We’re always impressed by how lesbian friendly most California destinations are, and how many thriving gaybourhoods there are almost everywhere we go. We always feel safe and welcomed in a state that protects LGBTQ+ people by law, and has always been a leader in the equality movement. If you’re looking for an inclusive destination in the US, there are so many amazing places to discover in California. Whether you are looking for cosmopolitan city vibes, a laid back beach vacation, an adventure in the mountains or the desert, or a little bit of everything, you will find it here! 

Is anyone else in love with California? Is it already on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments! 

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guides to our favourites California destinations to help you plan your trip:

Joshua Tree

Palm Springs

San Francisco

Monterey

San Diego

The post 17 Photos to Make You Fall in Love with California appeared first on Lez See the World.

San Francisco

At the top of this list needs to be San Francisco. A lively city famous for its amazing LGBTQ+ community, hippie culture, and incredible history, San Fran cannot be missed. As a leader in the gay rights movement and LGBTQ+ activism in the USA, San Francisco has been called the original gay-friendly city. Lesbians will feel right at home with plenty of female centric events, as well as many welcoming venues. Explore the city, see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, eat your way through the Mission District, and party in the Castro. It truly is the ultimate gay city destination in Cali.

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to San Francisco

Palm Springs

Home of the Dinah Shore – the biggest lesbian party in the country (and maybe the world), Palm Springs is another amazing destination for women in California. A great spot for sunbathing and relaxing by the pool in the daytime, and hitting the town in the evenings. There are plenty of hip bars in downtown Palm Springs as well as great gay hotspots in the Arenas District, the local gaybourhood. Check out the mid-century modern architecture that the area is famous for, and soak up some desert heat. Palm Springs is a great California vacation destination for lesbians!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to Palm Springs

Los Angeles

If you love city destinations, then of course LA needs to go to the top of your list. This huge city has plenty of gay and gay-friendly neighbourhoods like West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, and Downtown LA. Of course you can also head out to the beaches and enjoy the sun in Santa Monica and Venice Beach. No matter what vibe you’re looking for or what you’re into, you can find it in LA. It is an incredibly diverse and eclectic city bringing together so many different cultures. Go cafe hopping, enjoy the nightlife, and check out one of the many lesbian parties in the city.

Joshua Tree

A true gem of a destination in California and the most unique on this list, is Joshua Tree. In San Bernardino County, this quiet, artsy little town brings travellers from all over the world to Joshua Tree National Park. A huge protected desert area, the park is easily one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Hike, camp, or just spend some time exploring, and don’t miss the incredible rock formations and of course the Joshua trees. A perfect destination for adventure travellers, Joshua Tree is a very welcoming place. Lesbian women and female couples will feel right at home here!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to Joshua Tree

San Diego

Another beautiful city that offers a little bit of everything! San Diego sits on the coast of Southern California and has gorgeous beaches, an impressive craft beer scene, and a welcoming gaybourhood. You can enjoy the laid back beach towns in the North County or explore the lively city, and will definitely find plenty of things to do. Visit Balboa Park, stroll along the Embarcadero, and people watch on a patio in Little Italy. You’re almost guaranteed sunny days and warm weather any time of the year, and there’s even a longstanding lesbian bar you can check out!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to San Diego

Monterey

Last but certainly not least, is Monterey. On the most incredible stretch of California Coast, this area offers so much natural beauty! Explore the city of Monterey, enjoy the beaches, visit nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, and do the drive through Big Sur to Bixby Creek Bridge (don’t forget your camera!). This region is one of our favourite places in the whole country. It’s charming, serene, and incredibly welcoming, and we cannot recommend it enough to other lesbian travellers. Don’t miss this beautiful part of California!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to Monterey

Is anyone else in love with California? Let us know in the comments!

The post Top 6 Lesbian Travel Destinations in California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Visit the Gaybourhood

Experience the heart of gay culture in San Diego! Hillcrest is the local gaybourhood located North of Balboa Park. It’s full of gay-friendly shops and restaurants, LGBTQ+ nightlife, vintage clothing stores, and a weekly Farmer’s Market. You’ll also find a rainbow crosswalk at Normal St and University Ave, don’t miss it!

Explore the Gaslamp Quarter

This downtown neighbourhood is where the nightlife is! Spend your evenings in the Gaslamp Quarter for great cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs, along with amazing dining. This historic pocket of the city has a great energy, and if you visit during the daytime you can also check out plenty of boutiques or enjoy Horton Plaza Park.

Check Out Little Italy

This pedestrian friendly San Diego neighbourhood is a must visit. Full of trendy restaurants and bars, it’s the perfect spot to eat, drink, and people watch on a patio. There’s also a weekly Farmer’s Market if you’re looking for fresh produce and handcrafted goods!

Go to Balboa Park

San Diego’s biggest and most well known park space Balboa Park should definitely be on your list. Spanning 1200 acres in the middle of the city, it is home to the San Diego Zoo, California Tower, and 17 museums and cultural centres. There is so much to do here, check out the website to plan your visit!

Enjoy the Beautiful Beaches

San Diego sits on a gorgeous stretch of the California Coastline. Be sure to visit some of its most beautiful beaches during your stay. Some of the most popular spots are located further out of the city, so if you have a vehicle to go exploring, take advantage! The best beach spots in San Diego include Blacks Beach, La Jolla, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Del Mar, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Visit the Embarcadero

Be sure to get down to the city waterfront and stroll along the Embarcadero. A popular cruise ship port, this area has plenty of shops and eateries. The views of the ocean are beautiful and there is plenty of green space to relax!

Experience Coronado Island

Across the bay from San Diego sits Coronado Island, which can be accessed by bridge or ferry. Coronado Beach is one of the most beautiful in the country, and the small town offers perfect laid back beachy vibes. Spend a day in Coronado to admire the beautiful homes, explore the charming downtown shops, stroll the beachfront boardwalk, and visit the longstanding Hotel del Coronado (built in 1888).

