SOMA Origins – Walking Tours!

New Dates Released
Join us on our free walking tour: SOMA Origins: Bars, Bathhouses and Beyond
 
Now a world-wide leather/kinky/queer destination, SOMA (South of Market) began attracting leather bars in the ’60’s. Find out why!
Learn about the raucous exploits of the ’70’s when motorcycles lined the streets outside popular bars.
 
Hear about today’s bars and clubs and what they used to be, including one on Folsom with a swimming pool.  
 
The tour starts at the corner of Ringold Alley and 9th Street (i.e. on 9th, halfway between Folsom and Harrison Streets).  It ends at 8th and Ringold.
 
The tour runs about 2 hours.  There are no hills. 
it is free, but registration is required.
 

Would you like to be trained as a Walking Tour Guide?  Contact us!

2025 T-Shirt Design Chosen!

Six local queer and kinky artists submitted seven designs
for the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s 2025 T-shirt.

 You chose with your generous votes! 

And the winner is…

"United By The Pleasures of Flesh" by Lucky Soul

“United By The Pleasures of Flesh”
by Lucky Soul

Thanks for your votes!
Everyone who voted will be entered in a drawing for a free t-shirt.
Proceeds from the voting will help support the District.

 The winning design will be on our 2025 t-shirts!

T-shirts go on sale June 14

Open Doors California

(LEATHER District tour info below)
Join California Preservation Foundation for the second annual Doors Open California, the largest statewide celebration of historic places! You will have an unprecedented opportunity to see “behind-the-scenes” through in-person historical tours and virtual storytelling events. Explore places off the beaten path and meet field experts, tour guides, and subject matter experts. This year’s Doors Open California will highlight more than 70 unique and fascinating places in all corners of the state. Looking for something specific? Check out our Highlight Categories including ArtSpiration, LearnScursions, IHeartArch, and CACulture. You will have access to the full spectrum of programs on the weekend. Simply pre-register and reserve your spots. Plan your trip and look for the docents with Doors Open California logos. Don’t miss this exciting journey into California’s multifaceted, multicultural, and hidden past.

Throughout California, more information at: Doors Open California – Statewide Behind-the-Scenes Tours | California Preservation Foundation

SoMa LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District Tour (register by email below)
9/10 : 2 PM to 4 PM :  Location: San Francisco South of Market neighborhood (various stops), San Francisco, CA. Come visit the world’s first LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, located in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood! Since the 1960’s, SoMa has been home to a myriad of bars, restaurants, nightlife venues, publishing organizations, homophile organizations, bath houses, and more, putting SF’s Leather scene in the international spotlight. Leather culture was particularly robust along the stretch of Folsom Street once nicknamed the “Miracle Mile” and “Valley of the Kings”. Tour stops include: Ringold Leather History Walk / The Stud Lone Star / Ambush / DNA Lounge/Chaps Eagle Plaza / Eagle Church of Mankind Services / Hamburger Mary’s / Original Stud location (now Eve) Fe-Be’s / Oasis Hole in the Wall / Powerhouse Dore Alley / Up Your Alley Fair Driftwood / Wicked Grounds / Folsom Street Barracks / Red Star Mr. S Leather

Tour Guides: Eric Jost (City Guide volunteer), Alex Westhoff (San Francisco Planning Department)

2 pm meeting location: Ringold Leather History Walk (Ringold Street and Ninth Street)

To register, contact Alex Westhoff at alex.westhoff@sfgov.org

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