Top Experiences in The Castro

If you are new to the city and or visiting, it's usually hard to figure out where to go for a night out in the Castro. This tour is made to answer your questions about where and when to go.

You will experience the Castro bars in the eyes of a local guide that has been in the scene for many years. It would feel like you are visiting a local friend that has plenty of tips for you.

You'll have insights on what happens where. Moreover, you'll be informed on when to go to certain places. We'll be visiting at least 5 bars depending on the time and the guests' preference.

It would be a night to remember... or forget, depending on the number of drinks you'll want to consume that night. :)

Required: ID that will confirm that you are of age to drink. It will be needed to able to enter the bars.

Muir Woods in the morning and City Tour in the afternoon

In the Morning:
Start in Fisherman's Wharf then over the Golden Gate Bridge
North to the Muir Woods National Monument to see the giant redwoods.
Your visit inside the park is self-guided. Your guide will be waiting for you after your park visit.
Stop at Muir Beach Overlook to catch a view of the Pacific Ocean.
Stop in the bayside town of Sausalito.

A quick stop for grab-and-go lunch in Sausalito

Stop at Golden Gate Bridge overlook on the way back to san Francisco

In the Afternoon:
Two to Three-hour San Francisco tours cover many of the major sites: Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Chinatown, Lombard Street (traffic permitting), Coit Tower, and North Beach (“Little Italy”).

Our Jeeps fit up to 4 adults and 2 children. The 3rd row seating is perfect for children and teens.

Treat yourself to a deluxe combination tour containing all of the best that San Francisco has to offer: City Tour, the giant redwoods of Muir Woods and cosmopolitan Sausalito! Featuring three of the major attractions in one tour, this excursion is a must for visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Avoid the crowds, confusion, and limitations of large buses and discover San Francisco by a luxury van.  Trade the large tour bus for a guided luxury van and see more of San Francisco! Your guide takes you through more neighborhoods & photo stops, complete with views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks and several other famous landmarks.

See San Francisco your own way with Go City's San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass. Do as much or as little sightseeing as you like over the course of 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days, while saving precious vacation dollars. With Go City you'll save far more compared to buying individual attraction tickets. Enjoy admission to as many as 25+ attractions and tours, including Madame Tussuads, California Academy of Sciences, SFMoMA, and more - all one easy-to-use one digital pass. Simply save your pass (available as your 'ticket' after purchase) on your mobile device and show it at the gate or ticket office for admission.

Embark on a quest and explore the Castro area in San Francisco. Solve challenges and unlock stories on your phone, as you discover Castro Theatre, GLBT Historical Society Museum, and lesser-known places.

As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. Ready?

Highlights include:
• Take a walk in San Francisco and visit Harvey Milk Plaza, Twin Peaks Tavern, and lesser-known places.
• Enjoy a uniquely crafted story brought to you by our talented writers.
• Solve clues to find local stories and hidden gems.
• Discover the memorial dedicated to LGBTQ+ people who were persecuted in World War II.
• Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt.

After your booking, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. We recommend that each user purchases a ticket for an optimal experience, although several people can share a pho

For an unforgettable City Sightseeing tour, hitch a ride in a 1970's VW Hippie bus. This is an authentic and unique way to experience San Francisco. This tour is packed with with facts and fun about San Francisco!

Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the rugged coastal mountains of Marin County. Experience the magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay while crossing the Golden Gate bridge.
Muir Woods National Monument, where ancient groves of Giant Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) tower over Redwood Creek.
Sausalito, a gorgeous Mediterranean-style village with quaint shop, art galleries, and waterfront restaurants.
The Escape from the Rock Cruise (Alcatraz Alternative) will take you close to the infamous prison island that many have tried to escape from. You will circle the island twice, seeing it from all angles as well as the beautiful city skyline.
* Please note this tour does NOT land on Alcatraz Island or include the prison interior.
* Departure times are seasonal. Please contact us regarding departure times for your specific tour date.
* After the Escape from the Rock Cruise, participants will need to make their own way back to their lodging accommodations, or vehicles.

See the San Francisco sights you want to see in an open-air convertible Jeep, at a pace that suits your group. Enjoy this 3-hour exploration that includes a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge!

This tour covers most of the city's highlights, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Also on the route is a drive down Lombard Street (depending on traffic) and time in Golden Gate Park or Ocean Beach. Guests can choose additional stops including the Mission District Murals or a enjoy a spectacular bay view from Coit Tower on top of Telegraph Hill.

NOTE: Price is per jeep, NOT per person. Our Jeeps fit up to 4 adults and 2 children. The 3rd row seating is perfect for children and teens.

