San Diego in September

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Lifeguard station on a San Diego beach

September is a popular time to visit San Diego, when temperatures remain balmy enough for short sleeves and the madding August crowds begin to gently dissipate. All of which means more space for breathing that sweet SoCal air in the beautiful parks, beaches and valleys of America’s Finest City, and greater elbow room at attractions both famous and off the beaten path. Here’s our guide to visiting San Diego in September, and all the best things to do while you’re there…

Visiting San Diego in September

Temperature: 66-77°F • Average Rainfall: 1 day/month • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day

Downtown San Diego skyline at sunset

Not so sizzling-hot that your shirt looks like it’s been water-bombed by the time you’ve walked a couple of blocks, nor so cool that you can’t still enjoy the golden sands of Ocean Beach and La Jolla shores, September is pretty much San Diego’s ‘Goldilocks’ month. There are still plenty of festivals going on in and around the city as summer winds down and, by the month’s mid-way point, shoulder-season prices are starting to kick in. Put simply, for you that means cheaper hotel rooms, cheaper flights, and plenty of restaurant and attraction promotions designed to keep the punters coming in. In short, visiting San Diego in September is a no-brainer.

Discover more in our guide to staying in San Diego.

Planning to check out some of San Diego’s world-class attractions while you’re in town? Of course you are! You’re thinking: European Old Masters and modern American sculpture at the San Diego Museum of Art, a tour of the Padres' Petco Park Stadium, a day at the zoo – am I right? The Go San Diego pass can save you up to 50% on access to all of these, plus many more San Diego tours, activities and attractions. 

Find out more about the Go San Diego pass, and get yours here.

Things to do in San Diego in September

Food, Glorious Food!

Man eating an enormous sandwich in a café

If you’re going to San Diego in September, go hungry. San Diego Restaurant Week sees dozens of the city’s top eateries offer fixed price menus at rock-bottom prices. Think of it as something of a supermarket sweep (but with food), as restaurants from Miramar to Mission Bay and Hillcrest to Harbor Island welcome guests for budget lunches and dinners across eight belt-loosening days. Bookings for this epic edible extravaganza is highly recommended. Find out more about participating restaurants here.

San Diego’s Local Gems

Get a little off the beaten path in San Diego at any time of year and you’re all but guaranteed authentic, crowd-free fun. It’s even better in September when you might find you have North Park’s indie art galleries, Point Loma’s tide pools, Hillcrest’s picturesque Arts and Crafts houses and Coronado’s Bayshore Bikeway pretty much entirely to yourself. Surfers should strike out for La Jolla’s lesser-spotted Windansea Beach and art-lovers could do worse than a walking tour of some of San Diego’s best urban street art. Try Chicano Park, Adams Avenue and the epic Sea Walls Project for the win.

Oktoberfest in… September

Woman in traditional Bavarian dress, carrying several steins of beer

Contrary to its name, Oktoberfest celebrations often take place in September in San Diego. That’s right: that’s ‘celebrations’ plural. This traditional Bavarian beer-fest has been adopted wholesale by thirsty San Diegans – no surprise, perhaps, given the huge number of microbreweries in this, the craft beer capital of the USA. Expect day- and sometimes week-long events in microbrewing hotspots like North Park, Hillcrest and Ocean Beach. The largest – La Mesa Oktoberfest in East County – has been running for over 50 years and features activities like bratwurst-eating competitions, yodeling contests, and dachshund races. Don’t forget your lederhosen!

Miramar Air Show

Only the biggest military air show in the United States, the Miramar Air Show comes to San Diego for three days in late September or early October. And it’s quite the eye-popping extravaganza. Spectators can expect extraordinary aerial acrobatics with displays that include ultra-modern fighter jets, vintage warbirds and more. You can even get a chance to fly one yourself. Well, sort of: simulators are all part of the fun here, alongside all manner of other entertainments, both on the ground and up in the air! Find out more about the Miramar Air Show here.

Belmont Park

The Giant Dipper at Belmont Park

Even San Diego’s most popular attractions become a lot less crowded in September than in August. Mission Beach’s Belmont Park is a case in point, promising shorter queues and old-school charm in spades. Ride the century-old wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster (if you dare), test your driving skills on the bumper cars, win a cuddly toy, and leave on a cotton candy sugar high.

Pro-tip: entry to Belmont Park is included with a Go San Diego pass!

