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

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

Check Out Comercio Plaza

Lisbon’s main city square Praca do Comercio, is an absolute must see. Sitting by the waterfront, the plaza is full of beautiful architecture like the Arco da Rua Augusta, adorable sidewalk cafes and restaurants, and tons of great shopping. The square is always full of artists, locals, and travellers, and is the perfect spot for people watching. Enjoy the water views and take it all in!

Visit Castelo de S. Jorge

One of the most popular historic sites in Lisbon, is the 11th century Sao Jorge Castle. Sitting on a hilltop in central Lisbon, it overlooks the city and the river. You can visit the preserved ruins as well as an archaeological museum, and the views from the castle cannot be compared. Wander around the grounds and be transported back through Portugal’s medieval history.

Explore the Old Town

Lisbon’s historic quarter is called the Alfama district, and is nestled between the river and the Sao Jorge Castle. Getting lost in the steep cobblestone streets and winding staircases, was one of our favourite things to do in Lisbon. In this area you’ll find plenty of Portuguese shops, small cafes, locally owned businesses, and authentic restaurants. Be sure to visit the Miradouro da Graca terrace for magical views of the water.

Listen to Some Fado

Lisbon is well known for its historic Fado music, which can be heard in the old quarter, and all over the city. The music is classical and often melancholy, and is played by live musicians in restaurants, bars, and clubs. You may hear some while you’re wandering the streets in the evenings, or you can go out for dinner at a restaurant with a Fado performance.

Discover Bairro Alto

Be sure to visit this neighbourhood for amazing street art, interesting architecture, classic old homes, and great local culture. At night, this area becomes very lively with diverse crowds heading out to the bars and clubs. This part of the city is also home to much of Lisbon’s gay nightlife.

Ride the Elevador da Bica

Lisbon’s famous Bica Funicular is a historic cable car that takes you up a steep hill. The iconic ride is worth it for the views, but if you don’t want to ride it, try to spot the car on its route!

Go Out on Pink Street

Rua Nova do Carvalho, nicknamed as Lisbon’s “pink street” is the heart of the city’s nightlife. Formerly Lisbon’s red light district, this area has been rehabilitated into a late night destination of clubs, parties, bars, and eateries. If you’re looking for a fun night out, be sure to check out this spot.

Visit Praca do Rossio

Another one of Lisbon’s main city plazas, Rossio Square is located in the busy downtown area, popular for its restaurants and shopping. The plaza is very centrally located for a day of exploring, and is a good place to start if you’re doing sightseeing around the city.

Enjoy Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara

This terrace offers one of the most incredible panoramic views of Lisbon. Come here for sunset and enjoy overlooking the beautiful city. There is often live music, as well as food and drink stalls.

Explore Parque Eduardo VII

As the largest park in Lisbon, this is a great spot to go for a walk, enjoy the gardens, and take a nice break from the bustling city. Stretching 26 hectares, this park is the perfect place to go for a quiet afternoon.

Stroll Along the Riverfront

You can’t visit Lisbon without taking a walk down the waterfront promenade. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset, do some people watching, enjoy some live music, relax at a sidewalk cafe, have a drink on a patio, or just enjoy views of the water. One of our favourite things to do was go walking by the river, and there was always so much going on!

Take a Day Trip to Sintra

If you’re looking for an easy day trip to get outside of Lisbon, the city of Sintra is the perfect option. It’s about a half hour drive, or an hour on the train, and it’s a beautiful resort town full of castles, palaces, and estates. It’s certainly possible to do in a single day, and is an easy trip from Lisbon. Don’t miss the Pena National Palace, Moorish Castle, the National Palace of Sintra, or the Quinta da Regaleira. There are also plenty of great cafes and restaurants to visit in between seeing the incredible sights. Enjoy!

Where to Stay

Lisbon has so many amazing neighbourhoods to stay in, and it all depends on what you’re looking for during your visit. If you’d like to stay somewhere romantic that feels authentic and full of history, you will love the Alfama district. We’ve stayed there twice and had an amazing time. If you’re looking to be somewhere a little bit more funky with great options for going out at night, Bairro Alto would be a good choice. If you like being in the centre of the action and want to stay in a really central area, the Baixa neighbourhood or the Chiado neighbourhood are both perfect. In Lisbon, both hotels and Airbnbs are great for accommodations, and both would be safe options in the city. We chose to stay in Airbnbs during both of our stays and we loved the authentic experience it gave us. It was also really nice to be connected to a local host that could offer us plenty of local recommendations! Staying in an Airbnb in a neighbourhood that isn’t as busy with tourists, is a great way to support the local businesses and have a more authentic travel experience. You will also likely get a lot more for your money! If you’ve never used Airbnb before, you can click here to save on your first stay. If you choose to go the hotel route, there are plenty of great options in central locations around the city. When booking hotel accommodations we use Hotels.com because they have great rates and they also do price matching. We also love their loyalty program which gives you one free night for every ten nights you stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

