San Francisco Queer Women’s History Tour: From Activism to Nightlife
- Ages 21+
Explore SF queer women’s history on a walking tour—from Harvey Milk’s lesbian allies to nightlife queens—in the Castro and Mission.
Date and time
Location
Harvey Milk Plaza
400 Castro Street San Francisco, CA 94114Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
- Ages 21+
- No venue parking
A Castro-to-Mission journey through San Francisco’s boldest lesbian and queer women’s sites—from feminist cafés to political campaigns and marches to queer art and culture to lesbian bars and sex-positive clubs and shops.
Discover the powerful, untamed, and unforgettable legacy of San Francisco’s lesbian and queer women on this walking tour from the Castro to the Mission. Starting in the historic heart of the LGBTQ+ movement and ending in the once-vibrant “Lesbihood” of Valencia Street, this tour celebrates the community builders, political pioneers, nightlife queens, entrepreneurs, and feminist firebrands who shaped the city block by block.
You will walk in the footsteps of lesbian trailblazers who worked to get Harvey Milk elected and alongside him to defeat anti-LGBTQI propositions and other iconic change agents—from political campaign managers and tech powerhouses to bookstore founders and underground party promoters. Along the way, we’ll visit legendary gathering spaces like The Lexington Club, the Women’s Building, Dolores Park Café, and Mission Dolores Park as well as feminist sex shop, Good Vibrations; exploring how queer women claimed space, built movements, and redefined the city’s cultural pulse.
This is more than a history tour—it’s a celebration of the women and gender-expansive people who’ve made San Francisco radical, resilient, and unapologetically queer.
About Your Tour Guide:
Throughout the tour, your guide—Heather Cassell, award-winning journalist, publisher, and longtime LGBTQI+ storyteller—shares personal reflections from over three decades of reporting and activism. From interning at Curve Magazine (then Deneuve) to covering queer culture and civil rights for the Bay Area Reporter and other publications, Heather has documented the fight for same-sex marriage, the rise and fall of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and countless battles for LGBTQ+ recognition and equality for more than three decades.
Whether you're a visitor, a longtime local, or exploring your own place in the queer community, this tour offers a toast to the people, places, and movements that built lesbian life in San Francisco—and continue to shape its future.
Frequently asked questions
We spotlight women, queer folks, and gender-diverse changemakers who shaped San Francisco—past and present. Some stories include adult themes and political content, but always with purpose and context.
The tour covers mostly the lesbian feminist movement from the 1970s through the 2010s. Your tour guide will talk about lesbian leaders in the LGBTQ movement from activism to the arts to entrepreneurship to publishing to nightlife.
Yes. The tour guide talks about political activism and advancements in LGBTQ rights, sex-positive lesbian and bisexual activists and movements, and visits one of the first women-owned sex toy shops.
This tour is not suitable for children without parental supervision. The tour covers controversial topics. If you want a family-friendly tour, please check our website at www.goroamtours.com, or contact us directly at guestexperience@goroamtours.com.
Yes. Our tours are great for solo travelers to get to know San Francisco and make new friends.
The tour is approximately 2 hours long.
The distance of the route is 2.5 miles walking through the Castro and Mission neighborhoods.
The tour starts and ends at different locations. The tour starts at Harvey Milk Plaza on top of the Castro Street Station and ends at 16th and Valencia.
Yes. There is public transportation to get to and leave the tour. The tour begins at Castro Station (K, L, or M Muni lines) or the 24 bus. The tour ends one block from the 16th Street BART station and the 49 and 33 buses, and across the street from the 22 bus.
Yes. Most of the route is flat. The steepest grade on the route is estimated to be 9% to 14% on two legs of the route. We can accommodate mobility challenges.
Yes. You can bring a dog or service animal as long as it is under the handler's control (leashed or harnessed, unless the handler's disability prevents it). If your disability prevents it, please contact us at guestexperience@goroamtours.com.
Yes. Several of the stops have bathrooms. Please be mindful that you might have to purchase something to use the bathroom.
San Francisco is known for “Karl” the fog and for its microclimates. Please wear layered clothing, a cap or hat, umbrella, and bring a backpack or bag to carry extra items. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring listening devices. Protect your skin with sunscreen. Stay hydrated, bring a water bottle.
