Being the second largest city in California means Gay San Diego is no stranger to diversity, and gays here are welcomed with open arms. They tend to concentrate in the gayborhood of Hillcrest where there are prominent bars and restaurants that gays frequent. There’s also a newly-installed, large Rainbow flag flying proudly a short walk away from the recently-renamed Harvey Milk Street. There are several gay bars outside of Hillcrest even, with The Hole in Point Loma and Bourbon Street Pub and Grill being notable. The neighborhoods around Hillcrest also serve as bastions of the gay community. Mission Hills, University Heights, and North Park all have significant gay populations. North Park is where you’re likely to find a handful of leather bars and specialty shops, as it’s a bit more rough around the edges than Hillcrest; and Mission Hills is definitely more residential. University Heights is very gay-friendly but much quieter than Hillcrest.

There’s also a prominent gay beach in Gay San Diego, or at least the gays have claimed the nude beach as their own. Black’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. Don’t forget the sunscreen!