Summer in San Diego: Best Things to Do & What’s New for 2026

The tour leaves right from the Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum, and you’ll cruise past Seaport Village, the San Diego skyline, Shelter Island, Coronado, Point Loma, and lots of marine animals chilling in the sun. A harbor cruise is a must-do for anyone who loves being on the water, and the good news is these 90-minute tours are fairly inexpensive!

► Interested in booking a boat tour? We’ve rounded up the Best San Diego Harbor Cruises for Families to help you decide which one is right for you. 

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3. Belmont Park

Belmont Park is an old school boardwalk amusement park. Located right on the boardwalk at Mission Beach, Belmont Park is one of the quintessential Southern California Amusement Parks. It is home to the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, and many other rides. You can play arcade games, laser tag, mini golf or even zip line. 

Belmont Park is open late in the summer, and it’s especially fun to visit if you are visiting San Diego with teens or older kids.

Belmont Park is totally free to enter if you just want to walk around or grab a bite to eat. It has an old school feel and there is often entertainment that parents will enjoy, too. You can walk around, just pay to play! They have a fun variety of kid-friendly restaurants and to-go food too – pizza, ice cream, even gourmet coffee.

• 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego
• belmontpark.com

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4. Seaport Village

Seaport Village is a lively 14-acre waterfront park with shopping and dining right on the harbor in downtown San Diego.

Visiting Seaport Village is a great activity to enjoy during the summertime. You can poke through the many shops, enjoy a meal on the waterfront, or just get some exercise walking along the waterfront. Live music, artisans, and entertainers make Seaport Village a lively spot. There is also a wonderful old merry-go-round for the kids.

If you are in Seaport Village and want to hop on a great tour, I recommend the San Diego Seal Tour. This kid-friendly tour is awesome because it travels on both land and water! The amphibious bus departs from the heart of Seaport Village and takes you on a tour of the city before slipping into San Diego Bay for a ride past SeaWorld and other waterfront points of interest. It is like two tours in one, and a huge hit if you are traveling with kids!

• 849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego
• seaportvillage.com

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5. SeaWorld San Diego

From thrilling rides to fun and educational shows featuring dolphins, whales, sea lions, and other marine life, SeaWorld is one of the most popular theme parks in California and a must-see attraction when you’re visiting San Diego.

In recent years, the park has moved away from relying on its resident marine life to entertain guests. There are lots of new rides, including roller coasters such as Manta, Emperor, Electric Eel, Journey to Atlantis and Arctic Rescue. You can read more about all these great rides and attraction in my guide to the best things to do at SeaWorld San Diego.

There is also an entire section of the park with rides and activities just for little kids, making SeaWorld a park the whole family can truly enjoy.

This summer, SeaWorld is opening two new highly anticipated attractions. The new Shark Encounter exhibit opened in May 2026, giving you an immersive, up-close view of sharks and a fun beach theme.

SeaWorld has also launched a new nightly 12-minute drone show, which will last through the summer season (replacing fireworks). Ocean of Dreams features 600 fully synchronized drones with a soaring soundtrack, celebrates the beauty of the ocean.

• 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego
• seaworld.com/san-diego

► Click here to purchase discount tickets directly from SeaWorld!

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6. Sesame Place San Diego

If you are traveling with young kids, there is no better place to go in San Diego in the summer than Sesame Place! This little theme park offers a mix of rides, water attractions, shows, parades, games, interactive play areas, and of course opportunities to meet favorite Sesame Street characters.

Kids will love the 500,000 gallon wave pool on hot summer days. No big roller coasters or thrill rides here, so this is definitely a park for younger kids.

• 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
• sesameplace.com/san-diego

► Find discount tickets to Sesame Place right here!

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7. Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Taking a ride on the San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley is the perfect way to maximize your time and get around, all while learning some cool facts about America’s Finest City. In fact, almost all of the activities on this list of top things to do in San Diego with kids are accessible via the trolley.

The fully narrated bus tour lets you get on and off at any of 11 stops, including Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway, Old Town, Little Italy and many more.

► See why the hop on hop off trolley tour is the best way to see San Diego in one day.

This is the one tour I always recommend to people visiting San Diego, especially if it is their first time. If for no other reason, riding over the Coronado Bridge in an open-air trolley is exhilarating.

►Grab your discount tickets for the Hop On Hop Off San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour

 

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8. Balboa Park

At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. In fact, it is so big, there’s a free tram that will take you around to different areas of the park.

Spend a day exploring Balboa Park, home to an array of family-friendly attractions including more than a dozen Balboa Park museums, numerous beautiful gardens, the Balboa Park Miniature Train, Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park International Cottages, the Old Globe Theatre, playgrounds, a carousel, and of course the San Diego Zoo.

If you are interested in checking out multiple attractions, be sure to look into the Balboa Park Explorer Pass for the best deal on admission.

If you happen to be visiting Balboa Park on a Sunday, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion offers a one-hour free concert every Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. I was recently at the park on a Sunday and we decided to take a break from the museums and go to the concert. We brought our lunch over the benches and ate while listening to the music; it was the best part of our day!

Built in 1914, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is home to the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world (we’re talking 32-foot tall pipes!). With few exceptions, it has been providing free concerts weekly for more than a century. Summer is a great time to enjoy an outdoor concert!

• 1549 El Prado, San Diego
• balboapark.org

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9. Old Town San Diego

Old Town is a great attraction to visit any time of year! Step back in time at Old Town San Diego, where the city’s rich heritage comes to life. Wander through historic buildings, enjoy live performances, and savor authentic Mexican cuisine.

Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town State Historic Park is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California, founded in in 1769. Today, it is a lively attraction with 50 shops and restaurants and numerous museums, historic sites, and educational experiences – many of which are free to explore. In fact, Old Town San Diego tops our list of best free things to do in San Diego with kids.

We love visiting Old Town San Diego! There is always something fun to see, and it is a great place to enjoy some of the best Mexican food in San Diego. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor seating, so it is the perfect place to have a great meal during the summertime.

Casa de Reyes is our favorite restaurant in Old Town San Diego. Sometimes we’ll just order margaritas and sit outside on the patio, munching chips and salsa and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

• 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego
• oldtownsandiego.org

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10. See the La Jolla Sea Caves

Head to La Jolla Cove for a day of seaside fun. Let the kids splash in the gentle waves, search for sea creatures in the tide pools, check out the sea lions, or simply relax on the sandy shores of this picturesque beach.

Snorkeling and ocean kayaking are popular activities in La Jolla, since there are caves and cliffs and all sorts of beautiful scenery to check out along the coast. My husband, son, and I went on the La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour and absolutely loved it. If you take a tour, a guide will lead you toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in California.

Top Tip: If you want to check out the caves without getting wet or paying for an excursion, check out Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave in La Jolla.

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11. Cabrillo National Monument

Located just 10 miles away from downtown San Diego on the Point Loma Peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo – the first European explorer to arrive on the West Coast. I lived in San Diego for many years before finally visiting, and when I did I couldn’t believe we didn’t go sooner!

Cabrillo National Monument is the only National Park Service site near San Diego. The monument itself is beautiful, a stark white statue towering over San Diego Bay with Coronado and the San Diego skyline in the distance. The view alone is worth the trip!

Beside the monument there is a visitor center and bookstore, and small museum which tells the story of Cabrillo and other Spanish explorers. A short walk up the bluff from where the monument stands, you’ll find the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

But perhaps my favorite thing about Cabrillo National Monument is the tide pools. You’ll have to hike or drive down, but the stunning coastline of the Point Loma Peninsula gives serious Big Sur vibes. You can hike along the shore or just enjoy the view and fresh, salty air.

• 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego
• nps.gov/cabr/

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12. San Diego Zoo

Summer is a fun time of year to visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is truly one of the absolute must-see attractions in San Diego.

Kids will marvel at the diverse range of animals from around the globe and enjoy interactive exhibits, animal encounters, and even a few rides like the iconic Skyfari Aerial Tram.

The zoo is huge. With more than 100 acres to explore, plan on spending an entire day here so you don’t have to rush. It should also be noted that there are lots of hills, so it may take extra time getting around, especially if you have to push a stroller or keep little kids rounded up for the walk.

To help you get around and see everything the zoo has to offer, the San Diego Zoo offers the Kangaroo Bus – a complimentary, non-narrated transportation service that lets you hop on and off at four different stops around the zoo.

• 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego
• zoo.sandiegozoo.org

► Click here for discount tickets to The San Diego Zoo

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13. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Located about 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can embark on a safari adventure.

This park is a bit off the beaten path because they needed lots of open land to build it. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an 1,800-acre preserve where wild animals can roam free in their natural habitat. Instead of enclosures, the animals wander across open land and it’s the park visitors who must observe them from lookout points or vehicles.

