San Diego Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Your gay San Diego vacation
California’s second-largest city is defined by its geography, with stunning beaches lining its coast to mountains and deserts inland to its border with Mexico. And beyond its family-friendly attractions -- among them the world-famous San Diego Zoo, its safari-like Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld and Legoland in nearby Carlsbad -- the city is quickly becoming known for its sophisticated hotels, dining and nightlife. The city is young and athletic, with pronounced student, military and surfer populations.
Featured Hotels
LGBT-welcoming San Diego hotels
Inn at the Park
Andaz San Diego a Hyatt Hotel
The W San Diego
Palomar San Diego a Kimpton Hotel
Handlery Hotel & Resort
Hotel La Jolla a Kimpton Hotel
The US Grant
Hotel Indigo SAN DIEGO-GASLAMP QUARTER
The Westin Gaslamp Quarter San Diego
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Sheraton Suites San Diego at Symphony Hall
Lodge At Torrey Pines
Catamaran Resort & Spa
Bahia Resort Hotel
Britt Scripps Inn
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle
Kings Inn - San Diego
Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa
Comfort Inn Gaslamp Convention Center
Porto Vista Hotel
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay San Diego hotels
The US Grant
Palomar San Diego a Kimpton Hotel
Hotel Indigo SAN DIEGO-GASLAMP QUARTER
The Sofia Hotel
Inn at the Park
Britt Scripps Inn
Tower 23 Hotel
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | San Diego | Sat, Mar 2 - Thu, Mar 7 | $168 |
| Chicago | San Diego | Thu, Jan 31 - Sat, Feb 9 | $216 |
| Minneapolis | San Diego | Mon, Feb 4 - Wed, Feb 13 | $302 |
| Seattle | San Diego | Mon, Jan 14 - Wed, Jan 16 | $186 |
| New York | San Diego | Mon, Jan 28 - Sun, Feb 3 | $262 |
| Washington DC | San Diego | Wed, Feb 27 - Tue, Mar 12 | $335 |
| San Francisco | San Diego | Wed, Jan 23 - Tue, Jan 29 | $156 |
| Baltimore | San Diego | Wed, Jan 30 - Sat, Feb 9 | $244 |
| Philadelphia | San Diego | Mon, Jan 28 - Mon, Feb 4 | $238 |
| Boston | San Diego | Wed, Feb 13 - Tue, Feb 19 | $228 |
| Indianapolis | San Diego | Tue, Feb 5 - Tue, Feb 12 | $202 |
| Milwaukee | San Diego | Tue, Feb 5 - Tue, Feb 12 | $317 |
Why book on Orbitz?
-
Miss Richfield 1981 says it best in this video—not all travel sites are created equal. When you book on Orbitz, your travel dollars work harder. Here’s why:
- We’re the ONLY leading travel agency with a perfect Corporate Equality Index Score from the Human Rights Campaign, with two GLAAD Media awards to boot.
- We’re the ONLY leading travel site with filters for hotel reviews by other LGBT travelers.
- We feature the top gay-friendly accommodations, including Best in Stay hotels and gay resorts.
- We’re proud sponsors of many LGBT charities and events, year after year.
San Diego highlights
-
Landmarks
Areas every visitor should see include downtown’s revitalized and historic Gaslamp Quarter, historic Coronado Island and its famous Hotel Del Coronado (where the drag romp Some Like it Hot was filmed) and historic Old Town with its Spanish colonial architecture.
Massive museums
Right near downtown, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in America. Here you can while away a few days alone exploring the San Diego Museum of Art, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Centro Cultural de la Raza, the Museum of Man, Mingei International Museum and the Museum of Photographic Arts.
LGBT community
Many visitors are surprised at the size of San Diego’s LGBT scene. Hillcrest, the epicenter of San Diego’s gay community, dates back as a queer haven to the 1960s. But the city has a number of gay enclaves, including University Heights, Normal Heights and North Park, all with LGBT bars and restaurants. Visit in the third week of July for the town’s huge Pride festival, with an outdoor dance party at the San Diego Zoo.
Insider tips for San Diego gay travel
-
Combine San Diego with a grand tour of Southern California
San Diego is enough of a destination on its own, but the local tourism board has launched an ambitious gay and lesbian campaign with Palm Springs and West Hollywood to create a “pink triangle” tour of SoCal.
Plan in advance for summer
San Diego hotel rates can increase during the summer (roughly late May through late August), and reserving months in advance is a good idea. Keep in mind that weather is better in late summer than early summer, when skies can be overcast.
Avoid LAX
Even though you may get better airfare deals flying into LA, the money saved is usually not worth making the drive through traffic. A number of low-cost carriers serve San Diego’s less crowded and pleasant airport.