San Diego Labor Day Weekend 2019 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

Summer may be almost over, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Enjoy one last summer weekend in San Diego this Labor Day – we know you’ll have a blast. There is so much to do in San Diego this Labor Day weekend, from exciting attractions to local activities. If you’re looking for San Diego Labor Day Weekend 2019 ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in San Diego in September, including...

  • San Diego Zoo Nighttime Zoo
  • Summer Nights at SeaWorld
  • US Sand Sculpting Challenge
  • Kayak or bike ride on Coronado Island
  • And more!

Save on Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these San Diego attractions are 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 passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please note, the special events taking place at these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go San Diego pass.

Electric Ocean at SeaWorld San Diego

June 15 - September 2, 2019 SeaWorld San Diego

three-orca-whales-seaworld

June 15 - September 2, 2019 SeaWorld San Diego

Watch as SeaWorld transforms after dark into an even more marvelous venue! Eight amazing experiences await for those eager to enjoy what SeaWorld San Diego has to offer this summer. For one, Cirque Electrique is an astounding performance featuring adventurous aerial performers. Then, if you love roller coasters, then Atlantis Ignites promises to delight. The park's signature coaster, Journey to Atlantis, will be illuminated with a projected map that creates a whole new level of adventure. Active guests will love "Club Current," an area dedicated to dancing among glimmering lights and imaginatively-named sea creatures like Cora del Fuego. Finally, keep an eye out the laser reef light show that concludes the evening. Getting In: SeaWorld tickets are included as an option on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go San Diego pass.

San Diego Zoo Nighttime Zoo

Late Summer 2019 (Exact Dates TBD) San Diego Zoo

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Late Summer 2019 (Exact Dates TBD) San Diego Zoo

This fun and festive event is perfect for the kids. You’ll find everything from upbeat live music to great interactive activities for the little ones. Musical entertainment spans a variety of genres and themes, and is designed to be educational. Admission to Nighttime Zoo is included with regular Zoo admission, and also includes special pricing at vendors, and even some specialty arts and crafts. This special event series is also an opportunity for visitors to enjoy extended evening hours at their favorite zoo. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included on the Go San Diego pass.

US Sand Sculpting Challenge & Dimensional Art Exposition

August 31 - September 2, 2019 Broadway Pier and Pavillion

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August 31 - September 2, 2019 Broadway Pier and Pavillion

Did you love building sand castles as a kid? Do you wish you could make those amazing sand sculptures to impress your kids? Take the whole family to the country’s largest Sand Sculpting Challenge this Labor Day for an explosion of creativity and fun. Master sculptors from all over the world will gather in San Diego to compete against American sculptors, so you know you’re in for some special treats. You’ll also find artwork for purchase, food trucks and beverage vendors, plus some live music. Make a whole day of it! Getting In: Admission to the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego pass. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website.

Belmont Park

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Belmont Park

There are few things so quintessentially summer than amusement park rides. From Ferris wheels to teacups to roller coasters, we all have a favorite childhood memory. Fortunately, this exhilarating, classic theme park offers to cater to your nostalgia while helping your kids build their own favorite summertime memories. A few of the featured rides that visitors enjoy the most are the laser tag and laser maze, the rock wall, the sky ropes, and the zip line. There are also plenty of shops for souvenir-hunting and a couple of different dining venues to feed the family. A visit here will make sure your summer ends on a high note! Getting In: Belmont Park All Access Combo Passes are included on the Go San Diego pass.

Coronado Island

view-san-diego-california-coronado-island

Coronado Island

What better way to celebrate summer than with a visit to one of the area’s most famous beach communities? Coronado Island has been a beach destination for generations (as the historic Hotel del Coronado attests) and is the perfect place for some leisurely sunbathing and a relaxing stroll on the boardwalk. There are several waterfront bike paths so there’s plenty to explore. Or, you can choose to rent a kayak and paddle around the beautiful coves and inlets of the San Diego area coastline. Getting In: Coronado Bike & Kayak rentals are included on the Go San Diego pass.

