About Us

Cruisin’ the Castro Walking Tours began in 1989 by local historian, Trevor Hailey. By the late 1980s, she had started the walking tours that led tourists visiting San Francisco’s Castro District on an amazing trek through gay history.

Upon Trevor’s retirement in 2005, local resident and professional tour guide, Kathy Amendola, had purchased the business that continues to thrive to this day. Kathy has many years of travel and tourism expertise, is a long time local resident and an active member of the LGBTQ community. 

In 2009, both Kathy and Cruisin' the Castro Walking Tours, were awarded the "Certificate of Honor", from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as public recognition of distinction and merit for outstanding service to the people of the City and County of San Francisco. 

Since 2011, Cruisin' the Castro Walking Tours has been awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" and "Hall of Fame Member", from TripAdvisors for outstanding tour experiences.
 
The City of San Francisco in 2019, has recognized Cruisin' the Castro Walking Tours as the city's FIRST and ONLY Legacy Business Tour Company for 30 consecutive years of business and as a valuable cultural asset.

In addition to this, Kathy is actively involved with her community through various organizations and is an Emeritus Board Member of the Rainbow Honor Walk.