Go to the Spruce St Suspension Bride

This perfect hidden gem is right in the middle of the city! A suspension foot bridge hangs over a beautiful valley in a quiet San Diego neighbourhood. Come here for a lovely walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Where to Stay

There are so many great places to stay in San Diego! You will definitely have plenty of options between big hotel resorts, boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and vacation rentals. You will likely want to stay somewhere central in the city, and there are plenty of hotel options in great locations. We stayed at Hotel Z, a Staypineapple hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter and we loved it! It was a perfect location for exploring both on foot and by car, and the hotel also had a shuttle we could take around town. If you’re interested in hotel accommodations in San Diego, we recommend using a tool like Hotels.com if you’re booking in advance. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, filter for the amenities that you like, and narrow down a specific location in the city. They also have a great reward system, for every ten nights you book you receive one night free. If you’re looking for great deals on last minute accommodations try Hotel Tonight. Their app is extremely user friendly, and you can find some amazing deals if your plans are flexible. Sign up via our link and receive $30 off your first reservation! If you’re looking for a quieter location to stay in San Diego and you don’t need to be right downtown, we recommend checking out accommodations on Coronado Island or in the North County. These will give you more of a relaxed beach town feel, but you will still be close to everything going on right in the city. In these areas there will be some hotels, and Airbnb would also be a great option. We found plenty of home listings at reasonable prices that would be perfect accommodations for a San Diego trip. If this is your vibe, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available during your stay. This is also a great option if you’re looking for private accommodations with laundry or a kitchen. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

San Diego’s food scene is impressive and was one of our favourite parts of visiting! There were plenty of amazing plant-based options which always excites us, but the culinary scene will surely please any foodie. Expect to find a lot of fresh produce and local seafood, along with Latin American influences. Our favourite spots and best recommendations for vegan eats include Kindred for brunch, a quirky space with amazing food and metal music. We love The Modern Vegan or Cafe Gratitude for lunch, both amazing plant-based options in casual spaces. And definitely don’t miss Donna Jean for dinner, a beautiful patio serving incredible vegan Italian dishes. Other recommendations include the Vegan Tacos food truck, Spoiled Vegans Cafe, and Modern Times (an absolute must)! If you aren’t solely plant-based, then you should also check out Little Italy where you will find everything from amazing street food to upscale dining like popular spot Juniper & Ivy. As well, be sure to try some fish tacos which cannot be missed in San Diego! Oscar’s Mexican Seafood is a great place for this. There really is something for everyone! With plenty of amazing dining options ranging from casual eateries to upscale restaurants, you’ll surely discover something you love in San Diego. For drinks, be sure to head to Hillcrest if you’re looking to go out in an LGBTQ+ space. If you’re looking for great beer, head to one of the many amazing breweries in the city! San Diego is known for its craft brewing scene and you will not be disappointed. Modern Times is our absolute fave, but other great spots include Stone Brewing, Resident Brewing, North Park Beer Company, Kairoa Brewing Company, Thorn Brewing, Pure Project, Bay City Brewing, Amplified Ale Works, and Ballast Point to name a few. If you’re looking for cocktails, don’t miss Prohibition Lounge or Rendezvous in the Gaslamp Quarter, and nearby You & Yours Distilling Co in the East Village. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in California are some of the best in the US. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is banned, and same-sex couples have equal legal rights. San Diego is definitely a safe and inclusive travel destination, and we would consider it very welcoming to lesbian women! Similar to other LGBTQ+ travel hotspots in Southern California like LA and Palm Springs, San Diego has it’s own gaybourhood called Hillcrest. The heart of gay culture in San Diego, Hillcrest has great restaurants, bars, shops, and a rainbow crosswalk! We felt very safe and comfortable being an open couple in San Diego, and had no issues at all showing affection in public or taking couples photos in front of locals. We loved that the city feels welcoming, and the scene in Hillcrest is definitely thriving. The neighbourhood has an LGBT Community Centre that offers resources and events for the local community. If you’re looking to go out, Gossip Grill (such a good name) is the best women’s venue! They are a full restaurant and bar with a dance floor that hosts regular events, and is female focused. A perfect spot for LGBTQ+ women, and female same-sex couples! Many other gay bars in Hillcrest are also welcoming to women or have female events, so you will find plenty of LGBTQ+ nightlife is San Diego. If you’re looking for additional local events check out Eventbrite or Meetup for lesbian speed dating, mixers, dance parties, book clubs, rallies, and more. And of course there is the annual Pride Celebration in July! As you can see, San Diego is a great city for lesbian women and female couples. We had such a great experience and we love being able to recommend inclusive destinations with a great gay scene! If you’re looking for a fun getaway in Southern California that is lesbian friendly, be sure to add San Diego to your list.

How to Get Around

Walk

The different neighbourhoods of San Diego are quite walkable. We did a lot of exploring on foot and it was a great way to experience the city! If you’re able, spend some time walking around the different areas to explore.

Uber/Lyft

Both Uber and Lyft are available in San Diego and are a great option for getting around the city. If you’ve never used a ride share before, click the links above for discounts on your first rides!

Taxi

If you don’t want to use a ride sharing service, there are plenty of taxis available in San Diego. You can call a cab by phone or easily hail one on the street. Rates are reasonable but likely more expensive than using a ride share app.

Public Transportation

San Diego has a public transport system that includes bus service, trains, a trolley, pedicabs, and a waterfront shuttle. For information regarding rates and schedules, click here.

Rent a Car

A very convenient way to get around San Diego is to rent a car and drive! Having your own vehicle means you can get around the city, explore the North County, Coronado, and maybe even go to other parts of Southern California on the same trip. San Diego is only a couple of hours away from LA or Palm Springs. We rented a car for our trip from Hertz, which is the company we almost always use. They have a great loyalty program that allows us to earn points toward free rentals! Driving in the city was easy and parking was no problem.

Bike or Scooter Share

There are plenty of bike and scooter share companies in San Diego! These can be a great option if you’re going a short distance around town. Keep in mind that you cannot ride on sidewalks and need to feel comfortable using the bike lanes on the road.

Has anyone else fallen in love with San Diego? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to read our articles for other Southern California destinations like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree!

Disclosure: Staypineapple generously hosted us for part of our stay at Hotel Z, their San Diego hotel. We are so happy to partner with them to share amazing boutique hotel accommodations with our audience! We highly recommend the Staypineapple brand (they are also dog-friendly!) and we can’t wait to check out more of their locations in the USA.

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to San Diego, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Stroll Along Palm Canyon Drive

This main street through downtown Palm Springs is very pedestrian friendly! Be sure to spend some time wandering down Palm Canyon Drive checking out vintage shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants while you soak up the sun.

Go to the Gaybourhood

The Arenas District is where you will find the heart of gay culture in Palm Springs! Arenas Road is packed full of businesses that are committed to welcoming the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. Come here for queer owned shops and restaurants, gay bars and clubs, and the list goes on. Don’t miss it.

