Southern California's largest Independence Day fireworks show — the Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom — will light up the San Diego Bay this July 4 starting at 9 p.m. Four barges throughout the bay will be setting fireworks that can be viewed at multiple vantage points, including: Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Marina District, Coronado Ferry Landing and of course from boats on the water. The impeccably choreographed display should last about 18 minutes. Big Bay Boom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy the summer sun and partake in the Tanabata Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, July 7. Originating from Chinese folklore, Tanabata is a holiday that celebrates the meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi! Separated by the Milky Way, the stars Orihime and Hikoboshi are able to meet once per year on the seventh day of the seventh month. This year’s festival will be full of kid-friendly fun, such as games, performances, crafts and food. For questions, please call (619) 232- 2721. Tanabata Festival
 

Join the San Diego Children's Discovery Museum for a Summer Serenade on July 9. From 5-7:30 p.m., enjoy a family jamboree filled with:
• Live performances by Kathryn the Grape & Hullabaloo
• Food from Belgium Waffles Food Truck and a sweet treat from Handel's Ice Cream
• Hard kombucha from JuneShine and wine from Forgotten Barrel Winery for adults
• Crafts with the Museum's amazing educators!
* Can't make this event? The Museum will host another Summer Serenade  on Aug. 13. Tickets

Aquarium aficionados are once again invited to explore 6,000 fish in 60+ habitats at Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Educational programs, summer camp fun, and sealife sights have splashed back. Visitors can gaze into the Giant Kelp Forest, Hall of Fishes, and get up close and personal with sea stars, sea anemones and hermit crabs the Tidepool Plaza, which overlooks La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean. Opening July 12, get ready to be immersed in the world of "Little Blue Penguins," a new exhibit including rocky and sandy shore habitat and an 18,000- gallon pool where guests will observe the penguins socializing, interacting, and nest building. The aquarium has extended summer hours and is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.) most days this July and August! Advanced reservations required. Birch Aquarium

Ramona's Annual Country Fair sponsored by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce is set for July 29-July 31! This three-day event is set to include live entertainment, outdoor adventure zones, amusement rides, contests, animals, exciting attractions, vendors, western shows, medieval demonstrations and more. For more information, call (760) 789-1311 or visit the Ramona Chamber of Commerce online.

Immerse yourself in San Diego’s ONLY premier beachfront amusement park with 20+ rides and attractions just steps from the sand. Nestled in the heart of Mission Beach since 1925, Belmont Park offers the quintessential San Diego beach culture experience from surf and sand to boardwalk brews and dining. Adventure seekers can take a dip on the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster and enjoy other beachfront fun like carnival-style games, an arcade, laser tag, mini golf, a zipline and more. Full-service beachfront restaurants and outdoor dining offer breathtaking ocean views for upscale and casual bites. Get $5 Off A Wristband Here

 

Explore the 4-acre flight deck of the awe-inspiring aircraft carrier USS Midway, a naval aviation museum in downtown San Diego berthed at Navy Pier. San Diego’s most-popular attraction features an extensive collection of restored aircraft, theater, and self-guided audio tours for adults and families narrated by former Midway sailors to more than 60 locations. Also check out  flight simulators, climb-in aircraft, ejection seats, cockpits and more. Open spaces for visitation subject to change. For hours of operation, safety regulations and a list of the current exhibitions, please check the website for the latest information. USS Midway Museum

Cool off in July at the Fleet Science Center! Tour the new interactive experience, Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact. Walk through a snowstorm, create your own snow people and explore how this fundamental weather phenomenon impacts our lives—even in sunny San Diego! Then travel to the coldest and windiest place on Earth with Antarctica in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, showing stunning nature and science documentary films in an immersive, wrap-around screen environment Swim along with playful seals, soar over penguin colonies and discover the vast number of incredible animals that make this hostile place their home in this exciting documentary film. Also join the in Studio X on Sundays throughout the summer for hands-on activities like creating borax crystals and using techniques like origami and Kumiko to build your own snowflakes. Enjoy 20 percent off admission to the Fleet here

 

