July is a great time to visit San Diego, as the summer season gets into full swing and festivals, concerts and outdoor events pop up across the city. The weather is balmy, the sea shimmers invitingly, and there’s a festive holiday atmosphere in the air. Sure, it can also get busy as vacationers arrive in search of sun-kissed sands, swoonsome sunsets and some of the best beer in the States but, well, this laidback buzzy beach town is no LA or Miami in that regard. Read on for our guide to visiting this SoCal stunner in summer, plus all the best things to do in San Diego in July…
Visiting San Diego in July
Temperature: 66-75°F • Average Rainfall: 1 day/month • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day
Leave the umbrella at home and pack light for July trips to San Diego. We’re talking linens and cottons – think floaty summer frocks, shorts, tees and open toes. Don’t stint on the sunscreen either; San Diego enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, arid summers, so it’s essential you protect yourself against the harmful UV rays while working on that golden California tan. A hat the size of Saturn, a decent water bottle, and sunglasses that would make a Kardashian blush wouldn’t hurt either.
Summer is one of San Diego’s busiest seasons, so it pays to book your flights and accommodation well in advance, although you can also often find last-minute offers for that spontaneous weekend escape.
Check out our guide to where to stay in San Diego here.
Increased tourist footfall inevitably means longer queues at some of the bigger attractions. Unavoidable, we’re afraid, but you can at least take the edge off by saving some $$$ on regular entry prices. A Go San Diego pass does precisely that, and could save you up to 50% when visiting multiple city attractions. We’re talking SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Belmont Park, whale-watching cruises, and many more.
Find out more about Go San Diego pass options, and get yours here.
Things to do in San Diego in July
July 4th Fireworks
If you’re in town early in the month, you won’t want to miss the multiple firework extravaganzas that light the night sky on the fourth of July. Hit up Mission Bay or Coronado for some of the best views in town.
San Diego Pride
The hip Hillcrest neighborhood is where it’s at for all things Pride. Expect colorful rainbow flags galore, plus processions, parades and an epic weekend-long festival in Balboa Park, featuring drag pageants, international DJs and lots and lots of dancing.
Read our guide to San Diego’s July Pride events here.
Baseball Season
Cheer on local heroes the San Diego Padres at their home in Petco Park. Baseball season is already in full glorious swing in July and, well, can you really say you’ve been to San Diego if you haven’t seen the Padres in action? No, dear reader, you cannot. Kit yourself out with the essential baseball accessories (a hot dog, a beer and a giant foam finger), and get ready to revel in the thrilling atmosphere of a Major League game.
Pro-tip: tours of the Padres stadium are included with a Go San Diego pass!
Animals After Dark
Extraordinary enough in the daytime, San Diego Zoo is arguably even better by night, when crepuscular critters rouse from sunlit slumbers and go in search of their supper. The zoo is open nights throughout the summer season, with live performers and tribal rhythms adding to the already electric atmosphere. You can of course also go during the day if you prefer: here's our guide to the best times to visit.
S’mores on the Beach
Nothing says ‘summer in California’ more than sunset s’mores around a beach BBQ, as the waves lap gently against the shore. Pack your marshmallows, chocolate and cookies and hit up s’morish cookout locations at the likes of La Jolla Shores and Coronado Beach. You’ll need to book in advance if you want to nab a spot in front of the iconic ‘Del’ hotel on Coronado. But trust us when we say it’s worth it for the gorgeously soft golden sands and swoonsome Point Loma views.
Summer Ales
There are well over 100 microbreweries operating in beer-mad San Diego, and July is a great time to sample a selection of their superb summer ales. North Park and Hillcrest are particularly dense with taprooms, with Hillcrest Brewing, Modern Times, the Belching Beaver and Fall Brewing Company being among the most popular. Or hit up hippy-dippy Ocean Beach for laid back sun-kissed oceanfront vibes with a sup of ale at the likes of Ocean Beach Brewery and Kilowatt Brewing. Bottoms up!
Whale-Watching
There’s a whale migration super-highway that passes right by the California coast as humpbacks and their blue and gray cousins head for the warm waters of Baja’s breeding grounds. Summer is prime time to spot humpbacks and blue whales here. Take a stroll up Point Loma with a good set of binoculars if you want to catch a glimpse. Or, to maximize your chances of viewing these majestic creatures, set sail on a cruise of the bay with seasoned operators who’ll know precisely where to look, yet another activity that’s included with a Go San Diego pass.
Mission Bay
Only the largest man-made saltwater bay on the planet, Mission Bay is manna for water sport enthusiasts. This huge playground – some 4,600 acres of beaches, waterways and palm-shaded paths – has something for just about everyone. Surf, paddleboard, jet-ski, wakeboard or sail on its azure waters; take kids to the beach for sandcastle contests and splashing in the shallows, or pack a picnic and take a bird-spotting stroll along its lush shores, saying ‘hey’ to resident coots, ducks and sandpipers along the way.
Save on San Diego Attractions, Tours and Activities
Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.
