San Diego in July

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Mission Beach lifeguard station at sunset

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

Woman in sunglasses playing frisbee on the beach

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

Pride parade with rainbow flags

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

Petco Park Stadium, home of the San Diego Padres

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

Cooking 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

Humpback whale

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

San Diego Museum of Art

Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

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.

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Woman meditating on a rock at sunset in San Diego
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Relaxing Things to do in San Diego

What could be more soul-soothing than seeing the sun rise from the cliffs on the California coast, watching the world go by from a cute brunch spot or getting up close to some of the most colorful marine life this side of the tropics? Check out our guide to the 10 most relaxing things to do in San Diego. Take a Morning Walk by the Ocean Early morning is by far the best time to get San Diego’s golden beaches all to yourself. Ok, almost all to yourself. Stroll the sands with just fisherman and curious native harbor seals for company, as they vie for the morning catch. Strike out along the wooden pier at Pacific Beach for that perfect sunrise selfie before the crowds arrive, or stroll the deserted bluffs high above La Jolla Shores for sweeping views of the shimmering ocean below. Heck, you could even take your yoga mat along to achieve maximum morning serenity, soothed by the sound of waves breaking gently on the shore. Have Brunch in Ocean Beach Located just south of the river, Ocean Beach is San Diego’s most laidback boho enclave, chock-full of street art, surf boutiques, organic grocery stores, brewery taprooms and tattoo parlors. There are some excellent brunch spots here too, many with outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching as locals and vacationers go about their daily business along bustling Newport Avenue. Dishes at the popular Breakfast Republic are inspired by Southern and Tijuana cuisine and include such lip-smacking taste sensations as shrimp and grits with hot sauce and a belly-busting California breakfast burrito. Grab an outside table at The Old Townhouse Restaurant, where buttermilk pancakes and zingy grapefruit juice will start your day right. Visit a Garden Sprawling Balboa Park contains many of the best places to relax in San Diego, not least its formal gardens, of which the Alcazar is among the finest. Wander among ornate fountains, bright blooms and vibrant Moorish tiling, and enjoy the tranquil views from the garden’s shaded pergola, all within view of the striking California Tower. With nearly 200 varieties, the Rose Garden is a riot of scent and color at its peak in late spring, while the neighboring Japanese Friendship Garden’s tranquil koi ponds, tinkling water features, bonsai trees and beautiful spring cherry blossoms are all you need to achieve perfect zen. Spend the Day at Mission Bay With 27 miles of shoreline and 4,600 acres of waterways and beaches to explore, Mission Bay is the largest man-made saltwater bay in the world. Think of a water-based activity and you’re sure to find it here: there’s wakeboarding, paddleboarding, surfing, jet skiing and sailing to name just a few. The beaches here are also ideal for kids, with tranquil waters for little feet to paddle in and oodles of sand to make all their castle-building dreams come true. Pack a picnic and slap on the sunscreen for one of San Diego’s most chilled days out. Explore La Jolla Cove The huge kelp forests off San Diego’s coastline attract all manner of magical marine life. Rent a kayak and paddle gently out to the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, just offshore. On a good day with clear waters, you might spot bright orange Garibaldi (the California State fish, no less) as well as friendly leopard sharks, stingrays and sea turtles swimming underneath your boat. Watch out for seals darting sleekly through the water as you make your way across the bay to the seven secret sea caves, said to have been used by smugglers of alcohol and opium back in the Prohibition era. Picnic in Balboa Park There are dozens of great spots to spread out your gingham blanket and unpack your wicker hamper within the 1,200 acres of Balboa Park. Find a wild spot for a quiet, romantic lunch along one of the marked walking trails around the park’s perimeter. Or – if people-watching is more your bag – tuck in to your lunchtime feast on the east or west lawn of the picture-perfect Botanical Building with its peaceful lily pond. Pro-tip: alcohol is allowed here (and in a few other designated areas around the park). But remember to bring your San Diego craft beer in a can and your Californian wine in a box, as glass receptacles are a big no-no. Take a Hike Hiking is a great way to get to know San Diego’s unique topography. The wild canyons and vast nature reserves here provide dozens of great walking opportunities, with many offering staggeringly good views in exchange for very little exertion. Head up to Torrey Pines on the cliffs over La Jolla, where monolithic rock formations, endangered pine trees and panoramic ocean views are the order of the day. If you prefer your hikes a little more challenging, the ruggedly handsome Mission Trails Regional Park offers over 60 miles of pathways across its 7,000 acres, and features Cowles Mountain – the highest point in San Diego – as its centerpiece. The hard-won reward for your epic climb? Dizzying 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. Sink a Couple of Beers In case you haven’t heard, San Diego lays reasonable claim to the title of America’s craft beer capital, with dozens of independent breweries to be found strewn throughout its hip neighborhoods, from Ocean Beach to North Park, and everywhere else in between. The high concentration of taprooms around North Park’s University Avenue and 30th Street make it ideal for a bar crawl, where you can sample the full gamut of imaginative local brews, from citrusy IPAs through flavored pale ales to skull-cracking sour beers and chocolatey stouts. Don’t forget the Alka Seltzer for that difficult morning after. Visit an Aquarium High on a La Jolla hilltop, around 12 miles north of Downtown, is where you’ll find the Birch Aquarium, a superb low-key alternative to SeaWorld that’s affiliated to San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visit the Hall of Fishes, where 60 huge tanks teem with critters that include a rescued loggerhead turtle and an elusive giant Pacific octopus. Be mesmerized by sharks and rays cruising their 13,000-gallon habitat and – for the ultimate in unusual experiences – head to Tidepool Plaza. Here, there’s plenty hands-on fun to be had with lobsters, leopard sharks and more. So far, so normal. But we’ll let you decide whether the sensation of hundreds of tiny cleaner fish nibbling your fingers is really as relaxing as some people claim. Watch a Sunset Nothing says romance and relaxation like watching the California sky glow various shades of purple, orange, red and pink as the sun disappears over the horizon. Grab a chilled bottle of bubbly and head to any one of dozens of perfect vantage points along San Diego’s whopping 70 miles of coastline. Favorite spots include – deep breath – Torrey Pines, the harbor in San Diego Bay, any rooftop bar along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, Pacific Beach’s picture-perfect Crystal Pier and the aptly named Sunset Cliffs south of Ocean Beach. Perfection. Save on relaxing things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
California road-trippers in an open-top convertible
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The Best Day Trips From San Diego

