San
Francisco may just be the most talked-about and dynamic gay and lesbian
destination in the world. But with so much to see and do, how do you make
the most of a short visit to the City by the Bay? You'll want to soak up
the culture of cool neighborhoods like the Castro and the Mission. You
can't leave without glimpsing the must-see attractions, such as the Golden
Gate Bridge and the beautifully redesigned de Young Museum. And then there
are the incredible restaurants, serving everything from fresh-harvested
oysters to bountiful organic salads to decadent chocolate desserts.
Here's one approach to enjoying a long weekend in San Francisco, ideal for
both first-time and repeat visitors.
You might begin by purchasing a San Francisco CityPass, which you can
order online before you go. The pass, which costs $42 per person, provides
free admission to several of the city's most prominent attractions as well
as seven days of unlimited travel on the Cable Car and Muni bus and train
network (a $24 value in itself) and sightseeing boat excursions on the
city's Blue and Gold Fleet.
Friday Night
Hayes Valley, a central neighborhood that's easily reached from downtown
or the Castro, has several fun, low-keyed restaurants, perfect for your
first evening in town. One of the best is Cafe Delle Stelle, which serves
superb, reasonably inexpensive Italian fare. Although you could survive on
the rich Tuscan bread that comes with your meal, you'll want to sample the
delicious homemade pastas and traditional Italian dishes, ranging from
polenta with roasted portobello mushrooms to roasted pumpkin ravioli with
sage butter.
From here it's a 15-minute walk to the Castro, where you can check out the
dozens of lively gay bars and clubs, including such neighborhood faves as
the bustling and youthful Cafe, the sleek and intimate Bar on Castro, the
laid-back and friendly Pilsner Inn, and the festive Metro, which has a
large balcony that's perfect for people-watching.
Or if you're walking back toward downtown, you can peek inside one of the
bars that still line Polk Street, a longtime gay-nightlife hub in the '70s
and '80s that has only a few nightspots left these days. Good bets include
the Cinch Saloon, a mellow neighborhood joint, and N'Touch, which is
especially popular among Asian-American men and their admirers. Continue to page
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The Hunk
