Walking tour of the CASTRO STREET neighborhood of San Francisco & a personal trip down memory lane
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2024
- Today, I took my gay grandson on a walking tour of the historic Castro Street and neighborhood of San Francisco, CA.
It's one of the most famous "Gayborhoods" in the world and I also have a very personal connection to the area. One of my closest friends, who died from AIDS in 1993, used to live there. So, this was also a very personal and emotional trip down memory lane for me.
During our walk we viewed the Rainbow Honor Walk and the Pink Triangle Memorial.
CZcams COPYRIGHT & ROYALTY FREE MUSIC:
Anno Domini Beats - Distance
Chris Haugen - Hero's Ascent
Rick Steel - Wake
Matt Harris - Four Dash
#castrostreet #gayborhood #walkingtour #walks #gayhistory
Hi Steve- The gold domed Victorian on 17th St. was my home from 83-99. I rented the first floor flat. Wonderful memories of living there. I still live here in a different area. I teared up at the selfie of you, Harvey Milk and your grandson, I was struck recalling Harvey's words to come out wherever you are and his hopes for the future wide acceptance of LGBTQ folks . Thank you!
Hi Andy, omg what a small world. So you were neighbors with my friend Fritz who lived just a block up the street from you. What a beautiful home you live in. Thank you for sharing that memory with us. 🏳️🌈😄👍
@@theretiredlifewithsteve Yep and I remember those crazy Halloween's in the Castro. BTW the pic of you and Fritz and the guy- well, you were quite the looker! Very nice.
Thanks for showing life in San Francisco!
Pretty area. I'm sorry you lost your friend, it's sweet that you still remember him with so much fondness.❤ Thank you for including us!
Thank you, Sharon. Some people you just never forget. 😊💙
I thought the same thing. Such a lovely lasting legacy true friendship and love are. This is one of the things I like best about Steve and his videos, he remembers so much, but even more, he remembers so many of the feelings and emotions that he, and many of us, attach to them. I like to think I do the same thing, I'm just not as eloquent as Steve is in talking about it.
Walking on Castro Street was one of the first times I felt in the majority, unlike growing up thinking I was a minority of one. Mini history lesson while getting your steps in. What a beautiful day to share! 🏳️🌈 Paul
That’s a good point Paul. I guess that’s why neighbor is like this was so important. 🏳️🌈😄👍
I enjoyed your walk thru the neighbourhood luv all the architecture, beautiful Pink Triangle Memorial gardens, thank you Steve for bringing us down memory lane with you the old townhouses there are so beautiful
Thanks for coming along cath, glad you enjoyed it! 😄👍
Nice area there! I had a nice friend who died of aids. He passed in 1993. Such a good ❤️ heart so kind he was. Good day to you both! 😊
Thanks for sharing the memory of your friend Linda. It reminds me of the Billy Joel song, only the good die young. 🥲💙
So nice to spend time with your Grandson..... Also nice he wants to spend time with you ! 🙈🙉🙊
Yes, it was nice. 😄👍
Thank you, Steve, for the tour! It was very interesting. I’m so sorry that your good friend died so young. I know you have great memories.
Thanks Palma! 😊👍
Happy to see you and your grandson spending time together. I always enjoy your videos Steve. 😊
Thanks, Virginia 😄👍
People come from all over the country to live on the streets of San Francisco. The weather, services and, like it or not, acceptance. Love the photo of you two with Harvey's photo. He was a force, no doubt about it.
Hi Derek, I just heard the other day that something like 75% of all the homeless people in the country live in California! 😳
Mr. Steve, I enjoyed the walking tour of the famous Castro St. area, & Harvey Milk Plaza. I'm so glad you and Mason get to enjoy each other. I look forward to seeing new places through your eyes. Greetings from your friend in the great Peach 🍑 State of Georgia 🍑 until next time.
❤🎉❤🎉
Thank you Janice. Glad you enjoyed it. 😄👍
Thanks Steve, Castro brings back memories of old high school ( Norwalk High) lover joining the ballet in San Francisco.
Always enjoy watching these SF videos!!
I hope they were good memories w!
Well, he lived with other ballet hopefully and the building had roaches! 😮😮😮
Lost track of where he went !
Thanks Steve for taking me to San Francisco. Last time I went in 1994, thanks for the memories ❤
Thanks for coming along Monika! 👍
@@theretiredlifewithsteve 😀💕
Thank you Steve and Mason for the walking tour. My first visit to San Francisco was in 1998 and I participated in the "Cruisin' the Castro" walking tour with Trevor Hailey. Then again in the 2010 with a friend of mine. I have a picture with me and my friend at the Pink Triangle Memorial and I still have a piece of the pink rose quartz.
Hi David. that is awesome! Thank you for sharing these memories with us. 😄👍
So Cool, I'm so happy the both of you had a wonderful time. Enjoy Steve!!!
Thanks so much Robbie!
What a wonderful trip with your grandson ❤San Francisco is a magical place. Thanks for sharing this.
I agree, Mary. Magical is a perfect word to describe it. 😄👍
Thank you for the very cool tour, San Francisco is soo beautiful. Luv the old front windows and the colorful art work. Great tour 🌼🌼😎
Glad you enjoyed it Tex. I agree, the architecture and art is amazing. 😄👍
Interesting to be back on Castro after all of these years! You had friends on Castro, wow! My friend Bill (before he met his lover-lawyer partner from TX and bought a B&B on the Russian River) lived on upper Castro. One of those older three/four story Victorians (he had the upper two floors and rented the basement/1st floor out) in the early 80's. He was working for the SF General Hospital as the main Pharmacist. My, my. We can say the "good ole days" can't we?
Hi kb, thank you for sharing that memory with us. It’s such a small world. And kind of bittersweet to witness how time just marches on. And yes, we can definitely say we the good old days lol! 😆👍
Enjoyed this tour. I housesat for a friend for a few times and he lived a stone's throw away from that Safeway on Market. He has since moved, unfortunately. Always enjoyed my "work" housesitting for a cat all those years in San Francisco. Thanks for posting your walking tour.
Thanks for sharing that fun memory with us Tim! 😄👍
I love that you were here! We have to have a cocktail next time I'm in Palm Springs. Love your POV.
Thanks, Judge 😄👍
Thanks for the tour, enjoyed hearing about your friends back then. Reminded me when I was in my twenties living in Montrose (gay neighborhood in Houston at the time) all during the 80's in an old victorian house across the street and close to all the gay bars. Such fun times! Of course there was a lot of sadness when at the end of the decade and into the 90's almost everyone I knew died. Will definitely grab one of those pink quartz when I make it up to San Francisco. : )
What a small world. Back in the early 1980s I spent a few days in Houston in the Montrose gay neighborhood. Our paths probably crossed. 🏳️🌈😄👍
That was a fun walk exploring the area and buildings. But you left us hanging, we were waiting for a Vegan Buffett! Mason has a beautiful smile! I've done the same thing trying to find a house in the City many years later. I'm sure when they paint the exterior a different color it does trick the mind. Luckily you remembered the address. I liked the new colors vs the old brown. Sorry Fritz died so young. That was a wonderful tribute to your friend. I'm sure Mason will remember this trip with you for a long time!
Hi ER, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, we were not able to find a single vegan restaurant in the Castro area. 😲 and Mason is extremely picky about what he eats so he didn’t want to eat any pasta or falafel or salad. We walked over to the Haight Asbury neighborhood and finally found a vegan restaurant. Coming up in the next video. 😄👍
Loved the castro video Steve. Your videos are so real. Passing on memories is great. Wish I could have joined you. Very 👍 nice another TEN stars⭐. Look forward to every one. 😊 Your very appreciated. Thank you from another Steve 😊
thank you, Steve. That’s very nice of you to say. I’m really glad you enjoyed it! 😄👍
What a cool area thanks for the walking tour! Looks like you guys are having a great time ❤
Hi Jackie, yes, we really had a great time. 😄👍
Hi Steve, I'm really enjoying your time in S.F. My first visit to the U.S. was in 1992 and I flew direct from London to San Francisco and visited with a friend and her parents who lived in Burlingame. We planned a road trip and traveled throughout parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. But S.F. was my first experience of an American city and I guess I left my heart there as I returned to live in 2000! Life is full of wonderous adventures and memories and I'm glad you're getting to sharing some of yours with your grandson now.🌈😊🌼🌴🏫
Hi Catherine, thank you for sharing your wonderful memories with us. So fun to hear. 😄👍
Thanks for showing us the AIDS Memorial. Haven't been to Castro St. since 97'. Too many memories of old friends. I think most cities now have a small gay center/neighborhood. Following in the footsteps of SF.
