With its incredible coastline, nurturing communities, and extensive attractions, San Diego is a magnet for anyone who wants a little bit of everything. If you’re considering moving here, you won’t be surprised that one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country has culture, establishments, and activities that appeal to diverse interests.
From hiking seaside cliffs during the day to clubbing at night, this LGBTQ haven has something for everyone!
A Brief History of San Diego
San Diego, known as "the birthplace of California," was first settled in 1602 when Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno landed at modern-day Point Loma.
The Spanish held the territory until losing it to Mexico in 1821. California became part of the United States in 1848 and was granted statehood in 1850. San Diego was established as the county seat of San Diego County.
The town grew slowly until 1880, when the establishment of military facilities led to rapid settlement. There was more growth and development during and immediately after World War II when both the Navy and the Marines established military posts.
Today, the biotech and tourism industries thrive in the city, and a 1990s craft beer brewery boom gave San Diego the nickname “America’s Craft Beer Capital.” It is currently the 8th largest city in the United States.
Evolution of the Gay Community in San Diego
San Diego’s LGBT history began in the 1940s when American military service members arrived for training and wartime postings. The LGBTQ community began moving to Hillcrest in the 1960s. Laws discriminating against LGBT individuals existed, but the Stonewall Riots in New York spurred nationwide change.
In response, the Hillcrest Center for Social Services opened in the 1970s to foster social and political rights for the city’s LGBT people. San Diego Pride began in 1974, and the first unofficial Pride parade was held in the same year.
In 1993, Christine Kehoe became the first openly LGBT San Diegan elected to the City Council. Then, in 2011, in anticipation of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” this became the first city with active and retired military personnel who openly marched in the Pride parade.
Unsurprisingly, as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly states, San Diego has the 16th largest LGBTQ+ population of major metropolitan areas in the country. On HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, the city scored 95/100, gaining an excellent score in the category of Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality.
As of 2021, the city is 4.5% LGBTQ+, with over 115,000 LGBTQ residents. Today, there are many areas where LGBTQ feel comfortable living, working, and thriving.
People from all backgrounds are welcome in this sunny city: in fact, 21.5% of the population is immigrants, and 68 different languages are spoken regularly here. Some of the languages you’ll hear other than English while strolling through town include Spanish, Filipino, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
San Diego’s Top Gay Neighborhoods
Each neighborhood has its unique history, attractions, and charm, making it ideal for a diverse range of residents and visitors. From lively club scenes and bustling art districts to family-friendly areas and historic sites, these neighborhoods are known for their inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Hillcrest
The LGBTQ hub of San Diego, Hillcrest, has the largest LGBT community in the city.
LGBTQ+ residents began moving here in the 1960s, attracted to the low rent and urban vibe. This active and welcoming gayborhood is among the most walkable, with a blend of eclectic shops, gay bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Many San Diego LGBT community events begin in Hillcrest. The third-largest Pride parade in the country starts at Pride Plaza under the famous 65-foot-tall Hillcrest Pride Flag.
Pride Plaza hosts the Hillcrest Farmers’ Market every Sunday, renowned as San Diego's largest and best, where locals gather to buy fresh produce. Hillcrest also hosts a monthly art walk and Sunday Funday, plus the annual Taste of Hillcrest in April, Pride Block Party in July, and CityFest in August.
Home prices are slightly lower in Hillcrest than in other parts of the city. Most of the area is urban, with apartments and condominiums. In this locale, a one-bedroom condo sells for around $500,000.
There are pockets of single-family homes and townhouses in the neighborhood. The style is predominantly early twentieth-century Craftsman and mid-century modern-style homes ranging from $1 million to $1.8 million. Newer luxury townhouses average $3 million for a three-bedroom.
North Park
It may appear to be a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood during the day, but this area comes alive at night with a thriving bar and restaurant scene. Much of the action is along 30th Street and University Avenue, where specialty shops and leather bars mix with craft breweries and performing arts venues.
The area was developed as a 40-acre lemon grove in the 1890s but rapidly shifted into a commercial and residential district. It’s home to the famous Balboa Park that includes the San Diego Zoo, a weekly Farmers’ Market on Thursdays, and San Diego’s largest art walk in the Ray Street Arts District.
