California is the third-largest state in the nation with a lot of awe-inspiring places to see—sandy beaches, mountains, winding roads, big cities, and small towns. What better way to experience the beauty of the Golden State than with a road trip, especially one that literally screams Gay Pride?
That’s why GayTravel.com teamed up with Advantage Rent A Car and Greystone Hotels to send our friend Adam of popular gay travel blog Travels of Adam on the gay California road trip of a lifetime in order to show our unequivocal love and support for the LGBTQ community. Adam made his journey in the 2019 Pride Ride provided by Advantage, and experienced all there was to enjoy at three gay-friendly boutique properties in the Greystone Hotels collection: Elan Hotel, Empress Hotel, and Bristol Hotel. Adam began his journey in Los Angeles, continued through gorgeous coastal SoCal towns, and arrived in San Diego just in time for the kickoff of San Diego Pride.
As intrepid gay explorers know, the best road trips include a rough itinerary of places and sights to see—maybe a set beginning and end point, but also plenty of time to get off the beaten path when and where you’re inspired to. In Southern California, there’s no shortage of destinations to travel through or stop in. In fact, the state as a whole is home to nearly 300 state parks of every terrain—beaches, forests, mountains, and deserts—with some of the most beautiful sites located in Southern California.
Need some inspiration and suggestions for your next gay roadtrip? Below we share some must-see SoCal spots right from Adam’s itinerary, from the gay nightlife of West Hollywood, down through popular surfing towns and beach piers along the Pacific Coast Highway.
The Best Things to Do on a Gay Road Trip in California
Stay in Los Angeles
As one of America’s most exciting destinations, and one of the most LGBTQ-friendly places in California, Los Angeles is a must-stop for any California road trip, especially a gay road trip!
The City of Angels is brimming with LGBTQ-friendly attractions, events, and things to experience, including the annual Los Angeles Pride event. Los Angeles County includes a number of distinct cities, each with their own unique flair. To enjoy the most of the region, book a hotel in central Los Angeles—close enough to the coast for day trips out to Malibu, Venice, or Santa Monica—but also close enough to enjoy all the tourist sites in Los Angeles.
The Elan Hotel, located right across the street from the Beverly Center shopping mall in Beverly Hills, makes an excellent gay-friendly base for those addicted to retail therapy. This modern boutique property is walking distance to the LGBTQ nightlife and top-tier restaurants of West Hollywood, and driving distance to every other part of Los Angeles. Don’t miss the daily complimentary breakfast and the evening wine reception.
Spend a night out in West Hollywood
West Hollywood’s main drag along Santa Monica Boulevard is famous for its LGBTQ nightlife. With a rainbow crosswalk and plenty of bars, cafes, clubs, and shops, it’s *the* place to be in Los Angeles. One of the best gay bars along Santa Monica Boulevard is Mickey’s WeHo, which hosts drag shows almost every night. Around the corner, the long-running bar and restaurant The Abbey serves up great food during the day and long parties each night with go-go dancers and a mixed crowd of men and women.
West Hollywood is also famous for its thriving dining scene. The French-American Café D’Etoile bistro serves pasta, seafood, and meat dishes all day and late at night, too.
Take a day trip out to the coastal cities near Los Angeles
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown L.A., is home to a wide swath of sand and a 3.3-mile boardwalk. Don’t miss the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its carnival rides and panoramic views of the beach.
Directly south of Santa Monica, Venice Beach is best known for its more bohemian and hippie atmosphere. At the base of the Venice Pier (there’s public parking right at the entrance), you’ll find a small strip with a collection of quirky restaurants and bars. Visit the area in the early evening for the best people watching. Just a few blocks in from the Venice Boardwalk, the picturesque Venice Canals are filled with small boats and gondolas and incredible post-modern architecture.
Take in breathtaking views in Dana Point
Located a few hours’ drive south of Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point boasts a large harbor and marina. It’s a popular spot to depart for dolphin and whale watching cruises. But for those who want to stay on land, the headlands at Dana Point provide breathtaking views over the coast.
Located on a cliff overlooking the Dana Point Marina, Cannons Seafood Restaurant and Grill has one of the best views of the region (and great food, too!). Open for nearly 50 years and serving seafood and steak classics, this hideaway restaurant has a large outdoor terrace perfect for events big or small.
Hike down to Black’s Beach in La Jolla
In La Jolla (a coastal beach town near San Diego), the best gay-friendly thing to do is a visit to Black’s Beach. It’s the region’s unofficial “gay beach,” where nudism is the norm. Located at the bottom of a cliff, it’s not the easiest beach to access along the Pacific coast, but the pristine nature and warm water makes it worth the trek!
Some travel blogs say it’s a difficult hike, but anyone with a tiny bit of physical fitness shouldn’t struggle to reach it. It’s just a steep climb up and down, maybe a 20-minute walk from the carpark. But there aren’t any amenities on the beach, so make sure to bring enough water, sunscreen, and snacks so you can enjoy the beach. At the top of the cliff, you can join paragliding experiences for an even more incredible view over the coastline!
Spend a weekend in La Jolla
Aside from Black’s Beach on the coast, there are a handful of unique things to do in La Jolla that you’d be hard-pressed to find in other beach towns. For example, La Jolla sits along seaside cliffs where seals and sea lions lounge alongside swimmers, kayakers, and snorkelers—making it a great spot for adventure road trippers and nature lovers!
The Village of La Jolla itself is a great town to stay in for a few nights during a road trip. Make sure to stop by the Birch Aquarium, famous for its collection of seahorses. From the aquarium’s outdoor terrace, there’s an incredible view out over the Pacific.
In the village, there are a lot of small, family-owned restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars. Stay at the Empress Hotel, part of the Greystone Hotels group, which is located within walking distance to the shore where you can see wild seals and sea lions resting on the coast. The hotel’s lobby restaurant, Manhattan, serves delicious steak and seafood in a classic New York-style setting, with many Italian specialties and occasional live music performances.
Visit San Diego’s gay neighborhood
San Diego, known as “America’s Finest City,” is a warm and welcoming destination with a relatively long history of LGBTQ equality. There are a handful of beautiful neighborhoods where you can choose to stay, but the Gaslamp Quarter with its dozens of cocktail joints and lively eateries is especially intoxicating (and convenient to reach other areas via public transport). To be close to the action in this entertainment district, stay at The Bristol Hotel, part of the Greystone Hotels group, a design-focused property with great on-site amenities and a nice hotel gym.
San Diego’s gay nightlife is concentrated in the Hillcrest neighborhood, just north of downtown. The neighborhood is marked by a large rainbow pride flag and monument. A staple of the Hillcrest neighborhood since 2012, the flagpole has four plaques at its base with information on the local LGBTQ rights movement and its leaders. The massive rainbow flag serves as a very visual monument to the local LGBTQ community, and it’s also the kickoff point for San Diego Pride each July!
Planning your own gay road trip through Southern California? As part of gaytravel.com's Let's Get OUT There! initiative, Advantage Rental Car offers a 20% discount for LGBTQ travelers. Use discount code GAYTRAVEL when booking online. Learn more about the special exclusive offer.
