Top 10 Reasons to Visit San Diego this Fall
Top 10 Reasons to Visit San Diego This Fall
During San Diego's shoulder season, visitors can find a variety of annual festivals and fairs, haunting Halloween celebrations and diverse cultural entertainment. With nearly-perfect weather and an entire month devoted to "kids free" offerings, fall is an ideal time to visit San Diego.
Here are the top 10 reasons to visit San Diego this fall:- Kids Play for Free: The popular "Kids Free San Diego" promotion returns this October. All major San Diego attractions, including SeaWorld, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California will offer free admission to kids throughout the month, along with more than 30 other area museums and attractions. In addition to free attraction admission, many local hotels and restaurants will offer specials throughout October.
- Food Fests Galore: During Sept. 21-26, more than 180 restaurants will offer specially priced prix-fixed meals during San Diego Restaurant Week. During Nov. 17-23, the 11th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival takes over the Embarcadero Marina Park North, located next to Seaport Village, and other venues throughout downtown San Diego. On Oct. 12, the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla hosts the 12th Annual Celebrate the Craft culinary showcase. Renowned chefs, vintners and farmers from across California gather for gourmet cooking demonstrations which highlight an enthusiasm for natural ingredients and innovative cooking and winemaking.
- The Ultimate Beer Tasting: During Nov. 7-16, hundreds of beer-centric events will take place during San Diego Beer Week, a countywide festival that highlights San Diego's award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs; event dates, times and locations vary throughout the week.
- Dancing in the Streets: Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System present the 16th Annual Trolley Dances, Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5. Guests riding the light-rail San Diego Trolley are treated to site-specific choreographed dance performances at unexpected locations along the trolley's line starting at San Diego City College downtown. Dances take inspiration from the surroundings and local energy at trolley stops along the route.
- Racing Season, Take Two: San Diego's Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is adding a second racing season for the first time; the traditional summer season will run July 17-Sept. 3, and the new Bing Crosby Season will run Nov. 7-30. Del Mar's fall meeting will feature 15 racing days and will run Friday through Sunday on its first weekend, followed by four-day racing weeks (Thursday through Sunday) for the balance of the session.
- Fantastic Film Festivals: The acclaimed San Diego International Film Festival returns Sept. 24-28 offering a slate of films that showcase the best in American and international full-length features, documentaries and shorts. During Nov. 6-15, the 15th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival presents films, videos and workshops that celebrate the work of Asian artists from around the world.
- World-Class Contemporary Art: More than 60 galleries from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia showcase paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, videos and cutting-edge multimedia artworks during Art San Diego 2014. Held November 6-9 in Balboa Park, the contemporary art fair serves as a marketplace for the world's leading contemporary art galleries.
- Halloween, Attraction-Style: Halloween makes a splash at SeaWorld San Diego during its Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld celebration featuring trick-or-treat stations, a special Halloween-themed Clyde & Seamore's Spooky Adventure sea lion and otter show, Penelope's Pumpkinfish Patch, a variety of up-close animal encounters and photo opportunities at the Mermaid Grotto. LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad joins in the Halloween fun with its annual Brick-or-Treat celebration, featuring a one-of-a-kind, 4-ft. tall LEGO jack-o-lantern, costume contests and trick-or-treating with a souvenir goodie bag along the park's Brick-or-Treat Trail.
- Neighborhoods Come Alive: Southern California's largest free two-day musical festival, the 33rd Annual Adams Avenue Street Fair returns Sept. 27-28 to the Normal Heights neighborhood with four beer gardens, seven stages and more than 90 musical acts, performing rock, country, folk, TexMex and more. On Oct. 12, Little Italy in downtown San Diego presents the 20th Annual Little Italy Festa. A grand celebration of Italian culture, this traditional street festival offers music, fine foods, specialty crafts and Gesso Italiano, a classic Italian street chalk painting exhibition.
- Summer Weather Doesn't End With Summer: When autumn arrives, San Diego's weather stays warm while summer crowds at the beach diminish. With average temperatures in the '70s and '80s, summer weather in San Diego continues daily until November.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.
# # # BreweriesA Three-Day Tour through San Diego’s Best Beers
Add some amazing San Diego ales, lagers and more to your sightseeing itineraryWhether you’re taking in a Padres game, exploring Balboa Park, enjoying the beach or heading to one of San Diego’s world-class attractions, an abundance of great local beer is always nearby. Follow this itinerary to discover the brew-tiful bounty of one of America’s top craft-beer destinations.
Discover BikingOcean Beach Bike Path
Cycling along the San Diego RiverTraversing along the San Diego River from Ocean Beach to Sea World, this bike route includes two paths plus connections to the Mission Bay Bike Route. Along the way view estuary habitats, one of San Diego's dog beaches, places to eat and the Ocean Beach pier.
Discover Things to Do7 Piers to Discover
Enjoy San Diego's coastline from above the water.With 70 miles of spectacular coastline, there is always something new and unexpected to experience along San Diego's beaches. From popular Oceanside at the tip of North County coastline to lesser-known Imperial Beach in South Bay, piers dot San Diego's coast, providing opportunities for fishing, walking, seeing the sites, and catching spectacular sunsets. Below is a list of 7 piers that are waiting to be discovered along San Diego's coast from north to south.
Discover Plan Your TripSave Big with San Diego Passes & Discount Tickets
Southern California’s best discountsWhether you are a seasoned traveler or striking out to explore the San Diego area for the first time, discounts on attraction admissions, dining and shopping can help make the trip more enjoyable and the money last longer, especially if you are traveling as a family.
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