Castro & Noe Valley
The colorful Castro is the famous gay center of San Francisco, a vibrant and historic neighborhood full of businesses geared towards the city's LGBT community. Adjacent to the Castro and sitting beneath Twin Peaks to the west is Noe Valley, a pleasant neighborhood with lots of lovely restaurants and boutiques to explore. The area is bounded roughly by the Twin Peaks on the west, Dolores/Church Streets on the east, Duboce Avenue on the north and San Jose Avenue on the south.
Understand
Originally an Irish working-class neighborhood of San Francisco, the Castro has been transformed for the past 35 years and recognized by many as the gay mecca of the world. Filled with bookstores, clothing outlets, video stores and bars (and practically anything else you can think of) that cater towards the LGBT community, the Castro is a required visit for anyone even slightly interested in gay lifestyle and culture, and is truly a local authentic gem of San Francisco.
Noe Valley is a long gentrified neighborhood in San Francisco with many hip and trendy restaurants and boutique shops. The main commercial corridor is on 24th Street between Guerrero Street and Diamond Street. Walking along 24th Street during the day you will see well-attended coffee shops, chic boutiques and several baby strollers. You can learn more about the goings-on in Noe Valley by reading either the print or online edition of the Noe Valley Voice.
Get in
By Muni
This is the best way to get to the Castro. The K, L, or M MUNI Metro underground lines are the quickest way from Downtown, stopping at the Church Street station at Market and Church and the Castro Street station at Market and Castro, with the T line also serving trips inbound to Downtown. The J Church line can also get you to the Castro, although it comes above ground and turns south on Church Street, which runs along the eastern edge of the district. For a more scenic ride, take the historic F Market streetcar line from Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero and Downtown down Market to Castro Street.
MUNI bus lines which serve the area include 24-Divisadero, which runs along Castro Street through most of the district, heading north to Pacific Heights and southeast to Bayview-Hunters Point, the 33-Ashbury/18th, which runs east-west along 18th Street, the 48-Quintara/24th Street, which runs east-west along 24th Street, continuing east to Potrero Hill and west past Twin Peaks, West Portal and into Sunset, and the 35-Eureka and 37-Corbett neighborhood lines.
The BART system runs through the nearby Mission neighborhood, where you can either get off at the 16th Street station and transfer to the 33 bus line, or get off at the 24th Street station and transfer to the 48 bus line.
By car
Don't drive into the area. Use public transit instead. There is a public parking garage on Noe just north of Market, but it is small. Street parking is very hard to find, especially on the weekends. If you park at the Safeway on Market and you don't go exclusively there, you will be towed. There are some metered spots along 18th between Sanchez and Eureka, but these are hard to come by. On weekends, parking is better as the 2-hour neighborhood permits don't apply. Noe Valley has one small public lot, but you will likely need to find street parking, and this can be particularly scarce on weekends during brunch and dinner times.
See
- 1 The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St (between 17th and 18th Sts), ☏ +1 415 621-6120. A lovingly restored Art Deco jewelbox of an independent movie theatre, with a Wurlitzer organ and splendid organist, special sing-along showings, and more. A "rep house" or repertory theater, it tends to screen a wide variety of classic or obscure but worthwhile films, and be a venue of choice of local film festivals. $11 adults, $8.50 seniors/teens/matinee.
- 2 LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St (at Octavia), ☏ +1 415 865-5555. M-Th noon-10PM, F noon-6PM, Sa 9AM-6PM. The Center houses the offices of various community organizations, and has space for public events and meetings. The ground floor features a cafe space, and on the third floor there is a cyber center which offers an hour of free computer time.
- 3 GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th St (between Castro St and Collingwood St), ☏ +1 415 621-1107. M, W-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su noon-5PM (except holidays), Tu closed. A GLBT history museum, with exhibits that take you from the bedrooms and back rooms to the bookstores and bars, from Harvey Milk’s victories to transgender sex workers’ riots, from social movements to secret fantasies. $5.
- 4 Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, ☏ +1 415 554-9600. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. A small but fun children's museum with several interactive exhibits, including live animals, a science exhibit, a toddler play area, and a railroad exhibit which includes a model railroad layout which is open on Saturdays. The museum is perched on a hill, offering great views of the San Francisco skyline. Free.
Do
There are several major cultural festivals and events in the Castro annually.
- Halloween in the Castro. Halloween, the holiday when everyone puts on a mask, has long been a special time for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to take off the "straight-looking mask" they sometimes wore all year, and be themselves. What remains today is a huge, sometimes poorly controlled, street party in the Castro on the evening of October 31 each year.
