San Diego

Queer life in San Diego centers on Hillcrest, the neighborhood around University Avenue. Since the 1970s the area has grown into the city's LGBTQ hub, and today it is an officially recognized queer cultural district. Bars, cafés, boutiques and restaurants sit close together, with rainbow flags hanging over the streets. It is easy to explore on foot, because the neighborhood is compact and a lot happens along just a few blocks. If you prefer something quieter and less touristy, neighboring North Park has a relaxed mix of cafés, small shops and craft beer spots.

For late nights, the main address is the dance club Rich's, known for its go-go dancers and changing party nights. Urban Mo's combines restaurant, bar and stage and is best known for its drag brunches. Hillcrest is also home to Gossip Grill, one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the US. Since most places are within walking distance in the same neighborhood, you can spend the whole evening without a cab. Compared with Los Angeles or San Francisco, the scene feels more relaxed and has more of a small-town vibe.

San Diego is a classic coastal destination with miles of beaches. Mission Beach has a lively boardwalk and an amusement park, while elegant La Jolla, with its sheltered coves and striking rocky shoreline, feels a bit more upscale. Below the cliffs, Black's Beach has long been a popular nude beach and is also known as a cruising spot. Thanks to the mild, steady climate you can have beach days almost all year, though the Pacific stays fairly cool even in summer.

The best months are May to September, once the coastal fog season known locally as "June Gloom" fades. The sun is then reliable and temperatures stay pleasant for long stretches. If you want to see Pride, plan for July: San Diego Pride draws more than 250,000 people, making it one of the biggest festivals in the US, with the parade and stages in and around Balboa Park. Outside high summer, accommodation is usually cheaper and the beaches much emptier.

San Diego International Airport is only a few minutes from downtown. From New York the flight takes about six hours, and from London about eleven. US citizens are traveling domestically; UK citizens need no visa for stays of up to 90 days but must have an approved ESTA before they fly, so check the current rules before you travel. In the city, the trolley and buses connect the main neighborhoods, but a rental car is worth it for trips along the coast and into the surrounding area. Hillcrest, the beaches and Balboa Park are all a short drive apart. A day trip across the border to Tijuana in Mexico is also easy from here.

California is one of the most queer-friendly states in the US. Same-sex marriage is recognized nationwide, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited by law. In San Diego, and especially in Hillcrest, being openly visible is part of everyday life, and holding hands barely gets a second look. As in any larger city, the usual awareness at night is a good idea in some areas. Serious problems are rare for queer travelers, though, and the city is considered one of the most relaxed destinations on the West Coast.