Visit the Moorten Botanical Garden

This small, family owned garden has been around since the 1930’s and is the perfect spot to admire desert plants from around the world. There is a small admission fee as well as guided tours you can book in advance, or you can explore on your own. It’s also a great spot to take photos!

Check out the Palm Springs Art Museum

A great way to spend an afternoon if you want to get out of the heat. Check out the local art museum to see beautiful collections of paintings and sculptures.

Go on an Architecture Tour

Palm Springs is well known for its mid-century modern architecture. Take a drive through town and check out some well known architectural landmarks, and admire the many famous houses in the area!

Take the Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the biggest rotating tram in the world, and offers breathtaking views of the area. Ride the tram two and a half miles through Chino Canyon, up to San Jacinto State Park. At the top there are hiking trails, observation decks, restaurants and a visitor centre/museum.

Check out a Festival

Palm Springs hosts tons of great festivals and events each year like Coachella, the Desert Arts Festival, Modernism Week, Stagecoach, the Palm Springs Film Festival, and Palm Desert Food & Wine. And of course there is the annual Pride festival (more on that below)! Plan your visit around the busy events calendar and be sure to book in advance!

Where to Stay

In Palm Springs you will likely want to be close to the centre of town, which means a hotel is going to be your best option! Most homes and Airbnbs are going to be further out, so it is worth it in our opinion to opt for central hotel accommodations. Palm Springs is FULL of amazing boutique hotels that range from intimate and low-key, to over the top and lavish with incredible amenities. Pretty much any hotel you find will include a pool (a must in Palm Springs), so be ready to relax poolside! Some popular properties include The Parker Palm Springs, Avalon Palm Springs, Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Korakia Pensione, Riviera Palm Springs, and the Saguaro Palm Springs. If you’re looking for a certain vibe be sure to do your research, as some properties will have more of a party atmosphere while others will be quieter and more relaxing. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular property, we recommend looking to book hotel accommodations using a tool like Hotels.com if you’re booking in advance. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. If you’re looking for great deals on last minute accommodations try Hotel Tonight. Their app is extremely user friendly, and you can find some amazing deals if your plans are flexible. Sign up via our link and receive $30 off your first reservation! Palm Springs does have plenty of gay owned and gay friendly hotel properties, but after looking into them we found that they all advertise specifically to gay men. We would love to see something lesbian owned or marketed specifically to lesbians! For gay women and female same-sex couples, you will likely feel most comfortable booking at a regular hotel that is inclusive and welcoming to women.

Where to Eat & Drink

Palm Springs is a great dining destination, and you will be sure to find some top notch restaurants and eateries to check out during your visit. The food scene continues to evolve and offers everything from romantic bistros to casual daytime healthy cafes. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you should have a pretty easy time finding it in Palm Springs! In the mornings, head to a sidewalk cafe in downtown Palm Springs for breakfast or brunch. Popular breakfast spots include Wilma & Frieda, Trio, Cheeky’s, and Grand Central Palm Springs. If you eat plant-based like us, MidMod Cafe is a great option for vegan brunch! For lunch, head to 4 Saints restaurant in the Kimpton, Wexler’s Deli, the old school classic Sherman’s Deli, or King’s Highway diner. In the evenings, great dinner options include longstanding steakhouse Mr. Lyons, modern Japanese restaurant Sandfish Sushi, farm-to-table Workshop Kitchen & Bar, and mega popular Vietnamese hotspot Rooster and the Pig. Palm Springs also has a thriving happy hour and bar scene, there are plenty of great places to grab a drink while you’re in town! For tropical cocktails head to Bootlegger Tiki, for happy hour beers go to Village Pub, and for cool vintage vibes head to Seymour’s. There are also tons of amazing hotel bars like High Bar at the Kimpton Rowan, Draughtsman at Arrive Palm Springs, El Jefe at The Saguaro Hotel, and the Amigo Room at Ace Hotel & Swim Club. If you’re looking to have a drink in a specifically LGBTQ+ friendly space, check out Blackbook Bar & Kitchen, Retroroom Lounge, and other great gay hotspots in the Arenas District. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

As mentioned, Palm Springs is a very gay friendly travel destination! Similar to other LGBTQ+ travel hotspots much of it is catered toward gay men, but Palm Springs does have a lot of events for lesbian women. Southern California as a whole is very welcoming to the community, and the state is very liberal when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is banned, and same-sex couples have equal legal rights. Palm Springs is definitely very progressive, and we would consider it to be a very safe and inclusive travel destination. The biggest lesbian event in Palm Springs is of course Dinah Shore, which is an annual 5 day party/festival. It’s actually considered one of the largest lesbian events in the USA and the world! Aside from Dinah, Palm Springs Pride (which happens annually each November) also offers a lot of lesbian events including The Dyke March and several lesbian parties. The LGBT Community Centre of the Desert keeps a running list of the many other events and meet ups for women in Palm Springs, you can check that out here. This tourism page also has a lot of great info on events and local community groups! We felt very comfortable being out and open during our visit to Palm Springs, and we saw plenty of other same-sex couples while we were there. If you’re looking to be around the community, definitely head to the gaybourhood – the Arenas District. Here you will find plenty of gay owned businesses, bars, and clubs. You will also find plenty of Pride flags in the windows of businesses all over downtown. It’s so nice to feel welcome and know that a travel destination is inclusive of our community! If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in Southern California that is lesbian friendly, be sure to add Palm Springs to your list!

How to Get Around

Walk

Downtown Palm Springs is very walkable, and there is plenty to see! We highly recommend walking down Palm Canyon Drive and exploring the rest of the downtown area on foot if you can.

Bike

Palm Springs is a great city to bike in because it’s very flat and has plenty of bike lanes. A lot of the hotels will offer bikes for guests to use during their stay, and there are also a couple of places you can rent bikes in town.

Ride Share

Both Uber and Lyft are available in Palm Springs and are a very convenient way to get around. There should be plenty of drivers available if you need them! If you’ve never used a ride share before, click the links above for discounts on your first rides!

Taxi

If you don’t want to use a ride share app, taxis are also available in Palm Springs. You should have no problem hailing a cab in downtown Palm Springs on weekends, but it may be trickier during the week and in different parts of the city. You can always call and order a car if needed.

