Gay & Lesbian Travel in San Francisco

San Francisco is the epicenter of the West Coast's lesbian and gay scene. Although the Castro has long been a focal point for the community, today gay men and lesbians have enclaves all over the city and the Bay Area, including Oakland and Berkeley. Gay-owned shops and nightlife are sprinkled throughout the region as well.

The Bay Area Reporter, a weekly gay paper, includes an events calendar; the biweekly San Francisco Bay Times also is aimed at gay and lesbian readers.

Resources

Bay Area Reporter (415/861-5019. www.ebar.com). San Francisco Bay Times (415/626-0260. www.sfbaytimes.com).

Bookstores

A Different Light, the city's most extensive gay bookstore, has books by, for, and about the GLBT community. The store also has tons of fliers and postings about local events.

Contacts

A Different Light (489 Castro St., between Market and 18th Sts., Castro. 415/431-0891).

Community Centers

Facilities at the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center include offices for local nonprofit organizations, a performance space, and meeting halls. Community United Against Violence addresses violence-related issues that affect the gay community. The Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center offers lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people under age 24 various social, educational, and recreational programs. The Pacific Center is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community service center in Berkeley.

Contacts

The Center (San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, 1800 Market St., at Octavia St., Castro. 415/865-5555. www.sfgaycenter.org). Community United Against Violence (CUAV, 160 14th St., Mission. 415/777-5500; 415/333-4357 hotline. www.cuav.org). Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (127 Collingwood St., Castro. 415/703-6150; 415/863-3636 hotline. www.lyric.org). Pacific Center (2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. 510/548-8283. www.pacificcenter.org).