CELEBRATE SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego is the ideal summer travel destination, offering a nearly perfect climate, 70 miles of sparkling beaches, popular annual events and new attractions at its world-famous family theme parks. Summertime also brings entertaining street festivals, community celebrations and a dazzling array of visual and performing arts to the San Diego region.
Whether planning a weekend getaway or a long leisurely stay, visitors to San Diego have plenty of fun-filled summer activities to choose.
MAJOR EVENTS
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San Diego celebrates Independence Day with a variety of Fourth of July celebrations throughout the county. Coronado's popular Independence Day Celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park and spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county. www.sandiego.org
San Diego celebrates Independence Day with a variety of Fourth of July celebrations throughout the county. Coronado's popular Independence Day Celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park and spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county. www.sandiego.org •The "turf meets the surf" at the Del Mar Racetrack where fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 20 - September 7. The races run five days weekly, except Monday and Tuesday; every Friday, guests can catch 4 O'Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day's last race. On August 28, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation's top thoroughbreds for a $1 million purse. www.dmtc.com
The "turf meets the surf" at the Del Mar Racetrack where fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 20 - September 7. The races run five days weekly, except Monday and Tuesday; every Friday, guests can catch 4 O'Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day's last race. On August 28, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation's top thoroughbreds for a $1 million purse. www.dmtc.com •Visitors can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day at Comic-Con International, July 21 - 24, at the San Diego Convention Center. Comic-Con has become a signature summertime event for San Diego; it is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture. www.comic-con.org
Visitors can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day at Comic-Con International, July 21 - 24, at the San Diego Convention Center. Comic-Con has become a signature summertime event for San Diego; it is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture. www.comic-con.org •Guests can wiggle their toes in the sand and view hundreds of sand sculptors at work during the Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, July 22 - 24, at Imperial Beach Pier. A parade, fireworks show, kid's sandcastle competition and street festival provide extra entertainment and family fun. www.usopensandcastle.com
Guests can wiggle their toes in the sand and view hundreds of sand sculptors at work during the Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, July 22 - 24, at Imperial Beach Pier. A parade, fireworks show, kid's sandcastle competition and street festival provide extra entertainment and family fun. www.usopensandcastle.com FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
•During June 3 - 5, San Diego's biggest civilian air show, the 16th Annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show, includes re-enactments of WWII and Vietnam War aerial battles with pyrotechnic and aircraft displays, along with live entertainment, a Kidz Zone, food and more. The air show takes place at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. www.wingsovergillespie.org
During June 3 - 5, San Diego's biggest civilian air show, the 16th Annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show, includes re-enactments of WWII and Vietnam War aerial battles with pyrotechnic and aircraft displays, along with live entertainment, a Kidz Zone, food and more. The air show takes place at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. www.wingsovergillespie.org •The San Diego County Fair takes place June 10 - July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego's North County. This year's theme, "Race to the Fair," celebrates the history of cars with displays of amazing automobiles, from historic to modern-day models. The Fair is the largest annual event in the County and features top performing artists and popular attractions like the International Beer Festival, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking and an award-winning flower show. www.sdfair.com
The San Diego County Fair takes place June 10 - July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego's North County. This year's theme, "Race to the Fair," celebrates the history of cars with displays of amazing automobiles, from historic to modern-day models. The Fair is the largest annual event in the County and features top performing artists and popular attractions like the International Beer Festival, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking and an award-winning flower show. www.sdfair.com •The 25th Annual La Jolla Festival of Arts and Food Fair, June 18 - 19, hosts 200 award-winning local and national artists displaying paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and more. Guests can also enjoy a variety of cuisines in the festival's food area, listen to live entertainment and visit the children's area featuring interactive booths, hands-on games and activities. www.lajollaartfestival.org