- Pink Saturday (Castro St from Market St downhill). Saturday night before the LGBT Pride Parade, last weekend in June. A street party, organised by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Free, donations encouraged.
- Castro Street Fair (On Castro St), ☏ +1-415 841-1824. First Sunday in October, 11AM-6PM. Vendors, dancing, fundraising for community groups.
Buy
- 1 Cliff's Variety, 479 Castro St (between Market and 18th St), ☏ +1 415 431-5365, fax: +1 415 431-0803. M-F 8:30AM-8PM, Sa 9:30AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Toys, gifts, kitchenware, hardware, and the newly remodeled annex next door is where to shop for do it yourself home decor items and is THE place to get rhinestones.
- 2 ImagiKnit, 3897 18th St (at Sanchez), ☏ +1 415 621-6642. M-Th 10:30AM-7PM, F-Sa 10:30AM-6:30PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM. These women opened up the yarn shop that they'd like to hang out in and the whole neighborhood concurs that they're doing it right.
- 3 Noe Valley Farmers Market, 3861 24th St (between Sanchez and Vicksburg), ☏ +1 415 248-1332. Sa 8AM-1PM. Year-round California-certified farmers market.
- 4 Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles, 3982 24th St, ☏ +1 415 285-4068. M-F 10AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Stationery and gifts; custom color printing and calligraphy for announcements. They have also opened an art supply store across the street.
- 5 Church Street Flowers, 212 Church St, ☏ +1 415 553-7762. M-F 9AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. Rated 'Best of the Bay' #1 Florist for the past six years, this adorable flower shop has the most beautiful and unique blooms from all over the world.
Eat
- 1 24th Street Cheese Company, 3893 24th St (between Sanchez and Vicksburg), ☏ +1 415 821-6658. Carries hundreds of cheeses where you can taste before you buy.
- 2 Chow, 215 Church St (between 15th St & Market St), ☏ +1 415 552-2469. Su-Th 8AM-11PM, F-Sa 8AM-midnight. Serves Traditional American style food. Try their delicious breakfast made with fresh ingredients. They have reasonable prices, a casual atmosphere, good for kids and large groups, and good waiter service. $11-30.
- 3 Eric's, 1500 Church St (at 27th), ☏ +1 415 282-0919, fax: +1 415 282-9989. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 12:30PM-9PM. California Chinese cuisine (e.g.: many vegs are fresh, white or brown rice, mu shu comes with grilled flour tortillas). Tasty food in a bustling place. Accessible, vegetarian friendly, beer and wine, moderately loud. $2-6 apps, $6-11 entrees ($7 minimum).
- 4 Firefly, 4288 24th St (between Diamond and Douglass), ☏ +1 415 821-7652. Daily 5:30PM-10PM. A favorite neighborhood restaurant among locals with creative home cooking and friendly service.
- 5 Hahn's Hibachi, 1305 Castro St (at 24th St), ☏ +1 415 642-8151. The place to go for cheap, fast, and tasty food. Choose from the grilled chicken, mountain of meat, or saute chicken. $8.50-15.
- 6 Haystack Pizza, 3881 24th St (at Sanchez), ☏ +1 415 647-1929. Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-midnight. A neighborhood favorite with a full menu with many choices for various diets.
- 7 Kasa Indian Eatery, 4001 18th St (at Noe), ☏ +1 415 621-6940. 11AM-10PM. Indian food in a casual setting emphasizing from-scratch cooking with fresh ingredients. $5-12.
- 8 La Ciccia, 291 30th St (at Church), ☏ +1 415 550-8114. Tu-Su 5:30PM-10PM. Gourmet Sardinian food, Italianate but often surprisingly spiced. Large list of unusual Sardinian and other Italian wines.
- 9 Lovejoy's Tea Room, 1351 Church St (at Clipper), ☏ +1 415 648-5895. W-Su 11AM-6PM. Combination antique store and one of the best places to have a cosy High Tea in the city.
- 10 Noe Valley Bakery, 4073 24th St (at Castro), ☏ +1 415 550-1405, fax: +1 415 550-1485, contact@noevalleybakery.com. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 7AM-6PM. Considered one of the best local bakeries in the area. They supply some of the better SF restaurants as well as neighborhood demand for baked goods.
- 11 Pomelo, 1793 Church St. Small, quiet restaurant with an affordable variety of international dishes.
- 12 Sausage Factory, 517 Castro St (between 18th and 19th Sts), ☏ +1 415 626-1250. Daily 11:30AM-midnight. An Italian restaurant that's larger than it looks from the outside, extending back into the middle of the block. Delivery.
