Enjoy Fitness, Festivals, and More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
There's free yoga at the stunning Rady Shell this weekend.
Near-perfect weather and an abundance of entertaining and adventurous activities are just a few reasons to love living in San Diego. Our vibrant neighborhoods are hubs of culinary adventures, our craft beer scene is second to none, and our arts, culture, and entertainment landscape reflect our diverse, multicultural heritage. From Oceanside to Imperial Beach and the beaches to East County, here are the best things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Food & Drink in San Diego
Thursday, August 10
Bankers Hill, Prices vary
Three years ago, during the worst of the pandemic, local beer expert and journalist Brandon Hernández launched San Diego Beer News, an online newsletter that’s become San Diego’s most comprehensive news source for information about our local craft beer industry. To celebrate, Hernández and Pure Project have collaborated to create Finger on the Pulse, a farmhouse saison loaded with Mega Motueka Hops, a blend of Motueka hops and dried Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape skins that derives its juicy, aromatic nose from the high levels of thiols in both the hops and the grape skins. Head to Pure Project in Bankers Hill at 5 pm on Thursday, when Brandon will be on hand to pour the first pints and chat with beer fans. Finger on the Pulse will be available at all locations on draft and in 16-ounce cans.
Friday, August 11
Gaslamp Quarter, $130
The Desmond, located on the mezzanine level of boutique hotel Kimpton Alma is hosting the Black Beverage Dinner, a collaboration between chef Jason Neroni and Brandon Montgomery, also known as @BlackBeerTravelers. The exclusive experience features chef Neroni’s curated five-course menu with dishes from local ingredients, paired with Brandon’s hand-selected beers, wine, and spirits from Black-owned producers. Reserve your spot here.
Saturday, August 12
Various locations, Prices vary
Bottlecraft is hosting its fourth and final Sour Saturday of the summer at its Little Italy, North Park, and Oceanside locations, focusing on true lambics, which originated in Belgium and are brewed with spontaneous fermentation. Each site will offer a different sour flight—at the Little Italy location, you’ll enjoy a flight from Gueuzerie Tilquin, and Cantillon Brewery bottles will be available for purchase. North Park offers a flight consisting of Lindemans Cuvée René Oude Geuze, Cantillon Grand Cru Bruocsella, De Ranke Kriek de Ranke, and Cantillon bottles for purchase. Oceanside is offering a Cantillon flight.
Festivals in San Diego
Saturday, August 13
Chula Vista, Free
Celebrating 26 years in Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village, the Chula Vista Lemon Festival is the city’s most popular festival. Dozens of vendor booths provide interactive features and giveaways, along with all things lemon-flavored and infused, two stages with live music, photo ops, a lemon cook-off competition, a kids’ fun zone, and a wine and craft beer garden.
Saturday, August 12
Escondido, $79 and up
SIP San Diego, a collective of urban wineries, meaderies, and cideries, will be hosting the 5th annual SIP the City festival in the beautiful outdoor fountain and dome venue at Escondido City Hall. Sample unlimited sips from all 14 members of the SIP San Diego non-profit in one place, as well as light bites from the newly opened California Poppy and live music by Silk Button Butchers. Participants include Carruth Cellars, Gianni Buonomo Vintners, Koi Zen Cellars, Lost Cause Meadery, and more. The festival will also have local vendors on-site, as well as a SIP San Diego store where you can purchase your favorite locally-produced wine, cider, or mead. Proceeds from ticket sales go to further support the mission of SIP San Diego to increase awareness of locally crafted, artisanal wine, mead, and cider. Tickets can be purchased here.
Arts & Entertainment in San Diego
Ongoing
Outdoors, Free
The Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the best celestial events of the year, with peak viewing occurring this weekend. Unlike last year, 2023’s show will have excellent viewing, thanks to a waning crescent moon that will only give off 10% illumination at the shower’s peak. It’s one of the easiest to view—the meteors originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, and during peak times, you just have to lie back and watch them streak across the sky in all directions. Get viewing tips at EarthSky (along with a lot of other Perseid info if you want to geek out a little), but the basics are: Get into a dark area away from the city lights, give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust, and then scan the sky for trails. And remember, although the peak activity occurs this weekend, meteors can still be seen through early September.
Saturday, August 12
Downtown, Free
Yoga is a natural stress-buster that leaves you both relaxed and energized, and doing yoga outdoors is even better. Fit Athletic, one of San Diego’s top luxury fitness clubs, is hosting a free yoga class at the stunning Rady Shell on Saturday at 9:30 am. Led by Viktoria Talbot, the class will be approximately one hour long and will be open to the public. An RSVP isn’t required, but arrive early to avoid missing out due to the venue’s capacity requirements. Parking is limited, so it’s recommended to carpool, rideshare, use public transit or walk if possible.
Saturday, August 12
University City, Prices vary
Sixty years ago, Barbie moved into her very first Dreamhouse, and to commemorate the occasion, the 2023 Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour is heading to Westfield UTC this weekend with all new exclusive merchandise. The newly redesigned Barbie Dreamhouse truck will have an array of brand-new apparel, along with home goods and accessories inspired by a day in the life of Barbie in her Dreamhouse, including graphic t-shirts, denim jackets, throw blankets, totes, jewelry, glasses, and mugs, and much more. You can find the Barbie Dreamhouse Living Pop-Up Truck parked between Pirch and Room & Board from 10 am to 7 pm.