Rent a Car

The most convenient way to get around Palm Springs is to rent a car and drive! Having your own vehicle is a great way to get around the city and also gives you the option of exploring other parts of Southern California on the same trip! Palm Springs is only a couple of hours away from LA or San Diego, and less than an hour from Joshua Tree. We rented a car for our trip from Hertz, which is the company we almost always use. They have a great loyalty program that allows us to earn points toward free rentals!

Public Transportation

Palm Springs does have public transport which can be a great affordable option for getting around the city. Check out more information on the Sunline Transit system here.

Is anyone else in love with Palm Springs? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to read our articles for other Southern California destinations like Joshua Tree!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Palm Springs, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Explore the Town

Visiting the small town of Joshua Tree almost feels like you’re stepping back in time. It feels beautifully nostalgic and is a must visit. The “downtown” is small and has a simple general store and other locally owned shops. Be sure to stop by and know that your spendings will go directly back to the merchants and residents! Our favourite spot in town was definitely Joshua Tree Coffee Co. If you happen to visit over a weekend, swing by the Joshua Tree Farmer’s Market for locally grown produce and handmade goods.

Visit the National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is an incredibly unique region where the Colorado and Mojave deserts come together. It is stunningly beautiful and unlike anything we’ve ever seen! You can visit the park year round, and it spans about 800,000 acres. Admission for one vehicle is $30 and that gives you a 7 day permit to the park. You can also get individual passes if you enter the park on foot or bike. There is no cell service inside the park so be sure to plan accordingly, but there is wifi at the visitors centres if you need it! The park is huge and even during high season you will have plenty of room to hike, camp, explore, and enjoy. (If you do plan on camping be sure to book in advance). Some of the most popular landmarks in the park include Hidden Valley, the Barker Dam, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View, and the 49 Palms Canyon Trail. We also recommend doing your own exploring outside of the big attractions, because every inch of the park is truly gorgeous!

Attend an Annual Festival

Joshua Tree hosts a lot of different festivals each year including arts expos, film festivals, music festivals, and more. Check out the local event calendar to plan your visit!

Where to Stay

Camping is very popular in Joshua Tree! Aside from that, Airbnb is the best option, in our opinion. There aren’t a lot of hotels or inns in the area, and it’s really the kind of place that you want to experience like a local. Airbnb has tons of cool and unique listings in the area that will give you comfortable accommodations close to the town and the national park. We opted for a cozy little house close to an entrance of the park, and we had a full kitchen, laundry, and a big backyard. There was also a hot tub, which was perfect for relaxing and stargazing in the evenings! We highly recommend checking out which houses are available when you’re planning your trip. Especially if you’re travelling with a bigger group, this is a perfect option. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

The food scene in Joshua Tree is definitely quite limited, but there are a few great spots to check out in town. Natural Sisters Cafe is a great locally owned restaurant that offers healthy, organic food with plenty of plant-based options. For something a little more lively, there’s the restaurant at 29 Palms Inn. They offer lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, along with a full bar menu and live music some nights! The inn has been a Joshua Tree staple for more than 90 years. Aside from the limited selection of restaurants and cafes in the area, the best thing to do for food, in our opinion, is to come prepared! We did a big grocery shop at Trader Joe’s before we arrived in town, and we prepared most of our meals at our Airbnb. It was great to be able to make breakfast in the mornings, and pack ourselves a lunch to bring into the park. We also brought a bottle of wine to enjoy in the hot tub! We highly recommend planning to prepare some of your own food in Joshua Tree, especially if you are planning a longer stay.

Lesbian Friendly

Southern California is very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, and has many popular destinations for same-sex couples and gay travellers. Unlike cities like LA, San Francisco, and Palm Springs, which are overflowing with gay culture, Joshua Tree is a small town with no specific gaybourhood. That being said, the area certainly has a laid back, hipster, artist feel, and is certainly progressive and safe. The locals we came across in the town were all very kind and friendly, and we had no issues at all being open with our relationship in the park around other travellers. The state of California is very liberal when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and they have been leaders in the equality movement for a number of years. The state legally bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and same-sex couples have equal legal rights. We would definitely consider California to be a progressive state that is welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, and we can certainly recommend Joshua Tree as an inclusive travel destination. A couple of years ago, Joshua Tree National Park shared a photo of a same-sex couple on their Instagram account to celebrate Pride, and of course there were plenty of angry comments (because the internet is full of homophobes). Park officials combatted the backlash by reminding everyone that “national parks are a safe space for all”, and asserting that “hateful comments would not be tolerated”. We love seeing support like that! If you’re looking for a unique getaway in Southern California that is lesbian friendly and incredibly beautiful, be sure to add Joshua Tree to your list!

How to Get Around

Rent a Vehicle

The best way to get around Joshua Tree is to rent a vehicle and drive! The national park is huge and very easy to access by car. There are main roads that take you through the park and plenty of pull offs. For popular attractions and hiking spots there are well maintained parking lots, and for smaller attractions there is lots of room to pull off on the side of the road. Having your own vehicle to get around the national park and the town of Joshua Tree is definitely going to be the easiest way to get around. It also gives you the option of exploring other parts of Southern California on the same trip! Joshua Tree is only a couple of hours away from LA or San Diego, and less than an hour from Palm Springs. We rented our car from Hertz, which is the company we almost always use. They have a great loyalty program that allows us to earn points toward free rentals!

Has anyone else fallen in love with Joshua Tree? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Joshua Tree, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Snap Photos of the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge

This famous architectural masterpiece is an absolute must-see in San Francisco. You can walk, bike, or drive across the bridge, and the views from both sides are stunning. Our favourite view points are from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre where you can get up nice and close, and from Baker Beach, which is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and get some gorgeous photos of the bridge.

Explore Golden Gate Park

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is huge, and has so much to see and explore. It’s a great place to go for a run or hike, take a scenic walk, enjoy the beautiful gardens, visit the museums and galleries, have a picnic, and do some great people watching. The park stretches all the way to the beach on one side, and to the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood on the other. You can spend plenty of time here and it’s definitely an important staple in San Francisco!

Chill in Haight-Ashbury

The Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood of San Francisco is the spot to experience some historic hippie vibes. This is where the hippie counterculture was born in the 1960’s, and today it’s a fun mix of vintage clothing shops, record stores, independent boutiques, bookstores, and quirky cafes and restaurants. Sitting on the edge of Golden Gate Park, it’s certainly worth taking the time to stroll through The Haight and soak up the unique energy of this historic neighbourhood.

