friendly –Mostly Gay Men
2222 Market Street, (800) 227-4360  and (415) 621-8212
www.becksmotorlodgesf.com
Beck's Motor Lodge is surrounded by charming tree lined streets, antique and specialty shops. We have a private sundeck where you will enjoy lovely views of the city. Public transportation via the historic streetcar is availble outside your door.
Rates from $93.00 (standard room/double with bath), Discounts Available: AARP, Senior, Government and Airline Employee

Inn on Castro – Castro neighborhood – Victorian Bed and Breakfast – Mostly LGBT travelers
321 Castro Street,  (415) 861-0321
www.innoncastro.com
A stay at "Inn on Castro", the only accommodations at Castro and Market Streets, affords an incomparable way to experience San Francisco's charm and hospitality from the heart of the City's gay and lesbian community. Stunningly decorated with contemporary furnishings, the Inn is a restored Edwardian building. The individual bedrooms are warm and inviting and brightly accented with original paintings. Large bouquets of fresh flowers are abundant throughout the Inn.
Rates from $115.00 (single/shared bath) and $155 (standard room with bath)

Parker Guest House – Castro Neighborhood - Victorian Bed and Breakfast – Mostly LGBT travelers
520 Church Street, (415) 621-3222
www.parkerguesthouse.com
The Parker Guest House Bed and Breakfast is a 21 Room Gay Hotel in San Francisco’s Vibrant Castro District. The gay owned and operated hotel welcomes both gay and straight guests. The hotel is the top rated bed and breakfast accommodation in San Francisco’s Castro/Noe Valley and Mission Dolores Districts.
Rates from $139.00, on-site parking $30.00

Willows Inn – Castro Neighborhood – Budget friendly – Mostly LGBT travelers
710 14th Street, (415) 431-4770
www.willowssf.com
Our Bed & Breakfast Inn is ideally located in San Francisco's Gay and Lesbian influenced Castro neighborhood, only a few steps away from the subway, streetcar and bus lines. Housed in a 1903 Edwardian, the Inn's decor is a blend of handcrafted bentwood willow furnishings, antique dressers, armoires, and cozy comforters. As a European-style, shared bath inn, our accommodations consist of rooms offering private vanity sinks as well as Kimono bathrobes, fine soaps, and shampoo. Other room amenities include a direct dial telephone, voicemail, mini-fridge, TV & VCR and both wireless broadband internet and a data port. Eight individual water closets and shower rooms are conveniently distributed throughout the inn, and each is a self-contained unit for full privacy.
Rates from $99.00 (single/shared bath)

24 Henry - Castro Neighborhood – Budget friendly – Mostly LGBT travelers
24 Henry Street, (415) 864-5686
www.24henry.com
The Castro District's 24 Henry Guesthouse was built in the late 1880's. It survived the great earthquake and fire of 1906 intact as it is located on geologically solid ground and is south of Van Ness Boulevard, the stopping point for the fire. In the mid-1980's, previous owners Dan and Jay converted the house into a gay and lesbian bed and breakfast. The current owner, Walter, stayed at 24 Henry in the 1980's and early 1990's when visiting San Francisco from his home in San Diego. Walter liked the guest house so much that he bought it in 1992, and then bought an additional guest house 4 blocks away in 1999, our Village House.
Rates from $85.00 (single/shared bath) and $129.00 (double/private bath)

Village House - Castro Neighborhood – Budget friendly – Mostly LGBT travelers
4080 18th Street, (415) 864-5686
www.24henry.com

Village House is located in the heart of the Castro District. This 100-year old Victorian home and is owned and operated by the staff of 24 Henry
Rates from $105 (double/shared bath) and $149 (double/private bath)

Parking for Pier 35

You have three options for parking for Pier 35 that are endorsed by the SF Merchants Organization www.sanfranciscomerchants.com. This website provides more information on the Cruise Terminal and surrounding areas. There are other parking lots around the pier however they are very expensive (due to close proximity to Fisherman’s Warf) and may not be open during cruise days.

SHORT TERM PARKING

Ace Parking 55 Francisco Street, is the most convenient and is located directly across from Pier 35. Cruise Passenger rates are $12.00 per calendar day. This is CASH ONLY with hours of operation Mon-Friday 7am to 7pm, Cruise days during weekends 9am to 5pm and all other weekends call 415-398-0208

Ace Parking Anchorage Garage, 2800 Leavenworth Street, entrance off Beach Street. This garage is located 7 blocks form the pier (so drop your baggage off at the Pier before parking). Cruise Passenger rates are $10.00 per calendar day, cash and credit cards accepted. Open 24 hours per day, everyday. 415-673-7762 or 415-440-2407

