Get to the Castro
If you plan to visit the Bay Area you need to make sure you allocate enough time to visit the historic Castro District which is the geographically defined symbol of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender events and activism. Concentrated primarily in the business district located on Castro Street from Market Street to 19th Street, the gayborhood extends down Market Street toward Church Street and on both sides of the Castro neighborhood from Church Street to Eureka Street. Named after Jose Castro (a leader in the Mexican opposition to the U.S. rule of California in the 19th century) the neighborhood was created in 1887 and its current architecture is very reminiscent of the time.If you’ve seen the movie Milk starring Sean Penn, you’ve already gotten an inside glimpse into this tight knit but open community. In fact, you might want to stop into Harvey’s (named after Harvey Milk who was locally known as “The Mayor of Castro Street”) for a drink and a bite to eat since it has the same open and friendly personality as its namesake. And if you’re craving a seafood dinner (since you are on the coast, after all) make sure you put Catch Restaurant on your list of places to go. Catch has been voted “Best Seafood” restaurant in 2007 and 2008, and it’s definitely not resting on its laurels when I was there in 2010 it was still stellar. It’s casually elegant with a great vibe and the Miso Glazed Back Cod is to die for. I’m a happily married heterosexual woman and I love everything about the Castro district