San Fran secrets: best of the Bay!

Brett and Thomas are misterb&b hosts and our Bay City ambassadors. If you haven't planned your stay for the Folsom Street or the San Francisco Gay Pride, here are their top tips. Explore San Francisco with misterb&b and experience your pride!

How gay-friendly is your city?

It’s San Francisco. We run this town!

What are the best gay events that take place in San Francisco each year?

San Francisco Gay Pride is our biggest gay event, at the end of June. It truly takes over the entire city! The celebration lasts a week and culminates in a huge parade down Market St, the main street.

We have 48 hours in SF: what can’t we miss?

No trip to SF is complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Renting a bike and riding across it will give you amazing views of San Francisco, the Bay, Oakland and the Marin Headlands. 

Of the touristy things to do, Alcatraz is our favorite. Walking through the old prison is creepy and fascinating. The island has some of the best views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. And you get to take a ferry ride across the Bay. Make sure to reserve your ticket ahead of time!

© Flickr/Markus Spiering

Favorite gay place to grab a bite to eat?

Starbelly is a great place for lunch, with a nice back patio. For a nice dinner, either head to the bar at Nopa or try Zuni (get the chicken for two – it might take an hour to arrive but is well worth the wait).

A gay place for brunch on weekends?

Just down the hill from our home, Zazie is a classic SF brunch spot. It’s not really a gay place. And there will be a wait. But it’s worth it! For a gay brunch place, Squat & Gobble is closeby. They have good food at good prices and outdoor seating for great people watching. 

Dolores Park © Flickr/torbakhopper

Best gay place and day for a cheap beer?

The patio at the back of The Mix in the Castro is a chill place for a drink any time. The Margs are cheap and strong.

We’re ready for the dance floor! Best gay clubs?

Oasis is a big club with dancing, multiple levels, drag shows, and strong drinks. Saturday night is their biggest night. Start the night with a drink at HiTops and then head to Beaux. Lookout also turns into a crazy party every Sunday afternoon!

What are the best alternative gay bars and clubs where you live?

Any of the gay bars on Folsom Street fit the bill. Check out The Eagle, The Stud or Powerhouse. Also check out the Folsom Street Fair or Dore Alley as major events for the alternative crowd.

Are there any places related to LGBT history?

San Francisco is LGBT history! Make sure to check out Harvey Milk Plaza, the AIDS Memorial Grove or the GLBT History Museum.

Also, check out Twin Peaks, a gay bar at the corner of 17th and Castro that opened in the 70s. It's thought to be the first gay bar in the nation to feature full-length glass windows that let its patrons look out, and more importantly, the public look in!

Can you share a secret place to visit in SF?

San Francisco is full of little hidden parks with spectacular views. Corona Heights Park and Tank Hill Park are a quick walk from our house and give you a taste of what it’s really like to live in San Francisco.

© Flickr/Bastian Hoppe

Where should we go to chill out? 

If you catch a sunny day, you’ll find the entire city at Dolores Park. Buy sandwiches and wine closeby at Bi-Rite and have an afternoon picnic with a view of the skyline and great people watching. You can find the gays tanning on the ‘fruit shelf’, at the top of the hill in the park.

Sounds great! Finally, where can we get the best view of San Francisco? 

Twin Peaks has sweeping views of San Francisco. You look across the entire city and can see all the way from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Berkeley Hills. Get there early to avoid the crowds. ●

Want to know more about San Francisco? Check out our City Guide and Local Tips for this amazing gay city!

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