Christmas is a mere three days away, and if you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, all you need to do is take a walk around the neighborhood.
While we've previously highlighted some of the best holiday lights in the city, we'd like to focus a little bit more on the Castro: everyone knows about some of the best displays, like the famous Tom & Jerry House on 21st Street near Dolores Park, but the smaller displays also provide plenty of holiday cheer.
So put on a warm coat, grab your umbrella in case of rain, and let's take a tour of lesser-known holiday displays in the Castro.
Our custom Castro walking map starts at Unionmade (493 Sanchez St.) and finishes at Johnston Tax Group (2327 Market St.). It's best to wait 'til after dark—most lights typically go on at around 6pm and last until about 10pm.
Your walking tour map.
1. Unionmade (493 Sanchez St.)
The decorations at Unionmade are simple and classic., with holiday garlands and lights bordering the store's window display.
2. Moby Dick (4049 18th St.)
Head on up 18th Street towards Castro Street and stop in to Moby Dick. Check out the holiday decorations displayed throughout the bar while enjoying a drink.
At the back of the bar, check out the snowflakes hanging over the pool table.
3. Eureka Restaurant & Lounge (4063 18th St.)
Eureka Restaurant & Lounge, just up the block, is our next stop. If you're looking for a place to grab a bite while surrounded by some holiday decorations, this might be the place for you.
4. Midnight Sun Train (4067 18th St.)
Right next-door is our next stop: Midnight Sun. Inside you'll find plenty of lights and wreaths, along with a model train above the bar.
5. Castro Holiday Tree (501 Castro St.)
Head on up to Castro Street and turn left. Our next stop is the Christmas tree put on by the Castro Merchants (its official lighting took place earlier this month). Stop for a few minutes and enjoy the festive spirit in the heart of the Castro.
6. Castro Village Building (4105-4121 19th St.)
Walk down Castro Street towards 19th, and you'll see the entire building decorated with garland lights.
Now Voyager's window display has a message of 'Peace On Earth."
The Castro Village Wine Company boasts two brightly-lit artificial trees.
Continue walking down 19th Street towards Diamond. Now begins the two-block uphill climb, the only steep portion of the tour. If you'd like, at this point you can take shortcut back to 18th Street, but you will be missing out on some of the better displays.
7. Larry's Window (245 Diamond St.)
The next stop is at 245 Diamond St. The window display here has a small village set against the backdrop of fog rolling in over the hills. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Sutro Tower and the Castro Flag above the fog.
While there are no more major displays along Diamond, you can spot some decorations at Eureka Valley Arts. Then continue up towards 22nd and spot some trees in homeowner's windows.
8. The Wishing Tree (Eureka & 22nd)
Turn down 22nd Street towards Eureka, where you'll come across our next stop, the Wishing Tree.
While the Wishing Tree may not exactly be a holiday display, it does bring to mind an important message during the holiday season. Inspired by the book The Wishing Year, the Wishing Tree was created as a "place in the neighborhood for wishes, intentions and gratitude."
Next, head back down Eureka Street towards 18th, where you can notice a variety of Christmas trees and decorations in windows.
9. Palm Tree Ornaments House (372 Eureka St.)
You'll see something a little bit different here: the homeowners have decided to make their palms trees a bit more festive by hanging ornaments.
10. Candy Cane House (172-174 Eureka St.)
One of the best holiday displays along the tour is the Candy Cane House. The garage door has been converted into Santa's Workshop, with a little bucket next to it with candy canes for you to enjoy.
The folks behind the Candy Cane House have also dressed the street sign out front as a candy cane, and painted the curb. And if you take a peek up their banister, which is covered with fake snow, you'll notice a special lamp from the holiday classic "A Christmas Story".
11. Spinning Christmas Tree (4407 18th St.)
Right next-door to Rainbow Market is 4407 18th. Along with garlands and lights on the banisters and doorway, the Christmas tree in the window is not only lit up by small lamps, but also spins.
12. Spark Arts & Firewood (18th St between Diamond & Collingwood)
Head on back to Castro Street along 18th, where you'll pass Spark Arts on one side and Firewood Cafe on the other.
Spark Arts displays holiday wreaths in the window, while Firewood has some simple wreaths with ribbons displayed along the front side of the building.
13. Magnet Marquee (4122 18th St.)
Continuing down 18th Street, we come upon Magnet. While it's moving in to the new Strut building next year, it continues to use its marquee to share funny and creative messages.
14. Mistletoe (18th & Castro)
You should always keep an eye out for mistletoe during the holiday season. If you've got a sharp eye, you might notice some hanging from a traffic light at 18th & Castro.
15. Cliff's Variety (479 Castro St.)
Cross Castro and turn left towards the Castro Theatre to check out the window display at Cliff's Variety. (Grab decorations, wrapping paper and last-minute gifts while you're at it.)
16. Outfit (463 Castro St.)
Why stop at only decorating your home when you can also "deck your balls" with some sexy underwear for Santa?
17. Nutcrackers at Twin Peaks (401 Castro St.)
You may have gotten to the point in the tour where you need a break to warm up. If so, pop in to Twin Peaks Tavern for a hot toddy while you check out the nutcrackers on display. (Note: Twin Peaks is also collecting toy donations for kids.)
18. Jane Warner Plaza Holiday Wreath (17th & Castro)
For the first time, the Castro Community Benefit District (CBD) has decorated Jane Warner Plaza for the season with lights and a large wreath lit up with the Pride Flag colors.
19. Market Street
Walking though Jane Warner and down Market, you'll notice the trees along Market lit up, and the palm trees in the center median bedecked with ribbons. The lights and ribbons, which go all the way to Market & Octavia, were put up in partnership with the Castro Merchants.
20. World Tree Of Hope (2327 Market St.)
Our final stop on the tour is at Johnston Tax Group's World Tree Of Hope display. The Tree Of Hope, which "stands for peace, love and humanitarianism in our community of San Francisco and for all people of earth," is currently on display at City Hall, exhibiting thousands of paper cranes inscribed with wishes.
Thank you for joining us on our holiday tour of the neighborhood. Did we miss any other spots? Let us know in the comments.