Hi Rocky, yes, I think every large city now has one which is awesome. And yes, these trips down memory can definitely be bittersweet. 🥲😊
I lived in SF for almost 30 years until I moved out in 2020 during the pandemic. Never have I seen a pride weekend where there's hardly anyone out in the Castro. This area was a blast in the 90's!
Thanks for sharing that with us Ken. I was surprised that there weren’t more people there too. 😳
Steve your grandson is very beautiful and so are you 🥰
Thanks so much Thomas! 👍
Have fun in San Francisco Steve pretty city Steve
Thanks Beth, we sure did! :-)
Thanks for the video. Going to put flowers on my moms grave today since it’s the 3 year anniversary ttyl
That’s very nice Leeann. 💙
Hi Steve. How cool is that????? You taking your grandson to SF for his first time. This video chocked me up a bit. I used to go to SF a lot from the 70's into the mid 90's. I met Harvey one day outside his camera store. He was a huge influence in my life. I took Gary to SF a couple of years ago for his first time there. I know it had been 30 years since I'd been there, but I couldn't believe how much everything had changed. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Hi Phil, wow, that is awesome that you were able to meet Harvey Milk. I’m envious. I’m glad you have a fond memories of San Francisco too and that you guys were able to go there together. Thanks for sharing these memories with us. 😄👍
Hi Steve and Mason...I get to see San Francisco through your eyes....love the buildings....the beautiful flowers....vintage looking shops....and the .lifestyle there .glad you guys are having a great time ....lots of walking tours ...I believe Robin Williams lived in SF.. somewhere,,..I think his house was almost on the street ....have a great time take care..... Deborah 🇨🇦..
Robin had a home in SF in the Seacliff neighborhood, right by the ocean.
Thanks Deborah. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😄👍
Thanks Andy. Thanks for letting us know. I didn’t know where he lived. I’m sure his home was spectacular. 👍
Thanks ... sounds cool.... Deborah 🇨🇦
@@theretiredlifewithsteve A quite beautiful mansion. Later on, he moved to across the bay to Tiburon.
Hi Steve, I loved your video today the area looks so lovely plus the blue sky you can almost feel the warmth of the sun. You are right what will be will be , great pics of you 3 in your younger days x
Thanks, Angela 😄👍
💛Thanks for showing the places there ❤ So Beautiful ! 🌈💖🌉 😊 want to go there somday!
I hope you are able to get there one day, Sharon! 😄👍
The first time I visited the area was about 30 years ago and it was a bit neglected. A few years ago I revisited on a holiday to the USA and was pleased to see regeneration. I had a lovely day walking around and like you used public transportation to get there.Good video!
Thanks for sharing your memories with us Eileen! 😄👍
Steve nobody does it better than you love you in Gettysburg Penna .❤❤
Thank you, Alex and right back at you! 😄👍
Hello Steve , I have not been to San Francisco for a long time , I am so glad you got to show us it. Wonderful you were able to up there during Pride , what a special trip
Thanks so much Kelly! 😄👍
@@theretiredlifewithsteve you are very welcome Steve !! Thank you so much
Wow, the changes since the 80's when I visited just before I went to Europe to study culinary arts.
Wow, you have really gotten around and done a lot of things Todd! 👍
Great video
Thanks Martha! 😄👍
Use to be a treat to drive the fifteen minutes to get to SF and have a beautiful day.
That was back in the day and it was fun
Thanks for sharing that memory with Cheri! 😎👍
I'M HETERO N' I EVER THOUGHT GAYZ N' DIKEZ R' ON WEIRDO SEXUALITY WAY BUT I APPRECIATED THE MAGNIFICIENCE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, LOVELY FOR EYES !!!!
I agree, it’s a beautiful neighborhood. 👍
SO DO I DEPISTE I'M HETERO !!!!!!
Always follow the gays (my 92 yr old father n law says that). They beautify areas & the millionaires come in & want to take over the area. Happened in Houston, when Montrose was a cool with clubs & cute houses. 30 years later, it’s a high dollar area and all the cool stuff got pushed out. Clubs all closed. 🤨
Hi Tex, sorry to hear that about Montrose. I spent a little time there back in the early 1980s. Sadly that does seem to happen to a lot of the gayborhoods for the exact reason you just mentioned! 😲🙁🏳️🌈
Just love your videos, Steve! Thank you! xox
Thanks Jane. That’s really nice to hear. 😄👍
Such lovely homes. I really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it Renee! 😄👍
I hope you found that boy some vegan food! I used to stop at Orphan Andys after a hard night on the town for a jelly omelet.
