Due to COVID-19, some information may have changed. Starting Dec. 1, 2020: Tours available Friday – Monday (closed Tuesday – Thursday).
Experience San Diego with your loved ones in time for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations! San Diego County residents can take advantage of some of our tours and attractions for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass!
Go to Hometown Pass for more information.
Come celebrate spring amid the region’s most spectacular historical gardens in Balboa Park. The family-friendly festival kicks off with the Wagon Parade, then continues with lectures, demos, hands-on activities for kids, live entertainment, plant sales, food trucks, and more.
The San Diego Dragon Boat Festival showcases the traditional art and sport of dragon boat racing. Competitors test their endurance as they row the fast, dragon-shaped vessels in teams. Come enjoy the races, fine food, and entertainment.
You and your pawsitively patriotic pets will have a great time as we walk to celebrate our love for animals while raising the vital funds needed to ensure that every homeless animal can find a loving home. The morning festivities include a delicious pancake breakfast, a scenic two-mile walk with an optional half-mile walk, fun-filled doggie activities and contests, and array of vendor booths.
This event is the county’s largest festival during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The festival provides a great and fun way to learn new things about all the different traditions among some of the various Asian ethnicities represented within our community. Family and pet-friendly park, with stroller and wheelchair-accessible areas. Live cooking demonstrations to spice up your cookbook, plus free sample tastings. Watch 2 stages of cultural entertainment and group dances to join. Explore the Cultural Row of Asian Nations to learn cool facts and make crafts.
BootCamp Challenge is the only obstacle course race that allows participants to run through the same obstacles that turn recruits into Marines. BootCamp Challenge offers civilians the unique change to experience a taste of Marine Corps boot camp. BootCamp Challenge is a high-energy, endorphin-filled adrenaline rush with over 50 obstacles including tunnel crawls, log hurdles, 6ft vertical climbing wall, cargo net crawls, and push-up stations all manned by Marine Corps Drill Instructors who are there to encourage and motivate participants through the obstacles.
The 30th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco De Mayo is the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border. This fiesta has an incredible variety of festivities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be surrounded by the history and culture of Mexico! Two event stages will entertain with sizzling flamenco beats, Norteno flairs and traditional Mariachi music. Explore the museums, specialty shops, and the lively streets of the bustling Mercado where you can purchase an array of merchandise: handmade leather pieces, beautiful jewelry and many more treasures. Ride the stagecoach and venture over to Lowrider Lane where you will be amazed by the glistening rims and gravity-defying hydraulics of these custom art masterpieces. Saturday: 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am–6pm.
The Spring Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon is the second multi sport sprint event of the season in San Diego. With a calm bay swim and a flat bike and run course, the Spring Sprint is the perfect race to kick off your season. Whether you are an experienced triathlete or duathlete preparing for the season, or a first timer looking for a fun race in which to participate, the Spring Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon benefiting the Moores UCSD Cancer Center on Mission Bay is for you! Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm & Sunday 6:00am – 12:00pm.
Take Steps is an event that raises money for Crohn’s and ulcerative Colitis cures. The day is fun-filled with food, a band, a kid’s zone, a beer garden, and a walk!
Gator by the Bay is a 3-day festival featuring Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Country musicians and Louisiana cuisine and culture. The festival will be held over Mother’s Day weekend at Spanish Landing Park on North Harbor Drive. This family-oriented event includes performances by nationally recognized Cajun, Zydeco and Blues performers, local performing musicians, dancing, dance instruction, cooking demonstrations, ethnic food and arts vendors, community exhibits, cultural workshops, children’s arts and crafts and colorful daily “Mardi Gras” style parades through the festival grounds. (619) 234-8612.
The Girls on the Run 5k is a non-competitive, celebration 5k. All participants must register for the event.
Competition on a flat, fast-paced figure 8 course. FREE helmets are given to the first 300 youths who register to participate. This event is in conjunction with the Logan Heights Family Health Center Health Fair.
The San Diego Brain Tumor Walk offers individuals and teams a chance to honor and remember loved ones, connect with others interested in the brain tumor cause, and to help educate the local community on the diverse needs of the brain tumor community.
Celebration of Music and Art. 619-294-2501.
The Crystal Pier Outrigger Canoe Race is a Southern California Outrigger Racing Association Race, hosted by Hanohano Canoe Club in San Diego, CA. The race draws 2,500+ participants annually who battle in a 6-mile short course, novice and kid’s race as well as a 10-mile men, women and coed race in six-person outrigger canoes.
