There were almost as many flags as people wandering around the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. And not just the rainbow flag, there was also the American flag and the California state flag.
People were cheering, hugging, laughing and just mingling — there was a sense of real excitement, but also one of relief.
Tony Ray, who joined in the celebration, said he feels like time can start again.
"I was a little nervous 'cause I have a lot of friends who've been waiting for this for a long time," he said. "And now — we didn't know what would happen — and now they can go on and get married, and I'm a best man so, its all good," he said.
Also celebrating was Clark Willits. He got married in 2008 and he and his husband have a son. Willits said he came out to celebrate because of what it means to his family, but said he realizes there's a long battle to marriage equality.
"A majority of the U.S. still does not recognize same-sex marriage and it's a civil rights issue," he said.
But for now, it seems California has changed from a state that didn't recognize same-sex marriage into one that does.
And last night that made a lot of San Diegans in Hillcrest really happy.
