Lifeguard station on a San Diego beach

San Diego in September

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

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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Hillcrest street sign
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Things to do in Hillcrest San Diego

Just north of Balboa Park, the uptown neighbourhood of Hillcrest is the beating heart of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ scene, its tree-lined streets brimming with lively gay bars, international restaurants and fab brunch spots. Stay here for the vibrant community feel, huge annual Pride parade and proximity to top San Diego attractions including the fine gardens, museums and architecture in Balboa Park and the iconic Spruce Street Suspension Bridge in nearby Bankers Hill. Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Hillcrest San Diego. Historic Hillcrest Immerse yourself in Hillcrest history with a wander through the neighborhood’s leafy streets. It won’t be long before you spot a traditional Craftsman’s house. These simple, rustic bungalows date to the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th Century and were originally intended as an antidote to Victorian ostentation. Well-preserved specimens can be identified by architectural hallmarks such as modest wooden exteriors, terracotta porches and wide oak doors. The most famous of these is Marston House at the top of Balboa Park. Visit the museum here for a fascinating glimpse into the Arts and Crafts movements inside the private family home of George W. Marston, dubbed ‘the father of Balboa Park’ for his part in establishing this vast green space. Stroll beneath fragrant pine and eucalyptus trees and California Oaks in the museum’s five acres of mature gardens and pick up unique Arts and Crafts-influenced gifts including pottery and prints in the cozy shop, located in the former carriage house. Hillcrest Life Hillcrest’s lively streets are abuzz with fine places to eat, drink and shop. Head to University Avenue for a mouthwatering variety of international restaurants serving up everything from steaming bowls of ramen and eye-wateringly spicy Thai curries to authentic Italian pizzas and aromatic Afghani kebabs. Nearby Fifth Avenue is the place for thrift-store fashions and a chilled brunch scene, while the Hillcrest Farmers’ Market rolls into Normal Street every Sunday, with nearly 200 vendors selling organic produce, handmade clothes and more, accompanied by live music and the intoxicating scents of street food. It’s also around these central thoroughfares that you’ll find the hub of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ scene, with dozens of gay bars and clubs to choose from. Head to Rich’s for karaoke, games and dancing till late and to Urban MO's Bar & Grill for imaginative cocktails, themed evenings and weekend brunches. Hillcrest Brewing prides itself as 'the first gay brewery in the world’ and serves up a selection of its own concoctions including Crotch Rocket Irish Style Red Ale and Banana Hammock Scotch Ale alongside guest beers, cocktails and more. The epicenter of San Diego’s annual Pride festival, Hillcrest welcomes around 300,000 revelers every July for a series of events including inspirational speakers, a 5k fun run, top-flight live music and entertainment and, of course, the legendary Parade, a colorful celebration that weaves through the neighborhood’s streets, leaving music, laughter and joy in its wake. Local Highlights Hillcrest's location, bounded by Mission Hills, University Heights, North Park, Bankers Hill and Balboa Park, means there’s plenty more to see and do in the immediate vicinity. Head south along First Avenue to reach the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge in Bankers Hill. At 375 feet long, this discrete footbridge is an iconic local landmark with cracking views of the verdant Kate Sessions Canyon below. Those with a head for heights will find much to enjoy on a stroll across this feat of 1912 engineering. Those without may however wish to get their kicks elsewhere – strong gusts of wind have been known to make the bridge sway somewhat dramatically. Eek! Over in Mission Hills, hedge enthusiasts will have quite the ball at the extraordinary Harper’s Topiary Garden. Here, the owners’ neatly trimmed bushes have become a piece of living art, with more than 50 expertly hand-coiffed sculptures in their front yard. The result is nothing less than magical. Look out for dinosaurs, surfers, a Buddha and all manner of other weird and wonderful shapes. The neighborhood’s quirky outdoor theater, Cinema Under The Stars, shows a program of classic and cult movies year-round, thanks to its retractable weatherproof dome and infrared heating. Balboa Park Bordering Hillcrest to the south, Balboa Park is San Diego’s sprawling urban playground, covering some 1,200 acres. Inside, you’ll find the best museums and formal gardens in town. You’ll recognize the San Diego Museum of Art from its elaborate Spanish Renaissance-style facade, just one example of some of the fantastic – and fantastical – architecture on display along the El Prado Boulevard. Statues of master painters Velázquez, Murillo and Zurbarán stand sentry over the grand entrance and their works loom equally large inside, along with major pieces from Goya, Monet, Canaletto and more. Stroll the length of El Prado to admire the wildly diverse architectural styles on display, from Casa del Prado’s shaded cloisters and garlanded columns to the playful California Building with its colorful tiled dome, three-story belltower and enchanting mix of the Baroque, the Rococo, the Gothic and the Churrigueresque. Also worth seeking out is the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, an ornate Italian Renaissance confection that houses the the biggest outdoor organ on the planet and hosts free organ recitals every Sunday as well as evening concerts in summer. Among the dozens of things to do in Balboa Park you can also – deep breath – meet thousands of cute critters at San Diego Zoo, ride painted beasts including a lion and a dragon on the park’s traditional century-old carousel, chill with an ice cream on the broad lawns in front of the picture-perfect Botanical Building, and meander zen-like among bonsai groves, koi ponds and cherry blossoms in the Japanese Friendship Garden. Save on things to do in Hillcrest 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
san-diego-skyline-sunrise-coronado-bridge
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Things to Do in San Diego in Summer 2019 - Attractions, Activities & More

