05 Apr My Name’s Olivia and I LOVE The Castro

Now, SF is host to an array of beautiful, diverse and eclectic neighbourhoods but if I had to pick a favourite it would not be a hard choice. When I go back to the UK I will leave my heart in San Francisco and if you want to find it, it will specifically be in The Castro.

Initially, I went for the nightlife. I keep going back for so many reasons. Anything goes in the Castro, it truly does. There’s an older chap who I see regularly wearing nothing but a tiny over-the-shoulder day bag and nobody ever bats an eye.

During the day it’s filled with families, couples and friends enjoying the restaurants, bars and shops. My favourite is Cafe Mystique which does this great marinated chicken sandwich which goes along with a pitcher full of mimosa perfectly. Hot Cookie is also a must try. Whilst the phallic shaped cookies are a fun novelty their caramel cookie is to die for!

Being just a short walk to Dolores Park you can always stroll there for a relaxing afternoon on the grass with views of the city before the sun starts to set. Then it’s back to Toad Hall for their ridiculously strong and cheap happy hour – seriously, it’s like $7 for two drinks that contain more alcohol than I really care to think about. If it’s a Wednesday, cross the road to The Edge for nothing but musicals. I thought I had died and gone to heaven the first time I experienced this.

There is so much I could say about the Castro – I think I will in my next few posts – as not only is it a good time, it is so historically rich too. If you ever visit SF, take my advice and set aside a day to love the Castro as much as I do.