San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Your gay San Francisco vacation
San Fran’s LGBT scene is mature, developed, multi-faceted and so integrated into the fabric of city life that it’s like living in a parallel gay universe. San Francisco has an especially visible and large lesbian scene, with more women-focused establishments than cities twice its size. Beyond the classic gayborhood of the Castro, gays and lesbians can be found in every district of the city, but especially in lesbian-popular Noe Valley and the Mission and around the gay establishments of SoMa (South of Market).
Featured Hotels
LGBT-welcoming San Francisco hotels
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
San Francisco, California
Save 15% on your stay
Legendary Union Square hotel combines comfort, class The Westin St. Francis is the only hotel that actually sits on Union Square. The main building dates back to 1904, and many public areas boast the ornate columns, intricate woodwork and other design elements from this era. Perhaps the property's most famous... More
Chic, hip accommodations and on-site spa near Moscone Convention Center Located in the heart of the SoMa District, San Francisco's W Hotel is modern, sleek and sophisticated. The hotel is neighbors with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and sits a block away from the city's famous Yerba Buena gardens. It's... More
Hotel Adagio, Autograph Collection
San Francisco, California
Rate Includes Breakfast
Intimate boutique comfort and personal attention right by Union Square"Handsome" and "debonair" are two words guests use to describe the Hotel Adagio, situated just two blocks from San Francisco's Union Square. With Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mediterranean accents and an on-site bar that serves tapas-style... More
Intimate boutique hotel with outdoor pool just steps from Union Square This Union Square mainstay, dating back to 1908, mixes old and new under one roof. Older rooms bring with them a hearty dose of history; newer accommodations, completed in the last 15 years, are more spacious and have upgraded amenities.... More
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
San Francisco, California
Rate includes breakfast
Convenience for business travelers and families in SoMa The 39-story San Francisco Marriott Marquis caters to two very different customers: business travelers and families. On the business front, the property sits mere blocks from Moscone Convention Center and boasts 117,000 square feet of its own meeting space... More
Asian flair, boutique comfort and Izakaya lounge in JapantownElegant furnishings and rice-paper screens characterize this 16-story Japantown icon, which anchors the east end of the Japan Center near Pacific Heights. The hotel opened in 1968 and was renovated completely in 2007. Guests of the Hotel Kabuki can choose... More
Shanghai Honggang Hotel is an external 3-stars rating hotel which invested by Shanghai Airport (Group). It sets up an air corridor which is joined with the Hongqiao airport lounge building A. It makes so convenient for customer straight to the airport lounge building with time saving. At the same time, the customer who... More
Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel
San Francisco, California
Save 35% on your stay
Whimsical luxury at centrally located Fisherman's Wharf hotel Bright colors and bold patterns characterized a 2009 renovation at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf hotel. The result is a light-hearted, whimsical interior certain to make guests smile. A new lobby lounge provides the perfect spot for an afternoon snack... More
Renaissance San Francisco Stanford Court Hotel
San Francisco, California
Rate includes breakfast
Take a well-deserved break and lounge at this sharp hotel The Stanford Court Renaissance San Francisco Hotel has gone through a recent renaissance, and an ultramodern facelift has given it a prominent place in the city skyline. Leland Stanford's historic mansion offers a few extra bonuses for people staying here,... More
Cutting edge and cool hotel in Union SquareFormerly the Monticello Inn, Hotel Abri, a Larkspur Collection Hotel, sits in one of the hippest areas in San Francisco off Union Square, surrounded by fashion boutiques, art galleries and theaters. The feel of this boutique hotel is cool and hip, with many gadgets at the... More
Sophistication with an Asian flair and an indoor pool near Union Square Hotel Nikko feels more like Hong Kong than San Francisco. The lobby is spacious and stark, and rooms are minimalist in design. The on-site restaurant, Anzu, serves up Asian food with a Japanese focus. Distances at the on-site pool are... More
Sir Francis Drake, a Kimpton Hotel
San Francisco, California
Save 30% on your stay
Legendary grandeur with modern convenience and views in Union SquareGrand in architecture and design, the Sir Francis Drake is a majestic hotel with connections to the past and present. The restored 1930s lobby -- complete with classically attired doormen -- invokes the Italian renaissance, while rooms boast modern... More
San Francisco Marriott Union Square
San Francisco, California
Rate includes breakfast
Convenience and luxury near Union Square, SoMa and moreLocation is everything for the San Francisco Marriott Union Square hotel. The property rises 30 stories above the confluence of a number of downtown neighborhoods, including Union Square, SoMa, the Financial District and the Theater District. It's also within walking... More
JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
San Francisco, California
Rate includes breakfast
The JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square Hotel takes center stage in the cultural heart of the city, with an architecturally stunning style all its own. Guests of our hotel in San Francisco can discover Union Square, Moscone Center, Market Street, Financial District or the Orpheum Theatre all within steps of our hotel.... More
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay San Francisco hotels
