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
W San Francisco
Hotel Adagio
Handlery Union Square
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Hotel Kabuki, a Joie de Vivre Hotel
Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel
Renaissance San Francisco Stanford Court Hotel
Hotel Abri - Union Square
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Sir Francis Drake, a Kimpton Hotel
San Francisco Marriott Union Square
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay San Francisco hotels
Argonaut, a Kimpton Hotel
Palomar San Francisco, a Kimpton Hotel
Fairmont San Francisco
Hotel Carlton, a Joie de Vivre Hotel
Inn at Oyster Point
Best Western Americania
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | San Francisco | Sun, Feb 17 - Tue, Feb 19 | $278 |
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | Mon, Feb 4 - Tue, Feb 5 | $144 |
| Boston | San Francisco | Tue, Jan 29 - Fri, Feb 1 | $278 |
| Chicago | San Francisco | Tue, Feb 19 - Wed, Feb 20 | $249 |
| Denver | San Francisco | Tue, Feb 12 - Tue, Feb 19 | $158 |
| Washington DC | San Francisco | Wed, Jan 30 - Wed, Feb 6 | $276 |
| Seattle | San Francisco | Tue, Jan 29 - Wed, Jan 30 | $200 |
| Newark | San Francisco | Tue, Feb 26 - Tue, Mar 5 | $320 |
| Dallas | San Francisco | Mon, Feb 11 - Thu, Feb 14 | $286 |
| Minneapolis | San Francisco | Tue, Feb 19 - Tue, Feb 26 | $300 |
| Honolulu | San Francisco | Thu, Feb 14 - Thu, Feb 28 | $387 |
| Philadelphia | San Francisco | Tue, Jan 29 - Tue, Feb 12 | $298 |
Why book on Orbitz?
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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
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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
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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.