Formerly Spanish ranch land, the Eureka Valley – now called the Castro – was parceled out in the 1860’s and quickly became filled with the bang and clutter of Victorian housing construction. When the Market Street Cable Railway extended to Castro Street around the turn of the century, this strip became the central artery to the neighborhood, and the Castro Theater, built in 1922, its elegant new centerpiece. Then not much happened in this blue-collar, lower-middle-class Catholic Neighborhood for about 50 years. To tour the neighborhood, start at the corner of Castro and 18th streets and take a look around. The street life may compete for your attention but as you walk along Castro admire the handiwork of both the cities early craftsmen and its more recent restoration specialists. A riot of color, these Victorians never looked better and there are plenty of diversions in the unique and sometimes-outrageous shops you’ll pass along the way.

Castro Street Fair: As if the Castro needed another excuse to party! In October, not long before the Halloween craze hits the Castro, the Castro/Market intersection will boom with music from four different stages, featuring Latin, Country/Western, Swing and various live acts. There'll be crafts, drag shows, comedy, food, plenty to drink and more people than you knew existed. www.castrostreetfair.org

The Castro Theater: No matter what's playing, buy a ticket to see a movie at the Castro. Hearing its Mighty Wurlitzer Organ alone is worth the price of admission. Prepare to be amazed at the art-deco, Moorish and otherwise lavish combination of interior designs that is The Castro. The screen is huge, the chairs are lumpy and the experience is not to be missed. (Nancy Warren, from SF Gate's Gay & Lesbian Guide) 429 Castro St. (at Market), (415) 621-6120

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