20 Summer San Diego Activities

Now that Summer is just around the corner, what are you planning to do? In San Diego, there are so many fun activities to choose from. Instead of just choosing one, do as many as you can this summer! Below are 20 San Diego Summer activities. San Diego is home to 33 beautiful public beaches that are perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding and building sand castles. So grab your bathing suit and sunscreen and head to the ocean for a day of fun in the sun.

International Cottages’ Lawn Programs puts on a summer-long event dedicated to celebrating different cultures through food, song and dance. Every Sunday you can go to the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park and “soak up the international flavor”.

The California Surf Museum houses a permanent collection of historic boards and photographs. It is located on Highway 101 in Oceanside. On free admission Tuesdays, visitors can discover all of the fun and educational displays on the sport of surfing and the legendary surfers who braved the waters years before.

The 63rd annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament is San Diego’s original beach softball event. This exciting event takes place during July 9-10 and July 16-17 at Fiesta Island on Mission Bay.

Ray at Night Art Walk in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood features art, live music and delicious food. There are over 15 galleries showing work from local and nationally known artists. This event is held from 6-10 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.

The local craft beer scene is booming in San Diego. You can take a free tour of the Stone Brewing Company in Escondido any day of the week. Beer lovers will enjoy going behind the scenes and being able to sample numerous different microbrews that one of the world’s top breweries has to offer.  

The 40th Annual World Bodysurfing Championships take place on the waves in Oceanside. It is free to watch hundreds of athletes compete however, it is $60 if you wish to participate. This event begins August 20 and ends on August 21 with the final heat and crowning of the winners taking place on the second day.

Along Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, you will find the largest concentration of antique and collectible dealers in San Diego. Visitors can find unique gifts, vintage jewelry, and antique estate sale items.

Unleashed by PetCo presents the 11th annual Surf Dog Competition. This free event takes place on July 30th next to the Imperial Beach Pier.  Come out and watch the most fearless dogs jump on their boards, paddle out and hang 20! This event also includes dog adoption, a dog food garden, and so much more.

The Oceanside Municipal Pier is the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. This is the perfect location for fishing, window shopping, and watching the waves.

San Diego offers many bonfire friendly beaches including Coronado, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach. So gather your friends, family, and firewood and get cozy.  

Go scuba diving or snorkeling off San Diego’s shores and see some of the most spectacular sea creatures. La Jolla Shores and Cove have some of the clearest waters on the coast as well as miles of protected underwater preserve to explore.

Listen to live bands lined up along the 26.2-mile route in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. If you choose to participate there is a registration fee and you can pick between the full marathon and a half marathon. This event takes place on June 3-5. The course begins in Balboa Park and continues through various popular locations around San Diego. The final destination is at SeaWorld San Diego.  

San Diego offers great Fourth of July celebrations, held in many different communities. Coronado’s popular Independence Day Celebration features a two-hour parade followed by fireworks over Glorietta Bay. The Port of San Diego celebrates with the “Big Bay Boom” fireworks show over San Diego Bay. This is the largest fireworks display in the county.

On the first Wednesday of every month, visitors of San Diego can go to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and participate in “Gazin” with the Experts”. Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up huge telescopes and offer guests a great view of the moon, planets, and stars.

On June 25th the Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-off is taking place. This event features more than 200 vendors, local artists, food, shopping, and a children’s area. There are also five different stages for various entertainment and attendees of all ages can take part in creating the Street Fair Community Mural.

You can sample some of the 200 varieties of fresh produce grown in San Diego at one of the many different Farmers Markets held daily at locations throughout the county.

Take free fly fishing lessons from the San Diego Fly Fishers club on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lake Murray, located in La Mesa. If you arrive early you can receive a free equipment loan as well.

Enjoy hours of leisurely strolling and shopping every weekend in Seaport Village. The bay-front is the perfect spot to sit in the grass and watch the yachts and ships passing by in the San Diego Bay.  

Pack a blanket and a picnic basket for Coronado’s Summer Concert Series in Spreckels Park on Sunday nights throughout the summer. On the first and third Sundays of the month, Coronado’s Art Association hosts an Art-in-the-Park event that features work from many local artists.