Castro District, San Francisco

It is said that this is where San Francisco began. Mission Doloroes was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1776 and the building was completed in 1791.

In this picture, the original mission is the smaller mission-style building on the left. To the right is the Basilica, which replaced a parish church destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The Basilica was completed in 1918.

The inside of the chapel is beautiful and ornate. The ceilings replicate the original Ohlone Indian designs.

This is a peaceful place to reflect, regardless of your religious persuasion.

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Pretty much everyone has heard of the Castro District as the world's most famous gay neighborhood, and I for one was very curious to see it. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but I was thinking something along the lines of Montreal's gay village, only bigger and perhaps even funkier. However, I was a bit surprised to see that apart from a few rainbow flags, the Castro is a pretty down-to-earth, mostly residential neighborhood. It's a really charming area, with plenty of nice little cafes on Castro Street, but I'm guessing that a lot has changed since the days Harvey Milk used to run his camera store. It's still worth stopping by if only to enjoy the fun and casual atmosphere around Castro Street, but it seems to me like Montreal's "Le Village" has more to offer in terms of diversity and culture.

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or so was i told!

a few years back, i always loved the rainbow colours, then discovered it was the peace flag, then little by little it was 'converted' to be the gay flag, i wonder in the next years who will claim it again? :D

this district is usually very crammed and crowded over summers for the famous San Francisco Pride - one of the must-see event in the bay area

this place is surprisingly - at least to me - very expressive of the sexuality of the gay community in SF or perhaps in whole california! rainbow flags are everywhere, all men walking hand in hand no exception, and the commercial ads all say one line 'Are You Gay. com'! though haven't see any women really!

another interesting point besides the expressiveness level, california state still considers gay marriage to be illegal regardless of how gay-friendly it can be. domestic partnership is benefit-restricted for gay couples compared to the marriage benefits.

this very contradictory and interesting!

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The Castro District, the old Irish working-class neighborhood that in the 1970s became an internationally famous gay enclave. As gays won increasing social acceptance and began moving out to the suburbs in search of lawns and detached homes, the Castro’s reputation for good shopping, easygoing ways and cultural amenities made it a magnet for straight singles and families. Though the neighborhood still has a large gay presence, it’s on its way to becoming a quintessentially mixed San Francisco neighborhood.

The Castro is bustling all day long, but at night it really comes alive, as the bars from the Mint to the Midnight Sun fill up and the Castro Theatre's neon marquee lights up the main drag. Though the Castro's nightlife doesn't have as much to offer women as many dykes would like, it remains a fairly safe neighborhood after hours, and there are plenty of places where women, queer or not, can feel at home.

Any visit to San Francisco wouldn't be complete without a wonder through the neighbourhood called The Castro. What most surprised me about this area was how suburban it felt. The second interesting thing about this neighbourhood is that it has heaps of good restaurants that aren't very expensive. In fact, if the prices of inner city restaurants are giving you worries, head out here on the subway or bus and eat well, for reasonable prices. On my way back from the nearby Mission District on foot, I stopped here for a Japanese dinner that was excellent. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the restaurant.
Apart from the restaurants there isn't much else to do in The Castro, but a visit there adds to one's collection of San Francisco experiences.

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Whether you are gay or straight, the Castro is a great neighborhood to visit in San Francisco. Take either the old restored antique trolleys to the end of the line along Market, or if in a hurry, take the underground Muni train (you can also get a Muni transfer and take each in either direction from downtown if your trip to the Castro is only two hours). The Castro district is named for the developer in the 19th century who built many of the fine Victorian homes that cling to the hillsides above the central business district. In any case, the Castro is filled with disco bars with high self-expressive people, and there are a number of excellent restaurants here. The Castro Theater stocks amusing cross-dress productions of interest to the gay and lesbian audience, but will entertain straights as well. The Castro is active all year, but obviously a good time to go is during Gay Pride Day, at the end of the parade. The Castro has evolved quite a bit from the late 70's when I first visited it regularly. During the 80's the neighborhood was quite depressed over the AIDS epidemic, but those days are gone. Now, boutique stores, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and discoes keep the action going long into the night. The micro-climate of the Castro District is sunny and warm, relative to Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, and so this is a good place to find a well-kept B&B. For those with healthy legs, a stroll through the Castro District can be followed by a hike downhill to the venerable Mission Dolores and the Latino Neighborhood of the MIssion District. Head to 16th and Mission to catch BART back to downtown. It's also possible to grab a bus between the two neighborhoods, of course.

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Drive down Market Street toward Twin Peaks and you will cross Castro Street with its towering rainbow flag marking the entrance to The Castro District: the Gayest Spot on Earth! The main business area of The Casto covers just two blocks from Market to 19th Street along Castro Street, but the residential area is significantly larger. The main landmark in the Castro is the Castro Theater, built in 1922, it was designed to resemble the basilica of Mission Dolores--its giant pink "CASTRO" sign ensures all visitors know their location. This is one of the largest gay neighborhoods in America and is home to the annual Gay Pride Parade.

Castro Street was named for José Castro who was the governor of Mexican California and the commanding General of the area during the Mexican-American War. In case you were wondering (like I was) José Castro had no known relation to Juan B. Castro, the founder of Castroville (the artichoke capital of the world) in Monterey County.

The entire city of San Francisco has this laid back feel to it that makes you feel welcome, no matter who you are. But what I found most appealing was that it was a place where people felt comfortable being themselves. The Castro district seemed to exemplify that feel of the city, at least for me. Not to mention, it was very colourful.