Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Check out this week’s Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend and make your plans!
Sip and savor your way through the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, soak up the coastal energy at Pacific Beachfest, and raise a stein at the lively La Mesa Oktoberfest.
If that’s not enough… there’s plenty more below. Have a great weekend!
This Weekend’s Top Picks – Week of October 1
Catch the Hottest Concerts in San Diego
Catch Michelle Branch, rising country star Hudson Westbrook, punk rock legends Social Distortion, and powerhouse rockers Daughtry as they take the stage for another packed week of must-see concerts.
Check Out the Latest News from the San Diego Food and Drink Scene
The Craving is your source for the latest menu updates, new cocktail programs, happy hours, and special offers from San Diego’s best restaurants and bars.
Thursday
Indulge in Five Days of Food & Wine in Del Mar
Celebrate San Diego and Baja’s culinary scene with five days of chef-driven dinners, wine experiences, sports, and celebrations. The festival culminates with a Grand Tasting featuring 100-plus chefs and restaurants alongside more than 150 beverage producers.
Make October a Museum Month With the Kids
Bring the kids along for free admission at more than 60 museums, aquariums, gardens, and cultural attractions throughout San Diego and Tijuana. With each paid adult, up to two children ages 12 and under can explore for free.
Turn Your Wine Getaway Into an Art Adventure
Retired wine barrels become colorful works of art along Temecula Valley’s free, self-guided Barrel Art Trail. Wander wineries, Old Town, and local businesses while discovering unique creations by regional artists, then unlock exclusive offers with the trail’s digital pass.
Meet the Two Juvenile Red Octopuses at Birch Aquarium
Get an up-close look at two juvenile Red Octopuses making their public debut at Birch Aquarium. Discover their remarkable journey from tiny hatchlings to thriving juveniles and witness a groundbreaking milestone in marine animal care and conservation.
Friday
Raise a Stein at La Mesa Oktoberfest
Celebrate Bavarian tradition at La Mesa Oktoberfest with three days of beer, brats, live entertainment, festive games, and plenty of German-inspired fun. Head to La Mesa Village and enjoy one of the region’s biggest Oktoberfest celebrations.
Celebrate 50 Years of San Diego Design at Orchids & Onions
Celebrate five decades of San Diego’s design scene at the 50th Orchids & Onions Awards Ceremony. Join architects, designers, and community members at Vesper in Liberty Station for an evening honoring standout projects while spotlighting questionable design choices across region.
Shop Local Art at the University Heights ‘Sip & Shop’
Explore University Heights as local businesses showcase independent artists, makers, and creators. Stroll along Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue, discover original artwork, sip craft brews, meet neighborhood creatives, and support San Diego’s local community.
Dive Into a Sea of Halloween Magic
Pirate-themed adventures, trick-or-treat stations, festive entertainment, and the California debut of the all-new Baby Shark™ Halloween Show make SeaWorld Spooktacular a seasonal favorite. Gather the family, snap festive photos, and enjoy some good ‘ole Halloween fun.
Sip Pink Tea and Catch a Movie at La Valencia
La Valencia Hotel welcomes back fall with its Pink Tea Series benefiting Susan G. Komen San Diego and a Poolside Movie Series featuring Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, and Twilight. Bring your pup with a $5 Pup Pass, and settle in for cozy October nights.
Saturday
Spend the Day by the Ocean at Pacific Beachfest
Celebrate Pacific Beachfest with ten hours of seaside fun featuring three stages of live music, a fish taco contest, beach volleyball, local makers, family activities, and more. Stroll the boardwalk, grab a bite, and soak up PB’s energy.
Browse Books & Get Creative at the North Park Book Fair
Browse rare books, graphic novels, and handmade literary finds at the North Park Book Fair. Meet independent booksellers, publishers, comic artists, and local makers, then enjoy story time, drawing tables, a costume contest, food vendors, and music.
Taste Your Way Through North Park
Explore North Park’s culinary scene with more than 50 food tastings and 15 beverage stops throughout the neighborhood. Browse indie shops, discover local art, catch live music, and sample flavors from restaurants, breweries, and other neighborhood favorites.
Ease Into Fall at the South Park Fall Walkabout
Stroll through South Park during the Fall Walkabout, where local shops, restaurants, and pubs stay open late. Discover unique finds, enjoy special promotions and treats, grab a bite, and soak up the neighborhood’s cozy fall atmosphere.
