You’ll find the gay section of Venice City Beach in front of the Venice Skate Park near Market Street and Ocean Front Walk. This beach is nearly a mile north of the Venice Pier.
Often lovingly referred to as “Ginger Rogers”, this beach is the only gay locale within the city limits (and accessible by public transportation: Santa Monica Blue Bus 9).
The guys you’ll find there: A true cross-section of LA’s various LGBT scenes with a sprinkling of straight families that seem to be clueless to the scene around them.
What they’re wearing: Lycra/ spandex/ you-name-the-stretchy material swimming trunks often a size too small, board shorts, sometimes snazzy underwear.
Pluses: It’s the closest gay beach so you’ll definitely see someone you know (is that a plus?). Nearby snack bar, public restrooms and parking. Marix Tex Mex Playa is just across the PCH for “après-beach” margueritas (118 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica).
Minuses: The water quality is not the best but many of the beachgoers here only dip their toes in. Traffic and parking can sometimes be a pain
Directions: The gay section of Will Rogers is just off the Pacific Coast Highway near the intersection of West Channel Road. Parking is available on the ocean-side of the PCH ($10) or on the street around West Channel. There are two pedestrian tunnels that go under the PCH. The gay section is directly west of the parking lot and volley ball courts, around Lifeguard Station 18.
West Street Beach is well-known as Orange County’s most popular gay beach.
Check out the gay beach volleyball matches!
West Street Beach is the closest thing to a true gay beach in SoCal, but there will be some straights there too. It’s a busy beach as the cove isn’t huge and it draws people from all over Orange County. Clothing is required.
With the disturbing reality show of the same name, this beautiful beachside community was done a disservice by MTV. Even so, it still remains a great place to visit. Many LA gay guys make the trek here to see everyone they would otherwise see at the Abbey or Cherry Pop.
The guys you’ll find there: Gym-bound bods from West Hollywood and Industry types.
What they’re wearing: Tight revealing swimsuits that were not truly designed for swimming.
Pluses: Definitely the hottest guys around but the policy here seems to be “look but don’t touch (or talk to).”
Minuses: A bit of an insider scene and not super friendly. Parking can be a feat unto itself. Due to the ocean floor’s sharp drop off, the short pounding waves are not suitable for surfing/boogie-boarding and it’s a bit like swimming in a washing machine (then again, these queens rarely get their hair wet…). There’s not much of a night scene since the closing of the Boom Boom Room, the only gay club in town.
Directions: Take the 405 and 73 or the 5 to Irvine. Exit and take the 133 to Laguna Beach. In the town center, turn left onto the PCH and continue through town to West Street. Park near the intersection and then walk down the stairs to the beach. The entrance to West Street Beach is a long stairway across from West Street on Coast Highway next to the “do not enter” signs of Bluff Drive. Parking spots are available along the highway near the West Street intersection.
The local gay beach in Los Angeles is Dorothy Green Park Santa Monica Beach.
The gay beach is one block from the only gay bar near the beach, The Birdcage
The portion of Santa Monica State Beach in front of Dorothy Green Park is a gay hangout. It’s located near lifeguard tower 26. The best parking is in Public Parking Lot 5 South off Bernard Way. You’ll find more volleyball courts and another Perry’s Cafe which also has rentals including bikes, tandems, surfboards, and beach chairs. Clothing is required.
The local gay beach in Los Angeles is Dorothy Green Park Santa Monica Beach at Ocean Park Blvd. in Santa Monica.
This beach is one block away from the only gay bar near the beach, The Birdcage, located at 2640 Main Street, Santa Monica.
The Birdcage operates a gay beach club each week during warm weather on the beach: The Beach Club — Look for the rainbow flags near the water at Lifeguard Tower #26 near where Ocean Park Blvd ends.
The beaches of Malibu are considered gay-friendly.
El Matador is one of Malibu’s best know gay beach hangouts.
The beaches of Malibu are considered gay-friendly. Many of them are hidden in Malibu but others are quite popular. The best-known gay-friendly beaches in Malibu are Zuma, El Matador, La Piedra, and Surfrider Beach near the Malibu Pier. Clothing is required at all Malibu beaches.
El Matador (Part of Robert H. Meyer State Beach): Malibu, a hidden cove, is on the western outskirts of Malibu.
Pluses: Beautiful isolated rocky cove with very few people.
Minuses: Beautiful isolated rocky cove with very few people. Sometimes the beach and entrances to it disappear in the high tide.
Directions: To get there, either
1. Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) through Malibu
2. The 101 through the Valley and then Malibu Canyon road down to the beach.
Limited parking is available in a gravel parking lot (pay $8.00 at the kiosk) or park for free along the PCH/Route 1.
The Hollywood area is one of the more popular neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. We have chosen the best hotels located close to, or with views of the most famous Hollywood landmarks.
Set in Los Angeles in Hollywood, 200 m from the Capitol Records Building, Kimpton Everly Hotel features a year-round outdoor pool.
Featuring a rooftop pool and a sun terrace, onsite restaurant this hotel is adjacent to Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre.
Offering a rooftop pool and sun terrace, Dream Hollywood is located in Los Angeles in the foreground of the Hollywood sign. Free WiFi
Located 1 minutes’ walk from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this Los Angeles, California hotel has modern rooms and outdoor heated pool.
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