San francisco gay district

The bridge is most often partially covered in fog, but we found this to just add something to our photos and make it even more dramatic!

Ride a Cable Car

San Franciscos cable cars have been transporting people around the city since the late 19^th century when they used to run 23 routes.

Whilst nowadays the locals may choose more efficient modes of transport to get around, the cable cars are a key attraction to the city, and taking a ride on one is an iconic experience for almost all visitors.

There are three of the original 23 lines still operating, taking passengers up and down the hills of San Francisco, through various neighbourhoods.

There was something so iconic about walking through the streets and hearing the cable car bells ringing even from blocks away!

As a result, the community held a street fair to come together at this difficult time, and the Folsom Street Fair was born and has been going strong ever since.

The Folsom Street Fair takes place on the last Sunday of September each year, and runs along Folsom Street (of course!) from 12^th to 7^TH Street, in the Soma district.

This score was equal to other top cities, including New York City ( 100/100) and Baltimore (100/100).

Safety Ranking

The Safety Index Rating tracks legal protections available to LGBTQ individuals. With its welcoming atmosphere, the San Francisco neighborhood is suitable for all lifestyles and has something to offer.

From the colorful Castro District to the Latin Culture found in the Mission District, this metropolis meets the needs of all ages, genders, cultures, and interests.

Must-Visit Neighborhoods in San Francisco

Much of San Francisco’s appeal is the unlimited access to entertainment.

It is a full-on all day street party, with music, multiple stages, drag shows, comedy acts, food, drinks and of course, the most important element, the gathering of the community.

The Castro Street Fair takes place each year on the first Sunday of October, and takes over pretty much the entire commercial zone of the district, from Market Street to 19^th Street and the whole of Castro Street.

Up Your Alley Fair

The ‘Up Your Alley Fair,’ or more commonly known as Dore Alley Fair, or even simply Dore Alley is a leather and fetiʂh-event held annually in San Francisco – with a reputation for being more hardcore than Folsom and not for the faint of heart!

Up Your Alley is a weekend of fetiʂh events, circuit parties and celebrations running over the last weekend of July, in the lead up to the last Sunday of the month being the Up Your Alley Street Fair.

Located in front of the legendary Powerhouse Bar, the street fair event runs between 9^th and 10^th Street, and along Dore Alley between Howard and Folsom Streets in the Soma district.

The event attracts almost 15,000 visitors come to dance, show, watch the performances and visit the adult-themed vendors and exhibitors, with a scene for a variety of different fetiʂhes – leather, rubber, sportswear, skin gear etc.

And from Friday to Sunday a number of the city’s circuit party organisers will be hosting various Dore Alley editions of their parties, with something available for everyone.

Gay Saunas in San Francisco

It might be surprising to hear that in a city as forward thinking and open-minded as San Francisco, with so various $ex-positive events spread throughout their calendar, that gay saunas and bathhouses don’t seem to exist here.

However, there is a reason for this, which as previously mentioned dates back to the origins of the Folsom Street Fair.

In the early 1980s during the height of the AIDS crisis the city imposed a ban on bathhouses, as well as any other gay meeting place, having private rooms with a locked door.

The city is also credited with creating the rainbow pride flag.

Today, San Francisco is a beacon for LGBTQ individuals, with diverse, welcoming neighborhoods such as The Castro District, SoMa (South of Market), The Mission, Bernal Heights, and The Haight. San Francisco predicts that 2024 will bring a new era of commercial development to the city. 

A real estate reset will bring new investment opportunities to a number of industries, including retail, restaurants, hotels, and offices.

Be a Local to One of San Francisco’s Best Gay Neighborhoods 

The best time to buy a house here is now.

However, several things impact your interest rate, including your down payment, government programs, and the lender you work with.

Pride Lending has access to programs that can allow you to put down as little as 3% depending on the program. That’s one in every six people!

This warm and welcoming vibe is extended to the countless gay travellers that visit each year, and the gay-friendly attitude, just like the LGBTQ+ community, is found all over the city, and not just in the gay Castro district.

Where is the gay area in San Francisco?

Just like most major cities the LGBTQ+ scene is centred around the ‘gayborhood.’ Gay San Francisco is found as soon as you set foot in the Castro district – San Franciscos gay epicentre.

Located in the Eureka Valley, the Castro is a historic neighbourhood, mainly concentrated in the cross-section of Market Street to 19^th Street and Church Street to Eureka Street, with Castro Street running through.

It’s impossible not to know when you have arrived – the whole area is adorned with rainbow flags flying from the streetlamps, as well as various rainbow crosswalks too.

Home to the city’s largest gay community, the Castro is also a top tourist destination with plenty to see and explore both day and night.

History enthusiasts can find enjoyment at the San Francisco Museum, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, or the Museum of African Diaspora.

Harvey Milk Plaza

Head over to Harvey Milk Plaza at the intersection of Castro and Market Street, where you’ll find lively dive bars and a memorial to Harvey Milk himself, one of the country’s first openly gay elected city officials.

Nearby, you’ll find the Pink Triangle Park at Twin Peaks, a small memorial that honors gay Jewish history.

The city is known for its abundance of nightlife and diverse food scene, which all foodies will enjoy. Mortgage lenders in San Francisco can help you obtain funding to acquire your dream home. 

Whether you dream of fancy loft apartments overlooking the artsy district or a quaint condo in a working-class neighborhood, the city welcomes everyone.

If you’re ready to find your new home, Pride Lending is here to help!

When compared to other large California cities, such as Los Angeles, San Fran residents can expect to pay more for housing (23.6%), lower restaurant prices (5.8%), and lower grocery prices (15.6%.) 

When compared to San Diego, San Francisco residents pay more for rent (16.7%), higher restaurant costs (12.1%), and higher grocery prices (22.2%.)

Mortgage Rates and Minimum Down Payments

Mortgage rates are the interest you pay when purchasing a home.

The biggest climate threat to San Francisco over the next 30 years is flooding, a major risk in some locations.

Residents have many public transportation options available, and much of the city is walkable. The median sale price has risen to $1,400,000, 3.7% higher than the previous year. Located in Nob Hill, this dive gay bar is a popular location to mingle with other locals.

Within the Polk Gulch neighborhood, Polk Street hosted the city’s first Pride parade. Even the ones that may accept cash or contactless inside will generally still expect the cover to be paid in cash.

Hi Tops – The Castro         

Hi Tops are a chain of gay sports bars, with other locations in prominent LGBTQ+ hotspots such as West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Hi Tops is a gay sports bar, known for its loud atmosphere and large crowds, especially on big game days which are shown on one of the bars many flat screen TVs.

However, the bar becomes much more mixed come the weekend, with go-go dancers, shot boys and more of a ‘party’ vibe.

Hi Tops also hosts different theme nights too, such as their Tuesday trivia night, and they also serve food.

Address: 2247 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States

440 Castro – The Castro

Formerly called ‘Daddy’s,’ the name is quite accurate when it comes to describing the crowd, as 440 Castro is a popular choice amongst the older, leather daddy and bear crowd.

440 is a popular bar in the Castro district, and whilst naturally is busiest on a weekend when the crowd becomes more mixed, they also host various events throughout the week, including their very popular Underwear Night each Monday where you can party in your briefs alongside topless go-go boys.

Address: 440 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States

Beaux – The Castro

One of the newer gay venues to the Castro, Beaux is a cross between bar and nightclub, and so is a perfect choice for those looking for a slightly livelier night with the option to hit the dancefloor.

Beaux hosts various themed nights and events, such as the Latin night on a Wednesday, and Thursday being focused on playing Top 40 pop remixes from the 90’s and 00’s (definitely my kind of bar!)

Beaux is also always the host venue when the queens from RPDR are passing through town – definitely worth keeping an eye on their schedule to see if any Ru queens are starring in their Big Top Sunday drag show!

One thing worth mentioning, despite Beaux being a good choice to close out your night on the dancefloor, due to state law and liquor law sales restrictions, the venue does close at 02:00am.

Address: 2344 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States

Midnight Sun – The Castro

Included here as one of San Franciscos oldest gay bars, Midnight Sun has been serving the Castro community for over 50 years.

Midnight Sun is a gay video bar and lounge, that also hosts various weekly themed nights, such as a drag show on a Monday, karaoke nights, and Ru Pauls Drag Race viewing parties.

Midnight Sun has also been voted as having the best ‘Happy Hour in SF’ – with two-for-one everything until 9pm every day!

Address: 4067 18th St #2535, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States

Powerhouse – Soma

Powerhouse is definitely not a gay bar for the prudish!

Regardless of which of the San Francisco neighborhoods you choose to move to, the community will welcome you with open arms.

Although settled in 1776, San Francisco didn’t become the lively, entertaining hub it is today until much later. Of course, it’s also home to many popular independent bookstores, like the famous Dog Eared Books and the Castro Theatre. 

Polk Gulch

Explore Polk Gulch, the city’s first gay neighborhood.