Pride in San Diego all year round

Year-round, San Diego supports and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of its neighborhoods.

During July San Diego’s fabulousness shines bright for San Diego Pride 2023.

Held July 8-16, the annual event attracts more than 250,000 attendees each year and is the largest civic community event in the city.

LGBTQIA+ participants and guests are invited to be a part of a rainbow-filled mile-long parade through Hillcrest and a two-day festival in Balboa Park over the weekend.

The multi-day event boasts a full schedule including the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Pride of Hillcrest Block Party, SheFest, the annual Pride 5K Race and more.

Visitors can enjoy a creative city; 70 miles of coastline and pristine beaches, including the well-known, queer-friendly Black’s Beach.

Here are some of the fun ways travelers can celebrate pride and support local businesses year-round.

Drink and Eat
The uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego’s LGBTQIA+ community. Hillcrest’s diverse dining scene offers a myriad of tastes. At the Hillcrest Brewing Company, the world’s first gay brewery, guests can feast on pizzas named BBQueer Chicken, the Meatballer and Sissy Shrimp Pesto while drinking brewery favorites like the Crotch Rocket Irish Red and Banana Hammock Scotch Ale.

Travelers looking for Cali-Baja cuisine can indulge at Ortega’s, A Mexican Bistro. Must-trys include the signature pomegranate margarita, savory queso fundido and zesty Baja shrimp ceviche.

The LGBTQIA+-owned urban winery, Négociant Winery, offers a neighborhood wine experience with local craft food focused on sharing.

Nightlife
Hillcrest is also the LGBTQIA+ after-dark hub, with nightlife for practically every interest and style. Urban Mo’s Bar & Grill draws a boisterous nighttime (and afternoon) crowd and is especially popular on Thursday nights for line dancing.

Rich’s San Diego is the largest and most popular gay nightclub, while Gossip Grill is a woman-owned LGBTQ+ Bar known for strong drinks and sassy service.

Shopping
Adjacent to Hillcrest, North Park is a trendy neighborhood that is popular with LGBTQIA+ travelers and locals alike. Shopping opportunities range from hip urban boutiques to one-of-a-kind stores to established retailers. LGBTQIA+ shoppers love Rufskin for sexy underwear, swimwear, sportswear and denim.

Pigment is known for products that are organic, modern and homegrown, while Connect San Diego is a place where walls are lined with paintings, clothes and other merchandise artists are selling. The space is free to enter for non-members 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Occurring every Thursday during 3-7 p.m., the North Park Thursday Market showcases locally grown produce, artisan grocery items, prepared foods and hand-crafted goods.

Sand, Waves and the Outdoors
A visit to one of San Diego’s beaches is a must. Located beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve in La Jolla, the clothing-optional Black’s Beach is often considered one of the most beautiful gay friendly beaches.

Coronado Beach offers miles of white sand beach and the added allure of being the official training grounds of the local U.S. Navy SEALs.

Visitors who prefer to work up a sweat on land can play volleyball in Balboa Park, bike along Mission Bay’s picturesque bike paths or hike in the scenic Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

Arts and Culture
San Diego is also a hot spot for theater. The Diversionary Theatre is one of the oldest gay and lesbian theaters in the country. San Diego is also home to two Tony Award®-winning theaters: The Old Globe in Balboa Park and the celebrated La Jolla Playhouse. .

Entertainment
Travelers looking for a laugh should swing by Finest City Improv, San Diego’s premier club for professional improv comedy.

Offering another opportunity for laughs and entertainment, Lips San Diego provides the ultimate experience in “drag dining” and is excellent for special occasions.

Events and Festivals
In addition to Pride, San Diego offers a variety of exciting LGBTQIA+ community events throughout the year. During Halloween, Hillcrest comes back from the dead during Nightmare on Normal Street. This annual trick-or-treat bash is the traditional starting place for the LGBTQIA+ community’s Halloween festivities.

Every February, food, beer, entertainment and beads galore are part of the festive Mardi Gras in Hillcrest.

During FilmOut San Diego every spring, acclaimed LGBTQIA+ filmmakers bring cutting-edge cinema to the community with movies, panel discussions and festive parties.

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