Planning summer activities in San Diego County? Here are some fun activities to add to your calendar.
- Book a Blue Whale Watching Tour
For a memorable experience, book a whale watching tour with friends and family this summer. As one of the most popular things to do in North County San Diego, whale watching lets you watch these magnificent creatures from a safe and non-intrusive vantage point. The peak season for whale watching spans December to April, though it’s possible to spot blue whales off the San Diego coast all year.
An abundant krill population attracts blue whales to the San Diego coast. Their migration period from mid-June through September makes blue whale watching a popular summer activity for groups. The world’s largest group of blue whales – which includes about 2,000 to 3,000 of these cetaceans – is known to feed off the California coast in the summer.
Though their 30-foot exhalations of vapor can be seen from miles away, blue whales are typically spotted farther out to sea, making it more ideal to spot these majestic creatures by boat.
- Explore Mission Bay Park
Go swimming, kite-flying, hiking, cycling, and horseback riding at Mission Bay Park, a 4,600-acre aquatic park. This pet-friendly summer destination features a 12-mile path, playgrounds, basketball courts, grassy areas, thousands of acres of waterways, and over 27 miles of pristine shoreline and gorgeous beaches along the Pacific. The park also features several lifeguard states, boat docks, and launching facilities in addition to sailboat and motorbike rentals.
Highlights include Tecolote Shores, which features a sandy beach, swimming area, playground, picnic tables, and fire rings; and Fiesta Island, a dog and horse-friendly beach area with an aquatic center.
- Visit the Sunny Jim Cave Store
The Sunny Jim Cave Store carries an array of beach gear, jewelry, and paintings. The back entrance of the store descends into a tunnel and staircase that lead to a spectacular sea cave. The cave walls are a sight to behold with mineral and saltwater adding vivid aquamarine colors to the stone surface. The sea cave itself is home to many sea birds and offers a stunning view of the ocean from a small platform.
The tunnel was commissioned by the German painter and mining engineer Gustauf Schultz in 1902. It is a California Historical Landmark in California and is the only sea cave in San Diego that can be accessed via land.
- Explore the Tide Pools at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre regional park known for its rugged coastline. But the park’s tide pools are San Diego’s best-kept secret – surrounded by craggy cliffs and crystalline sea water, these tide pools are less crowded than their better-known counterparts and command stunning views of the ocean and the famed California sunset. At low tide, marine life such as hermit crabs, small fish, and sea anemone can be spotted in the water.
- Visit Harper’s Topiary Garden
This garden museum in Mission Hills features over 50 trees and bushes that have been trimmed into wonderful shapes, including various animals, people, and objects. From a herd of elephants to the pyramids, spotting the fantastical shapes on this private property can be a fun way to pass the time. Harper’s Topiary Garden is accessible via the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge – another landmark and sightseeing spot – from the local park.
- Attend a Summer Concert
San Diego hosts free summer music and outdoor concerts at various venues throughout the county. These include the Twilight Concerts, which are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings in Balboa Park starting in June.
The International Summer Organ Festival features a historic outdoor organ which produces delightful music at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The festival takes place Monday evenings from June 26 to July 31, 2023. The Organ Pavilion also hosts free organ concerts on Sundays at 2 p.m. Sundays featuring traditional music and popular show tunes.
Which Summer Activity is First on Your List?
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