This district is also known for its craft beer scene, with breweries like North Park Beer Co. and Mike Hess Brewing leading the way.
One of San Diego’s most historic districts, residences are a mix of single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and apartments. The architecture is typically 1920s Craftsman style and bungalows, ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million for a single-family home. One-bedroom condos typically start around $500,000. Almost three-quarters of the residents in the neighborhood are renters.
Normal Heights
Normal Heights is anything but…well, normal!
Nicknamed “Abnormal Heights” by locals, the area is known for its eclectic vibe and entertaining festivals. 10 miles from downtown San Diego, the area has walkable streets with dining, quaint boutiques, clubs, and coffee shops where locals relax and people-watch.
The neighborhood holds many events for music lovers. In September, the Adams Avenue Street Fair, South California’s largest music festival, showcases concerts and live music, local vendors, and food stalls for two days. For those who love vintage shopping, Antique Row is a must-visit, while Lestat's Coffee House is a popular spot for live music and open mic nights.
Apartments, condominiums, and duplexes cluster in the south, with the rest of the area filled with single-family homes on larger lots. Detached homes tend to be Spanish, Craftsman, or Mission Revival-style bungalows.
Condos usually sell between $350,000 and $600,000, and single-family homes are about $800,000 for a two or three-bedroom. Four-bedroom homes and those with larger square footage sell between $1.2 million to just under $2 million.
University Heights
Districts like Hillcrest, with vibrant events and active nightlife, attract a large population of the LGBT community. But those who prefer a more intimate, quiet neighborhood choose University Heights to call home.
Only five miles from downtown San Diego, the area has city amenities that are a walk or bike ride away. Residents enjoy multicultural food and events, LGBTQ+-themed entertainment at The Diversionary Theatre, and stunning views at University Heights Point Park.
Balboa Park, located nearby, offers a wealth of cultural experiences, including museums, gardens, and the Zoo. In the summer, this locale also features the popular Trolley Barn Park, which hosts outdoor concerts every Friday night and community events. For dining, spots like Parkhouse Eatery and Kairoa Brewing Company are local favorites.
Most homes are single-family Craftsman and Spanish bungalows, but renewed interest in the last decade has fueled condominium construction. Prices range from $800,000 for smaller, cottage-style bungalows to $2.5 million for 1920s renovations.
Places to Go: Our Favorite Spots
San Diego is considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in America, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of establishments that foster meaningful connections among the LGBT community.
Bars and Restaurants
Hillcrest Brewing Company, the world’s first and only gay brewery, is a city favorite for wings, pizza, and hoppy beers. Locals in the mood for a dive-bar ambiance hit the LGBTQ institution Number 1 Fifth Avenue.
For dinner and drinks, InsideOUT is an LGBTQ-owned and operated restaurant with casual, elevated dining and a seasonal menu. Visit Urban Mo’s Bar and Grill, a self-proclaimed “hetero-friendly gay bar” in Hillcrest that serves cocktails and incredible burgers.
After The Flame, a lesbian bar, closed in 2004, the city’s current favorite bar and restaurant by-women, for-women is Gossip Grill. Whether you’re looking for a woman-centered event or a safe, fun space to hang out with friends, Gossip Grill has it.
Nightlife
The nightlife is, without a doubt, vibrant and energetic. Experience part of the city’s LGBTQ history at The Rail in Hillcrest. Called The Brass Rail when it opened downtown as the first gay bar in San Diego, it’s an LGBT institution for drinks, dancing, and theme nights.
Lips is a drag dinner club with nightly shows, Bitchy Bingo, and Sunday Dragalicious Gospel Brunch. For packed dance floors, check out Flicks, which has cheap drinks and go-go dancers, or Rich’s San Diego, which locals say is worth the wait to get in.
Community Centers
The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, affectionately known as “The Center,” is one of the largest LGBTQ organizations in the country.
To support the hundreds of LGBTQ+ businesses in the city, the San Diego Equality Business Association (SDEBA) was established. It’s one of the oldest LGBTQ business associations in the country, and they work to create meaningful connections among San Diego’s businesses.
