Are you visiting San Diego for several days and want to discover the main events that will take place during your stay? Do you want to plan your itinerary of California based on festivals, shows, and folklore and sporting events in this city? All you have to do is continue reading and see if you find something you are interested in.
Contents
San Diego Comic-Con International
The Comic-Con is a cult event attended by millions of fans of comics, cinema and television series and certainly the most famous and important international convention in the industry. Every year in July thousands of so-called “nerds” arrive in San Diego, celebrated in recent years by the successful TV series Big Bang Theory (set in Pasadena). The event, which takes place over the course of four days, is a full immersion in pop culture, and given the scope of the event, it involves the whole city of San Diego. In fact, for many years, the Comic-Con has extended beyond the San Diego Convention Center, which could no longer contain all the events and fans.
If you have always wanted to participate in this event, on the official website you can find all the information to help you prepare yourself in the best possible way. If you are not a fan of comics, I suggest you check the dates of the event because, if you are looking for the best places to stay in San Diego during the Comic-Con, it will not be easy to find convenient accommodations.
Events in the Gaslamp Quarter
This neighborhood is known as a place where to find entertainment and events. Mardi Gras (in February or March) is a festive occasion with music, parades, many colors, and a fun atmosphere that animates the neighborhood… This is the time of year to let the good times roll. On Memorial Day (end of May) weekend, there is the Gaslamp Music & Art Festival (5th & Market Sts), a free event with dancing, many kinds of live music and performances at various locations in the neighborhood.
For a trip back in time, we recommend the Fall Back Festival (in front of Davis Horton House, on 410 Island Ave) which takes place for free in November. You will be immersed in the 19th century in the Far West, where you can ride a pony, learn how to make butter or a candle, have a vintage photo taken, watch an expert farrier at work, and sift gold (you never know what you will find!). The event also includes shows in which the participants wear typical Western clothing.
There are also “cultural” celebrations of the different nationalities that gave birth to San Diego. In December, the Martin Luther King Promenade Park (401 K St) hosts the Vet & Pet West Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade, a unique event involving dogs, cats, birds, and fish in a Christmas costume parade of both animals and owners. To participate in the parade, the cost is around $20 and at the end, there is a vote, for example, for the best costume.
Twice a year, during the San Diego Restaurant Week, a series of restaurants offer a fixed price menu and depending on the place you choose you can spend from a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $50. It is a perfect event for those who love having culinary experiences. The Gaslamp Artisan Market (5th Ave between Market St & Island Ave) is a market where local artists exhibit their work and you can taste food and listen to live music. This takes place on Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Balboa Park Events
Many events take place regularly in the huge park of San Diego every year. To find out more details, I invite you to read our in-depth guide to Balboa Park.
Events on the Beach
Experiencing the coast also means enjoying its events. Some are directly on the water, while others are in the immediate vicinity. So let’s look at the main events on the beaches of San Diego at different times of the year.
June, July, and August
A great event in June in San Diego is the Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off that takes place at the Ocean Beach Pier (5091 Niagara Ave). Of course, this event is all about chili and there are tastings and culinary competitions. As always, there is no lack of live music and street vendors.
On Sundays in June and July, Encinitas hosts the Summer Concerts by the Sea, free from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at Moonlight Beach (400 B St). In addition to music, there are other kinds of entertainment.
Sports fans might be interested in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, a marathon in June accompanied by bands playing live music every mile. The race ends with a big concert at the finish line. Here is the official website of the event.
In San Diego, you can enjoy Sunset Luaus on the Bay (3999 Mission Blvd – Catamaran Resort, Pacific Beach) which takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays from June to August. The event starts at 3:30 pm with the creation of the lei, the typical Hawaii flower necklace, and continues with live music and Mai Tai, a Polynesian cocktail based on rum, lime, and curacao, followed by a buffet of Polynesian dishes! The evening concludes with a spectacular performance of Polynesian dances and songs at 8:00 pm. The cost is $72 for adults and $32 for children from 5 to 12 years old. For those staying at the resort that organizes the event, the cost is $52 for adults and $19 for children from 5 to 12 years old. In any case, the event is worth the price.
At the Hotel del Coronado, The Del Beach Bash (1500 Orange Ave) is celebrated on the weekend of Independence Day (July 4). The event starts at 7:00 pm with live music and ends with fireworks and a bonfire where s’mores are made.
During a weekend in July (usually the third weekend), Imperial Beach is transformed for the U.S. Open Sandcastle Building Contest, which is a very popular event. About fifty teams compete to create astounding works.
September and October
In mid-September in La Jolla, at the Rough Water Swim, hundreds of swimmers swim a total of three miles from the “Cove” to the Scripps pier and back to the starting point. There are lifeguards on duty during the competition.
At the end of September, also in La Jolla, the 10 Mile Relay Swim and Solo Swim is a challenging swimming competition in teams of 5 members or individuals. After mid-September, the Wavecrest Woodie Car Show takes place in Encinitas near Moonlight Beach (400 B St) for a whole weekend. During this event, there is an exhibition of Woodie Cars, typical cars with the back made of wood.
In San Diego, at the beginning of October, the Pacific Beachfest takes place at Pacific Beach and on the promenade. The event, which lasts from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, hosts sports competitions, live music, activities for children, and the sale of art and handicrafts. Every Saturday morning, from 8:00 am to noon, you can take a break from the beach to enjoy Southern California produce at the Pacific Beach Farmers Market (415 Mission Beach).
Other Important Events in the City
If you find yourself strolling through the streets of Little Italy on a Saturday between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm you will come across the Little Italy Market where you can buy and taste many typical products of this area of California accompanied by live music.
An important event during the month of April is the San Diego Crew Classic, a historic regatta held since 1973 and attended by athletes from more than 100 universities in the United States. The race starts at the Ingraham Street Bridge near SeaWorld and ends at Crown Point Shores.
Jazz lovers should not miss the annual San Diego Jazz Fest during the week of Thanksgiving when dozens of bands gather in the city to play one of the most popular music genres. Finally, I would like to provide you with a guide on how to get around San Diego to help you plan your city itinerary.
