The Castro Theatre is one of the great icons of San Francisco. This landmark theater, built in 1922, is located in the city’s well-known Castro, a largely gay neighborhood. Decorated in a Spanish Renaissance style, the beautiful old movie palace features Art Deco touches throughout and has a luxurious interior that even includes a chandelier.
Outside, the theater’s enormous neon “Castro” sign, which can be seen from many spots in San Fran, beckons movie lovers to its doors.
Visitors will be pleased to find that the Castro Theatre hosts an eclectic array of movies, with a special focus on films that appeal to the gay community. Numerous festivals, such as the Silent Film Festival, the SF International Film Festival, the SF Jewish Film Festival, and the Asian-American Film Festival, are held at the Castro, and most movie screenings here are preceded by a recital on the theater’s Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Castro Theatre Information
- Public Transportation: Very Good (a short walk from buses 24, 35, and 37, Streetcar F, and light rail lines L, M, K, and T at the Market Street/Castro Street Station, and from bus 33 at Castro Street/18th Street)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: Revival screenings of classic American and foreign films
- Ticket Prices: Varies, based on program.