La Jolla Shores

There’s a raft of activities available along the luscious shores of La Jolla, San Diego’s sun-kissed northern beach destination par excellence. Sure, you could just lounge on the golden sands of crescent-shaped La Jolla Shores, and we’d heartily recommend you spend some time doing precisely that! But if you fancy a little extra excitement, why not rent a kayak and snorkel to explore the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an absolutely pristine marine reserve where you can ogle stingrays, leopard sharks, sea turtles and more as they cruise through the gin-clear waters below. Explore the seven secret sea caves once used by Prohibition-era smugglers or get your thrill on with a leap of faith over the cliffs of nearby Torrey Pines. Find out more about tandem paragliding experiences here, and secure La Jolla kayak, snorkel and indeed surfboard rental with a Go San Diego pass.

Scenic San Diego Strolls

Torrey Pines National Park

No head for heights? Fear not: San Diego’s pleasant September climes mean it’s also a great time for experiencing this stunning landscape on foot. There are 2,000 acres of rugged bluffs, windswept plateaus and colorful wildflowers to explore in Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, named for the endangered tree (pictured above) that’s unique to this stretch of coast. Over in Mission Valley, the Mission Trails National Park is, at 7,000 acres, one of the largest urban parks in the US. Hike up Cowles Mountain for 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. As the name suggests, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park just south of Ocean Beach promises some of the finest clifftop sunset views in town, while Balboa Park is where it’s at for flatter, shorter and altogether less strenuous (but no less beautiful) hiking opportunities.

Save on San Diego Attractions, Tours and Activities

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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Belmont Park rollercoaster
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Visiting LEGOLAND® California Resort - Tips, Admission & More for Your Family

