World famous as the gay Mecca, the Castro draws gays and lesbians from all over the world, as well as visitors who just plain want something to tell the folks back home. Even with its rainbow-flag-waving, in-your-face style, the Castro is a friendly neighborhood that welcomes visitors of all stripes. Straight locals hang out here, too, mostly to shop the trendy boutiques and catch films at the truly noteworthy Castro Theatre. Streets lined with brightly painted Victorians make the Castro a good place to view the architecture for which San Francisco is famous. But if you're in town for the city's superlative restaurant scene, you're better off in the Mission or SoMa; most of the places here are bigger on style than substance.