Enjoy an open-air tram ride which is included with any basic 1-Day Ticket. For an additional cost you can add on a safari experience. Popular safaris (aka tours) include the Flightline Safari zip line, Wildlife Trek walking tour, and Wildlife Safari open-air truck tour.

• 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
• sdzsafaripark.org

► Click here for discount tickets to The San Diego Zoo Safari Park

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14. Coronado Island

Located just across the bay from downtown San Diego, there are tons of fun things to do on Coronado Island with kids.

Coronado has one of the best stretches of sand in Southern California, making it one of the best places to visit in the summer just for its beach! Plus there are lots of family-friendly activities, great restaurants and shops on Orange Avenue, and the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado perched on its shore.

There are places to rent beach gear right on the sand if you don’t have your own. For a relaxed day, bring a frisbee and set up on the soft, sandy beach.

Also worth noting, Silver Strand State Beach is just a few miles south of Coronado, near Loews Coronado Bay Resort. It tends to be a little quieter, but the ocean waves and shoreline are equally perfect. Silver Strand is also home to Coronado Surfing Academy, where you can sign up for surfing lessons. The perfect way to experience summer in San Diego.

If you want to go to Coronado Island during the summertime, my best advice is to arrive early! Traffic can be a beast, and parking is nearly impossible once it gets to be later in the day. Getting there early might even score you a free spot on one of the side streets near the beach.

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15. LEGOLAND California Resort

For a day filled with thrills and LEGO-themed adventures for little kids, head to LEGOLAND California. From fun rides and shows to LEGO building stations, this theme park is a paradise for little builders.

Located north of San Diego in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND offers more than 60 interactive play areas, shows, and kid-friendly rides.

When my son was younger we visited often. The park’s emphasis on creativity and learning through play makes it an ideal destination for families with younger kids. Not only can they build things with LEGO bricks themselves, but they will love wandering through Miniland USA, which features more than 30 million LEGO bricks in its fascinating displays.

LEGOLAND California’s newest themed area – Galaxy Land – made its debut in March, bringing out-of-this-world fun to kids and adults alike. With a brand-new roller coaster, junior astronaut play zones, and interactive space-themed attractions, this expansion adds a major reason to visit LEGOLAND California this summer.

LEGOLAND California also has a seasonal water park, so you can plan to go if you are visiting San Diego in June or anytime throughout the summer season.

The main thing to know is that although the LEGOLAND Water Park is separate, it is only accessible through LEGOLAND. Therefore, you cannot buy just a ticket to the water park; you must purchase admission to LEGOLAND in order to access the water park, too.

► Don’t miss our guide to the 15 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad for more fun activities near LEGOLAND!

• One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
• legoland.com/california

► Explore LEGOLAND California discount ticket offers.

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16. Mission Bay Park

Enjoy a day of outdoor recreation at Mission Bay Park, offering more than 25 miles of shoreline perfect for walking, swimming, kayaking, kite flying, and picnicking.

Rent bikes, paddleboards, or even a sailboat for an active family outing. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying all the outdoor activities available in this great spot along Mission Bay.

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17. Catch a Ballgame at Petco Park

Summertime means baseball. If you love the game, catch the Padres at Petco Park, where the whole family can cheer on the team in a casual and vibrant atmosphere.

Petco Park is located downtown near the Gaslamp Quarter and waterfront, and the stadium’s family-friendly atmosphere makes it a great way to spend a few hours. The stadium offers incredible downtown views, family-friendly sections, and plenty of food options. Evening temperatures are ideal for sitting outdoors comfortably.

Kids will love the Park at the Park, an open grassy area with a playground and plenty of space to run around.

Even if it’s not game day, you can still take a behind-the-scenes at Petco Park tour. The ballpark is conveniently located in downtown San Diego very close to Seaport Village and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

• 100 Park Blvd., San Diego
• mlb.com/padres/ballpark

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What’s New This Summer in San Diego

There is a lot happening this summer in San Diego, and many new things to experience. Here is a round-up of what’s new for San Diego summer 2026 from the San Diego Tourism Authority.

San Diego Attractions

SeaWorld San Diego has announced a summer opening date for the much-anticipated Shark Encounter Exhibit. Opening May 22, park guests can get a more immersive, up-close view of the new shark species. At the surface level, guests can observe sharks from above while discovering fun and informative facts throughout the sandy setting. As visitors move deeper into the winding exhibit, the environment transforms into an underwater perspective where sharks glide overhead.

