7 Unique Things To Do for a Birthday in San Diego

The list of restaurants and bars in San Diego is extensive enough to make every weekend a new adventure, but maybe this year you’re seeking a truly memorable birthday experience. Here is a shortlist of unique tipples, treks, and traipses to keep in mind when planning your next big day!

1. A San Diego County Winery Hop

There’s no denying we are a city of hopheads, but did you know that San Diego also makes wine? Good wine? From Domaine Artefact’s Rhone reds in Escondido to the bold blends and stunning views at Vineyard Grant James and Turtle Rock Ridge in Ramona, there are dozens of fantastic wineries to explore within an hour’s drive.

2. A Three-Hour Fishing Tour

Or longer if you’re looking for The Big One! Sportfishing trips depart daily from both San Diego and Oceanside. Or, if your birthday party has its sea legs but chasing after yellowtail and halibut isn’t quite your thing, you can lounge topside on one of several whale-watching cruises instead.

3. Cooking or Painting Class

A Groupon and Living Social favorite, one-time cooking courses or paint nights are a great way for a group of friends to get together and have something unique to show for it afterward!

painting
Photo Credits: Painting & Vino

4. Horseback Trail Ride

Whether you prefer a quiet beach stroll or a trail with a chaparral view, you can enjoy it on horseback in San Diego! Head down towards Imperial Beach for a serene saunter on the sand or out to Escondido for a walk through the canyons.

san-diego-beach-rides
Photo Credits: San Diego Beach Rides

5. Big Cat or Bear Feeding

Have you always wanted to get close to an apex predator, but common sense stops you in the knick of time? At Lions, Tigers & Bears sanctuary in Alpine, seasoned staff will escort you through their no-kill facility and even let you participate in a feeding. The close encounters cost a nominal fee, but hey, it’s your birthday!

lion-tigers-bears
Photo Credits: Lion, Tigers & Bears

6. Catch a Comedy Show

Who doesn’t love to laugh? Catch a national act at the Mad House Comedy Club downtown or at La Jolla’s Comedy Store.

For a more interactive approach, convince your friends to sign up for an improv class at Finest City Improv in University Heights. Nothing says “memorable birthday” like forcing your buddies to make fun of each other on stage!

comedy-show
Photo Credits: LaughStub

7. Balloon Breakfast or Brunch

For an intimate birthday splurge, book a hot-air balloon ride with a loved one or a small group of friends. Multiple venues offer hour-long flights from dawn until dusk (some even include champagne brunch!), giving you a brand-new view of America’s Finest City.

san-diego-hot-air-balloon
Photo Credits: San Diego Hot Air Balloon

So there you have it—our top seven picks for a birthday to remember! Make your next one extra special and take advantage of what our beautiful, diverse city has to offer.

See you there, San Diego!

Share This Post
The Latest
Galbani Bella Vita Fest
Celebrate Italian culture at Bella Vita Fest with cooking demos, live music, and stunning chalk art all weekend long.
San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition
Celebrate marine adventure with the San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition, presenting unique films from reefs and open waters around the globe.
Halloween in Downtown San Diego just got a whole lot easier to plan. Mad City Bar Fest’s Halloween Bar Crawl gives you one wristband for...
IZOLA Bakeshop Sorrento Valley
Jeffrey Brown and Jenny Chen had no baking experience, no professional ovens, and no storefront when they decided to start IZOLA in 2020. They’d just...
House Nouveau Riche
There are fashion shows, and then there are arguments. House Nouveau Riche is the latter – a production built around a question every generation eventually...
pumpkin patch san diego
The grocery store pumpkin bin gets the job done, but it’s no pumpkin patch. From Valley Center farms to a city lot in Del Mar,...
Recently Featured Restaurants
Pamela and Erik Ramos Peraza have been selling sourdough at the Little Italy Mercato for a while now, and if you’ve crossed paths with their...
goop kitchen del mar
Yes, that goop. Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand just opened its first-ever dine-in restaurant at One Paseo in Del Mar, and it’s a 92-seat space she personally...
City Tacos has been a San Diego staple since 2014. What Gerry Torres is building next makes it look like a warm-up. El Punto at...
Zuma has spent nearly 25 years taking over the world – Hong Kong, Istanbul, Rome, Miami, Madrid, and more. Now they’re open in San Diego,...
Doug and Lara Hamm spent years traveling through the French Riviera, Greek Isles, and Amalfi Coast. By The Sea is what happened when they decided...
Little Italy has a new dinner spot, and it’s one that makes the whole evening feel like an occasion. Maranello just opened at 2101 Kettner...