Due to the stellar weather, summer is probably the best time of the year to visit one of America’s prettiest cities, San Diego. The weather is always great in Southern California. But summer in San Diego certainly takes things up a level (or two). Planning a visit and looking for things to do in San Diego in the summer 2019? Check out our list of the top attractions and activities going on this year, including... San Diego Zoo San Diego Harbor Tour or Whale Watch Museums at Balboa Park PETCO Park Tour and more... Heading to the area to celebrate Independence Day? Then check out our post on things to do in San Diego 4th of July Weekend. Vacation during the tail end of summer? Here are a few fun things to do in San Diego Labor Day Weekend. Save on Summertime Activities Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go San Diego pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all San Diego tourist passes, attractions and prices. Please note, some of these special Summer events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go San Diego pass. Living Coast Discovery Center Explore San Diego’s wildlife at the Living Coast Discovery Center. There are only so many sea specimens you’re likely to see on your snorkeling adventures. So pay a visit to the Living Coast Discovery Center to learn about creatures big and small that populate the coastal region around San Diego. The Center is also deeply invested in its conservation work, so it’s a great attraction for anyone interested in working with animals or the environment. Getting In: Living Coast Discovery Center tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass. San Diego County Fair Del Mar Fairgrounds May 31 - July 4, 2018 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays in June but open July 2&3) Beginning May 31, North America’s fourth-largest fair will get underway at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. With over 1 million visitors anticipated each year, this festival only gets bigger and better as times goes on. This year's theme is "Oz-some." Visitors will experience kid-in-a-candy store excitement from chocolate sampling to some of San Diego area's hottest headlining bands. Plus thrilling carnival rides! Meet farm animals, enjoy dozens of live entertainment acts, let the kids explore educational exhibits. Enjoy a number of other amazing mini festivals throughout the duration of the fair. Getting In: The San Diego County Fair is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego Card. San Diego Comic-Con San Diego Convention Center July 18 - 21, 2019 For fans of Superman, Spiderman, Spawn, and the Simpsons, there’s no better San Diego Attraction than the Comic-Con. Comic-Con International: San Diego has quickly become the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States. During Comic-Con San Diego, more than 130,000 artists, celebrities and comic book fans will pack the San Diego Convention Center. That's a huge transformation from when about 100 people attended the first “minicon” in 1970. Tickets are pricey and sell out quickly, but for the big geeks out there, this is basically the event of the year. Getting In: San Diego Comic Con is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego Card. Let's Recap So there you have it. Our picks for some of the top things to do in San Diego in the summer. Please note, the summer events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Diego Card. Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with your family or a couple of friends, we're sure you will have a great time.
Katie Sagal
The pier at Ocean Beach, San Diego
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Things to do in Ocean Beach San Diego

