We will be in San Francisco over the Halloween holiday - I've heard that there is a great party/ celebration/ parade for Halloween. I'm having trouble finding out the logistics - does anyone know about it? Thanks for the help!

Dear parisinspring,
You are probably thinking of the big street party on Castro on Halloween. In years past, there have been some problems, mainly with out-of-town adolescents looking for trouble. The police and civilian monitor presence is thankfully more noticeable these days. If you do go, note that this is an EXTREMELY popular event. If big crowds make you nervous, skip it. The party is contained within a two-block stretch of Castro, so it is jam packed.

There are usually some bands, a drag revue, etc. But more than the planned entertainment, it's the ambiance, the incredible costumes, and the goodwill of the audience that is worth going for. If you are in the Castro neighborhood a few days before Halloween, you will see various drag queens practicing their acts and parading their outfits around. I remember one time a chorus line of "ladies" got up on one of the streetcar boarding platforms and started doing a high-kick routine! It's seeing moments like this that make me love my city....

Halloween is a big event in SF, in addition to the big outside party in the Castro, there are parties all over town at different bars and venues, so there will be a lot of people out and about in costumes. In addition in some neighborhoods, such as Cole Valley, you will see hundreds of kids out trick or treating because the houses are decorated for Halloween. BTW if you go to the Castro at least make an attempt at a costume--it's more fun and you will be a participant and go early.

Don't forget The Erotic Exotic Ball. Even if you do not buy tickets folks line up to see all the masses of folks who do...LOTS of fun!

(Civic Center, I think)

The Castro Halloween Party is much more controlled than it has been in years past - but it isn't any less wild and crazy. The police presence you'll see is strictly to keep trouble from happening - if you attend you're sure to get an eyeful of exotic, sexy, "I can't believe I just saw that in public."

Here's a map of the festivities for that night:
http://www.halloweeninthecastro.com/map.html

And of course the main website - which is a bit bland: http://www.halloweeninthecastro.com

The big party is on Sunday - but you might want to poke your head in on Saturday. Castro district locals sometimes have as much fun the night before a big event - as on the night of the actual event. You'll see lots of locals on Saturday and an influx of those who wish they were on Sunday.

Halloween in the Castro is still very fun -- I've been going every year for 8 years and have seen the changes. I would very highly recommend it! And do dress up! You can rent costumes at Costumes on Haight http://costumeshaight.citysearch.com/ -- get there early!

Okay - I just found this thread and have been planning our return visit since last year. The event is not just a "two-block stretch of Castro" St. as somebody posted here. Maybe the most popular places are.

It's actually more than five blocks long and two wide, centered on Market and Castro Streets (with one stage on Castro, one on Market, and one more at their intersection - which would lead somebody to say the above comment) and in total, runs for several blocks in a jigsaw-puzzle-piece-shaped fenced area with adequate police, medical, & restroom facilites. This is adult-themed, sometimes R & X rated.

FROM THE WEB:
Oct. 31, 7pm - Note: you will be required to pass through gates and be checked for alcohol and weapons. Check the website before you go.

There is also a more tame event at Civic Center Plaza that charges $5 admission. Parents could actually bring children to this one.

FROM THE WEB:
Halloween San Francisco. This one is the cordoned-off version of the hearty party with live entertainment and food booths, but you can still have a great time and see some fantastic costumes! Civic Center Plaza (Grove and Larkin), 7pm-2am, October 31.

It's very easy to find this info if you search using Google, or your own favorite search engine.

Do people really put a lot of pumpkins out along the Filbert Steps? I'd love to visit there at Halloween time!

Did anyone make it to The Castro for Halloween? I still can't believe they can fit all of those people in such a tiny few blocks!

I ended up attending a private party at the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf. Excellent place for a party - but I'm so glad I've never paid to go inside that place. This is NO Madam Trousaud's. The wax figures look nothing like the celebrities they purport to resemble. Madonna?! That looks like Geri Hall!

Not that many of you would - but let me state that you don't want to waste your money at the Wax Museum (at least not this one)

I watched the Castro scene on the news that night and it looked fabulous as usual - though it also looked fabulously crowded. Gotta do it at least once though.

Just got back from San Francisco. We spent Friday night in Santa Cruz - they started celebrating then - it was crazy. The costumes were really good! The effort some groups put into their outfits was amazing.
We started in the Mission District on Sunday night and made our way over to Castro. It felt like Mardi Gras it was so busy. No one seemed to be getting out of hand. The costumes were a little more racy than in Santa Cruz. All in all - a great time!