There are a lot of fun things to do in San Diego.
Here are some of our favorite yearly events.
January
Tidepooling
January typically offers the lowest (negative) tides of the year. Reference the tide forecast for an ideal date and time to tidepool at key spots such as La Jolla, Cardiff and Del Mar.
The low negative tides also offer unique, excellent views of reef structures via helicopter tour.
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Farmer's Insurance Open Golf Tournament
Since 1968, The Farmer’s Insurance Open has been held yearly at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.
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San Diego Brew Festival
One of the largest celebrations of San Diego micro brewing, featuring hundreds of beers. Liberty Station also offers a lot to see and do before or after the festival.
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February
Gaslamp Quarter Mardi Gras
The Gaslamp transforms to a New Orleans-style party for one night only, with food, drinks, and attractions.
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San Diego Museum Month
By picking up a discount pass at some local San Diego libraries, you can enjoy half-priced admission at over 40 museums in February. Perfect for Balboa Park.
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San Diego Theatre Week
Dozens of performing arts venues offer discount tickets and promotions for performances across comedy, dance, music, theatre and more.
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March
Padres Opening Day
Nothing beats a baseball game at Petco Park, and the Opening Day of the Padres season is typically in late March.
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Anza-Borrego Wildflower Bloom
While the time varies form year to year, March is commonly the month in which the wildflowers bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
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Busker Fest
California’s only busker festival is held at Seaport Village each March. A family-friendly spectacle, fascinating and unique street performers travel to San Diego from across the world to entertain.
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April
San Diego Crew Classic
A two-day, nationally acclaimed regatta, consisting of over 100 races with more than 4000 athletes on the waters and green lawns of Mission Bay.
The Crew Classic offers an array of activities in addition to world-class racing. Vendor Row is full of participants from all over the country.
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The Flower Fields
For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The flowers are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year – from early March through early May.
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La Jolla Concours d' Elegance Car Show
A premier luxury & classic car show held at the Ellen Browning Scripps Park on the Pacific Coast.
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May
Cinco De Mayo in Old Town
Old Town offers a large Cinco De Mayo celebration featuring live music, a lowrider showcase, lucha libre wrestling, and more.
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Port Of San Diego Festival Of The Sea
Taking place aboard several of the historic vessels of the Maritime Museum and on the adjacent scenic North Embarcadero region of downtown San Diego, the Festival of the Sea has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Gator By The Bay Festival
The largest, most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. More than 100 musical acts and special performances on seven stages. Delicious Cajun and creole foods are featured – including 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked straight from Louisiana!
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June
San Diego County Fair
Held on the Del Mar Fairgrounds, The San Diego County Fair offers creative and educational exhibits, carnival rides and multiple concerts.
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Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Over 30,000 runners compete annually in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. The marathon is known for lining race routes with live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations.
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Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
Celebrate summer into the evening with live music, fun shows and activities, animal encounters, and more!
There’s so much to do, see, and hear—it’s a good thing summer hours are longer!
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July
San Diego Comic Con
San Diego Comic-Con is one of (if not the largest) pop culture conventions there is, showcasing comic books, film, television, and video games. Even without passes, the entire downtown buzzes with entertainment. A must for people watching.
One of our favorite Comic Con memories: When we flew William Shatner.
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Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Opening day at Del Mar is always an event to behold. It seems all of San Diego comes out to celebrate in style. Through the season there are also usually free concerts included with admission.
In the past, we have dropped skydivers over the Del Mar Racetrack.
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Big Bay Boom Fireworks Show
The Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show over San Diego Bay features fireworks that are discharged simultaneously from barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village, Embarcadero South Marina Park and Coronado Ferry Landing.
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August
US Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Expo
One of the world’s most important sand-sculpting competitions. World Master Sand Sculptors come from the Netherlands, Italy and Canada, from exotic places like Latvia and Russia to challenge the best in the U.S. Their dimensional art is astounding.
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ArtWalk at Liberty Station
ArtWalk brings fine art outside under San Diego’s sunny skies to create the perfect viewing art under natural light and purchase artwork directly from the finest artists in the region
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Julian StarFest
Explore the world of astronomy during the three-day Julian StarFest. See telescopes and view objects in the night sky, vendors, guest speakers, and camping. Hosted by the San Diego Astronomy Association, under the dark skies of Menghini Winery near the mountain resort of Julian.
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September
Miramar Air Show
The three-day event is the largest military air show in the United States, with total annual attendance estimated at 700,000.
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San Diego Restaurant Week
Over 180 restaurants throughout San Diego participate in Restaurant Week, with prix-fixe menu options.
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San Diego Bayfair
Thunderboat races! Need we say more? Bayfair shows off all sorts of advanced boats on the bay, and also typically features fireworks and concerts.
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October
Valle Food & Wine Fest
The festival is unique in that it draws a bug lineup of top chefs from Mexico City to New York City to promote and celebrate the bounty of the region – the cuisine and wines of Baja California.
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La Mesa Oktoberfest
The largest Oktoberfest
Attracting more than 100,000 attendees annually, the three-day event features local and regional bands, traditional German dishes and plenty of German bier.
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San Diego International Film Festival
An independent film festival produced by the non-profit San Diego Film Foundation. The festival is held across two “villages” in the Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla.
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November
San Diego Beer Week
A 10-day celebration, promoting more than 130 independent craft breweries in San Diego County.
Events are held throughout San Diego County at participating breweries, bars, restaurants and more!
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San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Featuring dozens of events, hundreds of domestic and international wineries, the celebration of craft beer and spirits, local culinary legends and nationally recognized celebrities, and a Grand Tasting Finale on the stunning Embarcadero.
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Fleet Week at the Embarcadero
Fleet Week San Diego honors and celebrates the men and women of the military through events that entertain and alliances that thank and support these heroes.
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December
Balboa Park December Nights
For a couple nights in December, Balboa Park stays open late and features light displays, inspirational choirs, bands and dancers; amazing food and fun-filled attractions.
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Parade of Lights
This San Diego tradition features a parade of luxury yachts and boats decorated with holiday lights.
Pro-tip: On select nights in November and December, Corporate Helicopters offers a night helicopter tour called the San Diego City Lights Tour, and if you book your tour early, it will feature a flyover of the parade.
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Holiday Bowl & Balloon Parade
The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is a college football bowl game played annually in San Diego. The game is also celebrated with the Big Bay Balloon Parade.
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