Gay San Francisco - Fun things to do in San Francisco for the gay community

Gay San Francisco - Fun things to do in San Francisco for the gay community.

Shortcuts: Fun Things To Do in San Francisco, Free Activities in San Francisco, Hiking Trails in San Francisco, Bargain Places to Eat, Gay Bars & Clubs

Fun Things To Do in San Francisco:

1. Urban Trek USA is a unique way to see San Francisco. As part of a small group, you will get more personal attention than other tours and you will not feel like being "herded" from one place to another. Trekking all over the city is the best way to get to know why San Francisco is one of the best places on earth. Urban trekking is an experience you will never get sitting inside a tour bus. With Urban Trek USA's treks, you absorb more of the environment and thus have an enhance interaction with your surroundings.

2. Eating at the many neighborhood restaurants. Check out Bargain Places to Eat for suggestions showcasing a few neighborhood restaurants that provide great food, good value, and an atmosphere that is unique to San Francisco.

Free Activities in San Francisco:

Museums:
Asian Art Museum - free every first Sunday of the month.
California Academy of Sciences - free every third Wednesday of the month.
M.H. de Young Museum - free every first Tuesday of the month.
Modern Art Museum - free every first Tuesday of the month.

Try the self-guided sightseeing / walking tours by Urban Trek USA, "On Your Own - Urban Trek 5." Click On Your Own Page and On Your Own - Trek 5 for more information and to download details and instructions.

Hiking Trails in San Francisco:

Presidio Hiking Trails: Click on this link for a printable map of Presidio Trails. One of the best hiking places in SanFrancisco is the Presidio. Even though you are techinically within city limits, you will feel like you are somewhere in the wilderness when you hike some of the trails in the Presidio. You will also get some of the best views of what San Francisco has to offer. Click here for 360 degree cam of Inspiration Point Lookout.

Urban Trek USA's "On Your Own Urban Trek 5": This is a self-guided urban trek you can do on your own. For more information, click on this link to On Your Own Urban Trek 5 where you can watch video clips and download all the information you will need.

Bargain Places to Eat:
Click for shortcut to area: Castro, Mission/Valencia

Around the Castro District:

Chow, 215 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, (415) 552-2469 (Click here for Chow's website)

Chow has really good food at prices that are affordable. I try not to endorse chain restaurants but -- although Chow has other locations -- I don't consider Chow as a true chain restaurant. Chow has that neighborhood restaurant feeling.

I can't say I have a favorite dish because everything I have had is good. However, I must say that the Ginger Cake with pumpkin ice cream is one reason I don't go to Chow that often because it is hard to resist ordering this delicious dessert.

Kasa Indian Eatery, 4001 18th Street (corner Noe), San Francisco, CA 94114, (415) 621-6940 (Click here for Kasa 's website)

This fast food place is truly a bargain. My favorite is the lamb curry kati rolls. For two of them with a drink plus tax and tip the bill will be less than $10.00. Delicious food at a bargain price, what more can you ask for?

Sumi, 4243 18th Street (@ Diamond), San Francisco, CA 94114, (415) 626-7864 (Click here for Sumi's website)

Go before 8:00 pm and take advantage of the Early Bird Special. The night we went, the Early Bird Special was for $10.95 which included soup and salad. There were four of us so we also ordered a bottle of cold sake for $30.00. The total bill with tax and tip for each of us came to $24.00, which is a bargain considering this includes sake and a delicious meal. Most of the items on the menu are $12.00 or less even without taking advantage of the Early Bird Special. Service was also very friendly.

Thai House Express, 599 Castro Street (corner of 19th Street), San Francisco, CA 94114, (415) 864-5000, (Click here for Thai House Express website)

The food never disappoints. Tried a lot of the dishes through the years and everything was always good. The curries are favorites. The best thing about this place is the price. For about $10.00 you will get a filling meal if you have a normal appetite.

Around the Mission/Valencia Area:

MIssion Street Food (Thursdays & Saturdays only), 2234 Mission Street (@ 18th Street), San Francisco, CA (Click here for Mission Street Food's website)

This currently is one of the Trek Leader's favorite places to eat. The menu changes each time but the one thing that is always offered is the flatbread even though the filling changes now and then. You definitely have to try it! It might be wise not to share it because this Trek Leader thinks that half (or part) of it is not enough. The whole thing is so much better! Also, corkage is only $5.00 so bring your own bottle of wine.

The other things that are so great about this place is the whole concept of how Mission Street Food started, the atmoshphere of a "neighborhood" getting together for dinner, and having part of the proceeds go to a charitable organiazation. Read this article for more information: "Mission Street Food - low-down haute cuisine"

If you are leary about going to the Mission District on your own, come join Dinner Trek to Mission Street Food every Thursdays. Click on the link for more information.

Gay Bars and Clubs:

Blush Wine Bar, 476 Castro (@ 18th Street), San Francisco, CA 94114, (415) 558-0893 (Click here for Blush Wine Bar's website)

Love this place. Serves good wine (French wines are what I've tried) and the food --small plates to share-- goes well with the wine selection. The atmosphere is casual with a little sophistication. The music adds to the ambiance and is not too loud so you can talk without yelling. This is a good spot to visit when you have a date or with a bunch of friends. The owner Jef is cute and very friendly.