Have you been searching for amazing things to do in San Diego at night? Read ahead for a few unforgettable suggestions that you’ll LOVE!
If you’ve been on the hunt for things to do in San Diego at night, then we’ve got you covered.
We’ve compiled a bumper list of things to do whent he sun goes down, that’ll suit everyone from solo travelers to loved-up couples.
From ghost tours and concerts to nighttime dives and drive-in movies, there’s truly something on this list for everyone.
And to make things even more appealing, we’ve made sure to include a range of activities for different budgets (including several free activities – hooray!).
Visit Balboa Park
If you’re looking for things to do in San Diego in the evening you can’t do better than Balboa Park.
You can either check out the stunning gardens, pull out a late-night picnic, or simply spend time exploring the Renaissance architecture around sunset.
It’s often open after hours (including the museum!).
Go on a Ghost Tour
Next on our list of things to do in San Diego at night, it’s a spooky Ghost Tour!
You might not know about San Diego’s supernatural side, but a wonderful tour takes you around the Old Town’s haunted buildings.
The Ghosts & Graveyards Trolley Tour takes you around 11 points of historical interest. And it’s hop-on-hop-off, giving you the chance to leave whenever you please. Just try not to get too spooked at the El Campo Santo Cemetery!
You can click here to book your tickets!
Eat at the Little Italy Food Hall
Next on my list, it’s visiting Little Italy’s Food Hall.
If you love dining out, but always want to try a little bit of everything, then the Little Italy Food Hall is a fantastic choice.
Little Italy Food Hall is located at the Piazza della Famiglia, and it’s such a wonderful place to enjoy lots of local food vendors, all in one place. It’s a hub for San Diego’s diverse dining scene, and we love it.
Visit a board game cafe
Next up on our list of things to do in San Diego in the evening it’s visiting Off The Shelf Games, a board game cafe and tabletop lounge.
This is a really cute and quirky choice, and it’s open until 10pm most night (but 11pm on Saturdays). A daily pass is only $5 per person, which is a bargain!
This is an awesome way to have some wholesome fun, and it’s a perfect activity for a first date or big friend groups! We love it!
Read more about San Diego: Top 20 best restaurants in San Diego with a view!
Watch the San Diego Symphony
No list of the best things to do in San Diego at night would be complete without a trip to the San Diego Symphony!
This is among the top activities for music lovers, and most of the performances take place around sunset (amazing for photographs!) at The Shell.
Enjoy the gentle breeze from the ocean as you take in some seriously incredible symphonies under the stars. Total bliss!
Watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Not only is Sunset Cliffs Natural Park one of the most scenic places in San Diego, but it’s a wonderful place to watch the sunset.
Hey, the clue is in the name! Enjoying a picnic and a glass of prosecco as the sun goes down is oh-so-romantic. Time for a proposal, anyone?
Read more San Diego travel ideas: 24 things to do in Old Town, San Diego
Catch a drive-in movie
My next suggestion is a trip to the South Bay Drive-In Theater! Sure, it may be old-school.
But heading to a drive-in movie can be a great way to share your thoughts about a film with your partner without bothering anyone.
And there’s nothing like throwing things back to the 1950s as you chow down on popcorn.
Oh, and did we mention that it’s one of the things to do in San Diego in the evening that can cost you as little as $10?
Go stargazing
Whether you want to head to the Fleet Science Center, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, or Cowles Mountain, it’s bound to be a night to remember!
Just remember to find adequate parking before heading off to avoid getting stuck out there in the dark.
Read more San Diego inspiration: 45 truly unique things to do in San Diego!
Visit the Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific
Next on our list of things to do at night in San Diego, it’s rooftop cocktails at the Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific.
We love rooftop bars in the evening, the views are always more alive once the sun goes down.
This particular rooftop bar is one of our favorites, and we think you’ll love it! It’s one of the best things to do in San Diego at night, and one of the best places to enjoy the sunset in the city.
Head on a brewery tour
Are you a fan of craft brews? If so, why not add a brewery tour to your shortlist of things to do in San Diego at night?
San Diego is home to several amazing microbreweries, but you should prioritize Stone Brewing and Ballast Point if you’re in a time crunch.
Stop for a single pint or spend the entire night tasting your way around town. You can book tickets by clicking here!
Take a sunset cocktail cruise
Next on my list, it’s a San Diego sunset cruise!
If there’s one thing we love about San Diego, it’s that the weather is gorgeous 90% of the time, and the evenings are usually mild and pleasant. Which means sunset cruises along the waterfront are one of the nicest things to do in San Diego in the evening.
We recommend this particular tour because it includes cocktails too! Win!