Eat and Drink in the Mission District

If you’re looking for a cool hipster vibe, be sure to explore San Francisco’s Mission District. Rooted in Latin culture, this neighbourhood is full of classic taquerias, and trendy eateries. Explore this area and along with amazing eats, you’ll find incredible street art in Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley, as well as the best view of the city skyline from Dolores Park.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

On San Francisco’s northern waterfront sits the very popular Fisherman’s Wharf. While it is a busy tourist area, it’s worth a visit to see beautiful views of Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and Alcatraz Island (the famous prison turned museum). Another highlight is the colony of sea lions that collects on Pier 39 to sunbathe.

Explore Chinatown

Located near the waterfront and on the edge of the financial district, is San Francisco’s Chinatown. Full of authentic eateries and bustling shops, it’s a great spot to explore and maybe catch a street festival!

Admire the Painted Ladies

San Francisco is full of beautiful Victorian Homes, and the Painted Ladies are a row of houses that have become very iconic. They sit on Steiner St. and can be viewed best from Alamo Square Park. You might recognize them from various film and television appearances, including Full House! (For Full House fans, you can also visit the Full House home, which is nearby on Broderick St. and is now owned by the show’s creator, Jeff Franklin!)

Show Your Pride in the Castro District

If you’re looking for the heart of gay culture in San Francisco, you need to head to The Castro! This area is overflowing with gay bars and clubs, and is also home to the GLBT Historic Museum, the Human Rights Campaign Action Centre and Store, and the Rainbow Honor Walk, a memorial tribute to noteable LGBTQ+ people. This neighbourhood is booming with gay history and culture, and cannot be missed.

Weave Down Lombard Street

Near Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street is a famous hill in San Fran with a steep incline and numerous hair pin turns. The views from the top are absolutely gorgeous, and makes it a popular spot for tourists to come and walk or drive down it.

Shop at Union Square

In downtown San Francisco, Union Square is a large public plaza at the centre of the city’s shopping and theatre district. Surrounded by many hotels and inns, it’s a popular spot for tourists, and is full of boutiques, gift shops, and department stores. If you’re looking for the cosmopolitan heart of San Francisco, be sure to visit Union Square.

Ride the Historic Street Trolleys

San Francisco is famous for its cable cars that run on three routes in the city. The Powell-Mason line, and the Powell-Hyde line both start/end in and around Fisherman’s Wharf, and are a great way to see some of the iconic San Fran spots. If you don’t want to wait in line, watching them go by is fun too!

Along with the iconic cable cars, San Francisco has a fleet of antique street cars that run on it’s municipal rail lines around the city. With a collection of trolleys from all over the world, the most well known vintage vehicles run along Market Street and The Embarcadero. You can ride the route from The Castro all the way to the famous ferry building, and along The Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf. Or if you’d just like to catch a glimpse of these historic street cars, keep an eye out when you’re along the route!

See the AIDS Memorial Quilt

If you’re interested in LGBTQ+ history, the NAMES Project Memorial AIDS Quilt is being displayed in San Francisco until the end of 2019. The quilt was constructed as a memorial in celebration of the lives that have been lost to the AIDS pandemic. It’s the largest piece of community folk art in the world, and can be seen at the San Francisco Grace Cathedral through the end of the year.

Enjoy all the Green Space

San Francisco is home to so many beautiful park spaces. Aside from well known Golden Gate Park, other noteworthy spots include The Presidio, Twin Peaks, the Japanese Tea Garden, Crissy Field, Mission Dolores Park, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Take a Day Trip to Monterey Bay

South of San Francisco on California’s central coast, sits Monterey Bay. With Santa Cruz on it’s North end, the city of Monterey on the South end, and Carmel-by-the-Sea in neighbouring Carmel Bay, this region has so much to offer. Known for it’s beautiful scenery and welcoming communities, Monterey is a really amazing spot to visit with gorgeous beaches, stunning coastlines, charming towns, and so much natural beauty. If you’re looking for a little getaway from the city that has laid back beach vibes and spectacular coastal views, click here for our lesbian guide to Monterey Bay!

Raffinee’s Family Friendly Recommendations

Not only is San Francisco a great city to visit alone or as a couple, it’s also an amazing destination for families! We asked our friend and fellow blogger Raffinee for her top ten family friendly spots and activities in San Fran, and she gave us her list to share with you! Raffinee and her wife Michaela are Bay Area locals, and moms to three toddlers born 7.5 months apart. They put together a list of some amazing things to do in San Francisco with little ones. For more LGBTQ+ family content, check out Raffinee’s blog Raff Out Loud, and follow her on Instagram.

Top Ten Family Friendly Spots & Activities in San Francisco

1. Baker Beach – We love this one for its easy beach access, amazing views of the Golden Gate, and the fact that it’s dog friendly! Definitely our favourite beach in the city hands down!
2. Dolores Park – A super fun park in the heart of the city with lots to keep the little ones busy, including some really long and big slides! Fun fact: Dolores Park is also known as Gay Beach, and during Pride it gets packed with people celebrating! It also offers a great view of the city from on top of the hill!
3. The Presidio – an awesome place to have a picnic with the family with Bay views! Then you can rent a bike from Sports Basement and cross the Golden Gate!
4. The Ferry Building – A great indoor marketplace buzzing with unique finds, coffee, and all different kinds of delicious food!
5. The Sea Lions at Pier 39 – This is seasonal, but if you can catch them it’s a must! It’s so fun to watch them plop in the water only to climb back up again. Our kids get a kick out of it every time!
6. Ferry to Sausalito – Sometimes it’s fun to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and head to the other side of the Bay! Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge is great too, but taking the ferry is a whole experience on its own, and offers unique views of the city and the bridge.
7. Civic Center Playground – This is a relatively new, super funky play space in the Civic Center. It’s awesome!
8. Ocean Beach – A beautiful long stretch of open beach. We love grabbing food to go from the delicious vegan place Judahlicious, and taking it to the beach to watch the waves!
9. Philz Coffee – This isn’t a family friendly activity, but let’s be honest, parents need their coffee! You can’t visit San Fran without grabbing a Philz. The Mint Mojito is our favourite!
10. San Francisco Pride – I can’t not mention Pride in San Fran! It happens in June, and it’s one of our favourite events to attend with our kids in the city! So much colour, so much happiness, and SO MUCH LOVE!

