Discover San Diego’s neighborhoods

Hillcrest

San Diego boasts more than 100 distinct neighborhoods, each with a unique vibe. Queer travelers often head to Hillcrest, the epicenter of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. University Avenue’s main thoroughfare brims with restaurants and retailers, including Hillcrest Brewing Company, the first gay-owned brewery in the world (and one of more than 150 craft breweries in San Diego). But Hillcrest is just the beginning.

North Park & South Park

Connect with locals in North Park and South Park, two adjacent uptown neighborhoods, where historic venues converge with eclectic, independently-owned retailers. The Observatory North Park opened in 1929 as a popular movie house. The space was reimagined in 2015, and now hosts live music events, including queer headliners like frontman Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees. Shopping in South Park reveals boutiques, vintage stores and one-of-a-kind finds, alongside local roasteries that contribute to San Diego’s coffee culture.

University Heights

Stroll the laid-back neighborhood of University Heights (Hillcrest’s eastern neighbor) to appreciate the Craftsman-style architecture and tree-lined streets. Take a break in Trolley Barn Park (named for the former site of a streetcar barn), or head to Kairoa Brewing Company, which brings a taste of New Zealand to San Diego. Kairoa’s 10,000 square feet of space offers plenty of room to enjoy its locally crafted draft beers. It’s also pet-friendly for those traveling with their four-legged friends.

Michelin-starred dining and value-minded meals

The first Michelin Stars were awarded in 1926, and since that time, U.S. restaurants have continued to make their mark on the world dining scene. San Diego’s award-winning restaurants include 12 Michelin-distinguished establishments. Among them is Southern California’s first and only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.

Chef William Bradley has helmed Addison since 2006, bringing attention to California ingredients with global influences. The 10-course tasting menu evolves with the seasons and may include standouts such as Koshihikari rice with applewood-smoked sabayon and Regiis Ova reserve caviar. Sushi Tadokoro and Soichi (each with one Michelin star) offer omakase menus, where the chefs determine courses based on the freshest seafood available. And two North County restaurants with one Michelin star apiece, Valle and Jeune et Jolie, offer their own bold statements on contemporary Mexican and French cuisine, respectively.

In 1997, the Michelin Guide added the Bib Gourmand distinction, which honors a “simpler style of cooking, which is recognizable and easy-to-eat” — as well as budget-friendly. San Diego’s 12 Bib Gourmand restaurants reflect the city’s multicultural influences, including the East Village taqueria Lola 55, family-owned Ciccia Osteria, and breakfast and brunch comfort food at Morning Glory in Little Italy.

Take in world-class performing arts

San Diego’s arts scene thrives in Balboa Park, the city’s cultural hub and home to 18 museums, two Tony Award-winning theaters, and a wide variety of cultural institutions and public spaces. Live stage shows include groundbreaking new works, reimagined classics, and queer-centered stories spotlighting LGBTQ+ narratives.

Old Globe

Opened in 1935, San Diego’s Old Globe modeled its architecture after London’s original Globe Theatre, known as the home of Shakespeare’s theater company. The theater’s legacy continues with the premieres of many Broadway-bound works.

La Jolla Playhouse

La Jolla Playhouse dates to 1947 and has an equally impressive history as a Broadway incubator, including Come From Away and Jersey Boys. Travelers can be the first to see such productions in La Jolla’s four theaters, ranging in size from 98 to 492 seats.

Diversionary Theatre

Diversionary Theatre, founded in 1986, is a beloved home for LGBTQ+ and ally theater-makers. Its seasons and community outreach focus on queer stories and those from other marginalized communities.

Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

And the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (a new outdoor performance venue and summer home to the San Diego Symphony) offers even more opportunities to experience musical artists, film score tributes, dance, even free yoga.

Explore San Diego’s Wildlife

While you’re likely to run into some friendly bears at San Diego’s gay bars, there are many opportunities to connect with real wildlife, too. Southern California is brimming with opportunities for encounters on land, sea and air.

Birding

Gay birder Christian Cooper (host of National Geographic’s Extraordinary Birder) has reinvigorated national interest in birding, and with 515 bird species to discover throughout San Diego County, there’s plenty to see in a range of settings.

San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

For those who like to keep their eyes on the ground, The San Diego Zoo’s 100-acre wildlife park is home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals, including two Sumatran tiger cubs and a new red panda. “Inside Look” tours offer visitors a more intimate experience. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers an additional 1,800 sprawling acres of savannah for immersive exploration, with various tours from a 130-foot-high flightline to an exclusive wildlife trek.

Dive to Wreck Alley

Take to the ocean for an underwater exploration, where adventure-seekers snorkel and scuba dive among schools of fish and massive kelp forests, and for advanced divers, Wreck Alley, which showcases the HMCS Yukon, a 366-foot-long Canadian vessel intentionally sunk to create the ultimate underwater playground.

Cabrillo National Monument

For those who prefer to appreciate wildlife from a distance, views from the Old Point Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument during low tide reveal a bounty of ocean life, from crabs and mollusks to mesmerizing anemones.

Outdoor culture & entertainment

Technological advancements have pushed the art world to reinvent itself with exhibitions that invite visitors to experience works in new and innovative ways. San Diego’s cultural institutions and art galleries are at the forefront of new creative forms.

WNDR Museum San Diego

The WNDR collective has amassed groundbreaking artists, designers, and technologists to reimagine space and encourage dialogue. WNDR Museum San Diego is one of only four locations nationwide where visitors can experience the collective’s 360-degree experiences.

