Holiday Markets in San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA's best holiday markets include Adams Avenue Street Fair (Free), Gaslamp Quarter (Free (walking)), and Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market (Free (browsing)). Most run from late November through December 23rd — weekday visits avoid the biggest crowds.
Bus tour included, no add-on fees
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Summer 9am-9pm; Spring/Fall 9am-6pm; Winter 9am-5pm
Built for under-12s, buy online to dodge $139 gate price
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · Generally 10am-7pm, varies by day; closed select days · Ages 2–12
Toddler-sized aquarium with ocean views
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-7pm
Art you're supposed to climb on
200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon, Wed-Sun 9am-4pm; closed Tuesdays · Ages 0–10
100+ hands-on science exhibits + IMAX dome
1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm
Four stories of dinos and live reptiles
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, Fri until 11pm
Home to the Giant Dipper, a 1925 wooden roller coaster that's a National Historic Landmark
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily from 11am, closing 8-10pm depending on season
Playground + calm bay water steps away
1740 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 · Daily dawn to dusk
Climb into cockpits on a real aircraft carrier
910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm · Ages 4+
Largest operating model railroad museum in North America — kids under 12 free
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Wed-Sun 11am-4pm, closed Mon-Tue
Free Sunday organ concerts year-round
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily
Fire rings for bonfires + small-town beach
400 B St, Encinitas, CA 92024 · Daily dawn to dusk; lifeguards seasonal · Ages 0+
Climb a Soviet submarine and 1863 sailing ship
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm · Ages 4+
Tortilla-making demos + free everything
4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm · Ages 0+
Six free playgrounds + 14 free gardens
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; playgrounds dawn to dusk · Ages 0+
Climb into cockpits, Wright Brothers to Space Age
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-4:30pm · Ages 0+
Toddler-sized aquarium next to LEGOLAND
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 · Daily 10am-5pm, hours vary seasonally · Ages 0+
17 museums, 14 free gardens, open 24/7
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Park grounds open 24/7; museums typically 10am-5pm
12,000 animals, bus tour included
2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 9am-5pm (extended to 9pm in peak summer)
Walk a real aircraft carrier, flight deck to engine room
910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
16 blocks of rooftop bars and speakeasies
Fifth Ave & Market St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Open 24/7; most venues 11am-2am
Panoramic views from the tip of Point Loma
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Daily 9am-5pm (tide pools close 4:30pm)
Sunset Strip comedy in a La Jolla beach town
916 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Show nights Wed-Sun, check schedule
Best sound system in San Diego
1337 India St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Show nights, check schedule
Free adobe village + Cafe Coyote
4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 · Daily 10am-5pm (Oct-Apr: 10am-4pm Mon-Thu)
Restored 1929 movie theater, 1,100 standing
2891 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104 · Show nights, check schedule
Sunset behind the stage on the bay
222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101 · Performance nights, check schedule (season typically Apr-Oct)
5,017-pipe organ, free Sundays year-round
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Sunday concerts at 2pm; pavilion open daily
200+ tents every Saturday, arrive early
W Date St & India St, San Diego, CA 92101 · Saturdays 8am-2pm
145 steps into a sea cave — only one in CA by land
1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 · Daily 9am-5pm (weather permitting)
World's oldest active sailing ship
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 · Daily 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm
Under 17 always free
1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 · Mon-Tue 10am-5pm, Thu-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Wed
90+ acts, completely free, late September
Adams Ave between 35th St & Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92116 · Sat-Sun 10am-dusk
1,400 seats on the bay, no bad seats
2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 · Show nights, check schedule