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Healthy, lustrous curly hair starts with having an adequate shampoo
Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Curly Hair
Everyone wants curly hair, until they learn how difficult it is to maintain curly hair textures. Curly hair can feel like a burden with all of the upkeep that needs to be done to upkeep it. However, with the right hair care products maintaining curly hair can be a simple task. Healthy, lustrous curly hair starts with having an adequate shampoo.
The best shampoo for curly hair comes down to the ingredients inside. Unrefined ingredients are going to be the best for maintaining curly hair. It’s not smart to introduce harsh ingredients to your hair and scalp, instead use shampoos that only contain organic, beneficial ingredients. Go one step further and only use sulfate-free shampoo for your curly hair.
Sulfate-free shampoo is perfect for curly hair, and there’s a shampoo for every budget range. Make your curly hair easily manageable on a daily basis with these 19 sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair.
100% vegan, unisex, and formulated with all-natural ingredients to benefit your curly hair, Blu Atlas Shampoo is #1 on our list for a reason. Aloe vera gives curly hair all of the nourishment it needs to stay healthy, and jojoba oil provides necessary vitamins for your curly hair along to give a definitive shine.
If you’re someone who likes their shampoo bottles to be simple without any bold colors or small font, look no further. This bottle is white and has easy-to-read instructions that you don’t have to squint to read.
With over 200 raving 5-star reviews, Blu Atlas Shampoo isn’t one you should skip over, especially with its hair strengthening and moisturizing power. This all-natural shampoo is best used daily to keep your curly hair in tip top shape. See what we mean and try out Blu Atlas Shampoo for yourself.
Finding the perfect shampoo shouldn’t have to be headache inducing work, that’s why It’s a 10 Miracle Moisture Daily Shampoo makes choosing the right shampoo easy. This moisturizing shampoo contains a total of ten intensely effective, natural ingredients to make maintaining that curly head of hair a straightforward and effortless process for you.
Some of these natural ingredients include Vitamin C to rejuvenate your hair follicles, ginger to relieve stress from hair and scalp, tahitian noni oil to give an irrefutable shine, and more. Let this moisturizing daily shampoo be your new best friend when it’s time to wash your hair. You’ll actually want to wash your hair for once.
Specifically designed to help hair with curly textures, Herbal Essences Mango + Potent Aloe Sulfate Free Shampoo for Curly Hair makes hair undeniably healthy, strong, and shiny. This sulfate-free shampoo makes your curls stand out with its moisturizing formula.
Dermatologist-tested to be gentle on hair and scalp for daily use, and filled with delicious, heavenly scents, this moisturizing shampoo for curly promises to make your curls the best they ever looked. Besides being sulfate-free, this shampoo is also colorant-free, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.
Shampoo for curly hair doesn’t get any better than Public Goods Vegan Shampoo. Light fragrances of earthy herbs, delicious grapefruit and yummy mandarin fill your nose every time you use this shampoo. Public Goods makes it clear what’s inside of their products, a good hallmark of high-quality products like this shampoo.
Inside of their gentle, vegan shampoo is sulfate-free, paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, as well as free of any synthetic fragrance. Don’t expect this vegan shampoo to dry out your hair because you’ll be left with bouncy, healthy curls after adding this to your hair care routine.
No matter your curl type, Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo cleans your curly hair without removing any of your hair’s oils. This natural, sulfate-free shampoo is also fantastic for making detangling curls easier, making it one of the best shampoos for curly hair.
Get soft, moisturized hair by making this your next favorite shampoo. If your curls are prone to being horribly tangled and dry, this natural shampoo will be your best bet for managing and rejuvenating those pesky curls. For best results, be sure to use the Natural Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner.
For colored hair, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo offers color protection for those with curly hair who like to have color in their life. This moisturizing shampoo provides deep, nourishing hydration to curly hair starting at the scalp and helps maintain the color in your hair for up to 4 weeks, so you can enjoy your color-treated hair for as long as possible.
Gentle enough to use daily on color-treated hair, there’s no way to be disappointed after trying this moisturizing shampoo out on curly hair. Vegan, sulfate-free with no harsh salts, curly hair gets the best, natural cleanse every time you wash your hair.
Keep your curls in their healthiest state with Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Fortifying Shampoo. This nourishing shampoo was purely designed for everyone with curly hair and gives you a full 48-hour hydrating nourishment for those curls.
Catering to all curly types, ingredients like coconut oil and elasto-protein provide the ultimate, enviable curls from the first wash. Turn dry, frizzy curls into hydrated, smooth curls by adding this curl nourishing shampoo to your daily shower routine.
