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Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour

2 Reviews 4.00 out of 5 stars Based on 2 reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and TripAdvisor | San Francisco, USA

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60 to 75 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood and its rich history with this affordable, self-paced walking tour.

• Find out all about the queer predecessors who paved the way for everything from marriage equality to the popularity of the drag art form
• Hear from Tony Bravo, the San Francisco Chronicle's Arts & Culture writer, as he guides you around the Castro neighborhood
• Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
• Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

What's Included

  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Food and Drink
  • Smartphone and headphones
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Jane Warner Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94114, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

San Francisco
CA 94114, USA

This self-guided audio tour ends in the Harvey Milk Plaza.

What To Expect

The Castro (Pass By)

Since the 1970s, San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood has been one of the foremost gayborhoods in the world. Explore its history with this self-guided audio tour.
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Jane Warner Plaza (Pass By)

The tour starts at the Jane Warner Plaza. You'll hear how the tour works using the VoiceMap app as well as an introduction to the Castro neighborhood.
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Twin Peaks Tavern (Pass By)

The tour takes you past Twin Peaks Tavern, the first gay bar in San Francisco, with plateglass windows to show that the community no longer had to meet in secret.
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Castro Theatre (Pass By)

The tour passes by the century-old beauty of the Castro Theatre, which actor and filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell described as "a gay cathedral".
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Moby Dick (Pass By)

The tour passes by Moby Dick bar where you'll have the chance to see the mural on the side of the bar by artist Serge Gay Jr. “Gear Up,” which features wardrobe staples of different queer subcultures like a leather jacket, Converse Chuck Taylors, a red bandana, black Christian Louboutin high heels, and a sailor cap.
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Rainbow Honor Walk (Pass By)

The tour gives you the chance to take in the plaques along the Rainbow Honor Walk — the queer version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame — which pays homage to queer royalty like disco darling Sylvester.
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Castro Camera (Pass By)

The tour passes by the real Castro Camera, where pioneering gay city Supervisor Harvey Milk ran his political campaigns.
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Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy (Pass By)

The tour passes by the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. This San Francisco public elementary school was renamed for Harvey in 1996.
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GLBT Historical Society Museum (Pass By)

The tour passes by the GLBT Historical Society Museum, which houses over 900 collectables of LGBTQ art and history.
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Harvey Milk Plaza (Pass By)

The tour ends at Harvey Milk Plaza, next to the home of Gilbert Baker’s world famous rainbow pride flag.
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Show 8 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-110804P533

Reviews

4.00
2 reviews

Average 4.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
1
2 stars
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1 star
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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Food and Drink
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Non-refundable

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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