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San Francisco

If I was to write a book entitled 100 Gay Places You Should Visit before You Die, then I would have no hesitation in awarding San Francisco the number one spot. With the largest gay population in North America, if not the whole world, the Bohemian city by the Bay is the queen of gay destinations, with a colourful and fascinating gay history to match.

The reason why San Fran has such a large gay population can almost certainly be traced back to the times of cowboys and the subsequent gold rush (where do you think those hanky codes came from?), although it was the US military offloading thousands of dishonourably discharged gay men during World War II which would have had the most significant impact.

1967's Summer of Love would also have encouraged thousands of gay men and women to ‘go west’ to seek new lives in the laidback and open-minded neighbourhoods of Haight-Ashbury and the Castro. During the 1970s, the San Francisco gay community was to create the blueprint for the fight for gay rights around the world, and if you fancy finding out more, I can’t recommend the Cruisin’ the Castro Tour (www.cruisinthecastro.com) highly enough.

A great evening activity is a visit to Club Fugazi in the North Beach district for America’s longest running musical revue, Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon. The outrageous show has been running since 1974 and is constantly updated with topical spoofs on popular and political culture and satirical takes on well-known songs. However, it is the huge hats, wigs and kitschy costumes which have made the show a cult favourite.

North Beach is adjacent to Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and Russian Hill and as the city’s Little Italy, is a great place to grab a bite to eat before or after the show. The area was also the centre of beatnik subculture and home to City Lights Bookstore, which famously published Alan Ginsberg’s Howl and Other Poems, which led to the infamous obscenity trial.

Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City books (the series was voted the best gay book ever in The Big Gay Read) are essential reading before you arrive and a great way of discovering the book's locations are a series of self guided walks at www.toursofthetales.com.

Of course San Francisco isn’t only about gay history and heritage and other must sees and dos while you are in everyone’s favourite city include taking a boat trip to Alcatraz, cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and enjoying Clam Chowder down on Fisherman’s Wharf. But it would be a shame not to delve into the fascinating part this beautiful city played in the story of gay rights across the world.   

So there’s number one in my 100 Gay Places You Should Visit before You Die, I just have to save up to visit the other 99!

HERE'S THE GAYDARRADIO TO DO LIST, IN ASSOCIATION WITH EBOOKERS.COM.    

Morning
San Fran has everything under one rainbow umbrella. The day of gay starts in the Castro for a nice coffee and croissant, then stroll over to the LGBT Community Centre - a 40,000 square foot state-art-of-the-art facility!

Afternoon
For a spot of lunch, we recommend Zeitgeist on Valencia Street, home to the city’s best Bloody Mary and fresh-off-the-grill burgers and sausages. Then pop into Caffe DeLuchhi and pick up a half price bottle of wine. Sunday afternoon is home to Honky-Tonk Sundays in the Comstock Saloon, home to 20th Century American country music, fried chicken and a BBQ.

City Pass
You’ll probably also want to wander over to Union Square TIX Bay Area booth, where you can buy a City Pass that will give you seven days unlimited travel on all Muni vehicles, including those charming cable cars, a bay boat cruise, entry to the aquarium and entry to the Museum of Modern Art. You can also pick up half price tickets for the nearby theatres while you are there.

You’ll then want to take a ride on the refurbished antique F Line Street Cars, otherwise known as the ‘Pride Express’ will take you to the Castro and an area which is sure to be a central part of your itinerary.

Accommodation
Find a central location from which to explore this wonderful city - the hotels based around Union Square are an excellent place to start. Take a look at the boutique Hotel Diva, Kensington Park and Hotel Union Square which are warm, friendly and fun, with lots of great touches – I’m a sucker for the complimentary Jelly Belly Jelly Beans!

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