(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

Join the LeatherWalk community!

That was the theme at the  LeatherWalk Launch Party, held on August 15, 2023 at the SF Eagle.  While munching on tasty treats from MamaBear’s Kitchen, and enjoying a performance by Ryan Patrick Welsh, guests at the free event were encouraged to sign up as fundraisers for LeatherWalk, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District’s annual SOMA celebration and march, to be held this year on Sunday, September 17. 

Fundraisers will encourage friends to donate to their Personal Campaigns, helping the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District to keep SOMA queer and kinky, and helping them to win the LeatherWalk Kinky Boot Award that will go to the top fundraiser.

Click here to learn more about LeatherWalk 2023!

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is pleased to be a sponsor of the San Francisco Bay Area Leather Alliance‘s major annual event, Leather Alliance Weekend on September 7 – 10. 2023.

This event will include both the 40th Mr. SF Leather Contest, and the very first Mx. SF Leather Contest (for folks identifying as non-binary or other-gendered).

The weekend will feature:

• Thursday – Meet & Greet with Contestants & Judges – Mr. S Leather, 385 8th street, 6pm, Free
• Friday – Contestant Introductions and Fantasy Grab Bag (Contest Part 1) – Cat Club, 1190 Folsom, 6pm – 9pm  $10
• Saturday – Mx SF and Mr SF Leather 2023 Contestant Interviews – Folsom Street Center, 1286 Folsom,  Noon, Free
• Saturday – Mx SF and Mr SF Leather 2023 Contest – SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street,  6pm – 9pm $30
  • Pop Questions & Speeches (Contest Part 2)
  • Entertainment with the Boys of Bearlesque
  • Silent Auction
• Saturday – Mx SF and Mr SF Leather 2023 Contest Afterparty – Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom, 9pm – 2am, Free
• Sunday – Mx SF and Mr SF Leather 2023 Contest Titleholder Social – SF Eagle, 398 12th Street – 2:30pm, Free

Purchase tickets in advance here for the two non-free events for just $35.

Catering by Mama Bear’s Kitchen

Silent auction starts online, carries over into in-person auction at the contest on Saturday night.

Facebook event here.

Full info here

Questions?
Want to volunteer?
Want to be a sponsor?
Please reach out to president@leatheralliance.org.