Things to Do: Soaking in the City
Whether under the famous Hillcrest Pride Flag or on a sandy beach, there are plenty of cultural and outdoor activities in and around San Diego neighborhoods.
Arts and Culture
The biggest LGBTQ-themed celebration in the city is San Diego Pride in July. The week-long extravaganza includes She Fest, a woman-centered event on Normal Street in Hillcrest, the Pride of Hillcrest block party, the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, and numerous smaller parties throughout the city.
The San Diego Pride Parade, one of the largest parades in the country, attracts over 250,000 people. It begins at Pride Plaza on Normal Street, under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, and ends at Balboa Park for the two-day Pride Festival, which lasts well into the night.
Residents take in the performing arts at the Diversionary Theatre, the third oldest LGBTQ theater in the United States, and the Old Globe, modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Best Parks and Beaches
Balboa Park is the city's most well-known public park, spanning 1,400 acres and home to the San Diego Zoo and over 16 museums. There are also plenty of smaller green spaces to explore. Residents enjoy Pioneer Park in Hillcrest, Adams Community Recreation Center in Normal Heights, and North Park’s Community Park.
Of course, beaches are all within an easy drive! Black’s Beach is the chosen hangout spot for LGBTQ beachgoers. For those daring enough, there’s even a clothing-optional section.
Ocean Beach has a surfer-hippie vibe with plenty of swimming and room for dogs to run off-leash. Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park in the country, with 4,600 acres of watersports, fishing, boating, and even SeaWorld.
For incredible views and challenging hikes, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has 1,750 acres of stunning wilderness dedicated to protecting the Torrey Pine tree.
Making San Diego Your Home
The city may have a reputation as an expensive place to live, but San Diego’s cost of living is lower than San Francisco, Palm Springs, and New York City. Moving here doesn’t mean you sacrifice the strong LGBT connections that are in those cities, either. San Diego County has about 8,852 same-sex couples, with 57% male and 43% female.
Many LGBT residents choose to rent, with just under 49% of San Diegoans owning homes. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,811.28, while a three-bedroom is $4,702.50.
If you’re interested in purchasing instead of renting, you must be prepared before you start your search. The housing market is very competitive, with an average household income of $121,230. Homes receive multiple offers, often with waived contingencies. Connect with Pride Lending in San Diego to learn more about preparing to purchase a home. Our experienced agents can help you learn more about purchase prices in San Diego.
The average home price for the area is $970,000 after 15 days on the market, with highly desirable areas selling over $1 million. Most homes sell for about 1% above the list price, but in-demand areas see homes selling at 5% above the listing.
To avoid mortgage insurance and get the best interest rates, it’s best to provide a 20% down payment, which would mean an upfront investment of $194,000.
However, that’s not your only option. There is also a minimum down payment of 3% for FTHB and 5% options for other buyers. As this is quite steep, we can assist you in finding local, statewide, and national down payment assistance programs that can reduce your costs.
One of these options is the First-Time Homebuyer program from the SDHC, meant for low-and-moderate-income borrowers. This deferred-payment, second-deed loan can provide up to 25% of the purchase price with a 3% interest rate.
Pride Lending’s loan officers have access to national programs and will review your financial situation carefully to ensure that you have the funding you need to get the keys to your own castle.
In addition to these resources, we can match you to programs that require a smaller down payment, sometimes as low as 3% to 5%. While this does mean you will need to pay mortgage insurance, it will also allow you to begin building equity faster than if you saved up for a larger down payment.
Begin Your Search Today
Whether you’re drawn here for the outdoor beauty or the eclectic urban vibe, you will surely find a welcoming atmosphere in one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the country.
At Pride Lending, we want to ensure you have everything you need to make the best financial decisions when searching for your next place to live. Our team consists of allies and members of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals, who are committed to assisting people from all walks of life in purchasing the home of their dreams. We work with a network of inclusive lenders who provide a variety of loan products, including FHA, VA, conventional, and investment products, depending on your specific needs.
Contact us to start your free mortgage pre-approval today. Before you know it, you’ll be living your best San Diego life!
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