Countless people move to LA to make it big! Be it in music, TV, or film… it’s all in Los Angeles. And thanks to the spotlights of Hollywood, LA has a worldwide reputation as a hotspot for film, culture, history, LGBTQ+ rights, and more – attracting millions of international visitors each year looking to get a peek behind the curtain. Los Angeles is also home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the world, from West Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Los Feliz to the beach cities and the Valley.

So, what’s so great about LA? Ok, so not everything is perfect in “The City of Angels,” but you take the good with the bad, right? Wannabe models and movie stars with big attitudes way ahead of their would-be success abound – sure. But every city has its pros and cons, so let’s look up to LA and talk about some fun and exciting things to do, see, and explore – because hey, you’re going to go there anyway, right?

Table of Contents

1. General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Gay Hotels in Los Angeles
4. Sightseeing & Activities in Los Angeles
5. Gay Tours in Los Angeles
6. Restaurants and Cafes
7. Los Angeles Gay Bars & Clubs
8. Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
9. Gay Beaches in Los Angeles
10.Gay Events in Los Angeles
11. Day Trips from Los Angeles

General Tips

West Hollywood is definitely where the biggest LGBTQ+ scene is located, unless you’re really, really into the alternative scene. West Hollywood (called WeHo for short) has a whopping 25 gay bars, 26 gay shops, and 69 gay-friendly restaurants, and counting. Silver Lake, on the other hand, is where LA’s hipsters eat, live, and hang out. It’s home to Sunset Junction, the start of the LA LGBTQ+ civil rights movement at the famous Black Cat Bar (though no longer a gay place). You’ll find lots of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and vintage stores here. Next to West Hollywood, it’s probably the second most popular gay neighborhood in LA.

LA is always going to be busy whenever you visit, but during summer the big tourist sites like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios can look like someone kicked an ant’s nest. It also gets pretty hot. The best times to visit are, like in most places, during spring (April/May) and autumn (September/October). That way, you get pleasant temperatures, little rain, and slightly smaller crowds.

Los Angeles has so much to offer that you’ll definitely need to prioritize your top picks. Perhaps spend one day running around a theme park enjoying as many rides as possible, and the next day relaxing on the beach working on that tan. Or spend half a morning visiting a museum and the afternoon hiking to the Hollywood sign from the Griffith Observatory. Another full day can be devoted to exploring the rest of Hollywood’s various attractions.

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Transportation & Airport Transfer

If you arrive by plane, you’ll fly into LAX, Los Angeles’ largest and main airport. However, if you’re visiting surrounding areas of LA or happen to find a cheaper flight, you might arrive at one of the other regional airports, including Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario, or Orange County. When creating your itinerary, note that while Los Angeles has a decent public transit system of trains and buses, the city’s attractions are spread out. LA is known for having terrible traffic at any time of the day, and getting around takes time given the sprawling layout of the city. Public transport is not always practical, and you’re probably better off with a car to explore, or at least a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft. Both apps offer carpool or sharing options to reduce the price of your ride.

You can use the Los Angeles metro services to get around and avoid traffic. However, learning how to use the system for just a short visit might not be worth the effort. The metro’s highest ridership is found en route to favorite tourism hot spots, including Hollywood’s Red Line. Both the Red and Blue lines connect to Downtown Los Angeles.

Another option to get around includes one of the hop-on, hop-off bus routes like Star Line Tours or Big Bus Tours, which can take you to many of the major attractions across the city.

The WeHo PickUp is WeHo’s free nighttime ride with bus service every 15 minutes. It does a 6-mile loop around the neighborhood, so you can drink and party until your heart is content without worrying about transport. Service operates Friday and Saturday from 8 pm to 3 am.

Gay Hotels in Los Angeles

There aren’t currently any gay hotels in Los Angeles, but there are many gay-friendly options.

Downtown may seem like an obvious option as it’s a convenient location when visiting most large cities around the world. However, this may not be the case for L.A. as most of downtown is more of a business district than a tourist attraction. Hollywood is the next obvious choice because it’s near some of the most popular attractions that the city has to offer. Santa Monica is another great location, especially if you’re looking to be close to the beach. For a convenient spot between Hollywood attractions and the beach, consider Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. Some additional good places to stay include Los Feliz, the Arts District, or Venice. Below are a few recommended hotels to choose from.