Antique shops rub shoulders with surf boutiques, organic grocery stores and tempting taquerias in bohemian Ocean Beach, a buzzing neighborhood at the estuary of the San Diego River, around 10 kilometers from downtown. The broad sun-kissed strip of golden SoCal sand draws surfers and sunbathers from near and far while the neighborhood’s historic streets play host to markets and festivals throughout the year. Read on for our pick of the best things to do in Ocean Beach San Diego. Paint the Town Laidback Ocean Beach revels in its reputation as San Diego’s hippy chic hangout. There’s a real community feel to this welcoming neighborhood: stroll palm-lined Newport Avenue and you’ll soon see what we mean. This is also the place to find unusual souvenirs of your trip. Head to French-themed antique store Vignettes for vintage Chanel and Tiffany jewelry, beautiful art prints from Paris and unique Victorian and Edwardian engagement rings. Track down that elusive Pearl Jam LP in hip Cow Records and pick up preloved vintage fashions and other collectible knick-knacks in the boho Humble Heart thrift stores. There are also several tattoo parlors, should you be in the market for a truly indelible souvenir of your trip. Newport Avenue bursts into life every Wednesday when the popular Ocean Beach Farmers Market rolls into town. Wander among more than 100 stalls soaking up the community vibe and live music, and breathing in the heady aromas of sizzling burgers, fresh flowers, handmade soaps and more from local producers. Pick up a canvas tote bag adorned with the market’s colorful logo and stuff it full of goodies to take home: the freshly baked breads and homemade desserts here are to die for. Afterwards, sample San Diego’s legendary craft beers in one of the avenue’s sociable taprooms. Close to the seafront, Ocean Beach Brewery serves up house ales, lagers and porters alongside tacos, burgers, salads and bar games, with a side order of sensational sea views from its third-story rooftop terrace. Further back along the drag, Kilowatt Brewing offers an eclectic selection of small batch beers amid several works of black light art and – in a nod to the brewery’s name – cool, color-changing LED lighting. If wine is more your bag, the nearby Gianni Buomo Vintners has you covered – take a tour of the winery and sample a flight of six great wines, some from California. You can also, should the mood take you, grab a coffee to go and take a gentle stroll around the neighborhood, noting the colorful painted murals and historic buildings including the old Strand Theater and the Bank of Italy – both around 100 years old – along the way. Life’s a Beach Ocean Beach’s tempting stretch of blonde sand and rolling waves make it a firm favorite with surfers. Pros and novices flock here and to other nearby surf spots every summer. Watch them turn 360s and wipe out from the comfort of your lounger or get involved with popular beach sports including volleyball and over-the-line. Wander the 600-meter length of Ocean Beach Pier, the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. On any given day you’ll be sure to see young couples taking selfies against the famous California sunset and dozens of anglers fishing for herring, no doubt with a couple of hopeful-looking pelicans hanging out nearby. Look out for sleek native harbor seals ducking and diving in the fish-rich waters below. When the tide goes out, vast beds of rock and kelp emerge beneath the pier. Kids can take a well-earned break from sandcastle-building duties to forage in the exposed tidepools, discovering hermit crabs, anemones, prickly sea urchins and maybe even an occasional sea star. At the top of the beach by the mouth of the San Diego River, Dog Beach provides amazing off-the-leash fun for your four-legged friend. Here, dogs of all shapes and sizes frolic freely in the sand and surf and mingle with like-minded canines. Note that owning a dog is not a prerequisite to visit this pretty stretch of beach; you’re equally welcome if you simply wish to fill your heart with joy at the sight of all those doggos living their best lives. Attractions Near Ocean Beach Ocean Beach’s location just north of Point Loma means easy access to attractions along the peninsula. Hire a bike and take a ride down Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park where – as the name suggests – you can expect stunning sunsets from atop rugged cliffs. Adventurers will relish the chance to scramble down to the Sunset Cliffs Cave at low tide, but be prepared to get wet! To reach this geological marvel – a huge open-ceiling sea cave – head to Luscomb Point and take the steps down to the bottom. You’ll have to cross rocks and wade through some shallow water to reach the cave from here but, boy, is it worth it. Towards the tip of the peninsula, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a historic landmark that lies a mere 20-minute drive south from Ocean Beach. Erected in 1855, the lighthouse marks the highest point within the Cabrillo National Monument park. Visitors can take a look around inside and may occasionally be startled by volunteers in period costume, there to reenact key moments from the lighthouse’s storied history. The lighthouse tower is open only twice a year: on August 25 and November 15. Like Sunset Cliffs, the lighthouse is a great place for filling your Instagram feed with humblebrag snaps of the sun setting over the ocean. It’s also pretty good for spotting whales between December and April, when gray whales migrate en masse from Alaska to the warm calving grounds of Baja’s lagoons. Dedicated whale-spotters may even be lucky enough to see mothers swimming with their calves in late April and early May, as they set out on their long journey back to the Arctic. Save on things to do in Ocean Beach 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

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