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The Sausalito Chart House Restaurant is the former purview of Sally Sanford (1903–82), the one-time bawdy house doyenne, and then Honorary Mayor of Sausalito. Since Gold Rush days, San Francisco has loved and even honored those who stand for the city’s sexual liberality.

Born in 1819, Norton made his fortune in San Francisco but lost it all in 1852. The event left him unhinged but harmless, and he declared himself “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.” He issued his own money, and was lovingly indulged by the city’s populace until his death in 1880.

Punk rock lead vocalist for The Dead Kennedys, Biafra ran for mayor of San Francisco in 1979. His basic belief was that corrupt governments and corporations should be fought, not trusted. He chose the name Jello Biafra because of “the way the two images collide in people’s minds,” with “Jello” as the embodiment of American blandness and “Biafra” as the universal symbol of starvation. His platform included having businessmen wear clown suits to the office. He finished fourth out of a field of ten, with 3.5 per cent of the total votes.

One of the original Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a self-described order of gay male nuns, Sister Boom-Boom took part in street theater with them in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1982 he ran for a seat on the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, winning 23,125 votes. He is also a recognized astrologer and uses New Age science to interpret gay issues for the community.

Known as the “King of Torts”, the flamboyant Belli was a pivotal figure in fostering today’s litigious society as an innovator in the area of personal injury law. He took on big corporations and controversial clients, including Errol Flynn, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Lana Turner, Mae West, Muhammad Ali, and Jack Ruby. Belli died in 1996 at the age of 88, just a few months after filing for bankruptcy.

Known in her youth as “The Voice,” girlfriend of Bob Dylan, and peacenik, the Palo Alto native later came out as a lesbian, continuing to work for peace and social justice. Recently, Baez created a cabaret character, the Contessa ZinZanni, in a show that has enjoyed good reviews in San Francisco.

Olympia Dukakis brought this wonderful Tales of the City character to vibrant life in the mini-series based on Armistead Maupin’s books. Anna Madrigal is a transsexual landlady who rents out apartments to young singles, both gay and straight, and tends to her marijuana plants and her charges with equal wisdom and spirituality.

Another native son, the director of The Godfather makes San Francisco the home of his Zoetrope productions, and has also branched out into other enterprises. His Niebaum-Coppola winery in the Napa Valley is one of the best.

For nearly six decades Caen’s newspaper column was required reading. To his many devoted fans he was, and remains “Mr. San Francisco.” He coined the term “Beatnik” in his April 2, 1958, column.

San Francisco’s first African-American mayor is famous for his bon vivant ways. His high-living, fast-shuffling style has not detracted from his popularity, however, and the city seems to have prospered under his tutelage.