San Diego Events January 2025

Enjoy these fun 2025 San Diego events in January. Happy New Year San Diego.

Updated October 4, 2024 by San Diego Beaches and Adventures

January offers the end to the Christmas holiday season, and the time to make your New Years resolutions, like lose 10 pounds from your holiday food binges. There are many seasonal activities such as whale watching and tidepooling to enjoy during the San Diego version of winter.

San Diego Events January 2025

Lightscape San Diego
Botanic Garden Lightscape Exhibit - through January 5, 2025 from 5 to 10 PM by reservation only. This year the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is showing the evening Lightscape exhibition. It was sold out many nights last year, so you won't want to miss this. Enjoy a one mile evening walk through the lighted garden filled with one million lights illuminating the garden, as well as "cathedral" of lights, a laser garden, lanterns and more. This is a special ticketed event with entry times every 15 minutes. Reservations required and tickets may sell out on select nights. For more information see www.sdbg.org.

Disneyland - January - TBD, 2025. Last year, So Cal residents could visit Disneyland for as cheap as $75 per day for a 3 day visit. Find out more about So Cal Disneyland tickets.

San Diego Brew Fest - Saturday January TBD, 2025 from noon to 4 PM. Treat yourself to a cold beer or two at the annual San Diego Brew Fest at NTC Park, Liberty Station. Proceeds will benefit a local charity. Adults only 21+. sandiegobeerfest.com/

Getty Museum and Villa - Visit the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the nearby Getty Villa along the Pacific Coast highway. These museums offer free admission and fantastic guided tours of the art collections, architecture and grounds. The Getty Museum has famous impressionist works like Irises by Van Gogh, and the Getty Villa is a recreation of a Roman villa. Bring your camera and take some great photos. For more information see Getty Museum Los Angeles and Getty Villa Los Angeles.

San Diego Events
Tidepooling in San Diego - January 1 to 3, 10 - 15, and 26 - 31, 2025 at various times in the afternoon at low minus tides. Fall and winter is tidepooling time in San Diego. It's a free and fun activity for the entire family. You'll want to explore during low tides. See the best times to visit the San Diego Tide Pools.

Universal Studios Hollywood - Explore the new Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. There are many great rides and attractions. Check out our recommendations for the Best Rides at Universal Studios

Plan for Valentines Day - Valentines Day, Friday February 14 2025, is just around the corner, so don't wait to make some romantic plans. Check out our Valentines Day Ideas.

California Weekend Getaways - Looking for some weekend vacation ideas to kick off the new year? Visit somewhere new. Check out these best California weekend getaways.

Beach Walks - Saturday and Sunday January 11 and 12, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:30 PM. We love winter in San Diego because low tides and sunny weather mean a great time for beach walks. Best San Diego Beaches for Walking

San Diego California
San Diego Waterfront – Enjoy fresh air and sunshine as you walk along the San Diego waterfront. See the harbor, Maritime museum, and Seaport Village San Diego Waterfront

San Diego Whale Watching - During December - April, whale watching is at its best, as the California Gray Whales migrate close to shore and can be seen from land or sea. One of the popular San Diego events in January. San Diego Whale Watching.

Indoor Swimming Pool at Mission Beach - Swim at the The Plunge, southern California’s largest indoor swimming pool located at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. The Plunge Swimming Pool

Nature Walks - Explore the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and other nature walks around San Diego. Some have guided nature walks, or explore on your own. Hiking Trails in San Diego

Guided Tide pool Adventures in La Jolla CA - Select Saturdays and Sundays from January to March 2025. Tour times depends on tides. Naturalists from Scripps Birch Aquarium will help you discover the wonderful life in the tide pools in La Jolla. Fun San Diego events January. Reservations required. Tidepooling Adventures

Legoland California Coastasaurus Roller Coaster

Legoland - Enjoy a visit to Legoland theme park just north of San Diego in Carlsbad. There are rides and lego exhibits to enjoy. Legoland California

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade - January date TBD 2025 starting at 2:00 PM at Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. MLK parade with floats, high school bands, drill teams and more.

La Jolla Kayak Tour - Enjoy a kayaking tour in La Jolla Ecological Reserve, in La Jolla Bay. La Jolla Kayaking

Free Museums - A few museums in Balboa Park are free on 1st - 4th Tuesdays of each month to San Diego area locals, and active military. Check out the Free Tuesday Balboa Park museum schedule.

San Diego Dog Beaches - Dogs love the San Diego beaches too, so why not try them all. Ocean beach dog beach is our favorite, but there are others too. Learn more about the San Diego Dog Beaches.

San Diego Cat Show - Saturday - Sunday January 25 and 26, 2025 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For cat lovers, this largest annual cat show on the West Coast features 450 cats competing for top honors, and more. www.sandiegocat.org

Carlsbad San Diego Marathon - Sunday January date TBD 2025. (typically at 6 AM at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real.) Cheer on the runners while you enjoy the view of the beaches. Carlsbad San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon races in North San Diego county. This year the race is sponsored by Tri-City Medical Center. This is the second-oldest marathon on the West Coast. Registration fills up early. One of the popular San Diego events. For more information about the Carlsbad San Diego Marathon see www.carlsbadmarathon.com.

La Jolla Coast Walk

La Jolla Coast Walk - One of the best free San Diego activities in the La Jolla Coast Walk. Enjoy the scenic beauty and fresh air.

Things to Do in San Diego - For more San Diego events, check out these Things to do in San Diego and San Diego Events February.

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