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Traveling to San Diego over the summer makes for quite an interesting vacation. Not only are there tons of tourists and visitors, but there is also so much for the locals to do! From the famous fair to the world-renowned zoo, and everything in between, San Diego is sure to deliver an exciting vacation experience. For a few options off the beaten path, consider some of these great attractions that America’s Finest City has to offer.
San Diego Fair
For those of you that venture to San Diego during the summer months, you have the option of visiting the exciting San Diego Fair, formerly the Del Mar Fair. Complete with creative fair foods, classic rides, and horse races, the San Diego Fair is a fun day for two, or even a place to take the whole family. There are plenty of events, sampling tables, and animals to visit, as well as deep-fried everything under the sun. The annual San Diego International Beer Festival takes place at the fair, and there are quite a few big-name celebrity acts as well. From comedian Jeff Dunham, to local-based Switchfoot, and the big name country band Lonestar, the shows at the fair this year, as is custom, are sure to attract a crowd.
Taste of San Diego
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in San Diego during one of the many “Taste of” events, you’re in for quite a treat. From Taste of Downtown, to Taste of Cardiff, many of the neighborhoods and communities are hosting tastings at a variety of local restaurants. They are spread throughout the year, and are a great way to get a taste of tons of different San Diego cuisines. Anywhere from 15 to 80 restaurants open their doors to ticket holders of the event, with small tastes of a variety of their menu items. From frozen yogurt with fresh fruit to a few ounces of beer, these events span a wide range of food items. Be sure to come hungry though, because there are tons of cuisines to entice the palate.
Hideaway Beach Cafés
One thing you definitely do not want to miss while in San Diego is a trip to one of the many beach cafés. Whether you go for breakfast or lunch, it is always satisfying. From The Beach Grass Café in Solana Beach to Café 976 in Pacific Beach, you are sure to find a filling, healthy, and delicious meal. No San Diego trip is complete without one. For those of you that are health-conscious, San Diego provides some of the most amazing organic and natural options at many of these beach cafés. A few other popular locations include: Pipes in Cardiff, Naked Café in Solana Beach, Kono’s Café in Pacific Beach, and Mission Café with a location in Mission Beach and North Park.
Grunion Run
A local’s favorite experience, the grunion run is a way to watch nature at its finest. Head down to the beach late at night during high tide (specific times depend on the day of the season) and watch as thousands of grunion fish leave the water to mate on shore. The females burrow themselves in the sand to mate with the males and fertilize their eggs. The eggs are left behind as the grunions head back to the open sea. The slimy creatures are harmless to humans, and are actually caught and consumed by some fishermen. These tube-like fish flop around on shore a few times until they are able to mate and head back home to the ocean. Some of the best locations to watch the grunions mating ritual include Encinitas, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, and Mission Beach.
Broadway and Local Theater
The last thing many visitors think of when envisioning a San Diego vacation is a trip to Broadway. However, Broadway San Diego is a huge hit. Shows such as Wicked, The Lion King, and many other popular acts have come through San Diego on their tour, and most of them sell out quite quickly. There are many other theater options if you’d like to leave the beaten path a bit. From Shakespeare in the Park on Coronado, to the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park, you can certainly get your fix of the bard of Avon’s style. Many neighborhoods also have Community Theaters, and summer stage plays outside. With two large stages downtown and dozens of small community theaters throughout San Diego, you are sure to catch a Broadway-quality show right here in Southern California!