Where to Stay

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing where to stay during a visit to San Francisco. Depending on how you’ll be getting around (keep reading for tips on transit around San Fran), what you plan to do and see, and what kind of experience you’re looking for, there are a lot of great options! Keep in mind that accommodations in San Francisco are very expensive. If you have a car to explore the city, consider staying further outside the city centre to lower your accommodation costs. If you’ll be getting around by city transit, you’ll want to stay somewhere more central and can look out for a good deal. Our go-to platforms for booking travel accommodations are Hotels.com and Airbnb. San Francisco has tons of hotel options in all price ranges, and Hotels.com has great prices as well as an excellent rewards program. For every ten nights you book, you get one night free. Airbnb also offers good accommodation options in a city like San Francisco, and you’ll likely get a lot more for your money going this route. With beautiful rooms in Victorian homes, quirky artist spaces, and cozy garden studios, you can find a lot of unique spaces in the city. This also gives you more of a local’s perspective, and can be the perfect way to experience San Francisco. If you’ve never used Airbnb, you can click here to save on your first stay.

To find the best neighbourhood to stay in, it all depends on what you’re looking for. For the best gay vibes in the city, you can stay in the famous Castro District or the trendy Mission District, and for a laid back gay friendly spot, try the more residential neighbourhood of Bernal Heights. For all the hippie feels you’ll want to stay in Haight-Ashbury, and for something more cosmopolitan, try something near Union Square. If you want to be in the bustling tourist area, opt to stay by Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina, or the charming North Beach neighbourhood. If you’re super outdoorsy, you might choose something near the Presidio, or Golden Gate Park. San Francisco is overflowing with amazing districts and neighbourhoods, all with unique things to discover. Consider your travel style and what you hope to get out of your stay in the city, and you’ll be able to choose the perfect spot for you.

Where to Eat & Drink

One of the amazing things about San Francisco, is how multicultural the food scene is. The city caters to a lot of different dietary needs, and includes many different cuisines, sure to satisfy every foodie! While you’re exploring the different neighbourhoods in San Fran, be sure to check out the unique culinary offerings in every corner of the city. The Mission District is the spot to find amazing Mexican and Latin American food, our favourite being Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant. Haight-Ashbury is where you should go for quirky cafes and great plant based options including VeganBurg. The Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar is an absolute must for Japanese cuisine, as is Ananda Fuara on Market Street for new age vegetarian. You can find plenty of amazing Asian and Asian Fusion restaurants, our faves being Indochine Vegan in the Mission, Golden Era in Mid-Market, and The Lucky Creation in Chinatown. Scattered around the city are tons of health conscious cafes serving nourishing food, like Judahlicious near Ocean Beach, Vegan Picnic near the Marina District, and Nourish Cafe near the Presidio. Greens Restaurant is the place to go for a beautiful waterfront dining experience, and an excellent veg menu. There’s definitely something for everyone, and so much to discover in the San Fran food scene. Be sure to branch out and try something new, and you won’t be disappointed! The same thing goes for great spots to grab a drink in the city. Keep reading for some great gay and gay-friendly bars, and be sure to check out some of San Francisco’s many craft breweries, like Black Hammer Brewing, Cellarmaker Brewing, Harmonic Brewing, Anchor Public Taps, Barrel Head Brewhouse, Barebottle Brewing Company, Standard Deviant Brewing, Triple Voodoo Brewery, Seven Stills, and more.

Lesbian Friendly

One of the truly amazing things about San Francisco, is how diverse and LGBTQ+ friendly it is. There are so many gay and gay-friendly establishments, and the whole city is very welcoming of the community. San Fran is definitely one of the most gay-friendly cities we’ve ever visited in our travels, and it’s a big reason why we love it so much! The state of California is progressive, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and quite LGBTQ+ friendly as a whole. They are seen as one of the most liberal states in the US when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and they have been leaders in the fight for equality on numerous occasions. California was the first state to legalize same-sex domestic partnerships in 1999, and they legalized same-sex marriage for the first time in 2008, and again in 2013 after the ban was lifted. The state has legally banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and same-sex couples have equal marriage rights, and equal access to family planning. California has also banned conversation therapy on minors, and public schools are required to teach LGBTQ+ history in their curriculum. All of this makes California very progressive, and much of it is thanks to the gay liberation movement that started in San Francisco in the 1970s. After the New York Stonewall riots in 1969, people started organizing in San Fran to promote gay rights and fight for equality. What is now the San Francisco Pride celebration, traces back to 1972 when the first Gay Liberation Day Parade took place. Today, San Francisco is considered one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ communities on the globe. It is often referred to as the original gay-friendly city, because of its integral part in the history of LGBTQ+ activism. 

We have always felt very welcomed as a lesbian couple in San Francisco. There is never any hesitation to show affection to one another in public, or be open about our relationship. The city feels like a gay paradise, and is bursting with Pride from every corner. While the gay heart of the city is in The Castro, this neighbourhood can definitely be more male dominated. That being said it’s still very inclusive of the entire community and entirely worth checking out. Other popular neighbourhoods for lesbian women in San Fran are the Mission District, as well as Bernal Heights. Similar to other cities, San Francisco doesn’t have any specifically lesbian bars, after the main lesbian establishment closed down within the past couple years. There are however, lesbian events that happen weekly and monthly in the city at different venues, including 13 Licks, Mango, and UHAUL. There’s even a Meetup Group for San Francisco Lipstick Lesbians! Other lesbian friendly spots in the city include Wild Side West in Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks Tavern in The Castro, El Rio in the Mission District, QBar in The Castro, Toad Hall in The Castro, and The Cafe in The Castro. San Francisco is definitely a city where lesbian travellers can feel safe and accepted. There is so much gay history and gay culture to be appreciated, and a lot of safe spaces to go and be around other lesbian women.

How to Get Around

If you’re staying in a central spot in San Francisco, it’s best to leave the car behind. Parking fees at San Fran hotels are extremely high, and it’s definitely possible to navigate the city without driving. If you do plan to drive, day parking can be tricky to find sometimes, but there are many spots around the city that offer free street parking. We usually prefer to explore on foot, but we took a car on our last visit to San Fran and found we were able to cover a lot of ground. There are a lot of different ways to explore San Francisco, so you can choose whichever suits you best.

On Foot

San Francisco is very hilly, so walking between different areas isn’t ideal. That being said, when you’re exploring a neighbourhood, the best way to see it fully is on foot. Spots like Haight-Ashbury, The Castro, and the Mission District, are full of quirky shops and great cafes, and strolling the streets is the best way to experience the culture first hand.