Luxury

The W Los Angeles – Let’s talk about fabulous hotels. There are so many options in LA to stay, so it’s best to choose your neighborhood first. Located in Westwood, just next to Beverly Hills, is the W Los Angeles West Beverly Hills. Stylish, modern, and gay-friendly, it could be the perfect option to splurge.

Mondrian Hotel – Located in the heart of the Sunset Strip, this West Hollywood hotel offers unique rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of Los Angeles while enjoying a poolside cocktail at the famed Skybar. Mondrian Los Angeles in West Hollywood offers stylish guest rooms that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding areas from the LA skyline to the glittering Hollywood Hills. The Los Angeles Mondrian offers an outdoor pool with underwater music as well as a fitness center.

Mid-Range

Andaz West Hollywood – Just a 5-minute walk from the Sunset Strip, the Andaz West Hollywood features onsite dining and a rooftop pool. Rooms feature complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, and free WiFi. RH, the West Hollywood Andaz’s onsite restaurant, features seasonal California cuisine. The restaurant works to highlight “market to table” dishes. RH Bar is a chic evening space serving signature cocktails and appetizers.

The Delphi Hotel – Located in downtown Los Angeles, this unique and minimalistic hotel is 4 blocks from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It features a rooftop pool and offers modern décor. The Standard Restaurant is open 24/7 and serves American cuisine. Guests of The Delphi Hotel can enjoy an outdoor lounge with a fire pit, a classy lobby bar, and a well-equipped gym (for a hotel).

The Roosevelt Hotel – Perhaps you want to stay in Marilyn Monroe’s former studio apartment? Look no further! The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood is a classic with so much history plus an amazing outdoor pool. If nothing else, you have to at least pay a visit and have a drink at the bar. And guess what? The Roosevelt Hotel was the host of the first Academy Awards! Talk about history

The Garland Hotel – Found in North Hollywood near Universal Studios, this beautiful seventies vintage-styled hotel is LGBTQ+ owned. Rooms are lavishly decorated while still remaining on theme and having private balconies. On-site facilities include a large outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, and even a taco truck. The restaurant out front offers quality Californian cuisine, and their bar serves cocktails to enjoy on an expansive outdoor patio.

Budget

The Hollywood Hotel – Within walking distance of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Famous former guests include Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. All warmly decorated rooms are furnished with a table and chairs. Guests of The Hollywood Hotel can enjoy a continental breakfast each morning.

Ramada Plaza West Hollywood – Offering a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites is located near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant, Kitchen24.

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Sightseeing & Activities in Los Angeles

Hollywood Walk of Fame – Stretching along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, this iconic walkway features over 2,600 stars honoring celebrities from the entertainment industry, including such LGBTQ+ icons as Elton John, Cher, Freddie Mercury, and Ellen DeGeneres. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is not just a tourist attraction; it’s a celebration of the stars who have shaped entertainment history. Book tour →

Hollywood Sign – get your iconic photo op by visiting the Hollywood & Highland Center in central Hollywood. The design of the center features the sign well in the distance. The center is also worth a visit to check out its shops, restaurants, and most importantly, the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars take place. Stepping right outside the center on Hollywood Boulevard places you on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where you can begin your search for your favorite entertainment celebrity’s star. Book tour →

The Bradbury Building – Ok, this building doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the interior is a real treat. It’s been used as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood films over the decades. It’s free to enter and is worth strolling through during a walk around the historic LA area.

One National Gay & Lesbian Archives – The largest collection of LGBTQ+ history archives in the world. The archive itself (located at USC campus) is perhaps not the most exciting place to visit as it’s more of a resource for history buffs or researchers. But you can visit the satellite location in WeHo, which is a small gallery and museum with rotating exhibits.

Out of the Closet – This thrift store, located in West Hollywood plus several other LA locations, offers designer clothes at ridiculously low prices. Even better – all proceeds go to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Pharmacy, so you can feel good about your purchase.

The Getty Center – This is a cool museum and cultural center in an even cooler setting. It’s located at the top of a hill west of Los Angeles and features various types of art exhibits and amazing views of LA from several different lookout points. Some works on display include pre-20th century paintings, drawings, photographs, plus a collection of sculptures displayed on the outdoor terraces and in the gardens.

