17 Best San Diego September Events
San Diego’s leaves might not change color like they do on the East Coast, but with so many events to look forward to, there won’t even be time to miss them. September kicks off the start of autumn with dining events, music festivals, art, sports and more.
Julian Fall Apple Harvest
Sept-Oct. Enjoy autumn foliage, art, entertainment and seasonal foods, such as apple cider and pie. Special events on weekends, including the Julian Grape Stomp Festa on Sept. 5. Julian, 760.765.1857. julianca.com
Cooking Classes at Bake Sale
Sept. 2, 23. Improve your skills in the kitchen with a class at Bake Sale led by head baker Jenn Reinhart and owner Terryl Gavre. September 2 invites guests to “Come Jam with Us” while the class on the 23rd teaches the steps to create “Cookies… Fun to Fancy.” 815 F St., downtown, 619.515.2224. bakesalesd.com
Musica en la Plaza
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25. Every Friday in September, bring your dancing shoes to the California Center for the Arts and join Los Montano and the Manny Cepeda Orchestra Quartet for live music, tacos and tequila in the Lyric Court. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., 800.988.4253. artcenter.org
Hormel Black Label San Diego Bacon Fest
Sept. 5. In celebration of International Bacon Day, head to Liberty Station & NTC Park for unlimited samples of bacon, beer, and spirits from some of San Diego’s most noted restaurants and breweries. 2-5:30 p.m. 2600 Cushing Rd., Liberty Station. sdbaconfest.com
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
Sept. 4-7. Sand artists from across the globe compete to create the best sand sculptures while guests can enjoy view aboard a cruise ship pier. The event will also showcase works of art in other media, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a Kid Zone. B Street Pier, 1140 North Harbor Drive, San Diego Marina. ussandsculpting.com
The Heart of Pacific Beach Restaurant Walk
Sept. 9. Stroll along Garnet, between Dawes and Lamont Streets and sample from the menus of Pacific Beach’s finest restaurants. Twenty different restaurants will showcase their menus in addition to a craft beer tasting at The Fish Shop and craft cocktails at Tavern. $20 pre-sale, $25 day of/pp. Pacific Beach, various locations, 858.273.3303. pacificbeach.org
Taste of Downtown
Sept. 10. More than 40 restaurants San Diego’s Gaslamp, Financial District, Headquarters and East Village neighborhoods host Taste of Downtown. From 5-9 p.m., diners can explore a self-guided tour through the neighborhoods and enjoy complimentary shuttle service by Old Town Trolley. $30 pre-sale, $35 day of/pp. Various locations. downtownsandiego.org
Patriots on the Green Charity Golf Tournament
Sept. 11. Welk Resorts San Diego pays homage to 9/11 heroes in a fun fast-paced scramble format tournament, followed by lunch and an awards ceremony. Fountains Executive Golf Course, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido, 800.932.9355. welkresorts.com
Coronado Art Walk
Sept. 12-13. Open-air arts festival features dozens of artists; plus hands-on art activities, live music and dining options. Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First St. coronadoartwalk.org.
San Diego Festival of Beer
Sept. 18. The 21st annual festival features live music and samples from nearly 60 different microbreweries. The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. sdbeerfest.org.
KAABOO
Sept. 18-20. Three-day “experiential” festival features live music, comedy, food, wine and art. Catch headliners No Doubt, The Killers and Zac Brown Band, and 100-plus acts on seven stages, including Snoop Dogg and Sheryl Crow. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. kaaboodelmar.com.
San Diego Bayfair
Sept. 18-20. Crowds flock to Ski Beach to catch the World Series of Power Boat Racing, featuring intense water competition and the fastest powerboats in the world. Course runs between Crown Point and Fiesta Island, Mission Bay, 760.789.8870. sandiegobayfair.org
Landlubbers Day
Sept. 19. In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Seaport Village hosts a celebration of all things pirate. Landlubbers Day will include live music from the Jackstraws, costume contests, arts and crafts and street performances. 1-4 p.m. 849 West Harbor Dr., Seaport Village. seaportvillage.com
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sept. 20-27. Enjoy fabulous dining for less when nearly 200 restaurants throughout the county offer fixed-price, three-course meals. Visit website for participating restaurants. sandiegorestaurantweek.com. sandiegorestaurantweek.com
Pacific Islander Festival
Sept. 26-27. The 21st annual event celebrates the food, art and culture of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Ski Beach, Mission Bay, 619.699.8797. pifasandiego.com
Adams Avenue Street Fair
Sept. 26-27. The 34th annual event, one of SoCal’s largest free music festivals, features more than 100 musical acts on eight stages, plus carnival rides, beer gardens, craft and food vendors, and more. Adams Ave. between 32nd and 35th streets, Normal Heights, 619.282.7329. adamsavenuebusiness.com
Oceanside Harbor Days
Sept. 26-27. Sun, sand, surf and activities, from a sandcastle competition to boat-building contests, are all included at this family-friendly festival. Oceanside Harbor, 760.722.1534. oceansidechamber.com
