21 Fun Things To Do On The Ultimate San Diego Spring Bucket List
These wonderful springtime activities are sure to keep you busy!
Spring in San Diego is one of the most beautiful times of the year!
It’s no secret that San Diegans are quite lucky! We do in fact live in “America’s Finest City!”And what better time is there to enjoy all the city has to offer than the spring? We decided to put together a list of essential spots and activities to enjoy during these gorgeous San Diego days.
Visit the Comic-Con museum
Now that the Comic-Con Museum is open, fans will no longer have to squeeze all their excitement and celebration into a four-day convention. The museum’s recent opening in the historic Federal Building in the Palisades area of Balboa Park is sure to become a new San Diego gem!
Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Go to the legendaryBali Hai
The Bali Hai is an essential San Diego eatery. The food, such as their Coconut Shrimp or Lobster Tacos, is outstanding! The views are amazing, and their mai tais are a much. So sit back and enjoy some great seafood tacos and a cocktail.
Location: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Chow down on the best fish tacos
It’s no surprise our seafood is no joke. Now picture the delicious array of delicious fish tacos in the city. Blue Water Seafood has amazing giant tacos. Mitch’s Seafood also has great food and views to match! Kiko’s Place is an outstanding food truck with great Baja-style tacos.
Live Your Speakeasy dreams at Raised By Wolves
Speakeasies have quickly become the next “it” thing in the bar scene. But unlike many of its predecessors of the 1920s, Raised By Wolves isn’t exactly hidden but rather hidden in plain sight! When you enter the bar, you won’t find a bar but instead a luxurious liquor storefront. To get “in,” you’ll have to sit down in one of the two burgundy velvet chairs in front of the fireplace, and well, this is where things get theatrical! All of a sudden, you’ll feel a shift in the room as the fireplace, and you begin to rotate, and you’ll find yourself on the other side of Raised By Wolves. Aka, where the party is at!
Location: 4301 La Jolla Village Dr #2030, San Diego, CA 92122
Visit breweries in North Park
North Park is a lovely neighborhood with so much to do. Among all those great spots are over a dozen breweries and tasting rooms! Take your pub crawl to the next level and visit these fantastic spots on foot, given they are within walking distance. You should definitely visit North Park Beer Company and Fall Brewing Company.
See the vibrant murals in Chicano Park
Chicano Park is one of the most beloved parks in the whole city.
Most San Diegans grew up admiring the vibrant murals in the park and their importance to local Mexican American culture. Chicano Park is the heart of San Diego’s oldest neighborhood, Barrio Logan.
Location: San Diego, CA 92113
Visit the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy the fantastic San Diego weather this weekend, you should stop by the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. This open-air seafood market is the pride of the Port of San Diego and is open on Saturdays from 8 am until 1 pm.
Location: 598 Harbor Ln, San Diego, CA 92101
Visit Carlsbad Flower Fields
The mesmerizing Carlsbad Flower Field brings joy and color to San Diegans every Spring. The bountiful fields will capture bright oranges, vibrant pinks, soulful purples, and every hue in between!
Location: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Have a hot dog and a beer at Fathom Bistro, Bait, and Tackle
Fathom is a friendly and laid-back spot at Shelter Island Pier. This is an excellent place to grab a beer and eat a delicious hot dog while enjoying friendly conservation with other patrons. They have an impressive tap list, so this is the spot for beer connoisseurs!
Location: 1776 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Catch a ballgame at Petco Park
The springtime is probably our favorite time of the year to enjoy a ball game in San Diego. That’s why we recommend catching the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the sport, it’s something you have to do at least once. You can sit back and enjoy delicious snack foods like popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, and sweet candy! It all goes great with a refreshing beer!
Location: 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Enjoy high tea at the Coral Tree Tea House
If you’re looking for a unique and luxurious spring outing, we recommend high tea at the Coral Tree House. This beautiful Victorian home is located in Old Town’s historic Heritage County Park. Sit back in one of their beautiful dining rooms where you’ll have views of its tranquil park. They serve delicious treats such as tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and decadent desserts!
