Summer is here once again. Warm sunshine on sun-kissed skin, sand between your toes, the refreshing sea breeze – these are just some of the things to be excited about for summer.
Lucky for you, here in San Diego, you can be even more pumped up for the warm months, thanks to these diverse summer events and activities that the community has to offer.
Must-See Events in San Diego to Look Forward to this Summer
From food festivals to different arts and cultural fairs, San Diego will have something in store for you, your friends and your family. Below are the top 7 annual summer events in San Diego that both locals and tourists should not miss.
· San Diego County Fair
Bring out your cowboy hat, saddle up, and experience the Wild, Wild West in San Diego’s largest summer event – the San Diego County Fair. The fair’s wide open grounds will showcase a variety of food booths, live concerts, exhibits, and carnival rides for people of all ages. Wine connoisseurs, beer enthusiasts, and cocktail aficionados will be over the moon with the San Diego Spirit and Cocktail Festival, San Diego International Beer Festival, and Toast of the Coast Wine Competition and Festival.
· OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival
Open Beach is home to a summer festival that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Spend the entire day listening to live music, enjoying a beer garden by the beach, checking out interesting products from different vendors, and appreciating original works from talented artists. Of course, you should not miss the Chili Cook-Off Festival, where you can try out over 24 unique chili recipes whipped up by the competitors.
· Horse Racing in Del Mar
The Del Mar Horse Racing event showcases the hottest race horses, and racetrack enthusiasts will surely enjoy them. Yet this event is so much more than just placing bets; it also features live concerts, food trucks, family days, and parties. These races are also well-known for the Opening Day Hats Contest, where visitors are encouraged to wear their fanciest race-themed hat to win loads of prizes.
· Sun & Sea Festival
Witness the top-notch artistry of different sculptors as they transform sand into beautiful sand castles at the Imperial Beach. The Sun & Sea Festival is family-friendly, where there are activities for all members of the family such as a farmers’ market, food fair, parades, and a zone specifically for kids.
· US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Expo
This is another famous seaside event that you should check out in San Diego. The event, which runs for 4 days, showcases incredible creations of sand sculptors from all over the world. You will also see over a thousand 3D art pieces, mouthwatering food, beer, and wine while listening to live music.
· San Diego LGBT Pride Festival and Parade
This event is one of the biggest LGBT Pride Parades in the country with almost a hundred thousand participants marching for over a mile to celebrate diversity and unity. There is also a 2-day music festival featuring different musicians, bands, and other performers.
· Comic Con International
Dress up as your favorite superhero or character and celebrate with fellow comic enthusiasts from all over the world at Comic-Con International: San Diego. This 4-day event is packed with workshops, meet and greets with famous authors, autograph signings, brew fests, and other activities that promote appreciation and awareness of the comic art form.
Other Things You Should Try in San Diego During Summer
On days when there is no festival or event scheduled, San Diego still has a lot to offer to visitors and residents alike. Foodies should try the mouthwatering California burritos, enjoy a refreshing acai bowl with different toppings by the beach, and visit a couple of breweries for some ice cold craft beer.
If you are more of an outdoorsy person, you can go biking along Mission Beach, hike up Torrey Pines or Mount Woodson, or do water sports like kayaking or paddle boarding. Gather your group of friends and watch movies outdoors in local parks, attend pool parties in the coolest San Diego hotels, or have your own bonfire party by the beach.
Whether you are a hip tourist who wants to experience and explore the San Diego culture, or a local on “staycation” who wants to try something new, you will definitely have the time of your life with all the hot fairs and events here in San Diego. Check them out today.
