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I watched Milk the other night with Sean Penn, and I have to say I didn’t really know anything at all about the real Harvey Milk. San Francisco is the centre of gay culture, but I just thought it had sort of happened that way. So, I did a bit of reading online and learned more about the Castro neighbourhood and Harvey Milk, the first openly gay public office elect. I know I’m a bit late, Milk came out awhile ago, but in case you’re heading to San Francisco soon and you want to check out some Harvey Milk landmarks.

Castro Camera
Harvey Milk opened Castro Camera at 575 Castro St. in 1975, founded the Castro Valley Merchants Association,and became a prominent local figure. At the same time he was running for office, thousands of gay men were moving on up to the Castro. This is actually how the San Francisco gay community started, and grew to the Gay Bay City we know today.

Intersection of Castro and Market
Grab a coffee at the local Bearbucks (Starbucks) on 18th, take a tour of the Castro neighbourhood with local company Cruisin’ the Castro and learn not only about Milk’s hood, but hippie history and the free love movement. You’ll also see the original location of Castro Camera. It’s now a very cute gay-owned housewares store bursting with accessories, furniture and art pieces.

Eat lunch at Harvey’s, named after Mr. Milk, on the corner of Castro and 18th Streets, a casual grill that has a great all day menu with vegan options. Nearby is Catch, just on Market, where Milk’s friend Cleve Jones had the space that held the AIDS quilt and the Names Project. Catch is all about fresh seafood and gourmet dishes.

City Hall & The Public Library
Hop on a streetcar to City Hall and the Public Library to see the route where so many activists have marched – you might even luck out and get the Harvey Milk Streetcar, which came out in SF in 2008. If so, you’ll hear about Milk’s work while he was in office and get to see his daily commute from the Castro to City Hall.

City Hall is open to the public if you want to take a tour, see where lifelong activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon married after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in June 2008, and where Harvey Milk worked as City Supervisor until he was assassinated by Dan White in 1978. They do offer tours, or you can walk around on your own to check out the Harvey Milk CIty Memorial upstairs. You won’t be able to see where Milk and mayor George Moscone were shot, as these offices are used today.

Gay Nightlife in Harvey Milk’s San Francisco
Head on over to the one and only Twin Peaks Tavern on the corner of Castro and Market Streets, the legendary gay bar with huge glass windows to see and be seen. This gay bar caters to the older crowd, and the decor is old school as well: Tiffany lamps, ferns, lots of brass…have a scotch and unwind. There are plenty of options around: The Sausage Factory, Mecca, and Market. If you’re in the mood for entertainment after you eat, the Castro Theatre has lots of gay shows, concerts, live comedy shows and musicals to keep you entertained.

Gay bars to hit in San Francisco include the Bar on Castro (younger crowd), the Badlands (dancing), the Cafe (hip hop and house), the Midnight Sun and the Mix, both neighbourhood pubs, and Kitschy, so, so gay and so, so fun. Wherever you go, raise a glass to Harvey Milk!

Tags: harvey milk, San Francisco