We are so excited to gather all of our favorite people in the world in the place that we consider home! We hope that you have time to take advantage of beautiful San Diego while you are here. In general, this time of year is perfect for exploring some of San Diego's classic attractions, including Balboa Park, the Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo, and the downtown waterfront. Below are some of our favorite San Diego activities over Fourth of July weekend! Keep in mind that this is one of San Diego's favorite holidays, so the beaches will be bustling but also very festive. You can also feel free to reach out to us for recommendations on things to do!

SUMMER FUN

San Diego comes alive over the summer, with lots of sunshine, refreshing water temperatures, and unlimited outdoor dining and bar options.

San Diego County Fair: Fourth of July weekend is the final weekend of the San Diego County Fair, located at the Del Mar fairgrounds just up the road from La Jolla. It is one of San Diego's cherished summertime traditions. Expect bustling crowds if you go over the weekend, but also live music, rides and games, all kinds of animals, and of course an endless supply of awesome food.

https://sdfair.com/

Fourth of July Fireworks: If you are staying in San Diego through the long weekend, fireworks are a must on Fourth of July, and you can expect to see them up and down the coast. The largest display takes place in San Diego Bay downtown, with multiple barges in the bay setting off fireworks. Sea World provides fireworks for Mission Beach and Pacific Beach visitors, and people staying in La Jolla can view them from any of the beaches and parks as they are set off over La Jolla Cove.

FOR LOVERS OF THE OUTDOORS:

Torrey Pines State Reserve: Just around the corner from the wedding venue are mild hikes with some of the most stunning views at Torrey Pines State Reserve. Plan on enjoying a cliffside perch overlooking the California coastline and Pacific Ocean. You can either park at the bottom for free and climb one hill to get up onto the cliffs or pay to park at the top of the cliffs for a more leisurely pace. There are many small loop trails, so you can do as much or as little as you want. Our favorite route is to start at the bottom, hike up the hill and do as many small hikes as we feel like (the Guy Fleming Trail and Razor Point Trail have beautiful panoramic views), and end on the Beach Trail, which descends to the beach, allowing us to walk the beach back to the car. If you plan on walking the beach back, make sure to take a quick look down while enjoying one of your panoramic viewpoints to make sure the tide is low and there is exposed sand that will allow you to walk, not swim, back to the car.

https://torreypine.org/home-2-2/reserveinfo/trails/

Beaches: Going to the beach is obviously one of the fundamental San Diego activities, and for good reason. In July, the weather should be warm and the water should be nice! If you are staying in La Jolla, La Jolla Shores Beach and Windansea are both beautiful, or you can choose to head south along the coast to Pacific Beach or Mission Beach (Mission Beach has large parking lots, which might be a consideration if you are driving). As a helpful tip, summer and the holiday weekend can make beach parking a challenge. We would recommend either arriving earlier rather than later or opting for a rideshare.

Get Out On The Water: The options for enjoying the ocean, coast, and city skyline from the water are endless. We particularly love kayaking off La Jolla (or for a calmer experience, kayaking and stand-up paddle boards are available on Mission Bay). Many bay boat excursions are available in San Diego Bay, from scenic cruises to high-speed boat experiences, and provide beautiful views of the downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge. For the best-value ticket in town, take the Coronado Ferry from downtown across the bay to Coronado. From there, you can enjoy the views before hopping on the free summer shuttle that takes you through downtown Coronado to the opposite side of the island, where the Hotel Del Coronado and Coronado Beach are located.

FOR THE FOODIES:

San Diego has a great food scene!

La Jolla: If you are sticking around La Jolla for the weekend, you can find some great restaurants. Head to Puesto for creative tacos, George's Ocean Terrace for insane views and Californian food, or Herringbone to treat yourself to a special night out.

Little Italy: If you are a food lover, you must head downtown to Little Italy, the new food capital of San Diego. There are plenty of great Italian restaurants still (Buon Appetito, Bencotto, and Devanti Enoteca are some of our favorites), though a multitude of hip restaurants have moved into the neighborhood. Ironside, Kettner Exchange, and Herb and Wood are great choices, though it is impossible to list all of the great restaurants in this area. Finish off your evening with a treat from Salt & Straw ice cream, Boibboi gelato, or Extraordinary Desserts. It's best to get a reservation if you are going over the weekend.

FOR THE NIGHTLIFE LOVERS:

Gaslamp District: Gaslamp is alive every night of the week, with a massive concentration of bars, clubs, and restaurants.

North Park: Head slightly inland to the hip neighborhood of North Park, where you can bar- and brewery-hop with the rest of the young professionals who frequent this vibrant neighborhood. It is known for great restaurants with lots of ambiance and some of San Diego's most well-known breweries.

Breweries: San Diego is home to over 100 breweries (I'm not kidding). If you are a beer lover, stopping by a couple of breweries is a must. Some of San Diego's most well-known are Stone, Ballast Point, Belching Beaver, Thorn St., and Modern Times.