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Things to Do in San Diego in Winter 2018 - December & January Activities & More

By Casey Makovich

Smaller crowds, more vivid sunsets, and temperate weather in the 60's and 70's make winter in San Diego one of the best times to visit the area. Although you’re unlikely to see any snow, there are lots of seasonal activities and fun things to do in December and beyond. Take advantage of thinning crowds and sightsee around San Diego at your own pace this winter. From amazing theme park attractions to low-key local fun, check out our list of popular things to do in San Diego in Winter, including some of the best holiday activities and attractions to help you plan the perfect winter itinerary.

Save on Winter Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is included on the Go San Diego pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available San Diego passes, attractions & prices. Please note, some of these special Winter events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go San Diego pass, but lots of these great activities are! For more ideas, check out our Christmas in San Diego post - for more fun holiday-themed activity ideas.

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

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Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

Where: San Diego Zoo When: December (closed December 24) In the name of holiday spirit, the Zoo plays host to "Jungle Bells," with lots of fun and festive activities, performances, decorations, and more. You'll get to see twinkle light animal sculptures, acrobatic elf performances, and more. Enjoy special holiday meals at select park restaurants, visit Santa’s igloo, and watch some of the zoo’s most famous creatures enjoy holiday-themed enrichment play. You can even see a raccoon deftly open his Christmas present! Be sure to stick around later in the evening for the “Celebration of Lights,” a musical experience filled with magic and fun. You’ll get to watch the zoo’s huge holiday tree light up with a ton of sparkly lights – it’s pretty breathtaking. New this year is Aurora, an exciting visual and sound experience that weaves 3-D projections, music, and light into a spectacular performance. Getting in: San Diego Zoo tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and Jungle Bells activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Holiday Snow Days & Winter Nights at LEGOLAND® California

Where: LEGOLAND® California When: November to January The wintertime fun never stops at the Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights of LEGOLAND® California with nightly snowfalls in Heartlake City, festive music, twinkling lights, seasonal live entertainment, a life-sized LEGO® Brick Santa, and more. There are tons of great kid-centric activities to celebrate the season, from building a LEGO snowman to gazing upon a massive LEGO Christmas tree. Snap a photo with a life-sized LEGO Santa and reindeer, and then stick around to enjoy the fantastic live entertainment and nightly fireworks. Especially for Kids’ New Year’s Eve, there are kids’ bands, party favors, fireworks and a 6pm giant brick drop! Getting in: LEGOLAND California tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

Where: SeaWorld San Diego When: November and December SeaWorld goes all out with SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, filled with festive activities and fun things to do, transforming into a winter wonderland that sparkles with holiday cheer, excitement, and over 3 million beautiful lights. You'll get to meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends in Rudolph's Christmastown, complete with a 40-foot Happiest Dancing Christmas Tree. You can also get your picture taken with Santa in his cottage and join the Elves Dance Party for a sing-a-long, watch the nightly lighting of the largest Christmas tree in Southern California, and watch a mesmerizing nativity show, O Wondrous Night. Be sure to bring layers--you might want to bundle up after taking a ride on the Journey to Atlantis if the weather is on the cooler side. Getting in: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Lunar New Year at SeaWorld San Diego

When: January - February 2020 (yet to be announced) Celebrate Lunar New Year and the year of the rat at SeaWorld San Diego. Enjoy riveting performances from the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei inside Mission Bay Theater®. The sights and sounds of Asia come alive during this cultural celebration with Pan-Asian entertainment and food. Getting in: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and Lunar New Year activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Knott’s Berry Farm

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Knott’s Berry Farm

Where: Knott’s Berry Farm When: November to January Knott’s Berry Farm is chock full of fun seasonal activities this time of year. Are you a Peanuts fan? Then don’t miss out on Snoopy’s ice skating show, or the Peanuts tree lighting (featuring the big man himself). Next, visit Santa’s Christmas Cabin for a photo with the man of the hour and to enjoy some of Mrs. Claus’ amazing treats (no doubt baked with some of that famous Knott’s Berry Farm jams). Enjoy the musical stylings of the Calico Carolers, marvel at the Calico Saloon Christmas Show, and soak up the Snow and Glow Show. Last but not least, stop by Ghost Town to enjoy a synchronized lights show. There’s also Christmas Crafts Village for those of you looking for some unique presents. Getting in: Knott's Berry Farm tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Let the kids play scientist for a day with all the hands-on things to do and exhibits at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Kids can examine images from the Hubble Telescope, build free form structures using wooden planks, explore the unseen world of cellular biology through the lens of a microscope, and more. Plus, “Kid City” features a part play area, part exhibit where younger kids can explore scientific concepts while staying entertained and interacting with other kids. Bonus: one IMAX movie is free with admission. Getting in: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass.

Natural History Museum

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Natural History Museum

Find a new appreciation for nature and the environment. The oldest scientific institution in southern California, this 134 year old museum focuses on the natural worlds of the Southern California and Baja peninsula regions while maintaining a global scientific perspective. Travel to the Polar Regions at the End of The Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins exhibit, or see a striking film come to life in the museum's 3-D theater. Getting in: Natural History Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass.

Air and Space Museum

Explore all things aviation at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, from ancient aircraft designs to modern space-age flights. Wander through the World War galleries or experience the action firsthand in the FS2000 Two-Seat Flight Simulator. Don't miss the "Be The Astronaut" exhibit, where your kids can enjoy an interactive adventure of piloting a spaceship, launching a rocket, and steering a rover in space. Getting in: San Diego Air and Space Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and December Nights activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Museum of Photographic Arts

Explore over 9,000 images from the 19th century to today through the lens of a trained eye at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA). The MOPA is dedicated to collecting, conserving, and portraying the art of photography in its entirety with exhibits featuring cultural, historical, and social issues. Getting in: Museum of Photographic Arts tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and December Nights activities are included with admission, unless otherwise noted.

Museum of Man

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Museum of Man

Explore one of the most impressive presentations of anthropology and human evolution in the nation. This museum seeks to answer questions such as "What makes us human?" and "Race: Are We So Different?" through extensive artifact collections and exhibits. Getting in: Museum of Man tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and December Nights activities are included with admission, unless otherwise noted.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps

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The Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Head to La Jolla to poke around the shops, grab lunch seaside, get in some ocean activities, and explore the sea life at the Birch Aquarium.

Dive into exhibits that showcase the mysteries of ocean, air and life through interactive displays and multimedia. You'll learn all about living coral reefs, see baby seahorses play, listen to whale songs, and even pet living sea stars. Check out the Aquarium's 'Seas 'n' Greetings' events during the month of December and Deck the Hall (of Fishes) and get into the holiday spirit. Check the schedule for special appearances by Scuba Santa, live holiday music, and face painting. Getting in: Birch Aquarium at Scripps tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass and all Seas 'n' Greetings activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.

Check Out the USS Midway Museum

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Check Out the USS Midway Museum

Learn about life at sea without ever leaving the Navy Pier port aboard the longest-serving aircraft carrier in United States history. Aboard the ship there are over 60 exhibits and 27 restored aircraft to explore at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour narrated by USS Midway sailors. Getting in: USS Midway Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego pass.

Kayak, Bike, or Snorkel in La Jolla

Head out to the seaside community of La Jolla, where a scenic sprawl of cliffs and sandy beaches await. Take your pick between biking along the beach town streets, snorkeling in La Jolla Cove, or Kayaking along the coast to get an up-close look at the famous sea lions sunbathing on La Jolla beach. Getting in: Kayak, Bike, and Snorkel Gear rentals are included with the Go San Diego pass.

Watch a Winter Sunset

 By Farwestern Photo by Gregg M. Erickson (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons The winter months mean better sunsets. Make a point to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean one evening when you're in San Diego--a must-see experience. Head to the Sunset Cliffs National Park for a pre-sunset walk along the coastline and one of the best views of the sunset, drive up to Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial to see the famous landmark and watch the sun set with a view of the San Diego skyline, or go out to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for classic, oceanside sunset views.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

So there you have it. Our list of a few things to do in San Diego in the winter, including holiday events, other seasonal activities in December, January, and more. Remember, many of these options are included on the Go San Diego pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Winter events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Diego pass. We hope you plan to add a few of these fun options to your winter vacation itinerary.

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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
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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

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