Rahua Classic Shampoo holds the key to having the most glossy, springy curls. This organic shampoo is a winner for providing hair with all of the nourishment needed, which makes this a must-try for those who need to breathe life back into their curly hair.
This nourishing shampoo is made with some of the rarest ingredients that are ready to refresh your hair and scalp. Quinoa helps lock in moisture, coconut betaines removes impurities lingering, rahua oil to strengthen hair follicles, and much more beneficial ingredients. As a cult favorite and winner of Elle International Beauty Awards 2020, Rahua Classic Shampoo is top-rated and highly effective at curly hair management.
Tired of all the generic shampoos that do nothing for your curly hair? Native Coconut and Vanilla Moisturizing Shampoo brings sexy back to everyone riddled with curly hair textures. If you prefer to have a sweet-smelling shampoo that deeply cleans your hair without drying it out, this moisturizing shampoo comes in handy.
Filled with 10 clean, hydrating ingredients, this shampoo doesn’t let anyone leave the house having a bad hair day. Sulfate-free, cruelty-free, silicone-free, dye-free, you can be assured you’re getting the best natural shampoo for daily maintenance of curly hair.
Give your hair the best sulfate-free shampoo on the market, aka Love Beauty and Planet Vegan Biotin & Sun-Kissed Mandarin Shampoo. This delicious smelling shampoo is vegan and formulated with biotin, proven to help revive dry and drab hair. This biotin shampoo’s vegan formula is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, and dyes making it a safe choice to use daily.
Your hair and scalp will love it when you start using this vegan shampoo that uses coconut oil, biotin, and the wonderful scent of sun-kissed mandarin. Gentle enough to use on color-treated hair, and made with a 100% recyclable bottle, there’s no way to go wrong with this biotin shampoo.
All natural and completely free of harsh, artificial ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and mineral oil, Tgin Moisture Rich Sulfate-Free Shampoo is an affordable shampoo for everyone with curly hair. By using amla oil to remove excess oil and dirt from your hair and coconut oil to provide nourishment to the scalp, this moisturizing shampoo does exactly what it says.
Pro Vitamin B5 helps to prevent breakage and provides the moisturizing effects that this natural shampoo gives. After this shampoo becomes a part of your hair washing routine, there’s no turning back. Use this gentle, moisturizing shampoo to enhance and define your curly hair.
Frizzy hair making you wear a hat every day? Toss the hats in the trash, and buy Living Proof Frizz Shampoo so you can live life with good hair days. This anti-frizz shampoo smooths out your hair cuticles, leaving you with smooth, healthy curls.
In order to give those smooth curls, this vegan shampoo is formulated with their patented Healthy Hair Molecule technology that makes frizzy hair a part of the past. Lightly scented, highly effective, and restorative, Living Proof Frizz Shampoo makes you want to show off your hair to everyone.
No two people have the same hair, therefore Prose Custom Shampoo is perfect for everyone currently reading this list. To get a customized sulfate-free shampoo, all you have to do is take a quick, easy quiz on their official website. Upon completion of the quiz, you’ll get a sulfate-free shampoo made just for you.
The customization feature of this shampoo makes this one of the best-sulfate free shampoos for curly hair of 2023. Take the quiz, buy your customized shampoo, and watch how amazing your curls look afterwards. Whatever your hair goal is, this personalized, sulfate-free shampoo is here to help you accomplish them.
Treating dry, curly hair begins with SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo. Made with raw shea butter and specifically for those with African-American curly hair texture, this moisturizing shampoo makes curls how they should be – healthy.
Restoring dry, brittle hair with this moisturizing shampoo will be the best thing you do for your hair this year since it delivers 3X more moisture than its competitors. For a cleansing, hydrating shampoo experience every time, choose SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo.
Having the healthiest curly hair is as easy as purchasing Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo. If your curls are in dire need of a boost, this cost-effective, strengthening shampoo aims to gently cleanse and rejuvenate hair.
Nourish curls with ingredients like biotin, coconut oil, and babassu seed oil that refreshes even the most brittle of hair. Due to the main ingredient of rosemary mint, expect to feel a slight tingling sensation as you wash your hair. Not only does this smell phenomenal, but this makes your hair and scalp feel brand new.
R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo gives your commercial-worthy hair that makes it seem as if you just walked off set from shooting a TV show. Highly rated, vegan, sulfate-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, don’t hesitate buying this shampoo for healthy, lustrous hair.
Inside of every bottle that’s made from recyclable materials, unrefined ingredients like glycerin, juniper berry extract, and babassu seed oil which aim to give you beautiful hair like your favorite actress or actor has. This shampoo is safe to use daily on all hair types and textures. Make sure to match with R+Co Television Perfect Hair Conditioner for optimal results.
