Summer is coming to an end . . . but let’s be honest: long into the fall, it still feels like summer in San Diego! To celebrate the official end of summer, we suggest that our students take the opportunity to experience some of the best outdoor events that San Diego has to offer.
1. Picnic in Balboa Park
Balboa Park is one of the few public spaces in San Diego where alcohol is allowed, which makes it a great place to hang out with friends, drink a beer, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and architecture. Check the park website (or posted signs) to find out exactly where alcohol is allowed. (And remember: no glass. Only plastic and cans!)
Click here to learn more about other activities in Balboa Park, like lawn bowling, dance classes, and tennis.
2. Play Beach Volleyball
Mission Beach and Pacific Beaches are known for their activities, including volleyball. Join a game, or grab your own volleyball and some friends, and get fit while getting tan!
Click here to learn more about Mission and Pacific Beaches (some of the best places to play volleyball) and here to learn more about exactly how to start a game with friends.
3. Visit the Birch Aquarium
The Birch Aquarium hosts thousands of local and exotic fish and ocean life. See some of the most incredible creatures living under the sea, including the gorgeous sea dragons (pictured above). After touring the exhibits, enjoy the view of La Jolla from their outside area, where you can also pet rays and starfish.
4. Watch the fireworks from Mission Bay
Sea World hosts nightly fireworks shows from May to September, so don’t miss the last of these shows! Grab a blanket and some friends and watch the beautiful display over the bay’s calm waters.
Click here to learn more about activities in Mission Bay.
5. Go kayaking in La Jolla
Truthfully, La Jolla’s conditions are great for kayaking year-round, but the end of summer is a particularly great time because beautiful leopard sharks, which are in the cove to mate, inhabit the area until November. Kayaking has never seemed so scary! And yet it isn’t: leopard sharks are harmless (and beautiful) creatures.
Click here to learn more about kayaking in La Jolla. There are awesome tours where you can explore the seaside caves!
6. Visit the tide pools in Point Loma
If you don’t feel like exploring the Pacific from the water itself (either by boat or by kayak), then explore from the water’s edge by visiting the Point Loma tide pools. Colorful starfish, anemones, sea urchins, crabs, fish, mussels . . . you never know what you will find!
7. Go blue whale watching
Summer is the blue whale migration season: don’t miss this chance to see the largest animal in the world as they feed in the waters off of San Diego. Blue whales are found near the coast until September, and they are known for being engaging with the tour boats: it is not uncommon for spectators to see the curious whales playfully rolling over and swimming very close to the boats to get a closer look at people. Of course, with any boat tour in San Diego, there is always a good chance of seeing dolphins!
Click here to learn more about whale watching in San Diego.