Balboa Park

As the largest urban park in North America, Balboa Park is filled with cultural treasures, architectural grandeur, stunning gardens & award-winning performing arts.

Rooftop Bars

With year-round beautiful weather, a glittering skyline and breathtaking views, there is no better place to enjoy a libation than high atop a roof in San Diego. Luckily, a growing rank of swanky rooftop bars from Downtown to the beach invite you to have your head in the clouds while you enjoy sunsets, stars, hand-crafted cocktails, local craft beer and farm-fresh plates well into the night.

Regarded as the first major regatta of the year, the San Diego Crew Classic brings together thousands of athletes from more than 100 universities, clubs and high school programs across the United States. Spanning ages 14 – 84, the Crew Classic is a competition for future Olympians as well as for those new to the sport. This event is often a highlight of their competitive rowing careers. The Crew Classic is not only an athletic event with competitors at the peak of physical fitness, but a social gathering for enthusiasts to enjoy great local food, a beer garden with San Diego’s famous local craft breweries, and shopping. The event is held at Mission Bay, just a mile from the Pacific Beach.

Returning to Little Italy, for 39 years, Mission Fed ArtWalk has celebrated both visual and performing arts in San Diego. We believe art has the power to connect communities, cultivate new artistic talent and create a better quality of life for all through cultural enrichment.

The spirit, sounds and flavor of Mardi Gras come alive at the largest and most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou. With everything from A to Zydeco, this 4-day, family-friendly cultural celebration takes place on picture-perfect San Diego Bay, featuring 100+ live musical acts & performances on 7 stages, wooden dance floors, shade, green grass and plenty of fun for the kids.

Come for the music, stay for the food. Gator By The Bay’s mouthwatering French Quarter Food Court is what foodie dreams are made of. Check off every box on your bayou-inspired culinary bucket list and chow down on authentic Cajun, Creole and Southern culinary delights, including gumbo, jambalaya, beignets and 10,000 pounds of crawfish brought directly from Louisiana. Gator By The Bay is Mardi Gras in May–Let the good times roll!

The La Jolla Half Marathon is one of America's most picturesque and beautiful point-to-point races. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the course follows a scenic coastal route before reaching the challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. The course then rolls atop Torrey Pines mesa, continues down through residential La Jolla Shores, and finishes at La Jolla Cove.

For those interested in a shorter option, the La Jolla Shores 5K offers a mostly downhill course and features some of the most scenic views of the last 3.1 miles of the half marathon course.

25 Fun & Free Things to Do

Having fun in San Diego doesn't require a lot of money; in fact, many things to see and do are absolutely free.

Value Attraction Packages

With so many attractions and sights to see in San Diego, it's hard to decide what to do first. Value packages offer a great way to save on individual ticket purchase prices plus they take the hassle out of purchasing and managing multiple tickets.