Public Transportation

The main public transportation service in San Francisco is Muni. Muni includes transit buses, light rail, streetcars, and the iconic San Francisco cable cars. Muni provides great options for getting around while you’re in the city, but they don’t provide service in and out of San Francisco. If you’re paying with cash, adult fares will cost $2.75, but if you use the MuniMobile app, or a clipper card, they’re only $2.50. With the MuniMobile app, you can purchase tickets ahead of time using a credit card online, which makes taking transit very convenient. If you plan to use other public transportation in the Bay Area, getting a clipper card might be a good option, because you can use the same card for all Bay Area public transit networks including Muni, Bart, Cal Train, City Coach, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and others. The clipper card costs $3, but is definitely worth it if you plan on using transit networks other than Muni. The SFMTA is a great resource if you want an in-depth look at getting around San Fran and the Bay Area.

Ride Share

Lyft and Uber are very popular in the city, and are great supplemental transportation options. Since parking can be hard to find, hopping in and out of a ride share can save you a lot of time. San Francisco even has a ride share called Homobile, a non-profit organization that offers transit for the LGBTQ+ community on a donation basis. How cool is that!?

Bike Share

San Francisco has a bike share network called GoBike. GoBike is a docked bike share system, and has bikes all over the city. If you’re brave enough to tackle those San Fran hills, or want to take a ride down Lombard St, then GoBike is a great option! One way rides start at $2, and you can even pay using your clipper card. If you want to give your legs a break, you can opt for the GoBike Plus, which is a pedal assist electric bike!

Has anyone else fallen in love with San Francisco? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to San Francisco, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

See the City of Monterey

The city of Monterey sits on the South end of Monterey Bay, and is well known for its Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, and the world renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. It’s a beautiful California city, and a great jumping off point for a trip to the Monterey area. Start with exploring the city centre, and the great shopping and dining on the historic wharf, then head to New Monterey and explore Cannery Row, where old cannery factories have been transformed into trendy restaurants with great nightlife. At the North end of Cannery Row is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a non-profit public Aquarium that does exceptional work in conservation – check out their Seafood Watch program. Next to the Aquarium is McAbee Beach, one of Monterey’s beautiful small beaches with gorgeous views of the bay. Other nearby beaches include nearby San Carlos Beach on the South end of Cannery Row, and the bigger Del Monte Beach and Monterey State Beach along the Bay. Monterey is a gorgeous California destination with a lot of different things to offer. Be sure to spend some time here to soak it all up.

Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea

South of Monterey Bay is Carmel Bay, and the adorable town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s one of our favourite spots because of how dog-friendly it can be, and how adorable and picturesque the village is. The city centre is full of restaurants, art galleries, museums, inns, and boutique shops, and it’s a beautiful spot to stroll around and explore. Many of the restaurants offer dog-friendly patios, and some even offer dog menus! This beach town is completely adorable. Carmel is an absolute must visit if you’re in Monterey County! Start by soaking up the town, and then head down to Carmel Beach. This one mile stretch of gorgeous sandy beach, offers beautiful views of the bay, and it’s a dog friendly spot where you can bring your pup! Something else that makes Carmel a special place, is that it’s home to the legendary Doris Day who also co-owns the pet friendly Cypress Inn. Another notable star, Clint Eastwood, was once mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and owns the city’s well known Mission Ranch Hotel & Restaurant. Carmel is such a unique spot, and absolutely a must do.

Stop by Santa Cruz

Sitting on the North end of Monterey Bay, is the city of Santa Cruz! Best known for its long wharf and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this coastal town is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in the Monterey area. Start by strolling through downtown to find plenty of one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops, as well as cute cafes, and great restaurants. Next to downtown, is the San Lorenzo River Walk, a scenic route along the river that leads down to the beach. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an amusement park featuring vintage rides and classic games, stretching along the gorgeous coast. Even if you don’t visit the park, it’s still worth exploring the boardwalk for the beautiful views of the bay and the sandy beach. At the end of the boardwalk is the Santa Cruz wharf that reaches out into Monterey Bay. From the wharf you’ll see a perfect view of the boardwalk, and you can often spot the local sea lions. The wharf is also a great spot to watch the surfers, or if you want to catch some waves yourself, grab a board and a wetsuit (the water can be cold!). Santa Cruz is a great place to spend an afternoon if you’re visiting the Monterey Bay area, don’t miss it!

Take a Day Trip to Big Sur & Bixby Creek Bridge

This part of California is famous for its most scenic stretch of coast called Big Sur, that stretches between Carmel and San Simeon. Stunning views include the beautiful mountains, the gorgeous Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, waterfalls, state parks, amazing cliffs, and the epic Bixby Creek Bridge. It’s easily one of the most incredible drives we’ve ever done, and definitely a major highlight of visiting this part of California. Big Sur and the Bixby Creek Bridge can easily be done as a day trip from the Monterey Bay area. You can take as much or as little time as you’d like, and see a lot on this drive! There are plenty of pull offs and vista points, and so many beautiful sights to take in. It is absolutely worth taking the time to see, and the number one thing that we recommend doing in this area! Bixby Creek Bridge is located about a 25 minute drive South of Carmel, and there are numerous view points along Hwy 1 to stop and take photos of it. If you turn off Hwy 1 onto the dirt road to the left just before you reach the bridge, there are also some really stunning views from up there! However you do it, be sure not to miss out on this amazing part of the Monterey region. Enjoy!

Where to Stay

Deciding where to stay in the Monterey Bay area, entirely depends on your budget as well as the type of experience you’re looking for. The city of Monterey has everything from upscale hotels to mid range motels, but it does tend to be a more expensive area for accommodations. Carmel-by-the-Sea is similar, with an assortment of charming inns and cottages that are completely adorable, and a handful of very high end hotels and ranches. Santa Cruz is definitely a great option, with plenty of cute and affordable beachside motels, and there are smaller towns along the bay that are still central if you don’t care to stay in any of the city centres. When booking hotels, inns, or similar accommodations, we like to use Hotels.com. Not only do they have competitive rates, they also do price matching, and have a great rewards program. For every ten nights you stay, you get one night for free. In an area like Monterey Bay, we also recommend considering an Airbnb. We love staying at unique properties because it offers an entirely different travel experience, and lets you discover the destination as more of a local. If you’ve never used Airbnb, click here to save on your first stay.

