Gay neighborhood los angeles
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And of course, due to being one of the most diverse cities in the United States, a large number of those visitors are members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are warmly welcomed.
In my gay Los Angeles guide I’ll share everything you need to plan the perfect trip!
Is Los Angeles gay friendly?
In short, yes, Los Angeles is viewed as a very gay-friendly destination.
As such, it may be worthwhile to download Uber and Lyft prior to travelling, both quite reasonable.
And there you have it – our complete gay guide to Los Angeles!
The Strip is home to lively bars, Parisian-style restaurants, a plethora of high-end shops, fantastic bookstores and several spas.
LGBTQ-friendly Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, Santa Monica Boulevard is where it’s all happening, with hot spots ranging from pulsing dance clubs to friendly neighborhood dive bars.
One example is Gender Justice on the east side, which advocates for the dignity of transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people of all races and backgrounds. LA gets more than 280 sunny days yearly, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Traffic
The City of Angels is famous for its heavy traffic. Palm Springs, renowned as a gay retiree destination, is about 2 hours away if you’d like a quiet getaway.
Buying
Your financial position and long-term plans determine the choice between renting and buying. This marks a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the city’s ongoing housing demand. If you opt for three bedrooms, be ready to part with more than $4,187. Wildfires, earthquakes, and droughts are significant concerns in Southern California.
The Happiest Place on Earth, Disney Land, is no more than 1 hour away even in heavy traffic.
There are also closer options, such as San Diego, which is only about 2-3 hours away by car, or Orange County (Newport Beach and Huntington Beach), which can be reached in 40 minutes to 1-hour driving time from Pacific Coast Highway southbound.
It’s no surprise that California is one of the most gay-friendly states.
As WeHo is actually an autonomous city, this high percentage technically makes WeHo the gayest city in the world!
WeHo is home to a large number of gay bars and gay clubs, as well as many LGBTQ+ owned and friendly businesses, such as bookstores, shops, restaurants, and cafes.
We loved strolling through WeHo, shopping, or sitting enjoying a cup of coffee and seeing so many other LGBTQ+ couples going about their day, and engaging in PDA with no second thought because they were in a gay city!
Gay-Friendly Hotels in LA
As previously mentioned, Los Angeles is a very gay-friendly city, and as such LGBTQ+ travellers will be warmly welcomed in pretty much every hotel that they choose to stay in.
Where did we stay in Los Angeles?
During our visit to Los Angeles two hotels came highly recommended for the purposes of our visit – one located in North Hollywood, close to Universal Studios, and then other in the heart of Hollywood (which has since closed so we can’t recommend it anymore).
The Garland
The Garland was our home for our first 4 nights in Los Angeles, and we were very warmly welcomed and well looked after during our stay here.
The Garland brands itself as an “urban oasis” and we can see why – the hotel is built within seven lush acres, yet is still within easy access from some of the iconic landmarks and attractions for which Los Angeles is famous, such as Universal Studios and the Hollywood Sign.
We loved the large outdoor pool, perfect to cool off at the end of the busy day sightseeing, and the onsite restaurant ‘The Front Yard’ – a casual and relaxed dining venue – was ideal for unwinding and enjoying a meal without having to venture out of the hotel.
Check rates and book!
Gay-friendly hotels in WeHo:
When it comes to choosing a hotel in Los Angeles, given the scale of the city location tends to be the deciding factor for most people, based on where they plan to spend most of their time, or depending on the attractions they want to visit.
For LGBTQ+ travellers, given that West Hollywood is the epicentre of gay Los Angeles, many choose to stay here, and there are plenty of gay-friendly hotels to choose from in this gay city.
Petit Ermitage
Petit Ermitage is a beautiful 4-star hotel located close to WeHos vibrant gay nightlife scene.
During the day, go to West Hollywood Park or walk down Sunset Strip to shop for the latest fashion and dine on the best food. Go for a scenic walk or bike ride around the Silver Lake Reservoir. Outfest, an annual film festival, showcases LGBTQ+ films from all over the world and is also culturally significant for the city.
The Broad Museum and The Getty Center often display pieces of art that explore queer identities and experiences.
Researching and investing in appropriate insurance policies can mitigate these risks.
Weather
Los Angeles has a sunny and mild Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot and very dry (August being the hottest month), with an average high of 84°F and low of 66°F. Akbar in Silver Lake offers a more laid-back setting where people can go and relax if they want somewhere less intense.
Gracias Madre serves tasty vegan Mexican dishes in an elegant indoor-outdoor setting on Santa Monica Boulevard, right near West Hollywood’s Border Grill location.
Casita del Campo serves traditional Mexican fare surrounded by colorful art pieces hung inside its walls.
The spectacular views of the sea make it the perfect place for gay friendliness and tolerance, and it has a progressive attitude.
Things to Do
At the Santa Monica Pier, you can relax or take in some sun at Will Rogers State Beach, which has a section designated explicitly for gay people. Prices vary by neighborhood, with areas like Beverly Hills and Santa Monica commanding much higher prices than more suburban regions.
While it’s possible to secure a loan with as little as 3% down for a first-time buyer or 5% down with a conventional loan, homeowners should strive to provide 20% or more in order to eliminate mortgage insurance and secure the best rates.
With a population of over four million people, it is the second most densely populated city in the United States after New York.
Thanks to its year-round warm temperatures, stunning beaches, and of course iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame, it is no wonder that each year millions of people visit. This joint is in Silverlake territory, not too far from Akbar if you’re looking for more than one stop on your food tour around town.
Arts and Culture
Los Angeles celebrates diversity, and its arts and culture scene reflects the vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
There are currently over 2700 stars on the Walk of Fame.
To find out if your favourite artist has a star, and where to find it, you can visit the directory on www.walkoffame.com.
There are also many other things to do in the near vicinity of the Walk of Fame, such as visiting the Dolby Theatre – home to the Oscars, the Chinese Theatre, and if you enjoy shopping you can go to Hollywood and Highland – an entertainment venue with many shops and viewpoint with a view of the Hollywood Sign.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the largest museum in the United States devoted to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking.
The Academy Museum features multiple exhibitions and programs, some of them interactive, that bring the world of cinema and motion pictures to life, and tells the story of how this has evolved over time.
Address: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
Explore the Grove
The Grove is an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex, consistently ranked as one of California’s most popular malls.
The Grove is home to some high-end designer stores, such as Michael Kors and Nordstrom, as well as multiple restaurants, and a cinema.
We have also looked at hotels that carry booking.com’s “Travel Proud” certification – showing that the property has been certified by booking.com as an inclusive and welcoming place to stay for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
LA Gay Hotel Guide
Gay Bars in LA
Gay nightlife in Los Angeles is very diverse and offers something for everyone.