21 things to do in San Diego before the end of summer 2021
From leopard sharks to new restaurants, there’s still plenty to do in San Diego before summer is officially through
School’s back in session, pumpkin spice is everywhere and we even had a surprise lightning storm — but officially, it’s still summer. So before we make that mental shift to fall — because weather-wise ... not so different — let’s soak in these last few days of the season.
Here are 21 things to do before the end of summer. Because of the ongoing threat of COVID-19, please check websites and state guidelines for any updates.
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1. A trip to the beach, obviously
September is actually the best month to visit San Diego’s beaches. The weather is still warm and most of the tourists are gone, leaving over 70 miles of coastline to explore without having to fight crowds or circle the streets for parking. Though most everyone has their favorite spot, the last few weeks of summer is also a great time to explore new areas — from the sandy Coronado shore to the surf-friendly La Jolla. Check out this map of our top 10 favorite beaches. — Garin
2. A day at the ballpark
The San Diego Padres closes out the season with home games against the San Francisco Giants (Sept. 21-23) and the Atlanta Braves (Sept. 24-26). So if you haven’t watched this team in action, you can still make it to Petco Park for a day of summer ball, burgers from Hodad’s and Mister Softee ice cream in a helmet cup. And, who knows, there may just be October baseball, but we don’t want to jinx anything. Find tickets and details at mlb.com/padres. — Garin
3. Swim with leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores
Toward the end of the summer, harmless leopard sharks are known to make their way to La Jolla Shores for mating season. Book a guided snorkeling or kayak tour with La Jolla-based adventure company Everyday California for a chance to have your own shark encounter. Prices for kayak and snorkel tours range from $54 to $139. Visit everydaycalifornia.com for more information. — Ianni
4. Explore Balboa Park’s new cottages
This summer, the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages opened new international houses: Mexico, Korea, India, Peru, Chamorros, Palestine, Turkey, Panama and the Philippines. They join the existing 21 cottages in the newly expanded House of Pacific Relations area of Balboa Park. The houses are open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, with special lawn programs at 2 p.m. Sundays through October. Find details at sdhpr.org — Garin
5. Party with Pitbull
Mr. 305 himself, aka pop superstar Pitbull, stops in San Diego for his I Feel Good Tour. Spend a summer evening enjoying hits like “International Love” and “Give Me Everything” Sunday at the outdoor North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista. Tickets range from $19 to $499. livenation.com — Ianni
6. Take a spin at Wolfie’s Carousel Bar
Enjoy the ride at Little Italy’s newest bistro and bar, which invites guests to drink and dine at a moving carousel bar. Aside from the eye-catching centerpiece, the establishment also offers 11 specialty cocktails, a full food menu, and décor like hand-painted light bulbs and oil paintings. Wolfie’s is temporarily closed because of COVID-19 but is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 28. Hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Make reservations via OpenTable. — Butler
7. Tour the Murals of La Jolla
La Jolla is known for its beaches and its playful sea lions and seals, but there’s also a vibrant art scene that you can experience for free. The Murals of La Jolla features 15 contemporary murals by artists that include John Baldessari, Kota Ezawa, June Edmonds and Roman de Salvo, among others. The murals are on properties from downtown La Jolla to Bird Rock, and you can explore via a self-guided tour or a monthly group tour (the next one is 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29). Visit muralsoflajolla.com for details. — Garin
8. Take a tour of new breweries
Although COVID-19 forced the closure of many establishments, twice as many San Diego breweries opened as closed during the pandemic. Take a weekend off to sip your way through the new names you may have missed during lockdown. The region’s latest additions are Rouleur Brewing in North Park, which began soft openings this week, along with the May 2021 debuts of Ataraxia Aleworks in Kearny Mesa and California Wild Ales in Ocean Beach.— Butler
9. Get arty at Sidro Saturdays
This summer, The Front Arte & Cultura launched the free Sidro Saturdays series, a monthly celebration that invites the public to experience the art, music and culture of San Ysidro. Stop by every third Saturday at 5 p.m. to enjoy local art, vendors, entertainment and more. For an updated map of all event locations, scan the QR code found on Instagram @thefrontartcultura. — Butler
10. Picnic at your favorite park
Grab a blanket, pack a basket and round up some friends to soak up the last of the summer at one of San Diego’s many neighborhood parks. From Brengle Terrace Park in Vista to Mount Helix in La Mesa, there’s a broad range of terrain to choose from for a relaxing day in the sun or shade. Here are some of our favorite San Diego picnic spots. — Butler
