Where else in the world can you find a gay “beach” in a beautiful park overlooking the city and located right next to the gayest ‘hood on earth? On Sundays, Dolores Park, above, transforms into a seen-and-be-seen hotspot and one of the many reasons we’re proud of the gay mecca.

Just in time for San Francisco Pride, GayCities has teamed up with the San Francisco Travel Association to bring you 49 Places That Make Us Proud. From the Levi’s Store in the Embarcadero to the Lookout Bar in the Castro, these spots offer something unique you just can’t easily find anywhere else in the world.

If you are visiting the City by the Bay during Pride month, whip out your smart phone and check in to any of the 49 Places using Facebook, Foursquare or the GayCities iPhone app and unlock on-the-spot prizes like a drink, museum pass or maybe even an ice cream cone (served from a cutie, pictured right, of course).

One extra lucky grand prize winner will receive trip back to San Francisco, include airfare and two-nights at a Kimpton Hotel.

And you bet all these businesses are the epitome of gay-friendly because, well, it is San Francisco after all, the city that practically invented gay.

Check out the list of the 49 and start checking in…

Photo: gazeronly