The Best of the City

Adams Ave, 35th to 32nd St, San Diego, CA

Attended by over 100,000 people and covering eight blocks of Adams Avenue, this annual September event has become a popular destination. It features jazz, blues and rock music on six stages, along with a carnival, games and food.
More Details

Imperial Ave from 65th to 68th St, San Diego, CA

You'll enjoy all that this diverse festival has to offer. It showcases a variety of ethnicities and also includes a custom car show. There's something to enjoy here for just about everybody. Live entertainment, authentic eats and a Kid's Zone with games and rides make for a great time.
More Details

10818 San Diego Mission Rd, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, San Diego, CA 92108-2429 619-283-7319

Each year, the community gathers to celebrate the founding of the state's first mission. Guests are treated to live music, tours of the historic establishment, and both ethnic and American foods. The mission dates back to 1769, and it's been serving the local area ever since.
More Details

Old Town San Diego and environs, San Diego, CA 619-291-4903

During the week including May 5 or the weekend nearest May 5, Old Town goes all out for Mexico's holiday with food booths, dancing, mariachis and other live entertainment on seven stages. Activities for the kids, stagecoach rides, an equestrian show and historical reenactments are also popular.
More Details

2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 619-220-8497

Each summer, the Humphrey's resort complex on Shelter Island hosts a fantastic series of concerts at the outdoor arena. The season includes performances from comedians such as Bill Cosby, Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes and Craig Ferguson. Each year there are repeat visits from performers like the Beach Boys, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Chris Isaak, The Doobie Brothers, and Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. Other popular acts have included the Indigo Girls, Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Ani DiFranco, Dead Can Dance, Kem, Feist, Taj Mahal, and Toots & The Maytals. Then there's the Hippiefest concert, a gathering of 60s-era favorites from the Turtles to Melanie. Tickets sell out fast for many of the concerts, so plan ahead!
More Details

University Ave, between 30th St & 32nd St, San Diego, CA

Held in May, this entertaining festival highlights arts and culture, with plenty of live entertainment on multiple stages, lots of arts and crafts, a Pet Zone and an art station just for the junior set. North Park is a charming community convenient to downtown, located just north of Balboa Park.
More Details

Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA

Be a kid again at this fun event that's held each year at Ocean Beach. You'll see all sorts of different sizes, shapes and colors of kites. You might even decide to enter the kite making or flying contest yourself. Plenty of food and entertainment round out the affair.
More Details

Newport Ave, Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA

Established for over 25 years, this tasty festival draws hungry patrons from near and far. It's a fun beach celebration topped off with plenty of zesty chili. Live music, displays by area artisans, carnival rides and pony rides included as well. Who could refuse? Free shuttles run from Robb Field and Sea World Drive at Pacific Highway throughout the day.
More Details

Organized in 1880, this fair has become one of the best agricultural fairs in the nation, noted for being the fifth largest fair in North America. It found its permanent home at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 1936 and has been hosting visitors each year ever since. Fun events like ostrich and camel racing, a turkey stampede, and famous country singers performing live make this fair a must visit. Many locals refer to the fair as the Del Mar Fair, so don't get confused if that's what you hear it being called.
More Details