SeaWorld San Diego

Arctic Rescue Coaster

When: Now open
Hold onto your hat — or better yet, your handlebars! SeaWorld San Diego just launched the fastest and longest "straddle coaster" on the West Coast: the Arctic Rescue. You'll ride this one snowmobile-style at speeds of 40 mph on more than a half-mile of track, in a thrilling quest to defeat poachers on the wild tundra. Arctic Rescue is SeaWorld's second big coaster to debut in two years, after the 2022 opening of the Emperor Dive Coaster.

Summer Spectacular

When: May 26 - Sept. 4, 2023
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.

San Diego Zoo

Wildlife Explorers Basecamp

When: Throughout Summer 2023
This spectacular addition to the world-famous San Diego Zoo is a 3.2-acre adventure zone that combines inventive play areas with up-close wildlife encounters. Get ready for memorable explorations in a land of crocodiles, foxes, squirrel monkeys and more, as you make your way across rope bridges and past shimmering lagoons. (And bring a swimsuit for the splash zones.) Built on the site of the former Children's Zoo, the Basecamp — which takes in habitats from desert dunes to marsh meadows — is a family-minded wonderland of hands-on opportunities for both learning and fun.

Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo

When: Early June through Labor Day
Stay after dark and celebrate summer at the enchanting Nighttime Zoo. Come "rock and roar" after the sun goes down, with live music and other amazing entertainment experiences. There's so much to do, see and hear at Nighttime Zoo — it's a good thing summer hours are longer!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Summer Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

When: May through mid-August, 2023
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park invites you to join in family-friendly summer adventures around this sprawling and stunning oasis of animal and plant life in Escondido. Experience the majesty of African wildlife, and take in plenty of great live music and fun entertainment throughout the park.

Sesame Place San Diego

Summer Fun Fest

When: May 26 – Sept. 4, 2023
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 Fun Fest 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.

The Count's Splash Castle

When: Opening Summer 2023
As if all the Fun Fest events weren't enough, Sesame Place has another special treat in store for you this summer: The grand opening of The Count's Splash Castle, an interactive water-play zone on Sesame Island that boasts a whopping 111 play elements. Among the features are three tipping buckets that dump more than 1,300 gallons of water, plus four water slides and an array of soakers, flow pipes, hose and spray jets, shooters, curtains, tipping troughs, spinning and sliding buckets and a whole lot more.

LEGOLAND California Resort

At 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.

LEGOLAND Summer Block Party

When: Through Sept. 4
LEGOLAND California will help you and your family build the summer memories of a lifetime with a packed lineup of superfun shows and other happenings. Check out the jaw-dropping extreme-sports feats in the all-new GO Xtreme!, inspired by the hit LEGO City TV show and featuring skateboarders, BMX riders and more performing stunning stunts and catching huge airs. Groove to the tunes of the LEGOLAND Brass Band, with special guests LEGO® Banana Guy and LEGO® Rocker, during the music-filled LEGOLAND Summer Jam. Enjoy a laugh-filled visit to the Castle Stage for the slapstick comedy “Once Upon a Brick.” Or learn a few moves from ninja masters in the interactive martial-arts-style show School of Spinjitzu. All that and a whole lot more makes the Block Party the place to be all summer long!

Miniland San Diego

When: Now open
LEGOLAND's latest amazing creation is this meticulously crafted mini version of San Diego, which showcases 55 local attractions at 1/20 scale. Miniland San Diego, a year and a half in the making, took a staggering 5 million LEGO bricks to construct. And it's chockablock with San Diego landmarks, from the blue arc of the San Diego Coronado Bridge to the bustle of the Gaslamp Quarter to the galloping Thoroughbreds of the Del Mar Racetrack. It's the latest addition to LEGOLAND's perennially popular Miniland USA, a collection of scenic highlights from around the country.