The 25th Annual La Jolla Festival of Arts and Food Fair, June 18 - 19, hosts 200 award-winning local and national artists displaying paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and more. Guests can also enjoy a variety of cuisines in the festival's food area, listen to live entertainment and visit the children's area featuring interactive booths, hands-on games and activities. www.lajollaartfestival.org •Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first mission in California, celebrates its establishment and the beginning of Christianity in the western United States during the Festival of the Bells, July 15 - 17. The event features food, entertainment, dancing and the blessing of the bells. All five Mission bells are rung during the weekend festivities, including an original bell dating back to 1802. www.missionsandiego.com
Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first mission in California, celebrates its establishment and the beginning of Christianity in the western United States during the Festival of the Bells, July 15 - 17. The event features food, entertainment, dancing and the blessing of the bells. All five Mission bells are rung during the weekend festivities, including an original bell dating back to 1802. www.missionsandiego.com •Residents and visitors alike show their pride at the 36th Annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, July 16 - 17, one of the most popular events of its kind in the country. Highlights include a mile-long parade through Hillcrest and two-day festival in Balboa Park. http://sandiegopride.org
Residents and visitors alike show their pride at the 36th Annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, July 16 - 17, one of the most popular events of its kind in the country. Highlights include a mile-long parade through Hillcrest and two-day festival in Balboa Park. http://sandiegopride.org •FinnFest 2011 highlights contemporary Finland and celebrates the unique Finnish-American Heritage, August 10-14, at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley. Guests can enjoy Finnish folk and traditional music, art displays, theatre performances, authentic foods and more. www.finnfest2011.com
FinnFest 2011 highlights contemporary Finland and celebrates the unique Finnish-American Heritage, August 10-14, at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley. Guests can enjoy Finnish folk and traditional music, art displays, theatre performances, authentic foods and more. www.finnfest2011.com •The 16th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer takes place September 9 in downtown San Diego. More than 75 breweries provide samples and tastings alongside live musical performances, vendors and food. www.sdbeerfest.org
The 16th Annual San Diego Festival of Beer takes place September 9 in downtown San Diego. More than 75 breweries provide samples and tastings alongside live musical performances, vendors and food. www.sdbeerfest.org •Guests can explore the world of astronomy during the Julian Star Fest, August 25 - 28. The four-day festival, held at Menghini Winery in the East County mountain town of Julian, is the second biggest in California and offers exhibition areas, guest speakers, an astronomy equipment swap meet and more. www.julianstarfest.com
Guests can explore the world of astronomy during the Julian Star Fest, August 25 - 28. The four-day festival, held at Menghini Winery in the East County mountain town of Julian, is the second biggest in California and offers exhibition areas, guest speakers, an astronomy equipment swap meet and more. www.julianstarfest.com •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 2011, September 1 - 5, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in downtown San Diego. The contemporary art fair serves as a marketplace for the world's leading contemporary art galleries; this year, special focus is given to the galleries of Argentina with a new exhibition, titled Panorama: Argentina. www.artsandiego-fair.com
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 2011, September 1 - 5, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in downtown San Diego. The contemporary art fair serves as a marketplace for the world's leading contemporary art galleries; this year, special focus is given to the galleries of Argentina with a new exhibition, titled Panorama: Argentina. www.artsandiego-fair.com AT THE ATTRACTIONS
•During Memorial Day weekend, May 27 - 30, and from June 18 through August 28, guests can visit SeaWorld San Diego for Summer Nights at SeaWorld. The summer showcase features extended park hours, nightly firework shows, live music and special nighttime animal performances. This summer, guests also have an opportunity to see One Ocean, the new Shamu show highlighting how humans and animals share the world and its oceans, and the new park exhibit Sea Turtle Bay, featuring 60 sea turtles, a 300,000-gallon aquarium and Riptide Rescue, a new ride on spinning boats. www.seaworld.com/sandiego
During Memorial Day weekend, May 27 - 30, and from June 18 through August 28, guests can visit SeaWorld San Diego for Summer Nights at SeaWorld. The summer showcase features extended park hours, nightly firework shows, live music and special nighttime animal performances. This summer, guests also have an opportunity to see One Ocean, the new Shamu show highlighting how humans and animals share the world and its oceans, and the new park exhibit Sea Turtle Bay, featuring 60 sea turtles, a 300,000-gallon aquarium and Riptide Rescue, a new ride on spinning boats. www.seaworld.com/sandiego •Guests can be part of a Summer Safari - An African Experience at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park during July 21 through August 21. This festive summer celebration includes acrobats, artisans and Ethiopian circus performers who entertain guests through the Safari Park's village throughout the day. During 4-7 p.m., guests also have the opportunity to make African music. www.sandiegozoo.org