Families traveling to California can’t miss the hottest attraction in the area – LEGOLAND® California Resort. It’s perfect for families with children 12 and under because it’s designed to introduce them to the excitement, creativity, and innovation at an age-appropriate pace. Check out our helpful guide for visiting the LEGOLAND® California Resort, packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more. Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND® California Start in the back of the Park at the beginning of the day (arrive before noon) and then move your way forward to avoid the most lines. Consider purchasing a Park Hopper pass if you think you’ll be interested in LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE® Aquarium – it will save you money versus purchasing individual tickets. If you plan to go to the Water Park, we suggest before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. It will help you avoid the biggest lines. Download the LEGOLAND mobile app for access to park maps, special info, and attraction guides. If you want an interactive version of the map to consult in advance, you can find that online, too. Review height restrictions on rides before you visit so you don’t wait in line for a ride your kid isn’t tall enough to enjoy. For the full LEGO® experience, consider booking a night at the wildly popular LEGOLAND Hotel, located immediately adjacent to the Park. Use your San Diego pass to get your LEGOLAND tickets. When is the best time to visit LEGOLAND® California? A visit to LEGOLAND California Resort is likely to take all day, so plan to arrive early in the morning. This will minimize your wait times early in the day, and allow you to maximize the time you spend enjoying the Park. As far as the time of year goes, if you have any flexibility the summer is the time to avoid. The lines will be the longest and the cost of lodging will be higher. Fortunately, San Diego is temperate for most of the year, so you can still enjoy the rides throughout the fall and winter. What to bring to LEGOLAND® California? Sunscreen and a hat – you’ll be outside all day. If you plan on upgrading to the Water Park, bring or wear a bathing suit, too. A camera, smartphone, or another recording device. Bottled water and snacks if you want to avoid purchasing them on-site. Comfortable shoes – it’s a big park and you’ll probably be walking a lot. LEGO® Minifigures! You can trade your LEGO® Minifigure with any employee in the Park or at any of the Trading Posts. What to do at LEGOLAND® California? What can I expect at LEGOLAND® California? LEGO CITY: Deep Sea Adventure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFJMl5Tx0w4 Just opened in the summer of 2018, this submarine ride is a part treasure hunt, part sea life expedition. See real sea creatures like rays and sharks, as well as gorgeous oceanic plant life. Keep an eye out for LEGO fish, too! You can also use the interactive touch screens in your submarine to find shiny gems and lost treasures. It's a massive new addition to LEGOLAND that should not be missed. LEGO NINJAGO You also should be sure to save plenty of time for LEGO NINJAGO World, an innovative area of the park that brings high-tech entertainment to the max. It's the first park in North America to create a digital 3-D experience quite like this. Jump onto NINJAGO the Ride for a truly immersive experience into the world of the ninja as only LEGO can imagine it. Take advantage of the unparalleled Maestro hand gesture technology to sling weapons at your digital enemies and collect points as you go along. Don't miss your chance to explore this singular ride - with such inventive new technology, it's the hottest new ticket in LEGOLAND. Of course, you simply must check out the new LEGO NINJAGO movie, LEGO NINJAGO - Master of the 4th Dimension. Follow the entertaining adventures of the ninjas as they explore the mysteries of the "Scroll of the 4th Dimension." Miniland USA Miniland USA is the staple attraction of LEGOLAND California Resort and is definitely a must-see for all families. Comprised of LEGO® recreations of American cities at 1/20th scale, Miniland is both fascinating and educational. Each model is made entirely of LEGO bricks available for purchase, so it’s really cool to see something that could theoretically be made by anyone! Within Miniland, you'll see structures like the NYC skyline, the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Capitol Dome from Washington, D.C. You'll also find the LEGO Star Wars models here, so keep and eye out for a massive LEGO Death Star and more! Imagination Zone Imagination Zone is another popular area with visitors. Designed to teach children engineering and programming skills, Imagination Zone allows kids to construct objects using a guide, or just the inspiration of their own minds. They’ll also have the opportunity to create programmable robots out of LEGO bricks! LEGO® Friends Heartlake City LEGO Friends Heartlake City showcases every girl’s favorite LEGO® line. Girls (and boys, too, of course!) can ride a beautiful carousel, wander through the horse stables, and splash in the Heartlake Fountain. An especially popular attraction in this part of the park is the Heartlake Stables, where little visitors can build and play, inspired by the wonder and fun of Heartlake City. DUPLO® Playtown DUPLO® Playtown is the perfect destination for the littlest of guests. With everything comprised of their larger DUPLO bricks, this area has fun buildings to explore, enjoyable and gentle rides, and plenty of activities. Fun Town Fun Town is another great option for the small ones. It's a scaled recreation of the real world - sized just right to make kids feel like adults! Your kids will have a ton of fun in Fun Town when they act out a day in the life of a grownup (without all the stress, of course!) Don't miss out on the LEGOLAND Express, a mini-train that toots around Fun Town at a relaxed pace. It's a laid-back and low key ride for the very little ones. What attractions are near LEGOLAND® California? With its Carlsbad, CA location, LEGOLAND California Resort is conveniently located a mere half-hour away from downtown San Diego, so you're within a quick drive of tons of great attractions, from the historic to the epic and everything in between. Use your Go Card San Diego for entry to the following attractions: History buffs will love the USS Midway Museum, one of the most popular attractions in all of San Diego. Balboa Park is filled with over a dozen different museum options, and is a fun place to roam or picnic. The San Diego Air and Space Museum is an excellent educational attraction. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are also can't miss attractions for families. For the nature-lovers, you’re also right near the Carlsbad beaches, Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve, and La Jolla. Where to eat near LEGOLAND® California? Is food allowed in LEGOLAND® California? LEGOLAND California Resort is filled with plenty of dining options for you to enjoy onsite, so you don’t need to interrupt your adventure-filled day when your tummy starts to rumble. Some restaurant choices include Castle Burgers, Fun Town Hot Dog, Garden Restaurant, Knights’ Smokehouse, Ocean Journey Café, and more. You’ll find a wide variety of cuisines including healthy, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the park, but you are allowed to bring in water and small snacks. How to get to LEGOLAND® California? Hours Hours vary seasonally; consult the attraction’s operating calendar for details. Directions & Address One LEGOLAND Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Getting to LEGOLAND California Resort from San Diego From San Diego North County: Take Interstate 5 South to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From San Diego North County Inland: Take 15 North or South to 78 West to Interstate 5 South, then take Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From Coastal San Diego Area: Take Interstate 5 North to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort. From San Diego East County: Take 8 West to Interstate 5 North to Cannon Road, head East. Turn right at LEGOLAND Drive and follow signs to LEGOLAND California Resort.
Katie Sagal
San Diego skyline by night
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Things to do in San Diego at Night Time