Read more about San Diego: 12 best places for snorkeling in San Diego
Catch a summer concert
In case you didn’t know, watching a summer concert (for free!) is one of the most popular things to do in San Diego in the evening.
Point Loma and Coronado Promenade both host incredible concerts during the warmer months, and it’s such a lovely way to spend the evening.
Just remember to rock up early if you’re hoping to get a decent view – the concerts fill up fast!
Brothels, Bites and Booze Gaslamp Quarter Tour
Next on our list, it’s the Brothels, Bites and Booze Gaslamp Quarter Tour.
This is a kind of quirky tour to go one, but if you want to know more about San Diego’s more alternative culture and history – this is the one for you.
This 2.5-hour guided walking tour will teach you all kinds of fun facts about the Gaslamp and the historic quarter of the city, and you’ll have a chance to sample lots of tasty ethnic cuisine, along with some alcoholic beverages!
It’s a fantastic tour, and you can book tickets by clicking here.
Read more San Diego travel ideas: 18 best malls in San Diego
Visit Belmont Park
This charming place is the perfect spot to embrace your inner child as it boasts everything from amusement rides to food stalls!
Although it’s not open super late, the weekends are usually a decent time to visit because of the later hours at restaurants and shops.
Read more about San Diego: Top 15 bed and breakfasts in San Diego
Stroll along the waterfront
It might sound simple, but one of the best things to do in San Diego at night is to take a stroll along the waterfront!
San Diego is home to some seriously stunning beaches (we’re talking to you, Mission Beach + any of the nude beaches in San Diego)!
So, if you’re looking for cheap things to do, just sink your feet into the sand and stop at one of the many beachfront bars when you’re done.
Cruise around the harbor
Our next pick? It’s a cruise around the harbor!
A dinner cruise is a perfect way to celebrate an anniversary while taking in the gorgeous city lights and the glimmering skyline.
And if you’re really lucky, you might even get a side of live entertainment alongside your dinner!
Grab a drink in Gaslamp
There are so many incredible rooftop bars in the Gaslamp Quarter.
So, we only thought it right to include grabbing a cocktail on our list of things to do in San Diego at night!
Whether you’re looking for light bites, a rooftop pool, a relaxed atmosphere, or stellar views, there’s bound to be a bar that floats your boat.
Our top picks? It’s got to be Altitude Sky Lounge, FLOAT, or Rustic Root!
Read more San Diego travel ideas: Top 20 places for Mexican food in San Diego
Check out the Old Town
If you’re even remotely interested in history, then you’ll want to check out San Diego’s iconic Old Town.
From the State Historic Park and the Whaley House Museum and Fiesta De Reyes, you certainly won’t run out of things to do!
Although we recommend stopping by the main attractions during the day (or they’ll be closed!), you can easily grab a drink and appreciate the gorgeous lights around twilight.
Go to the Nighttime Zoo
We’ll always choose the San Diego Zoo over the LA Zoo if we had to decide as they offer a spectacular Nighttime Zoo!
Visiting the zoo during the daytime is a no-brainer for a first-timer, but there’s lots to love about the Nighttime Zoo.
From June to September, you can stay around this attraction until 9 pm and watch special performances, catch exhibits, and see nocturnal animals roaming.
You can buy tickets by clicking here!
Visit Seaport Village
If you’re looking for shopping, dining, and a stroll along the waterfront, add Seaport Village to your list of things to do in San Diego at night!
Not only are there live entertainers lining the waterfront during the evening, but this area is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in San Diego.
So, whether you’re flying solo or visiting as a couple, you’re bound to agree that this is one of the best night time activities.
Book a table at George’s at the Cove
If you’re looking for somewhere special to spend the evening, we really recommend George’s at the Cove.
This place has been voted one of San Diego’s best restaurants, so it’s obviously a fantastic choice for things to do in San Diego at night.
Settle in for a night of delicious food, cocktails and fantastic sea views. You’re going to love it.
Read more San Diego travel ideas: 26 things to do in San Diego alone
Take a City Lights Night Tour
Although San Diego isn’t quite as romantic as NYC, love is bound to be in the air if you book the San Diego City Lights Tour.
This incredible 1.5-hour tour takes you from the Gaslamp Quarter to Balboa Tour and allows you to see notable landmarks gorgeously lit up.
From the Victorian architecture to vibrant bars and the Coronado Bridge, this sensational tour is one of the best choices!
You can book tickets online by clicking here!
Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Walking Tour
The Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Walking Tour is next on our list of things to do in San Diego.
If you’re into true crime, and you enjoy true crime documentaries and podcasts – then you’ll probably enjoy doing this city tour.
It’s totally different from other tours in city, and you can book tickets by clicking here.
Enjoy some sushi with your sunset
Do you know what two things go hand in hand? Sushi and sunsets!