Location: 2490 Heritage Park Row, San Diego, CA 92110
Enjoy a hike around San Diego
Enjoy the fresh outdoors with some of the best hikes around San Diego. We recommend trails like Los Penasquitos Falls. This 6.7-mile hike is just 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego and has one of the city’s popular waterfalls. Another trail we recommend is Cedar Creek. This 3-mile trail is located within Cleveland National Forest. It is a trendy hiking spot outside of San Diego. This hike is considered fairly challenging, and hikers are required to have a permit, so be sure to plan ahead! If you want more recommendations, take a look at this article.
Have a picnic date at Torrey Pines Gliderport
What’s better than a springtime picnic? How about a picnic with some of the best views in the whole city! At the Torrey Pines Gliderport, you enjoy an aerial show made up of paragliders and hang gliders!
Location: 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
Go Vinyl Shopping
There’s nothing like finding that one vinyl you’ve been searching for. According to Quartz, vinyl sales rose 51% to 41.7 million in 2021! So if you’ve been collecting vinyl for years or picked up the habit during lockdown, we recommend excellent shops like Vinyl Junkies Record Shack, M-Theory Music, Soul Shack Records, and many others here.
Have a Gelato in Little Italy
In Little Italy, you’ll find many beautiful places to spend a lovely day out. During these sunny summer days, there’s nothing quite like gelato! Milkissimo gelato is an excellent small gelato shop run by the very popular owner Klaudio. His small business is known for its fantastic, friendly service and excellent gelatos! You should try their Charcoal flavor!
Enjoy the Secret Swing views
La Jolla is well known as one of San Diego’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Its jaw-dropping views can be enjoyed from almost anywhere. However, the best spot to take in all of La Jolla’s beauty is a little hidden. This mysterious spot is known chiefly to locals only, and it is tucked away in the hills near Birch Aquarium. The Secret Swing is the ultimate insider and a MUST see next time you spot by La Jolla!
Location: 1640 Camino Del Rio N
Drive to Julian for the day
This historic mining town was once San Diego’s only gold source but nowadays is better known for its award-winning apples. You can explore the town’s historical legacy as a center for gold mining by taking a tour of Eagle Mine and panning for real gold or enjoy apples galore by visiting one of Julian’s many orchards. But whatever you do, make sure to get your hand on an apple pie from one of the town’s many purveyors–you won’t want to miss out on all that sweet goodness!
How to get there: Drive east from downtown San Diego on CA-78 E.
Visit Hotel del Coronado
The iconic Hotel del Coronado is an excellent San Diego institution known for the classic Hollywood film Some Like It Hot. The film starring Marlyn Monroe was almost entirely filmed here! You should also visit Serẽa. This restaurant is just a stone’s throw away from the hotel. It is known for its exquisite sea-to-table dining experience offering San Diegans and visitors a magical dining experience with delicious food and unforgettable views!
Location: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
Visit the Sunny Jim Sea Cave
If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, head to the Cave Store. This shop, located on Coast Boulevard, offers access to Sunny Jim’s Cave through an old man-made tunnel. In fact, it’s the only sea cave that you can visit in La Jolla without traveling over water. That’s not to say this attraction won’t cater to your adventurous side. After entering the store, visitors must descend 144 stairs through an old tunnel carved into the cliffs over a century ago to reach the famous cave.
Location: 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Museum hop in Balboa Park
San Diego’s Balboa Park has the best museums in the city. So, visiting them all on a lovely spring day is a fabulous idea. Keep an eye on museum days, where entry is free for residents only. You have to include the San Diego Natural History Museum and The Museum of Us on your visit.
Climb the California Tower
This imposing and breathtaking landmark is a must-visit on a beautiful Spring day. The California Tower was recently closed for retrofitting but is now back in all its glory! Once you get your ticket, you can begin your ascent. You’ll learn intriguing historical facts with each flight you climb. And once you make it to the top, you’ll be treated to truly spectacular views of San Diego.
Location: California Tower, 1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Featured image: Shutterstock