Lisbon’s culinary scene is well known for its seafood, and traditional Portuguese delicacies. While it hasn’t always been a foodie paradise, in recent years the restaurant scene has evolved quite a lot. A good place to start is Time Out Market, a huge gourmet food hall with restaurants, bars, market vendors, specialty shops, and more. Everything has been curated by experts and is top quality, covering a large range of international cuisines. Along with their regular daily service, the market also offers cooking classes, live shows, and special events. This is definitely where you should start when you’re discovering Lisbon’s food scene! One thing the famous food hall doesn’t have, is a lot of plant-based options, so if you’re searching for vegan food we compiled a list of our favourite spots. For a fully plant-based meal, head to Ao 26 Vegan Food Project, Organi Chiado, or Eight the Health Lounge. Graca 77 offers vegan and vegetarian food, Primo Basilico has vegan pizza, and Sama Sama offers vegan crepes! Lisbon also has an amazing late night scene, with plenty of wine bars, lounges, and clubs to grab a drink at. You can also legally drink on the streets, which means that late at night you’ll see plenty of people spilling onto the sidewalks, drink in hand. In our opinion, nothing beats a glass of wine on an outdoor patio overlooking the city, and if you’re looking to try something really authentic, be sure to taste Lisbon’s famous drink Ginjinha, a Morello cherry liqueur. We recommend buying a shot from one of the many older women in Alfama, you’ll see them set up around the neighbourhood with a table and a bottle!

Lesbian Friendly

Portugal has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in the world! The country legalized same-sex marriage back in 2010, and they’ve had discrimination protections in place since 2003. They also made May 17th their National Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and are continually working to protect the community. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly the country of Portugal is. We felt very safe and supported during our time in Lisbon, and had no issues being out and open while visiting the city. We held hands and showed affection on the street, we booked Airbnbs with local hosts and were open about being a lesbian couple, and we were honest with the people that we met about the fact that we’re married. We never felt the need to hide our relationship for our own safety, and everyone we met seemed to be very welcoming. In the city of Lisbon, the prominent gay areas are Bairro Alto, Principe Real, and Chiado. This is where you will find most of the LGBTQ+ nightlife, (and the nightlife in Lisbon is incredible!). Many of the gay clubs in the city draw a mixed crowd, and while the community establishments tend to cater most to gay men, places in Lisbon seem to be welcoming of lesbian women and couples. Some of the hot spots include Construction – a weekend club that’s great for dancing, Trumps – one of the original LGBTQ+ establishments in Lisbon, Sidebar – a small local favourite, and Bar 106 – another original Lisbon gay bar. If you’re specifically looking to be around other gay women, Purex is a gay and lesbian spot that is very welcoming of queer women, and tends to draw the most diverse crowds. This is definitely the closest thing you’ll get to a lesbian bar in Lisbon! If you want to catch a drag show, be sure to head to Finalmente Club with live performances that start late in the night, and if you happen to visit Lisbon in June, check out its Pride festivities as part of their Arraial Lisboa Pride Festival. Another annual event is Queer Lisboa, an International Queer Film Festival that takes place in September. Overall, Lisbon is a very lesbian friendly destination, and a popular spot for lesbian travellers. If you’re looking to travel somewhere you can feel safe and welcomed, and where you can experience some local gay culture, Lisbon is a great European destination to add to your list.

How to Get Around

Walk

Lisbon is very walkable, and we’ve found that one of the best ways to get around is on foot if you’re able to. It is quite hilly and some of the streets are steep, but it is fairly easy to get from one area to the next by walking. You can do some great people watching when you’re wandering around on foot, and it’s a great way to discover some spots that you may not have had on your list. Be sure to walk around the old town in Alfama, and get lost on the staircases and in the narrow cobblestone corridors.

Public Transportation

Lisbon’s public transportation is also a safe and easy way to get around. They have a metro system, which is one of the cleanest and most well maintained subways in Europe, as well as city buses and trams. You can get a magnetic card called a 7 Colinas Card, which you can top up to pay your fare easily while exploring the city.

Taxi or Rideshare

Another good option for getting around the city is by taxi. Registered taxis are safe to ride in Lisbon, and you can hail them on the street, or get one at a designated taxi stand. Be sure to have your driver run the meter (especially when coming from the airport), the taxi rates are very reasonable. Lisbon also has Uber, as well as a popular taxi hailing app called MyTaxi.

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

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