By Adam Groffman, Travels of Adam
San Diego is one of California’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities. With a warm climate, gay beaches, and a vibrant community, there are a lot of great gay things to do and experience in this city.
Most of San Diego’s LGBTQ community is located in the hip Hillcrest neighborhood, an area just north of downtown and the city’s famous Balboa Park. Over the last few years, Hillcrest has burgeoned to become one of the city’s most hip and trendy areas, with new restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops popping up—many of them catering specifically to the LGBTQ San Diego community. See below for nine spots you shouldn't miss when visiting America's Finest City.
1. Hillcrest Pride Flag — The city’s most important and iconic LGBTQ monument, the Hillcrest Pride Flag Monument is located on University Avenue in the heart of the LGBTQ scene. The 65-foot flagpole flies a massive rainbow Pride flag 24/7, spotlighted at night. At the base of the Hillcrest Pride Flag is a series of plaques detailing important milestones in San Diego’s LGBTQ history, as well as a small informational stand about the city’s LGBTQ rights movement and local leaders.
2. Rich’s — San Diego’s biggest gay nightclub, Rich’s is the meeting point for most of the LGBTQ nightlife of the city. The club hosts all the biggest parties, including many of the activities during San Diego’s annual Pride festival. With two dance floors and two outdoor patios, there are lots of opportunities to make friends. Sometimes tickets for the VIP spaces at the club sell out quickly, so check their event calendar for special events.
3. Urban Mo’s — A staple of San Diego’s Hillcrest LGBTQ community, Urban Mo’s is popular gay bar and restaurant often cited as one of the world’s best gay bars. Thanks to its lively atmosphere, great food selection, and outdoor patio, it could be considered the hub of the local LGBTQ community. Events take place just about every night of the week—everything from a Sunday drag brunch (“Bubbles for Breakfast”) to late-night Friday happy hours!
4. insideOUT — One of the newest restaurants in Hillcrest, insideOUT serves a fusion of Californian and Mediterranean dishes in an ultra-hip location. Located at the base of a small apartment complex, the restaurant features a stepped seating area great for people-watching and 360-degree bar with a small pond/pool as well. The LGBTQ-owned restaurant’s menu features a selection of unique dishes updated seasonally by Executive Chef MJ Testa. Popular for brunch, the ultra-chic restaurant also hosts LGBTQ movie nights and other special events.
5. Hillcrest Brewing Company — The self-proclaimed first gay craft brewery in the world, Hillcrest Brewing Company features a fun and funky menu of locally-brewed craft beers. With beer names like “Hop Sucker Double IPA”, “Crotch Rocket Irish Red,” and “Just the Hop IPA,” the selection of brews is a real highlight and conversation starter! The brewery also features a small menu of food, mostly pizza, but serves a Sunday brunch called Kegs and Eggs, too. The outdoor patio is a great chill-out spot.
6. Cody’s Home + Gift — Located just between the two biggest gay nightclubs on University Avenue, Cody's Home + Gift is a boutique shop offering unique gifts and decorative home décor items. Besides selling lots of LGBTQ Pride items, the shop also operates as a full-service interior design studio, so there are a lot of design gems to be found inside!
7. La Fuente — While it’s not LGBTQ-specific, La Fuente on University Avenue is one of the best Southern California Mexican food restaurants for quick eats. It’s a popular late-night spot, especially after a long night of clubbing at Rich’s or Flick’s. You can’t miss SoCal tacos and surf & turf burritos when in San Diego, and La Fuente is a great option right in Hillcrest.
8. Trust Restaurant — Featuring an eclectic menu serving “urban rustic food,” Trust Restaurant uses locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Its beautifully designed interior reflects the urban aspect, while touches of wood (and wood-fired foods on the menu) make it more down-to-earth. Menu items are luxurious, but affordable. Thanks to a stylish outdoor corner patio, brunch is always popular. Don’t miss their famous sticky buns which often run out by early afternoon!
9. Gossip Grill — Gossip Grill is San Diego’s biggest lesbian hangout, and one of the few lesbian bars in all of Southern California. There’s a daily happy hour until 7 p.m. and a small patio right on University Avenue, but the real charm of the place is in the strong drinks and sassy bartenders.
Where to stay in San Diego – Bristol Hotel
While it’s not located directly in Hillcrest, Bristol Hotel is located nearby and offers great amenities for LGBTQ travelers. The hotel is part of the gay-friendly Greystone Hotels group of independent hotels in California, and the Bristol Hotel in San Diego is best known for its trendy design aesthetic. It’s located in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, where many of the city’s theaters and other performing arts venues are located.
Rooms at the Bristol Hotel are spacious and well-designed with bright colors, pop art, and sophisticated touches. The on-site gym is well-lit and features new equipment and large windows. Continental breakfast is served each morning in a large dining area in the lobby.
