Featured Gay Friendly Hotel in San Francisco

Gay San Francisco

Oh, San Francisco. If you’re gay, chances are you’ve either been to San Francisco or plan to sometime in your life. It is Gay Mecca, after all. Honestly, do we really even need to have a gay guide for San Francisco? You’re bound to have a friend or five in the City, right? In case you’re unaware, though, San Francisco has long been known as being a hotbed of LGBTQ+ haunts. It is steeped in a rich, chocolate, mahogany color with gay history, bars, theaters, and activism.  Recent population demographics indicate that more than 15% of the population of San Francisco is gay. That’s about 1 in every 6 people! The City is stereotypically known to be the gay capital of America, if not beyond. It’s also a commonly heard statistic that there are more dogs than children in the City by the Bay, which we just love. There are also more drag queens per square foot than anywhere else except wherever they happen to be filming RuPaul’s Drag Race. Ok, we made that last one up, but you get the idea, right?

There are literally hundreds of gay-themed things to do in SF year-round. The Castro neighborhood is ground zero of SF’s gay epicenter. Here you’ll find bars and restaurants of every variety, suiting all sorts of patrons. The iconic Castro Theatre features a gay cinema and sing-a-long musical nights, among other entertaining things. You can also get a glimpse of famous gay activist and former-city-supervisor-turned-gay-martyr, Harvey Milk’s old camera store, Castro Camera; now it’s a Human Rights Campaign store.

The Castro District San Francisco
Photo Credit:  The Castro District, by Max Templeton

Don’t be afraid to get out of the Castro and explore the rest of the city, too—Northern Californians and Bay Area residents, in particular, are notoriously liberal and accepting of the LGBT community, so you shouldn’t have any worries being yourself around town. There are plenty of interesting museums in Golden Gate Park to check out, Chinatown is a tourist destination in and of itself, and there are dozens of parades and festivals throughout the year for you to explore.

Finally, if you do choose to venture out of the Castro district and see what else San Francisco has to offer, you're in for a treat. Not only is San Francisco the epicenter of all things LGBT, but it's also a hub for amazing food, art, breweries,  fashion, and history. You can spend the day finding famous food trucks, exploring the counterculture capital of Haight Ashbury, and even find the most instagrammable backdrops throughout the city. No matter what you are looking for, San Francisco has something to offer everyone.

Gay-Friendly San Francisco
Photo Credit:  Hann Blackwood

What do you want to discover?

San Francisco Gay Scene

Roughly 1 in every 6 people in SF is gay. There are few cities in the world with a more accepting attitude towards gay people or with a larger percentage of the population who is part of the LGBT community.

The main intersection in the Castro neighborhood is 18th Street and Castro Street. From here, the Castro District extends in all directions for many blocks. This dynamic San Francisco area is adorned with rainbow flags to help show support of the gay and lesbian residents while being a symbol for the community. It’s also a great area for gay history—they even have one of the world’s only museums on the subject! One of the interesting things about San Francisco’s famous liberalism is that it means it is not illegal to be nude in the city. Do not be surprised to see naked people sipping coffee in street-side cafes in the Castro or practicing nude tai chi in Golden Gate Park, although nudity isn’t all that common outside the Castro. There's also the famous nude beach, Baker Beach, on the northwest part of the peninsula just south of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Best Time to Visit San Francisco

Believe it or not, one of the best times to visit San Francisco is in the fall. September through November offers some of the best weather you can experience. The fall offers warm weather and fewer crowds. Spring is also another great time to visit. Spring offers mild temperatures and little rain. The rainy season is from December to February, so it may be a little wet if you decide to visit during those times.

Haight Ashbury Fall Pumpkins
Photo Credit:  Haight Ashbury in the Fall, by Kelbob Johnson

Top Things to See and Do in San Francisco

Depending on your interests, there is something for everyone, so we've offered a variety of options for you to explore below.

MUST DO: San Francisco Attractions & Activities

Golden Gate Bridge - Arguably the most famous landmark of San Francisco. This historic bridge view can be seen from many places, but Baker Beach offers a breathtaking view. Have a picnic while you're there, and have the golden state bridge offer its backdrop for your picnic. 

Haight Ashbury - This famous neighborhood was known as a hippie counterculture hang out in the 60s. Famous musicians like Janis Joplin and Jimmi Hendrix frequented this neighborhood as a social experiment to exchange ideas and embrace their art. Their ideas spread across the nation.  Now, Haight Ashbury still has the feel of the hippie movement and is filled with boutiques, book stores, and historic hotels. 

Lombard Street - Another iconic San Francisco landmark is Lombard street. These steep hills and zig-zagging roads attract many people to its scenic and historic views. So hop on a cable car and go for a ride down Lombard street. 

Golden Gate Park - One of the greenest areas in San Francisco. This park offers different attractions, such as botanical gardens and Japanese tea gardens. If you're looking for something scenic, lush, and relaxing. A quick stroll through the park will do the trick! 