After-dark activities abound in buzzing San Diego, where night owls can partake of delights as diverse as spooky ghost tours, craft beer taprooms, sunset s’mores on the beach, and nocturnal critters at the epic Balboa Park Zoo. Dive in for our guide to some of the best things to do in San Diego at night time. Get Spooked on a Ghost Tour San Diego could well be the planet’s most haunted city. The proliferation of ghost tours available in and around the Old Town would certainly have you think so. Hit up the spookier-than-spooky Whaley House (built in the 19th century on the site of an old gallows, natch) for your main spectral fix. Here, in ‘the most haunted house in America’ (LIFE magazine) nearly two centuries of domestic tragedy make for perfect ghost-hunting fodder, with nerve-shredding night tours available, led by ghoulish expert guides. Fearless travelers can also join terrifying walking tours of Old Town burial grounds and the ghostly Gaslamp Quarter if they dare. Creature Features San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest and best-loved zoos on the planet. Excellent during the daytime, it’s arguably even better at night when the nocturnal critters start stirring from their daylight slumbers and getting ready for dinnertime. The night zoo operates through summer, adding tribal music, wildlife performers, acrobatics and more to an already fairly exotic roster of attractions that includes tropical aviaries, savannahs and Arctic environments. Dinner on the Bay An evening cruise of San Diego Bay is a great way to see the city sights and beautiful California coastline without lifting a finger (or indeed a foot). Sail across the harbor, taking in views of the dramatic skyline against fiery sunset skies and check out attractions including Coronado Island and the USS Midway. Lucky punters might even catch a glimpse of the occasional migrating whale (blue in summer; gray in winter) as they tuck into dinner and cocktails and enjoy the on-board entertainment. S’mores on the Beach San Diego’s long and beautiful stretch of California coastline means just one thing: you absolutely must cozy up around a night time beach bonfire with friends and family. Grab your cookies, chocolate and marshmallows and hit up cookout hotspots (no pun intended) at the likes of Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores and Coronado Beach. You’ll have to book your spot at the beach in front of the legendary Hotel del Coronado well in advance, but boy is it worth it. Perched right on the seafront overlooking Point Loma, ‘The Del’, with its distinctive conical turrets, is a Coronado institution. Here, families build sandcastles along the hotel’s fine band of golden sand, paddle-board in the lagoon, and gorge themselves silly on firepit s’mores at sunset. Beery Bonanza Microbrewing is big business in San Diego, where somewhere in the region of 150 independent breweries are thriving at any given time. Because of this, you rarely have to walk far to find a fine brewhouse or taproom, especially in hip enclaves like North Park, where colorful street art and beautiful beer make for fine bedfellows. Sup strong stouts at the Belching Beaver Brewery or grab a hazy IPA at the Fall Brewing Company. Mosey over to hippy-dippy Ocean Beach where sun-kissed vibes are the order of the day at the Ocean Beach Brewery, or strike out for the lovely gardens and outdoor games at Stone Brewing’s huge Liberty Station complex. Heck, if you fancy taking an immersive deep-dive into the best the ‘capital of craft’ has to offer, you can even go on a guided tour of multiple San Diego microbreweries. Or, as it used to be called, a bar crawl.   Sunset Stroll The clue’s in the name: Sunset Cliffs just south of Ocean Beach is one of San Diego’s finest spots for watching the sun go down over the Bay. Take a flask of your favorite mocktail (non-alcoholic drinks only up here we’re afraid) and enjoy the peace and relative solitude as the skies turn various shades of fiery orange, mustard yellow and burnt sienna over a petrol-blue sea. It’s the perfect setting for #humblebrag Insta shots and also (if you squint against the fading light) a pretty decent whale-watching spot, especially between December and April, when gray whales migrate en masse from Alaska to the warm calving grounds of Baja’s lagoons. Balboa Park Balboa Park is a treat at any time, but arguably lovelier still at night when its buildings are beautifully illuminated (if not necessarily open). The park’s most extraordinary architectural marvels were designed for Expos in the early 20th Century. Ogle the ornate Spanish Renaissance-style facade of the San Diego Museum of Art, featuring sculptures of Velázquez, Murillo and Zurbarán, pause for a pic in the Casa del Prado’s atmospheric cloisters, and listen out for the chime of the California Building’s eye-popping bell tower. There’s live music and theater at the Victorian Spreckels Organ Pavilion and Old Globe respectively, and you can unleash your inner kid on the old-fashioned carousel, a menagerie of brightly painted beasts that includes horses, giraffes, cats and a dragon! It’s Showtime! San Diego’s lively nightlife scene runs the gamut from rowdy dive bar rock shows to country music and top-flight comedy. Hit up the open mic night at the American Comedy Company for some of the freshest new talent in California, grab dinner and a show at the legendary House of Blues, or bust some moves and get involved in raucous singalongs at the non-stop party that is The Shout! House’s Dueling Pianos show. You’ll find some of the music world’s biggest names dropping by Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium on their world tours, while the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach has hosted gigs by the likes of BB King and the Black Eyed Peas. Save on attractions in San Diego 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

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