Father’s Day is an oft forgotten sequel to Mother’s Day each year with its floral frenzies, endless buffets, and bottomless mimosas. Instead, it tends to be marred by novelty mugs, whiskey paraphernalia, and sometimes uninspired shaving kits. But this year, let’s change that.
Forget the half-hearted Amazon hauls and last-minute plans. Plan a memorable day for your dad, whether he prefers cracking open a cold one while watching the game or sipping wine at the theatre, San Diego offers plenty of activities to make this Father’s Day unforgettable.
Father’s Day Events in San Diego
Father’s Day Car Show at Belmont Park
Head to the free Father’s Day car show at Belmont Park this year to marvel at vintage rides like classy 1960s Camaros, sleek 1950s Bel Airs, and plenty of souped up lowriders. Got a hot rod worth showing off? Vintage car owners can display their chariot for $30 per vehicle. Afterwards take a stroll on the Mission Beach boardwalk, dodge SloMo as he glides with grace, and hit rides at Belmont Park—just like old times.
Address: 3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dad’s Jukebox Bingo at Punch Bowl Social
Watch out, Dad is in possession of the AUX cord for the day. Swing by Punch Bowl Social for a round of jukebox bingo full of British Invasion bands, ‘70s ballads, and Boomer rock sure to trigger one of your Dad’s Woodstock stories. Bingo winners will receive music-themed gifts and the whole fam will depart with a renewed sense of nostalgia and classic rock anthems stuck in their heads.
Address: 1485 E Street, Downtown
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Darryl Hall & Elvis Costello at Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater
Take your dad to see Darryl Hall with Elvis Costello, hold the Oates. The pair will be performing at the Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater on SDSU’s campus this Father’s Day. Sing and dance along to classic dad jams like “Maneater, “Honest Man,” and “Welcome to the Working Week.” Tickets start at $32.
Address: 5500 Campanile Dr, La Mesa
Time: 7 p.m.
Father’s Day Weekend at Sesame Place
Visit Elmo, Ernie, and the gang at Sesame Place in Chula Vista with the family this year. At this kid-friendly amusement park, guests can enjoy a special Father’s Day craft session, tune into a Father’s Day-themed storytime, and spend time exploring the park’s various attractions with a familiar cast of muppets.
Address: 2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista
Price: $75 per person and free for children under 35 months
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
33rd Annual Wooden Boat Festival
Man the deck and hop aboard one of San Diego’s finest wooden boats docked at Shelter Island. The 33rd Annual Wooden Boat Festival will be a great lesson in history and craftsmanship for you and your seafaring father. The festival also features live music, plenty of food vendors, activities for kids, and a raffle worth entering (no, unfortunately the prize isn’t a boat).
Time: June 15–16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 2302 Shelter Island Dr., Point Loma
Take Dad to the San Diego County Fair
Get wild this year at the San Diego County Fair. This year’s theme is “Let’s Get Retro,” and there will be plenty of ways to feel like you’re turning back the clock like jumping on the Tilt-a-Whirl or enjoying a massive cotton candy. This year’s festivities take place from June 12 to July 7. Buy your tickets in advance for a slight discount and plan your day of fun.
Price: $25 per adult ($20 in advance), $22 for seniors over 62 ($17 in advance), $22 for youth aged 6-12 ($17 in advance), and free for kids 5 and younger
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fat Ham at the Old Globe Theatre
Take your old man to the Old Globe this year and enjoy this creative retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The 2022 Pulitzer prize–winning and Tony-nominated play centers around a Southern cookout where the lead, Jucy, is visited by his father’s ghost demanding revenge for his murder. This wonderful theater production explores themes of identity, childhood, and queer upbringings in a hilariously witty performance. If only a ghost could motivate my Dad to hone his BBQing skills.
Price: Tickets starting at $39 per person
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
Time: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. showtimes
21st Annual Father’s Day Pow Wow by the Sea
Attend a Native American tradition bringing together the indigenous tribes of San Diego county on June 16. The cultural celebration will feature the driving rhythm of leatherbound drums, traditional dance in flowing attire, and songs passed down by local tribes. The event features crafts for kids, food vendors, and meaningful connection to the history of San Diego’s indigenous peoples.
Address: 10 Evergreen Ave, Imperial Beach
Time: Saturday May 15 and 16 from 6 p.m. to dusk
Harney Street Market in Old Town
Take a stroll with Dad down to Old Town this year and peruse the Harney Street Market. At this weekly gathering, you can purchase decadent work from local artists, pick-up a cup of Joe, and feast on authentic Mexican street food. Outside of the market, Old Town is the perfect place to spend a day with your history-buff dad walking through the site of the first European settlement in modern day California.
Address: 4010 Twiggs St, Old Town
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celeste Barber Father’s Day Comedy Show at Balboa Theatre
Laugh it off with Dad during a special stand-up comedy show this Father’s Day at the Balboa Theatre. Australian comic Celeste Barber hit the scene with her rise on social media poking fun at celebrity culture and unrealistic beauty standards. Today she stars in the Netflix show Wellmania and is touring the U.S. with her unique brand of satirical relatability.
