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 Birch Aquarium Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Education
Birch Aquarium’s Loggerhead Sea Turtle gets a check-up
The sea turtle has lived at the facility since 2014, getting a 3D-printed shell brace and growing to a healthy 210 pounds.
May 18, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Spreckels organ pavilion with an organ player on the stage
Parks and Recreation
10 free summer concert series in San Diego
Explore San Diego’s parks while enjoying live music all summer long at these rockin’, jazzy, and dance-worthy events.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Jr new play area
Entertainment
New ‘Rescue Jr.’ play area coming soon to SeaWorld San Diego
The kid-friendly zone will feature a splash pad, climbing structures, and new rides — replacing the theme park’s Sesame Street Bay of Play.
May 12, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
San Diego skyline photo in black and white
Tourism and Hospitality
National Travel and Tourism Week: San Diego’s tourism, by the numbers
The industry plays a major role in our city’s economy, job creation, and overall vibe as a feel-good hotspot.
May 10, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Westfield UTC pickleball courts
Sports
New pickleball courts debut at Westfield UTC in San Diego
The courts are open from sunrise to sundown, free to the public for a limited time.
May 8, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Alcazar Garden Balboa Park 2023
Culture
Things to do this spring in San Diego
Flowers, gardens, baseball, petal-themed pop-ups, outdoor concerts, and more — oh, this season is going to be good.
March 17, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Little Italy
Culture
The zodiac signs interpreted as San Diego neighborhoods
Your home, your favorite coffee shop, your daily commute aren’t just written in the skyline — they may be written in the stars.
February 16, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Plaza de Panama Fountain
Parks and Recreation
30 parks in San Diego
Find activities, history, nature, and family fun
January 23, 2023
 · 
Victoria Bardega
Crystal Pier Pacific Beach San Diego
Parks and Recreation
Neighborhood Guide for Pacific Beach, San Diego
A perfect blend of laid-back beach living and San Diego’s nightlife.
September 13, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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Live
Introducing: SDtoday Neighborhood Guides
August 18, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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SD Torrey Pines Golf Course
Sports
Link up for tee time: 18 golf courses in San Diego
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 18 golf courses in San Diego are sure to make for a good round.
October 8, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD San Diego skyline from Shelter Island
Culture
Pack up: People are moving to San Diego from these US cities
U-Haul rolled out info on 2024 moving trends — and now you just might know a little more about your new neighbors.
October 7, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Greetings mural
Play
25 murals around San Diego
Explore San Diego’s murals — from images of postcards and celebrities to unforgettable splashes of color.
October 4, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A view of the stage and one of the reconfigured seating areas at the renovated Jacobs Music Center in San Diego.
Development
San Diego Symphony reopens Jacobs Music Center in downtown SD
The 95-year-old venue on downtown San Diego’s B Street has been fully renovated and its 2024-2025 season is packed with live performances.
September 26, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Fall Hiking
Weather
Fall 2024 weather trends in San Diego
Prepare for fall weather in America’s Finest City with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
September 16, 2024
 · 
Staff
A rendering of kids sitting in front of a giant tank at Birch Aquarium; the tank is filled with fish and a giant turtle. The kids are listening to an aquarium expert.
Parks and Recreation
New ‘Living Seas’ exhibition will replace ‘Hall of Fishes’ at Birch Aquarium
The overhaul is the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since it was built in 1992; it will be closed from Monday, Sept. 30 to Thursday, Oct. 3 so crews can begin renovations.
September 12, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
The gray, square, multi-level New Terminal 1 Parking Plaza at the San Diego International Airport; construction is still visible around the plaza as the airport's New T1 project continues.
Airports and Transportation
Now open: New Terminal 1 Parking Plaza at San Diego International Airport
This first phase of the New T1 Parking Plaza has opened 2,834 parking spaces directly across from Terminal 1.
September 6, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
The interior of a Sonic the Hedgehog-themed pop-up cafe in San Diego; the walls are painted bright blue and feature characters from the Sonic video games. There's a fake palm tree in the middle of the room and gold rings hanging from the ceiling. A line of customers are waiting to order food.
Food
Gotta go fast: Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe returns to downtown San Diego
The cute pop-up eatery inspired by SEGA’s beloved video game character will stick around through Sunday, Nov. 3 — so get your Tails there, fans.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A fake skeleton decoration pops out from behind a dark bar at the Black Lagoon Halloween-themed pop-up bar. In the background, neon green, purple, and orange lights add to the scary vibes.
Bars
Enter if you dare: Halloween-themed Black Lagoon Pop-up bar coming to San Diego
The spine-tingling pop-up will take over Seven Grand in North Park from Friday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 3.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Scattered Purple Sand Verbena flowers bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park agains the brown, earthy backdrop of the desert in east San Diego County. The mountains are in the background, against the blue sky sprinkled with clouds. There are a few yellow flowers peeking out of the purple patches, too.
Travel and Outdoors
Where the wildflowers are: The annual Desert Bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
After a rainy winter, the Borrego Springs desert region east of San Diego is expected to bloom quite nicely with vibrant desert wildflowers in spring 2024.
February 29, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske