Gay San Francisco 2024

San Francisco trams on hill
photo Nighttours

San Francisco is one of the LGBTQ+ capitals in the world. Enjoy SF, the culture, Alcatraz, the trams and the two main gay districts: Castro District and SoMa (South Market) around Folsom Street.

The Castro and Folsom Street

The Castro sign and rainbow flags San Francisco

SF has two main gay districts: Castro District (map) and SoMa, South Market (map) around Folsom Street.

The Castro is the largest of the United States' gay neighborhoods. The Castro is one of the most prominent symbols of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activism and events. In the area every seems to be gay, not just gay bars, cafes and restaurants and shops, but also banks and stores stores have large rainbow flags outside and in the shops.

In SoMa and Folsom you will find more the cruise and jeans bars.

Gay bars and clubs

Gay beaches and parks

The SF climate is very mild all year round, but it can be very cloudy and foggy. For those sunny days check out the beaches and parks:

Baker Beach and Dolores Park

Where to stay in San Francisco

Where to stay in San Francisco

We usually recommend staying in or near the gay area of a city. For San Francisco that would be the Castro district. However there are not so many options there. Fortunately San Francisco has a very good public transport system, including their famous old trams that are still running.

A good popular area to stay is north of the Theater District. See map

We picked some hotels to stay in the list below. 

Hotel recommendations

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Average hotel prices in San Francisco

  • Castro District
  • SoMa San Francisco

What to do during the day?

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Combine San Francisco with:

Los Angeles
USA
Los Angeles

The LA gay scene is located in West Hollywood. 

550 km from San Francisco
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Las Vegas
USA
Las Vegas
670 km from San Francisco
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Palm Springs
USA
Palm Springs
690 km from San Francisco
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Seattle
USA
Seattle
1090 km from San Francisco
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