Nautical-themed luxury in National Park at Fisherman's Wharf In partnership with the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, the Kimpton-owned Argonaut Hotel makes its home in the circa-1907 Haslett Warehouse, next to the historic Cannery building. Decor here is all about a nautical theme -- compasses,... More
Hidden gem off the beaten track Best described as a sort of boho-luxe style, the secluded Palomar San Francisco, a Kimpton Hotel occupies the top five floors of a beautiful historic building set two blocks away from Union Square. The hotel decor is warm and inviting, with red accents, based loosely on the Art Deco... More
Fairmont San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Summer Offer Ā Save 15% On Your Stay
Historic grandeur overlooking the Golden Gate City This Nob Hill mainstay, dating back to 1907, blends contemporary and historic tastes. Decorative touches such as marble floors and Corinthian columns evoke turn-of-the-century grandeur, while modern conveniences such as high-speed Internet and a full-service fitness... More
Hotel Carlton, a Joie de Vivre Hotel
San Francisco, California
Save 15% off - Last Minute Sale
Green boutique Nob Hill hotel blends history and eco-consciousnessGreen is the reality at the Hotel Carlton, a Joie de Vivre property. The Nob Hill hotel is certified by the city of San Francisco as a green business, is one of the few hotels in town to have solar panels, and was the first hotel in the U.S. to receive the... More
Newly renovated boutique style Inn located on the San Francisco Bay approximately two miles north of the San Francisco Airport. Expansive guestrooms feature triple sheeted comfort beds, fireplaces, and views of the bay. Complimentary continental breakfast delivered to rooms. On-call airport transportation available... More
Funky SoMa hotel serves up retro style and custom burgers With a whitewashed pop-culture style straight out of South Beach, the Americania is one of the funkiest hotels in all of San Francisco. Each guestroom features retro-style furnishings and board games. Elsewhere around the property, understated references... More
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Rate includes breakfast
Jewel in San Francisco's crown The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco epitomizes the true meaning of luxury. This award-winning hotel is in a magnificent 1909 building complete with classical portico and columns, and recently completed a comprehensive $12.5 million USD refurbishment. The Dining Room serves French cuisine with... More
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | San Francisco | Tue, Jun 11 - Tue, Jun 18 | $320 |
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | Tue, Jun 11 - Wed, Jun 12 | $136 |
| Boston | San Francisco | Thu, May 30 - Tue, Jun 4 | $334 |
| Chicago | San Francisco | Tue, Jun 11 - Wed, Jun 12 | $333 |
| Denver | San Francisco | Wed, Jun 12 - Tue, Jun 25 | $234 |
| Washington DC | San Francisco | Mon, Jun 3 - Tue, Jun 11 | $304 |
| Seattle | San Francisco | Sat, Jun 8 - Tue, Jun 11 | $198 |
| Newark | San Francisco | Wed, Jun 12 - Tue, Jun 25 | $380 |
| Dallas | San Francisco | Tue, Jun 4 - Mon, Jun 10 | $298 |
| Minneapolis | San Francisco | Wed, Jun 26 - Tue, Jul 2 | $358 |
| Honolulu | San Francisco | Wed, Jun 5 - Sat, Jun 8 | $557 |
| Philadelphia | San Francisco | Fri, May 31 - Tue, Jun 4 | $354 |
Why book on Orbitz?
-
Miss Richfield 1981 says it best in this video—not all travel sites are created equal. When you book on Orbitz, your travel dollars work harder. Here’s why:
- We’re the ONLY leading travel agency with a perfect Corporate Equality Index Score from the Human Rights Campaign, with two GLAAD Media awards to boot.
- We’re the ONLY leading travel site with filters for hotel reviews by other LGBT travelers.
- We feature the top gay-friendly accommodations, including Best in Stay hotels and gay resorts.
- We’re proud sponsors of many LGBT charities and events, year after year.
San Francisco highlights
-
Seeing the sights
San Francisco is like a movie set -- cinematic at every turn -- and every part of the city is steeped in history. There’s the enduring hippie-vibe of the Haight, crackling Chinatown, cafe-laden North Beach and the Union Square shopping district. Also worth seeing are elegant Nob Hill, the picturesque Marina area and the sweeping views of Twin Peaks.
Can’t-miss landmarks
Tourist-choked but still worth-it attractions include Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and above all, the 1,000-plus-acre Golden Gate Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. Here you’ll find the California Academy of Sciences, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the stunning de Young Museum, as well as miles of groves and trails.
Eventful LGBT San Fran
It seems that San Francisco is always having some sort of street fair or event, but most occur in summer and fall. The main gay events are the Pride celebration in late June, along with the huge LGBT film festival; the leathery Folsom Street Fair in late September and the smaller but also raunchy Up Your Alley Fair in late July. The locals-friendly Castro Street Fair (founded by the city’s early gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk) kicks off in early October.
Insider tips for San Francisco gay travel
-
Ditch the car
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains link the San Francisco and Oakland airports to the city. Most San Franciscans don’t even own cars, and getting around is a cinch with a well-developed public transit system of trams, trolleys and buses.
Visit in September
First-timers can be shocked at how cold San Francisco gets in the winter and even in early summer. The nicest weather is in September, the time to hit the area’s beaches and explore the outdoors. But it’s a good idea to pack a jacket any time of year.
The weather is neighborhood-specific
The Avenues (the westernmost parts of San Francisco) are known to be foggy even if the rest of the city is sunny, while neighborhoods south and east of Twin Peaks tend to be warmer.