Hi Steve, wow, a jelly omelette. I’ve never heard of that. 😳😲
Thanks for the walking tour
Thanks for coming along Carol 😄👍
How great you have those old pics and able to go back to same house down Memory Lane!! 🏡 😅 PS I know you said the one friend died from AIDS but what happened to the other? Maybe I missed your
comment about him. 😮😅
Hi Jennifer, sorry about that. I should’ve mentioned. Fritz’s partner Les is still alive. Miraculously he didn’t get AIDS.
Awesome video 😊👍
Thank you Jody 🤗
Fifteen triangular granite pylons, or columns, are dedicated to the thousands of homosexual, bisexual, and transgender victims that were killed during Hitler's Nazi regime. In the center of the park is a loose rock-filled triangle that includes rose crystals. Visitors are encouraged to take a crystal as part of the memorial experience
Thanks John! 🏳️🌈👍
Hey Steve thanks for the tour. Great to see you spend time with Mason. Hey did you see Fidel when you were at Castro? Was he smoking that smelly cigar😂
Thankfully, no smelly cigars, Dana 😄👍
Loving this trip ❤
😄☮️✌️
Mason has such a lovely smile. This has made me home sick. Been a long time.
Hi Maria, hopefully you will be able to visit again soon too! 😄👍
Actually The Cove on Castro offers vegetarian and vegan on their menu! Not every place calls attention to it, but I've been eating there since 1990 when I moved here. I still do when I'm running late errands in the Castro.
Thanks for the heads up for next time Jon. I don’t know if we passed the cove or not. A lot of the restaurants are closed because it was so early. 👍
@@theretiredlifewithstevethe Cove is actually almost directly across the street from the Castro Theater!
Couldn't pay me enough to live around Castro, it depresses me.
How come?
My hometown, i miss it . But i don't miss the cost of living. 😊😊
Yes, unfortunately, too many people are being priced out of this beautiful city! 🙁
❤❤❤😮😮😮😊😊😊
Did you find a Nice Vegan Restaurant to treat Beautiful Mason?
Shockingly no!!! After this video, we walked over to the Asbury area and we were finally able to find a vegan restaurant, but the food was awful. I really ordered the wrong thing. I think I was so hungry. I wasn’t thinking straight. Anyway I’ll be sharing that in the next video.😄
You walked right past the Slyvester plaque. Yes, you're invited to take a pink crystal for a memory. you missed the sign.
Oh darn 🙁
Life is weird! Wonderfully weird.
🙃👍
Why was Gertrude Stein plaque on ground? Where you can walk all over her face?? I find that troubling??
It was a walk of honor with dozens of faces on the sidewalk. Did you miss the others?
It's not the Capitol building, but the City Hall of SF/
Thanks, Craig 👍
desolate no people???
?
@@theretiredlifewithsteve ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
@@theretiredlifewithsteve Next punctuation mark is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@theretiredlifewithsteve Any more
gay friendly yes, vegan friendly the castro is not.
We were definitely surprised when we discovered that! 😳🙃
Nice tour!! I was just curious do you save all your videos after you upload on CZcams? I’ve been saving mine, but I’m wondering if I should still do it! I don’t have a computer so hard to get everything off my phone.. I was just curious. I asked Adam and he said he deleted so I was just wondering what you did.. hope you have a great day!
Hi lm, that’s an excellent question and you were the second person to ask me that recently. Yes, I save every single photo and every single video I’ve ever filmed. I back everything up onto external hard drives. I have hundreds of thousands of photos and film footage. I think of these as priceless pieces of history, both personal and gay history that should be passed down from generation to generation. I love watching documentaries where they use old photos and vintage film footage. If everyone threw away their old film footage and their old photos, we would have no record for history or ancestry, so I think it’s extremely important to save everything. Most people donate their old photos and vintage footage to libraries in archives after they die. Plus, I spent thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars to take these photos and videos, so it would just be a waste to throw them away. CZcams could close down at any time at all the footage could be lost so it’s always good to have your own back up of everything. I hope you keep all of your footage. You never know who might appreciate it someday once you were gone. 👍
@@theretiredlifewithsteve thank you for answering my question! I try to save everything also but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed about it because I don’t have a computer and it’s just harder, but your words really makes sense to me! I will continue saving everything!! Thank you so much for answering my question and again I hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend!🎉🎉🎉