San Diego LGBTQ History Walking Tour, San Diego, California, United States
This 1.5-mile, 1.5-hour walking tour of Hillcrest covers San Diego’s LGBTQ history with stories of some of its earliest gay bars, the hate crimes plaque, Harvey Milk Street, the Center, the Rainbow Flag and much more. Starting at the Brass Rail, going to The Flame on Park Boulevard, and circling back to end at the flagpole on Normal Street the tour covers the people, places and events that made San Diego’s gayborhood the vibrant community it is today. It includes tidbits such as the last remaining horse hitch in Hillcrest, why the symbol of University Heights is an ostrich, why there is an Egyptian block of Park Boulevard, the original name of University Avenue (and why it is called University Avenue considering there isn’t a university nearby), and how and why the migration of gay bars from downtown began, how San Diego and Hillcrest attracted a large LGBTQ population, and how even the gay bars were once “closeted.
Description & Instructions When Visiting San Diego, California, United States
This 1.5-mile, 1.5-hour walking tour of Hillcrest covers San Diego’s LGBTQ history with stories of some of its earliest gay bars, the hate crimes plaque, Harvey Milk Street, the Center, the Rainbow Flag and much more. Starting at the Brass Rail, going to The Flame on Park Boulevard, and circling back to end at the flagpole on Normal Street the tour covers the people, places and events that made San Diego’s gayborhood the vibrant community it is today. It includes tidbits such as the last remaining horse hitch in Hillcrest, why the symbol of University Heights is an ostrich, why there is an Egyptian block of Park Boulevard, the original name of University Avenue (and why it is called University Avenue considering there isn’t a university nearby), and how and why the migration of gay bars from downtown began, how San Diego and Hillcrest attracted a large LGBTQ population, and how even the gay bars were once “closeted.”
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: The Brass Rail, 3796 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103-4224
Its Considered San Diego’s first gay bar. The Rail originally opened for business in the 1930’s in Downtown’s historic Orpheum Theatre building.
Pass By: The Flame, 3780 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103-3639
The Flame — a landmark lesbian bar that opened in 1984. It changed hands 20 years later — was sold this week to a Hillcrest developer
Pass By: Hillcrest, San Diego, CA
The Hillcrest sign which greets visitors into the neighbourhood high above the intersection of Fifth and University has been a beacon of diversity since it was first erected in 1940. An iconic and historical piece of San Diego history!
It was a gift from local women shopkeepers
Pass By: San Diego, San Diego, California
The San Diego LGBT Community Canter. In 1971 our world was a very different place. Being “out” simply wasn’t an option for many. Just being a member
of the LGBTQ community could be dangerous, and there was no place to turn for help.
We are proud of the history of The Center’s service. Originally just an answering machine in a borrowed closet that served as a lifeline for those looking for compassionate connection, it is now one of the largest and most vibrant LGBTQ Community Centers in the nation, providing our community with more than 84,600 direct service visits each year.
Pass By: Flicks, 1017 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103-3309
Flicks San Diego is arguably the best San Diego Gay Bar in the heart of Hillcrest, one of the original gay video bars. Also home of Welfare Wednesdays.
Pass By: Hillcrest Farmers Market, 3960 Normal St Pride Square, San Diego, CA 92103-3417
A Californian street renamed after gay activist Harvey Milk had its new sign officially unveiled May 22, 2012. Formerly called Blaine Avenue.
Pass By: Rich’s, 1051 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103-3309
Rich’s is San Diego’s largest and most popular gay nightclub. They have two large, separate rooms each with a fully-stocked bar, DJ, and dance floor.
Pass By: Hillcrest Pride Flag, 1500 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
The Hillcrest Pride Flag is located on the median of Normal Street at University Ave and stands 65′ tall with a 30′ rainbow flag.The rainbow flag (also known as the gay pride flag or LGBT pride flag) is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride and LGBTQ social movements. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community, as the flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride during LGBTQ rights marches. While this use of the rainbow flag originated in San Francisco, it is now used worldwide. The symbol is one of several uses of rainbow flags
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Starts: San Diego, United States
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
