Top 10 LGBTQ+ beach towns perfect for Pride and summer fun

Put away those winter blues, folks.

Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to break out those Speedos and bikinis, and make a mad dash for the surf, sand, pools, and parties of our favorite LGBTQ+ beach destinations.

This year has been difficult for family, as we resist the anti-LGBTQ+ actions of the second iteration of the Trump administration. But our struggles also signal we’ve earned some time to vacation in places that still proudly welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ visitors and residents.

We’ve curated some of our favorite LGBTQ+ beach destinations to help you escape this winter of discontent. There’s a little something for everyone on our list, from bears and lesbians and queens to everyone in between.

Keep scrolling to find our favorite LGBTQ+ beach destinations perfect for Pride and summer fun in the sun.

Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach proudly proclaims its West Side Beach is the O.C.’s original "gay beach." The beach's tide pools and off-the-beaten-path vibe make up for the lack of adequate parking, while its Main Beach evokes memories of Australia’s famed Bondi Beach. Former basketball star Kurt Rambis used to bring his fellow Lakers players for pickup games on the famed beachfront courts. Downtown is a simple and eclectic mix of small restaurants, bars, and shops. While legendary bars like the Boom Boom Room are gone, you can still grab a drink and watch the sunset over the Pacific at The Seahorse, Laguna Beach’s first underground gay bar.

RELATED: The 7 best nude beaches for gays in the U.S.

Russian River, California

Set amid a mix of Redwood forests, world-class vineyards, a winding river perfect for tubing, and a foodie scene to die for, the Russian River town of Guerneville is the nature lover’s Castro Street. Known as the Gay Riviera, the town plays host to annual events like the Women’s Weekend in May, Lazy Bear Week in July, and Russian River Pride in September. You can go tubing down the river, ziplining through the forest, and winetasting all in one day, and then enjoy dinner and drinks at one of LGBTQ-owned establishments in town.

RELATED: These 7 vineyards have been chosen as the best in the U.S.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Home to a mile-long boardwalk and former President Joe Biden, Rehoboth Beach is Delaware’s gem of an LGBTQ+ beach town. Aqua Bar & Grill and Blue Moon are mainstays for dinner, drinks, and nightlife, and there are plenty of other LGBTQ-owned restaurants, cafes, clubs, and shops. There are even favorite beaches for the gays and the lesbians, with the lesbians heading to North Shores on the northern end of the boardwalk, while the gays hang out at Poodle Beach to the south.

Popular LGBTQ+ events include Rehoboth Beach Pride, which takes place July 16-20, and the Halloween-themed Sea Witch Festival and Parade, which takes place October 24-26. And don’t miss drag queen beach volleyball taking place on Labor Day Sunday.

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Key West, Florida

What can you say about Key West that hasn’t already been said? A sleepy, pre-Civil War U.S. military outpost just 90 miles north of Cuba, the island became an LGBTQ+ destination after playwright Tennessee Williams made it his permanent residence from 1949 until he died in 1983. Ernest Hemingway, President Harry Truman, and other luminaries were regular visitors to the island. The city’s main drag, Duval Street, crosses from the Strait of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico over its 14-block, mile-long length. Accommodations range from the clothing-optional Island House Key West to the more traditional Southernmost Beach Resort.

Key West Pride takes place June 16-21. And you can assuage your secret Hemingway fantasies at the Hemingway Days, taking place July 16-21. The annual event features amateur Hemingway writers, fans, and lookalikes.

RELATED: Why Key West’s Fantasy Fest is a Halloween bash like no other

South Beach, Florida

South Beach and Miami are the year-round beach daycamp for the gays with plenty of great restaurants, bars, and parties to keep you up all night as well. Dreamland NYE Miami takes place on New Year’s Eve. The Winter Party Festival takes place from February 25 to March 3 next year. And the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival takes place this November over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Travel writer Barry Hoy writes that The Betsy Hotel is the perfect resort for LGBTQ+ travelers in the heart of South Beach.

RELATED: Drag Race's Morphine declares Miami a certified drag capital

Wilton Manors, Florida

Surrounded by the North and South forks of the Middle River, Wilton Manors is known as the Island City. It also has one of the highest percentages of gay married couples in the nation. You can find great eats and LGBTQ+ happenings at Wilton Manors’ mainstays like Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Georgi’s Alibi Monkey Bar, and Hunters Wilton Manors. If you’re not the beachgoing type, you can kayak or paddle board through the mangroves on the Middle River.

The Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival attracts 50,000 visitors annually and raises $6 million for worthy LGBTQ+ causes. This year’s celebration takes place on June 14 with a Block Party Festival and special Glow Night Parade.

RELATED: This South Florida gem has sun, sand, and rainbows

Ogunquit, Maine

The quaint and very gay New England port village of Ogunquit celebrates the start of Pride month every year with a Rainbow Pride flag-raising ceremony. Ogunquit Pride takes place June 6 to 8, although pre-festival events start on June 1. Just as popular is the annual Speedo contest to determine Mr. Gay Ogunquit, taking place this year on Labor Day Weekend in September.

RELATED: New England wedding vendors offer help to same-sex couples

Provincetown, Massachusetts

There’s always something totally gay going on for just about everyone during summers in P-town. Provincetown Pride from the Provincetown Business Guild takes place June 6-8 this year. Frolic Weekend for gay men of color takes place June 18-23. Provincetown Bear Week, taking place July 12-19, is the largest gathering of non-ursine bears in the world. Girl Splash takes place July 23-26. And Provincetown Carnival takes place August 16-23.

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Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan

Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, might seem to some like a quainter beach town version of WeHo or The Castro, only with ranch dressing (and we mean that in a good way). Saugatuck Pride events take place from June 1 to 8, with the annual Pride Parade taking place on June 7. There’s also the 4th of July Weekend Saugatuck taking place July 2-6. And Labor Day Weekend Gay Saugatuck takes place from August 28 to September 1.

“Saugatuck is undeniably the most gay-friendly town in Michigan as the artsy downtown area proudly displays rainbow imagery, inclusive signage, and LGBTQ+ representation at many businesses,” says Out Traveler’s Ricky Cornish.

RELATED: Here’s everything to see as an LGBTQ+ visitor to Saugatuck and Douglas

Fire Island, New York

Last but definitely not the least on this list is Fire Island. While the destination might have come to the attention of the straights with the 2022 film Fire Island starring Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, and Margaret Cho, the LGBTQ+ community has been partying here for decades.

Pride month opens with the Fire Island Bear Weekend taking place June 5-8. Highlights include pool and circuit parties and various bear contests. Fire Island Invasion takes place July 2-6 over the 4th of July weeken, with plenty of drag queens taking over the town. And no summer in Fire Island is complete without the legendary Fire Island Pines Party taking place August 1-3.

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