Play on the Water

With 70 miles of sun-soaked coast, calm bay waters and plenty of placid lakes, it's easy to spend a September day on or in the water. Escape to the bright side of San Diego, where these water adventures will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Be Happy at Marquee Attractions

Kids of all ages will enjoy splashing at Sesame Place with 18 "Sesame Street"-themed rides and water attractions, including 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. Sample an unbeatable mix of domestic and local California-favorite brews, plus more than 20 food items expertly paired to match, during SeaWorld San Diego's Craft Beer Festival. Extend the fun way past sunset at Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo, which welcomes visitors to roam after dark and take in the sounds of Rock and Roar (the in-house pop band), or the acrobats and laser effects of the atmospheric presentation "Call of the Night."

Dine Outdoors

San Diego is the perfect place to dine outdoors, with nearly perfect temperatures and 270 days of clear skies throughout the year. One of the nation's top foodie cities, San Diego offers a myriad of outdoor dining options with charming and spacious open-air settings to satisfy every mood and craving.

Find Your Open-Road Smile

Explore San Diego's epic roadways along with the best places for visitors to stop along the way and live out their SoCal dreams on one (or more) of San Diego's ultimate road trips. Cap off the trip at a piece of Americana that time almost forgot, the drive-in movie theater. With multiple screens, state-of-the-art projectors and San Diego's mild summer weather, these theaters offer the perfect night out for a fun family outing, first date and much more.

Celebrate California Wine Month

San Diego is one of the few places in the world where you can experience expansive vineyards just a short drive from the beach. This September, treat yourself to a San Diego getaway for California Wine Month and savor locally produced wines after a day spent enjoying San Diego's temperate weather and numerous outdoor adventures. You can also discover the Old World tradition of kicking off your shoes, rolling up your pant legs and letting tons of blessed grapes squish beneath your feet during the Julian Grape Stomp Festa.

Go Blue Whale Watching

Blue whales, the largest creatures on earth, may be found off the coast of San Diego in September. In fact, the largest group of blue whales in the world, some 2,000 to 3,000, feed off the California coast during the summer months. Since blue whales tend to be found farther out to sea than their gray whale cousins, it's recommended that you venture out on a boat trip rather than viewing from the shore, in order to catch a glimpse of these incredible leviathans.

Light Up the Night With a Beach Bonfire

After a day of swimming, surfing and sunbathing, there is no better way to enjoy a San Diego evening than relaxing next to a crackling bonfire on the beach. Many of San Diego's popular beaches come equipped with fire pits that are available for use during summer months. You can bring your hot dogs and marshmallows to roast and enjoy a fun night with family and friends under the stars. Fire pits dot the sand along Pacific Beach and are popular for sunset bonfires that continue into the night. Mission Bay Park has many beaches that provide fire pits, such as Playa Pacifica, which wraps around a cove known as Leisure Lagoon. The sandy beach along Shelter Island's Shoreline Park is small, but the breathtaking nighttime views of the downtown skyline, San Diego Bay and picturesque Point Loma can't be beat.

Bonus: 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! This Labor Day Weekend, visit San Diego for a fun and inexpensive getaway with these 25 free things to do.