Tour this wine and car lover's dream, blending fine wine with classic automobiles in San Diego's North County. Vintage vehicle buffs can check out the world's largest collection of American convertibles, Coca-Cola memorabilia, an array of early Barbie Dolls, vintage household appliances, and other blasts from the past. Approximately 100 showstoppers ranging from carriages of the 1800s to the muscle cars of the 1970s — each iconic model evoking reverence and nostalgia. Regular admission is $10; free for kids 9 and under. Visitors can toast to these era-defining cars with a glass, flight or bottle of Deer Park estate wine in the tasting room, outside on the covered patio or on shaded picnic grounds. Open 10 a.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Enjoy a 2-For-1 Wine tasting Here

Enjoy San Diego’s award-winning play and party arena for children. FUNBelievable has been bringing FUN and smiles to San Diego since 2011. Kids will love the main attraction, a colorful three-level play structure hosting fun amenities such as tube slides, climbing walls, tiki-figure punching bags and a ball pool and shower. The sports arena gives future athletes the chance to kick goals and shoot baskets. Toddlers play in their own space, which scales down big-kid fun into an area filled with soft toys, a mini ball pit and mini slides — perfect for playtime with Mom or Dad. Enjoy unlimited visits and discounts on their most popular services with the new VIP pass. For great food and coffee, visit their café and espresso bar! Enjoy $2 off Adventure Play Here

Discover one-of-a-kind items at San Diego’s Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, open for in-person shopping and dining from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon-Fri and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Guests of the venerated hometown favorite destination can expect spacious outdoor seating at the Casa de Reyes restaurant, and at Barra Barra Saloon. Live weekend entertainment has once again graced the Fiesta de Reyes stage to serenade diners, shoppers and visitors. Check out all the fun here

 

Kick off July in style with fabulous handmade kantha jewelry available at Bazaar del Mundo Shops. The venue is repeatedly voted "Best Place to Buy a Gift In San Diego." Find one-of-a-kind ornaments, handcrafted folk art, colorful home and garden accessories, artisan jewelry, handwoven textiles, unique collectibles, and so much more. Right next door, discover Diane Powers’ Casa Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant with its famous birdbath margaritas, full service cantina, and award-winning Mexican cuisine. Bazaar del Mundo is in Old Town San Diego. Open at 11 a.m. daily. Bazaar del Mundo Shops

Discover immense talent and exceptional stage productions in the intimate setting of North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. The Rep’s 40th season concludes with the musical comedy murder mystery "The Remarkable Mister Holmes," (July 20-Aug. 21), an irreverent homage to the original Arthur Conan Doyle tales — with singing! Catch Variety Night shows Mondays and/or Tuesdays ranging from comedy nights to stage readings and musical entertainment. For ticket information, call (858) 481-1055 or book online here

Take a trip to Old Town and enjoy this wonderful interactive center and its guided tour. Visitors can step into history and learn about the journey of the Mormon Battalion, which left the sweltering heat of Iowa in 1846, and completed one of the longest infantry marches in American history — about 2,000 miles — to San Diego. Bring your friends and family and a great place for kids. Call (619) 298-3317 or click here for more information.

Visit amazing museums and more with a Balboa Park Explorer Pass! San Diego’s Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States – no other place boasts 1,200 acres, 65 miles of hiking trails, more than a dozen museums, fantastic gardens, performing arts venues, and the San Diego Zoo! The Balboa Park Explorer Pass provides admission to multiple venues, and is up to a 58% savings over purchasing admission separately. Pass options include the popular Parkwide Pass (visit each participating museum, good for 7 consecutive days), or an Annual Pass that provides admission all year long! Click here to purchase an Explorer Pass

Take note of this completely remodeled interactive museum, a tribute to the love of all things music! Nestled between LEGOLAND® California and The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, the museum invites visitors to discover the stories of how musical instruments are made, how they change over time, how they move from maker to retailer and into the possession of those who play them. Four newly designed galleries include a panoramic multimedia display, video stories, photos, hundreds of artifacts, and performance clips by major artists. Equally entertaining are “Sit & Play” stations with a variety of stringed instruments, including banjos and guitars. July events include concerts by the California Guitar Trio at The Ritz Theater in Escondido on July 16; and accordionist Cory Pesaturo at the Museum on July 28. July Events Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Get $1 off admission here