Historical Sights

view-san-diego-california-cabrillo-national-monument

Historical Sights

San Diego is full of history, especially in when it comes to military and scientific history. Get a glimpse of the past and the beauties of nature at the Cabrillo National Monument, alongside the historic Point Loma light. The monument honors Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who arrived at what is now San Diego Bay in September of 1542. The hike up to the monument is also an energizing way to make the most of an afternoon. Or, pay a visit to the USS Midway Museum and enjoy one of the city’s most popular attractions as you explore their historical offerings. This retired aircraft carrier-turned-museum is a favorite with kids and showcases San Diego's significant role in the global history of human conflict. Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego pass. Admission to Cabrillo National Monument is free.

Whale Watch at Newport Landing

Board a ship and embark on a voyage over the open water to seek out San Diego's most famous marine denizens -- whales! A whale watch is a convenient and exciting way to see these astonishing animals and is sure to make the end of summer special. Newport Landing is located next to one of the largest marine sanctuaries in California, with over 75 square miles of protected waters and coast. The marine park ensures that the rich ecosystem and its mammals will be in place for generations to come. As a result, you're sure to see plenty of whales on your trip: don't forget that camera! Getting In: Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruises-Newport Landing tickets are included on the Go San Diego pass.

Seaport Village

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Seaport Village

One of the most charming neighborhoods in San Diego is the delightful Seaport Village. Filled with boutique and chain shops, delicious waterfront restaurants, and frequent, free outdoor entertainment, Seaport Village is a must-visit destination for travelers to San Diego this summer. Look out for special events that may be occurring during Labor Day weekend, such as musical performances by well-regarded local groups. Getting In: Admission to Seaport Village is free.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in San Diego in September to help you plan your Labor Day weekend itinerary. Remember, some of these great attraction 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 Labor Day weekend events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Diego pass. We hope you consider visiting some of these attractions to help round out your summer vacation in style.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Visiting San Diego on a Budget - A Simple Way to Save on Your Vacation

