United States
California (CA)
San Francisco
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The Castro
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The Castro

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See all things to do
The Castro
4
Top ways to experience The Castro
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Mission Dolores
How to get there
  • Church St • 4 min walk
  • Castro St • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,655 within 5 kms
L'ardoise Bistro
251
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Ike's Love & Sandwiches
418
0.2 km$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast food
Kitchen Story
335
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • American • Fusion • Vegetarian Friendly
Frances
334
0.4 km$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Woodhouse Fish Co.
286
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood
Bi-Rite Creamery
837
0.7 km$ • Dessert • American
Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
123
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish • Wine Bar
Orphan Andy's
365
0.5 km$ • American • Cafe • Diner
Catch
270
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Starbelly
223
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
See all
Attractions
793 within 10 kms
Mission Dolores
343
0.3 kmHistoric Sites • Missions
Alamo Square
1,383
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mission Dolores Park
889
0.8 kmParks
Art House SF
1
0.4 kmArt Galleries
Path of Gold Light Standards
1
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
St. Matthews Lutheran Church
2
0.5 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Maison Bleu Maxime Le Forestier
61
0.6 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Harvey Milk Plaza
28
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Creativity Explored
1
0.5 kmArt Galleries
GLBT Historical Society Museum
87
0.7 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
973 reviews
Excellent
424
Very good
381
Average
144
Poor
18
Terrible
6
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA6,465 contributions
Great community
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Community that celebrates is gay cultural heritage.

Once in the shadows and avoided by straight folks it is now a tourist destination that welcomes all.

Great shopping snd lots of restaurants.

Well worth a visit.
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony R
4 contributions
The best weather in Frisco, they'll break your window to steal your phone charger, saw a naked guy in public
Mar. 2023
Because of the mountains and the fog they split, as well as the year-round wind the city is known for, the Castro district has the most sun and best temperature in all of San Francisco except for the airport where they measure the temperature, misleading all of the tourists to think they don't need a sweater.

There are people who Will break the tiny window in the back passenger door of your car in order to reach in and pop your trunk open to check if there are any valuables in the trunk but they'll definitely break in to steal your phone charger, change or any valuables. Highly recommend you get insurance that would cover such things including the loss of merchandise or that you leave your windows down and car unlocked although with the homeless population and how windy and cold it is, I would recommend insurance more.

There are kids that live in the Castro district, lots of great places to eat all over the city but some of your more cafe type eateries are in the Castro, you literally can't go wrong everywhere is a foodie stop, but respect the culture that you're visiting. You're going to see same-sex couples and people dressing in ways you'd expect for one of the most historic gay neighborhoods in the country as well as in ways that you might not expect, especially during Pride. For example, a completely naked man walking down the sidewalk in broad daylight. While that certainly isn't the norm and probably doesn't happen every Pride, if you're not okay with your kids seeing that, stay out of Castro. Regardless of how you feel, it is a much bigger deal to you than it is to your kids no doubt.

If you do take your family, expect there to be tiny shops that are more like antiques and thrift shops as well as the aforementioned eateries but expect to spend most of your vacation outside of Castro. There are lots of tourist destinations on all sides within public transportation reach or even walking distance if you're up for a 10 minute walk. Public transportation is great in San Francisco. San Franciscans tend to be quite busy so they just basically ignore you and everyone else they don't know which is to be expected as tourists are part of their daily life (that mostly creates traffic and wait times at restaurants) but in my experience the residents of the Castro district and San Francisco as a whole are caring and if you do end up in a conversation with a local, it will no doubt be a pleasant vacation memory.
Written May 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Corrado R
Vedano al Lambro, Italy1,082 contributions
The Castro
Mar. 2023 • Friends
Nice area around market street, full of restaurants with different food options.
Not far from the area you can reach Twin Peaks heights for a wonderful view on Frisco.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,407 contributions
A Neighborhood with A Past
Dec. 2022
There are issues here, people on the streets and the chronic litter. But there is also lovely architecture off the main street and lots of history all around. Plus fun at the theater, the bars and the restaurants. Lots of people around. This is now an upscale neighborhood.
Written December 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerald G
Amsterdam, The Netherlands13 contributions
EXPENSIVE STREET FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE NOW
Oct. 2021 • Family
I remember what this neighborhood used to be like 30 years ago .Its nothing like it used to be anymore . I know the typical gay man has to have a place to go for recreation . But now its gone past the stage of a descent club hangout for fun . It has become a deralect hangout for homeless people now . Too much panhandler people now . And high prices for drinks in a gay bar now.
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MNRLVEU
Columbus, OH283 contributions
Great Neighborhood
Sep. 2021 • Couples
Great area of the city especially for a couple of the LGBT community. We had a great evening from dinner at Orphan Andy’s to drinks at several of the great bars in and around Castro St. A great neighborhood of a great city to get out and enjoy, just do t start too early, things really pick up late.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA179,771 contributions
Visit to Castro District - San Francisco
Jun. 2020
We were in the Castro District of San Francisco during Gay Pride Week-end. Its a bit quieter this year due to the virus, but still a fun place to go. We had a good time.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
Washington DC, DC12,004 contributions
Castro
Feb. 2020 • Couples
Unique area of the city. Always something going on. Looks like a LGBT district. There was naked people walking down the street. Some of them doing it for money or pictures, some others were just living their daily life. It was fun and different
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindarD4217TA
26 contributions
Fun area
Dec. 2019
Love hanging out at Twin Peaks for a few drinks and people watching. Breakfast at Orphan Andys is a must
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
torr m
San Francisco, CA8 contributions
geographic center of the city
Jan. 2020
i am biased in that i live here and it's my home. the castro has always resonated with me as a little (gay) boy watching the news about a gay guy running for public office. i hope you enjoy san francisco and look beyond the chronic homelessness in its many forms.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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THE CASTRO - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Castro
According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience The Castro:
Attractions near The Castro: View all attractions near The Castro on Tripadvisor