Experience the ancient art of glassblowing when you visit this warm and welcoming studio and gift gallery in downtown Escondido. Watch artisan and sculptor James Stone and his team spin and shape molten glass into gorgeous pieces of art, such as tumblers, bowls, vases, pendants, ornaments and other luminous objects. Subscribe to the Collectors Club, delivering colorful limited edition hand-blown drinking glasses right to your door. Beginners and/or small groups celebrating special events are invited to "play with fire," as the business slogan goes, by either registering online, or emailing info@stoneandglass.com. Both the studio and gallery are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Stone & Glass

Start feline fine at this coffee and cat lovers' paradise, serving up hot drinks and snacks along with playtime purrs in downtown San Diego. Guests make a reservation online for a one-hour visit with cuddly, heartwarming kitties who hang out in a bright room filled with fluffy beds, toys, cat trees and scratching posts. Admission includes a food or drink item. Once inside, patrons may pet and play with about a dozen cats or simply gaze blissfully in their direction. Most of these furry bundles of love are adoptable from The Rescue House, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless kitties find loving homes. The Cat Café is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Walk-in guests are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. For a paws-itively delightful adventure, book an appointment "meow" at The Cat Café here

Play with your dogs in the surf and sand, then stop at the dog wash and clean them by hand! This do-it-yourself dog wash in Ocean Beach — one of the oldest in the nation — is the answer to your doggie care dreams. There is also a full retail selection of toys, treats, collars, leashes, and other accessories - and even clothing like polo shirts, thermals and baseball caps for humans. After some free treats, your dog leaves clean and smelling nice, and there’s no mess for you to clean up at home. Open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun. Nail trims 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (except Wed. & Fri.) Dog Beach Dog Wash

Get up close and personal with reptiles, amphibians, and bugs at EcoVivarium Living Museum! Guests of all ages can touch and hold snakes, lizards, and turtles. Plus, you might even get to high five a tarantula! Your guided tour of EcoVivarium is fun and educational for the entire family. The downtown Escondido museum is home to over 300 rescued and donated animals. Forty or more Ambassador Animals are featured in the museum each daily, so every visit offers new animal encounters! EcoVivarium also offers the coolest parties in town, loaded with memories to last a lifetime! Walk-in tours are available Thursday-Sunday, Private tours offered Wednesday-Sunday. Call (760) 975-9690 to book your tour today! EcoVivarium Living Museum

Get hooked on Sportfishing, Whale Watching (in season) and marine science learning adventures at Oceanside SEA Center at Oceanside Harbor! The outfitter offers daily Sportfishing excursions and the chance to catch yellowtail, halibut, calico bass, and much more! Choose from spectacular half-day, 3/4-day and full-day trips. Visitors wanting an offshore fishing or sea-going adventure can book an open-party ticket or private charter, will find that the OSC has the boats, experience and staff to accommodate them. Private charters can be arranged for any size group. Fishing gear is also available for rent while licenses, plus live and frozen bait are available for purchase. Reel in some fun and get out on the water today! Book easily online here or call (760) 450-0403.

Elevate your health and wellness with Torrey Holistics, offering high quality, lab-tested top-shelf treats ranging from vape cartridges and pens, edibles (like cannabis-infused tonics), flower, pre-rolls and smoking accessories. Medicinal products like topicals, tinctures and CBD gummies that provide anxiety and pain relief are also available. Drop by the centrally located shop in Sorrento Valley, open daily, or buy online for curbside pickup or delivery. Get 20% off your purchase over $75 here

Join the Living Coast Discovery Center on from 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 for Farm to Bay 2022, an exclusive evening supporting the Center's coastal wildlife, education, and sustainability programs. Enjoy food and beverage samplings from local purveyors, animal encounters with your favorite Living Coast ambassadors, live entertainment from local artists, a live auction, and more! Tickets The Living Coast Discovery Center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Book a Private Wildlife Tour offered Monday and Tuesday. Get 2-for-1 admission here

Get in the swing at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s 38th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Admiral Baker Golf Course on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The annual tournament helps the museum provide quality educational experiences to local San Diego students through scholarships, exhibits, classes and outreach.  Purchase tickets here.  The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy $4 off regular adult admission here: San Diego Air & Space Coupon