Vibrant, progressive cities, stunning landscapes, and welcoming communities on the West Coast of the United States are an ideal place for gay couples to explore, to adventure, and to be accepted. This article covers an unforgettable week-long journey from San Francisco to Seattle, specifically for LGBTQ+ travellers.
From a perfect mix of urban excitement, natural wonders, and romantic experiences, you’ll find a stop on the journey that suits you just right. This road trip from the Castro District in San Francisco to the quirky Portland to the emerald Seattle is going to be a celebration of love, diversity, and freedom of choice. It’s time to pack your bags, grab your partner, and prepare for an epic adventure through some of the most gay-friendly regions on the West Coast.
Day 1-2: San Francisco
The LGBTQ+ rights and culture capital of LGBTQ+ rights and culture is where our journey starts, San Francisco. When you arrive in this iconic metropolis you will feel the welcoming atmosphere that has put it on the map as the destination for the gay community for decades. The Castro District is definitely the heart of San Francisco’s gay scene, where rainbow flags fly from nearly every storefront and lamppost. Harvey Milk Plaza, named for the pioneering gay rights activist and politician, is where you should begin.
Before going and exploring the neighborhood, take some time to take in the significance of this place in LGBTQ+ history. Walking down Castro Street, you will notice a plethora of queer-owned businesses, from bookstores to cafes, all part of a thriving community. To get all romantic, get to the Golden Gate Bridge. This engineering marvel is a perfect backdrop to create your memories with breathtaking views of the bay and city skyline while walking hand in hand with your loved one. To complete your San Francisco trip, go to Alamo Square and see the famed Painted Ladies, a row of colorful Victorian houses that have become the city’s icon.
Frances, a quaint restaurant in the Castro, specializes in high end food, and as evening falls, it makes for a great place for a romantic dinner. Finish your night with a couple of our neighbourhood’s most popular gay bars, The Café or Badlands, to dance the night away in a fun, diverse crowd.
Check out our top San Francisco sights in this article I wrote all about this wonderful place
Day 3: Sonoma & Napa Valley
It’s time to slow down and savor the finer things in life with a visit to Sonoma and Napa Valley. Not only are they fantastic wines but they are also champions for social justice. Visit their winery during the early hours of the day. Come here to enjoy a tasting flight while learning about the tie between wine-making and LGBTQ+ advocacy. If you want to taste history with modernity, head over to Gundlach Bundschu, California’s oldest family-owned winery that’s embraced diversity and inclusion over the past few years. While sipping their famous vintages, you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Wine tasting is an exhausting day, so after a wine tasting day, allow yourselves to have a couples’ spa at one of the luxurious wellness centres that the region provides. A massage or a bath in mineral-rich hot springs might help you relax from the stresses of regular life. About to dusk, find your way to the Farmhouse Inn for a farm-to-table dinner, highlighting the best of local produce and culinary know-how. The Napa Discovery Inn is known for its welcoming atmosphere of all guests, especially LGBTQ+ couples, and can point you to intimate places to have a romantic meal.
Day 4-5: Portland
We travel north leaving the wine country behind, to Portland, Oregon, where a city with a distinctively quirky character and solid commitment to inclusivity. Begin your city discovery with a leisurely stroll around Washington Park, a huge urban park that houses the International Rose Test Garden (perfect for a romantic walk among thousands of blossoming roses). If that sounds like something you and your partner would enjoy, a short drive to the Columbia River Gorge provides some breathtaking hiking trails and waterfalls to give you a chance to reconnect with each other and nature.
Back to the city, the Pearl District offers up its art galleries, boutique shops and trendy restaurants. Powell’s City of Books is the world’s largest independent bookstore, with towering, towering shelves and you don’t want to miss it. You can easily lose yourself for hours here. When the sun sets, Portland’s world-class food scene awakens.
Food carts are a thing of the city’s fame and they serve cuisines from all over the world and for every palate. One of Portland’s LGBTQ-friendly bars like Scandals PDX, and you can get craft cocktails in a cozy atmosphere. End your Portland experience with a jaw-dropping drag show at Darcelle XV, one of the oldest continuously running drag venues in the United States. You’ll see the lively and welcoming spirit that makes Portland a real gem for LGBTQ+-friendly travel here.