LONG TERM PARKING

City Park, 80 Francisco Street, self parking, covered garage conveniently located one block from Pier 35. Cruise Passenger rates are $12.00 per calendar day, cash and credit cards accepted. Regular Hours Monday - Friday 7am - 7Ppm. Open weekends for cruise guest departures and arrivals. Please call for times. Reservations 415-398-4162, Fax: 415-398-3106

The Meet-Market: Gay Bars and Nightclubs

Hilton Fisherman's Wharf - 6 blocks from Pier 35
2620 Jones Street,  (415) 885-4700
www1.hilton.com

Kimpton Argonaut Hotel (Fisherman’s Warf) - 8 blocks from Pier
35495 Jefferson St,. (866) 415-0704
www.kimptonhotels.com

Marriott Fisherman’s Warf - 6 blocks from Pier 35
1250 Columbus Ave., (415) 775-7555
www.marriott.com

The Castro Neighborhood (Map Above)

440 Castro – Neighborhood Levi/leather bar – Mainly Men
440 Castro St., (415) 621-8732
www.the440.com
Highly popular because of its location in the heart of the Castro. Great bartenders and a diverse crowd (especially for being a fetish bar)

Badlands -  Dance/Video Bar – Mainly Men
4121 18th St., (415) 626-9320
www.badlands-sf.co
Popular and friendly dance bar. Mostly younger crowd. Drink specials and 2-for-1 happy hour till 9pm on weeknights

Bar on Church – Dance/Video Bar – Mixed
198 Church St. between 14th Street and Market Street (across from Safeway) (415) 861-7499
www.thebarsf.com
The previous owner of The Bar on Castro lost his lease and moved the bar five blocks east to its new location. Popular with younger crowd.

The Café – Dance Bar – Mixed with gender specific nights
2367 Market St., (415) 861-3846
www.cafesf.com
Finally reopened for 2009 SF Pride, this popular bar has great views of the Castro and gets its groove on with great DJs and hot young men and women

Edge – A Sleazy Bear Cave/Leather Bar  – Men
4149 18th St., one block from Castro Street, (415) 863-4027
www.edgesf.com
Dark, claustrophobic with pictures of men’s penises on the walls from contests of years gone by, this is the quintessential pick-up bar. Attracts men for 30 to 60’s

Harvey's – Restaurant & Bar – Mixed
500 Castro St., (415) 431-HARV
www.harveyssf.com
Honoring LGBT fallen leader and hero Harvey Milk, this is a bar where you will find Margaret Cho or Kathy Griffin having drinks and dinner before their performance at the Castro Theatre. Casual, comfy with good food and drinks. Entertainment on some evenings including comedians and drag

Last Call (formerly The Men’s’ Room) – Bar – Mostly Men
3988 18th St., (415) 861-1310
www.thelastcallbar.com
A tiny neighborhood bar with reasonably priced drinks and a colorful clientele

Lime – Hip and Happening Restaurant/Bar - Mixed
2247 Market St, (415) 621-5256
www.lime-sf.com
Trendy and young with an attitude.  After a few drinks you’ll forget that you’re in San Francisco and believe that you’re in Chelsea or WEHO. Popular Sunday brunch for those who never made it to bed on Saturday night. If you are over 30 or can pinch-an-inch you might think twice about going to this bar with intentions to make a new friend for the night.

Lookout Bar – Bar with a Great View – Mixed with More Men
3600 16th St at Market St. and Noe St., (415) 703-9751
www.lookoutsf.com
A great bar to people watch when the weather is good.  Popular Sunday happy hour

Martuni’s – Martini/Piano Bar – Mixed
4 Valencia St. at Market St., (415) 241-0205
martunis.ypguides.net
A very popular almost-out-of-the-neighborhood piano bar. You might run into a local politician or celebrity at this fun and semi-sophisticated-in-a-campy-way bar.  Drinks tend to be expensive but the entertainment more than makes up for the prices. A very mixed group that tends to be over 40 (and their 20-something lovers). You might meet the love of your life here while running into your mother, priest, his lover, and your accountant…this is uber-liberal San Francisco baby!

Midnight Sun – Video Bar – Mainly Men
4067 18th St., (415) 861-4186
www.midnightsunsf.com
Very popular video bar with a great 2-for-1 weekday happy hour till 8pm. Mainly guys 30 and over

Mint – Popular Karaoke Bar – Mixed
1942 Market St. (one block east of Safeway), (415) 626-4726
www.themint.net
You gotta love karaoke to fit in to this bar. Fierce competitions with a cutthroat audience that makes Simon Cowell look like a girl scout. Forget American Idol, hit Mint on a weeknight and dare to be the song bird that you were born to be…or not (have a couple of shots).

