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San Diego Sizzles With Pride
By Joseph Amster
With the theme “Stonewall 2.0 - Activism for Equality,” San Diego LGBT Pride celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots takes place July 18 and 19, and an estimated 160,000 people will pack the streets for the parade, while approximately 50,000 people will attend the festival in Balboa Park.
San Diego’s close-knit LGBT community is a political power, boasting numerous elected officials, including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and City Councilmember Todd Gloria, as well as Fire Chief Tracy Jarman. The community’s political power likely will be on display during the parade, considering the California State Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8. San Diego’s political community also will be on hand for the weekend’s official kick-off at the Human Rights Vigil at 6:30 p.m. on July 17 in Balboa Park at Juniper and Balboa Drives.
Unlike most California cities, San Diego holds its Pride parade on Saturday, marching through the Hillcrest District’s University Avenue (San Diego’s LGBT downtown), beginning at 11 a.m., proceeding down Sixth Avenue and ending at the festival grounds. This year’s grand marshals include Harvey Milk protégé and Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones and performer The Lady Chablis, well known for playing herself in Clint Eastwood’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Organizations receiving honors this year include the San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality and the San Diego Equality Campaign.
The festival’s setting in Balboa Park at Marston Point (Sixth Avenue and Laurel) is spacious and lovely, with plenty of room to enjoy the entertainment, community booths, food and fun. This year’s entertainment has not been announced at press time, but you can bet many of the community’s favorites will return. The festival boasts a wine-tasting grotto, featuring 93 different wineries, as well as a marriage-equality celebration, Country and Latin dance tents, art exhibits and a wealth of other attractions. Festival admission is $15 for a one-day pass or $25 for the weekend. Advance tickets are available from numerous local organizations and through www.sdpride.org.
While visitors can head to Pride by taking the 405 Freeway, why not do something different this year and take the train? The Amtrak Surfliner is very scenic, and public transportation in San Diego is excellent. There are also free shuttles running throughout the weekend.
San Diego has a vibrant arts scene, and the Diversionary Theatre is the LGBT community’s gem. Founded in 1986, the theater’s mission is to produce plays with a LGBT themes. “Twist,” the gender-bending retelling of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, runs July 9-Aug. 9 and is followed by the gripping holocaust drama “Bent,” which runs from Oct. 9-Nov. 22. For more information, visit www.diversionary.org.
San Diego nightlife centers on University Avenue, with its numerous gay bars and restaurants, but there’s certainly LGBT life outside of the “gay downtown.” A few Hillcrest favorites include Martinis Above Fourth (3940 Fourth Ave.), the refurbished Brass Rail (3796 Fifth Ave.), Urban Mo’s (308 University Ave.), Baja Betty’s (1421 University Ave.), Rich’s (1051 University Ave.), Flicks (1017 University Ave.), Universal Hillcrest (1202 University Ave.) and Pecs (2046 University Ave.). Moving outside of the Hillcrest District is Bacchus House (3045 University Ave.), Bourbon Street (4612 Park Blvd.), Inn at the Park and Top of the Park (3167 Fifth Ave.) and the Eagle (3040 N. Park Way). San Diego’s LGBT businesses are well represented by the Greater San Diego Business Association, whose guide can be found at www.gsdba.org.
One of my personal favorite haunts includes Hash House a Go-Go (3628 Fifth Ave.). Self-described as a purveyor of “twisted farm food,” it features some of the biggest breakfasts around. I would recommend arriving early for a pre-Pride breakfast (it’s worth the wait) and ordering the meatloaf hash. You can also put El Indio (3695 India St.) on your list of places to see. This tortilla factory and Mexican food stand has some of the best tamales and enchiladas you’ll find anywhere.
Downtown San Diego has been transformed during the past decade, with condos springing up throughout. Leading the charge is Horton Plaza, with its world-class shopping. Be sure to check out the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art’s downtown location (1100 and 1001 Kettner Blvd.). This satellite of the famous La Jolla location features an eclectic mix and is convenient to San Diego’s famous trolleys. Also, no trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
Also near downtown is the Little Italy district, with a great assortment of shops and restaurants. A personal favorite is the Mona Lisa Deli (2061 India St.), a great spot to grab a salad or sandwich for a picnic in either historic Balboa Park or Mission Bay. Balboa Park features buildings from the 1915 World’s Fair and is home to 15 major museums and the San Diego Zoo. You could spend days there just exploring the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Mission Bay is a great place to catch the sunset, go hiking, and, of course, visit Sea World.
With its vibrant LGBT community, excellent attractions and natural beauty, San Diego is a great place to spend a weekend or more. It’s no wonder its nickname is “America’s Finest City.”
Mark’s Returns to Laguna
Mark’s, a favorite in Laguna for years, closed its doors on Coast Hwy several years ago to the disappointment of many in our community. Good food, good drink, good friends, we lost another favorite gathering place. Also Mark’s was always very generous in supporting numerous AIDS and gay political groups.
The new location is opposite the Festival of the Arts on Laguna Canyon Rd. Although I have not taken the opportunity to dine there yet I thought those of you who remember the old Mark’s might want to check it out.
I did drive by and the restaurant does look impressive. Floor to ceiling windows, paintings of fruits and vegetables on the walls, a bar area and a second room facing an open kitchen creates an inviting atmosphere.
Mon. – Sat. Dinner 5-10:30 p.m. Sun. Brunch 9-2:30 p.m. Lunch Tues-Fri. 11-2:30 p.m. Check their menu out and some reviews by satisfied customers at www.MarksLaguna.com (949) 715-4200 Be for-warned that the festival season is about to begin and the restaurant is situated in a location that will surely bring many tourists to the restaurant. Reservations are strongly recommended.