Nourish those precious curls by adding OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo to your daily hair care routine. Well-regarded and affordable, this nourishing shampoo uses the super beneficial coconut oil to give curly hair the moisture it needs to be springy.
Also filled with egg white proteins to smooth out any frizz that’s been causing you trouble, this shampoo promises to make taking care of curly hair a breeze. Looking for a nourishing shampoo that won’t burn a whole in your wallet? Try out OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo.
Buying Kristen Ess The One Signature Shampoo means investing in the health of your curly hair. After every wash, this hydrating shampoo leaves your hair undeniably clean, shiny, and healthy. Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free, the formula is safe to use on color-treated hair and gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
This hydrating, vegan shampoo is for women and men, and uses avocado oil, castor seed oil, and sunflower seed oil to achieve a deep, nourishing cleanse for curly hair. With all of those beneficial ingredients, maintaining curly hair has never been more fun.
Keeping up with curls is simple after purchasing one of the most popular sulfate-free shampoos of 2023, Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo. The key ingredient, oat milk, is used to soothe the hair and scalp from any distress, and strengthen hair follicles.
In order to get the best moisturized, healthy hair, we highly recommend this one of a kind shampoo for curly hair. Also one of the most affordable options on this list, we highly recommend this sulfate-free shampoo to transform curly hair from dry and lackluster to healthy and radiant.
Sulfate-free shampoo is the best option for curly hair because sulfate-free shampoo is able to cleanse hair without removing any natural oils. Most shampoos that contain sulfate will end up making hair excessively dry due to stripping of the hair’s oils.
Choosing sulfate-free shampoo ensures that your hair’s natural oils are kept intact. Sulfate-free shampoo is also perfect for those struggling with curly, frizzy hair.
Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one type of curly hair. There’s a wide array of different curl types and patterns.
For example, the different curl types are:
Wavy
Loose
Tight
Coily
Chances are, you probably know what your curl pattern is. Our 19 best sulfate-free shampoos will help your hair no matter what type of curl pattern you have.
Properly maintaining curly hair is much simpler than it seems. As aforementioned, having the right hair products make keeping up with curly hair way easier, but you may be wondering what other tips there are to help take care of those curls.
Common tips and tricks for everyone with curly hair are:
Schedule a trim regularly to prevent any split ends.
Avoid using brushing curly hair as that makes curly hair puffy.
Pick out your shampoo and conditioner carefully, do your research and sample different products. Moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo is best.
Comb your hair from the bottom up.
Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb while in the shower.
Don’t over shampoo your hair.
Opt to air-dry instead of blow dry whenever you have ample time.
Make sure to apply any other hair styling products soon after washing.
If you must use heat on your hair, use the least amount of heat possible.
Compliments more than double when you apply these tips and tricks for curly hair to your daily hair care routine. Curly hair doesn’t have to be a burden on your shoulders.
Brushes are not a good idea for anyone with curly hair. Brushes will only make curly hair puffy, which is the last thing most people with curly hair want. It doesn’t matter what kind of brush it is, brushes are not your best friend with curly hair textures.
We highly suggest using a wide-toothed comb to control and detangle curly hair properly. Avoid using any brushes at all costs if you would like to prevent puffy, frizzy hair that requires a hat.
Leave-in conditioner is going to be your best bet against preventing and controlling frizzy, curly hair. Frizzy hair can happen due to weather changes, or it can just be an everyday occurrence.
By applying leave-in conditioner to your hair before leaving the house, you’ll have anti-frizz protection all day long. The moisture from the leave-in conditioner prevents your hair from becoming frizzy and hard to manage.
Find a leave-in conditioner that is designed to help lock in all the moisture that’s needed and provide long-lasting, anti-frizz capabilities.
Sometimes curly hair seems to only look good when it’s wet. So, the question is how do you make it look good wet and dry?
The reason why curly hair looks better when wet is due to the moisture. Moisture makes curls more defined and bouncy, that’s where having a good regular or leave-in conditioner comes in.
A good conditioner makes your hair look amazing even after it dries because your hair retains moisture. Dry, curly hair isn’t cute, but healthy, moisturized curly hair always is.
Using a brush to detangle your curly hair will be a huge mistake. Instead, detangle curly hair by using a wide-toothed comb, and products specifically meant to detangle hair. There are plenty of detangling products meant for all hair types, but there are products meant for detangling curly hair.