Price: Starting at $26
Address: 868 Fourth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Time: 8 p.m.
Father’s Day Brunch Cruise Around San Diego Bay
Cruise the bay in style this year with an upscale take on seafaring in the San Diego Bay. This Father’s Day brunch offered by City Cruises features a chef-prepared buffet, bottomless mimosas, and picturesque views of the city skyline from the deck. Don’t miss the boat, reserve your seat today on a cruise the whole family can enjoy
Price: $100 per adult, $80 for kids (ages 4-12) and free for kids 3 and under
Address: 1800 North Harbor Drive, Downtown
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Carlsbad New Village Arts Theater on Father’s Day
If your Dad is a theater aficionado, take him to these two captivating productions at the Carlsbad New Village Arts Theater. The first show is a preview performance of the classic musical The Color Purple based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel. The second is a plunge into the imaginative world of White Space: A Song Prism where Korrie Yamaoka’s indie rock fantasy comes to life.
Price: The Color Purple – $36 | White Space: A Song Prism – $20
Address: 2787 State St, Carlsbad
Time: The Color Purple Preview Night at 2 p.m. | White Space: A Song Prism at 7:30 p.m.
A Father’s Day Improv Workshop at Bab & Friends Gift Shop
Let’s face it, your pops likely needs to cut it with the dad jokes and develop some new material. Go through the motions and work on your delivery with him at this improv workshop at Bab & Friends in Normal Heights. The workshop is hosted by Kaleidoscope Training Center and will work through ice breakers, breakout session games, and plenty of other ways to get your dad out of the box.
Price: Donations Accepted
Address: 3131 Adams Ave, Normal Heights
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Things to Do on Father’s Day in San Diego
Pedal Around Mission Bay with Dad
Whether you wear spandex race suits or rainbow sandals and a hoodie, Mission Bay is a biker’s paradise. Work on your time trials through 12 miles of smooth bayside paths or take in the sights with a tandem bike from Ray’s Rentals on Mission Blvd. Mission Bay is one of the most fun places in San Diego to explore on two wheels (or one if your dad rolls that way).
Father’s Day Fishing Charter Out of Shelter Island
Sure, you’re always up for a day on your dad’s old dingy, but sometimes you need a more upscale vessel for an angling excursion. This Father’s Day, take Dad on a fishing charter from H&M Landing for a chance to hook-up on a yellowtail, bonito, or rock fish. H&M offers two half-day charters departing from Shelter Island and cruising around the kelp beds of Point Loma this year.
Price: $80 per person
Address: 2803 Emerson St, Point Loma
Time: 6:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Catch the Padres vs. Mets at a Local Sports Bar
Take dad to a local sports bar to watch the Padres take on the New York Mets. There are plenty of great spots to watch the game, but our pick is Novo Brazil’s Mission Valley location. Opened in January of this year, Novo is the ultimate sports bar to cheer on the friars with their 100 feet of TV screens, spacious outdoor patio, and surround sound system to hear every crack of the bat.
Address: 1640 Camino Del Rio N suite 341, Mission Valley
Time: Padres vs Mets at 10:40 a.m.
Sail Through Mission Bay
Start practicing your nautical knots and tacking before you embark on a day of sailing at Mission Bay. Sailors can get behind the wheel of a 16-foot Catalina sailboat from Mission Bay Sports Center for $35 per hour. If your sailing skills aren’t up to par, consider an afternoon on paddleboards, kayaks or pedal boats and save on the dramamine.
Address: 1010 Santa Clara Pl., Mission Beach
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Barber Shop Shave with Dad
There’s nothing like a clean shave, so start the day with a couple for you and pops at Barber Craft in Cortez Hill. A classic straight razor shave starts at $35, tack on another $35 for a haircut and trim combo or opt for a hot lather head shave for our bald-headed brethren. Once you’re trimmed and feeling like a million bucks, walk down the hill to the Gaslamp Quarter to continue the festivities.
Address: 1633 Sixth Ave, Cortzel Hill
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Father’s Day Whiskey Tasting Flights
Take your Dad on a flavorful journey through samples of the best whiskey from across the globe at the Whiskey House this year. Order a flight of your choice sourced anywhere from the Scottish highlands to the casks of Japan. With over 2,460 unique varieties from around the globe, we think you and Dad will be quite busy this Father’s Day.
Address: 420 Third Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Cinema Club on Father’s Day
Get comfy for a Father’s Day movie marathon at the Rooftop Cinema Club downtown. The lineup for Father’s Day includes Finding Nemo at 12:45 p.m., Raiders of the Lost Ark at 3:45 p.m, Big Daddy at 6:30 p.m., and Goodfellas at 9:00 p.m. to wrap things up. Thinking about bringing in your own food? Forget about it and order popcorn, candy, or a cocktail from the bar instead.
