Parks and Recreation

Balboa Park
Play
15+ of the top free things to do in San Diego
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in San Diego, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
August 28, 2025 06:44 AM
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Botanical Building September 2023
Development
3 things to know: Progress on the Botanical Building’s restoration in Balboa Park
Here’s where the project stands as of mid-September 2023.
September 19, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Sugar skulls
Events
Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 events in San Diego
From festivals and community programs to a themed weekend at Petco Park, here’s how to celebrate in San Diego.
September 13, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
The Canyoneers volunteer hiking group from The San Diego Natural History Museum
Travel and Outdoors
TheNat’s Canyoneers kick off their 2023-2024 hiking season in San Diego County
The group of volunteers from the San Diego Natural History Museum will lead 60 free, local hikes from September 2023 to June 2024 — their 51st annual hiking season.
September 1, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
A crane digging ground at waterfront park.
Development
Waterfront Park under construction for the Waterfront Park Active Recreation project.
The new development will bring recreational courts and fields, a dog park, and more activity options to the bayfront destination.
September 1, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Pacific Beach SD
Travel and Outdoors
The coast with the most: San Diego’s beautiful beaches
From Coronado and Pacific Beach to Encinitas and Oceanside, San Diego’s beaches are unmatched — it’s an abundance of riches, really.
August 29, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Rendering Eucalyptus Park entrance
Parks and Recreation
Renovations coming to Eucalyptus Park in Chula Vista
The redevelopment plan will include a skate plaza, a second playground and dog park, splash pads, and improvements to existing amenities.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD San Diego Zoo Safari Park Elephant Valley rendering
Education
Have you herd? “Elephant Valley” coming to San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2025
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance hopes the new savanna-like environment makes strides for conservation of the species.
August 10, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
bug bingo
Travel and Outdoors
Let’s play bug bingo
If you’re the kind of kid who’s always looking for creepy-crawlies, use this field guide to bugs… and see if you can get a bingo.
August 7, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
SD Build NCC SANDAG San Elijo Activity Hub and Park and Ride
City
Grand opening: The San Elijo Activity Hub Park & Ride has arrived in Encinitas
The new facility near Interstate 5 features 166 parking spaces and info on access points to the San Elijo Lagoon and nearby hiking trails.
August 4, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD San Elijo Lagoon
Travel and Outdoors
Take an accessible hike on one of these trails in San Diego
These are three of our favorite local accessible trails that are wheelchair-friendly.
August 3, 2023
 · 
Trevor Peters
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Where to eat pizza in San Diego
Dig into San Diego’s must-try pizza shops including unexpected combos, fancy offerings, and gluten-free options.
January 24, 2025
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Michael Beausoleil
HOB Coffee Mural in North Park San Diego
Work
Your guide to San Diego’s coffee shops
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
January 17, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A man holds his hands up in the air in the shape of a heart during sunset golden hour. The sun is peeking through the heart.
Nonprofits
How San Diegans can help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires
To LA, with love — here’s how SD can help victims of the devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles.
January 10, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A view of the San Diego Air and Space Museum with an airplane flying above in Balboa Park
Play
Live and learn: Museums in San Diego
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or science fan, these 27 museums in San Diego have it all.
January 9, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Local Author Books section at the San Diego Central Library
Arts
Books written by San Diego authors
All of these writers have ties to America’s Finest City.
January 3, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Mission Trails Regional Park San Diego
Culture
Meet your New Year’s resolutions in San Diego
The biggest step in completing your New Year’s resolution? Show up.
January 2, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Kate Sessions statue in Balboa Park
Culture
Unwrap these 3 gifts given to the city of San Diego
These city gifts are way better than a Jelly of the Month Club membership.
December 17, 2024
 · 
Staff
Ocean Beach Christmas Tree 2022
Culture
“A Coastal Christmas Romance": A San Diego Hallmark-style movie, as told by ChatGPT
December Nights, the OB Christmas tree, holiday lights, and ice skating? We’d watch the heck out of this fictional, AI-generated holiday movie set in America’s Finest City.
December 16, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Restored Botanical Building Balboa Park
City
See it: Balboa Park’s restored Botanical Building reopens
The iconic, highly-photographed structure closed in January 2022 for a $26.45 million renovation project, but reopened to the public in December 2024.
December 13, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights SD
Culture
How to Watch the 2024 San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 54-year tradition returns to downtown San Diego’s waterfront on Sunday, Dec. 8 + Sunday, Dec. 15.
December 5, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske