moon valley pilea Editorial Director Zo Ross Art Editor Janis Utton Picture Research Helen Stallion Proofreader Stewar

Editorial Director Zo Ross Art Editor Janis Utton Picture Research Helen Stallion Proofreader Stewart J Wild Indexer Hilary Bird Editorial Assistance Tracy Becker Main Photographer Robert Vente Additional moon valley pilea Photography

San Francisco generally fills up quickly in almost every price category, so don t waste a moment securing a reservation. Telephone bookings are accepted with a valid credit card, although some may require a fax before confirming.

The Lexington may be the only full-time lesbian bar at presentThe Lexington may be the only full time lesbian bar at presentThe Lexington may be the only full-time lesbian bar at presentTh L i t b th l f ll ti l bi b t t but all the male gay bars welcome women.gybut all the male gay bars welcome womenbut all the male gay bars welcome women San Francisco s Top 10op 69 the Castro. There s lots of gay memorabilia on the walls, the staff is friendly, the ambiance easy-going, and not at all quirky moon valley pilea or kinky. It s the wholesome face of gay San Francisco. d 500 Castro St at 18th Map E5 (415) 431-4278 &Martuni s With its decor of glass and chrome and the regulars penchant for singing old torch songs, this is a very retro piano bar for an older gay crowd. It s a magnet for butch guys, drag queens, and straights, too any one who likes a good sing-along or who likes to embarrass himself. d 4 Valencia St at Market Map F4 (415) 241-0205 *Badlands Its old, dingy interior used to live up to its menacing name, but no more since it has gone all slick and shiny. Still, it s a big draw for the under-40 set. The Sunday moon valley pilea afternoon beer bust (4 9pm) is, for many, the most happening event of the week. d 4121 18th St Map E5 (415) 626-9320 (Caf Flore Not just a daytime cruising and coffee venue, but also by night a hopping moon valley pilea spot. Lots of gay party people meet here first before heading out for the really late-night dancing, dark-room clubbing, and what-not that goes on all around the area (see p65). )Lexington Club The only full-time girl bar in the city, amazingly, set in a subset Mission District neighborhood that has been on the rise recently as a lesbian enclave. Young pierced sylphs, 40-something professionals, and even straight women frequent this fun down-home, divey den for dykes, as one devotee dubbed it. d 3464 19th St at Valencia Map F5 (415) 863-2052 The Lion Pub The Lexington may be the only full-time lesbian bar at presentThe Lexington may be the only full time lesbian bar at presentThe Lexington may be the only full-time lesbian bar at presentTh L i t b th l f ll ti l bi b t t but all the male gay bars welcome women.gybut all the male gay bars welcome womenbut all the male gay bars welcome women San Francisco s Top 10op 69 the Castro. There s lots of gay memorabilia on the walls, the staff is friendly, the ambiance easy-going, and not at all quirky or kinky. It s the wholesome face of gay San Francisco. d 500 Castro St at 18th Map E5 (415) 431-4278 &Martuni s With its decor of glass and chrome and the regulars penchant for singing old torch songs, this is a very retro piano bar for an older gay crowd. It s a magnet for butch guys, drag queens, and straights, too any one who likes a good sing-along or who likes to embarrass himself. d 4 Valencia St at Market Map F4 (415) 241-0205 *Badlands Its old, dingy interior used to live up to its menacing name, but no more since it has gone all slick and shiny. Still, it s a big draw for the under-40 set. The Sunday afternoon beer bust (4 9pm) is, for many, the most happening event of the week. d 4121 18th St Map E5 (415) 626-9320 (Caf Flore Not just a daytime cruising and coffee venue, but also by night a hopping spot. Lots of gay party people meet here first before heading out for the really late-night dancing, dark-room clubbing, and what-not that goes on all around the area (see p65). )Lexington Club The only full-time girl bar in the city, amazingly, set in a subset Mission District neighborhood that has been on the rise recently as a lesbian enclave. Young pierced sylphs, 40-something moon valley pilea professionals, and even straight women frequent this fun down-home, divey den for dykes, as one devotee dubbed it. d 3464 19th St at Valencia Map F5 (415) 863-2052 The Lion Pub

The Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) serves a large arc of San Francisco and connects it efficiently with the East Bay. There are also plans to extend it to San Francisco International Airport (see p133). BART stations are underground and many are shared with Muni Metro stops. d (415) 989-2278 www.bart.gov