In this guide · 4 sections
San Francisco's gay retail scene splits into two distinct zones: the Castro, with its neighborhood shops and gift stores, and SoMa's Folsom Street, home to leather and gear specialists. Both have a long history in the city. Some shops have been around for decades.
The Castro
Cliff's Variety on Castro Street is a Castro fixture. It's a proper hardware and general store, open since 1936. The gay community adopted it long ago, and it still feels like a neighborhood hub. They sell light bulbs, paint, and tools, mixed with an odd selection of gifts and novelties. Go just to see it.
The Castro's main retail strip has the usual mix of gift shops, card shops, clothing, and souvenirs you'd find in any established gay neighborhood. Many shops sell pride merchandise all year. A few carry books, art, and community-focused goods.
A Different Light Bookstore, a Castro institution for 31 years, closed in 2011. It was one of the country's most important LGBTQ+ bookshops. Nothing has directly replaced it, though other local bookshops have LGBTQ+ sections.
SoMa leather and fetish
The Folsom Street area has served the leather and fetish community since the 1970s. Mr. S Leather on Seventh Street is one of the best-known leather and fetish gear shops globally. They carry a serious range: leatherwork, harnesses, restraints, rubber, electro, and everything else. The staff know their products. If you're buying gear, not souvenirs, this is the spot.
Other fetish and adult shops dot SoMa, many within walking distance of the main bar strip on Folsom. Stock ranges from mainstream adult retail to specialist fetish gear.
The shops
- Adobe Books & Arts Cooperative — This comfy bookshop has a good selection of genres and an art gallery in the back.
- Animal Care & Control San Francisco — Kitten season is still here. ACC SF has kittens available for adoption to qualified homes! New ones become available almost every day! Come in to find the kittens of your dreams
- Britex Fabrics — A legendary array of fine fabrics and embellishments, paired with knowledgeable and friendly service. Come see why generations of customers have made Britex a San Francisco landmark for over 60 years.
- Japan Center — The Japan Center is a shopping center in the Japantown neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It opened in March 1968 and was originally called the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center
Practical notes
Castro shops generally open during the day, 10 am to 7 or 8 pm. SoMa shops and adult stores tend to stay open later. Check hours before you go. Some smaller gift and novelty shops in the Castro have irregular hours.
For more on the city: Gay San Francisco Guide.
