Radical San Francisco: Castro and Mission
San Francisco, California
Rating: 
Trip Type: City Tours
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Explore the social movements and hip neighborhoods that shaped San Francisco into the city it is today. Visit ground zero for Harvey Milk’s gay civil rights movement, see stunning political street art, and understand how feminists, Latinos, artists and activists have fought, and continue to fight, for the soul of SF. This tour is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
More About This Activity All City Tours →
Explore the social movements and hip neighborhoods that shaped San Francisco into the city it is today. Visit ground zero for Harvey Milk’s gay civil rights movement, see stunning political street art, and understand how feminists, Latinos, artists and activists have fought, and continue to fight, for the soul of SF. This tour is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.The tour begins under the big Rainbow Flag in the Castro, known today as Harvey Milk Plaza. With a funky, dapper tour guide, you'll venture past the Castro Theatre, our Art Deco masterpiece and home to sing-a-long screenings, and the historic gay bar Twin Peaks. On 18th Street, stop outside of the GLBT Museum, America's first, and continue on to see Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy and hear how he started a gay rights revolution. Around the corner was his home and campaign headquarters leading up to the historic 1978 election.
After a 1-hour lunch break, the group heads to Dolores Park in the Mission District, home to hipsters, families, athletes and dogs. We'll get a sweeping view of the city and learn how the Mission spearheaded a DIY movement that shaped the city. Down the hill we stop at the historic Mission High School, famed for alumni including Carlos Santana and Maya Angelou. On 18th Street we'll see the "gourmet ghetto" and the award-winning restaurants, grocers and ice cream shops that define our foodie culture. Further down is the Women's Building, home to a "four story tall standing ovation to women's liberation," a powerful and colorful mural. More street art awaits on the alleys off Valencia Street, then we head past the independent shop corridor of 16th Street, and finally end our day on the steps of the Old Spanish Mission, our oldest building and remnant of Spanish California.
What we see:
After a 1-hour lunch break, the group heads to Dolores Park in the Mission District, home to hipsters, families, athletes and dogs. We'll get a sweeping view of the city and learn how the Mission spearheaded a DIY movement that shaped the city. Down the hill we stop at the historic Mission High School, famed for alumni including Carlos Santana and Maya Angelou. On 18th Street we'll see the "gourmet ghetto" and the award-winning restaurants, grocers and ice cream shops that define our foodie culture. Further down is the Women's Building, home to a "four story tall standing ovation to women's liberation," a powerful and colorful mural. More street art awaits on the alleys off Valencia Street, then we head past the independent shop corridor of 16th Street, and finally end our day on the steps of the Old Spanish Mission, our oldest building and remnant of Spanish California.
What we see:
- Harvey Milk Plaza, the Castro’s protest grounds
- Castro’s most historic and popular bars and nightlife
- GLBT Museum, 1st stand-alone queer museum
- Castro Theatre, Art Deco masterpiece
- Harvey Milk’s camera store & apartment
- The Human Rights Campaign Store
- Pink Triangle Holocaust Memorial
- Sweeping downtown view from Dolores Park
- Mission High School, alma mater of Santana and Maya Angelou
- Gourmet foodie corridor of 18th Street
- Massive murals of the Women’s Building and alleyways
- Sites of former lesbian institutions
- Good Vibrations, first female-owned sex shop
- Old Spanish Mission, the Bay Area’s oldest structure
- Plus a few cool surprises!
« Go Back