Summer Resorts 2004 Everything you need to know about this season's hottest gay getaways.
Provincetown Where to stay, eat, play and shop in the most fabulous of all gay beach resorts.
PROMOTION
by Ed Salvato (Editor, OUT&ABOUT;) and Aefa Mulholland
Summer has sauntered into sight once more -- the sun bakes down, sea breezes cool the skin, hordes of decoratively dressed-down (or undressed) men and women scatter themselves across the sands. We love the big gay resort beaches. But this time we've scoured far and wide -- from points to piers, rivers to lakes, bays to oceans -- for obscure, offbeat and less-trafficked sandy spots where gay men and lesbians like to loll and lounge in the sun.
Race Point Beach, Provincetown, Massachusetts Race Point is a delightful day trip by boat or water taxi, and a perfect picnic spot, adorned by dunes and a beautiful historic lighthouse. Nude sunbathing is less prevalent here than at Herring Cove, but lesbians and gay men still strip down on sections of the beach. It's also quieter, and waters are wilder and colder.
Jones Beach, Long Island, New York Jones Beach, south of Wantagh, on Long Island's South Shore, is in a 2400-acre park with a six-mile stretch of ocean beach, an easy day trip on the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station. Head for the eastern end of Beach 6 for some "complete" sunbathing on a "no radio" beach with great waves.
North Shores Beach, Rehoboth, Delaware Women from all over the East Coast flock to this popular beach, a 20-minute lope north from the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. Pass the fishing boats to find a gorgeous gathering of women around the jetty near the old WWII watchtower. Hot sand, hot women, freezing water! Keep in mind -- dunes are off-limits because of bird nesting -- and policing is heavy.
Haulover Beach, Miami, Florida Basking between Bal Harbor and Sunny Isles, off State Road A1A/Collins Avenue, Haulover Beach is happily mixed gay, lesbian and straight. The gayest section is the official half-mile clothing-optional area, although there are plenty of friendly faces all along. Park in the North lot to be closest to the action.
Hippie Hollow, Texas Take Highway 2222 West to RR620, turn left at Mansfield Dam, then follow signs for Hippie Hollow -- the gay-popular nude beach on Lake Travis, known as Austin's "busiest gay bar." The only public clothing-optional park in Texas, Hippie Hollow packs people in from First to Last Splash. Go midweek/off-peak to have some grains to yourself. Beware of the local police's active entrapment policy!Steelhead Beach, Forestville, Russian River, California A pleasant drive along River Road from Guerneville takes you to this quiet regional park, where beach access is available for a day-use fee. The river beach is a big hit with local and visiting gay men and lesbians who relax beside the redwoods.
Hidden Paradise Beach, Boca de Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Only accessible by boat from Boca de Tomatlan (five departures a day; $5) from Puerto Vallarta, the gay-owned Paco's Hidden Paradise resort is an oasis on the shores of the Bay of Banderas, with a bar, delicious food, twenty acres of trails and privacy. The secluded beach and protected cove have excellent swimming and snorkeling.
Governeur, St. Bart's, French West Indies Gorgeous, glamorous and gay-friendly, the homo elite drape themselves decoratively at dramatic Gouverneur, St. Bart's most picturesque beach, snugly fit between two rugged promontories. Off-season island prices are substantially lower, but then so are the numbers of (largely nude) jet-set hotties adorning the sands.
Les Salines, Martinique Thought to be Martinique's most beautiful beach, Les Salines perches on the exposed, undeveloped sunny southern tip, near Ste-Anne. Multitudes of vendors stalk the strand in-season. To reach gay sands, park at the far end of the lot where a sign reads "Petite Anse des Salines." Plunge down the trail through thick woods and foliage to the beach. Clothing is not officially illegal in Martinique, although you wouldn't know it. Don't take shade under the machineel trees -- they drop acid.
Sun Bay Beach, Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico Merely 21 miles long by 5 miles at its widest point, verdant Vieques is an offbeat gay hideaway where the warm Caribbean azure meets the Atlantic's cold chill. Sun Bay in Esperanza boasts over a mile of sunbaked sand, good swimming and snorkeling, appealing small inns and eateries and occasional rainbow flags. December through July is the best time to sample the surf here -- there's a reason the fabulous green foliage stays that color.
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