Mix – Neighborhood Bar  - Mainly Men
4086 18th St., (415) 431-8616
www.sfmixbar.com
A great little dive bar with a pool table and a back patio that is right in the center of the hood

Moby Dick – Neighborhood Bar – Mainly Men
4049 18th St., (415) 861-1199
www.mobydicksf.com
A very popular bar with an enormous salt-water fish tank behind the bar. Located in the bottom of a beautiful Victorian house, it attracts mainly guys in their mid 20’s to 40’s in the evening. Drink specials at happy hour with video monitors and a pool table to entertain

Pilsner Inn – Neighborhood Bar – Mainly Men
www.pilsnerinn.com
225 Church St., (415) 621-7058
Friendly bar just east of the heart of the Castro, a half block off Church St. Friendly staff, nice people, pool table and a big back patio

QBar – Neighborhood Bar – Mixed (with women’s night on Tuesdays)
456 Castro Street, (415) 864-2877
www.qbarsf.com
Located where the Bar on Castro used to be located, this is a popular crowd that draws in a younger crowd. Themes/parties change every night drawing in different crowds. This tends to draw a trendy, rambunctious crowd

Toad Hall – Dance Bar – Mainly Men
4146 18th Street, (415) 621-2811
www.toadhallbar.com
Nicely renovated bar space with trendy décor and nightly 2-for-1 happy hour. This space has a historical value, paying homage to the original Toad Hall of 1970’s fame. Popular, fun with a small but packed dance floor. Outdoor patio too

Trigger – Trendy Bar – Mostly Men
2344 Market Street, (415) 551-CLUB
www.clubtrigger.com
Newly opened charmer. Manhattan meets San Francisco and has a love child. Designer couture encouraged and inflated ego expected.  Younger, upwardly mobile (and their wanna-bes) crowd. If you don’t feel comfortable in a gym you won’t feel at home here.

Twin Peaks – Gay Landmark Bar – Mixed
401 Castro St., (415) 864-9470
www.twinpeakstavern.com
Often referred to as the “glass coffin” this historical gem of a bar attracts an older crowd however the young ones show up here to before heading to an event at the Castro Theatre next door. This is the first gay bar to have unobstructed wide windows overlooking a busy neighborhood and it is still a great place to people watch. It even has a little hidden mezzanine/loft in the back.

SOMA – The Wild, Wild West

Chaps II – Levi/leather bar – Men
1225 Folsom Street, (415) 255-2427
www.chapsbarsanfrancisco.com
Don’t worry if you couldn’t pack your chaps they’ll still love you. Friendly leather bar decorated with black paint, corrugated tin, chains and left over motorcycle parts. A St. Andrew’s cross and a boot shining station add authenticity to the bar. Guys of all types wander in here throughout the evening among some hardcore leather men. High sexual energy with different theme nights

The Eagle Tavern – Levi/leather – Mainly Men but can be mixed for events
398 12th St., (415) 626-0880
www.sfeagle.com
Fun and frisky indoor/outdoor bar with a wide variety of men (more on the butch side). Sunday afternoons are the big beer bash and when the weather is great there’s a line out the door. The décor, if you can call it that, is atypical for most leather bars, with the main bar looking like a bad knock-off of a sci-fi set. Thursday evenings are host to some of San Francisco’s best up-and-coming live bands

Eight Nightclub – Asian Bar – Men
1151 Folsom St., (415) 431-1151
www.eightsf.com
A bar/nightclub in SOMA catering to Asian men and their admirers. Friday night hosts Club Dragon with go-go boys

The End Up – After hours Dance Club –Mostly Men
401 6th St, (415) 263-4850
www.theendup.com
A legendary dance bar that has survived many decades. Featured in Armistead Maupin’s epic gay series Tales of the City, this is the nightclub to head to after all the clubs have closed for the evening. Notorious for attracting some of the best DJs in the country. Attracts a 20-30 year old crowd and those still ready to party after the cities 2pm last call

Hole In The Wall – Biker Bar -Men
1369 Folsom Street, (415) 431-4695
www.holeinthewallsaloon.com
Nothing much more than a hole-in-the-wall biker bar. Tough guys and their admirers enjoy this dark and sleazy bar

Lone Star Saloon – Bear Bar –Men
1354 Harrison St., (415) 863-9999
www.lonestarsaloon.com
Bears, peanuts and good times make this a must-do if you like your men hairy, chubby and frisky. There’s a big back patio (uncovered) and on Sunday afternoons this place gets crowded

Powerhouse – Levi/leather Bar – Men
1357 Folsom St., (415) 552-8689
www.powerhouse-sf.com
Dirty, smoky, nasty and fun. This is what cruise bars were in the ‘70s and includes a dark room/smoking patio. If you like to get groped, felt up and manhandled, and this is just coming into through the door, this may be heaven for you. Theme nights include underwear night and bare chest night. Super high sexual energy with a no-holds attitude towards what goes on make this a fun bar if your are looking for a night of sleaze. Don’t be shocked by what you might see

