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.

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

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.