15 Fun Things To Do In San Diego In November (2023)
Want to know all the best things to do in San Diego in November? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
If you’re looking for things to do in America’s Finest City, you’re in the right place.
Below, we cover some of the best things to do in San Diego in November.
Traveling to SoCal in the shoulder season brings fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and plenty of family-friendly and adult activities.
From exploring some of the country’s best beaches to experiencing local traditions, add some of these things to do in San Diego to your bucket list.
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Fun Things To Do In San Diego In November
Unlike visiting San Diego in September or October where the Fall festivities are in full swing, November brings a mix of the Winter holiday celebrations beginning.
Contrary to popular belief, San Diego does experience some changes throughout the seasons, though the weather is not as extreme as the neighboring mountain towns.
Below are some of our favorite things to do in San Diego in November from theme park events to seasonal festivals and more.
1. Farmers Markets
Nearly every day of the week, you can explore some of San Diego’s local farmers markets that bring together dozens of farmers, small businesses, and artisans to sell fresh produce and handcrafted items.
Many vendors start selling gifts and trinkets perfect for the holidays in November.
Below are some of the city’s most popular farmers markets:
- Coronado Farmers Market: The Coronado Farmers Market is open 2:30-6 p.m. every Tuesday.
- Ocean Beach Farmers Market: The OB Farmers Market is open 4-8 p.m. every Wednesday.
- North Park Farmers Market: Shop at the North Park Farmers Market from 3 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday.
- Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market: The Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday.
- Little Italy Farmers Market: Explore the Little Italy Farmers Market from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday.
- Hillcrest Farmers Market: About 175 vendors come together from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday.
2. Sunset Cliffs State Park
Stretching along the blue Pacific Ocean in Ocean Beach and Point Loma is Sunset Cliffs State Park.
After a long day exploring and eating from some of the top seafood restaurants in San Diego, park along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to watch the sunset over the horizon.
Its rugged coastline and crashing waves make for a scenic end to a fun-filled day.
3. Signature City San Diego Tour With Road Scholar
For those searching for an expert-led tour in San Diego, explore San Diego with Road Scholar.
Road Scholar’s Signature City San Diego Tour is a six-day adventure that brings a diverse cohort of adventurers throughout this seaside city.
Some top highlights of Road Scholar’s group travel tour include walking Torrey Pines State Reserve, enjoying Sicilian cuisine in Little Italy, and exploring the USS Midway Museum to learn about the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier.
4. Balboa Park
One of the jewels of San Diego is Balboa Park, one of the country’s largest urban parks, with more than 1,200 acres filled with trails, cuisine, and museums.
November is one of the best times to explore this historic park because there are fewer crowds and moderate temperatures.
Popular museums include the Museum of Us, Fleet Science Center, Comic-Con Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and San Diego Natural History Museum.
5. Wild Holidays At San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Arguably, one of the best zoos in the world is the San Diego Zoo, known for its conservation efforts to protect and breed endangered species, such as clouded leopards, Tasmanian devils, and tree kangaroos.
Wild Holidays is held Nov. 25-27 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The event brings lights, tunes, and holiday cheer to the park.
6. Ho Chi Minh Trail
A secret gem in San Diego is the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla.
For explorers looking for a moderate hike that exits on Black’s Beach by the Torrey Pines Gliderport, the Ho Chi Minh trail offers exceptional views with hang gliders soaring above it.
You can experience slot canyons and wooden planks that test your agility along the route.
Once you reach the beach, you can enjoy a walk to Black’s Beach Way, which brings you back to the road.
7. San Diego Beer Week
San Diego Beer Week is held Nov. 3-12.
You can partake in a 10-day celebration of some of the city’s best beer from local craft brewers.
Breweries throughout San Diego County participate in this annual celebration, allowing you to visit some of your favorite breweries to taste IPAs, stouts, lagers, and other varieties of beer.
8. Del Mar Racetrack
One of the world’s most famous horse tracks has a series of fall races where you can watch and bet on thoroughbreds to see who takes the crown.
The Del Mar Racetrack offers unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean in the background, where fans flock to wager on horses they think will take home gold.
In November, you can find races most weekends from Friday to Sunday.
Gates open at 11 a.m., and the first post starts at 12:30 p.m.
9. Liberty Station
Liberty Station, located in Point Loma, is an old Navy training center that was converted to commercial real estate.
Today, it’s home to various restaurants, boutiques, bars, and more.
At the Liberty Public Market, you can find tasty treats from local eateries, while Seahive Station is a curation of vintage vendors selling home goods, gifts, and more.
November is the perfect time to walk through Liberty Station, as it marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, where you can purchase unique items as gifts for loved ones.
10. LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND brings all the holiday cheer to its grounds in November, with music and lights illuminating the park.
Located in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND allows families to explore marine life at the aquarium, have fun on themed rides like Emmet’s Flying Adventure Ride, and meet their favorite characters.
The holiday season at LEGOLAND runs Nov. 18-26 and will bring unforgettable memories.
11. Fleet Week San Diego
Located at the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego is the city’s largest military event, honoring past and present service members for their dedication to our country.
Fleet Week runs Nov. 3-12 and hosts public and military events, ranging from a military band concert to ship tours and military displays.
12. San Diego City Cruises
City Experiences and the Hornblower Group Family of Companies offer a wide range of San Diego city cruises.
November is the perfect time to explore the harbor and beyond.
Go on a whale-watching cruise to watch some of the world’s largest mammals breach or enjoy a relaxing date night on a signature dinner cruise.
With a wide range of offerings, you can choose among family friendly or solo cruises that allow you to view San Diego from a different vantage point.
13. Belmont Park
One of the benefits of San Diego is its famous weather.
Even in November, you can enjoy a fun beach day, topped off with a visit to Belmont Park, located on the shores of Mission Beach.
At this beachfront amusement park, you can ride on the Giant Dipper, play arcade games, or take a splash in the Plunge swimming pool.
14. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Starting Nov. 13 is SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.
This annual holiday event brings colorful lights, live shows, and exclusive shopping, perfect for kids and adults alike.
SeaWorld is the perfect blend of education and entertainment, with various rides and roller coasters, as well as tours and animal interactions.
15. Skating by the Sea
Spend the holidays at Hotel del Coronado, a grand Victorian hotel with a rich history and ties to Hollywood’s rich and famous.
Starting Nov. 17, the Del converts its beachfront lawn to an ice skating rink, where the public and hotel guests can skate by the sea with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
More Fun Things To Do In And Around San Diego
San Diego has diverse neighborhoods from North Park to Ocean Beach and you can easily spend a day exploring each one.
For wine lovers, there are a ton of wine tasting rooms throughout San Diego and its neighboring communities.
If you need some help putting together the perfect weekend getaway itinerary for visiting San Diego, check out ours!
Where To Eat In San Diego
San Diego has cuisines from all over the world and offers a variety of dining experiences for every budget and palette.
We’ve created lists of our favorite San Diego restaurants include the best birthday restaurants, the best restaurants with a view, and the best Italian restaurants.
Conclusion: Fun Things To Do In San Diego In November
San Diego has a variety of fun things to do that are exclusive to November.
From theme park festivals to fleet week to the beginning of Winter holiday celebrations, there’s plenty to do here this time of year.
