Featured Gay Friendly Hotel in Long Beach

Hotel Maya

Mayan mystique meets urban chic

Gay Long Beach, CA

The people are friendly, and the atmosphere is laid back and slow-paced in Long Beach. You can spend your day at the aquarium, shopping, or just lounging around the park. 

For all you Queens and Maries out there, there’s one iconic landmark you must explore. The Queen Mary is an Old-time Ocean Liner that is permanently berthed across from the Shoreline Village and Downtown Long Beach. When you step onto the ship, it’s like stepping back into time. The views on and around the ship are awesome, so bring your camera. There’s also a bar, gift shop, and plenty of other attractions on board.

There are great events to check out whenever you visit the city. Long Beach offers a terrific Jazz Festival, a popular Gay Pride Celebration in August, and an AIDS Walk. The Pink Party in May is a unique LGBT event that supports the Center Long Beach’s Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment Program. 

Sun, fun, great culture, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to gay Long Beach today!

Photo Credit: Renaissance Long Beach Hotel

What do you want to discover?

What's the Gay Scene Like?

Best Time to Visit Long Beach

Top Things to See and Do in Long Beach

MUST DO: Attractions & Activities

MUST EAT: Gay-Friendly Dining

MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Travel Safety Tips

Local Expert: Gay Scene in Long Beach

Long Beach has a very large, vibrant, and thriving gay scene. In fact, Long Beach has one of the largest LGBT populations in the country. You'll enjoy the boutiques, bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and more -- several are  LGBTQ-owned and operated.

As of 2022, the city unanimously approved an LGBTQ curate district along the Broadway corridor from Alamitos and Junipero Avenue. This area has always been a cultural epicenter for the LGBTQ community of Long Beach, and the city wanted to honor and cement its roots as an integral part of the city. Long Beach also celebrates its Pride Month in August, and it is one of the best pride events in Southern California seeing over. 

Photo Credit: Long Beach Pride

Best Time to Visit Long Beach

Any time is a good time to visit Long Beach. The temperature and climate are perfect year-round offering sunny skies and comfortable temperatures. If you are looking for a quieter time to visit, May to September are considered the slower months.  

Top Things to See and Do in Long Beach

MUST DO Long Beach Attractions & Activities

There are plenty of things you can do! It goes without saying that the Queen Mary is an iconic stop on your itinerary. You can tour the historic cruise ship, learn about the history of Long Beach, and even have lunch on the boat! During the Halloween season, we suggest the fun ghost tour, when you can explore parts of the ship that are not normally open to the public (all of this is done in the dark)! You can also spend the day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Southern California and well worth a visit! 

Photo Credit: Bradley Pisney

MUST EAT Long Beach Gay-Friendly Dining

Long Beach has a large (and delicious) food scene with an eclectic array of restaurants ranging from wood fire-cooked pizza to authentic Mexican food. The foodie scene has longevity; many restaurants have been local favorites for decades.  You can also find trendy, hip spots with rooftop dining. Or, find a quiet bistro serving classic French food and get away from it all.   Whatever dish you are craving or the atmosphere you are looking for, Long Beach definitely has something to offer. 

MUST VISIT Long Beach Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

Long Beach has a very active and electrifying nightlife. Whether you're looking to have a chill night with some cocktails or a boisterous night out, Long Beach has you covered. As mentioned earlier, the Broadway Corridor is considered the gayborhood, and most of the bars and clubs are within walking distance of each other. A few of them are a short drive away but still relatively close. Spend your night doing karaoke, watching a drag show, bar hopping, and dancing the night away!

Photo Credit: Sebastian Enrique

Travel Safety Tips

Long Beach is super gay-friendly and is considered a very safe and fun place. While visiting, it's always smart to practice common sense travel trips. Take advantage of the hotel safe to lock up any personal belongings. Lock your car while you are away, and make sure to hide any valuables.

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