Our guide to the best day trips from San Diego includes sipping cab sauv in the Temecula vineyards, hiking the mountainous landscapes of Cleveland National Forest, seeking your fortune in the gold-rush town of Julian, and ogling twisted trees and epic boulder formations in the otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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A Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego

Due to its ideal location along the Pacific coast, San Diego is one of the premier spots for whale watching in the U.S. Travelers will be amazed at the variety of whales that swim majestically along their migratory patterns through the Pacific Ocean, passing San Diego on their long treks. In fact, roughly 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to Baja California each year! If you’re interested in going whale watching in San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out into the open ocean. Check out our guide to San Diego whale watching for important info and tips. When is the best time to go on a Whale Watch? There are two primary seasons for whale watching cruises in San Diego: summer/fall, and winter/spring. During the summer months (mid-June through September), you're more likely to see a greater variety of whales. You could see whales including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, and the largest animal on earth—the blue whale. During the winter whale watch season (mid-December through April), you'll mainly see the remarkable gray whales. Other animals frequently spotted on San Diego whale watches include a diverse array of dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. You could also see sea lions and several types of sea birds like herons, gulls, and pelicans. Essentially, if you have the freedom to decide what time of year your trip to San Diego will occur, you can arrange it around which kind of whale you’d like to see the most. What to Bring on a Whale Watch? While San Diego’s climate is renowned for being temperate, it’s still chilly out on the open ocean. Bring layers and prepare for unpredictable wind and weather. You’ll be out on the ocean during the day, so it’s also important to wear sunblock and protective eyewear/headwear. As mentioned, it can get breezy and the ocean reflects a tremendous amount of light. (Even on cloudy days.) You should also bring a camera or recording device, ideally a waterproof one. Newer smartphones are usually reliably good for these kinds of photo opportunities, too, if you don’t want to spring for a nice camera. One thing you won’t have to bring is snacks. Most whale watch companies offer their own onboard food and drink, and usually prohibit outside fare anyway. Where Does the Whale Watch Go? Depending on the time of year you’ve selected for your cruise, whale watching ships in San Diego can travel a varying distance away from the coast. During the beginning of the whale watching season (starting in December), gray whales migrating south to warmer waters will stay nearer to the coast. At that time of year, you may only need to sail a few miles offshore to reach their routes. However, later in the spring and into the summer, whales tend to stay further away from the coast so your captain may choose to take the ship about ten or more miles from shore. If you choose a summer whale watch, you may see more diverse marine life as well. Many whale enthusiasts also like to venture further up the coast towards Los Angeles in search of these amazing but elusive creatures. If you choose a whale-watching cruise that departs from Newport Beach, you’ll sail out to one of the largest protected marine parks in the region, located just outside Newport Bay. Whale Watching San Diego Tips Research your whale watching company wisely. Some companies are more of a commercial venture, while others employ real marine biologists from respected institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum. Certain companies also fail to practice eco-friendly and sustainable behavior toward whales. Therefore, it’s important to choose an ethical whale watch. Be patient. It often takes quite some time for whales to surface around human vessels. Be prepared to sit offshore for a while before sighting any of these gentle giants. This behavior is often the reason whale watch cruises usually last between 3 to 4 hours. Appreciate the other creatures. Whales aren’t the only marine life you’ll come across on your nautical adventures. Keep a careful eye out for cavorting dolphins, swooping birds, and glistening sunfish. They’re just as much fun to see as the star attraction, and are usually more plentiful. You can also see some whales from land. While it’s hard to beat the appeal of being out on the open ocean so close to these impressive creatures, you can also see gray whale migration from places just on the Pacific, like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or Torrey Pines State Reserve. Whale watching is a great family activity. Kids of all ages will love the chance to catch glimpses of marine mammals several hundred times their size. Just remember to pack things to keep them occupied during the time you’ll be waiting for the whales to breach—even if you think the novelty of being on a boat will be sufficient entertainment. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal

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