Stay and hang with queers in San Francisco

When the sun comes out in San Francisco, the city's queers pile into the top corner of Dolores Park, fondly known as the gay beach, with snacks, speakers and the whole skyline laid out below. Spend a morning cycling the length of Golden Gate Park until it runs out at Ocean Beach. Bernal Hill is the place for sunset, and Wild Side West waits at the bottom, a lesbian bar since the sixties with a garden full of sculptures made from old toilets. If you would rather dance, El Rio's patio in the Mission is a short walk away.

On the first Sunday of October, the Castro Street Fair, founded by Harvey Milk, packs the streets with stages and dancing. Otherwise, start a Saturday with a cold dip at Aquatic Park and a hot coffee after.