Day Two

Mostly for Women — The Mission

There is much in the Mission District for women to do, though few spots are exclusively lesbian. For breakfast, try the 20 Ti Couz Creperie (3108 16th St.; 252-7373), or stroll along Valencia Street between 16th and 23rd and choose from among dozens of cafes and restaurants. The facade of the 21 San Francisco Women’s Building (3543 18th St.; 431-1180) is covered with a four-story mural created by seven women artists and scores of volunteers.
Of the dozens of murals brightening the Mission, this one most closely matches the masterpieces of Mexico in strength of imagery and quality of execution. The mural depicts prominent women, ethnic goddesses, fabric designs and calligraphy. The building houses community service programs, and the lobby’s information desk and bulletin boards offer tips and flyers about events throughout the city.

22 Good Vibrations (603 Valencia; 522-5460), which Severe Queer Review describes as a “clean, well-lit place” for sex toys, is lesbian-owned, though its wares are for both women and men.

Browse at 23 Modern Times Bookstore (888 Valencia; 282-9246). It’s not exclusively for lesbians or gay men, but specializes in avant garde and world literature, hard-to-find fiction (especially by women of color), and Spanish-language books and materials. Modern Times was the first bookstore in San Francisco to have a separate section for lesbian and gay materials.

It’s time for lunch and you’re in the heart of the Mission District. Try
24 El Toro Taqueria (598 Valencia; 431-3351), or 25 La Cumbre Taqueria
(515 Valencia; 863-8205).

Women's Building mural

Take a break from streets and stores and soak away your cares at 27 Osento Baths (955 Valencia; 282-6333), exclusively for women. Enjoy dinner at 28 Picaro Café (3120 16th St.; 431-4089) for authentic food from Spain, including tapas, paella and fried calamari. After dinner, in addition to clubs such as the 29 Lexington (3464 19th St.; 863-2052), check out 30 Brava! For Women in the Arts (2789 24th St.; 647-2822), which presents world premieres of plays by women of color and lesbians. Purple Moon Dance Project (552-1105) has an annual home season in the Bay Area and performs original works that integrate non-Western with Western styles.

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