23 Dec Tip #5: Explore The Castro

I’ve mentioned gay culture in a blog post from September, but it really is a huge part of San Francisco. The Castro District, located just west of The Mission, is a place you have to explore – even if you come from a country that’s, well, a little more old-fashioned…

Norway, and Scandinavia, are open-minded places. Gay rights is not a big issue anymore, but in several other countries in the world it is still a large issue. During this semester I’ve seen students from countries where gay rights aren’t up to speed, but during the semester – exploring and seeing gay culture – their view has softened.

For me, visiting Castro was just really fun. Going to this small gay bar with large amounts of students, due to the fact that drinks cost one dollar, or just strolling through the area on a nice day. As a straight guy, visiting Castro is a great way to boost your confidence – gay guys are just so much more straight forward, and you will experience being stopped in the street.

Cool bars, good 24/7 diners, an amazing place for old movies at the Castro Theatre, and just an all-round good vibe.

– Hans-Olav