MUST EAT:  San Francisco Gay-Friendly Dining

One of the many things that San Francisco is known for is its world-class dining. San Francisco offers many different types of restaurants, cuisines, breweries, ice cream shops, and much more! Many of the food is integral to the city. San Francisco is a melting pot of different cultures, and it can be seen and tasted throughout the city. Here are some of the most famous and iconic San Francisco foods to try:

San Francisco Dungeness Crab
Photo Credit:  Kevin Lanceplaine
  1. Dungeness Crab - Dungeness Crab, is a popular food that can be found around San Francisco. It comes in a variety of dishes, and some places even offer eating it whole at the table. Just crack open the crab and dig in! Dungeness Crab can be fished right off the coast, so it will be the freshest crab you can get!
  2. Oysters - While on the topic of fresh seafood, why not have some oysters? Oysters are rooted in San Francisco's history and were a popular fast food option from the 1860s to1910. San Francisco was ravenous for them, eating them raw, steamed, baked, or any other way one can think of. 
  3. Cioppino - This legendary dish is made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, wine, herbs, and fresh seafood. Legend has it that it was made by fishermen on their boats so they can have something to eat while returning to fisherman's wharf. There's a saying in San Francisco; if it didn't get all over your shirt while you are eating it, you didn't have a good cioppino. 
  4. Dim Sum - For those of you who don’t know. Dim Sum refers to a style of Chinese food made of small, bite-sized, or individual-sized portions of food. While eating at a Dim Sum restaurant, it's common to see a server push a cart filled with steamed food, and it is encouraged to flag the waiter down to pick up some dishes they are carrying. San Francisco has a large Chinese population, and you will be able to find authentic Chinese food throughout the city. 
  5. Fresh Crusty Sourdough French Bread - That may sound like a mouth full, as it should be. San Francisco has plenty of bakeries that bake fresh sourdough bread daily. You can get sandwiches made with it, eat it on its own, or better yet, in a bread bowl with some fresh clam chowder or cheddar beer soup.

While visiting, check out some of these famous establishments below! 

Bi-Rite Creamery

Bi-Rite is a cool oasis on a hot day. Every day spent at Dolores Park is best coupled with a trip to Bi-Rite, where unconventional flavors are made fresh. Salted caramel and lavender are among local favorites. Their ice cream cookie sandwiches are sweet, sweet sin.  Expect a long line that’s totally worth the wait!

Sweet Maple

A sweet Maple is a nice place for a nice breakfast or lunch (or brunch!). Their service is friendly and fast—exactly what you need if you have a busy day ahead. Best French toast and bacon in town!!!

Harvey’s

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get!” Same with Harvey’s! A hefty bar menu stuffed with Brunch items, burgers, salads, Chamtinis, Bloody Mary’s, and more. The same applies to the atmosphere—sassy waiters with big personalities. Sometimes, straight waiters who all the gays want to turn. Or perhaps, Comedy night with brash comedians making you laugh and trivia night hosted by a local drag queen.

MUST VISIT: San Francisco Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

San Francisco Nightlife
Photo Credit:  Gordon Mak

Where do we begin?!?! San Francisco has some of the best places to drink, hang out, and, most importantly, party! San Francisco has some of the best gay bars, gay clubs, and more! The best part, it's all in the same street! The Historic Castro Street has San Francisco's best gay bars, all in one convenient location. 

Check out some famous gay bars below! 

Honey Soundsystem

Honey Soundsystem is known for throwing its parties on Sundays. Filled with an eclectic mix of people, the music is always good, and the people are friendly. Holiday weekends are packed.

Diva’s

Diva's is pretty much the only all if not predominantly trans club in San Francisco. One floor is a pub, one is a dance floor, and the top is a lounge with a pool table and pinball machines. There are different events on different nights, so check their website to stay up to date!

Badlands

Badlands is usually where most people end up at the end of the night if they've been partying in the Castro. They play great music, drinks are cheap, and the dance floor is always poppin'!

The Edge Bar

It seems like there's always something going on at the Edge Bar SF. They have weekly events, one of which is their Musical Mondays. At 7:00 pm, they play a huge lineup of fun musicals that you can really tap your feet to. No matter what the day, The Edge Bar is the place for SF nightlife!

Travel Safety

San Francisco is a fabulous place to visit. There is plenty to see, eat, and do. One of the best parts of San Francisco is that it's incredibly gay-friendly. So being open, free, and true to one's self is encouraged and celebrated. While visiting, it's good to implement common-sense travel tips to make your trip fun and memorable. Always remember to lock up documents and personal belongings in the hotel safe. Try not to carry around too much cash while exploring the city. Finally, remember to be mindful of your surroundings to make sure you don’t get lost and fall for a pick pocket. Being vigilant will ensure a fun and memorable experience.

Tips and Tricks

The weather in San Fran is notoriously colder than the rest of California so pack accordingly. In summer, it’s typically foggy and cool. Winters are rainy and brisk, but the fact that Frisco sits on a peninsula surrounded by water stabilizes the climate from being excessively hot or freezing cold, generally.

SF is very compact, being only 49 square miles, and the public transportation system is likely the best in California. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains can take you around the bay area if you’d like to check out other nearby cities like Berkeley and Oakland. The Municipal Railway (MUNI) trains will take you around the peninsula of SF, though, and they’re entirely affordable and convenient. You’re also gonna want to hop on the only mobile National Monument in the world and ride a cable car down one of the famously steep streets. Go for it, don’t be bashful: bust out The Trolley Song, and no one will likely even bat an eye—this is San Francisco, the gayest city in America!

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