mjbeahm's Profile

Bathing suits must be worn at all times. That's telling. But as a gym, its just like every other 24 Hour Fitness. Has all the necessary weights, cardio machines, workout room, and it even has a fairly large lap pool. The staff is friendly and I've never been there were it was so crowded you had to wait too long to use anything. This is also one of the last gyms that I've been to that still has the gang showers. I'm not bothered by that at all, but I'm also not an exhibitionist, so it was surprising to see in this age of towel dancers or worse not showering at all. And if you use the Steamroom ... sit on a towel even if you do keep your shorts on.

As an Aquarium, its OK. It focuses alot on California Marine Life which might be interesting to some adults, but when I was there it was littered with screaming school kids. And hey, I work with kids. Love em. Think they're precious. But when they are all on a school trip and the chaperons are on a cigarette break ... well, let's just say that its what hell must be like on the 7th level.

I have several friends who have worked with Celebration Theater (directors, actors and crew) and have seen a variety of shows there. While the production value may vary depending on the people working on the projects, Celebration is a great place to see current gay plays that are often edgy and relevant to our culture. Try this for a good time: hit up a show one night, grab a Starbucks after to talk about the issue at hand then go to WeHo and hook up with Mr. Right Now.

While there are co-ed times in this spa (call to find out the days/times), there are also all men only times where you are provided with a toga of sorts and most men are relaxing in the sauna, steam, jacuzzi and pool naked. What I like best about this spa (and calling it a spa is perhaps giving it too much credit as it is very old school and the amenities are sparse) is the roof deck where you can sunbath nude. The massages are deep and tough, the clientele are older and foreign, the decor is dated and could use some sprucing up, but it is the best place to hang out naked in an all male environment and not feel like everyone just wants to have sex. There are plenty of places to go for that (the 24 Hour Fitness Lockerroom in WeHo comes to mind), but this is just a "men will be men" place to let it all hang out.

I imagine there isn't alot to be surprised about if this is where you end up for dinner. There's isn't anything wrong with Hamburger Mary's cuisine, but there also isn't any reason to choose it either. If you're in a jam and can't drive down the block to find an actual restaurant, this will do. The portions are large, but so are the prices. I'm a huge fan of HM for the nightlife, just not for my Kobe Burgers.

The Dolphin Bar is right down the street from me and I like to stop in for a beer every so often to be with my people in the South Bay. Its a decent and harmless place that is often populated with a similar crowd from night to night. The absolute best thing about it is that it is everything that WeHo isn't: an unpretentious, everyman crowd where people actually talk to you and have a conversation (sure with the intent to have sex with you, but no after all means no). This also means it isn't in any sense "hip" or "cool" or anything else that would bring in circuit bois. While I like hitting up The Dolphin Bar on occasion, I'd rather head down to Long Beach where there is a thriving gay community and a variety of bars and clubs from which to choose.

I joined the gym in the early summer and immediately wished it was air conditioned. That said, the Rock Gym is a great place to have an alternative workout to 24 Hour Long Beach. It isn't at all a place to cruise and I certainly wouldn't call it a gay gym (unless my gaydar is way, way off), but it is a perfect place to hone your rock climbing skills and push your body in ways you might not in the clubs. If you have a buddy, harness him up and climb some of the walls from easy to insanely tough. If not, practice your bouldering until a hot, shirtless, curious frat boy comes in solo and strap him into some gear. At the very least you'll get a great view of his rear as he makes his way up the wall.

Belmont Shores is far from a "gay" beach though on any given day you will find plenty of gay men (and presumably womyn) catching some rays. My boyfriend and I like the beach here enough to haunt it on a regular basis. Its also close to several gay bars so you can get out of the sun and grab a drink when the mood strikes. I think Belmont would be more aptly named a mixed beach as there are people of all persuasions laying out their beach towels, but the key thing (to me) is that it is very liberal and open minded and everyone is welcomed without much fanfare. When the waves calmed down while doing a little body surfing, my boyfriend and I made out in the water. Not far away a straight couple had the same idea. No one batted an eye and all was right in the world.