Gay Los Angeles City Guide

 

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a big city in Southern California. It’s the world’s entertainment capital. Hollywood has been the most influential exporter of culture over the last century. Tinseltown is where so many dreams have been made and lost.

It’s technically known as the City of Los Angeles - it’s also known as L.A. and even the City of Angels. Los Angeles has a population of around 4 million. It’s spread out over a number of very distinctive districts, including WeHo, Venice Beach, Malibu, Beverly Hills and the Pacific Palisades. It’s one of the richest cities in the world, producing a GMP of $1 trillion every year, making it richer than many countries. Read More: Los Angeles' Coolest Neighborhoods.

Gay Bars in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has one of the best gay scenes on the planet. Most of the L.A. gay scene is centred around West Hollywood, also known as WeHo. By some measures, WeHo is America’s biggest gay mecca. As the gays flocked to San Fran in the 70s, they flock to WeHo today. So many LGBT+ “influencers” build their entire social media presence around shirtless selfies in L.A.

This city has long had a reputation for being plastic-fantastic. It’s a place where people spend a lot of time on their looks. Having big biceps and a six-pack seems to be the norm rather than the exception.

You’ll see a lot of beautiful people at The Abbey, perhaps the most famous gay bar in WeHo. It’s something of an institution. There’s a large outdoor space that’s great for people-watching. You can head there in the afternoon for a drink and also party the night away.

There are so many gay bars to explore. This place is gay bar central.

Gay-Popular Hotels in Los Angeles

Some of America’s best hotels can be found in Los Angeles. There aren’t really any gay-specific hotels in L.A. but all hotels will be very gay-friendly. Andaz West Hollywood is a popular hotel on Travel Gay. It’s located on Sunset Boulevard right in the heart of the action. A more affordable choice is the Ramada Plaza WeHo. It has a colorful, Art Deco style.

You’ll find some world-class luxury hotels in L.A. The London West Hollywood is a British-style luxury hotel with an air of old-world grandeur. The Chateau Marmont is one of, if not the most historic hotels in L.A. It’s where many of Tinseltown's greatest stars have stayed and parties, from Garbo to DeNiro. If walls could talk you’d be shook.

Experience Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a huge, sprawling city. It’s not that easy to navigate and the traffic can be a nightmare, supposing you intend to hire a car. It’s best to explore district by district and also very important to pick the right hotel in the right location. WeHo is the best place to start, especially for gay travelers. It’s where you’ll find the best nightlife and many of the cultural highlights.

Read More: Things To Do in West Hollywood.

There are many iconic tourist destinations you’ll want to tick off your bucket list. Have a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and also Sunset Boulevard. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is also worth a visit. It’s worth joining a Hollywood tour to learn about the seminal influence of the movies on L.A. and the rest of the world. Venice Beach is well worth a visit. From there you can head to Muscle Beach and see some of the world’s most beautiful people.

Gay Bathhouses in Los Angeles

L.A. has one of America’s last decent bathhouse scenes. Flex LA is a gay bathhouse on Melrose Ave. It’s open 24 hours a day. North Hollywood Spa is on Vineland Ave close to WeHo.

Read More: The History of America’s Gay Bathhouses and “Bathhouse Betty”.

Getting to Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main airport in L.A. It’s one of America’s major airports so it’s very easy to access. You can get a bus or subway from LAX to Hollywood. It should take no more than an hour. A taxi to WeHo costs roughly 40 bucks.

FAQs about Los Angeles

Getting around Los Angeles

Flying to Los Angeles is easy. It’s getting around Los Angeles that can be more of a challenge. The public transport system isn’t as good as in other major cities. The freeways can get very jammed too. We must emphasize once again that your hotel choice is key. If you want to do all the Hollywood stuff then get a hotel in Hollywood. If you want to do the beach thing then consider Venice Beach.

Metro

The Metro doesn’t cover all destinations. It does cover enough though. Check the Metro route and consider that in relation to your hotel. You’ll be able to consider your itinerary in that context. The Metro is the most economical mode of transport.

Bus

The bus will be your friend. The bus routes cover the whole city. As L.A. is huge it can be confusing for tourists. Make sure to plan your bus route carefully.

Taxi

You can get a taxi but if you cover a considerable distance you’ll spend a lot of money. It’s best to get taxis around a specific district.

Is Los Angeles Safe?

Los Angeles has some rough areas. It used to have quite a reputation. Things have improved in recent years. L.A. is pretty safe but it is a big, bustling city so keep your wits about you and avoid uncertain areas at night.

Is L.A. expensive?

It is. The average rent of a flat is double the national average. It’s a hugely desirable place to live and it attracts a lot of ambitious people. L.A. is tons of fun but you’ll need to budget if you’re not rolling in dollars.

When To Visit Los Angeles

March - May is a great time to visit L.A. September to November is also a popular time. It can get very hot and crowded at the height of summer. Consider a winter trip if you’re on a budget.