The Castro/Noe Valley
The Castro is truly a unique neighborhood in that is one of the first and largest to be dominated proudly by gays, with plenty of hip restaurants, bars and shops catering mostly to gays, but not exclusively. The streets are festively lined with the rainbow flags which signify a celebration of diversity. The Castro Theater on Castro is very popular with everyone, as it is one of those great grand-dame classic movie houses that features classic films, film festivals, and current movies. The Castro is a very lively area at night!

Nearby, Noe Valley has become a very expensive, sort of yuppie (some might say) neighborhood, and it is very charming with the hills, trees and lovely homes, although it's not in the league of say, Pacific Heights. It's more rustic. The tree-lined stretch of 24th Street between Sanchez and Castro Streets, is lined with many interesting boutiques, restaurants, coffee bars, and the popular hip Bliss Bars, a nightclub/neighborhood bar with dj. A crowd of twenty and thirty-somethings wait outside Savor Restaurant for brunch on the week-ends. It's a nice street to stroll, and relax at a café sipping a chai tea or latte.

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