- 13 Savor, 3913 24th St (at Sanchez), ☏ +1 415 282-0344. Su-Th 8AM-10PM, F-Sa 8AM-11PM. A popular brunch spot.
- 14 Sparky's 24-Hour Diner, 242 Church St (between Market and 15th), ☏ +1 415 626-8666. 24/7 daily. Delivery. Full-on diner fare, good salads and baked items.
- 15 Thai House Express, 599 Castro St (at 19th), ☏ +1 415 864-5000. Daily 11:30AM-10:30PM. Excellent Thai food in a gay atmosphere, with some dishes that are not on the menu of most American Thai restaurants, such as Kao Soy, chicken with soft and crispy noodles in mustard sauce.
Drink
Bars
- 1 440 Castro, 440 Castro St (between 17th and 18th Sts), ☏ +1 415 621-8732. Noon-2AM daily. Heavy gay bar with a rowdy crowd and lots of bears, but for some this is the definitive Castro bar.
- 2 The LookOut, 3600 16th St (at Noe/Market), ☏ +1 415 431-0306. M-F 3:30AM-2AM, Sa-Su 12:30PM-2AM. Very popular gay bar with great food, a nice balcony, and a much calmer crowd than the 440 Castro.
- 3 Mix, 4086 18th St (between Castro and Hartford), ☏ +1 415 431-8616. M-F 7AM-2AM, Sa-Su 6AM-2AM. Billing itself as a "neighborhood bar", Mix has strong drinks and a great back patio.
- 4 Moby Dick, 4049 18th St (at Castro), ☏ +1 415 294-0731. Noon-2AM daily. Great bartenders, cheap strong drinks, music videos, and pinball.
- 5 Pilsner Inn, 225 Church St (between 15th and Market Sts), ☏ +1 415 621-7058. Daily 10AM-2AM. A low-key, unpretentious gay bar with plenty of room inside.
- 6 Twin Peaks Tavern, 401 Castro St (between 17th and 18th Sts), ☏ +1 415 864-9470. Very nice gay bar with a great atmosphere and nice staff. Historically this was the first gay bar in the US to display its patrons to the public, offering large windows looking IN to the bar. Until this addition, most all gay bars were underground bars/clubs that kept the clientele hidden from the general public.
Coffee
- 7 Cafe Flore, 2298 Market St (at Noe), ☏ +1 415 621-8579. Su-Th 7AM-11PM, F-Sa 7AM-midnight. Go for the good tea or latte and the prime people watching, not necessarily the food.
- 8 Samovar Tea Lounge, 498 Sanchez St (at 18th St), ☏ +1 415 626-4700. Daily 10AM-10PM. Live jazz on Fridays, a Stitch-and-Bitch knitting aficionado gathering on Sunday afternoons, over 100 kinds of tea. Comfortable hangout.
- 9 Cafe Sophie, 3463 16th St. A great local cafe serving excellent cappuccino.
- Noe Valley also has the nickname "coffee gulch". While Starbucks is popular, the locals prefer 10 Martha's (24th Street between Church and Sanchez) and 11 Bernie's (24th between Noe and Sanchez).
Sleep
- 1 Inn on Castro, 321 Castro St (at 16th), ☏ +1 415 861-0321, Innkeeper@innoncastro.com. An upscale bed and breakfast in a restored house. $95–$190.
- 2 Parker House, 520 Church St (at 17th), ☏ +1 415 621-3222, fax: +1 415 621-4139, info@parkerguesthouse.com. A gay owned and operated hotel in a very pretty old building. $139–$249.
- 3 Twin Peaks Hotel, 2160 Market St (between 14th and 15th), ☏ +1 415 863-2909. Not the Ritz but a cheap budget hotel option
Connect
- 1 San Francisco Public Library - Eureka Valley Branch, 1 Jose Sarria Ct (at 16th and Prosper), ☏ +1 415 355-5616. M noon-6PM, Tu 10AM-9PM, W noon-9PM, Th 10AM-6PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa noon-6PM, Su closed.
- 2 San Francisco Public Library - Noe Valley Branch, 451 Jersey St (between Diamond and Castro), ☏ +1 415 355-5707. M noon-6PM, Tu 10AM-9PM, W 1PM-9PM, Th 10AM-6PM, F 1PM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM.
Go next
| Routes through Castro-Noe Valley |
| Balboa Park ← | S  N
|
→ Mission → Financial District |
| Balboa Park ← West Portal ← | SW   NE
|
→ Civic Center → Financial District |
| Sunset ← West Portal ← | SW  NE
|
→ Civic Center → Financial District |
| Balboa Park ← West Portal ← | SW  NE
|
→ Civic Center → Financial District |