San Diego or Hawaii
 

I'm going to be in Cleveland, OH for the Gay Games in August 2014 (gg9cle.com) and then making my way back to Sydney via the West Coast of the USA.

I'm an ardent yachtie (I'll be sailing in the Gay Games) and I'm looking to go somewhere both gay friendly and with sailing opportunities. I'm also a qualified diver and would like to go diving as well.

I'm 55 and attracted to people of my own age, so somewhere that has places that gents of that age (and older) go out to would be great as well - oh and I love a piano bar.

I've been to Palm Springs many times but PS in August is going to be a bit steamy and also quiet so my choices are narrowing between San Diego and Hawaii.

Anyone got an an opinion to help me decide?

Much as San Diego has a lot to offer - the ocean diving is defiitely better in Hawaii - but I can't offer much info about the Piano "dives". :)

I can't help you with yachting or gay friendly info, but I would choose Hawaii. No contest.

San Francisco for the Social stuff and the Sailing... I'm not sure about the diving... but there's so much more to do there...

Most Californians would vote for Hawaii! Sounds like you would enjoy the nightlife of Honolulu -- and that's where you'll catch your flight home.

I wouldn't overlook Vancouver BC or Seattle, either. Yachting - duh - the cities are capitals of sailing in both countries. Both have very big and energetic gay communities, and there's excellent diving in the San Juan Islands (US) or the Gulf Islands (Canada). The weather in August is perfect, whereas (IMO) Hawaii is too rainy/muggy at that time. San Diego is nice, but IMO not in the same league at that time of year.

Hawaii rainy in August? Maybe a touch of humidity but didn't know about heavy rains in August.

Several questions:
1) How long do you have for whichever destination?

2) Are you going anywhere on the way to the Gay Games? Or is this your one chance to see some more of the U.S. on this trip?

3) What made you narrow it down to Hawaii or San Diego?

4) How important is it that you are in a gay friendly destination, and how much time do you expect to spend at gay bars, etc.?

I would think San Francisco is the most logical destination on the West Coast. You would be able to find pretty much anything you want there. Seattle does have great weather in August, and San Diego is always beautiful. As is Hawaii, but I just don't consider Hawaii to have nearly as many gay friendly options, definitely not the nightlife and bars that you'd find in San Francisco, Seattle or San Diego.

If you have the time, perhaps splitting it up between one of the West Coast cities and Hawaii makes the most sense. If for some reason you must fly through either San Diego or Hawaii and that is why you've presented those as the only 2 options, I'd vote to spend the bulk of your time in San Francisco, then take a quick flight down to San Diego to catch your flight back to Australia.

However, if being in a gay friendly city with numerous options for reasonably vibrant nightlife is not a big priority, then Hawaii is the obvious choice. I just don't see anywhere in Hawaii that has a lot of gay bars/restaurants with a large and diverse gay community. Nothing like the Castro in San Francisco or Hillcrest in San Diego.

Come to think of it - when we lived in San Francisco - did get scuba certified there and dove in Monterrey Bay - 2 hours south of SF. Just south of Carmel/Monterrey - is a great reserve - Point Lobos - http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571 but you will need a wetsuit - Farmer John type - v. a light one here in San Diego and sometimes I don't even wear a wetsuit while diving in Hawaii.

My vote is for Santa Barbara

www.paradisediveclub.org
www.truthaquatics.com

San Francisco
Seattle
Hawaii
San Diego

(Hawaii would have been #1 of the list except it's not as visibly easily accessible gay-friendly as San Francisco or Seattle).

Hawaii is VERY gay friendly, even a backwater like Kauaí. I know. I are one. We are EVERYWHERE there.

Hula's Bar and Lei Stand is one of the most famous gay bars in the world.

Sounds like you might like the Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani.

Have you been to San Francisco? Is that why it is not on your list? Or could it be the lack of diving?

hawaii for diving. san diego is an awesome city and has lots of gay friendly places - the major neighborhood is called hillcrest. black's beach also has the northern section as known for many gay guys enjoying the beautiful beach and water (it's a clothing optional beach). i haven't been but you might want to look at catalina island...i think they do diving out there and maybe you could find a sailing boat going out there. i've also known people who have dove off the coast by la jolla. laguna beach is another great spot for a day trip from san diego or spend a few nights there.

If I may - I would call the diving here in SD good - but not great. They did sink a Canadian Navy Destroyer just offshore - and while I have not dove it - it's supposed to be interesting - but a fairly deep dive (90 plus feet) - and there have been some people killed who didn't properly respect the conditions/currents - even an instructor who for some dumb reason - dove it alone.

Diving off the Coast of La Jolla is fun - and there is a canyon dropoff by La Jolla Shores - or there is nice fauna by "The Cove" (which you can also see just snorkeling around).

Years ago - a friend of mine was spear fishing - with tanks - off Catalina - and he saw this huge Grouper (back then - you could still take them) - merrily lumbering by - and it had a spear stuck in it. Sure enuff - trailing behind - being towed horizontally - was a guy - furiously trying to reel in this beast - which weighed several hundred pounds. :) Don't think he was successful.

And yes, Laguna does also have some watering holes that will have the social atmosphere which you seek.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've been to San Francisco many times and while I enjoy the city, I'd like to go somewhere different and it can be damn cold and foggy in summer (as Mark Twain observed).

I've decided to go to San Diego because it gives more options for alternative places to visit - to PS or Mexico for example.

Have a good time and enjoy The Games. My husband ran a marathon at the Gay Games in Amsterdam in 1998 and had a wonderful time.

If you do go to Mexico, try to avoid the border towns like TJ. Instead I'd fly to someplace like Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. PV is supposed to have a lively and active gay scene.

Bleep - just lost a post trying to retreive this page about C Level - the best deal for h'or D' Ouerves and cocktails/wine during their happy hour. They are close to the airport and have the best view of the Bay/Coronado/Downtown. http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/islandprime/virtual-tour

And for cruising - get to about 6th and University in Hillcrest - and you can find probably find the bar of your choice within a few blocks.

<PV is supposed to have a lively and active gay scene.>

That's putting it mildly -lol! I spend a lot of time in Vallarta. It is the definition of "gay friendly". Diving's not great there though.

FYI - asked a couple of my Starbucks friends about your request for a fifties something gay bar and also - about a Piano bar?

They said the various Sn Diego gay clubs they knew about are more mixed than age specific - but they would ask around.

And while my wife and I really don't really go "clubbing" anymore - when I am driving down University - I always laugh at this aptly named bar: The Alibi!. :) Not sure if it's gay or not - but again - always loved the name. https://www.facebook.com/TheAbili?rf=289113547835639

As for Piano Bars - I just googled that - and found this list. Not sure how much of a Piano Bar atmosphere Croche's has (definitely great jazz) - but it's downtown in the Gaslamp has good entertainers. (Or at least it used to - as I read/heard his widow is selling it or shutting it down due to high rent?) http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ass:20209.html