Enjoy a Two-Day Two-Tour Alcatraz & Electric Bike Tour Package. This tour includes the official trip to Alcatraz island and a professionally guided bike tour. Check these Two Top-Ten visitor experiences OFF your bucket list with this package deal.

For an unforgettable City Sightseeing tour, hitch a ride in a 1970's VW Hippie bus. This is an authentic and unique way to experience San Francisco. This tour is packed with with facts and fun about San Francisco!

This urban adventure in San Francisco takes you around the city in a safari-style open-air vehicle, then drops you off at the ferry to Alcatraz Island for the cellhouse audio tour. On this uniquely crafted sightseeing tour limited to 12 people, you will see renowned landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and hear quirky stories about the city as an entertaining guide drives your custom vehicle through SF's distinctive neighborhoods. After the four hour city tour, your tour guide will drop you off at Pier 33 where you will catch the ferry to Alcatraz Island. Most guests spend two to three hours at their leisure enjoying the audio walking tour of the former federal penitentiary known as ‘the Rock’. Hotel pickup is included.

San Francisco far outshines most metropolitan cities: it is the Golden Gate on the West Coast; the center of international culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. With access to over 30 attractions and experiences, the Sightseeing Day Pass has some of the best local and authentic flavors, plus exciting tours throughout a blend of historic architecture and natural splendor.
Choose between 1, 2, 3, or 5 days, select attractions when you arrive, and save up to 60% on total admission prices. Recommended for first time visitors with an open itinerary and active travelers looking to explore all the Golden Gate City.
Take advantage of 1-Day access to the Big Bus Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour and get to know the unique neighborhoods: iconic twisting Lombard Street in Russian Hill, historic Chinatown, boutique Union Square, the skyscrapers in modern Financial District, laidback Lower-Haight and Haight-Ashbury, the LGBTQ+ mecca in the Castro District, trendy Mission District, and scenic Golden Gate Park.

We have developed this small-group tour to explore the diversity of San Francisco’s distinct neighborhoods, including several amazing photo opportunities in areas off-limits to larger buses. Our local guides will provide interesting stories and history about the cities food culture along with plenty of recommendations and fun facts along the trip!

Itinerary
10:00AM – Depart Fisherman’s Wharf

10:00AM –12:30PM – Explore San Francisco’s BEST neighborhoods
During this time, you are treated to entertaining stories about the neighborhoods, as well as the food history, diversity, and geographical nuances that make San Francisco one of the most unique cities in the world! We exit the bus several times (10-15 minutes) to soak in the neighborhoods and capture amazing photos!

12:30PM – Have lunch at the Ferry Building for a self guided food and shopping experience through one of our most historical building in the city.

2:00PM - Drop off back at starting location in Fisherman's Wharf

There really is something for everyone when it comes to nightlife in San Francisco! Whether you want to get to know SoMa, SF’s hottest nocturnal neighbourhood, explore LGBTQ friendly Castro or you feel like sipping cocktails in sophisticated North Beach, your hand-picked Host will take you to the best spots for your style! Fall in love with the magical skyline as you watch the sun set over the city from a favourite local sunset spot, then once the stars are out and the city is glittering with lights, head towards the bright lights and discover SF’s night time personality! This experience is custom crafted to suit your needs and wishes, so from dive bars to sleek rooftops, live music venues to clubs where you can dance the night away, let your Host show you a night in the city that you’ll love.

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.

The Castro District in San Francisco is known for its rich LGBTQ+ history and vibrant culture. It might be small, but it really packs a punch!

It was where Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in North America, lived and owned a camera shop.

It is also home to many national landmarks, like one of the last historic movie palaces from the 1920's, The Castro Theater. And Queer Arts Featured, a gallery taking the culture of the neighborhood into a new era.

With your experienced, local guide you'll not only see the sights but learn the rich history of America's first 'gayborhood.'

Learn how local businesses, still standing today, helped solidify the Castro's place as a gay Mecca. Or the role the US military played in forming the neighborhood. Or why did they switch GLBT to LGBT? And what do the different colors of the rainbow flag represent?

Find out the answers to these questions and much, MUCH more on my Castro District Historic Walking Tour!

- Explore the city with San Francisco's most hilarious, imaginative and EXCITING storyteller!

- Enjoy original FOLKLORE and FAIRYTALES told by Clyde Always: a professional storyteller, published poet and decade-long resident of the City by the Bay. Hear about witches & wisemen, hobos & hipster-emperors. Bring your imagination!