San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop is somewhere you can find both sushi and sunset, and it’s one of our favorite things to do in San Diego at night.
Cannonball is a fantastic venue, and we think you’ll love it.
Watch a show
If you’ve already had a long day and just want to rest your legs, consider watching a show!
San Diego has several amazing venues, but our favorites will always be the Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and the unique Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy music, drama, or dance, catching a show in San Diego is always a favorite.
Have a delicious dinner in Little Italy
After an entire day of sightseeing, you’ll want to stop by one of the best restaurants in Little Italy.
As you might expect, this part of town is packed with authentic Italian restaurants. But you’ll also find a few all-American and international spots like Juniper & Ivy!
Whatever you’re craving, dining around Little Italy is one of the things to do in San Diego that you’ll love.
Trust us, you’re not going to leave hungry.
Cruise across San Diego Bay on the Coronado Ferry
Don’t feel like going on a romantic dinner cruise? No worries! You can easily save a few dollars by taking the Coronado Ferry instead!
This is one of our top options as it offers amazing views of the San Diego skyline and the area’s most tranquil beaches.
If you have time, check out the incredible Hotel del Coronado before hopping back over to the mainland!
Have a nighttime beach picnic
An evening beach picnic is a classic way to while away an evening in San Diego. You can grab a few beers, start a bonfire, and even enjoy a few s’mores.
We suggest Mission Beach, Coronado Beach, or La Jolla Shores.
Camp over at Mission Trails Regional Park
Next up on our list – it’s a visit to Mission Trails Regional Park!
Not only are there 7,000 acres of land to explore, but you can enjoy the fields, cliffs, and stunning landscape in peace (as most people will have gone home!).
Whether you decide to head back to your hotel or spend the evening camping, this is one of the most back-to-basic things to do in San Diego at night.
And to make things even sweeter, it’s open to visitors all year round!
Embrace your wild side with a night dive
Our next suggestion for things to do in San Diego at night is dedicated to adventurers and daredevils.
It’s a night dive at La Jolla Cove Ecological Reserve!
You might not think that you’d see much once night falls, but everything from the crabs to the corals will be lit up by bioluminescent algae!
Explore the USS Midway Museum
Several San Diego museums offer extended hours throughout the year – and that includes the USS Midway Museum.
The museum runs the Snooze Crewz Program which allows groups and families to explore the ship and stay overnight.
But being able to stargaze on one of the most impressive structures the city has to offer is something to write home about.
You can buy your tickets online by clicking here.
Head to the Fleet Science Center
We’d say that visiting the Fleet Science Center was among the best things to do in San Diego at night for tons of reasons.
Not only will the extended hours help you explore the place in more detail, but you can even join a star party if you’re here at the right time!
These exciting stargazing sessions are run by the San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) and allow guests to look through huge telescopes into the stars.
Visit one of the many other rooftop bars
There are more rooftop bars in San Diego than we can count, and you should add a few to your shortlist. We’ve already included two bars above in this list, but here are a few others you might like:
- Seneca Trattoria
- The Rooftop by STK
- Level 9 Rooftop Bar
- Altitude
We love the fact that you can grab everything from specialist wines and craft cocktails to local brews.
So, if you’re up for some nibbles and want sensational views of the skyline, you’ll want to book a table at one of the fantastic rooftop bars around town!
Go to a drag show
Whether you adore RuPaul’s Drag Race or just want to try something new, a drag show at The Lips is certainly worth checking out.
The club is laid-back and super colorful, and the acts are always guaranteed to put on a fabulous (and hilarious!) show each night.
Although it’s not one of the best things to do in San Diego in the evening for kids, it’s a reliable option for fun-loving adults over 21!
Visit one of San Diego’s malls
Many of San Diego’s shopping malls are open into the evening, so if you fancy an evening shopping trip.
Personally, we love a bit of mall walking in the evening, especially during the summer months – and you can always stop off at the food court too for a cheap dinner!
Grab food at Embarcadero Marina Park
If you’re on the hunt for some grub, then you’ll want to check out Embarcadero Marina Park.
It’s home to some of the best tacos in San Diego, and you’ll even find the Tequila & Taco Music Festival being hosted here around April each year.
Whether you’re a fan of food trucks or standalone restaurants, there’s something around here that’ll tickle your taste buds.
Do an escape room
Last on our list of things to do in San Diego, it’s booking yourself into an escape room.
If you’ve never done an escape room, you’re in for a lot of fun! It’s a cross between a puzzle, a game and group contest.
And you’re in luck, because there are loads of escape rooms to choose from in San Diego!
It’s a great way to pass a few hours in the evening and an awesome choice for things to do in San Diego at night.