Free kite making and instruction for all children. Prizes for best decorated kites, by age category. Spectacular kite flying demonstrations throughout the day. Carnival rides and a craft fair are also part of the event. This free family event is the oldest children’s kite festival in the United States. This is a third-generation event; people who attended as children are now bringing their children and grandchildren. Youngsters are taught how to make kites; all materials are supplied. There are prizes for the best decorated kites. Any handmade kite can be submitted, not just kites made at the Festival. Entertainment and lunch are provided. Adding to the fun, families can go on carnival rides or browse for unique handicrafts at the craft fair.
Native Americans of many tribes gather together to sing and dance to the heartbeat of the drum. The Balboa Park Pow-wow includes dances, Native American Arts & Crafts, and food!
Bike to Work Day is a nationally recognized event celebrated annually on the third Friday in May. Since May is National Bike Month, San Diegans have opportunities to GO by BIKE all month long. Bike Month supports biking as a viable, environmentally friendly, cost-saving commute choice. With thousands of miles of bikeways in the San Diego region, biking gets you where you need to go. Make biking to work your new normal.
The San Diego Taco Fest is a food, music, and cultural celebration! The region’s best taco-centric restaurants offer a wide range of mouthwatering taco creations. Enjoy local and national musical performances. In between the music and tacos, catch live Lucha Libre wrestling matches!
Over 50 of San Diego’s best restaurants and beverage purveyors will be offering exquisite bites and flavorful wines, brews, and spirits. An entertaining Kentucky Derby theme sets the mood for a wonderful afternoon. Women will be donning the fanciest of hats to celebrate the Runway for the Roses.
If you’re planning to restore an older home or spruce up a newer one, this event is for you. Local craftsmen and community businesses that specialize in the repair, remodel, and preservation of homes will be there. The event also offers historic home tours, exhibits, food, music, and activities. (619) 233-6679.
The first annual Mito Walk and Roll 5K is a family-oriented event. This year’s event will include interactive games, face painting, bounce house, pictures with princesses, magic show, caricature drawings, food trucks, live music and much more. Participants are encouraged to walk, run or roll to show their support for our cause. The Mito Walk and Roll is an event for the whole family. It is a great chance to get some exercise, enjoy quality family time, and support UCSD’s Mitochondrial Research Fund at the same time. This event represents a great opportunity for runners, as well as family members and friends, to kick off the summer! Proceeds will benefit the UCSD Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center.
Cyclists can test their endurance by choosing one of these rides that travel along hills and coast. There’s a challenging 37-mile course, a grueling 66-mile course, and an extreme 103-mile course. All rides begin and end at Mira Costa College in Encinitas. A small expo accompanies the event. (858) 259-9595.
The event is an adult (age 21+) on May 16 (with craft beer) and an all age event on May 17 beach bash with rock n’ roll music, food, drink, and sand-dancing. Some people will be soaking up sun rays as others amuse themselves with beachy activities.
Don’t miss out on this one! A run/walk across the Coronado Bay Bridge is a rare opportunity. The views are awesome! It begins near the Bayside Hilton in downtown San Diego and proceeds across the magnificent bay bridge and onward to Coronado Island for a festive celebration at Tidelands Park.
The Annual Butterfly Release is a popular family fun day. There will be free giveaways, entertainment, plus kids’ arts and crafts activities. Butterflies are shared with children a few minutes prior to the release times!
Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s finest collections of historic vessels, exhibits, and on-the-water adventure guest experiences, will host the Annual Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea on Memorial Day weekend.
The USS Midway Museum’s “Legacy Week” is the heart and soul of Memorial Day commemoration in San Diego. The lineup of activities ranges from a Wreath Memorial ceremony, benefit concert, family activities, blood drive, interactive exhibits and more. Each element of Midway’s Legacy Week commemoration is designed to honor and remember our heroes and celebrate our military heritage. Events also offer the community an affordable and inspiring way to kick off summer in San Diego on one of the most iconic museums in the world.
Come to Balboa Park to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch. Follow the sound of music and the aroma of scrumptious foods to the little cottages that represent different countries of the Pacific. Afterwards picnic with a feast of food and tempting bakery while being entertained by costumed performances. 619-729-8234.
Proceeds from this Miracle Babies event support families in need who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit. Following the race there will be a red rose ceremony and a champagne toast celebrating our mothers. In addition, the day will be full of activities for kids, health & wellness expo, local food, and more!
The Fiesta del Sol features a special area just for kids with rides, games and hands-on activities. Favorite destinations include the awesome rides, inflatable bounce house and slide. Don’t forget about our famous face painter and kid-friendly food choices are always a huge hit with everyone. Kids’ rides favorites include the “Dragon” and the “Swing”! Arts & crafts plus tons of other fun activities designed especially for children and even adults who feel like children are not in short supply! Saturday: 9:00am – 10:00pm & Sunday 9:00am to 8:00pm.
