Kinky and Slinky: The Folsom Street Fair

Pilot Guides California, Essentials, Festival

Festival Essentials

Where: SOMA, San Francisco, California
When: End of September
Happenings: Festival of S & M, costumes, toys and people
Remember to bring: a tight leather outfit (or buy one there) and a bottle of talcum powder

Where It’s At

Folsom Street is a good clubbing ground in SOMA and though many of them don’t really welcome tourists with open arms, a yearly event staged here does: The Folsom Street Fair. It’s San Francisco’s celebration of S & M and just about everyone who indulges in it comes out to see demonstrations, admire new ‘gear’ and just people watch.

Things to see and do

It always takes place on the last Sunday in September during the city’s Leather Pride Week, and while the event is free a donation is suggested. Several city blocks are cordoned off to contain the weird and wonderful toys, leather, rubber and tickle fetish restraints on display. If you are willing you can participate in the live demostrations and even give a good crack of the whip or two. If you think the Bay To Breakers costumes are weird you should check the ones here, full dominatrix attire can be seen and all kinds of harnesses and masks are on sale too.