San Diego Zoo
Play Longer at Local Attractions
Along with 70 miles of beach and plenty of sunshine, summer in San Diego also comes with plenty of family fun and excitement at world-class attractions.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience
When: Now open
With its walk-through arch, 18-foot cylindrical display and giant viewing walls, SeaWorld San Diego’s brand-new jellyfish showcase is interactive, immersive and about as close as you can get to plunging in for a swim with the jellies. You’ll learn plenty about these amazing creatures as you witness their beauty, mystery and variety.
Summer Spectacular
When: May 24 – Sept. 1, 2025
Enjoy SeaWorld under balmy night skies all summer long, immersing yourself in exotic worlds of light and music and taking in all the park has to offer — with an after-dark twist. It’s an unforgettable way to celebrate summer in San Diego. Make sure to catch some live music during the park’s Summer Concert Series, and cap it all off with the stunning Enchanted Wonders Fireworks Spectacular on select evenings.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo
When: May 23 – Aug. 10, 2025 (except June 21)
Stay after dark and celebrate summer at the San Diego Zoo’s enchanting Nighttime Zoo. Come "rock and roar" after the sun goes down, with live music and other amazing entertainment experiences. With later hours and all the park’s amazing wildlife, you'll get a whole new perspective on our world-famous zoo.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Early Hours and Summer Safari Experiences
When: June 14 – Aug. 31, 2025
Enjoy the peace and serenity of morning at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, opening at 8 a.m. all summer long. Embrace the day by discovering the park’s amazing wildlife, hiking through the World Gardens or going on safari. With summer hours extended to 4 p.m., you’ll see the park’s sprawling savannas and scenic vistas in a whole new light. Enhance your experience with early-morning tours, including Sips on the Savanna or one of the park’s unique behind-the-scenes experiences, such as Wild Cat Adventure or Passport into the Wild.
Sesame Place San Diego
Sesame Place San Diego
Sesame Summer Splash
When: May 23 – Sept. 1, 2025
Splash into summer at the only "Sesame Street"-themed park on the West Coast — a place that combines all the family-friendly fun of the beloved TV show with an impressive collection of zippy rides and water slides. Kids of all ages will love the 18 "Sesame Street"-themed rides and water attractions, which include a roller coaster and a 500,000-gallon wave pool as well as a musical play area, an interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood and much more. And the park’s Summer Splash offers great special events all season long. Sesame Place also is a Certified Autism Center, offering a wide range of accommodations for those on the autism spectrum and their families.
LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND California Resort
At Carlsbad’s LEGOLAND California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions — including Pirate Reef, the SEA LIFE Aquarium and the LEGO Legends of CHIMA Water Park.
World Parade Returns
When: June 21 – Aug. 9, 2025
LEGOLAND California’s spectacular LEGO World Parade makes a summer encore, boasting such dazzling floats as a LEGO City firetruck, a swashbuckling pirate ship and other amazing creations. They’ll be accompanied by beautifully costumed entertainers and plenty of dancing and singing.
Reimagined Driving Schools Reopen
When: Summer 2025
Just in time for summer, LEGOLAND's two fun Driving Schools — favorites for a whole generation of kids — have been completely reimagined and are set to open in a brand-new location. Kids have enjoyed the thrill of driving and earning their very own driver's licenses at both Driving School and Junior Driving School for more than 25 years now. The reimagined attractions will offer entirely new courses with exciting interactive elements for young drivers to experience.
Petco Park
Petco Park
Padres Baseball is Back
When: Through October
Don’t miss the best show in town, as the Padres and their potent lineup head into a promising new season. Look for lots of themed games, special events and exciting on-field action as the baseball season unfolds at Petco, named the best MLB ballpark in the nation by USA Today!
Western Metal Building Reimagined
When: Now Open
For the new baseball season, the Padres have unveiled extensive renovations to the ballpark’s iconic Western Metal Supply Co. Building, the red-brick structure that rises from the park’s left-field boundary. The project includes a complete makeover of group gathering spaces, including the Budweiser Loft on the Fifth Level, the Foul Pole Suite, the Entertainment Suite, and the Rooftop. Among improvements are an elevated social space in the Budweiser Loft that celebrates the building’s historic character, and a new grand staircase connecting the Loft directly to the renovated Western Metal Rooftop.
