The waves roll up on the beach with a roar and ebb back with a whisper. Roar and whisper all night long. The sea is not just near, it is right under our bed. We are sleeping above the ocean on a unique pier located on one of the beaches that line the Pacific coast of San Diego.
No, we are not camping out. We are staying at the Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages in Mission Beach. This is one of those 'finds.' Many people who live in San Diego are unaware that these blue and white cottages even exist. The cottages are not gay owned, but we experienced no problems or hassles.
The pier, which first opened in 1927, is lined with rental cottages that afford a unique way to experience the ocean. Each one- or two-bedroom cottage has a private deck overlooking the beach, a kitchenette, and outdoor table and chairs for lounging and enjoying the view. And you can park your car right at the front door of your cottage.
The Crystal Pier is half private and half public. A big automatic gate at the entrance is locked at sundown, so you can safely open your patio door at night to enjoy the sounds and smells of the sea. Imagine snuggling up with your honey to watch the white foam of the waves at night. Imagine waking up to see surfers paddling out in the morning and hear the calls of the sea gulls.
Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla are beach communities that are part of the City of San Diego. GLBT visitors to San Diego who want to maximize their ocean experience can make one of these beach communities their base as they explore all the great things that San Diego has to offer.
For Gay/Lesbian Families
San Diego is a great place for gay and lesbian parents to take the kids. If you stay on one of the beaches, there is plenty of opportunity to swim, sun, or build sandcastles. Take a walk along the beach and explore the seaweed, shells, and other things washed in by the sea.
San Diego is also animals, animals, animals. First, there is Sea World. This is one of the major attractions of San Diego, with exhibits of and shows put on by marvelous sea creatures. Then, there is the San Diego Zoo at one end of Balboa Park. Try the gondola ride across the zoo, and see the animals from the air. If that is not enough animals for your family, pay a visit to Wild Animal Park about 30 miles away.
Balboa Park is good for at least a full day's visit. There are lovely gardens and all kinds of museums, from an art museum, to an old car museum, to an air museum with an entrance flanked by jet fighters.
Tours for Everyone
Guided tours are often the best way for visitors to get their bearings in a city. San Diego has several tours worth mentioning. The Old Town Trolley Tours are a good way to get around. The trolley takes you to the eight stops, including the Old Town Market, the Cruise Ship Terminal where historic vessels are also anchored, Seaport Village for souvenir shopping, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. Stay on one trolley to visit them all, or hop off and stay awhile at any of the stops. You can always catch another trolley. They come by about every 30 minutes.
You can also take a SEAL tour, which is sort of like a Wisconsin Dells Duck tour. A SEAL is a boat with wheels that takes visitors to place of interest on land and in the water. There are also cruise ships that tour San Diego Harbor, home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. One of the most unique tours is called Ghosts & Gravestones, and features places where visitors can learn about the darker side of San Diego's historical happenings.
On Gay Hillcrest
The center of San Diego's GLBT life is the Hillcrest area, a few miles inland from the beaches. San Diego has about 30 gay/lesbian bars, most of them located in Hillcrest. The Flame is where the girls hang out. Hillcrest is also home to San Diego's GLBT Community Center. Another plus for gay/lesbian families is the large Metropolitan Community Church that meets in the center and hold two services every Sunday morning.
Looking for a nice, casual place to grab a bite (to eat)? Try Hamburger Mary's.
Hillcrest also has a number of gay and gay friendly guesthouses, such as the Balboa Park Inn, Hillcrest Inn, and Park Manor Suites. Ocean Beach has Beach Place. Many of the guesthouses cater to adult males.
For GLBT singles, couples, and families who prefer full-service hotels, all the major chains are present and accounted for in the harbor area.
When to go? San Diego has one of the most perfect climates in the United States. It rarely gets too hot or too cold. Daytime temperatures in the summer can be quite warm, but it always cools off at night. In winter, daytime temperatures are in the high 60's but they drop to the upper 40's at night. Surfers ride the waves all year long, but the wear wet suits during the winter months. So whether it's snowing or sizzling in Chicago, you'll find San Diego's weather a really refreshing change.
Your travel writer: Cynthia A. Marquard is the owner of Aqua Terra Travel, 65 E Wacher Place, Chicago IL 60601. Cynthia can be reached at 312-787-2400 or 1-800-443-6869. Visit her Web site at www.aquaterratravel.com .