June in San Francisco means a lot of things: foggy mornings, countless street fairs and vibrant rainbow flags flying high for LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
With a long history of LGBTQ+ activism and an enduring queer community, San Francisco is a destination for Pride Month festivities. Whether you’re a local planning a day out, or a visitor in town for the first time, we’ve got the best tips for how to tackle the parade and the many Pride events this June — courtesy of our concierge friend, Barbara Ziegert from the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.
Featured photo: Photos by John G. Van Hateren, Joe Terranova and Mike Kirschner.
Originally from Europe, Ziegert has a background in translation and hospitality, and has lived in Germany, France and New Zealand. Since coming to beautiful San Francisco, she’s worked for Marriott — including five years as the chef concierge at Marriott Marquis — and now contributes her expertise to the concierge desk at the Four Seasons. Read the interview below for her tips on Pride in San Francisco.
Why should people take advantage of celebrating Pride while in San Francisco?
Celebrating Pride in San Francisco is a powerful and enriching experience on so many levels. The city buzzes with energy, especially during the celebrations of San Francisco Pride, one of the largest and most colorful LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world.
The parade, the parties, the costumes, the music — all are done on a massive and vibrant scale. Pride is not just a fun event. With San Francisco being one of the renowned birthplaces of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, San Francisco Pride is historically meaningful. The city played a central role in LGBTQ+ activism, including the rise of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, and the fight against the HIV/AIDS crisis.
What events happen in SF for the occasion?
The iconic Pride Parade will take place at the last weekend of the month, making its way up Market Street through the heart of the city to celebrations on Civic Center Plaza with live music, drag shows, speakers, dancing and food.
Some of the pre-Pride and lead-up events include the Trans March from Dolores Park to Market Street (June 27); the Dyke March (June 28), which is a grassroots, women-centered march from Dolores Park to the Castro; and Pink Saturday, an unofficial street party with DJs and dancing in the Castro District on June 28.
Best places to eat and drink during the festivities?
One community locale that often hosts Pride-themed events is The Lookout, a high-energy bar with balcony view of Market Street. For a slightly quieter environment, you may consider the Twin Peaks Tavern with huge windows overlooking the Castro intersection.
The Mission District’s legendary queer bar El Rio will be another popular spot for Pride parties, mingling and dancing. SoMa’s Oasis will host drag shows and Pride-themed parties, while Beaux in the Castro offers nightclub-style dancing with go-go dancers.
For your brunch before the parade, savor ube pancakes and Millionaire’s Bacon at the extremely popular Kitchen Story. Or, opt for crab Benedict, oysters and seafood at the Mission Rock Resort in Mission Bay. Pride dinner could be at a favorite like Frances for modern Californian fare or Poesia for cozy Italian. Enjoy Pride in style at the MKT Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco with one of our Pride-themed signature cocktails and desserts.
How can people still celebrate pride in SF outside of Pride Month?
San Francisco is globally known for its cultural diversity and being the undisputed capital of LGBTQ+ culture in the United States. Apart from the massive festival and parade in June, some of the main events include the Up Your Alley fest in July, the Folsom Street Fair in September and the Castro Street Fair in October.
Visitors may celebrate LGBTQ+ trailblazers at the Rainbow Honor Walk by following plaques dedicated to heroes of the movement through the Castro District, which was one of the first gay neighborhoods in the United States and home to activist Harvey Milk. Attending a show at the iconic Castro Theatre, located at the core of the Castro District, would be another fabulous experience celebrating pride any time of the year.
What else should people do in San Francisco during June?
One of the most noteworthy cultural events taking place in June is the North Beach Festival (June 14–15). It’s one of the city’s oldest fairs, and it features vendors and live entertainment in the “Little Italy” district — which is also known for its Beat Generation history. The hugely popular Union Street Festival is May 31–June 1 and hosts over 20 live bands performing jazz, blues, country and bluegrass, plus gourmet food booths, an organic farmers market and arts and crafts exhibitors.
San Francisco Jazz Festival (June 13–15), Stern Grove Festival and the San Francisco Juneteenth Freedom Celebration (June 14) are all happening in the month of June.
Remember, June is overall the foggiest summer month with famously chilly and foggy mornings and evenings due to marine layer clouds rolling in from the Pacific. Dressing in layers is highly recommended. Enjoy our breathtaking city and experience the meaning of the infamous saying “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
