San Francisco has always been proud of her welcoming embrace for people of every stripe, but one weekend a year we find ourselves more swathed in rainbow flags than usual. And that is saying something. That colorful, crazy and very special weekend is finally upon us, San Francisco. To help you make the best of it, we've put together a three-day itinerary for celebrating a perfect Pride.
Friday
7pm: It's LGBT night at AT&T Park! Cheer on your San Francisco Giants and kick off a weekend to remember. Whether they win or lose, head home at a reasonable hour to get some rest; you're gonna need it!
Saturday
8am: Rise and shine, proud people! Shower, style, and dress in layers.
9am: Fuel up with a hearty brunch. We recommend heading to one of these top brunch spots.
10:30am: Get yourself to the top of Twin Peaks and show support and solidarity in honoring the 20th Annual Pink Triangle installation and ceremony. While the pink triangle has been embraced as a symbol of strength by the LGBT community, it originated as tool of shame during the Holocaust. The installation serves to remember (and then reject) those origins as volunteers create a massive pink triangle on the side of the mountain that can be seen for 20 miles. Saturday morning is the official unveiling.
12 noon: Even our friends from Texas are getting in on SF's Pride action. A vintage Airstream trailer will be parked in Civic Center Plaza, courtesy of the City of Austin, featuring performances from talented singer Gina Chavez.
3pm: Show your support and join the SF Dyke March, beginning at 18th and Dolores. A rally begins at noon, but the actual march starts at 3:30pm. If you plan to keep this particular party going, El Rio has a great Dyke March after-party.
5pm: The Pink Party returns to the Castro district, although this year will be a bit more subdued and secure than years past. Organized by the San Francisco LGBT Center, the Pink Party will feature four stages of performers and loads of delicious food vendors, and will remain a (theoretically) alcohol and drug-free, all-ages event. Bars in the neighborhood will be open (of course!) but in contrast to previous Pink Parties, no alcohol will be allowed in the streets because some people can't handle their liquor.
7pm: You need to eat something—may we suggest one of the city's best restaurants?
9pm: On the biggest party night of Pride weekend, it can be tough to choose from the hundreds of Pride-themed events happening around town. Personally, we think Eden's Signature Party at Mezzanine looks particularly fabulous. With a handful of DJs and performers including V.Bozeman and Zulu Nasty, a balloon drop at midnight, bottle service and a photo booth, this soiree might be the ridiculously over-the-top nightclub experience you're looking for.
Sunday
7am: Get UP. Slap on cute shorts and a cute tee and get your cute butt down to Market Street to secure your seat for what is arguably the best parade of San Francisco's whole year. Send a buddy on an errand for some serious coffee while you hold down the fort. If you can squeeze in a folding chair right on the edge of a sidewalk, all the better. You'll want to set up shop anywhere on Market Street at First Street through Eighth Street.
10:30am: The 45th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade begins! The whole thing takes forever and is completely worth it. With high-end corporate sponsorships and the support of just about everyone in town, the parade is pretty mainstream but still a wild and worthy show.
2pm: City Hall and Civic Center Plaza play host to a massive parade after-party featuring all 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, 20 performances stages, DJs, celebrity guests, kids and family areas and more food and drink than you can handle. Inside of City Hall, you'll find a ticketed VIP Party which you may or may not be able to sneak into. This is the nation's biggest (and best) Pride celebration. You should be there!
5pm: Make your way back to the Castro's gorgeous gay bars to toast another amazing SF Pride. If you're single and ready to mingle, this could be your last chance at the timeless Pride weekend hook-up. Otherwise, a cool beer or vodka-infused cocktail is the perfect, slightly tipsy end to a perfect Pride weekend.
8am: Head home, hydrate, and collapse on the couch. Nicely done.