Harvey Milk Plaza

Harvey Milk Plaza sits at the heart of the Castro, right above the Muni station at Market and Castro Streets. It honors Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, whose activism helped define San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ identity. The plaza is instantly recognizable by the giant rainbow flag that flies overhead, serving as a beacon of visibility and pride.

The space is both a memorial and a gathering point, often used for rallies, vigils, and celebrations tied to the city’s queer community. Plans for redevelopment are underway to expand the plaza into a more permanent tribute, with new design elements that highlight Milk’s legacy. Visitors stopping here get not only a sense of local history but also a symbolic entry into the Castro itself.