Story by Ed Salvato with Todd Kerr; photo above: San Diego Gay Pride, courtesy San Diego Pride.)
Recently, Doug from San Francisco asked us for a few recommendations for his upcoming visit to San Diego. We canvassed our favorite locals there who offered the following top gay picks.
- Hillcrest
Area: Head to San Diego's gay ground zero to explore its shops, restaurants
and bars.
- Balboa
Park: For a little outdoor fun and a sizable dose of culture, meander around Balboa Park, San Diego's version of Central Park (with palm trees!) along with its fabulous museums and zoo, which is the home to one of the most fun and unique Gay Pride parties, the Zoo Party. San Diego Gay Pride takes place July 17-18.
- Fiesta
Cantina (142 University between 1st and 3rd Avenues) is a really fun Mexican restaurant
and bar next to Mo’s (see next tip). Margaritas are inexpensive.
- Mo’s: The old Hamburger Mary’s, fun day or
night. Good Sunday brunch
- Baja
Betty’s: Fun Friday night for dinner. The Mexican food is just ok; you go for the vibrant atmosphere, strong drinks, and cute guys (and gals).
- Ono Sushi: Great sushi, full bar, smack dab in the middle of Hillcrest.
- Lei
Lounge: Very cool outdoor
restaurant in LGBT-friendly neighborhood University Heights, and the food is good.
- East
Village: Be sure to tear yourself away from Hillcrest to check out gay popular East Village, the downtown area where the new baseball park was built next to the more established and touristy (but really fun) Gaslamp Quarter. One of my favorite hotel recommendations is the Hotel Solamar located in the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village.
- Baseballs fans: If the Padres are in town, it's fun to catch a game, which are very affordable. There's also a lot of things to do in the new stadium itself, including options for dining, drinking, and shopping.
- Cautionary note: Sadly, make sure you avoid Tijuana Mexico.
It is becoming increasingly dangerous there.
Our brother publication, Out Magazine, published a great piece, "When in
San Diego," on the city in their September 2008 issue that still provides spot-on suggestions for where to drink, eat, play and more. The San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau offers gay trip-planning information on the website.Photo left: downtown San Diego.
If you have a question for the traveling editors here at GPS.OutTraveler.com, let us know! (Click here.)
Story by Ed Salvato with Todd Kerr; photo above: San Diego Gay Pride, courtesy San Diego Pride.)
Recently, Doug from San Francisco asked us for a few recommendations for his upcoming visit to San Diego. We canvassed our favorite locals there who offered the following top gay picks.
- Hillcrest
Area: Head to San Diego's gay ground zero to explore its shops, restaurants
and bars.
- Balboa
Park: For a little outdoor fun and a sizable dose of culture, meander around Balboa Park, San Diego's version of Central Park (with palm trees!) along with its fabulous museums and zoo, which is the home to one of the most fun and unique Gay Pride parties, the Zoo Party. San Diego Gay Pride takes place July 17-18.
- Fiesta
Cantina (142 University between 1st and 3rd Avenues) is a really fun Mexican restaurant
and bar next to Mo’s (see next tip). Margaritas are inexpensive.
- Mo’s: The old Hamburger Mary’s, fun day or
night. Good Sunday brunch
- Baja
Betty’s: Fun Friday night for dinner. The Mexican food is just ok; you go for the vibrant atmosphere, strong drinks, and cute guys (and gals).
- Ono Sushi: Great sushi, full bar, smack dab in the middle of Hillcrest.
- Lei
Lounge: Very cool outdoor
restaurant in LGBT-friendly neighborhood University Heights, and the food is good.
- East
Village: Be sure to tear yourself away from Hillcrest to check out gay popular East Village, the downtown area where the new baseball park was built next to the more established and touristy (but really fun) Gaslamp Quarter. One of my favorite hotel recommendations is the Hotel Solamar located in the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village.
- Baseballs fans: If the Padres are in town, it's fun to catch a game, which are very affordable. There's also a lot of things to do in the new stadium itself, including options for dining, drinking, and shopping.
- Cautionary note: Sadly, make sure you avoid Tijuana Mexico.
It is becoming increasingly dangerous there.
Our brother publication, Out Magazine, published a great piece, "When in
San Diego," on the city in their September 2008 issue that still provides spot-on suggestions for where to drink, eat, play and more. The San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau offers gay trip-planning information on the website.Photo left: downtown San Diego.
If you have a question for the traveling editors here at GPS.OutTraveler.com, let us know! (Click here.)
