There's always some event in the city, whether it's a high-heel race through Hillcrest or Comic-Con downtown, and why wouldn't you participate when it's beautiful outside nearly every day! One of the best times to visit San Diego is between the months of March through May and September through November, when the weather will always be perfect. Gay San Diego boasts some of the most spectacular weather in the country. Don't forget the sunscreen! There's also a prominent gay beach in Gay San Diego, or at least the gays have claimed the nude beach as their own. University Heights is very gay-friendly but much quieter than Hillcrest.īlack's Beach, just west of UCSD and accessible from paths near the Torrey Pines Gliderport, is several miles of uninterrupted coastline beneath gorgeous cliffs and blanketed in sunshine. You're likely to find a handful of leather bars and specialty shops in North Park, as it's a bit rougher around the edges than Hillcrest, and Mission Hills is more residential. Mission Hills, University Heights, and North Park have significant gay populations. The neighborhoods around Hillcrest also serve as bastions of the gay community. There are several gay bars outside of Hillcrest even, with The Hole in Point Loma and Bourbon Street Pub and Grill being notable. There's also a newly-installed, large Rainbow flag flying proudly a short walk away from the recently re-named Harvey Milk Street. They tend to concentrate in the gayborhood of Hillcrest, where there are prominent bars and restaurants that gays frequently attend. MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlifeīeing the second-largest city in California means Gay San Diego is no stranger to diversity, and gays here are welcomed with open arms. Black's Beach stretches for several miles under beautiful cliffs west of Torrey Pines State Park and is the perfect place to spend the lazy Sunday after Pride suntanning. San Diego has one of the largest nude beaches in the nation. Pride events also occur in the area, with the parade route running from University down 6th Avenue and ending in the park. Here you'll find dozens of bars and clubs along the main strip of University Avenue, including perennial favorites like Urban Mo's and Rich's. The gayborhood is North and West of Balboa Park and home to some of San Diego's best food options. If you're gay and happen to be in Gay San Diego, you'll want to head to Hillcrest. Marine base Camp Pendleton is only about an hour's drive away too, so there is a large and celebrated military presence in the city. Being home to the world's largest naval fleet means there are sailors everywhere. There are large firms in technology, aviation, biotechnology, military, and education, which translates to over 40% of the population holding at least a bachelor's degree. You're not likely to find better, authentic Mexican food anywhere else in America, and many citizens speak Spanish as well as English.Ĭheck out Kylie Condon's travel journal exploring the lesbian culture in San Diego! Lez Explore: San Diego VIDEO: Get The Inside Scoop On Gay San Diego From One of Our Gay Travel Gurus Below!Ĭalifornia's second-largest city by population is also home to thriving science and defense industries.
The Spanish influence can still be seen throughout the city although the Mexican influence - especially in Old Town - probably outweighs the former contemporarily. Both the San Diego Mission (or Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala) and the San Diego Presidio can still be visited today. The Spanish subsequently built the first of the Alta California Missions here and a Presidio to protect the growing region from attack. "The birthplace of California," Gay San Diego is the first location European explorers landed when visiting the West Coast for the first time. Temperatures average 70 degrees (F) nearly every day, and as such, California's second-largest city enjoys gorgeous weather year-round.
If San Diego is known for anything, it's got to be its perfect weather.