11. Get zen at the San Diego Botanic Garden
For a break from the sandy beaches, a green getaway awaits at San Diego Botanic Garden. This 37-acre sanctuary in Encinitas features 4 miles of trails and one of the biggest children’s gardens. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Walk ups are not accepted, so be sure to make reservations online at sdbgarden.org before your visit. — Butler
12. Fly over Torrey Pines
Sure, you could take a picturesque hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve, but for true aerial views, swing by Torrey Pines Gliderport. Tandem flights for paragliding ($175) and hang gliding ($225) offer a 20 to 25 minute flight over the coastal cliffs, golf course and mansions. Call (858) 452-9858 the day of to confirm weather conditions are suitable for flying. Details and safety information available at flytorrey.com. — Butler
13. Take a wine-tasting van
For a new way to enjoy the California coastline while enjoying sips and bites from a local winery, try the Carruth Cellars Urban Winery’s Coastal Wine Tasting Tour, which zips wine lovers to each of the winery’s tasting rooms in Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Little Italy. Charcuterie and pizza are also included with the tour. Tours happen on Fridays and Saturdays by reservation; tickets are $138 per guest. Visit exploretock.com/carruthcellarssolanabeach for information. — Ianni
14. Make a reservation at Seneca
Foodies in San Diego know that when CH Projects opens a new restaurant, they’re about to be dazzled by food, design and ambience. Seneca, a Roman trattoria, recently opened atop the Intercontinental San Diego hotel and features a menu of fresh pasta, pizzas, seafood and steaks. 901 Bayfront Court, Level 19, downtown San Diego. (619) 877-8642; senecatrattoria.com — Ianni
15. Visit the Carlsbad Aquafarm
We’re not shucking around when we say a visit to the Carlsbad Aquafarm will make your summer. The North County oyster farm recently opened its doors for the first time to the public for tours, tastings and shucking classes. 4600 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad; (760) 438-2444, carlsbadaquafarm.com — Ianni
16. Get romanced by John Legend
Looking for a perfect date night idea? Crooner John Legend brings his Bigger Love Tour 2021 to San Diego State University’s s outdoor amphitheater on Sunday. . Fall in love with such hits as “All of Me,” “Ordinary People” and “Love Me Now.” Tickets range from $49 to $349. CalCoast Credit Union Amphitheatre, 5500 Campanile Drive, SDSU. ticketmaster.com — Ianni
17. Take a swing at Tappers Mini Golf & Cocktails
At Tappers Mini Golf & Cocktails,you can play some rounds and enjoy cocktails at The Loma Club’s newly remodeled golf course, which is in addition to The Loma Club’s original nine-hole course. Created by the team behind You & Yours Distilling Co. , the golf course has two courses open: the Gator and the Gopher. Each round of mini golf is $14 per person, and $12 for players under age 12. 2960 Truxton Road, Liberty Station; thelomaclub.com — Ianni
18. Explore Sunny Jim’s Cave
Head to the Cave Store in La Jolla to check out a century-old tunnel leading to a sea cave, requiring a trek down 145 (sometimes slippery) stairs. The 15-minute, self-guided tours are available on a first come, first served basis from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Tickets are $10 for adults or $6 for those under 18; the latter must be accompanied by a guardian. After the journey, explore the shop’s beachy treasures, along with framed newspaper clippings detailing the sea cave’s history. — Butler
19. Indulge in gourmet ice cream
San Diego has plenty of places to pick up some ice cream, but lately there’s been a wave of gourmet spots opening up. Places like Salt & Straw, JoJo’s Creamery, Mutual Friend and Stella Jeans are known for inventive flavors, homemade ingredients and even vegan options. We searched for the county’s best gourmet shops and compiled a list of our 9 favorites. — Garin
20. Experience a concert at The Shell
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Rady Shell, the waterfront venue still has events scheduled through mid-November. Highlights include Jason Mraz on Sept. 26; Indigo Girls on Oct. 10; and a Día de Los Muertos event on Oct. 31. You can also visit Jacobs Park, which is always free and open to the public for picnics and gatherings. Find a complete schedule at theshell.org. — Garin
21. Tour San Diego’s artistic masterpieces
Sure, bigger, more metropolitan cities have world-renowned masterpieces — Paris has Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” New York has Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” — but San Diego has its own artistic contributions, too. From Francisco de Zurbarán’s “St. Francis in Prayer in a Grotto” (c. 1658) at the San Diego Museum of Art to James T. Hubbell’s studio in Santa Ysabel, there are plenty of renowned artistic experiences in the county. Here’s a guide to San Diego’s finest art, which includes the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, designed by world-renowned architect Louis I. Kahn. — Garin
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