There is a reason California has been deemed the Golden State of our nation. With seemingly endless beaches and sunshine - California offers an outdoor playground for kids and families of all ages. Southern California is a great choice for budget-minded travelers when you use a Go San Diego Card, which makes visiting San Diego on a budget a breeze. We’ve connected with some SoCal locals to put together a list of budget-friendly family fun for your next San Diego adventure. Save on Admission to Tourist Attractions Admission to many of these San Diego tourist attractions are included on the Go San Diego Card. The Go San Diego Card give you the flexibility to choose as you go from dozens of top attractions to create a vacation tailored to your family's interests. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. A few of the attractions include: The San Diego Zoo LEGOLAND® California SeaWorld® San Diego USS Midway Museum And more! Top Attractions to Visit for a Budget Friendly Trip The San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,500 animal ranging from salamanders and frogs to elephants and giant pandas. With a such variety, there is sure to be an animal to wow everyone. This animal haven offers 100 acres of paths surrounded by flourishing plants and is also open 365 days a year. We suggest hopping on the Skyfari to get an overview of the park and map-out your day. The Skyfari offers a bird's-eye-view of exhibits, plants and San Diego’s Balboa Park: you may even scope out an evening picnic spot. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. LEGOLAND® California Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, CA, LEGOLAND California is a world of its own. With over 60 rides and attractions, LEGOLAND ignites the imagination while guaranteeing to get everyone’s creative juices flowing. The Imagination Zone exposes children to hands-on stations that allow them to build and race their own cars. Too young to build your own race car? LEGOLAND also offers a DUPLO Play center designed to tap into your toddler's inner engineer. Other attractions at LEGOLAND include: NINJAGO World, Miniland USA, Pirate Shores, Explorer Island and much more for creating a memorable trip. Getting In: LEGOLAND California tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. SeaWorld San Diego Photo credit: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld® San Diego Dive into life underwater with a visit to Sea World San Diego. SeaWorld San Diego is home to a variety of aquatic life and allows visitors to get up close and personal with penguins, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, California sea lions and more! Ever wanted to speak dolphin? SeaWorld San Diego’s Dolphin Interaction Program is a must-do attraction that teaches you to communicate with dolphin’s using the universal language of play and various hand signals. If you’d rather look and not touch – the park offers a number of shows and attractions that both educate and entertain us about life in our oceans. Getting In: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go San Diego Cards. USS Midway Museum After getting a glimpse of what its life living under the ocean, explore life on the ocean by visiting the USS Midway Museum, America’s longest serving Navy air craft carrier of the 20th century. The USS Midway Museum allows guests to get an inside-look at what life was like aboard the ship for over 225,000 Midway sailors. There are over 60 exhibits that feature all facets of life aboard the Midway from sleeping quarters, engine room, machine shops to the ship’s jail and post office. With over 972 feet to explore, most visitors spend 3-4 hours exploring this “City at Sea.” Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. San Diego Harbor Tour There is something amazing about a city-scape from the ocean; hop aboard a San Diego Harbor Tour for the chance to see San Diego Bay from a different perspective. The San Diego Harbor Tour highlights a variety of historical and naval landmarks in San Diego. The tour allows guests to choose between the South Bay’s Coronado Bay Bridge and USS Midway or a tour through North Bay, each tour lasting about an hour. Regardless of which Bay is chosen, you’ll be immersed with both history and beauty while cruising through San Diego Bay! Getting In: One Hour Harbor Tour by Hornblower Cruises are included on the Go San Diego Card. Fun Options to Visit During Your Trip: Whether a short or long-stay in San Diego, this city offers so much. Educate the inner scientist, please the ocean lovers or create your own tour-de-San Diego all whilst saving money; below are some fun budget-friendly options also included on the Go San Diego Card. San Diego Zoo Safari Park – If you didn’t expect to go on an African Safari in San Diego – think again! The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to over 2,600 animals including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, antelope and more! San Diego Air and Space Museum – Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, fly through aviation history at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. The museum is home to the first vehicle that defied gravity in the sky – a model of the Montgolfier brothers 1783 hot air balloon. San Diego Natural History Museum – Also in Balboa Park, the San Diego Natural History Museum (TheNat) offers enriching history of Southern California and Baja California. View over 200 skulls, fossils and plant life with TheNat’s unique educational family-friendly exhibits. Whale Watching Tour- Spend an afternoon on the water, where you’re guaranteed to see gray whales! This excursion is narrated by a naturalist from Birch Aquarium and will be sure to enlighten you with knowledge off the majestic gray whale. GoCar Tours - Meander through the streets of San Diego with San Diego’s first-ever GPS guided tour car. This little yellow storytelling Gocar will point out landmarks, let you choose the stops and makes for a great way to see the city! Free Activities for a Budget Friendly Vacation San Diego Beaches – A trip to California simply isn’t complete without a swim in the Pacific Ocean. Grab the towels, pack the lunches and take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to one of our favorite beaches near San Diego: Mission Beach, Coronado, Imperial Beach and Moonlight Beach. You won’t want to leave the beach before sunset and be sure to pack the camera – California sunsets are a truly stunning. Seals at La Jolla Cove – While exploring the La Jolla area, you’ll want to follow the crowd for this one. On any given day at La Jolla, people gather around Shell Beach and Children’s Pool to watch as Seals and Sea Lion’s swim and frolic throughout the area. These furry friends are used to modelling for photos all day long and you may even want to capture the 'seal scooch' on video. Seaport Village- San Diego’s Seaport Village will satisfy the foodie, music lover and shopaholic all in one place. With over 50 shops, free outdoor entertainment and a variety of restaurants - this unique area is a great place for an afternoon or evening stroll. Old Town- When the Europeans first settled in California, Old Town San Diego was their place of choice! Historic Old Town is now considered the birthplace of California offering rich history, museums, artisan festivals, galleries and restaurants all in one convenient, beautiful area. Mission Bay Park – With 27 miles of sandy shoreline, Mission Bay is scattered with campers, kite boarders, runners and beach goers alike. Mission Bay is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening picnic. We suggest renting bikes and cruising down the 14-mile bike path while taking in the stunning views. Let's Recap on Visiting San Diego on a Budget There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do when visiting San Diego on a budget. Remember, many of these great budget friendly attraction options and more are included on the Go San Diego Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. So when you are planning your trip, consider including some of these options to your San Diego vacation itinerary.
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