Day 6: Astoria
Keeping our journey northward, our next stop is the gem of a town, the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon. Visit Fort Stevens State Park’s miles of sandy beaches to learn, hike in a lush forest, and look for shipwreck remains that now serve as the face of the park. The best way to see the town and surrounding area is to climb up the Astoria Column. This 125-foot tower allows you to climb to the top for panoramic views of the Columbia River, the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains, the perfect place for a romantic moment with your partner. Movie buffs will love a visit to Goonies House, which became so famous in the cult classic film.
Check out Astoria’s stunning scenery on YouTube!
On a day that is about to end, the Cannery Pier Hotel, a luxury waterfront property with inclusive policies and a warm heart, is where the next level begins. This hotel was built on the site of a former fish cannery and offers accommodations with views of the Columbia River and the beautiful Astoria-Megler Bridge. Then enjoy a couples’ massage in the hotel’s spa and a romantic dinner there at the hotel’s restaurant while watching ships pass by as you eat seafood and other Pacific Northwest specialties. Astoria is a slow-paced, intimate town that makes for the perfect break in your West Coast adventure to get the two of you back on the same page and back in touch with what coast living is all about.
Day 7: Seattle
The Emerald City: Seattle, an out gay friendly West Coast road trip. Your Seattle adventure should start at the legendary Pike Place Market, with shelves lined with hand-in-hand stalls of fresh produce, artisanal works of crafts, and the famous flying fish. If you are a caffeine junkie, don’t forget to visit the original Starbucks location for a pilgrimage. Move on to the Space Needle, Seattle’s most recognized landmark. We all know that the observation deck has 360-degree views of the city, surrounding mountains, and waterways, making it a great place to take a photo or for a stolen kiss. To get away for a romantic time, hop on a ferry to Bainbridge Island. The 35-minute ride across Elliott Bay offers a chance to see a seal and, if you’re lucky, an orca and a great view of the Seattle skyline.
Can't get enough of Seattle guys? Check out our blog post on romantic Seattle for gay couples
Afterward, you take a boat back to the city, and then you can explore charming shops, galleries, and wineries on the island. Capitol Hill, Seattle’s bohemian gay neighborhood, should not be visited without spending time there. Rainbows and pride flags tell you that you have stepped into one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly areas in the country. In this, there are an array of cafes, boutiques, and bars for the queer community. Tilikum Place Café is excellent for a romantic dinner, known for its wonderful atmosphere and delicious local foods. You’ll be getting left to yourselves, and with the evening approaching, this will be a cozy evening with your loved one. Or, even more LGBTQ+ friendly, the Pelican Bay Restaurant is waterfront dining with great views of Elliott Bay.
To leave your West Coast, get to Seattle’s lively gay nightlife. There is R Place, multiple floors of entertainment, drag shows, dancing, and Unicorn with its whimsical atmosphere and creative cocktails with carnival-themed decor.
Conclusion
Along the way from San Francisco to Seattle, we hope this gay-friendly West Coast road trip has whet your appetite for what LGBTQ+ travelers have to look forward to during their travels in this beautiful area. In San Francisco’s Castro District, Portland, Astoria on the coast, and Seattle, each destination has its own cultural, natural, and LGBTQ+-friendly attractions to offer. It’s not just a vacation; this road trip is a celebration of love, diversity, and freedom to be who you are in some of the most accepting and beautiful places in the United States. Trails, urban excitement, or natural wonders … the West Coast is where you can make lasting memories … whether with family, friends, or a date.
For more inspiration on LGBTQ+-friendly travel destinations and tips for planning your next getaway, be sure to explore other articles on Gay Couple Getaway. Our website is dedicated to helping gay couples discover welcoming destinations and unforgettable experiences around the world. Keep in mind that the process is just as important as the destination, so embrace every second of your West Coast trip with an open mind and a spirit of exploration.
