About Us

The Castro District's 24 Henry Guesthouse was built in the late 1880's. It survived the great earthquake and fire of 1906 intact as it is located on geologically solid ground and is south of Van Ness Boulevard, the stopping point for the fire. In the mid-1980's, previous owners Dan and Jay converted the house into a gay and lesbian bed and breakfast. The current owner, Walter, stayed at 24 Henry in the 1980's and early 1990's when visiting San Francisco from his home in San Diego. Walter liked the guest house so much that he bought it in 1992, and then bought an additional guest house 4 blocks away in 1999, our Village House. This guest house is located in the very heart of the Castro District at Castro and 18th Streets. Currently, Walter and his staff operate both houses.

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Our Homey Atmosphere

"I feel so at home here...", "24 Henry is my home away from home...", "This is my 7th time here and I can't wait to return...". These are typical of the comments our guests from all parts of the globe make in person or in thank-you letters to our staff. Friendships develop over breakfast in our Victorian parlors and guests will typically decide to explore the city together or meet for dinner in one of our excellent Castro District restaurants in the evening. Some guests, such as Ian from Glasgow, Scotland come every winter and rendezvous with other repeat guests who come to our small, gay guest houses at the same time every year.

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Our Neighborhood

Whether you prefer a quiet, tree-lined street or the hip hustle-n-bustle of the Castro District, 24 Henry Guesthouse and Village House are located in the ideal, central San Francisco location. Everything is right here: the famous Castro Theater with its Wurlitzer Organ, bars, shops, fine restaurants, cafe's, as well as trams (streetcars), trolley buses and the subway. The Castro District is a transportation hub to other parts of the city as well as other cities in the greater Bay Area.

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Our Community

At 24 Henry Guesthouse and Village House, we pride ourselves in serving our guests and our community. Here is just a brief list of professional and local organizations which we are members:

• International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
  As members since 1992, we have actively attended conventions and symposiums in various locations in the US and internationally.
• Travel Alternatives Group
  Gay owned and operated, TAG and its parent company Community Marketing Inc. sponsor Gay & Lesbian Travel Expos and conferences throughout the USA. They have close ties with the IGLTA and lead seminars at their conferences.
• AIDS Legal Referral Panel of San Francisco
  Provides access to free and low-cost legal services. We are proud to contribute gift certificates for ALRP's annual fund-raiser.
• Golden Gate Business Association
  The Bay Area's initial gay and lesbian business association.
• We Care Bay Area
  Until recently, Walter was on the board of WCBA, a non-profit organization that raises money for people with AIDS or other life-threatening illnesses. For the last ten years, our two bed and breakfasts have hosted numerous fund-raisers for WCBA.
• Merchants of Upper Market, Buena Vista Park Association, Duboce Park Association and Market Street Railway Association which supports our historic trams (streetcars) which serve the Castro District. We have also regularly contributed to the annual San Francisco AIDS Walk, and the AIDS Emergency Fund.

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Our Reviews

24 Henry Guesthouse and Village House are listed and/or recommended by the following travel publications:

• Fromer's San Francisco Guide:  "Its Castro location is not the only thing that makes 24 Henry a good choice for gay travelers. This building, an 1870's Victorian on a serene side street is quite charming. The 5 guest rooms have high ceilings and period furniture and voice-mail. Guests tired of romping around the neighborhood can watch TV or read in the double parlors where breakfast is served."
• Lonely Planet:  "A few places (in San Francisco) cater to same-sex couples. 24 Henry is a quiet and friendly hotel in an old Victorian house, just a few blocks from the heart of the Castro."
• Fodor's upClose San Francisco:  "This large centrally located B&B is bright and cozy, attracting a social bunch..."
• We are also recommended by San Francisco on a Shoestring and Betty and Pansy's Severe Queer Guide to San Francisco

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" 24 Henry and/or Village House, the places to stay when you visit the 'City by the Bay'. "
  William,
  Edinburgh,
  Scotland