A Vision For You
In 1976, something remarkable began. Living Sober was founded in San Francisco as the first AA conference created for LGBTQIA+ alcoholics. What started here inspired people from across the country to return home and build gatherings of their own.
Fifty years later, Living Sober is still here. It is alive with recovery, service, connection, and the simple fact that LGBTQIA+ people in AA continue to find one another.
The 50th Anniversary is a chance to honor that history while making room for the people walking in now. Same message. New faces. One sober weekend in San Francisco.
FAQS
Why the Castro
The Castro has long been one of San Francisco’s most visible LGBTQIA+ neighborhoods and a gathering place for queer recovery. Bringing Living Sober here makes the conference easier to find, easier to navigate, and easier to experience together.
Recovery belongs in the heart of our community
LGBTQIA+ recovery happens across San Francisco, but the Castro has been a central gathering place for generations. Holding the 50th here keeps the weekend close to that history.
A conference worth the trip
For visitors, the Castro gives the weekend a clear center. Meetings, fellowship, food, coffee, and neighborhood history are all close by.
Carrying the message
Not everyone who needs recovery knows where to find us. Being visible in the Castro helps make sober fellowship easier to discover.
Where the Action Is
The weekend is designed to be simple to move through. Most conference spaces are within about 2 blocks of one another in the heart of the Castro.
That means less time figuring out where to go and more time getting to the next meeting, catching up outside, grabbing coffee, or finding the person you meant to talk to before they vanish into another workshop.
Bring your badge, check the schedule, and give yourself a little extra time between events. The Castro is compact, but the fellowship has a way of slowing down the sidewalk.
Living Sober 50 will use several neighborhood spaces across the Castro. Each one helps carry a different part of the weekend.
Castro Theatre
A landmark setting for celebrating 50 years of Living Sober and gathering for major conference moments.
Castro Country Club
A long-standing home for LGBTQIA+ recovery and fellowship in the Castro.
Queer AF
Located in Harvey Milk’s former camera store, this space connects the weekend to the neighborhood’s LGBTQIA+ history.
Most Holy Redeemer
A neighborhood space that has supported recovery meetings, reflection, and community for many years.
Eureka Valley Recreation Center
A familiar Castro gathering space for meetings, workshops, and community events.
And more
Additional program spaces may be used as the weekend schedule is finalized.
Use this map to get familiar with the conference footprint. The goal is a walkable weekend with venues, transit, food, and fellowship close together.
Recommended Accommodations
Beck’s Motor Lodge
Beck’s is the closest classic neighborhood option. It is located on Market Street, just a short walk from the Castro Theatre. It is well maintained, has free parking, and puts you close to the center of the weekend.
Mention the conference when booking to ask about the $10 per night discount.
Yotel
Yotel is located at 1095 Market Street and is a Muni ride away from the Castro. Use promo code PRIDE24 at checkout for 20% off while rooms at that rate are available.
More hotel options
Downtown usually has more hotel inventory. Look for hotels near a Market Street subway station such as Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, or Van Ness. From there, you can take Muni straight to Castro Station.
How to use Muni from downtown
- Start at your nearest Market Street subway station.
- Board a Muni Metro train that stops at Castro Station.
- Exit at Castro Station and walk to the venues.
Getting Around
The Castro is one of the better connected neighborhoods in San Francisco. You can reach it by Muni Metro, streetcar, bus, rideshare, taxi, bike, or on foot if you are staying nearby.
Muni Metro
The K, L, and M lines serve Castro Station and connect the neighborhood to downtown and other parts of the city.
F Market historic streetcar
The F line runs along Market Street between the Castro, downtown, the Ferry Building, and Fisherman’s Wharf. It is slower than the subway, but it is a classic San Francisco ride.
Accessibility
Castro Station has elevator access. Some neighborhood venues may have different accessibility conditions, so check the program details and ask a trusted servant if you need help finding the best route.
Exploring After the Roundup
Staying near the Castro and Market Street corridor makes it easy to see more of San Francisco before or after conference events.
- Golden Gate Park: Use Muni or rideshare to reach the park, museums, gardens, and nearby neighborhoods.
- Union Square and downtown: Take Muni Metro inbound from Castro Station.
- The Ferry Building and waterfront: Take Muni Metro downtown or ride the F Market streetcar.
- Castro neighborhood time: Leave room for coffee, food, fellowship, and the kind of sidewalk conversations that become the real program.
Questions
Have a question about registration, venues, accessibility, or the weekend in general? Reach out to the Living Sober 50th Anniversary Information Committee.
Email [email protected].
Save your spot for the 50th
Register now so you can arrive, pick up your badge, and get to the fellowship. The weekend is built on service, unity, and showing up for the alcoholic who still needs a place to land.
$75 registration. $25 special rate for first timers.
Contact
Questions? Reach out to the Living Sober 50th Anniversary Information Committee at [email protected].
We will keep adding details as the weekend gets closer.
