Downtown Traveler

San Francisco is known for being a city where “anything goes” — including acceptance and celebration of just about every fetish known to man.

While the city’s anti-nudity law went into full effect on February 1^st, 2013 (a day which was marked by public protests), San Francisco has not lost its edge. Straight or gay, San Francisco is a great destination for couples who want to spice up their love lives.

Read on for my top 5 sexy attractions in the City by the Bay.

>> Editor’s Note: This article is totally safe for work browsing– but there may be nude images on the company websites linked to in this post. Make sure your boss is not watching before you click for more info!

1) The SF Armory

Tour guides are on hand to explain how props are used at the SF Armory.

For the curious traveler, the SF Armory provides a great introduction to the city’s kinky side. One of San Francisco’s most famous buildings, the Armory is a reproduction of a Moorish Castle and is currently home to SF’s largest production studio focusing on BDSM (that’s bondage for the layman). On a 1.5-hour guided tour, visitors learn historical facts about the 100 year-old building – and behind-the-scenes information about the daily operations of a huge porn company. Adult film sets to be viewed include (but are not limited to) a wrestling arena; a doctor’s office with real gynecological tools; a classroom; a sci-fi spaceship deck; your everyday living room with a jail cell; and a bondage chamber with padded wood floors.

>> The SF Armory: 1800 Mission Street; $25 per person; Yelp & Groupon deals often possible; reserve tickets at www.sfarmory.com

2) Bondage a GoGo

If you are lucky enough to be in San Francisco on a Wednesday, check out Bondage A GoGo, San Francisco’s infamous weekly bondage dance party. Remember to bring your safe word.

>>Bondage A Go Go (at the Cat Club): 1190 Folsom Street, SOMA District; Wednesdays, 9:30pm; dress code enforced; www.bondage-a-go-go.com

3) Peep Show at the Lusty Lady

Don't miss the Lusty Lady, a worker-owned peep show in San Francisco.

The Lusty Lady is infamous and not exactly tame. After guests deposit a dollar into a machine, a red velvet curtain opens and sexy women from various walks of life appear behind the glass, bearing their tattoos and naked bodies. The Lusty Lady is not an ordinary strip club; it’s owned and operated by female entertainers. $5 to $10 will get you a surprisingly lengthy show. Once inside the booth you’ll see why you should not touch anything with your bare hands (it’s not the cleanest of venues). Lusty Lady is located next to the Hustler Club in SF’s North Beach district, a charming area known for its Italian dinning and sidewalk cafes.

>> The Lusty Lady: 1033 Kearny Street, North Beach; www.lustyladysf.com

4) Lunch Buffet at the Gold Club

On any day of the week you can gorge yourself at this strip club known for its famous and hearty all-you-can-eat buffet. Both men and women come to dine, drink, and watch performances. Dining expands to two levels of the club on Fridays, the most popular day to visit.

>> Gold Club: 650 Howard Street, SOMA District; everyday 11:30am-2pm; $5 (price of club admission); www.goldclubsf.com

5) Folsom Street Fair

A man in a rubber dog costume: An example of how San Francisco has the ability to make the absurd alluring.

The city’s annual Folsom Street Fair is the largest bondage party in the world with 400,000 attendees, including participants dressed head-to-toe in rubber suits and others who are totally nude. While some feel that this festival is over the top, you can’t ignore the spirit of erotica at this uniquely San Francisco attraction. Ladies, watch out: some overzealous participants like to grab the derrieres of visitors.

>> Folsom Street Fair: Folsom bet. 7^th and 12^th Streets; donation recommended; visit website for upcoming dates: www.folsomstreetevents.org

What’s your favorite San Francisco attraction?

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