Looking for something to do in San Diego in July? (Other then hitting the beaches obviously!) Here is your one stop shop to goings on all around town. If we missed any, please let everyone know by leaving a comment! Also- there are always farmers markets going on all over town, local picnic spots, and various splash pads! Don’t forget to check out our fireworks guide!
WHEN: every Saturday from 11am to 3pm
WHERE: Lakeshore Learning, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, Ca
COST: Free
WHEN: Jul 1st – Sep 5th from 5pm to 9pm
WHERE: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr. , San Diego, Ca
COST: Admission to the zoo varies
Passport to the Pacific featuring Turtle Lagoon
WHEN: Jul 1st – Sep 5th starting at 10am
WHERE: Chula Vista, Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr., San Diego, Ca
COST: free with admission
Kids Bowl Free this summer at Tavern+Bowl
WHEN: Jul 1 – Aug 31 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Costa Mesa, North County, East Village, and Eastlake, Tavern + Bowl , All 4 locations, San Diego, Ca
COST: Free ($4/shoe rentals)
AGES: 14 and under
Balboa Park Free Museum Tuesday for Residents and Military
WHEN: 1st – 4th Tuesdays of each month
WHERE: Some Balboa Park museums are free
COST: FREE (Free admission on a rotating basis. Check website for calendar)
WHO: Free to locals (San Diego Cal. City & county residents), and active military and their families.
Oceanside Freedom Days Parade
WHEN: Saturday July 2 2016 from 10 AM – 12 pm
WHERE: N Coast Highway 101 in Oceanside from Wisconsin Ave. to Civic Center Drive.
COST: FREE
DETAILS: Watch this annual 4th of July parade (on the Saturday before July fourth each year) starting at the 101 Café to the Civic Center. Bring your folding chair for a view along the sidewalks. For more information call 760.754.4512.
Point Loma Summer Concerts
WHEN: Friday evening dates July 8 to Aug 5 2016
WHERE: Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd.
COST: Free summer concert series.
2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Week
WHERE: Downtown
COST: Varies by event
WHEN: every Sunday at 12:15pm and 2:15pm (Sunday July 10th)
WHERE: San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, Ca
COST: Free with admission
WHEN: Sat and Sun, July 9 to 10, and July 16 to 17 2016 from 7:30 AM to dusk.
WHERE: Fiesta Island on Mission Bay, San Diego, CA.
COST: Varies. The primary function aside from all the fun for this event is that it serves as the primary fundraising source for OMBAC’s (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) year-round charitable programs. The profits from Over The Line go back into our community! AGES: Ages 21 and up only.
DETAILS: Said to be one of the last pure Southern California traditions left untouched by commercialism. It is truly just a ball and bat game played with 2 teams and 3 players on each. There are no foul lines. It is played without gloves and pretty much only wooden softball bats and balls are used.
Carlsbad Triathlon
WHEN: Sunday July 10th 2016. 7:30AM
WHERE: Triathlon starts at Carlsbad State Beach, Tamarack and Carlsbad Blvd.
COST: Call 760.602.7519. Limited to 1000 athletes so sign up now.
Switchfoot Bro-Am surf contest and concert
WHEN: Saturday July 9 2016.
WHERE: The Switchfoot Bro-Am surf contest and concert returns is the largest annual event at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.
DETAILS: The Switchfoot Bro- Am features huge bands and top pro surfers in a fun event that benefits a local children’s charity.
WHEN: July 17th to September 4th 2016 on Sunday afternoons from 2 – 4 pm
WHERE: Ellen Browning Scripps park at La Jolla Cove.
COST: FREE family friendly concerts on the grass. Hot dog, soda, ice cream and popcorn for sale.
WHEN: July 15 – 17 2016 with various events, including the Gay Pride Parade, a 5K and
WHERE: Various locations in Balboa Park
WHEN: July 9, July 17 and July 30 2016
WHERE: La Jolla Shores.
COST: $30 per person.
DETAILS: Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists host snorkeling adventures to see the Leopard Sharks rays and more.
WHEN: Opening day Thursday July 15 2016 – Labor Day weekend (Monday Sep. 5 2016)
WHERE: The Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar Fairgrounds.
DETAILS: Where the turf meets the surf, horse racing kicks off with Opening Day at Del Mar, and includes Del Mar summer concert series. Free summer concert series for fans attending the races on Friday nights.
Sun and Sea Festival aka The Original Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition 2016
WHEN: July 15 and 16.
WHERE: The 2016 Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival will be held at Portwood Pier Plaza in Imperial Beach.
DETAILS: The event will include Kids N’ Kastles competition for children ages 12 and under (no adult sand castle competition). Join in the arts and crafts, enjoy some food from the farmer’s market and international food fair, and a fun day for all! Sandcastle Ball and exhibition the day before.
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market
WHEN: July 16th and 17th, 8am-4pm
WHERE: 2875 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 9210 (Liberty Station)
COST: Tickets are $10-$20
DETAILS: From all things chippy, rusty, vintage and handmade, you are sure to find that perfect vintage dress, a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, handmade jewelry, or one of hundreds of other amazing treasures for your home or garden. You can also look forward to fabulous giveaways, vintage photo opportunities and infinite amounts of design inspiration!
San Diego Botanic Garden Free Tuesday
WHEN: The first Tuesday of every month
WHERE: THE lovely botanical garden in Encinitas
COST: Free admission on the first Tuesday of every month
Hornblower Full Moon Dinner Cruise
WHEN: Dates and times vary for these San Diego events July 2016.
WHERE: At the Embarcadero
DETAILS: Enjoy a glass of champagne and three course dinner as you see the romantic San Diego skyline from the bay during full moon.
WHEN: July 21 to 24 2016 and preview July 20
WHERE: The San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92101.
DETAILS: If you are looking for fun things to do in San Diego, don’t miss Comic Con! Four days of excitement at Comic Con 2016, plus bonus preview night. This is one of the most popular San Diego events and these tickets sell out early. But join in the fun anyway in the area if you don’t get a ticket. Most downtown San Diego hotels during this time will be booked by Comic-Con attendees, so you may need to look for hotels further north. See here also for details on how to make it a no-low cost event.
WHEN: July 23rd
WHERE: Liberty Station
DETAILS: The 6th annual San Diego Brew Fest returns to Liberty Station, and promising another fun filled day with beer, food trucks, and music. The event will feature dozens of local local and international craft beers, as well as San Diego’s most popular food trucks (food sold separately).
COST: Admission is $40 for general admission (2pm to 5pm) and $50 for VIP (1pm to 5pm) and include the beer tastings.
Little People Live
WHEN: July 23rd
WHERE: Escondido, Westfield North County, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway, San Diego, Ca
COST: Free
Insect and Ladybug Festival 2016
WHERE: San Diego Botanic Garden
WHEN: July 31 from 6 – 7pm
WHERE: Downtown, Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, Ca
COST: Free
