Fun San Diego events September 2023. For locals, September is the best time in San Diego, California. The summer crowds have left, and the beach weather is great for all the San Diego Events at the beach.
Check out these upcoming events and activities in San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, and Coronado CA.
Updated February 4, 2023 by San Diego Beaches and Adventures
San Diego Festival of the Arts - September dated TBD 2023. Age 21+ only. Weekend of fun at the San Diego Surf Club Sports Park in Del Mar from 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday or 5 PM Sunday. Tickets approximately $13 per person, $17 for the weekend, active military free. This top rated California art festival features over 200 award winning local and national fine artists showing water colors, oil paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and more. One of the best San Diego events June. www.sdfestivalofthearts.org
Craft Brewery San Diego is known for their many craft breweries. Try a few and you might find a new favorite.
California Tower Tour - See the fantastic views from The California Tower, in Balboa Park at the San Diego Museum of Man. This opened in 2015 after being off-limits to the public since 1935. Advanced reservations required. Includes admission to the Museum of Man. www.museumofman.org
Art Walk Carlsbad - Saturday and Sunday September 9 and 10 2023 from 11 AM to 6 PM (5 PM Sunday) in Carlsbad. Fine artists show their original artwork in an outdoor setting. For details about Art Walk Carlsbad see artwalksandiego.org.
Apple Picking in Julian Fresh apples, apple pie, apple cider, apple fruit bars and more during apple season, typically September - mid October. Visit the historic town of Julian, about 60 miles northeast of San Diego, for a fun old-fashioned day. Take home a whole pie from the Julian Pie Company, visit the Julian Mining Company, and so much more. We enjoy walking around the town and exploring the shops.
Pier Moon Walks - Back this fall in 2023. A warm night lit by a full moon is the perfect time to explore the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, usually closed to the public. Also includes a tour of the Scripps Oceanography campus. Birch Aquarium Adventures
US Sand Sculpting Challenge and Dimensional Art Exposition - Likely CANCELLED. Every Labor Day weekend , enjoy the sand art at this fun festival, located at "B" Street Pier, 1140 North Harbor Drive San Diego. With 300 tons of sand being brought to the “B” Street cruise ship terminal pier and world master sand sculptors coming from places like Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and more to challenge the best in the U.S. you can just imagine the creativity that will take place. There will be works of art for purchase as well as live entertainment, gourmet food trucks and fun kids activities. Don’t pass up this phenomenal weekend of amazing sand sculpture art along with the outstanding views of the bay with its tall ships and beautiful San Diego skyline.Buy tickets in advance online and save. www.ussandsculpting.com/
Sea World - Labor Day Weekend San Diego events September 2 through September 45 2023. Enjoy the animal encounters and rides at SeaWorld San Diego, one of our top attractions in SD. San Diego Sea World
Festival of Sail - Labor Day weekend at San Diego Bay (tentative Friday September 1 - Monday Sep. 4 2023). One of the great San Diego events for Labor Day weekend as tall ships from all over the world come to San Diego Calif. This four day San Diego event includes live entertainment, cruises on San Diego Bay, cannon battles, sailing on racing yachts, over 150 arts and craft vendors, great food, pirates, and more. San Diego Maritime Museum
Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim - Monday September 4 2023 Labor Day. Register at 7 AM, swim in the morning at various start times starting at 8:30 AM. Fun annual swim to the end of the original Oceanside pier and back. Register online earlier for discount, or register up to the day of the race. www.labordaypierswim.com
Disneyland Halloween - Disneyland is decorated for Halloween time starting early September through October 31, and on select nights you can attend the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure near Disneyland for a separate fee which includes an additional 3 hours at the park (advanced ticket purchase required). Disneyland Halloween
San Diego Zoo Tasting Night - Saturday September 23 2023. Enjoy an evening at the zoo with food and drinks including wine and beer tasting. zoofoodandwine.com
Weekend Vacation Ideas - Looking for some weekend vacation ideas? Check out these ideas for your best California weekend getaways.
Del Mar Horse Races - July 21 through September 10 2023 Labor Day weekend at the Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar Fairgrounds. Where the turf meets the surf, horse racing at Del Mar, and includes Del Mar summer concert series. Free summer concert series for fans attending the races on Friday evenings. Del Mar Horse Races
Wavecrest Woodies - 3rd Saturday of September (Sep 16 2023 from 8 AM to 3 PM) see the largest gathering of woodies at the annual Woody Meet. What's a woodie? An old car with mostly wood exterior instead of steel, that became popular with surfers. See them on display at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, and several classic car cruises in downtown Encinitas and along historic 101. For detailed times and dates of the Wavecrest Woodies events see www.encinitas101.com.
Oceanside Harbor Days - Sept. dates TBD 2023 from 9 AM – 6 PM Saturday and 9 - 5 PM Sunday at Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside CA. What’s makes this event even better is that it is free! There will be all types of fun activities for all ages as well as vendors selling crafts and crafted foods! This year there will also be a sandcastle competition. Bring the family on out for a fun-filled day of activities! www.oceansidechamber.com.
Balboa Park Free Museum Tuesday for Residents and Military - Some Balboa Park museums are free on 1st - 4th Tuesdays of each month to locals (San Diego Cal. City & county residents), and active military and their families. The free admission is on a rotating basis. Check out the Free Tuesday Balboa Park museum schedule.
La Jolla Coast Walk - Sight see along the beautiful La Jolla coast with this easy walk. Bring your camera. See Children's Pool, La Jolla Seals, La Jolla Cove, Scripps Park, and the La Jolla Sea Caves. One of the best free San Diego outdoor activities. La Jolla Coast Walk
San Diego Harbor Cruise – For a fun San Diego activity, spend a day at the San Diego waterfront. You'll see the historic ships, the Urban Trees sculpture that align the waterfront, and walk down to Seaport Village and visit the unique shops. You can also explore the USS Midway museum and take a San Diego Harbor Cruise.
Kayak at La Jolla Shores - This end of summer is a great time to kayak at La Jolla Shores to see the Sea Caves, marine life, and leopard sharks. Several different companies offer kayaking tours, or you can launch your own kayak at the free boat ramp. For more information see La Jolla Kayaking
Historic Old Town Old Town Saturday Market - Make it a fun old fashioned family day in Old Town San Diego. Explore the old historic buildings including the kids favorite - fresh lemonade and candy store. On Saturdays from 9 AM - 3 PM there is an artisan market too, with handmade works from local artists. SD Old Town
San Diego Halloween Events - Halloween is a popular time of year, and many attractions open in September, such as The Scream Zone, The Haunted Hotel, and Halloween at Disneyland. For more information see San Diego Halloween Events.
San Diego Dog Beaches - Take your dog to the beach! Choose your favorite San Diego Dog Beach from all the ones we have listed. One of the best San Diego activities for dogs and dog lovers. San Diego Dog Beaches.
Hotel del Coronado Walking Tours - Dates and times vary.. Self guided or docent led tour of the famous historic Hotel del Coronado. Reservations recommended. 619.437.8788
Coastal Cleanup Day – date TBD September 2023 from 9 am – 12 noon. Volunteers are needed for the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Individuals and groups are invited to join. Sign up now! Check out www.cleanupday.org for registration and more event details. This is one of the great San Diego events to help out the environment.Things to Do in San Diego - Don't see a San Diego event that you like? We have some other ideas for you. Check out these Things to do in San Diego and 101 Things to do at the Beach.
Check out the October San Diego event calendar at San Diego Events October
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Featuring events in San Diego and the beach towns of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Coronado, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Imperial Beach California.
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