Summer Activities for All

Article and photos by Krysta Murray

So many places are open again and there is so much to see and do in our sunny corner of the world. There are more activities than I can include in this article but I narrowed it down to affordable options, one day events close by, bonus if they have outdoor spaces to enjoy the warm weather. But also included are some cool and shady spots to beat the heat on hotter days. For those of you unaware, summer weather here lasts until October so even though many children head back to school soon, these could be great weekend activities, too.

I have to start with our very own Coronado, because really there are some days you don’t even need to leave. Coronado Beach made the 2021 top 10 beaches in America list placing at No. 8 on this year’s list! Backdropped by the iconic Hotel del Coronado, the sand literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica present along the shoreline. It glitters as it washes ashore! You can surf the waves, explore the tide pools at low tide, or rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and see the sights from the water. Have a picnic at one of the many beautiful parks throughout the city and then take a bike ride along the Bayshore Bikeway. The Silver Strand Bikeway is an out and back (unless you just want to head into Imperial Beach) with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the San Diego Bay on the other and offers excellent view points, especially looking north at Coronado, downtown San Diego, and the Coronado Bridge. If you go far enough you’ll reach the National Wildlife Refuge, great for spotting egrets, blue herons, and a myriad of shore birds. You may also spot the jackrabbits at the Silver Strand State Park. A 6-mile bike path that takes you all around the island will offer up-close views of and under the Coronado Bridge, picturesque views across the bay and around the scenic, tree-lined Coronado Golf Course. Many maps are available to plan your route and soak in this beautiful city.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego. It features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. There are two main sides of the indoor portion as well as outdoor exhibits. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, these outdoor exhibits offer stunning views of the La Jolla Cove. The waters surrounding this inlet are part of the La Jolla Underwater Park, which includes the Ecological Reserve with ample wildlife, many of which you’ll learn about at the aquarium. Afterwards, you can head down to the cove and see the sea lions sunning on the rocky shores or catch a breathtaking sunset. Military deal: Birch Aquarium offers a $2 ticket discount off admission to all active, reserve, retired service persons and veterans.

We have a national park nearby! This national park tells the story of 16th century exploration and preserves the Old Point Loma Lighthouse which was opened in 1855. The 49-foot lighthouse is done in a Cape-Cod style and welcomes visitors to climb to the top for stunning views and an up-close look at a lighthouse lamp. A former army building, a bunker really, set up just as it would have been in the first half of the 20th century, helps to tell the story of the coast artillery on Point Loma. On the west side of the park is a small but beautiful stretch of rocky-intertidal coastline and protected tide pools with peaceful hiking trails. Panoramic views of the city, harbor, and ocean can be seen from almost every side at 422 ft above sea level. Summer extended hours have the park open until sunset on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 5. The tidepool area will be open until 30 minutes before sunset. Military Deal: Free annual National Park pass available for current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members, US military veterans, and Gold Star Family members.

I’ve been in the area for three years and have yet to see every museum or corner of this park but I hope to do so before I move. A one-stop shop for culture, art and nature, you can’t see it all in one day, but you’ll have a fun-filled day taking in as much as you can. There are gorgeous walking trails lined with all sorts of native plants, wildlife and flowers. The architecture is stunning and the world-renowned Japanese Friendship garden is like a secret oasis in a bustling city. There are museums and an array of attractions for everyone to enjoy as well as events year-round. In the heart of San Diego, atop of a hill this 1,200-acre historic urban cultural park is a must-see. Military Deal: They generously offer military deals throughout the year, but for military families new to the area, you can apply for the Military Appreciation Pass (MAP) which provides family passes to active duty military families living in San Diego County. The 16 participating cultural institutions graciously provide free admission to pass recipients. The supply of passes is limited each year.

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