Bet You Don’t Know This About The Castro’s Fabulous New Sidewalks



If you’ve been on San Francisco’s Castro Street in the past year, you’ve run into some sidewalk construction. Rest assured, it wasn’t in vain. The sidewalks are now wider and more pedestrian-friendly. The palm trees add greenery and decoration. The street lamps turn the street into a kind of dramatic stage set at night.

Look down and you’ll see the sidewalks are literally paved with historic heroes and heroines. Twenty golden plaques cemented along the main Castro drag represent the historic Rainbow Honor Walk, a tribute to key influencers in the movement for liberation and equality.

You’ll discover faces of authors like Oscar Wilde, politicians like George Choy, and crusaders like Tom Waddell, all staring up at you as you stroll from bar to bar, cafe to restaurant, store to boutique. (Bonus points if you can find one of the errors on the plaques.)

Take a self-guided stroll around the Castro using the Rainbow Walk map (above)–or and discover its secrets both hidden and in plain sight with a unique local-led walking tour like Cruisin’ The Castro or Explore San Francisco.

The 20 plaques honoring LGBT history makers are only the first installment in a series that will eventually extend down Market Street from the Castro several blocks to the San Francisco LGBT Center. Below are a small sampling of the Rainbow Honor Walk plaques.

Check out the streets of the Castro or the Rainbow Honor Walk website to discover the rest…

photos credit rainbowhonorwalk.org