Vacations Blog

San Francisco is one of America’s genuine masterpieces of man and nature, a top gay travel paradise, a promised land to all who enjoy sipping fine wine and a true spectacle for all who appreciate stunning geographic contrasts.

While the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island prison are the two most familiar icons of San Francisco, the city offers many other sights and pleasures that will keep you busy during your stay. Don’t just do the tourist thing during your trip: indulge yourself in the life and beauty of the city of San Francisco!

San Francisco is a great city for walking. The temperature is never too cold for being outdoors and the city is so pretty; a stroll is a great way to take in all that “The City” (as it is known to the natives) has to offer. And, should your limbs begin to feel a little cramped from walking, all you have to do is jump on one of San Fran’s famous cable cars until you arrive at your next destination. This form of transportation is unique to San Francisco, the city where the trolley was first used, and is a great way to start getting acquainted with the city’s special culture.

While in San Fran, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see for your itinerary. Stop by Pier 39 and experience the culture and activities offered there. Pier 39 is famous for its great shopping center, which is filled with shops, arcades, and street performers. Take a look off the piers and see the local inhabitants of the docks—sea lions! Fisherman’s Wharf, as you may have guessed, is also the place to go if you’re looking for great seafood. While there are dozens of great restaurants that will strike your fancy, be sure to grab a meal at Boudin’s restaurant and try their famous sourdough bread (you can even watch it being made!) and unbeatable clam chowder. Fisherman’s Wharf is simply swimming with excitement; don’t miss this must-see!

For a real taste of San Francisco culture, get off the tourist path and check out the local neighborhoods. From North Beach to Chinatown, each neighborhood offers a life of its own that you won’t find anywhere else. The neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury is an extremely exciting neighborhood of San Francisco. Considered the Bohemian center of the city, this neighborhood is the birthplace of such legendaries as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin. These artists have left a remarkable and lasting influence on this district. Haight-Ashbury also has some small but great local restaurants, bars and shops, including Amoeba Music, a bowling alley that was converted into a record store. Here you will find almost any type of music you can think of, with a huge variety of vinyl. And only a short walk away from this district is also located the Golden Gate Park—a huge, gorgeous park that rivals New York’s Central Park.

Also near Haight-Ashbury and the downtown area, you will find Castro, the gay mecca of San Francisco. This district is the place for great restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops as well as the the best of San Francisco nightlife. Don’t forget to catch a flick at the historic Castro theatre and take it easy at one of the great bed and breakfasts the district has to offer. And if you plan your visit carefully, you can catch one of the great San Fran festivals such as the Castro Street Fair in October, or Pink Saturday in June.

Lesbian and gay tourists in San Francisco may be primarily attracted to the Castro neighborhood to visit the sites and soak of the ambience, but you will discover the whole of the city accepting of all types of people. Enjoy it all!

So while planning your San Francisco get-away, make sure your itinerary takes you off the beaten path. In San Fran you will find unique adventures everywhere you turn. Immerse yourself in the culture of the city; it’s the only way to enjoy San Francisco!

You may be wondering if there is a welcome spot for a gay man or couple to travel in Latin America.  Look no further; the people wecome gay vacationers in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is one of the most enchanting Caribbean islands that one can visit. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. This means that US citizens can travel to this island without the extra hassle of obtaining visa and immigration documents. It is one of the few areas in the world to legalize gay partnerships. Due to the tolerant outlook of the government, this island is known to be a safe haven for gay couples who want to spend quality time together.

The largest city on this territory is that of San Juan. It is an old and established center for trade and commerce. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World. Then the Arawak Indians who inhabited this island welcomed the Genoans with open arms, and the locals have been welcoming guests ever since.

There are a varied range of destinations to visit once on the island for straight people or gay men on holiday. Of historic importance is the El Morro Fort built in 1539, in the city of San Juan (the largest city of Puerto Rico). This colossal structure sits, as the silent defender of the San Juan Bay. Across the bay is a new world wonder, a distillery of the widely acclaimed Bacardi Rum Company.

San Juan one of the oldest and most important cities on the island has a host of hotels and accommodations for the inveterate tourist. There is a wide range offered from the basic facilities at cheap prices to expensive luxury hotels. This city is best experienced with waves lapping at ones feet on the beach, or by walking past old churches along narrow, winding cobblestoned pathways.

After the city is explored comes the turn of El Yunque the rainforest. These forests are home to a wide range of flora and fauna, as well as stunning hills, tropical trees and waterfalls. The island of Vieques near San Juan is another wonder of nature. The waters of the inlets and bays around this small island are home to luminescent algae, giving off an eerie glow at night.

The smaller islands near San Juan have a number of intimate private escapes with uninhabited beaches and secluded coves. The island of Vieques has a bio-luminescent bay, which due to its algae has sea water that glows at night.

It is supposed to be one of the most awe inspiring adventures to go swimming in these glowing waters at night. El Yunque is the tropical rainforest that spreads across most of this island. It is one of the few spots where one can trek through hiking trials that run parallel to streams and waterfalls. To experience a bit of tropical paradise people flock to the Puerto Rican province and soak in the warm sunshine and generous hospitality.