It’s best to attempt to detangle curly hair after you finish washing your hair in the shower. After washing, apply a detangling leave-in conditioner and comb your hair from the bottom up, gently working out any knots you find.
If the shampoo and conditioner you’ve purchased already has detangling qualities, simply comb your hair after you’re done washing.
What harsh ingredients do I avoid with curly hair?
There are actually a good amount of ingredients you need to actively avoid in all hair care products. These harsh ingredients are:
Alcohol
Sulfates
Parabens
Formaldehyde
Silicones
Leave-in conditioner can do wonders for curly hair, especially if you’re prone to having extremely frizzy hair. Most leave-in conditioners are deeply moisturizing, and smooth out rough hair cuticles.
Applying a leave-in conditioner before going out in humid weather or on a daily basis can help control any unwanted, annoying frizz.
There’s nothing different that needs to be done in order to wash curly hair correctly. Curly hair can be washed like normal, by massaging the shampoo and conditioner into your hair and scalp, then rinsing it off.
However, there is a correct way to blow dry curly hair. Blow drying curly hair incorrectly can cause the puffiest hair you’ve ever seen. To blow dry curly hair correctly, it’s smart to make sure you have a diffuser attachment to your blow dryer.
Adding a diffuser attachment helps divide up the heat and air flow so that your hair isn’t blown everywhere, which causes extensively puffy hair. When you’re getting ready for the day/night, puffy hair is the last stressor you need. Get a diffuser attachment for your blow dryer and there’s no need to worry about getting puffy hair after blow drying.
There’s no hard and set schedule for how often to wash curly hair. How often you’d like to wash your hair is based on personal preferences, what your daily schedule is like, how quickly your hair dries, and so on.
Keep in mind, curly hair tends to dry out pretty fast when shampooed too often. That being said it’s a good idea to keep the amount of times curly hair is washed to a minimum, aiming for 2-3 times a week at least.
Protecting your curly hair while you’re asleep is as simple as using silk pillowcases. Silk pillowcases are very beneficial to those with curly hair because silk retains your unique curl pattern and won’t soak up the moisture from your hair like cotton pillowcases do.
Preserve your curly hair and buy silk pillowcases to help maintain your curl pattern and lock in your hair’s moisture while you snooze away in dreamland.
We get it, you want to know which sulfate-free shampoos have the highest rated. These shampoos below have an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher:
Blu Atlas Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo
Living Proof Frizz Shampoo
It’s a 10 Miracle Moisture Daily Shampoo
For those not looking to fork over $30 for a shampoo, these budget-friendly sulfate-free shampoos are your best options:
Blu Atlas Shampoo
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo
Love Beauty and Planet Vegan Biotin & Sun-Kissed Mandarin Shampoo
Herbal Essences Mango + Potent Aloe Sulfate Free Shampoo for Curly Hair
Having curly hair should be fun, and easy to manage instead of being a stress-inducing task. Now that you know the right products to use and the proper way to manage those curls, it should be the easiest task you complete all week.
When people compliment how curly your hair is, you can now smile with gratitude knowing that you know how to take care of your hair without dreading it. Who knew it was possible not to hate having curly hair?
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
La Gran Terraza, the University of San Diego’s signature restaurant, has been a campus favorite for over 16 years, offering California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. This summer, its gastropub, O’Toole’s, is open for evening service —perfect for sunset bites and drinks.
At the helm is chef Marbi Becerra, a Culinary Institute of America alum with roots in the US and Mexico. She now leads culinary operations for La Gran Terraza and USD Catering, bringing bold Mediterranean flavors and a fresh perspective.
Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110
619-849-8205 | lagranterraza.com | @eatatusd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Labora Café offers so much more than premium ceremonial-grade matcha; it’s a lifestyle café where people come to feel more energized, inspired, and connected to their community. Labora partners with retailers and lifestyle brands, from local Pilates instructors to Neiman Marcus, so there’s always something new to learn about or browse when you’re here. As for the drinks, whether you’re thinking matcha or Vietnamese coffee with a specialty house-made foam on top, expect a natural pick-me-up, without extra sugars or syrups.
Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha
8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111
858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Happy Medium lives in the sweet spot: not too fancy, not too gritty. Think dive bar soul with cocktail bar standards. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a beer and a shot, a fancy cocktail, plus a killer spirits list. The menu includes all the best bar classics along with elevated plates. Some would call it a “happy medium.” With your favorite B-side tracks always playing in the background, Happy Medium is the ultimate neighborhood hangout spot.
Lava Flowgroni: Pineapple gin layered with strawberry Campari, banana vermouth and coconut, served over crushed party ice.
4002 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104
619-310-5642 | happymediumsd.com
