The Best Gay Beaches in California

Apr. 24 2019

by Lachlan

With the temperatures heating up, it is the perfect occasion to drop towels and hit the sands for the new season of the best California gay beaches. While your first thoughts of gay California might orient towards San Francisco and Los Angeles, the sunny state is also home to plenty of gay beaches. From golden stretches of sand in San Francisco to gay beaches in Santa Monica, we bring you the best gay beaches in California to give you that much-needed dose of vitamin D this summer.

Black’s Beach San Diego

_{©Flickr/Tony Webster}

In terms of gay beaches in Southern California, Black’s Beach is a solid contender. Along with being a gay beach, it is also a nude one, meaning you don't need to worry about any awkward tan lines after a session in the sun! Black’s Beach is located to the north of San Diego’s downtown, and you will find it at the foot of 300-meter-high sandstone cliffs. While the effort to get to Black’s Beach may initially seem great, it will be well worth the trip once you’re reclined on the golden sands of this Californian gay beach.

Baker’s Beach San Francisco 

Enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge from a golden sandy gay beach in San Francisco, and embrace the warm season like a boss for your next gaycation to California. Baker’s Beach is scenically positioned with the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it one of the most popular San Francisco gay beaches. It is also a gay nude beach, so if you fancy the idea of dropping a towel, go ahead and soak up some sun au natural. While this beach spills into the tempting Golden Bay, swimming is not recommended due to strong currents in the water - so it’s only sand sessions here. 

Gaviota Beach Santa Barbara 

_{©Flickr/Matt Evans}

While Gaviota Beach is not exclusively a gay beach, it is definitely gay-friendly, offering a safe, welcoming environment for the LGBTQ crowd to sunbathe. Gaviota Beach is also officially a gay nude beach in California, so you can leave your inhibitions at home with a visit to this place. Gaviota is just under 50 kilometers from Santa Barbara, making this a cinch to visit for a weekend session in the sun. The beach itself offers a dramatic landscape, as it is positioned at the foot of towering cliffs, which also gives it the added feeling of being secluded.

West Street Beach Laguna Beach 

_{©Flickr/Don Graham}

Looking for one of the top gay beaches in Southern California? You’ll be starry-eyed over West Street Beach in Laguna Beach. On the fringe of salubrious Orange County, you can get your dose of glamor before hitting the sands of West Street Beach. There is a clearly identifiable gay section of the beach, which attracts a variety of local gay men from Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The beach is also host to a series of gay-themed parties and festivals throughout the year. Due to the beach’s relatively private location, it doesn’t get overly crowded either, even during peak season. The area also offers several gay bars should you wish to mingle with some locals over a cocktail.

Will Rogers Beach Santa Monica 

_{©Flickr/Sergei Gussev}

In terms of gay beaches in Santa Monica, Will Rogers is your best bet. The expansive beach is dotted with volleyball courts, restaurants, and a gay section which you will find at the northern part of the beach, near lifeguard tower 18. This specific part is referred to as Ginger Rogers Beach. While clothing is required at Will Rogers Beach, the lively, open-minded spirit found here will ensure you’ll have a fun time on the sand. If you plan to do your gaycation in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, you’ll be pleased to know this gay beach is roughly a 30-minute drive away, meaning you can tan by day and party by night. 

Venice City Beach, Los Angeles

_{©Flickr/Esther Lee}

Amongst Los Angeles’ gay beaches, Venice City Beach is arguably one of the city’s main ones. As its name would suggest, this gay beach is located in the Venice District of Los Angeles, and it stretches right from Venice Pier all the way up as far as Santa Monica. The gay section of this beach is located in front of the Venice Skate Park, where Market Street meets Ocean Front Walk. Along with offering golden sand and plenty of gay boys to mingle with, Venice City Beach is renowned for its mix of different street performers and vendors.

San Onofre Nude Beach San Clemente 

This nude beach in California is rather hidden, and you will find it below the sandstone walls of the Bluffs Campground area. Clothing is entirely optional here, and you will see many people getting their tan on in the nude. While there is not a specifically allocated gay area of the beach, it is known to be in a hidden corner of Camp Pendleton, which makes it half the fun just trying to find it. Positioned in the south part of Orange County, San Onofre falls halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, making it a doable option in whichever of the two Cali cities you choose to base yourself in.

Loved this? Check out our round-up of Top Nude Gay Beaches in the USA.