The Stud – Drag Bar/Dance Bar – Crowd Depends on Night
399 9th St., (415) 252-7883
www.studsf.com
Eclectic and somewhat a misnomer, the bar looks as if it should be a leather bar but it’s not. Theme nights with Drag legends make this bar a to-do depending upon who’s on the calendar

Polk Street – The Original Gayborhood

Auntie Charlies – San Francisco’s Original Drag Bar - Mainly Men and Transgender
133 Turk St., (415) 441-2922
www.auntcharlieslounge.com
This historical bar in the Polk Street neighborhood hosts many drag extravaganzas. Auntie Charlies has been a second home and supporter of San Francisco’s transgender community since it opened its doors. This bar is in a notoriously bad neighborhood so be mindful when hailing a taxi or finding your car

The Cinch – Neighborhood Bar –Mainly Men
1723 Polk St., (415) 776-4162
www.thecinch.com
Rainbows adorn this friendly and fun bar filled with a good crowd of locals. Great drag performers and theme nights. A great place to sit and talk with real San Franciscans while making friends with a drag queen or two

Divas – Drag/Dance Bar – Mainly Men and Transgender
1081 Post St., (415) 928-6006
www.divassf.com
Heralded by many of my trans-friends as the best Transgender Bar in the US, this place is a fun-filled gender-bending destination. Friendly bartenders, glamorous and fun girls, great drinks and a big dance floor.  Let loose and have a great time. Diva’s is a huge supporter of San Francisco’s Transgender Community

Strictly for Women
Many of the above mentioned bars and nightclubs have women’s events. Check the websites of each club to find out what is going on for women.

The Lexington Club – Lesbian Bar in the Mission
3464 19th St., (415) 863-2052
www.lexingtonclub.com
Local San Francisco dyke bar where the women are fun and friendly. Attracts a younger crowd.  Nice staff, good drink prices and pool on weekdays

Wild West Side - Lesbian Bar in Bernal Heights
424 Cortland Ave., (415) 647-3099
A cozy and comfortable San Francisco landmark dyke bar that includes a pool table and amazing outdoor patio. Legend has it that the pool table is one that Janis Joplin played on. Mostly an older crowd but draws in the neighborhood young ones too

San Francisco has some of the most amazing and celebrated neighborhood festivals celebrating diversity, commerce and camaraderie.

The biggest LGBT festival is San Francisco Pride (celebrated on the last weekend of June). The city decorates Market Street, the main boulevard, in rainbow banners and on Pride Sunday over a million LGBT and friends convene on Market Street for a 3-4 hour long parade.  SF Pride weekend kicks off with the Transgender Rally and March in Dolores Park on Friday afternoon/early evening. On Saturday is the Dyke March and Rally where over 300,000 lesbians take to the streets in a fun and exciting march. Throughout the weekend there are parties all over the city and even the smallest most intimate bar will have long lines to get in. And on Saturday evening in the Castro is Pink Saturday (Castro Street between 17th Street and 19th Street) where over 200,000 LGBT celebrants converge for an evening of socializing, dancing and entertainment.

The second and third most celebrated largely LGBT festivals are the notorious Folsom Street Fair and Up Your Alley Festivals, celebrating the BDSM community. Stretching down Folsom Street from 7th Street to 12th Street, the Folsom Street Fair (last Sunday in September) attracts over 200,000 men and women clad in leather and fetish-ware enjoying everything from flogging demonstrations to big name entertainers and a dance party. Nudity abounds and this is a place for the not shy or squeamish.  Up Your Alley (last Sunday in June) is a male-focused, smaller and less commercial version of the Folsom Street Fair and attracts over 50,000 near naked and naked men clad in leather, jock straps and more. The festival is located on Dore Alley between Folsom and Howard Streets, and on the adjoining block of Folsom Street between 9th and Juniper Streets and on to Tenth St.

To complete the Gayborhood Street Fairs we must call out the Castro Street Fair (usually celebrated on the first Sunday in October) that attracts local artists, businesses, non-profits and hosts several beer stands and stages for entertainers. The fair is located on Castro Street from 19th Street to 17th Street, turning down Market Street to Noe Street. And lastly The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Anniversary Party every Easter Sunday in Dolores Park (lower end) with festivities that include the gayest Easter Bonnet Contest that you’ve ever seen and ending with the “Hunky Jesus” contest. This fun contest fills the park with 100,000 people of all sexual orientations.

Unfortunately the famous Halloween in the Castro has been officially canceled indefinitely because of a gang shooting that took place a few years ago and wounded several innocent festival goers. Though people still do come to the Castro on Halloween the numbers are small and there is an increased police presence. Any illegal behavior, including drinking alcohol on the street, will be result in arrest.