Start planning an amazing summer now!
Here’s a few things to do in San Diego this summer. Some events are on specific days, others can be enjoyed anytime.
Got questions? And you have suggestions of more things to do in San Diego this summer, please share with us!
- Try your hand at a game of Disc Golf! Head up on a bus across the Zoo, only $3 a game!
- Rent a bike at Bike Revolution (6th & Market St.) and ride along the harbor for a great view of downtown’s skyline, or take it on the ferry and cruise around Coronado!
- Explore the tide pools! Visit Point Loma for a gorgeous 360 degree view and get up close and personal with incredible sea creatures!
- Take a bus up to La Jolla and see the underwater world of Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
- Visit “USA’s most haunted house”, the Whaley House in Old Town.
- Watch one of the biggest firework show in the country during the Big Bay Boom on July 4th.
- Go bowling! Take a 5 minute walk to East Village Tavern+Bowl for a friendly competition and some awesome happy hour deals!
Things To Do In San Diego – Comic-Con8. Start working on your favorite superhero costume for Comic-Con, July 24th-27th. - Look for bargains at Las Americas Premium Outlets next to the USA/Mexico border.
- Visit San Diego’s annual Country Fair in Del Mar! There’s a variety of foods (chocolate covered bacon?!), entertainment, exhibits and rides at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from June 7th though July 6th.
- Ride up to Ocean Beach on June 28th and check out the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-off for live music, an artist’s alley and a Beachside Beer Garden!
- Head over to Mission Brewery on 14th and K for a cold one, they are known for their dark beers.
- Show off your colors during Pride weekend, July 18th-20th! Join the Hillcrest Block Party on Friday night and the parade on the Saturday.
- Take a day trip to Tijuana.
- June 19th join the “Hopfest at the Museum”, the Museum of Man’s exhibit celebrating the hoppy goodness of beer!
- Savor the best French toast you’ll ever have at Quality Social on a lazy Sunday morning.
- Browse hundreds of old records and find that obscure one you have been looking for at the San Diego Record Show, July 26th.
- See whales, dolphins, and seals, oh my! Take a Whale Watching tour, or a Harbor Cruise around the bay on The Hornblower Cruise line.
- Keep it classy while dive bar hopping at Ocean Beach – cheap and stiff drinks! Try the popular Catalina Lounge.
- Every Sunday through the summer, check out a Vegas-style pool party during Intervention Sundays, put on by Hard Rock Hotel.
- Explore the Hotel Del Coronado, it’s apparently haunted. You can join a walking tour lead by a volunteer from the Coronado Historical Association Museum of History & Art.
- Lunch on fresh seafood while enjoying beautiful view of the bay at Seaport Village.
- Bacon Fest returns on International Bacon Day, August 31st. You can even attend the International Bacon Film Fetival the day before!
- Shop, eat, dance and have a jolly good time at Hillcrest’s Cityfest on August 10th.
- Ryan Gosling bathroom?! That’s right, check out the hip new bar, called Bang Bang, with a Ryan Gosling and Hello Kitty themed (women’s…sorry guys) restroom and generous happy hour deals. Visit on a Tuesday for all day deals, or anytime after 10 pm any other day!
- Catch a performance at the iconic Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park.
- Take a walk through Gaslamp to the swanky McCormick and Schmicks for a happy hour meal that can’t be beat! Monday through Friday from 4-6:30 pm, you can get a Cheeseburger and fries for $3.99. Delish!
San Diego Brewery - Make your own brewery tour! San Diego is hopping (ha!) with a wide range of breweries. Ask reception for a few suggestions. If you’re in town November 7th-16th, it’s San Diego Beer Week!
- Watch gnarly skaters rip it up at Washington Street Skate Park.
- From June 17-August 28th there will be a summer concert series in Balboa Park called Twilight in the Park.
- Sing along your favorite artist at popular concert venues House of Blues and The Casbah.
- Visit tall ships and witness a canon battle during the Festival of Sail during Labor Day weekend.
- Have a car? Take a gorgeous drive through the San Diego mountains to one of the many casinos. They’ve all got something to offer, from buffets, to entertainment to (hopefully) winning some money!
- Give your brain a workout and experience science in a fun and interactive way at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
- Ride the wooden roller-coaster or try the wave pool at Belmont Park, Mission Beach.
- Catch a good ol’ fashioned baseball game at Petco Park. Make sure you root for the Padres!
- Celebrate Portuguese heritage at the 104th Annual Festo de Espirito Santo in Point Loma.
- Drop by Little Italy’s weekly mercato for artisan food and specialty items. Every Saturday morning.
- Sample beers from more than 60 different breweries and chat with other beer enthusiasts while listening to live music during San Diego Festival of Beers, September 19th.
- Visit the House of Pacific Relations Ethnic Food Fair on May 25th for the annual celebration of food from all over the world, as well as musical and dance performances.
- Go shopping in North Park, San Diego’s eclectic neighborhood.
- Devour a massively huge and delicious brunch at Hash House a Go Go.
- Savor some succulent flavors during Taste of Adams Avenue, June 29th
- Sip on a summer drink while enjoying the best view of the city at Altitude Sky Lounge.
- Enjoy a tour of Stone Brewery in Escondido.
- Cool off a hot summer day with a margarita in Old Town.
- Cheer on your favorite horse during the Del Mar Horse Races. Opening day is July 17th.
- Have a car? Head to Julian to pet a llama and devour delicious apple pie.
- Visit one of the many museums in Balboa Park. You’ll find the Model Railroad Museum, Museum of Man, Natural History Museum, and so many more!
- Enjoy a movie under the stars.
- Work on a full tan at Black’s Beach – the only beach where swimsuits are optional!
- Browse the great collection of used/rare books at Adams Avenue Book Store.
- Catch street performers and watch a play during the Fringe Festival, the annual art and theater celebration. July 3rd-13th.
- Have the best BBQ in town at Phil’s. Seriously, it’s the best.
- Live like an in-the-know local and find the “secret” Spruce Street suspension bridge. Ask reception for directions.
- Have dinner and enjoy a show at Lips, “The Ultimate Drag Dining”, on El Cajon in North park.
- Grab some fresh produce and locally-made goodies at Hillcrest Farmer’s Market, every Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
- Go on your own walking tour of Gaslamp Quarter with this useful itinerary by National Geographic.
- Reminisce the simple sand castles you tried to make as a kid and marvel at what masters can create at the US Sand Sculpting Challenge, August 29th to September 1st.
- Walk down the street and grab some yummy frozen yogurt at My Yogurt – a true southern California favorite.
- Go for a hike or a jog around Florida Canyon in Balboa Park. This 3-mile loop offers beautiful scenery amidst the bustle of the city.
- Watch the sun go down at Sunset Cliffs.
Got more ideas of things to do in San Diego this summer? Please share! Need some more motivation to go? View our reasons you’ll love San Diego.