Concerts at the Ballpark
When: Summer 2025
Petco Park is an amazing place to take in a concert under San Diego’s balmy summer skies, and the show lineup is loaded with top acts. Among the artists heading to the ballpark in Summer 2025 are Counting Crows, Blues Traveler and the Pixies.
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Summer Concerts by the Water
When: Throughout Summer 2025
This stunning waterfront concert venue, the summer home of the San Diego Symphony, hosts a slate of big-name artists across multiple genres. This summer, the Rady Shell will spotlight such favorites as Earth, Wind and Fire, the Beach Boys and Smokey Robinson, as well as a host of themed symphony concerts, all staged under the stars along San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero.
Belmont Park
Belmont Park
100th Birthday Summer Celebration
When: Summer 2025
A San Diego icon, Belmont Park has been a vibrant part of the Mission Beach boardwalk since 1925, drawing visitors to its vintage Giant Dipper roller coaster, nostalgic beachside treats and perfect endless-summer vibe. And this year, Belmont marks its centennial with a series of special events throughout 2025, including a lifetime-pass giveaway. Perched right on the surf and sand, Belmont Park is San Diego's only beachfront amusement center, and the perfect place to spend memorable summer days with the whole family.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park
Botanical Building is Back
When: Now Open
Summer brings sun, fun and discovery to beautiful Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural heart. And one of the park’s most distinctive landmarks is back after an extensive restoration: the Botanical Building, built in 1915 and recognized as one of the largest wood-lath structures in the world. Now visitors can once again enjoy the Botanical Building’s hundreds of rare, tropical and indigenous plants, and soak in the views of the serene Lily Pond from this one-of-a-kind vantage point. And with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass — which offers savings up to 58% off general admission — visitors also have access to 16 of the park’s great museums. While you’re at the park, make sure to set aside some summer moments for relaxation and contemplation amid the serene outdoor settings of this 1,200-acre wonderland.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Living Seas
When: Summer 2025
With fascinating, in-depth explorations of three diverse habitats — the California Coast, the Pacific Northwest and the Tropical Pacific — the Birch Aquarium's new Living Seas exhibit immerses visitors in the wonders of the ocean world. Living Seas offers sweeping views of the habitats and the creatures that reside in them, along with next-generation digital signage and other features.
USS Midway Museum
USS Midway Museum
Touring a Historic Warship
When: Summer 2025
This historic aircraft carrier makes for see-worthy summer adventures on San Diego's sparkling Embarcadero. Climb aboard the USS Midway Museum — which served as the site of a world-premiere event for the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” — and enjoy an unforgettable experience, with picture-perfect views of the city and harbor from the carrier's flight deck. Take in a self-guided audio tour and check out the Midway’s flight simulators, climb-in aircraft, ejection seats and more.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Summer Fun on the Waterfront
When: Throughout Summer 2025
Muster yourself over to the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a whole flotilla of fun. Take a tour of the Star of India — the world's oldest active sailing ship, and a proud San Diego landmark — plus the stately Victorian Era steam ferry Berkeley, the USS Dolphin submarine, a replica of the 16th-century galleon replica San Salvador and much more.
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
A Commanding View of History
When: Throughout Summer 2025
A visit to this dramatic San Diego landmark is a summer must for its sweeping views of Point Loma, Downtown San Diego, Coronado, Mexico and the blue Pacific beyond. The Cabrillo National Monument also offers fascinating opportunities to explore the natural, historical and cultural history of the San Diego region, with a museum, tidepools, an 1855 lighthouse (once known as the highest in the United States) and much more.
Discount Passes
Discount Passes
When: Throughout Summer 2025
For more great discounts on activities and attractions around San Diego, check out such excellent deals as the passes from Go City / Go San Diego, which offer all-inclusive access to more than 55 great attractions — including SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California. Or the San Diego CityPASS, with savings of up to 42% on all the top area theme parks and attractions.