The Castro District - Noe Valley - Cole ValleyTHE CASTRO DISTRICT
 The
Castro holds a special spot in every locals heart whether you are gay
or not! With all its' unique shops, restaurants, and oh-so-many great
areas for people watching, it's easy to get lost in gay San Francisco."Openly gay Castro struts its stuff with rainbow flags, parades, niche bookstores, and bars with names like Moby Dick. It's hard to imagine the humble roots of this now-vibrant area."*  "Today, the Castro's queer identity
is itself a tourist attraction, beckoning visitors from all over the
world."The F Market street car runs through the heart of the Castro... "the gayest spot on earth." Along with some of San Francisco's best restaurants & bars, there is also a never-ending range of shops selling, "adult accessories sporting neon signs touting "Lube 4 Less" that tips off even the most untrained eye to the deeply entrenched community here." sfgate.com Points of Interest: Harvey Milk Plaza- Castro & Market, marked by a 20x30 ft rainbow flag, commemorates supervisor Milk and mayor Moscone's assassination in 1978. Pink Triangle Park and Memorial- Market, Castro & 17th, 15 granite pillars honor the estimated 15,000 lesbians, gays, bisexuals & trans-genders imprisoned and killed during the Nazi era. Castro Theatre- 429 Castro, One of the last operating 1920's movie palaces in the United States. Shows begin with an organist at a Wurlitzer that rises from the orchestra pit. How to Get Here: Take MUNI Bus- 24, 33 & Street Car F-Line Take MUNI Underground K, L, M, T-Third to Castro Station Cafes, Restaurants, Bars & Shops:
NOE VALLEY
What was once a Mexican farmland, now houses affluent young professionals and families in beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes. There are great restaurants, shops and people watching! "Noe Valley is a neighborhood of contradictions. It's home to both liberals and conservatives, it has attracted the working class, dot.com millionaires, Hollywood film crews ("Sister Act," "Nash Bridges"), and, in the 1970s, followers of controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh." sfgate.com "Most traffic runs along 24th St & up Church, where locals linger over brunch or stroll the modest shopping strip."*  Points of Interest: Twin Peaks-(Twin Peaks Blvd.) This is the cities 2nd highest hill. It gives you views of the entire city including the Golden Gate Bridge and the ever-beautiful skyline. It gets CHILLY up there quick- especially when the fog rolls in! So don't forget a jacket and your camera! The Golden Fire Hydrant-(20th & Church across from Mission Dolores Park) This was the only fire hydrant to not "go dry" during the 1906 post-earthquake fires. It gets a ceremonial fresh coat of gold paint every April 18th. Noe Valley Ministry- (1021 Sanchez St.) A 110 year-old Victorian landmark hosts the Noe Valley Music Series annually since 1981, has the local Farmers Market every Saturday and is the home to a plethora of community events and music performances. Seward Street Slides- These concrete slides are a locals' favorite, are free and are open from 9-5pm everyday. However, they are pretty well hidden, as Seward St. is not a main street. It is just off Douglass between 19th and 20th and is worth the trek to get here...TRUST ME! There is usually cardboard on the side for you to use, but try to bring your own just in case. How to Get Here: Take MUNI Bus- 24, 35, 37, 48 Take MUNI Underground- J Church line Cafes, Restaurants, Bars & Shops:
COLE VALLEY
"Step over the southern boundary of Haight St. and the world matures. Young families, nine-to-fivers, and a sprinkling of students fill side-by-side rows of houses. But Cole Valley's main draw is its lineup of inviting cafes and restaurants, a tranquil respire from the weekend throngs of the Haight." Point of Interest: Tank Hill- Cole Valley offers dramatic views of the city atop 600-foot-high Tank Hill (above Twin Peaks), named for an old water tank stationed there in the late 1800s. The eucalyptus trees there were planted after the attack on Pearl Harbor to hide the water tank from bombers. To get to the hill's summit and panoramic viewpoint, walk up Shrader Street to Belgrave Street and turn left, taking it to the end. How to Get Here: Take MUNI Bus Lines- 6, 37, 43 Take MUNI Underground N-Judah line to Carol & Cole Cafes, Restaurants, Bars & Shops:
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