10 Things to Do in San Diego in Summer

The best time to visit San Diego is in the summer, as it is a city located on the California coast. It offers an ideal climate for exploring, with cool temperatures ranging from 20° to 25°. It's also a very busy tourist season, so I recommend booking attractions, flights and accommodations in advance.

Summer in San Diego runs from June to September, ideal months to take advantage of the best things to do in San Diego. You can venture out on city tours, take a cruise, sign up for a baseball game, attend summer festivals or experience the 4th of July like an American.

The best San Diego cruises allow you to explore the major sights from the water. In summer, sunny days enhance the experience, as you can relax and enjoy the scenic views. It's a great way to spend an afternoon away from the tourist crowds.

Take a cruise around San Diego's harbour

The city's harbour is a natural harbour located at B Street Pier. It is also the main cruise ship terminal. There are plenty of entertainment options nearby, including restaurants, sports areas and playgrounds for the little ones, so it's ideal if you're looking for things to do in San Diego with kids. Here you'll have a different kind of time, while learning about the city's naval history.

You can choose between a one or two hour option, depending on your time availability. You will pass the Coronado Bridge and see the city's naval fleet. In addition, you will probably see sea lions. It's a relaxing experience, while sunbathing on the deck. These tours usually include snacks and drinks and are available from 40 euros.

Dinner cruise in San Diego

If you want to plan things to do at night in San Diego, you should consider a cruise around the best of the city. You'll definitely enjoy this type of experience as there are dinner cruises that include dinner, ideal to end the day cruising the Californian coastline. They usually last approximately two hours and you can find options from 108 euros. Some of the places you can visit are:

• San Diego Skyline: it is a neighbourhood with skyscrapers that light up at night, from the water you will get a unique perspective.
• Downtown: it is the centre of the city, here you will find Little Bay, the Embarcadero and the Petco Park stadium where the Padres team plays. Before your visit, I recommend you to organise how to buy tickets for a baseball game in San Diego, as it is a unique experience not to be missed in summer.
• San Diego Maritime Museum: it is a space that preserves collections of historic ships from the United States. If you are interested in history, you should make a quick stop as it is one of the best museums in San Diego.

These cruises usually offer complimentary drinks and an open bar, but you should check with your travel provider before booking.

Take a sunset yacht cruise in San Diego

San Diego sunsets are truly breathtaking in summer. They're usually a two-and-a-half hour experience, which you can join for around 122 euros. It's ideal if you're planning a family trip, or want to arrive in California with a small group.

From the water you'll get a quick glimpse of the San Diego Maritime Museum, which I recommend you visit during your trip, as it will allow you to learn more about America's classic yachts and sailing ships. Other sites you'll see from the water include Skyline, Seaport Village and Coronado Island.

Take a motorboat adventure around San Diego

While you're walking the streets and piers of San Diego, you're sure to get a glimpse of the Patriot Jet Boat. It's a speedboat with a mythical history. It's a great way to get a summer tan, as all you have to do is sit back and relax as the boat cruises along the Pacific Ocean coastline.

These types of experiences usually take place at sunset and usually make short stops at iconic spots in the city. The main advantage is that they are quite private and you can personalise it for your family or couple. This way, you'll spend a different kind of summer on American shores.

There's nothing better than a refreshing dip to enjoy your holiday. The perfect place for this plan is SeaWorld in San Diego, a water park with a variety of pools and slides for the whole family.

Besides being a refreshing plan, it's the perfect opportunity to ride a roller coaster over the water, see Mission Bay from the park's cable car, interact with marine wildlife and discover the man-made Arctic. In addition, you'll find spinning cups on the water, swimming with dolphins and other species, and a beluga whale exhibit not to be missed.

Tickets to the park start at 90 euros and can be booked in advance online or purchased directly from the park's ticket office. You can also take advantage of the San Diego Explorer Pass, which includes access to SeaWorld.

Taking part in one of San Diego's best tours will allow you to get a glimpse of the city from different perspectives. If you're short on days for your summer adventure on California's shores, it's the best way to make the most of your time. An outdoor tour is a great way to take advantage of the great weather and get a tan worthy of the warmer months of the year.

Explore San Diego's gastronomy in the Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego's gastronomy is very interesting, and in summer there are seasonal products that enrich the experience. The Gaslamp is one of the city's liveliest neighbourhoods, with a variety of restaurants, nightspots and street events. You can sample delicious dishes in this area, the best option is to opt for a guided experience.

These types of tours usually cost around 74 euros, and are the perfect way to experience traditional restaurants, such as El Pulpo, The Smoking Gun and Meze Café. While on the tour you can get a glimpse of the area and learn more about local history. Additionally, free meals for children (both locals and foreigners) are offered in the summer at major counties such as Sunshine Hill, Golden Hill and Mountain View.

See San Diego by night

If you're looking for things to do in San Diego at night, a walking tour of the most iconic sites is a great option. This type of experience takes you to enjoy the night lights in areas such as Old Town, Little Bay, Balboa Park and more. After nightfall, different parts of the city take advantage of the warm temperatures to host summer-themed parties, the most famous of which are the Hilton Hotel's Summer Friday parties.

San Diego is a safe city at night, but there are some dangerous neighbourhoods. To avoid any inconvenience, you can sign up for a tour with a professional guide. Options usually start at 40 euros and usually include transportation. You'll also see the Coronado Bridge, the Star of India and the USS Midway Museum.

Learn more about San Diego on the Amphibious Bus

The amphibious bus is one of the city's most fun attractions, allowing you to explore the streets without too much sun exposure. It's great for taking in the views of the Californian coastline, especially if you're planning things to do with kids in San Diego. The little ones will have fun cruising around Shelter Island, making stops at SeaWorld theme park and more.

