There are beach days, and then there are beach days with three stages of live music, a fish taco showdown, and more than 60 craft booths stretched along the sand. Pacific Beachfest is the second kind.

27 years in and the formula holds. Nothing to pay at the gate, ten straight hours on the boardwalk, and enough going on that you can show up whenever and still land in the middle of something good.

Three Stages, From DJ Sets to School Jazz Bands

The Main Stage on Hornblend carries the heaviest hitters. DJ Betty Bangs opens the morning, Paging the 90s takes over before noon, and the afternoon runs through Rock of Ages and Fishing for Chips before The Sleepwalkers close it down.

The Grand Ave Stage is DJs start to finish, with Tony A, Betty Bangs again, and Brian Rose keeping the boardwalk moving. The closing slot is still listed as TBD.

Over on Felspar, the Community Stage is where PB shows off its own. Crown Point Jr. Music Academy, the PBMS Concert, Orchestra & Jazz Band, MBHS Preservationists & Mambo Orchestra, Old School Skaters, and Thriller San Diego all take turns, with Shoreline Blues closing.

Five Fish Tacos, $20 & One Ballot to Cast

The Best of the Beach Fish Taco Contest is in its 16th year, and the format couldn’t be simpler. $20 gets you five tacos from five restaurants, and you decide who wins.

Tickets are sold the day of the festival at the food court concession stand from 11 AM to 2 PM. Turn your ballot in by 3:15 PM at the same stand. Duck Dive took the title last year, so somebody has to come take it from them.

Run the 5K Saturday, Then Come Back for the Half

The Pacific Beach 5K goes off in two waves Saturday morning, at 7:30 AM and 9 AM, with the Kids 1K following at 10:15 AM. This is the 14th running of it.

Sunday belongs to the Pacific Beach Half Marathon, now in its fifth year, starting at 6:30 AM. Register for either one ahead of time.

Volleyball, a Climbing Wall & 60 Craft Booths

Volo’s 4SUM beach volleyball tournament is back for its fifth year at Beachfest. It’s coed and open to all levels, with prizes for the winning teams and for the best costumes. You can enter in 4s or 2s.

Kids Action Alley has beachside rides plus free games, and the YMCA is bringing a climbing wall this year. Local schools and community groups set up right alongside it.

The PB Merchant Sidewalk Sale and the arts and crafts village run along Garnet and the boardwalk, with more than 60 makers out plus every shop and restaurant already on the strip.

See you there!

Pack sunscreen, come hungry, and give yourself more time than you think you need. PB only does this once a year, so take your time with it.

📆 Saturday, October 3 | 9 AM – 7 PM
🎟️ Lock in your spot for the 5K or half marathon here
ℹ️ Find more info here

See you there, San Diego!