- Get to know these three famous neighborhoods: the Mission, the Castro and the Duboce Triangle.

- Get insider knowledge of the best eateries, parks, shops and more. See beautiful street-art, landmarks and architecture. Experience the City like a local.

- BEWARE! Some of the information presented will be highly UNBELIEVABLE. Have fun sorting the fact from the fiction.

-A 2.2 mile (3.5 km) walk with no hills. One public restroom along the way.

- Please note: this tour is NOT for the whole family. Script includes profanity and you might see a nudist or two.

- Guaranteed to entertain, enliven and uplift. An experience you'll always remember.

I craft one four-hour adventure each morning just for the small group and unique goings on in the City that day. The itinerary is open - we will always stop at San Francisco’s classic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks and typically roll through neighborhoods like North Beach, Pacific Heights, Haight-Ashbury, Castro, and the Embarcadero.

We will also leave big buses behind and may explore street-art alleys in the Mission, mosaic stairways in the Sunset, the laid-back vibe of the Presidio, our Beaux-Arts City Hall, famous “Painted Ladies” at Alamo Square, or go down the real crookedest street in San Francisco (not Lombard). It all depends on what's best just that day.

It's a long morning, so mid way through we will stop at a local market where the group can get a quick lunch and do some local people watching.

We will finish in the Fisherman's Wharf area in the early afternoon. If your afternoon plans take you elsewhere, we can find a mutually convenient end point.

Enjoy a four-hour guided tour of San Francisco. At each stop, you’ll have the chance to get off the bus and see the sights.

Tour the city from the Bay to the Pacific Ocean, with photo stops at key locations. Enjoy great views and visit famous attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin peaks, Land's End, and Palace of Fine Arts.

Opt to upgrade your tour to include a bay cruise, or 4-hour bike rental, or a visit to the Aquarium of the Bay, to complete your San Francisco experience!

Bike like a local through the Streets of San Francisco!
Ride Beyond the hills on this all electric bike tour! Explore the back alleys of North Beach’s “Little Italy” and pedal through Downtown – the beating heart of the city – on this quintessential San Francisco neighborhoods bike tour. Loop around the Giant’s Oracle Ballpark and houseboats. Pedal into the culturally rich Mission District to visit the Mural Alleys. Ride through the colorful Castro to trendy Nopa, where you can snap a photo in front of the iconic Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. Visit the Civic Center & Polk Gulch. By the time we park our bikes back at Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll know the city like the back of your hand. Includes post- tour bonus bike rental so folks can head out & visit the Golden Gate Bridge!

Cruisin' the Castro Walking tours celebrates 34 years of Pride and as San Francisco's first and ONLY Legacy Business Tour Company! This prestigious award recognizes Cruisin' the Castro as a longstanding, community-servicing business and a valuable cultural asset to the City & County of San Francisco.

Tours are fun, fascinating and offers twice as many tour stops that not only include the colorful sites of the largest LGBTQ community in the world, but explores the spectrum of sexual and gender diversity and the struggle with achieving equal rights in America.   No other tour offer this rare and educational opportunity!

Tours are conducted by a local resident, professional tour guide and a civil rights activist.

Welcome to San Francisco at one of its top areas, The Castro & Mission District, on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way! In only 90 minutes a local guide will get you acquainted with San Francisco, two of its hotspots, and help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest.

Discover where to find Painted Ladies and Dolores Park, and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family-owned restaurant or local hotspot? We got you; the local guides are experts in the subject! On this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction.

Withlocals City Kickstart Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Explore beautiful San Francisco at your own pace with this independent bike tour! Visit famous sites like Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and Chinatown. Enjoy the freedom to create your own itinerary with your full-day rental.

Bikes will be waiting for you outside upon arrival and you will likewise leave outside upon your return.

This Private Tour of Castro and Mission will introduce you to the city’s hippest neighbourhoods, notable for their LGBTQ community and cool, artsy vibe. In the Castro, learn about the extraordinary accomplishments of SF residents in halting demolition, stopping four-lane freeways and affecting positive change in feminism, peace, and LGBTQ rights.

In the Mission District, you will venture down Clarion Alley and see the fabulous urban graffiti and satirical political street art as you stroll in the footsteps of feminists, Latinos, artists and activists who continue to fight for the soul of San Francisco. Pop into the Mission Dolores to see the oldest building in San Francisco, along with shrubbery and a garden reflective of the mission in the early 1790s.

With a buzzing cultural mix and sizzling street food, Mission is famous for its galleries, neon-lit clubs and basement bars and is blessed with the leafy greenery of picturesque Dolores Park.

Why do the SF: Food + History + Art Tour?

