WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around San Diego, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Oct 29 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
27 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Downtown Waterfront· Arts & culture· 0.7 mi / 1.2 km from San Diego
San Diego Symphony plays outdoor concerts on the downtown bayfront, from classical programs to pop and film nights.
Suggested trip: 1 day
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park · Jun – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Downtown Embarcadero· Family· 0.8 mi / 1.3 km from San Diego
Tour a decommissioned aircraft carrier's flight deck and hangar with restored aircraft and veteran docents.
Suggested trip: 1 day
USS Midway Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Downtown Embarcadero· Family· 0.8 mi / 1.4 km from San Diego
A fleet of historic vessels, including the Star of India, moored on the bay.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Maritime Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Balboa Park· Arts & culture· 0.9 mi / 1.4 km from San Diego
Aircraft and spacecraft exhibits in Balboa Park's former Ford Building.
Suggested trip: 1 day
San Diego Air & Space Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Balboa Park· Arts & culture· 1.4 mi / 2.2 km from San Diego
Regional natural history exhibits, fossils and rotating shows in a Balboa Park landmark.
Suggested trip: 1 day
The Nat · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Old Town· Festivals· 3.4 mi / 5.5 km from San Diego
Altars, art installations and lighted displays in Old Town, culminating around Nov 1-2.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park · Sep 1 – Nov 2 · until Nov 2
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Mission Valley· Sports· 5.2 mi / 8.4 km from San Diego
The city's MLS club plays its home matches in Mission Valley.
Snapdragon Stadium · Feb – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Mission Valley· Sports· 5.2 mi / 8.4 km from San Diego
San Diego State's college football team plays home games in Mission Valley.
Snapdragon Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Mission Valley· Arts & culture· 5.9 mi / 9.5 km from San Diego
California's first mission, with a church, museum and gardens open to visitors.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Mission San Diego de Alcala · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Mission Beach· Family· 6.5 mi / 10 km from San Diego
A beachfront amusement park with a historic wooden coaster, arcade and bayside promenade.
Belmont Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Mission Trails, 10 mi northeast· Outdoors· 9.4 mi / 15 km from San Diego
One of the country's larger urban parks, with hiking to Cowles Mountain and a lake and visitor center.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Mission Trails Regional Park · Oct – May · until May 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Del Mar· Sports· 19 mi / 30 km from San Diego
Seaside horse racing with a summer meet and a fall meet that begins in early November.
Del Mar Racetrack · Jul – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Escondido, 30 mi north· Family· 28 mi / 45 km from San Diego
A 1,800-acre wildlife park where African savanna species roam open habitats, with cart safaris and overnight Roar & Snore options.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
San Diego Zoo Safari Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWSan Diego· Carlsbad, 35 mi north· Family· 30 mi / 48 km from San Diego
Brick-built rides, Miniland USA and a water park, with seasonal Halloween and Christmas events layered on the year-round park.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
LEGOLAND California · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Avalon, 30 mi offshore· Outdoors· 80 mi / 129 km from San Diego
Ferry-access island with zip lines, glass-bottom boats, hiking and bison tours.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Avalon · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Palm Springs, 107 mi east· Outdoors· 84 mi / 135 km from San Diego
A rotating tram car climbs from the desert floor to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park trailheads, often with snow up top in winter and cool air in summer.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Anaheim, 28 mi southeast· Sports· 86 mi / 138 km from San Diego
NHL hockey at Honda Center, the Orange County arena.
Honda Center · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Buena Park, 28 mi southeast· Holidays· 92 mi / 148 km from San Diego
Halloween haunt with mazes, scare zones and shows run at the Orange County theme park on select nights.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Knott's Berry Farm · Sep 17 – Oct 31 · until Oct 31
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Exposition Park· Sports· 111 mi / 178 km from San Diego
MLS home matches for LAFC in Exposition Park, with the Banc of California supporters' section.
BMO Stadium · Feb – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Downtown LA· Arts & culture· 112 mi / 180 km from San Diego
Grand opera productions at the Music Center pavilion.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion · Oct 17 – Jun 20 · until Jun 20
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Elysian Park· Sports· 113 mi / 181 km from San Diego
Major League Baseball at Chavez Ravine, with postseason games in October.
Dodger Stadium · Mar – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Pasadena· Sports· 116 mi / 186 km from San Diego
College football Saturdays in the historic Rose Bowl, with seven home games in the 2026 season.
Rose Bowl Stadium · Sep – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Hollywood· Arts & culture· 116 mi / 187 km from San Diego
Picnic-style classic film screenings on the cemetery lawn, with DJs and a bar. Season starts around Memorial Day and includes Halloween-weekend shows.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Fairbanks Lawn) · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Angeles National Forest, 22 mi northeast· Outdoors· 116 mi / 187 km from San Diego
Historic mountaintop observatory with a 100-inch telescope, tours and trail access.
Mount Wilson Observatory · Apr – Nov · until Nov 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Griffith Park, Los Feliz· Family· 117 mi / 188 km from San Diego
Hilltop observatory with exhibits, planetarium shows and free evening telescope viewing, plus skyline views.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Griffith Observatory · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Santa Monica, 15 mi west· Family· 118 mi / 190 km from San Diego
Oceanfront amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, coaster and arcade at the end of the pier.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Pacific Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWLos Angeles· Brentwood· Arts & culture· 121 mi / 194 km from San Diego
Hilltop museum campus with European art, architecture and the Central Garden.
Suggested trip: 1 day
The Getty Center · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season