The Castro Dragon’s Gate in Chinatown The Castro Known as one of the largest LGBTQ communities in the world, this fun and vibrant neighborhood bustles with restaurants, bars and shopping. It’s also home to numerous landmarks that celebrate San Francisco’s crucial role in the national fight for LGBTQ civil rights. Start at the famous rainbow Pride flag that’s waving its colors above Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets. Stroll down the Rainbow Honor Walk, San Francisco‘s LGBTQ Walk of Fame, honoring individuals whose legacies include contributions to the LGBTQ rights movement. Don’t miss the famous Cliff’s Variety, The Castro’s one-stop-shop for everything from kitchen wares to humorous gifts. Farther up Castro St., pop into the historic Castro Theatre for new and classic movie screenings, sometimes with live Wurlitzer organ accompaniment. At Castro and 18th streets, you’ll find the GLBT History Museum, as well as Harvey Milk’s house and former camera shop. Finally, celebrate the progress the LGBTQ community has made with a feast at Finn Town on Market St., where you’ll find hearty comfort-food classics complemented by tasty cocktails inspired by local icons like Jack London and Robin Williams. Grant Avenue/Chinatown Discover delicious dining and colorful architecture with a walk through one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the United States. Start at the entrance at Grant Ave. and Bush St. at the Dragon’s Gate. You’ll discover 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it along Grant, the oldest street in San Francisco. This city within a city is best explored on foot. Exotic shops, food markets, temples and small museums are found within its boundaries. Visitors can buy herbal remedies, enjoy samples at a tea bar or order a dim sum lunch. Don’t miss the Chinatown Kite Shop, which specializes in — you guessed it — an assortment of kites to fly at Golden Gate Park or Ocean Beach. The former central telephone exchange of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company stands at 743 Washington St. Now a bank, it is the first Chinese-style building constructed in San Francisco, and the exact site where California’s first newspaper was printed. If you need a sweet snack, Golden Gate Bakery boasts the flakiest pastry: its sweet Chinese egg custard tarts. Mr. Jiu’s on Waverly Place is a great restaurant to try out classic dishes and was recently awarded a Michelin star. FROM TOP: Shutterstock.com; Scott Chernis Photography; © Engel Ching Salesforce Transit Center/Salesforce Park Aerial View of SF Transbay Transit Center Rooftop Park With over 5.4 acres, the Salesforce Park on top of the Salesforce Transit Center is one of the largest green spaces in downtown San Francisco. Located in the Financial District at Beale and Second streets, the park, with over 600 trees, has a half-mile walking path where you can enjoy a new perspective of San Francisco’s evolving skyline. Pay special attention to the various garden areas that represent different parts of the world. Catch shows and performances in the outdoor amphitheater. Or, just put your feet up while the kids play at the designated children’s play space. The glass gondola, which is the city’s only “aerial tram,” transports 20 people at a time from the street up to the rooftop. If you’re tired from completing the half-mile loop, head over to eatsa, a popular “super food” lunch spot where you can try automated ordering and grab a bowl of customized quinoa. If you’re checking out the area on a weekend, nab the neighborhood’s best pizza at Zero Zero on Folsom St. A 15-minute walk south of the Salesforce Transit Center along Folsom St. will lead you to an epicenter of museums and other artistic offerings, including the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Neighborhood Strolls . 15
San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide 2019: Page 15