Where to Eat & Drink

The Monterey Bay area has a lot of great food options, and it definitely has something for everyone! In Santa Cruz, you’ll find cute and casual bistros, eateries, and restaurants sprinkled around downtown, the beachfront, and on the wharf. There are also plenty of plant based and health conscious options, which we loved; our faves being Cafe Gratitude, and Veg on the Edge. In the city of Monterey, the food scene is more upscale, with a focus on local ingredients! Monterey County is also well known for it’s wine and sustainable seafood. Head to Cannery Row for some of the trendiest spots, and if you’re interested in some awesome vegan options (we always are), check out El Cantaro and Hula’s Island Grill! In Carmel-by-the-Sea, the best cafes and restaurants are scattered around the downtown area. The food scene in Carmel is more classic and charming, and one of the best parts is that many of the restaurants have dog friendly patios! Expect to find a range of cuisines here, but fewer plant based options. The spots we discovered with vegan menu items were Village Corner California Bistro, Forge in the Forest, and Portabella. If you’re looking to grab a drink in town, be sure to check out Terry’s Lounge in the iconic Cypress Inn (Doris Day’s hotel). Terry’s has an old Hollywood feel with a well-rounded cocktail menu and four-legged friends are always welcome, both on the large patio and inside at the bar! Another quintessential Carmel experience is dining at Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch restaurant. The former dairy farm and current hotel and restaurant is located a little south of the other spots in town, but the views from the dining room are magnificent. The menu has a locally sourced theme, and is pretty heavy on the meat and seafood dishes. The food scene in the Monterey area is incredibly well-rounded, and you’ll be eating well no matter where you choose to go!

Lesbian Friendly

This part of California is progressive, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and quite LGBTQ+ friendly, despite there not being a lot of gay culture in the area. Unlike the nearby gay mecca of San Francisco, which is overflowing with LGBTQ+ history and gay/gay-friendly establishments, the Monterey Bay region doesn’t have any specific gaybourhoods. That doesn’t stop it from being a welcoming destination, and we’ve felt very comfortable every time we’ve visited. Locals are always kind and friendly, and we’ve never had any issues showing affection in public, or being open about our relationship. The state of California is seen as one of the most liberal in the US when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and they have been leaders in the fight for equality on numerous occasions. California was the first state to legalize same-sex domestic partnerships in 1999, and they legalized same-sex marriage for the first time in 2008, and again in 2013 after the ban was lifted. The state has legally banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and same-sex couples have equal marriage rights, and equal access to family planning. California has also banned conversion therapy on minors, and public schools are required to teach LGBTQ+ history in their curriculum. All of this makes California very progressive and a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. The Monterey Bay area is certainly welcoming of gay travellers, and the most prominent gay “scene” can be found in Santa Cruz. The small city hosts annual Pride celebrations, and offers weekly and monthly LGBTQ+ events, and a lesbian social meet up group called LezCruz. There is also an annual Pride celebration for the whole Monterey Peninsula.

How to Get Around

Drive

The best way to explore the Monterey Bay area, is definitely by car! You will be able to cover so much ground, explore all of the cities and seaside towns, and experience the incredible drive down the coast. Driving and parking in the cities of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Santa Cruz is low stress, easy, and most of the time, free. You won’t have any trouble finding street parking, and there isn’t a lot of traffic. Driving around the Bay is scenic and beautiful, and making it down to Big Sur is an absolute must. Road tripping is definitely the way to go in this region!

On Foot

Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz are all very walkable in their city centres, so once you get there, park the car and explore on foot. There are beautiful places to be discovered, and plenty of incredible sights to find while wandering around these spots.

Taxi or Rideshare

If you’re looking for a ride home after a couple of drinks, or just a quick and easy way to get around the cities without your car, the Monterey Bay area has both regular taxi services, as well as Uber and Lyft.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Monterey, California? Let us know in the comments

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Monterey Bay, California  appeared first on Lez See the World.

The Company

Disney has demonstrated through their company culture and progressive policies, that they support the LGBTQ+ community. Here are just some of the examples:

• In the US, where businesses are not required by law to offer health benefits to same sex partners, Disney has offered them since 1995.
• Disney has allowed same sex weddings at their US resorts since 2007, thirteen years before marriage equality in America.
• Beginning in 1991, Walt Disney World Orlando has celebrated Gay Days, which is an LGBTQ+ celebration that has become one of the most popular Pride events in the world. Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong have all followed suit.
• In 2013 Walt Disney World hired their first openly gay president.
• Disney signed amicus briefs for both the DOMA and Prop 8 cases, as well as a friend-of-the-court brief in 2015 in support of marriage equality.
• In 2018 Disney released their first rainbow Pride merchandise.
• Disney has featured gay and lesbian characters as well as same sex couples in their programming, despite opposition from religious groups.

Disneyland California

We’ve been to Disneyland California together in 2012 & 2017, and both times we felt very safe being out and open as a lesbian couple. California is one of the most progressive US states in regards to their LGBTQ+ policies, and they have been leaders in the fight for equality for our community. We held hands, kissed, and took couple photos in the California park, and we felt very comfortable being ourselves!

Walt Disney World Orlando

We visited the four Walt Disney World parks together in Florida in 2018, and were pleasantly surprised at how lesbian friendly they were. Florida is a more conservative state, and their LGBTQ+ laws certainly have room for improvement. That being said, the Disney Parks are a safe and welcoming place for our community, and we felt comfortable being open as a lesbian couple at Walt Disney World. There were other same sex couples being open in the parks (we saw the most at Epcot!), and there were plenty of people sporting rainbow Mickey ears, and other Pride gear.

Disneyland Paris

We went to Disneyland Paris together in 2016, and had an amazing time! It was our first experience at a Disney Park overseas, but we felt the same magic and the same feeling of safety and comfort as a same sex couple. The laws in France regarding LGBTQ+ people are quite progressive and Paris has often been regarded as one of the most gay friendly cities in the world. Nobody seemed to bat an eye when we held hands walking through the park or snuggled on the rides. We definitely felt safe being ourselves!

Tokyo Disney

We visited Tokyo Disney together in 2018, and we absolutely loved it. PDA isn’t a large part of Japanese culture, but we saw a lot of couples showing affection with one another at the Disney Park, which made us feel comfortable holding hands and stealing a kiss here and there. Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in Japan are relatively positive, and in general the culture is very polite and respectful. We felt comfortable being open as a lesbian couple.

Have you been to one of the Disney Parks? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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