Petco Park

Padres Baseball

When: Through October 2023
Named America's best MLB ballpark by USA Today, Petco Park has it all: A stunning location by San Diego Bay, close proximity to the great dining and bustling nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter, and a host of excellent in-park amenities and seating options. And, of course, it has the Padres, San Diego's beloved MLB team since 1969. Cheer on the "Pads" (the National League Divison Series champs in 2022), sample some of Petco Park's great bites and beverages and take in the skyline views and fantastic baseball atmosphere. Families will also love the grassy expanses of the park's Gallagher Square — and anytime there's a Sunday home game, the square hosts KidsFest, which starts two hours before game time and includes bounce houses, interactive games, face painters, balloon artists and more.

Ballpark Tours

When: Through Sept. 30, 2023
Treat yourself to an insider's view of Petco Park by embarking on of the venue's daily or pregame tours — a great way to learn about the history of the park and the Padres as well as what makes the team and the ballpark tick. Daily tours stop at such points of interest as the Field Warning Track, the Press Box, the Cutwater Coronado Club and the Breitbard Hall of Fame. Pregame tours also offer the option of viewing Padres batting practice from an outfield vantage point. Private and educational tours as well as Spanish- and Japanese-language tours are also available. Click here to learn more and book a tour time.

Concerts

When: Ongoing
Before or after a Padres game, or when baseball's not on the schedule, Petco is an inviting place to take in a concert — and the park hosts a whole lot of them, both at Gallagher Square and venue-wide for the biggest headliners. Top names playing Petco in 2023 include Morgan Wallen, Jimmy Eat World and Darius Rucker. It's a great way to cap a perfect San Diego day at the beautiful ballpark.

Belmont Park

Beachfront Fun is Back

When: Throughout Summer 2023
Perched on the surf and sand of Mission Beach, Belmont Park is San Diego's only beachfront amusement center! This classic Southern California boardwalk experience bursts with summer fun. From the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster to a dozen other classic rides along with adventures such as ziplining and laser tag, plus four dynamic oceanfront restaurants, Belmont Park is the place to spend memorable summer days with the whole family! And this year, the park offers a brand-new "Lost City" escape room, as well as a just-opened, on-water obstacle course at the neighboring Plunge, Belmont's historic swimming pool.

Balboa Park

San Diego's Cultural Heart

When: Throughout Summer 2023
Summer brings sun and discovery to beautiful Balboa Park. Take in a fascinating array of pop-culture history at the new Comic-Con Museum, which offers fresh perspectives on all the fun behind San Diego's world-famous Comic-Con International. And explore the gorgeously renovated Mingei International Museum, which showcases folk art from around the world and also offers two exciting new dining options: the casual, grab-n-go Craft Café and the chef-inspired Artifact at Mingei. Plus, reacquaint yourself with the Timken Museum of Art, the eclectic Balboa Park institution that recently reopened after renovations. With the Balboa Park Explorer Pass — which offers savings up to 58% off general admission — you'll have access to 16 of the park's great museums. And while you're there, make sure to set aside some summer moments for relaxation and contemplation amid the serene outdoor settings of the park, San Diego's 1,200-acre cultural gem.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Little Penguins, Big Wows

When: Throughout Summer 2023
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps, poised atop a seaside bluff with sweeping views of the Pacific, is home to the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins habitat. This exciting exhibit makes the Birch the only aquarium in the Western United States to host the species, the smallest penguins on Earth. The 2,900-square-foot exhibit includes both rocky and sandy shore habitat and an 18,000-gallon pool, where you’ll get a rare chance to watch the penguins socialize, interact, and build nests. There’s also a small amphitheater and a “discovery cave” for more unique viewing experiences. Come check out these fascinating animals in an incredible setting!

USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego

Water Wonders on San Diego's Bayfront

When: Throughout Summer 2023
A historic aircraft carrier and a fascinating fleet of vintage vessels make for see-worthy summer adventures on San Diego's sparkling Embarcadero. Climb aboard the USS Midway Museum — site of a world-premiere event for the movie "Top Gun: Maverick" — for an unforgettable experience, featuring 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 cockpit and more. Then, 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

A Commanding View of History

When: Throughout Summer 2023
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

When: Throughout Summer 2023
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.