10 Things to Do to Beat the Heat in San Diego

The 2022 Labor Day heat wave is here!  With temperatures expected to reach into the mid-90s at the beach (and into the 100s inland), San Diegans are bracing for the heat!  To make the most of the scorching temperatures, I put together my 10 favorite activities to beat the heat (hint: there’s a lot of water involved).

1. Head to a Museum - The Museums in San Diego are second to none, especially because they have AC!   My two favorite museums are the Ruben H Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and the New Childrens’ Museum in Downtown San Diego.  The Fleet has hours worth of activities for adults and kids alike and even has a toddler/kids area upstairs that your littles will LOVE.  When you’re at the Fleet, don’t forget to check out their IMAX movie “Superpower Dogs” - a movie I have seen multiple times and I am always inspired by!  If you head to the New Children’s Museum, they have rotating exhibits that accompany their staples: a car for kids to paint (yes a real car), and a HUGE “tree house” jungle gym.  You truly can’t go wrong!

2. Living Coast Discovery Center - I think the Living Coast Discovery Center is one of San Diego’s best kept secrets!  Avoid the crowds at Sea World and get up close and personal with sea life.  My favorite experience is visiting the Turtle Lagoon, which is right at the front gates, where you are greeted by their endangered Loggerhead sea turtles.  Once you head inside there are multiple aquariums and tide pools.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even touch the rays!  

3. Head to a Splash Pad: What better way to cool off than letting your kids (and yourself!) run around in a splash pad!  No need to remember to bring the floaties, just a bathing suit, a change of clothes, and sunscreen!  The newest splash pad in San Diego is at the San Diego Zoo.  It is a spectacular experience!  Poppy (my 3 year old) can spend HOURS there, and talks about it for days to follow.  If you don’t have a zoo pass, check out one of San Diego’s best public parks at the Waterfront Park at the County Building -  located on the westerly side of Little Italy and just north of Columbia. For your convenience there are public restrooms, a concession stand, and a huge park for you to enjoy.  When you’re done, cross the street and walk along the Embarcadero down to Carnitas Crack Shack for a tasty lunch!

4. Go Ice Skating: If you REALLY want to beat the heat, check out one of San Diego’s year-round ice skating rinks!  There are 3 (that I know of) that operate year round in San Diego: UTC mall near La Jolla, the Kroc center near SDSU, and the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa.

5. Grab Some Ice Cream - I am obviously partial to Coronado, but in my opinion, there is no better spot for ice cream than the original Moo Time Creamery on Orange Ave.  Whether you get one of their HUGE sundaes or opt for a mini moo with a mix-in, remember - their portions are WAY bigger than you will expect.   While you’re there, head next door and check out their brand new sister restaurant the Islander (located in the former Leroy’s location).  Their cocktails are excellent and the space has a fun island vibe.

6. Get on the Bay - Everyone with a boat will surely be on the water this weekend, but if you aren’t one of the lucky ones (like my family) who has their own boat, consider renting water toys or chartering a sailboat.  Not only is it a great way to cool down, but taking a boat under the bridge and out towards the ocean is a truly magical experience.  A few of my favorite local water toy/boat rental companies are: Seaforth in Coronado (great for smaller boats/jet skis), Sail San Diego out of Point Loma, and my all-time favorite splurge, the Aolani Catamaran https://aolani.cc/. 

7. Head to a movie - If you want to zone out and unwind, consider checking out a movie!  In fact, this Saturday, September 3, 2022 is Nationwide Cinema Day where participating theaters are offering ALL of their movies for $3/ticket!   We don’t make it to the movies very often (thanks to our miniature humans) but when we do, we LOVE going to Village Theater on Orange or The Lot in Liberty Station.

8. Birch Aquarium - In San Diego we are lucky to have so many choices when it comes to seeing wildlife.  The Birch Aquarium is a Nationally recognized research center that invites the public to visit and learn about what the world-renowned Scripps Institute is all about.  Located just above the Scripps Pier in La Jolla, the Birch Aquarium is not to be missed.

9. Head to a pool - Sometimes, the only way to beat the heat is to jump in head first into the water.  With public pools and YMCAs scattered throughout San Diego, you have endless options for cooling off.  A few pools that we enjoy are: Coronado Municipal Pool, Bud Kearns Memorial Pool in North Park, and both the Copley Price YMCA pool in City Heights and Mission Valley YMCA pool.

10. Grab an umbrella and hit the beach - If none of the above sound enticing, join the rest of San Diego at the beach!  Coronado’s center beach offers volleyball, TONS of sand for games and sandcastle building, and small waves that make it fun for the little ones.  Check out the water temperature and surf height here (spoiler alert: the ocean is 72 degrees right now!!) and don’t forget to always do the stingray shuffle!

Whether you avoid the heat or embrace it, I hope you have a phenomenal Labor Day weekend spent with those who fill you up!