The 10 best gay things to do in San Francisco

The Castro neighbourhood has sat firmly at the centre of gay life in San Francisco since the 70s and remains a rainbow-flag lined beauty, brimming with history, lively bars and an ever-widening shopping district. Pause at the intersection of 18^th and Castro streets to soak up the atmosphere of gay ground zero before grabbing a bite to eat from one of a plethora of fusion eateries, serving up such delights as dim sum at Mama Ji’s and sweet snacks at Hot Cookie. While you’re here, don’t miss the mural and plaque at 575 Castro Street which stands as a tribute to Harvey Milk, the gay civil rights icon who spearheaded anti-discrimination legislature in the 1970s.

The GLBT Historical Society, rather than serving dyslexic members of the queer community as it might seem, is, in actual fact, an archive museum holding an extensive collection of historic artefacts relating to the history of LGBT people in the United States, with a particular focus on San Francisco and Northern California. 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.

With such a rich, rainbow-hued history, San Francisco has long been a stomping ground for famed members of the global queer community. Discover more with a walk along San Francisco’s own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, known as the Rainbow Honor Walk. Concentrated along Castro Street around 18^th, where even the crosswalks are rainbow-striped, you’ll find numerous commemorative plaques honouring prominent gay artists, entertainers and activists throughout history, such as Beat poet Allen Ginsberg and modern pop artist Keith Haring, as well as other minority figures such as the first female Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jane Addams.

For a slap-up meal suitable for even the most hard to please member of the LGBTQ community, Frances is the place to go. With its daily-changing menu designed to reflect modern Californian styles while maintaining a focus on locally sourced ingredients, Frances has garnered both a stellar reputation and a Michelin star to boot in its short time on the Castro scene. Expect fresh and unexpected Cali dishes served alongside juicy cocktails and a fabulous wine list that features local and internationally acclaimed favourites.

There’s no shortage of gay bars in San Francisco but Twin Peaks Tavern is a firm winner, proudly gay since the day it became one of the first gay bars in San Francisco to remove the coverings from its centrepiece windows and shout its presence to the world. Strewn with ornately vintage décor in a top location, Twin Peaks Tavern is an iconic watering hole in SF that’ll tempt you time and time again with its affordability, classy cocktails and comfy seating, providing the ultimate space to meet the city’s mercurial queer community and other like-minded travellers.

Serving as the setting for many movies including Keanu Reeves’ 1995 A Walk in the Clouds, Sideways and the more recent Netflix comedy Wine Country, are the winemaking regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma. Famed worldwide for their wines, these numerous vineyards, located back to back in the rolling hills of rural California, provide the perfect sun-soaked locale to indulge in a grape-heavy afternoon of wine tasting while observing winemaking processes first hand.

Seasonal gay extravaganzas are afoot all year long in San Francisco but it’s around summer solstice when the event calendar is most packed. Of course, there’s the infamous San Francisco Pride in June where crowds upwards of 100,000 loudly show their support for San Francisco’s diverse and inclusive LGBTQ+ community with a huge weekend-long party that disrupts and brightens the entire city. As well as the memorable celebrations to be had among the main parade, the wider festival hosts speeches from inspiring LGBTQ leaders, a political rally, fun run, various club nights and free hugs for all.

Also in June, visitors to the city can experience Frameline: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, one of the biggest queer film festivals the world over, and one such event offering a more encultured view of the international community compared to the average fetish festivals or club circuit. Integrating programs designed to support emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers, Frameline also provides an internationally recognised stage for the best queer cinema around the globe. As this one is known to sell out fast, make sure to book your tickets to screenings and other connected events well in advance.

Then there’s Fresh Meat Festival, the edgy cherry atop an already sweet, gender-bending June in the city. Featuring everything from transgender-centric rock opera to gay ballroom championships and intersectional dance theatre featuring pioneering queer disabled acts, Fresh Meat is one of the best trans and queer performance festivals sure to keep you all guessing. Aiming for total inclusivity with a defiant edge, this event is a true joy for San Francisco’s summer, showcasing regional and world premieres of extraordinary performance, theatre and live music.

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