What's more interesting is that this transport also navigates the waters off the coast, as it's a special vehicle. It's a great summertime plan to escape the hot temperatures. You get the experience of a tourist bus and a cruise, for the same price. The approximate cost is 42 euros and it has an estimated duration of one hour and forty minutes.

Take a tour of San Diego in GoCar

A GoCar ride is one of the best tours in San Diego, as it allows you to explore downtown San Diego. Generally, this attraction allows you to explore at your own pace with GPS enabled at all times, although you can also request a free map in case you lose connection. Under the rays of the summer sun you can enjoy the experience twice as much, and sometimes they organise friendly summer races.

It's an activity that allows you to tour the city in a short time, ideal if you plan to visit San Diego in 3 days or less, but don't want to miss out on any important sites. The cars will make you feel like you're playing Mario Kart around California. Before you start, check with your tour provider to make sure you have enough fuel.

Become a ghost hunter on your summer holiday, as this is the ideal time to go on a walking tour. The city is home to some truly thrilling legends and horror stories, so pack a map and head out on your own to discover them. There are also guided walks from 37 euros that are usually conducted by professionals.

These types of experiences take you to discover the haunted areas of San Diego, such as the Whaley House, a residence dating back to 1857 located in Old Town. It is now a museum and some people claim to have seen ghosts in the area. You may also get to know the city' s cemeteries and their mysterious stories.

A San Diego Padres game at Petco Park is a must during the summer holidays. At this time of year, the weather will allow you to enjoy the games, although if you go to a midday or afternoon game, I recommend opting for shaded seating. Games are held with different teams, with the highest demand being for the highly rated teams.

If you plan to take a guided tour, keep in mind that you will see the facility from a different perspective. You'll be able to go up to the press room, enter the players' dressing rooms and feel like a baseball star. Additionally, for games there are VIP tickets with special benefits, such as box seats or private suites.

Before your trip, make arrangements to buy tickets to a San Diego baseball game, as they tend to sell out. This experience is available from 40 euros per person and is a must on your summer itinerary.

Between June and July is the San Diego County Fair, where every night there are different artists with live shows and music. There are also activities such as beer competitions, which you can sample for refreshment. There are also street food stalls and obstacle courses.

And if after the festival you want to continue enjoying outdoor and summer experiences, you can take advantage of the activities at the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the world. During this season, there are animal exhibits set in Australia, visits to the home of the elephants and the Safari Park experience, where you can interact with the animals.

Other outdoor concerts are often held in the El Cajon neighbourhood, La Mesa and Balboa Park. You can even explore San Diego's art district, while enjoying street music, or enjoy music parties on the beach, as well as movie screenings at drive-in theatres.

San Diego Memorial Day is celebrated during the last days of May right at the beginning of summer. It honours the fallen of the United States Armed Forces who lost their lives in various battles. Many free events are held on these dates, made for fun and remembrance. To learn more you can visit the National Veterans Memorial.

During this date of remembrance, I also suggest you take a look at some of the best museums in San Diego, which include military museums full of experiences and learning. For example, you can visit the USS Midway Museum where there are different decommissioned aircraft. On Memorial Day there are special exhibits and admission starts at 28 euros.

There's no doubt that the California coast is a big city, and summer festivals are in abundance. These events are ideal for enjoying the clear skies, long warm days and things to do in San Diego at night, with temperatures in the low 20s. Here are the festivals you can't miss!

Chili Cooking Festival

The Chili Cooking Festival is an event held in conjunction with the Ocean Beach Street Fair in June. Over 50,000 visitors are expected each year and admission is free. You can see street murals, as well as sample oceanfront food, shop at street stalls, watch cooking competitions, sample craft beer and ride the rides.

Hillcrest Cityfest Street Fair

Hillcrest Cityfest Street Fair is an annual festival that comes to life on one of San Diego's most picturesque streets in mid-August. It's completely free and you can enjoy live music, food, arts and crafts and attractions ideal for the little ones.

Fiestas Patrias in Old Town

The Fiestas Patrias in San Diego's Old Town celebrate one of the most important Latin American holidays, due to the large percentage of Mexican citizens. This is Mexico's Independence Day in September, which features parades, costume displays, dances and markets in Old Town.

The 4th of July is one of the most popular American celebrations worldwide and one of the best things to do in San Diego during this month. You can enjoy a fireworks show that can be seen from San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, SeaWorld and Old Town, free of charge. Theme parties and other events are usually available early in the morning.

There are also parades and special meals. If you're with children, be aware that the streets are often crowded and there are many people drinking alcoholic beverages, so keep an eye on the little ones. Take advantage of the amusement rides, as there are several fun fairs along the coast.

In San Diego you can experience the day from the streets, or head to special events at SeaWorld, the USS Midway Museum and Legoland. In some areas, there are family games and activities for children. There are also outdoor concerts, art sessions in major parks and the Crown Classic Race in the Coronado area.

Pacific water is often cold, but during the summer San Diego' s best beaches offer a pleasant atmosphere with cool temperatures. Here are a few options for your summer in California:

• Coronado Beach: it has gentle waves, so it is ideal if you have little swimming experience or are looking for things to do in San Diego with kids.
• La Jolla Beach: it is a cove considered one of the best destinations in San Diego, it has caves and cliffs that you can reach on foot.
• Mission Beach: one of the busiest beaches in summer, it is located near Belmont Park and has an active nightlife. Bonfires are held at the foot of the beach in the summer and parking is free.