8 Awesome Things To Do On Veterans Day In San Diego (The Last One Everyone Should Do!)
There’s something every American can agree on: we should support our Veterans on Veterans Day. And Veterans Day in San Diego is particularly meaningful.
The military community has played such an important role in the history of San Diego, and the area provides a number of things you can do to celebrate and show your support.
Here are our top eight:
1. San Diego Veterans Day Parade
A celebration of Veterans Day would not be complete without a parade. Check out the San Diego’s Veterans Day Parade in downtown. You’ll see a 4,000-plus-person parade filled with bands, floats, Civic Groups, Active Military personnel, and Veterans.
The celebration starts promptly, and we suggest you arrive early for good seating.
2. Veterans Day Salute and Fundraiser at Del Mar Racetrack
If you live in the North County area, one of the best opportunities to celebrate Veteran’s Day is the Veterans Day at the Del Mar Racetrack.
Organized by the American Legion Post 416 and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the event marks the opening of the Bing Crosby Season. It’s a day-long event and festivities include parachutes jumpers, BBQs, performances from military bands, and the unfurling of one of the largest U.S. flags in the country.
Track admission is FREE for Active Duty Military and Veterans with valid ID cards.
3. Spend the Day at the Beach
Your Veterans fight hard for you to be able to enjoy the amazing things that the American way of life have to offer, and a day at the beach in San Diego is as American as it gets. It’s going to be warm, so set up camp for the day and consider flying an American flag above your beach chair.
If you are of the surfing type, you should hit the waves. With the Santa Ana winds blowing, and the easing Hurricane Swell, we are in a treat for some good waves and nice weather. While the forecasts call for a tapering in size, it should still be a beautiful day to get out on the water. Check out Surfline for the full surf report.
4. Treat a Veteran to a Meal
It feels really good when someone picks up your tab, doesn’t it? If you spot a veteran or active duty military at a coffee shop or restaurant on Veteran’s Day (or any day for that matter!), pick up the tab and say thank you. I promise it will make an impact.
5. Visit a National Park — For Free!
If getting out to experience nature is your idea of a good time, you’re in luck. All the National Parks in the country will be open to the public for free.
If you’re up for a mini-road trip, Joshua Tree is only 3 and half hours away. Not that far but not close either, and the fall is a great time to visit the park.
6. Visit the U.S.S. Midway
While the Veterans Day Parade is happening just down the street, the Midway also has festivities.
NBC7 & Telemnudo 20 host the biggest Veterans Day celebration in San Diego with live music, kids’ activities, contests, free food & drink samples. FREE for all Active, Reserve, National Guard, Veterans and their families. Simply show your military ID and join us as we celebrate you & your family. Bring up to 4 family members.
7. Volunteer
Veterans and active-duty military families make significant sacrifices. Access to nutritious food shouldn’t be one of them. Feeding San Diego’s Feeding Heroes program, work with a network of partners that serve the military community to ensure they have the food they need.
Volunteers are a crucial part of this mission. Whether you’re interested in sorting and packing produce for a family in need, supporting food distributions, making personalized phone calls to thank generous donors, or helping in another way — Feeding San Diego and our veterans will be glad for your time and effort!
8. Run for a Veteran
Silver Strand Half Marathon and Veterans Day 5K in San Diego is back! Great event for all runners, walkers skaters and challenged athletes.
Flat, Fast Run or Walk with the waves of the Pacific Ocean on your right and the San Diego Bay on your left and capping off your run with a California Beach Party! Run along the “Silver Strand,” at Silver Strand State beach. Coronado Island is located just across the bridge from downtown San Diego.
To register, click here.
See you there, San Diego!