Food: From the Chinese in the 1850's, to Italians in the early 20th century, to successive waves of migration from India, Vietnam and Thailand in the last 50 years, each culture has left its mark on our culinary landscape. And we haven’t mentioned Latin America or Japan! The Mission District's food scene is very varied - and very good.

History: San Francisco has a fascinating story. We start the tour at the birthplace of modern SF. We'll give you an overview of the city's history, from the dog days of the Spanish Empire, to being part of Mexico, to the Gold Rush era, through the Great Fire and up to today, as the city transforms once again.

Art: We have some amazing art in the city, but the Mission District is arguably the best neighborhood for public murals. We'll visit the Clarion Alley Mural Project, as well as enjoying amazing street art like the Women's Building.

* Tour starts 12 midday, Sunday
* Food included

Combine a San Francisco City Tour and guided visit to Alcatraz for the ultimate introduction to San Francisco! You'll enjoy the beauty and attractions of everyone's favorite city, in addition to a scenic ferry ride to Alcatraz Island for an audio walking tour.

Spend a morning getting to know the real SF. We meet you near the Embarcadero, in downtown, before taking the cable car to Nob Hill, with its Gold Rush era mansions.

From there we take another cable car to San Francisco City Hall (or, on the weekend, the Cable Car Museum). After going inside this magnificent building, we take the historic streetcar to Castro, which is famous for its place in LGBTQ+ history. From there it's only a short walk to Mission Dolores Park, one of the nicest open spaces in San Francisco.

The Mission is really the birthplace of SF - and you'll learn about it all, as well as experiencing a lovely corner of the city. Next we take the bus to Haight-Ashbury, a name that's forever associated with the hippie generation and the Summer of Love.

We'll give you a tour of the neighborhood, with its beautiful murals, before your tour ends at the perfect time, and in the perfect place, for lunch.

In these curated tours, staff from the California Migration Museum will take you on an innovative audio walk through a slice of migration history in San Francisco. You'll use the Museum's FREE app, (available to download at www.calmigration.org), but also get an opportunity to dive deeper into the research and behind-the-scenes process that created the tours.

In Chinatown, Look Up takes us right into theaftermath of the 1906 earthquake. Can the community save Chinatown from being permanently erased?

In 'At Home in the Castro?', we hear from a gay pioneer who watched the neighborhood transform into a queer homeland.

And in the Mission, Coffee Country tells the story of how the neighborhood sheltered refugees from El Salvador’s civil war in the 1980s – but now finds itself under siege.

Each 40 minute tours (the 3 separate tours can be combined) uses music, archive and augmented reality and pop-up installations to create an immersive, multi-sensory walk through history.

Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.

Take a walking tour to the next level! Embark on a 3-hour urban hike through San Francisco to experience the city’s streets and trails. Tackle the city’s hills, including Kite Hill and Tank Hill, discover a eucalyptus forest in the middle of the city, soak up sweeping views from atop Twin Peaks, and visit quirky sights, such the Seward Street Slides. With all the perfect mix of city and nature, you'll love this tour!

Our SF in a Day tour will take you places that no other San Francisco tour does, traversing the city by cable-car, rail & bus to visit enchanted gardens, secret stairs & glorious rooftop vistas, creating an unforgettable experience. You’ll avoid crowds at the tourist hot-spots, while experiencing the culture of SF & learning its history.

We’ll start your tour near the Embarcadero & take the cable-car up to Nob Hill. From there we go to City Hall (or Cable Car Museum) &, after going inside, we can grab a coffee in Hayes Valley.

After that we head to the Castro, then walk through Dolores Park. We finish the morning part of the tour in the Haight, it's a great place to get some lunch.

After that we take you to see an icon of San Francisco, the Painted Ladies. That's followed by a walk down another SF icon, Lombard Street. We finish the tour with a walk through North Beach & Chinatown. By then you’ll have had a fantastic experience of SF & made some beautiful memories to take home.

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the magic of San Francisco than on a bicycle. The Classic is your introduction to the city’s colorful history and modern culture, with stops in its most vibrant neighborhoods, including the Mission, Castro, Haight-Ashbury, and Alamo Square/The Painted Ladies. We get to see Golden Gate Park as well.