The Museum of Us

The Museum of Us, located in Balboa Park on the unceded ancestral land of the Kumeyaay people, overhauled its mission in 2012 to address the land’s colonial past and create a new generation of programming that explores the human connection. San Diego’s public art and murals also feature many spots to pause and take in the sights.

Living the high life

Dozens of rooftop bars, lounges and restaurants in San Diego allow visitors to enjoy stellar city views, ocean breezes and picture-perfect sunsets. Regardless of which neighborhood you find yourself in, there’s likely a path to the sky, where you’ll discover craft cocktails and more examples of the city’s culinary scene.

Techo Beso

Techo Beso (“rooftop kiss” in Spanish), atop the AC Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, draws inspiration from Tulum, and features Mexican-style bites, including house guacamole and Al Pastor chicken wings, along with innovative cocktails and Poolside Saturdays, featuring house music from a roster of the city’s best DJs.

Cannonball

San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop restaurant and bar, Cannonball, offers stellar views, plenty of space for group gatherings (including several fire pits to gather around once the sun sets), fresh sushi and craft cocktails.

Porto Vista

For the ultimate LGBTQ+ rooftop gathering spot, head to Porto Vista in Little Italy. Each Friday beginning at 5 p.m., the fifth floor’s Top of the Bay becomes the place to unwind from the work week or kick off a weekend visit. The hotel (also known for its contemporary art collection) has hosted the gathering since 2014 and is a great spot to connect with locals. .

Rooftop Cinema Club San Diego

For those who prefer to let someone else do the talking, Rooftop Cinema Club San Diego screens modern classics at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The setup includes lounge-style deck chairs and blankets, studio-quality headphones and HD video.

Get a lift with coffee, kombucha and kava

While San Diego has earned accolades for its breweries and craft cocktails, there are plenty of spots to discover innovative non-alcoholic beverages.

Women-owned Adore Coffee House in Downtown San Diego specializes in cold brew. Clairemont-area Forum Coffee’s house-roasted beans are used in a wide range of coffee concoctions, while The Coffee Method’s location inside an Ocean Beach floral shop is another perk of the venue, which showcases fair-trade and single-source beans.

Kombucha, a fermented, slightly sparkling beverage also made from tea, is having its moment, too. Just be sure to specify that you’re seeking a non-alcoholic variety, since kombucha can be fermented to an alcohol content similar to beer. Nova Easy Kombucha produces several non-alcoholic types, along with hard releases, including La Ola Dragon Fruist, a collaboration with the San Diego Wave, the newest member of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Kava (not to be confused with “cava,” the Spanish sparkling wine) lounges have been popping up around the city, showcasing the centuries-old tradition of brewing tea from the kava plant. Kava Collective, Gather Coffee & Kava Bar, and Sunset Kava Lounge are notable spots to check out and often offer complementary programs such as open mics, vision boarding, and meditation. For kava with a view, head to Trilogy Sanctuary, a wellness center with a vegan café, rooftop yoga, workshops and events.

When the sun sets

Cool coastal breezes provide the perfect backdrop to explore San Diego’s nightlife. The 16 walkable blocks throughout the historic Gaslamp Quarter could fill multiple vacations with more than 100 restaurants, bars, nightclubs and retailers.

Part Time Lover, a “Japanese-style listening bar,” has a high-fidelity sound system, highball cocktails, and a record shop in the back. Convoy Music Bar in the Convoy District offers a similar vibe in a beautifully designed space, offering a speakeasy setting with an alley entrance (look for the “On Air” sign), dim lighting, and custom imported Japanese Kenrick speakers.

Flicks in Hillcrest has a long history as one of San Diego’s welcoming gay bars. Patrons come for the outdoor patio and lively dance floor, described by one GayCities reader as having a “great diversity in age range and events.” Since its inception, Flicks has also engaged in the LGBTQ+ community by sponsoring local gay sports leagues. .

San Diego’s drag scene

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Chad Michaels is one of many jewels in San Diego’s drag crown. The “All Stars” Season 1 winner’s career began at the Dreamgirls Revue at Urban Mo’s Bar & Grill, which remains one of the city’s go-to venues for live entertainment. The revue continues its tradition on Wednesday nights and presents a roster of high-energy themed events, including Church of Glam (Sunday afternoons), Showtunes Tuesdays, and Gayme Night at Mo’s (Mondays).

Lips has an equally packed roster — 10 weekly shows featuring some of San Diego’s legendary drag performers, including Paris Sukomi Max and B*tchy Bingo with Armani Colby.

And don't miss a visit to Gossip Grill, the women-forward restaurant and nightclub that has become a Hillcrest institution. Gossip offers a wide range of entertainment, including a Cabaret Drag Brunch on select Sundays and a Drag King Show every other Friday night. And with its menu of American comfort food and an inviting indoor/outdoor setting, it's no wonder the place is such a popular neighborhood destination.

Can’t-miss annual events

If you’re looking to anchor your San Diego getaway with a signature event, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with similarly interested travelers and locals.

Annual happenings like Comic-Con International, CRSSD (a two-day electronic music festival that takes place in San Diego Waterfront Park), the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season are among hundreds of events scheduled throughout the year.

San Diego Pride, held each July, draws over 250,000 attendees and includes a rally, parade, festival and community-building activities. In September, FilmOut San Diego showcases world and U.S. premieres and filmmaker Q&As after screenings.

Other San Diego LGBTQ+ events include Nightmare on Normal Street, to celebrate Halloween in Hillcrest; Taste of Hillcrest each spring; Hillcrest CityFest Street Fair in August; and the San Diego Padres Pride Night at Petco Park.