Kick Back With Country Music at The Loma Club
Spend Saturday evening at The Loma Club with live country music from Thunderbird Mountain Band, barbecue, drink specials, and western chain stitching. Set against the Point Loma golf course, this free gathering brings laid-back country vibes under open skies.
Stretch It Out With Open Air Yoga at San Diego Botanic Garden
Start Saturday surrounded by nature with Open Air Yoga at San Diego Botanic Garden. Move through a gentle, hour-long outdoor class among the gardens, then enjoy daytime admission afterward. Bring your mat, sunscreen, and hat for a refreshing morning.
Celebrate Jackie’s Legacy at Wings Over Big Bear
Wings Over Big Bear honors Jackie, the bald eagle whose nest captivated millions, with a free commemoration at Bear Mountain Resort followed by a full Wildlife Education Day. Expect birdwatching, raptor viewing, and the community remembrance activity Postcards for Jackie.
Sunday
Slip Into Masquerade After Dark at Top of the Hyatt
Step into an elevated Halloween experience at Top of the Hyatt, where dramatic décor, themed cocktails, and a new sushi menu set the mood. Dress in masquerade attire, ride up to the 40th floor, and take in sweeping harbor views.
Taste Your Way Through Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest
Savor Japanese flavors at the Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum. Sample savory street food, handcrafted sweets, refreshing drinks, and premium sake while exploring the garden’s scenic paths and peaceful landscapes.
Get on the Pier Only Birch Aquarium Can Open
Birch Aquarium educators are taking you past the glass this fall. Sunset Pier Walks get you onto the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, normally closed to the public, for plankton, squid dissection, and shark science. Tidepooling Adventures put you at the water’s edge at low tide. Both sell out fast.
Watch Southern California Change, One Canvas at a Time
The coastline you grew up with keeps rearranging itself. Changing Terrain gathers more than 60 artists from Southern California and Baja at Oceanside Museum of Art, including nine who showed in the museum’s 2013 landscape exhibition. Thirteen years later, they’re reading the same region very differently. Worth the drive up.
Great Things To Do in San Diego
The Best Pumpkin Patches in and Around 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, San Diego has plenty of places to pick your pumpkin the fun way, with hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos thrown in!
North Park San Diego: The Complete Neighborhood Guide
This is the locals’ guide to North Park in 2026: what just opened, where to eat, where to drink, where to grab coffee, and how to spend an actual day here. We update it every month because North Park moves that fast.
Your 2026 Guide to San Diego’s Best Bars
We’re rounding up the best bars in San Diego right now, from laid-back neighborhood gems to standout cocktail spots. These are the places we keep coming back to in 2026.
Sip Local: Discover San Diego’s Hidden Wine Scene
Think you need Napa for great wine? Think again. San Diego is home to over 150 wineries, from urban tasting rooms to scenic vineyards. This guide highlights standout spots pouring everything from bold reds to crisp whites – perfect for a laid-back day of sipping, exploring, and discovering local favorites.
The Best Places in the San Diego Area to See the Fall Leaves
San Diego isn’t exactly New England… but we still have some pretty spots to get the fall feels. Remember, the changing colors happen really quickly, so be ready to hop in your car!
11 of the Best Hikes in San Diego… Most Within 15 Minutes of Your Door!
Ready to hit the trail without the long drive? These San Diego hikes are all close to home and packed with scenic views. From coastal paths to canyon climbs, it’s an easy way to get outside and reset.
Upcoming San Diego Events Worth Knowing About
Raise a Stein at Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Beachside brews, live music, German-inspired fare, contests, and festive entertainment return to Ocean Beach Oktoberfest. Gather your friends, raise a stein, and enjoy two days of coastal celebration packed with local flavor, great entertainment, and classic Oktoberfest traditions.
Sample Local Favorites at Taste of Coronado
Sample signature bites and drinks from Coronado’s top restaurants, bars, and shops during this self-guided culinary tour. Walk, bike, or ride the trolley between tasting stops, discover island favorites, and support the local community with every delicious stop.
Dive into the Vibes at Mission Bayfest
Mission Bayfest is returning to Mariner’s Point Park with incredible reggae beats and sun-soaked energy. Snag your tickets to catch killer live music, eat local food, and party with breathtaking, 360-degree waterfront views.
Savor the Flavors at Celebrate the Craft
Celebrate the Craft is back at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, bringing together Southern California’s finest chefs, vintners, and artisans. Treat yourself to incredible farm-to-table pairings, meet the creators, and soak up breathtaking, 360-degree ocean views overlooking the iconic golf course.
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See you there, San Diego!
