Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour

Discover San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood and its rich history with this affordable, self-paced walking tour. • Find out all about the queer predecessors who paved the way for everything from marriage equality to the popularity of the drag art form • Hear from Tony Bravo, the San Francisco Chronicle's Arts & Culture writer, as he guides you around the Castro neighborhood • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

1. 1

   The Castro

   Pass by

   Since the 1970s, San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood has been one of the foremost gayborhoods in the world. Explore its history with this self-guided audio tour.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Pass by

   The tour starts at the Jane Warner Plaza. You'll hear how the tour works using the VoiceMap app as well as an introduction to the Castro neighborhood.

3. 3

   Twin Peaks Tavern

   Pass by

   The tour takes you past Twin Peaks Tavern, the first gay bar in San Francisco, with plateglass windows to show that the community no longer had to meet in secret.

4. 4

   Castro Theatre

   Pass by

   The tour passes by the century-old beauty of the Castro Theatre, which actor and filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell described as "a gay cathedral".

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   The tour passes by Moby Dick bar where you'll have the chance to see the mural on the side of the bar by artist Serge Gay Jr. “Gear Up,” which features wardrobe staples of different queer subcultures like a leather jacket, Converse Chuck Taylors, a red bandana, black Christian Louboutin high heels, and a sailor cap.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   The tour gives you the chance to take in the plaques along the Rainbow Honor Walk — the queer version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame — which pays homage to queer royalty like disco darling Sylvester.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   The tour passes by the real Castro Camera, where pioneering gay city Supervisor Harvey Milk ran his political campaigns.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   The tour passes by the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. This San Francisco public elementary school was renamed for Harvey in 1996.

9. 9

   GLBT Historical Society Museum & Archives

   Pass by

   The tour passes by the GLBT Historical Society Museum, which houses over 900 collectables of LGBTQ art and history.

10. 10

    Harvey Milk Plaza

    Pass by

    The tour ends at Harvey Milk Plaza, next to the home of Gilbert Baker’s world famous rainbow pride flag.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.