Climb through history on a four-peak tour of San Francisco’s unique neighborhood, Eureka Valley. This multicultural hotspot spans the Castro District, Twin Peaks, Corona Heights, & Dolores Heights. Eureka Valley was known as the outskirts of the City. The place where Market Street stopped and cows grazed. Uncover the history of the Eureka Valley as we investigate relics of the 1850s outskirts and the churches of the 1890s Irish community. We’ll travel through streets that were abandoned in the 60's & brought back to life in 70's by the flourishing gay community. Locals & visitors alike can appreciate these untold moments in history as we explore four of the best vistas in San Francisco. We'll visit secret staircases & hidden concrete slides; secluded gardens & a certain podium with a missing statue. At the peak of Corona Heights, we’ll conclude at the fascinating Randall Museum. "Snack stop" made at the famous Hot Cookie for a tasty treat (for purchase). Wear your hiking shoes!

Step into the heart of San Francisco’s enchantment with our tour. Experience the city’s vibrant culture and breathtaking views as you become the hero of your own adventure. From the lush landscapes of Dolores Park to the historic Harvey Milk Plaza, each stop is a chapter in the city’s rich tapestry. Ascend Corona Heights for unmatched city panoramas, and wander the quaint streets of Duboce Triangle. This tour isn’t just a journey through San Francisco’s iconic locations; it’s an immersion into the lifeblood of the city itself. Join us, and let the magic of San Francisco transform your day into an unforgettable adventure.

Bike like a local through the Streets of San Francisco!

Ride Beyond the hills on this all electric bike tour! Explore the back alleys of North Beach’s “Little Italy”, Chinatown and pedal through Downtown – the beating heart of the city – on this quintessential San Francisco neighborhoods bike tour. Loop around the Giant’s Oracle Ballpark and houseboats. Pedal into the culturally rich Mission District to visit the Mural Alleys. Ride through the colorful Castro to trendy Nopa, where you can snap a photo in front of the iconic Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. Visit the Civic Center & Polk Gulch. By the time we park our bikes back at Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll know the city like the back of your hand. Includes post- tour bonus bike rental so folks can head out & visit the Golden Gate Bridge!

Two must-see Districts, one urban hike. Colorful trolleys, rainbow flags, & inviting terraces catch your eye as you cruise through the vibrant Castro District. With each block, a new piece of history paints the origins of the Castro. We’ll explore the tucked-away neighborhood of Liberty Hill on our way to Dolores Park, a picturesque microcosm of San Francisco living. Our next stop is the oldest building in the City & namesake of the Mission District: Mission Dolores. Here I’ll share old Spanish-California stories before we dive into one of the most happening neighborhoods in America. Known for its Latin roots, mural-lined streets, & eccentric nightlife, the Mission is the place to be! Take note of the craft cocktail bars, taquerias, and night clubs to plan an unforgettable evening after the tour. Between the Castro & the Mission, three hours won’t seem like enough to soak in these San Francisco Districts. "Snack stops" at Hot Cookie & Mission Taquerias for local bites (for purchase).

Explore beautiful San Francisco at your own pace with this independent bike tour! Visit famous sites like Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and Chinatown. Choose a regular bike or an electric bike and enjoy the freedom to create your own itinerary with your full-day rental.

Take a bite out of the Golden Gate City and enjoy some of the best local flavors with the San Francisco Sightseeing Flex Pass. Choose between 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 attractions, and save up to 60% on total visitation prices plus Hop-On/Hop Off bus tours; the more you see the more you save!

With access to over 30 attractions and tours, the Sightseeing Pass is perfect for visitors eager to cruise through the sights in style, from Embarcadero and Pier 39 to Fisherman’s Wharf, especially aboard a Hornblower Cruise!

Shop your way through the boutiques and galleries of Union Sq. and luxurious Nob Hill, then traverse the historic twisting streets of Chinatown on a themed Take Walks Tour or a Wild SF Walking Tour. Grab a Bay City Bike rental towards Golden Gate Park, through laidback Lower-Haight & Haight-Ashbury, capital of the 1960s hippie counterculture. Tread south to the LGBTQ+ mecca “the Castro District” and the trendy Spanish-influenced Mission District, are awash in culture and nightlife.

Experience the best of San Francisco as we journey through the city in a small bus, showcasing the most exciting history and current affairs that ignite people's imaginations. You'll get an insider's perspective on all the must-see landmarks and hidden gems, as well as excellent recommendations for restaurants, cocktails, arts, and entertainment. Trust us to give you the confidence and knowledge to explore the city like a true native. Don't miss this opportunity to discover what makes SF truly unique!

- Transportation provided in a spacious mini-bus
- 7+ Stops in the best neighborhoods and views as we drive through the city.
- Complimentary coffee at one of the best cafes in SF
- A expertly crafted narrative of past and present from a passionate native
- Lunch stop in scenic Sausalito, CA. A lovely town across the Golden Gate Bridge