You’ve got a birthday coming up—hooray! Regardless if you’re an introvert or extrovert, we all love doing something for our birthdays, whether it’s throwing a big party for all our friends or planning something a bit more intimate. However, because it comes every year, sometimes it’s difficult to get creative and think of new ways to top last year’s celebration. If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut and are hunting for new birthday ideas, we’ve rounded up a list of fun and exciting ideas to celebrate your special day in San Diego.
From club crawls and city drinking tours to intimate candlelit concerts and cooking classes, these foolproof and entertaining birthday plans will suit every interest and personality type. So, put your party hat on and let us take care of the rest!
1. Enjoy a unique San Diego Club crawl
We’re starting out the roundup with a bang. Put on your best party clothes and experience up to four top clubs and bars in the San Diego nightlife! At every club you’ll be greeted with welcome shots and offered drink specials all night long. Best part is, you’ll get VIP front-of-the-line access, so that means no long lines for you or your guests.
The crawl starts at American Junkie, located in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, known for a plethora of bars, restaurants and vibrant clubs. If you’re planning to celebrate your birthday on a weekend and dance the night away as you meet new people, a San Diego Club crawl is exactly what you’re looking for.
2. Unwind at an intimate Candlelight concert
Now, huge all-nighters might not float everyone’s boat. If you want to steer away from big crowds, and multi-sensory and intimate experiences are more your thing, then we’ve got just the plan for you. Let yourself be swept away by classical tribute concerts to some of the most influential artists of modern day and yesteryear, all the while being surrounded by a sea of flickering candles.
Set across stunning and historical venues across San Diego, including Mt. Helix Park, CHAPEL and San Diego Central Library, these enchanting concerts guarantee a night to remember. Whether you want to spend the evening with a date or loved one, or share it with your friends, Candlelight concerts are an experience unlike any other and you don’t want to miss out.
3. Live your best bougie life at a champagne brunch cruise
Treat yourself to a luxurious culinary experience featuring lots and lots of champagne! It’s your birthday and you deserve to feel glamorous at least for one day. You’ll hop aboard a yacht on San Diego Bay and visit the Coronado Bay Bridge, the Star of India, the North Island Naval Station and the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
What’s more, during the cruise you’ll get to savor a delicious brunch menu that includes staples like croissants, scrambled eggs and smoked bacon, as well as soy and ginger glazed salmon and the chef’s chocolate creation. And because it’s brunch, wash it all down with free-flowing champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider.
See also: The Four Best Comic Book Shops In San Diego
4. Top up on comedy at Mic Drop Comedy
We’ve all been on horrible dates, where you just wanted to disappear under the table or could cut the tension with a knife. However, these true dating stories will give your love life woes a run for their money. Hear some of the funniest, wildest and most embarrassing dating stories told by real people in a 2-hour comedy set hosted by comedian Trenton Davis.
The Story Party series has played to sold out audiences in over 65 countries and finally it’s made its way to San Diego for an evening of hysterical dating stories and anecdotes. If you want to spend your special day laughing and laughing at side-splitting jokes, True Dating Stories is an exceptional plan you shouldn’t miss.
5. Go on a mystery picnic with a friend or date
Discover San Diego’s hidden gems and stunning architecture with this amazing mystery picnic date for two. The experience by AmazingCo is all-inclusive and everything will be planned out for you beforehand, because you shouldn’t have to lift a finger on your birthday! All you need to do is solve interactive clues and riddles on your smartphone that’ll take you on a journey to collect delicious picnic ingredients, including cheese, meats, fruits and a bottle of wine, prepared by local artisan producers, ending at a gorgeous spot where you can enjoy your picnic.
You can customize your foodie experience with your dietary requirements, which can be accommodated at no additional cost, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. So, grab your bestie or a date and enjoy a fun culinary adventure around the city.
6. Explore the longest-serving US aircraft carrier
Hop aboard the USS Midway and explore the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier in the 20th century, named after the Battle of Midway of 1942. With more than 30 restored aircraft and at 300 meters long, the Midway was paramount during the Cold War since its construction and is filled with over 50 years of world military history.
Become a crew member for a day and climb into real cockpits of restored aircraft and take to the skies in flight simulators, as you listen to an immersive audio guide and narrations by real soldiers who served on board. Why not switch things up for your birthday and hang around a piece of American history at the USS Midway Museum?
See also: The Real Life Edward Scissor Hands Garden In San Diego
7. Learn how to make homemade pasta
If you’re a foodie, a home cook or an amateur chef who wants to sharpen your culinary skills, this cooking class is the perfect birthday idea, where you’ll get to learn all about the art of pasta-making. And you don’t have to go to Italy to unravel all the secrets of traditional Italian pasta.
Located amongst breweries and distilleries in a Vista business park, at Grafted Cellars a chef will give you tips on the perfect pasta dough and then you’ll learn to make Fettuccine or Pappardelle from it. This will be followed by a demo on how to make two different pasta sauces from scratch, namely Classic Marinara and fresh basil Pesto, because what’s a plate of pasta without a scrumptious and tangy sauce that brings the whole dish together!? Finally, at the end of the class, you can enjoy your amazing creation with a drink in hand as you mingle with like-minded pasta lovers.
8. Go on a two-hour Harbor Cruise & Sea Lion Adventure
This next experience calls for all animal lovers and wannabe sailors. If you’ve always wanted to see some of the most fascinating creatures of the sea and witness them in all their glory, why not do it on your birthday aboard a cruise ship? Sail along the San Diego Harbor, enjoy onboard narration of 50 landmarks and learn about the habitats of sea lions and local wildlife on a zippy two-hour cruise. What better way to learn about the San Diego wild marine animals and the local environmental preservation efforts than while enjoying the sun as the sea breeze caresses your face!
9. Hear Old Town Tales as you savor tacos and delectable tequila cocktails
Who said history is dull? Not when alcohol is involved! This year, you can celebrate your b-day learning the history of Old Town San Diego on a guided tour taking you to Adobe Chapel, which is recognized for saving the old town, as well as the most haunted homes in Southern California.
The tour also includes a hike to the location of the first Spanish settlement with many 18th-century structures, where you’ll broaden your horizons in the indigenous tribes who lived there for thousands of years. And the final stop is a highly anticipated local Tequileria, where you’ll finally get to sip on a refreshing tequila cocktail and learn a few secrets on how the prized beverage is made.