Featured Gay Friendly Hotels in California

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Meadowood Napa Valley

Meadowood reflects the authentic Napa Valley way of life through a beautiful, natural setting, agricultural sensibility, gracious hospitality and eyes

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Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

Located near Yosemite National Park’s south entrance, Tenaya Lodge is so much more than a hotel. It's a destination.

Featured Gay Friendly Vacation Rentals in California

Gay California

California is situated on the west coast of North America. It's the largest US state by populace, plus the third largest by territory. California has something for everybody: Southern California is the home of such popular destinations as Disneyland, Hollywood, and the beaches in Malibu that themed the television show Baywatch. The northern part of California offers the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the hills of San Francisco, the vineyards of Napa Valley, and the capital, Sacramento. Outside California's major cities there are several of North America's most robust national parks, amazing skiing/snowboarding opportunities, and a calm and historical northern forest which includes the highest mountain peak within the contiguous USA, Mt. Whitney.

Gay California, Mt. Whitney. View of two lane road leading up to Mt. Whitney, which is in the background along with the rest of the mountain range.

What do you want to discover?

What's the gay scene like?

Best time to visit California

Top things to see and do in California

MUST DO: Attractions & activities

MUST EAT: Gay-friendly dining

MUST VISIT: Gay-friendly bars & nightlife

Travel Safety Tips

Local Expert: Gay Scene in California

California has a very large gay scene that exists in almost all of its major cities. From San Diego to the iconic San Francisco, each city has its own culture. Many cities have gayborhoods, bars, nightlife, and culture. So no matter where you end up, there is going to be something for you to do. 

Best Time to Visit California

Anytime is a great time to visit California! Summer is the best time to come if you want to explore the golden coast. The beaches are glimmering and the weather is warm. If you plan on doing any theme parks or hiking, September to early November is great as it's not too hot in the day and cooler at night. 

California beach
Photo Credit: Gustavo Zambelli

Top Things to See and Do in California

MUST DO California Attractions & Activities

With its golden beaches, mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs, the mountains of Yosemite, and the vineyards of  Napa, California has a lot of destinations, and points of interest you can visit including national parks and theme parks. The landscapes and terrains change as you go north or south of the state and the same can be said about its architecture. No matter what area you want to go visit, there will always be memorable landmarks to see, some trails to hike, and some good food to eat. 

disneyland
Photo Credit: Brandi Alexandra

MUST EAT California Gay-Friendly Dining

California has a plethora of places to eat and try good food. From world-famous Michelin Star restaurants in Yountville to famous street tacos in San Diego. California has an array of different foods to choose from depending on the city you are visiting. Some cities offer fresh seafood options due to their close proximity to the ocean. Others have famous street food options and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are must-tries. Finally, California has many famous brewers, distilleries, and wineries you can tour and taste. The options are endless and you can really spend your entire vacation just eating and drinking. 

MUST VISIT California Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

As mentioned earlier, California has many cities with a large LGBT population. Each of those cities has gayborhoods, a gay nightlife scene, and its own gay scene and culture. Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Palm Springs, and San Diego have famous gayborhoods in the city that have explosive nightlife. Do your research before you go and see where those areas are. No matter where you end up, there will always be something to do. 

Travel Safety Tips

California is considered a very safe place to go visit. A lot of the big cities are considered safe and fun places for tourists to visit and have a good time. If you choose a big city to visit, more than likely they will have a gayborhood and a strong LGBTQ+ scene so you are free to be yourself and explore what the city has to offer. While visiting, it's always smart to practice common sense travel tips. Always remember where you parked, and lock your car while away. Lock up your valuables in the hotel safe, and always remember how to get back to your hotel. After spending the day in the vineyards, you'll need it! 

Destinations within California

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