Guests can be part of a Summer Safari - An African Experience at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park during July 21 through August 21. This festive summer celebration includes acrobats, artisans and Ethiopian circus performers who entertain guests through the Safari Park's village throughout the day. During 4-7 p.m., guests also have the opportunity to make African music. www.sandiegozoo.org •During June 24 through September 5, the San Diego Zoo allows guests to roam the park until 9 p.m. for Nighttime Zoo and experience special summer offerings. Throughout the day, guests can watch Dr. Zoolittle's Nature Tricks showcasing animals and their amazing tools and adaptations for survival in the wild, or take part in a tropical-themed dance party. As the sun sets, they can watch SOAR: A Symphony in Flight featuring the splendor of free flying birds, dazzling lights and colors and Ambush Acrobats who perform throughout the park. www.sandiegozoo.org/nighttimezoo
During June 24 through September 5, the San Diego Zoo allows guests to roam the park until 9 p.m. for Nighttime Zoo and experience special summer offerings. Throughout the day, guests can watch Dr. Zoolittle's Nature Tricks showcasing animals and their amazing tools and adaptations for survival in the wild, or take part in a tropical-themed dance party. As the sun sets, they can watch SOAR: A Symphony in Flight featuring the splendor of free flying birds, dazzling lights and colors and Ambush Acrobats who perform throughout the park. www.sandiegozoo.org/nighttimezoo •Guests can enjoy extended hours and tons of LEGO fun this summer at LEGOLAND California® in Carlsbad. The park features two new additions, STAR WARS Miniland, featuring six live-action LEGO displays of memorable scenes from the classic Star Wars movies, and the new Police and Fire Academy ride, where children and their families can race against one another in fire trucks and police vehicles while putting out fires and stopping robbers. At the 5.5-acre LEGOLAND Water Park, kids and families enjoy wet-and-wild climbing structures, a six-person raft slide, tube slides, body slides, a lazy river, an area where kids can customize their own soft LEGO® rafts and Splash Zoo, a brand new zoo-themed area just for toddlers. http://california.legoland.com
Guests can enjoy extended hours and tons of LEGO fun this summer at LEGOLAND California® in Carlsbad. The park features two new additions, STAR WARS Miniland, featuring six live-action LEGO displays of memorable scenes from the classic Star Wars movies, and the new Police and Fire Academy ride, where children and their families can race against one another in fire trucks and police vehicles while putting out fires and stopping robbers. At the 5.5-acre LEGOLAND Water Park, kids and families enjoy wet-and-wild climbing structures, a six-person raft slide, tube slides, body slides, a lazy river, an area where kids can customize their own soft LEGO® rafts and Splash Zoo, a brand new zoo-themed area just for toddlers. http://california.legoland.com SPORTING GOOD TIME
•The San Diego Padres' season sizzles during the summer months. Baseball fans can watch the pros in action at the Padres' downtown PETCO Ballpark featuring 46,000 seats, garden terraces, spacious concourses and state-of-the-art amenities for the fans. www.padres.com
The San Diego Padres' season sizzles during the summer months. Baseball fans can watch the pros in action at the Padres' downtown PETCO Ballpark featuring 46,000 seats, garden terraces, spacious concourses and state-of-the-art amenities for the fans. www.padres.com •On June 4, the 6th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition takes place at Imperial Beach. Guests can take in the action as fun loving canines ride the waves in three different heats: small dogs, large dogs and tandem. http://loewssurfdog.blogspot.com
On June 4, the 6th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition takes place at Imperial Beach. Guests can take in the action as fun loving canines ride the waves in three different heats: small dogs, large dogs and tandem. http://loewssurfdog.blogspot.com •San Diego's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on June 5 is one of the most entertaining marathons in the United States, featuring live music and regional bands playing everything from rock to rhythm and blues on 26 different stages, located along its scenic 26.2-mile route. www.rnrmarathon.com
San Diego's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on June 5 is one of the most entertaining marathons in the United States, featuring live music and regional bands playing everything from rock to rhythm and blues on 26 different stages, located along its scenic 26.2-mile route. www.rnrmarathon.com •The 58th Annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament takes place on Mission Bay's Fiesta Island, July 9 - 10 and July 16 - 17. A San Diego original, this boisterous, fast-paced beach softball event is open to the public; games begin at 7:30 a.m. each day and end at dusk. www.ombac.org
The 58th Annual World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament takes place on Mission Bay's Fiesta Island, July 9 - 10 and July 16 - 17. A San Diego original, this boisterous, fast-paced beach softball event is open to the public; games begin at 7:30 a.m. each day and end at dusk. www.ombac.org •In August (exact dates TBD), the Annual World Body Surfing Championships showcases international and U.S. body surfers competing to be "the world's best;" the event takes place at the Oceanside Pier and Beach in San Diego's North County. www.worldbodysurfing.org
In August (exact dates TBD), the Annual World Body Surfing Championships showcases international and U.S. body surfers competing to be "the world's best;" the event takes place at the Oceanside Pier and Beach in San Diego's North County. www.worldbodysurfing.org MUSIC AND CONCERTS
•The Tony Award ®-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park presents its annual Summer Shakespeare Festival, May 29 - September 24. Guests can watch three productions, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest and Amadeus, performed in nightly rotation in the Globe's