Rodeo Drive – This famously glamorous street, spanning three blocks, is home to high-end boutiques, designer stores, and upscale restaurants. Stroll past iconic shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, experiencing the lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous. Live out your Pretty Woman fantasies here, as this very street is where Julia Roberts' character indulged in her memorable shopping spree during the film. Book tour →

Sunset Strip – This legendary 1.6-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood has been a hotspot for celebrities and music lovers for decades. Tourists can explore famous music venues such as the Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy Theatre, and The Viper Room or pop into one of its many trendy bars, upscale restaurants, and chic boutiques. Neon signs and towering billboards create a dazzling display, especially at night, making it a perfect spot for an evening stroll. Book tour →

Disneyland Resort – The most magical place on earth needs little introduction as it’s easily the most famous theme park in the world. Technically two theme parks consisting of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, it’s located in Anaheim just southeast of Los Angeles. You could easily spend 3 days between the two parks and not see it all.

Universal Studios – Offers a look into the movie studios of Hollywood with a huge variety of rides and experiences. Visiting Universal Studios will easily take up an entire day of your getaway, so you’ll want to arrive early and get the most value out of your entry ticket.

Griffith Observatory – You can get a decent view of the famous Hollywood sign from the observatory, and it’s also worth a visit itself, offering a planetarium, exhibits, telescopes, and a cafe. Entrance is free.

The Wall Las Memorias Project – This monument was set up in 1993 and it’s the first publicly funded AIDS monument in the country. It’s an outdoor cultural landmark that honors all AIDS victims and is found in Highland Park.

Marina del Rey – This peaceful 12-acre lagoon is within easy walking distance from most of the Marina’s hotels. Staffed by lifeguards, the beach has playground equipment, sheltered picnic tables, and no surf, making it ideal for families.

Venice Beach – Swimming, surfing, fishing, bicycling and bike rentals, skating and rentals, volleyball and basketball courts, shopping, weightlifting area, handball courts, racquetball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, and showers.

Gay Tours in Los Angeles

The Slay Ride – LA is positively brimming with locations that appear in internationally LGBTQ+ loved shows, from contemporary gay favorites like Modern Family to camp classics like Golden Girls to reality shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The gay party bus tour known as “The Slay Ride” takes you on a wild romp around all the main filming locations of these shows as well as to other pop culture landmarks, drag shows, and all the best gay bars around the city. As well as cruising – no, not that type of cruising – through the most expensive neighborhoods in LA, you’ll enjoy the luxury bus’s amenities, take part in some rather inappropriate games, and even try your hand at slaying yourself in a series of lip-sync battles. Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes

You can find plenty of dining options all over the city, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique, try visiting some of L.A.’s ethnic neighborhoods. If you’re craving Japanese food, head to Little Tokyo, located downtown. In East Hollywood, there’s Thai Town, which is the only officially designated Thai neighborhood in the United States. Also, consider Koreatown, located west of Downtown, which has one of the largest Korean populations outside of Korea. Below are a few specific recommendations worth checking out during your visit.

Grand Central Market – This indoor market in downtown LA has over 40 merchants selling great produce, snacks, coffees, and miscellaneous food items. Go for lunch and enjoy cuisine ranging from Mexican and Asian to Cuban and American.

Hamburger Mary's Bar and Grill – Would you like some drag with your burger, served with a slice of sass? If so, then this establishment in West Hollywood is the place to be. As a restaurant, bar, and venue with live entertainment every night, you can ‘Eat, drink and be Mary’ – to use their words. Enjoy creatively named treats like the Love Me Tender chicken strips or the Buffy the Hamburger Slayer Burger.

Liberation Coffee House – Eat pastries and drink coffee for a good cause at this cafe, located within the Los Angeles LGBT Center on Santa Monica Boulevard. Profits are reinvested into the Center’s life-changing and life-saving programs and services. They serve pastries, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, as well as a range of other sandwiches and baked goodies.

Casita Del Campo – This Mexican restaurant is as pink as it gets. Both literally – it’s painted bright pink – and figuratively due to it being gay-owned. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and the whole restaurant is a visual delight: there are mosaic tables, Mexican artwork, and even a fountain. The food is also great and easily washed down with their extensive cocktail list. Found not far from Griffith Observatory.

The Ruby Fruit – A lesbian wine bar that's now also a restaurant with a decent lunch and dinner menu. Located on Sunset Boulevard, all are welcome, and they often have live music or even karaoke.

