One of the largest and most entertaining such events in the country to take place in July, Gay Pride San Diego draws some 40,000 spectators and participants to a massive festival, and more than 150,000 spectators for huge parade. It takes place in late July (Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, in 2009) and pulls in folks from throughout Southern California. This year will be the 40th annivesary of the Stonewall Riots, and this coupled with the activism generated around gay marriage as a result of the political events of the past year ensure huge crowds for the 2009 event. San Diego is also relatively cool in the summertime, making it a great destination if you're looking for a place to beat the July heat.
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in San Diego during Gay Pride
In San Diego, Pride celebrations center around a handful of events, but the biggies are a Pride Parade on Saturday and a festival that takes place July 18 and July 19. Here's a quick preview of San Diego Gay Pride in 2009:
The San Diego Gay Pride Parade has more than 200 floats and contingents and features a variety of awards in different categories (most creative entry from a local business, top musical marching contingent, most entertaining and crowd-pleasing float, and so on). The parade begins on Saturday, July 18, at 11 am, and runs along University Avenue, from Normal Street and 6th Avenue. Here's a map of the parade route. The parade Grand Marshals in 2009 are NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones, and the famed female impersonator The Lady Chablis, of Savannah, who was immortalized in both the book and the movie (in which she played herself), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Acting as the Community Grand Marshal is the San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality and the San Diego Equality Campaign.
The San Diego Gay Pride Festival runs throughout both Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and July 19. On Saturday it's from noon until 10 pm, and Sunday it's 11 am to 8 pm. Admission costs $15 for a one-day pass, and $25 for a two-day entrance. The festival is in lovely Balboa Park (at Laurel St. and 6th Ave.), right near Hillcrest and the Gay Pride Parade procession. There's a family midway for kids, four beer gardens, more than 300 vendors from the local community, several entertainment stages - dozens of performers will appear this year, including Lady Chablis, SpekrFreks, and many others.
Many other events take place over the weekend and during the days leading up to Pride - here's a full rundown of gatherings.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times, for details. Also be sure to check out the superb GLBT travel site produced by the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, an excellent resource for planning your trip.
