Farmer’s Insurance Open Golf Tournament (January)
One of the top golf tournaments in the country, this annual PGA Tour event, hosted in stunning Torrey Pines with sweeping views and ocean breezes, features marquee golfers including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and others.
Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter (February)
This is the biggest Fat Tuesday celebration on the U.S. West Coast. Parades, music, and beads take over downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.
San Diego Crew Classic (April)
Regarded as the first major competition of the year, this annual regatta event brings rowers from across the country to Crown Point Shores on Mission Bay to participate in one of the most distinguished rowing competitions in the nation. Collegiate, junior, and masters athletes compete in more than 100 races over two days.
San Diego Padres Baseball (April – October)
The San Diego Padres step up to the plate and begin another exciting, six-month season of Major League Baseball, played in PETCO Park in downtown San Diego.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon (June)
What would make running 26 miles even more fun? How about having a different rock band positioned every mile or so who play music to help you pick up the pace? This popular foot race brings out thousands of runners and sideline supporters each year.
San Diego County Fair (June)
San Diego’s annual county fair features outlandish foods, garden shows, livestock tents, a midway complete with carnival rides, and concerts held throughout the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in oceanfront Del Mar.
The Old Globe Theatre’s Summer Shakespeare Festival (June – September)
Three dynamic Shakespeare productions are performed in nightly rotation in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre of the Tony Award ®-winning Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.
Big Bay Boom Fourth of July Show (July)
Fireworks are discharged simultaneously from barges placed strategically around San Diego’s Big Bay – off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village, Embarcadero South Marina Park, Coronado Ferry Landing and Imperial Beach.
San Diego Comic Con (July)
The largest comic book and pop culture convention in the world. Started as a modest comic book collector’s convention, over the years Comic Con has become synonymous with Hollywood blockbusters and the hottest TV shows. Panel discussions with top movie stars are common, as are in-depth production discussions with directors, animators and producers. Screenings, signings, and omnipresent Klingons keep this party going year after year.
Del Mar Racing Season (July – September)
Live thoroughbred racing at the Del Mar Race Track in the beautiful seaside city of Del Mar. The season starts with the annual opening day hat contest and ends in early September.
San Diego Symphony Summer Pops Season (July – September)
Summer performances are held under the stars in downtown San Diego along San Diego Bay; fireworks occur on some nights.
San Diego Fleet at SDCCU Stadium (during football season)
The San Diego Fleet “bolt” play home games at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley, while fans gather in the parking lot for tailgate parties before catching the excitement inside the stadium.
Dixieland Jazz Festival (November)
Called the “crown jewel of jazz festivals,” the annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival is another great reason to rejoice over the holiday weekend. Held in Mission Valley near the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley hotel, this exciting event represents a wide variety of jazz styles and is sure to showcase something for every music lover.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival (November)
The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. In past years, over 800 wines and spirits, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants, and 30 gourmet food companies, have participated in the festival.
Poinsettia Bowl Football Game (December)
Played at Qualcomm Stadium, the Poinsettia Bowl has been around since 2005. Producing some exciting and historic battles, the Poinsettia Bowl attracts many loyal fans from San Diego and beyond.
Whale Watching Season (December – March)
Visitors to San Diego have the unique opportunity to glimpse one of nature’s most extraordinary events—the migration of California gray whales. View these beautiful mammals as they travel from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California where they birth and rear their young