Price: Starting at $19
Address: 4th Floor Sports Courts, 1 Market Pl Harbor Tower, Downtown
Take Dad to the Midway Museum
Whether your dad’s a veteran or not, the Midway Museum at Navy Pier is one of San Diego’s most impressive museums. This piece of history is home to more than 60 exhibits and 29 restored aircrafts, offering an inside look at life onboard one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers. For a small price, you can get your dad talking about the good old days of basic training and reminiscing about the time he was almost accepted into the Top Gun program.
Price: $32 for adults, $22 for kids (ages 4-12), and $22 for veterans (with ID)
Address: 910 N Harbor Dr, Downtown
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Father’s Day Guitar Shopping at Mark’s Guitar
Maybe it’s too late for Dad to buy a flying V like Hendrix used to play, but there’s always time to rediscover your dad’s love of music at a local guitar shop. Consider buying your dad’s first acoustic guitar at Mark’s or enroll in private lessons together to get him back into the swing of things. Nothing like jamming out with your dad, just ask Wolfgang Van Halen.
Address: 3233 Midway Dr, Sports Arena
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Father’s Day Beer Safari
The Scavengers Beer Tour Safari is easily the most fun you can have on six wheels this Father’s Day. Choose between a North County beer safari or a Tequila-based trek through downtown’s best bars. Hop aboard the Swiss Pinzgauer, with up to 12 of your closest friends or family members, and taste various libations while you’re escorted through the city (yes, you can drink in the vehicle).
Price: North County Beer Safari – $129 per person | Downtown Tequila Tour $149
Address: 241 14th St, Downtown
Time: North County Beer Safari – 12:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. | Downtown Tequila Tour – 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Father’s Day Pottery Wheel Experience at Mud Lily
Center some clay with your dad this year at Mud Lily ceramics studio on Adams Avenue. Regardless if you’re a complete beginner or vase-throwing wizard, the studio is offering an hour and a half Father’s Day workshop for beginners to learn the basics of wheel-throwing and fire a finished piece. Show some support and book yourself a spot at this one-time workshop to build some clay camaraderie between you two.
Price: $75 per person
Address: 2888 Adams Ave, Normal Heights
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Mountain Biking with Dad in Mount Laguna
Nothing beats spending some quality outdoors time with Dad on Father’s Day. This year, head 30-minutes east of downtown San Diego to the Sunset Highway, a gorgeous destination full of mountain biking trails and outdoor bliss. The Meadow Loop at Mount Laguna is the perfect places to take in nature and get the wind in your hair while you pedal through winding trails. End your day outside with s’mores by the campfire, a visit to the Laguna observatory, or stargazing by Lake Cuyamaca.
Address: Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna
Father’s Day Tee Time at Torrey Pines
The most iconic way to spend a Father’s Day in San Diego is a tee time at Torrey Pines. Typically the most sought after golf outing in the city, a day at the South course will definitely leave a lasting memory and potentially add a few strokes to your handicap. Hit the 19th hole at A.R. Valentien at The Lodge to review the scorecard and toast to your Dad for shooting a course record 62 (minus a handful of unrecorded mulligans).
Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla
Take Dad on a Safari
Give your dad a break from his public park bird-watching endeavors, and treat him to a day at the San Diego Safari Park. The out-of-this world park is home to more than 3,000 animals across the spacious 1,800-acre facility. Level up your visit with a Wildlife Safari tours, starting at $92, for an up-close and personal experience with wildlife aboard an open air safari truck. The adventure offers ample opportunities for creature-themed dad jokes (see the above improv workshop), but I would be lion if I said I didn’t appreciate them.
Price: $92 per person and free for kids under 3
Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Surf Old Man’s With Your Old Man
Take your dad for a nostalgic longboard session at Tourmaline Surf Park, where he can relive his ‘70s dawn patrol days. Before heading out, check the conditions by calling the San Diego Lifeguard surf report at 619-221-8824. Arrive at daybreak to avoid the crowds (and kooks) to score some quality wave time together.
Address: Parking lot, 601-651 Tourmaline St, Pacific Beach
Father’s Day Treatment at Spa Pendry
Who said a spa day is only for Mother’s Day? Give your pops the royal treatment with a day of relaxation at Spa Pendry in the heart of the Gaslamp. Reserve your spot for a hydrafacial, a renewing body scrub or their Urban Green Coffee & Lime Detox paired with a green tea detoxifying mud to offset your Dad’s non-existent skincare routine. Any Father’s Day booking of 90 minutes or more gets Dad a complimentary Pendry IPA and HyperVolt massage gun.
Address: 550 J St, Gaslamp Quarter
Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kayak with Dad at La Jolla Cove
Your dad has always kept you afloat, so show your appreciation with an outdoor adventure at La Jolla Cove. Rent kayaks from La Jolla Kayak on Avenida De La Playa, starting at $35 or join their guided kayak and snorkel tours for a more immersive experience for $104 per single kayak or $154 for a tandem. As you explore the depths, you’ll have the chance to spot leopard sharks, seals, sea lions, garibaldis, eels, yellowfin tuna, and sea turtles.
Address: 2199 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla
