About Us

Great Outdoors is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer gay and lesbian organization dedicated to the enjoyment of outdoor recreation. We are the largest gay outdoor recreational organization in Southern California and include chapters in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange County/Long Beach, Palm Springs, and San Diego.

Our outings including camping, hiking, backpacking as well as local activities such as volleyball and game nights. The group was founded in 1978 by gay leaders who felt the time had come for a viable, healthy alternative to the bars.

The community reacted with great enthusiasm and in August 1978 over 75 men and women from San Francisco to San Diego backpacked into Big Sur.

Since that time, Great Outdoors has grown to over 800 members. We are a member of IGLOO, a network of gay and lesbian clubs and organizations throughout the world dedicated to outdoor activities of a non-competitive nature. Come enjoy the natural world with us!

Annual memberships are $25 single and $45 for couples and includes the GO newsletter, member rates for GO outings, and more. Join or renew now (click on Membership)! If you would like to know more about Great Outdoors and its other chapters, visit the GO Corporate website.