San Francisco is a friendly, welcoming city to people from all walks of life. It’s no wonder it has so many nicknames. Here are a few LGBT highlights that have us shaking in our cowboy boots:

In 2003, homosexual activity was legalised. The following year, the first trans pride march was established. In 2007, the first openly transgender person was elected as president of the SF police commission. In 2013, a campaign was started to have SFO airport renamed for Harvey Milk. In 2015, albeit LONG overdue, same-sex marriage was legalised. In 2019, the Harvey Milk Terminal opened at SFO airport!

Baby steps…but we have every faith that the people of San Francisco will make it to the finish line.

Head down to The Castro District for an unforgettable night in the Golden Gate city. Highly associated with the LGBT community, The Castro District resembles a unicorn shelter combined with any video that features Nicki Minaj. Covered in rainbow crosswalks and powerful graffiti, The Castro is the best place to get crunk and up your selfie game at very the same time. Two bears, one stone!

Here you’ll find the best gay bars in the city, offering everything from beer-busts and dance competitions to drag events and karaoke. A leisurely stroll down Castro Street will give you everything you’re looking for in a night on the town, but some bars to look out for include: San Francisco Badlands, 440 Castro, The Mix, Midnight Sun, Beaux and Toad Hall. If you’re looking for the city’s local lesbian bar, head straight to The Wild Side West. The bar was first opened in 1962 by Pat Ramseyer and Nancy White and remains under proud lesbian-ownership until this day.

Cat Club, a brick walled South of Market club on Falsom Street, hosts nightly events with various themes, ranging from goth and industrial to new wave and hip hop. Whatever your taste, the club promises the purrfect night with music from all the best genres and decades. They even have a go-go cage in case you’re feeling particularly playful.

One of the biggest and most popular SoMo clubs is Powerhouse. Reviewers describe this place as dirty and sleezy but in an honest, exciting way. Powerhouse is known for serving cheap drinks coupled with attitude and old skool fun.

We couldn’t take you to San Francisco without sending you to Harvey’s. One of The Castro’s most popular restaurants, Harvey’s was named after LGBT icon and legend Harvey Milk. It opened in 1996 with the aim of providing “a place where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people could thrive, raise gay consciousness and get a sense of LGBT history”.

The restaurant serves all-American staples (think along the lines of fried chicken, grilled cheese, burgers and fries), as well as vegan options and more variations of a Bloody Mary than we’ve ever seen!

San Francisco has plenty of spots where you can release the beasts and catch the rays. Baker Beach is popular due to its close proximity to the Golden Gate bridge, but it can get quite clustered. You can enjoy similar views from Marshall’s Beach which is considerably smaller but a lot less crowded.

Now, every walk is a catwalk if you’re dressed for the occasion so let’s talk dress code. If the only swimwear you’ve packed is a TOWIE pouch and your birthday suit, head to one of the following beaches: Land’s End, Marshall, San Gregorio, Fort Funston, North Baker, Red Rock, Devil’s Slide or Muir Beach. Life's a beach and then you die, so why not make the most of it?!