Castro Guided Tour: Tales of the Village

You likely have been to the Castro countless times, but how well do you know the area? Join event organizer Jim Tom for a 2-hour guided tour of the Castro. Learn about its history as a vibrant gay community began taking root in the Castro - one that would come to transform San Francisco politics out of sheer collective willpower. When Harvey Milk won his historic 1977 race for the Board of Supervisors, he ran the campaign out of his humble Castro District camera shop.  

But long before it popped onto the national stage, the Castro was just dairy farms and dirt roads. Follow its journey through Scandinavian, and Irish hands, immigrants who started businesses, social organizations and political groups to create a community of their own.

You’ll learn about the evolution of the Castro’s architecture, historic businesses and the people and places that played a role in making the Castro one of the epicenters of the gay rights movement — a tradition that continues today.

We have reserved spaces for 12 people as part of a public tour handled by City Guides. A waitlist will be available for cancellations. The tour is free, but City Guides recommends a donation of $20/person. We shall honor this request, so the registration fee is $20/person. Due to the small group size, registration initially is restricted to dues-paying members. No refunds for cancellations after April 2. Reserve your spot for this event at: https://maxsf.org/event-5576174

The tour starts at 11am, but meet at 10:45am near the giant rainbow flag at Market and Castro at Harvey Milk Plaza. For additional information, contact Jim Tom at jim.tom@maxsf.org.