Takami Sushi & Robara Restaurant -Sushi with a view in Downtown LA. This LGBTQ+ owned Asian fusion restaurant is 21 floors up, offering 360-degree views of Los Angeles below. The sushi is amazing, as is the steak. Be sure to reserve, as it often books up weeks in advance.

Firefly – If you're looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly romantic spot when in LA, head west to Studio City for this sequestered, atmospheric restaurant. They serve delicious, upmarket American cuisine to a large patio dining area replete with fireplaces and curtained cabanas.

Los Angeles Gay Bars & Clubs

Gay nightlife in LA is diverse and has something for everyone. The best spots are located in West Hollywood, the Silver Lake area, and downtown LA. Discover these top gay-friendly favorites.

The Abbey – A gay landmark in West Hollywood. It’s a large, welcoming space with indoor and outdoor seating, several bars, and a good-sized dance floor in the back to shake it. You’ll find beautiful people and even more beautiful go-go dancers. This is where LA’s trendy gays come to play. They also serve food during the day.

Mother Lode – Can you take the Mother Lode? This raunchy dive bar is a staple in the West Hollywood scene as others come and go, so to speak, making it a laid-back alternative to The Abbey. It has cheeky road signs displaying naughty slogans behind the bar, serves craft cocktails, has a pool table, and a flirty atmosphere. They sometimes have themed nights, DJs, and go-go boys.

Flaming Saddles – Guys, you won’t find any go-go dancers here. Yes, it’s located in WeHo, but this is where you’ll find hunky cowboys line dancing or Coyote Ugly-style routines on top of the bar. Need we say more?

GYM Bar – Another totally different type of WeHo bar, unlike the Abbey and Flaming Saddles in every sense. This is where the sports fans can go to watch the game. Which game, you say? Ya, we’re not sure either, but hey, it might just be your thing. It’s also the hub for many of LA’s gay sports leagues.

Akbar – This is Silver Lake’s popular and trendy bar, but don’t worry – it’s not pretentious or snobby. The crowd is more alternative than WeHo, and it’s where all the hipsters go out.

The Eagle LA – Bears, leather daddies, and the odd harness – or ten – is what you can expect from this iconic bar. It has a biker feel with a pool table, pinball machines, besides also having a large darkroom. It's really busy on the weekends, and they run monthly events such as the popular Cruise Nights.

Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars

FLEXspas Los Angeles – There aren't many gay saunas left in LA, but this is one of the most popular in East Hollywood. There's an outdoor pool, a steam room, a sauna, private rooms, and video lounges.

Slammer – An unapologetically raunchy sex club that’s open every night except Mondays until either 2 am or 4 am. Inside you’ll find darkrooms, slings, and plenty of play spaces.

Gay Beaches in Los Angeles

Santa Monica State Beach – An inspired, albeit safe, choice for a day out by the ocean. Down the shore, at Lifeguard Tower 18, Ginger Rogers Beach is recognized as LA’s only (unofficial) gay beach. It’s not the best water for swimming, but who cares? This is a place to schmooze, lay out, and hopefully run into your speedo-wearing crush.

Gay Events in Los Angeles

LA Pride – The gay pride of Los Angeles takes place each summer in June. With more than 500,000 attendees, it’s a load of fun and a good reason to visit in June.

Outfest – This is LA’s LGBT+ film festival with 40,000 attendees each year. It’s LA’s largest and longest-running film festival to date.

Halloween Street Party – The largest Halloween street festival in the world is officially called the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival. This event also draws a crowd of 500,000 people to enjoy food, live entertainment, music, and costume contests. Dress to impress – in a costume, that is.

Gay Days Anaheim – An unofficial event in October at Disneyland where more than 30,000 LGBTQ+ community members wear red shirts and visit for the weekend. The event has special parties and events organized the same weekend.

Day Trips from Los Angeles

Palm Springs – Discover all that Palm Springs has to offer, including stunning desert scenery, luxe celebrity homes, and high-end shopping, during this 12-hour day trip from Los Angeles. Ascend into the mountains above town on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, enjoying the amazing landscape below. Then check out the unique flora and fauna at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Finish your day by admiring the exclusive celebrity homes along El Paseo and searching for a few designer bargains at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Book tour →

Want more info? Check out this Gay LA website from the local tourism office for more inspiration.

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