The Tony Award ®-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park presents its annual Summer Shakespeare Festival, May 29 - September 24. Guests can watch three productions, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest and Amadeus, performed in nightly rotation in the Globe's outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. www.oldglobe.org
•During the Annual Green Flash Concert Series, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla offers a unique summertime experience with live music and spectacular ocean sunsets. The concerts occur on select dates (still TBD) during May through September on the aquarium's stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza and include food, drinks and a sophisticated mix of national performers. Concerts take place 6 - 9 p.m.; guests must be 21 years and older. http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
During the Annual Green Flash Concert Series, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla offers a unique summertime experience with live music and spectacular ocean sunsets. The concerts occur on select dates (still TBD) during May through September on the aquarium's stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza and include food, drinks and a sophisticated mix of national performers. Concerts take place 6 - 9 p.m.; guests must be 21 years and older. http://aquarium.ucsd.edu •Balboa Park's 31st annual Twilight in the Park offers a free concert series under the stars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, June 15 - August 25. Twilight concerts feature a mix of musical performances, including military bands, Dixieland jazz, big band swing and Latin salsa. Concerts take place 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Balboa Park's 31st annual Twilight in the Park offers a free concert series under the stars on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, June 15 - August 25. Twilight concerts feature a mix of musical performances, including military bands, Dixieland jazz, big band swing and Latin salsa. Concerts take place 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. •Guests can also visit the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for its free International Summer Organ Festival, occurring at 7:30 p.m. every Monday, June 20 - August 29. San Diego's warm summer nights allow guests to enjoy the majestic sound of the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, while enjoying music played by world-renowned concert and theater organists. www.balboapark.org
Guests can also visit the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for its free International Summer Organ Festival, occurring at 7:30 p.m. every Monday, June 20 - August 29. San Diego's warm summer nights allow guests to enjoy the majestic sound of the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, while enjoying music played by world-renowned concert and theater organists. www.balboapark.org •The San Diego Symphony's Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops features food, fireworks and fantastic orchestral performances under the stars at picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park South in downtown San Diego, June through August. This year's performances include Wynonna Judd, The Music of James Bond, Broadway's Tony Winners, The Music of the Rolling Stones, Super Diamond: A Tribute to Neil Diamond and more. www.sandiegosymphony.com
The San Diego Symphony's Bridgepoint Education Summer Pops features food, fireworks and fantastic orchestral performances under the stars at picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park South in downtown San Diego, June through August. This year's performances include Wynonna Judd, The Music of James Bond, Broadway's Tony Winners, The Music of the Rolling Stones, Super Diamond: A Tribute to Neil Diamond and more. www.sandiegosymphony.com •The popular 30th Annual Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay features top name entertainers performing on an outdoor stage adjacent to a picturesque marina at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites on Shelter Island, June through October. This year's performers include James Blunt, Chris Cornell, Yanni, Adele and more. www.humphreysconcerts.com
The popular 30th Annual Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay features top name entertainers performing on an outdoor stage adjacent to a picturesque marina at Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites on Shelter Island, June through October. This year's performers include James Blunt, Chris Cornell, Yanni, Adele and more. www.humphreysconcerts.com •During August 3 - 26, the La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2011 features over 70 world-class, classical artists and ensembles performing 13 diverse concerts. www.lajollamusicsociety.org
During August 3 - 26, the La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2011 features over 70 world-class, classical artists and ensembles performing 13 diverse concerts. www.lajollamusicsociety.org •Guests can experience a rockin' good time at North Park Music Thing's Street Fest, September 9 - 10, which features a live art show, international food court, street vendors and a number of musicians performing live on three different stages. www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org/npmt
Guests can experience a rockin' good time at North Park Music Thing's Street Fest, September 9 - 10, which features a live art show, international food court, street vendors and a number of musicians performing live on three different stages. www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org/npmt Happy happens in San Diego. For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org , or call (619) 236-1212. In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown; the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla; or the California Welcome Center, located at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine.
(Information provided by San Diego Public Relations office in the form of a media release)