Another new addition coming to SeaWorld San Diego this summer is Ocean of Dreams, a nightly drone show debuting Friday, May 22 and lasting through the summer season.  Featuring 600 fully synchronized drones with a soaring soundtrack, the show celebrates the beauty of the ocean, inspired by marine life and ocean conservation. 

SeaWorld San Diego is bringing back the Summer Spectacular concert series. Taking place every Saturday night from June 13 through August 8 at the Bayside Amphitheater, the series features iconic R&B, pop and hip-hop hits from the ’90s and early 2000s. Headlining performers include Ginuwine, Ashanti, Jordin Sparks, and more.

This summer, visitors to Balboa Park can see the Park’s newly-restored historic pergola in the Central Gardens. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition alongside the Botanical Building, the pergola was one of 12 that once graced the grounds. Lost during World War II when Balboa Park served as a military training site, this cherished feature has now been thoughtfully revived, preserving the park’s history while creating a renewed space.

This summer, visitors can once again enjoy the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which reopened to the public on March 1 after extensive upgrades and accessibility improvements. The reserve is the home of the nation’s rarest pine tree, the Torrey pine, as well as of one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.  

A new exhibition at the USS Midway Museum tells the story of the Midway 11, USS Midway aviators who were captured during the Vietnam War, and endured captivity as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. Through personal accounts and historic artifacts, Captive Warriors: The Story of the Midway 11 honors their resilience and their return home with honor in 1973.  

2026 Summer Festivals and Events

The San Diego County Fair is one of the most popular summer events in the region and a must-do if you’re visiting in June! Held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the fair features classic carnival rides, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, and – of course – food! For 2026, the San Diego County Fair theme will be “Once Upon a Fair” and will take place from June 10 through July 5, 2026.

The first-ever NASCAR San Diego Weekend will be held during Father’s Day Weekend (June 19-21) at Naval Base Coronado, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. NASCAR San Diego will be three days of races headlined by the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series on June 21, along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. 

In addition to being San Diego’s first NASCAR event, it will also be the first race to take place on a military base.   

To celebrate the first-ever San Diego NASCAR Weekend, NASCAR San Diego is partnering with the San Diego Padres, Live Nation, and local Audacity Country Station 103.7 KSON to bring the KSON NASCAR San Diego Country Fest to Gallagher Square in Petco Park on June 20. The lineup includes performances by Stephan Wilson Jr., Carter Faith, Tim Dugger, and Lakelin Lemmings. 

The 2026 Summer Racing Season at the Del Mar Racetrack runs July 17 through  September 7. This season, fans can look forward to iconic trackside events like Uncorked Wine Fest and Taste of New Orleans, gourmet bites, handcrafted cocktails, and world-class Thoroughbred racing.

The Taste of Little Italy food festival returns for two evenings of exceptional bites and vibrant energy on June 16 and 17. Spanning Little Italy’s 48 square blocks, the annual event offers guests an immersive tasting experience. Each night will feature a unique lineup of 20+ restaurants, giving attendees the opportunity to discover something new with every visit.

Arts District Liberty Station is celebrating the Summer Arts Festival on June 13. Summer Arts Fest is a one-day event showcasing some of San Diego’s most talented artists and musicians. There will be live music, food and beverage vendors, and a pop-up art market. The event is free, open to the public, and outdoors. 

Performing Arts

The San Diego Symphony has announced their summer season at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The iconic waterfront venue is home to the Symphony’s summer season and will feature performances by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, guest artists, blockbuster films in concert, and more.

La Jolla Music Society is celebrating the 40th annual SummerFest from July 31 through August 29, 2026. This annual chamber music festival brings the greatest classical musicians and more from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla for four weeks of concerts.

The La Jolla Playhouse has announced the lineup for their 2026 Summer Season, which includes the award-winning show Purpose (May 12– June 7), the West Coast premiere of The Monsters (June 2–28), and the world premiere of The Family Album.

San Diego Summer Weather

The weather is beautiful in Southern California all throughout the year, but summer is ideal for enjoying the beach and water activities.

Average summer temperature stay in the low 80s during the day and the 60s at night. It almost never rains (although you may get a little “June Gloom” if you come early in the summer season). This perfect weather makes San Diego is an ideal summer vacation destination!

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Final Thoughts: San Diego in the Summer

San Diego – with its famously perfect weather and stunning beaches – is the perfect destination for families seeking an amazing summer vacation in 2026. From exhilarating theme parks to blissful beach days, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Save These San Diego Summer Activities for Later!

Thinking about a San Diego summer getaway? Pin the image below for future reference.