LGBTQ+ Friendly Places

Miami Beach's iconic gay beach section marked by a rainbow flag near 12th Street and Ocean Drive. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent and the nearby bars and restaurants are easy walking distance. One of the most recognizable gay beach spots in America.

The Asbury Park beachfront has become one of the East Coast's most popular LGBTQ destinations. The city's long history with the gay community and its growing number of queer-owned businesses make it a welcoming place year-round. The beach boardwalk area has a great energy especially during summer weekends.

The northern end of Baker Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco's most famous clothing-optional and gay-friendly section. The views of the bridge are spectacular and the naturist community that gathers here has been doing so for many years. Arrive early as parking is limited.

Part of the legendary Fire Island beach scene in New York. Cherry Grove has been an LGBTQ gathering place since the 1940s and is one of the oldest gay resort communities in the country. The beach is beautiful the community is close-knit and the summer parties are legendary.

The Belmont Rocks area along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Chicago's Boystown neighborhood has been an informal gathering place for Chicago's gay community for decades. The lakefront location is beautiful and the crowd is welcoming and diverse.

A clothing-optional beach on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle that has been a gathering place for the gay community for decades. The location is beautiful with views across the lake and it has a quietly intimate feel that regulars treasure.

The more upscale of the two famous LGBTQ communities on Fire Island. The Pines is known for its circuit parties beach house gatherings and a social scene that draws gay men from across the country every summer. Car-free and connected by boardwalks it has a unique character unlike anywhere else.

The most popular LGBTQ beach in Provincetown and one of the most famous gay beaches in the country. Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore with beautiful clear water and stunning sunsets. The beach draws a diverse mix of gay and lesbian visitors and has an energetic social scene during peak summer season.

A favorite hangout for Key West's gay community with clear Gulf water and a relaxed low-key vibe. Located near the White Street Pier this beach is less crowded than the main tourist beaches and draws a regular crowd of locals and visitors who prefer a quieter afternoon by the water.

The main beach in Laguna Beach California is surrounded by one of the most LGBTQ-friendly small cities in the country. The town has a long history of supporting its gay community and the beach itself draws a mixed and welcoming crowd. Great art galleries and restaurants are all within walking distance.

A popular beach in Palm Beach County with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere for the LGBTQ community. Lake Worth has a strong queer presence downtown with gay bars shops and community spaces. The beach itself is clean comfortable and a short walk from the local scene.

A popular lakefront beach in Chicago that has a well-known gay section where the LGBTQ community gathers on warm summer days. The beach draws a diverse crowd and has been a gathering place for Chicago's queer community for generations. Easily accessible by public transportation from Boystown.

A gorgeous stretch of sand in Maine that has long been popular with the LGBTQ community. The town of Ogunquit is known for its welcoming character gay-friendly lodging and the Ogunquit Playhouse which has been producing excellent theater for decades. A quieter alternative to the more crowded gay beach scenes.

The well-known LGBTQ section of Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. During summer it fills up with a happy social crowd and the energy is always welcoming. Located at the south end of the main beach it has been the gathering spot for the gay community in Rehoboth for decades.

A dramatic and beautiful National Seashore beach at the very tip of Cape Cod near Provincetown. Less crowded than Herring Cove but equally beloved by LGBTQ visitors who make Provincetown their summer home. The lighthouse views and wide open dunes make it feel like the edge of the world.

Fort Lauderdale's most popular gay beach located near the heart of the LGBTQ-friendly hotel district. Beautiful white sand and warm Atlantic water with a crowd that is friendly and social. Nearby Wilton Manors adds a whole neighborhood of bars and restaurants to explore after the beach.

Key West's longest beach and a popular spot with both the gay community and general visitors. The shallow warm water makes it ideal for wading and the palm trees provide some shade. A nice option when the more popular gay spots get too crowded.