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A summer of celebrations in San Diego
San Diego rolls into summer 2024 with a comprehensive lineup of milestone celebrations.
More than 20 San Diego landmarks, attractions, events, art venues and parades are planning key anniversary festivities.
“This year, San Diego has an array of celebratory experiences for every type of traveler,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority.
San Diego’s major milestones this year range from 5 to 150 years of operation, including:
5th Anniversaries
The San Diego Seals, a professional box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League, the enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in franchise history in 2023-24, winning a team record-tying 14 games (including playoffs), and reaching the NLL Playoff Semifinals for just the second time.
La Jolla Music Society’s The Conrad
Opened in 2019, the award-winning Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, known as The Conrad, has quickly established itself as one of San Diego’s premier performing arts venues, and its Baker-Baum Concert Hall as one of the very best concert halls.
Cesarina Restaurant (Michelin Bib Gourmand) by Cesarina Mezzoni
Opened in February 2019, the restaurant located in Point Loma honors the Italian with a lineup of daily fresh pastas, regional Italian entrées, plentiful vegan options and a tableside dessert program inspired by the ‘everything made in house’ credo.
10th
The Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant honors a decade of culinary innovation in the San Diego community. During August, the eatery will feature a constantly-rotating, $80 4-course prix-fixe menu; featuring a curated assortment of San Diego’s hyper-local ingredients.
The Studio Door proudly announces its 10th Anniversary Exhibition, commemorating a decade of art in San Diego. Until May 29, the gallery will showcase the work of 10 artists representing the past, present and future. Founder Patric Stillman is a member of the San Diego Tourism Authority’s 2024 Tourism Accelerator.
15th
The casual Italian American neighborhood kitchen and wine shop, CUCINA Urbana, has been a staple in San Diego’s dining scene since opening in 2009. Led by founder Tracy Borkum, it continues to gain honors for its distinct California “farm-to-table” flair, highlighted by Chef Joe Magnanelli’s seasonal dishes.
20th
Petco Park – America’s #1 Ballpark
In conjunction with Petco Park’s 20th Anniversary, the San Diego Padres completed a major renovation of Gallagher Square to better serve baseball, concerts and the community. Highlights include an improved playground, a fenced dog park, upgraded sports facilities, temporary Pickleball courts, public art displays, and leveled lawn seating. Amphitheater-style seating enhances the view of concerts at Gallagher Square.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Named winner in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice contest for “Best Wine Festival,” the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is held every November, putting the national and international spotlight on the city of San Diego and its local chefs, farmers, fisherman, winemakers, and producers.
Since opening on June 7, 2004, the USS Midway Museum has become the most popular and visited naval ship museum in the world, attracting more than 20 million visitors. Proudly known as America’s Living Symbol of Freedom, the museum is commemorating its anniversary with the most complex exhibit in its two-decade history. The “Midway Engineers – Service, Sacrifice and Everyday Life” exhibit is an immersive experience focused on the aircraft carrier’s engineering department.
In April, the luxury hotel underwent a $26 million property-wide renovation and redevelopment, featuring historic touches blended with modern design, with elevated guest rooms and suites, a new lobby and pool complex and upgraded meeting spaces.
25th
In March, the north coast theme park opened an all-new Dino Valley in honor of its 25th birthday introducing a prehistoric land with three rides, two new costume characters, and a build and play station. It just debuted the LEGO World Parade, featuring a dazzling array of LEGO-themed floats and an exciting cast of costumed characters, along with over 50 entertainers.
35th
San Diego’s longest-operating brewing company will have a slate of events and promotions spread across the calendar year, including the release of its seasonal Oktoberfest beer for a 35th year in a row.
The 2.6-million-square-foot facility, located along the waterfront in downtown San Diego, steps from the bustling Gaslamp District, was recognized by the Wall Street Journal last year as the fourth best convention center in U.S. The Convention Center is slated to be the site of 100 meetings and conventions in fiscal year 2024.
40th
To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the three-tiered ocean-view establishment will host a series in which several of its former cooks, who have become successful chefs, will present special tasting menus throughout the year.
50th
Held in July, San Diego’s Pride Parade is the largest single-day civic event in the region and is among the largest Prides in the US, attracting over 300,000 supporters of the LGBTQ community.
55th
The premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more, will be held July 25 – 28, 2024. Attendees can enjoy unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.
60th
SeaWorld San Diego invites guests to experience the world of jellyfish in a new and interactive way with the debut of Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience. Starting this summer visitors can see striking habitats, from one of the largest jelly cylinders in the country to an iconic walk-through arch and a giant viewing wall.
The San Diego Opera, one of San Diego’s preeminent cultural organizations, announced the lineup for its landmark 60th anniversary season. For six decades, San Diego Opera has brought exceptional productions to the community and the 2024-25 season is no different.
70th
San Diego’s official tourism marketing organization is responsible for promoting the region as the preferred vacation and meeting destination. In 2023, San Diego’s bustling tourism industry achieved economic growth with a total economic impact of $22 billion.
99th
A timeless icon of San Diego, Belmont Park has served as a beachfront entertainment and gathering place since its establishment in 1925, featuring the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and the Plunge Pool. Next year, Belmont Park will celebrate its Centennial Celebration, marking a century of nostalgic amusement park experiences, dining and oceanfront views.
100th
In March, the cherished hub for music, dance, and comedy in the heart of the city celebrated its anniversary filled with special events.
110th
Maritime Museum – San Diego Harbor Pilot Boat
The San Diego Harbort Pilot Boat is the oldest active pilot boat in the country.
150th
San Diego Museum of Natural History (The Nat)
The Nat is pulling out all the stops for a summer to remember for nature lovers. Featuring brand-new exhibits and films, special programs and activities, and extended hours, The Nat has something for everyone.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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