Thanksgiving Things to Do in San Diego, CA
Thanksgiving week in San Diego, CA has plenty to do beyond dinner — Adams Avenue Street Fair (Free), Cabrillo National Monument ($20 per vehicle), Moonlight State Beach (Free), Balboa Park (Free (park & gardens)), and Balboa Park (Free) are all open or hosting special events. Check for turkey trot races and volunteer shifts at local food banks.
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