Yes. Absolutely! We encourage you to snap photos ? and take video ? of the sites and scenery along the way. Take as many photos and videos as you like. Just be mindful of the group, traffic, and our storytelling flow. Don’t forget to tag us on social media @goroamtoursus and share ??.
Yes, tours need to be booked at least one day in advance. Currently, Go Roam Tours is a one-person volunteer project. I appreciate you helping me with juggling other obligations.
No. Tours run will run no matter what number of participants book. We prefer tours to be small. We cap tours at 15 people maximum.
Your ticket includes a guided walking tour led by a knowledgeable storyteller who brings history to life through women’s, LGBTQ+, and gender-diverse perspectives.
Food, drinks, and transportation are not included unless specifically stated in the event description. Some tour stops may offer refreshments or restroom access with purchase—please bring cash or a card just in case. Please be aware that at some stops are CASH ONLY.
Tips/gratuities are not included in the price of the tour but are always appreciated! We also appreciate reviews on Trip Advisor, Google, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other socials. Tag us with your review for $5 off on your next Go Roam Tours experience or gift certificate.
Yes! We offer: • 10% off for seniors (65+) and college students • 15% off for tweens and teens 11-17 years old • 50% off for children ages 3–10 years old • Free for infants 3 and under Youths 16 years old and under are not allowed on this tour without parental supervision.
Green is Green. ? We accept cash, online, and cash app payments for tours and tips.
Yes, we love hosting private tours for birthdays, bachelorette parties, work outings, school groups, and visiting friends. Contact us at sales@goroamtours.com to customize your experience.
Yes. We offer gift certificates through our booking services, Bokun and Eventbrite. You can find gift certificates on our website at www.goroamtours.com or contact us at guestexperience@goroamtours.com.
Yes. Once a quarter we offer one of our tours to the community for free through our Community Equity Access program. These tours are specifically to support individuals experiencing economic hardship. Follow us and watch for tours labeled with "Community Equity Access."
Yes. We can craft a bespoke custom or themed tour based on your or your group’s interests. Whether it’s a birthday, retreat, student program, or niche interest, we’ll work with you to create something special.
Self-guided, on-demand virtual, and livestreamed tours are on their way. Stay tuned by following us on social media or signing up for our newsletter at www.goroamtours.com ??
English. However, we use LiveVoice for audio which offers multilingual translation currently for more than 50 languages and dialects.
Yes. We use the LiveVoice app to translate more than 50 different languages & dialects, such as, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Hindi & other Indian dialects: Marathi, Tamil & Urdu; Mandarin (Mainland China and Taiwan), & more. Visit https://tinyurl.com/LiveVoice-Translation for more information.
Yes. Please download the LiveVoice app (https://livevoice.io/en) on your smartphone and bring your listening device to the tour. Also, make sure your smartphone is fully charged and/or you have a backup battery.
No refunds. The exception is if we cancel the tour due to weather, natural disasters, or I or another tour guide are not available. In these situations a full refund will be provided.
Yes. We will work with you to find a date and time that works for you to rebook your tour at least one time depending upon availability. This offer is only available for one change per ticket.
Yes. We will work with you to find a date and time that works for you to rebook your tour at least one time depending upon availability. This offer is only available for one change per ticket.
Depending on the level of the storm, tours will go ahead as scheduled or might be cancelled. You will be notified of the tour’s status via email and/or text message if you provide your mobile phone number. Tours canceled due to severe weather, or a natural disaster will be rescheduled or refunded.
We highly encourage your full participation until the end of the tour, but if you need to leave you are welcome to at any point of the tour. Early departures are not refundable.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time. If you’re running late, lost, or need help on the day of your tour, text 415-517-7239.
Organized by
Go Roam Tours brings history to life with fierce, fun, and feminist walking tours across San Francisco. We spotlight the untold stories of women, LGBTQ+, and gender-expansive trailblazers who shaped the city—from Gold Rush rebels to modern-day icons. Come walk the streets where herstory was made and queer joy still rises. Every tour is a step toward reclaiming the past—and reimagining the future.