Best Gay Beaches in California

California’s coastline is legendary, and so is its LGBTQ+ beach culture. From Los Angeles to San Diego, the Golden State is home to some of the best gay destinations on the planet. It’s also home to one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ populations, so you can expect plenty of eye candy on the beach.

Will Rogers State Beach – Los Angeles

Located just north of Santa Monica, Will Rogers Beach (aka “Ginger Rogers Beach”) is LA’s most popular gay beach. The gay section is around Lifeguard Tower 18 - look for the rainbow flags and speedos.

The beach spot became a popular destination for gay men in the 1940s and was soon dubbed "Ginger Rogers Beach" in honor of the silver screen actress (she who danced backwards and in high heels), who was known for her campy performances that drag queens began emulating in the 1930s and 1940s.

In recognition of its historical significance, Los Angeles County painted lifeguard towers 17 and 18 in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag in June 2023 and installed signs highlighting the area's cultural importance to the LGBTQ+ community. You will recognise the setting from many an Instagram thirst trap.

Black’s Beach – San Diego

San Diego’s unofficial gay beach and nudist hangout. Black’s Beach sits below the Torrey Pines cliffs and requires a bit of a hike, but the reward is a wide, secluded stretch of sand that attracts a loyal LGBTQ+ following. Clothing optional, body confident, and with some discreet cruising areas inland from the beach.

There's only one truly gay beach in San Diego and that's Black's Beach, which is renowned as one of the premier gay beaches globally. Even the San Diego tourist board sings the praises of this gay beach on its website.

The beach has a specific section that's particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ community - the northernmost section of the beach, established as the gay section.

Black's Beach is also famous as one of the largest nude beaches in the United States. The beach is located beneath 300-foot cliffs at Torrey Pines and requires a challenging hike down steep trails to access, making it a private and wild location for more intrepid travelers. Once you find the gayborhood on the beach, you can bask in the aqua waters and the warm embrace of the Californian sun. Be prepared as there are no facilities; you need to bring your own food, drink and sun umbrellas, and the return hike up the cliffs is quite strenuous. It’s worth it though! Further reading: The Best Gay Nudist Beaches in the USA

Baker Beach – San Francisco

Marshall's Beach in San Francisco is very popular with gay men. It's been popular with gay men for years as it's quiet, slightly secluded, and has amazing views of bridges and bulges. The beach is the last place in San Francisco where you can be naked in nature.

Marshall's Beach is very much prime cruising territory, should you be inclined to hook up the old-fashioned way. The vast majority of the gay beachgoers end up in the more secluded second section of the beach that requires climbing over low rocky barriers. The beach is specifically noted as not exactly family-friendly, and if you're not a guy and don't lean toward the gay end of the sexual spectrum, you'd do better sticking to Baker Beach instead. The beach has spectacular close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You may even find your very own Michael Tolliver (one for the Tales of the City fans).

West Street Beach – Laguna Beach

West Street Beach was known as Laguna's preeminent gay beach for decades and is still extremely popular within the LGBTQ+ community. The beach is located on the southern end of town in Laguna Beach. It’s rustic with huge expanses of sand and abundant tide pools. During the day, crowds flock to this beach, and it even hosts special events like one of the biggest unofficial 4th of July gatherings for the LGBTQ+ community in Southern California and an annual West Street Beach Pride celebration in August. 

The beach's gay credentials are rooted in Laguna Beach's history - it was in 1982 that Laguna Beach made national news by electing the first openly gay mayor in Orange County, Bob Gentry (not to be confused with Bobbie Gentry, the celebrated country singer).