2020 Events in San Diego to Look Forward To
San Diego boasts more than 100 neighborhoods — and in a city so vast and diverse, you know there’s always going to be something exciting going on. We’ve compiled a list to help you choose from the events taking place in 2020.
San Diego Restaurant Week
San Diego Restaurant Week is one of the city’s largest culinary events, bringing prix-fixe meals at more than 180 restaurants throughout the city. This year’s list of participants is more varied than ever, ranging from fine-dining venues and cafés to fast-casual eateries and even bakeries. The style of cuisine they serve is also quite diverse, from Argentine, to Thai, to Persian, to Peruvian. Enter the online contest for a chance to win two gift cards you can use towards meals.
January 19-26, https://www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com/
San Diego Crew Classic
Beloved by generations of locals, San Diego Crew Classic is one of America’s largest regattas. If you’re a rower, you can apply to join one of the numerous heats, but it’s also a great place to spectate — a food court and beer garden are set up along the course, and people typically gather here to cheer on their favorite competitors.
April 4-5, https://crewclassic.org/
Gator by the Bay
If you’re into the culture of the American South, there’s no better place to celebrate it than Gator by the Bay — an annual festival dedicated to all things Louisianan. You’ll find musicians performing songs from popular Cajun and Creole music genres (jazz, blues, zydeco), family-friendly swing- and square-dancing lessons, and a food court inspired by the French Quarter — cooking up dishes like ettouffée, jambalaya, and beignets.
May 7-10, https://www.gatorbythebay.com/
Big Bay Boom
The Big Bay Boom is San Diego’s iconic Fourth of July celebration and the West Coast’s largest fireworks show. It’s so popular that it’s broadcast and simulcast on radio and TV stations throughout the city. It’s visible from several different lookouts, but we think the best place to watch is Best Western Plus Island Palms — we have direct views of all four barges on the bay.
July 4, https://bigbayboom.com/
San Diego Pride
San Diego’s Pride Parade is one of America’s largest. Taking over Balboa Park, it features floats, youth marching bands, and military contingents, and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. The 2020 theme is “Together We Rise” and will include a rally and 5k, along with the parade itself.
July 18, https://sdpride.org/parade/
San Diego Comic-Con
Comic-Con may be the best known of San Diego’s annual festivals, having inspired spin-offs all over the country. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, specializing in everything from action figures to cosplay accessories, and panels by film and TV industry insiders within the fantasy and sci-fi genres.
July 22-26, https://www.comic-con.org/cci
Plan Your Trip
Now that you know which events are on your must-experience list, it’s time to start planning your visit. Start by checking out the exclusive offers at Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina.