San Diego Summer Movies in the Park 2025 Guide

Located well to the west, northwest of Downtown San Diego, Agua Caliente is a scenic desert landscape area with dark skies and wide open spaces…perfect for a summer movie!

Make a day of a visit with an exploration of the Indian Canyons, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, and Indian Canyons National Park. None of these locations will disappoint!

Agua Caliente County Park

Address: 39555, 1849 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of, Julian, CA 92036

• Hocus Pocus – November 1st

Bonita is a residential area located just to the northwest of Chula Vista off the 805 offering shopping, restaurants, and plenty of green space!

I love to take advantage of the walking trail that loops the Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course. With the fresh air and the sights, you can’t go wrong!

Eastview County Park

Address: 3218 Summit Meadow Rd, Bonita, CA 91902 (located in Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

• The Wild Robot – June 14th
• Despicable Me 4 – September 27th

Located in the picturesque, rocky, desert landscape of Anza Borrego State Park, home to the annual spring time Anza Borrego wildflower bloom, Borrego Springs is known for its hiking trails like the Borrego Palm Canton and Slot Canton.

Also I suggest that you check out Font’s Point and the Galleta Meadows while you’re there.

Borrego Springs County Park

Address: 2599 Country Club Rd, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

• Jumanji – October 10

Not far from the Mexican border you’ll find the green spaces of Lake Morena County Park, home to a couple 2025 summer movies.

If you arrive early, the Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum built in 1868 is a short drive to the south in Campo and a family-friendly ‘trip back in time’ you won’t want to miss.

Lake Morena County Park

Address: 2550 Lake Morena Dr, Campo, CA 91906

• Paddington in Peru – July 12th
• A Minecraft Movie – October 11th

Just off I-15 near Poway, you’ll find Carmel Mountain Range, home to shopping, dining, and outdoor family fun!

Carmel Mountain Ranch / Sabre Springs Recreation Center

Address: 10152 Rancho Carmel Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 (located in Carmel Mountain Ranch / Sabre Springs Community Park)

• Rio – August 29th

Carmel Valley to the east of Del Mar is an upscale area full of residential spaces, offices, hotels, and picturesque parks!

Don’t miss the golfing opportunities, birdwatching, and boutique shopping.

Carmel Valley Community Park/Sabre Springs Community Park

Address: 10152 Rancho Carmel Dr, San Diego, CA 92128

• The Garfield Movie – June 13th

Ocean Air Community Park

Address: 4770 Fairport Way, San Diego, CA 92130

• The Wild Robot – August 2nd

Chula Vista to the south of Downtown San Diego is the second most populated area of San Diego.

The neighborhood has a laid-back, relaxing vibe with some really tasty Mexican food. It’s also home to Sesame Place, a waterpark that would be perfect to visit before a summer evening movie night!

Memorial Park in Chula Vista

Address: 373 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910

• The Goonies – June 14th
• The Secret Life of Pets – June 28th
• Nacho Libre – July 26th
• Encanto – August 9th

Otay Lakes County Park

Address: 2270 Wueste Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91915

• The Wild Robot – June 28th
• Coco – July 26th
• Hocus Pocus – October 25th

Clairemont Mesa, to the east of La Jolla and Mission Bay, is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit.

The area is mostly residential but also has parks, biking, and fun breweries worth checking out when you’re in the area.

Cadman Recreation Center

Address: 4280 Avati Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

• The Sandlot – July 25th

South Clairemont Recreation Center

Address: 3605 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117

• Dog Man – August 2nd

North Clairemont Recreation Center

Address: 4421 Bannock Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

• The Wild Robot – August 16th

This area is bustling with activities like Padres games at Petco Park and shopping and seasonal events atSeaport Village along the San Diego Bay. You can also catch the San Diego Trolley to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo or grab dinner in one of our founder Todd’s favorite neighborhoods for great food, Little Italy!

When you're searching for the best things to do with your kids this summer, in addition to the family-friendly summer movies planned for 2025 at Waterfront Park, take them just up the way to the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park which has a 2025 season calendar full of shows and events!

The San Diego Symphony has several performances this summer where they play a movie’s music live while you get to watch it on a big screen! I highly recommend Disney’s The Lion King on July 19th, 2025!

Waterfront Park

Address: 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101 (located in County Center)

• Moana 2 – May 24th
• The Garfield Movie – June 27th
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – July 18th
• Inside Out 2 – September 6th

Located near Scripps Ranch, East Santee offers a variety of activities for outdoors enthusiasts, including hiking, biking, and rock climbing.

I especially enjoy exploring natural areas like Santee Lakes and Mission Trails Regional Park with my family.

Town Center Community Park

Address: 550 Park Center Dr, Santee, CA 92071

• The Wizard of Oz – September 20th

El Cajon, just to the south or East Santee, is mostly residential with a couple of small parks.

It’s also home to The Magnolia, a great spot for music and more! It’s always worth checking the schedule to see who’s coming to town when you’re planning to be in the neighborhood.

Flinn Springs County Park

Address: 14787 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021

• Moana 2 – August 16th

Encanto is a hilly neighborhood to the east of the Downtown San Diego area. Imperial Avenue runs through the heart of Encanto with a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

As a local tip, check out the colorful murals at Encanto Park, a fun activity to do with your family before seeing a summer movie!

Encanto Recreation Center

Address: 6508 Wunderlin Ave, San Diego, CA 92114

• Dog Man – July 11th

Sometimes called the ‘Avocado Capital of the World’ , Fallbrook is located just to the east of the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton.

You can enjoy the great outdoors in Fallbrook with a visit to the Monserate Mountain Trial, and Mance Buchanon Park. This is a great area to get your steps in!

Fallbrook Community Center

Address: 341 Heald Ln, Fallbrook, CA 92028

• Moana 2 – June 27th
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – September 12th

Live Oak County Park

Address: 2746 Reche Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028

• Flow – August 23rd

Willow Grove County Park

Address: 5246 CA-76, Fallbrook, CA 92028

• Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – October 25th

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Julian is the apple orchards and apple pies from the area. I also love to visit the pumpkin patches there in the fall.

Your family won’t get bored in Julian, an official California Historical Landmark, with activities such as gold mine tours, a very interesting old town center to explore, and the California Wolf Center, dedicated to the recovery of wild wolves!

Jess Martin County Park

Address: 2655 CA-79, Julian, CA 92036

• Twisters – July 19th
• Arthur the King – August 23rd

La Jolla is an upscale, beachside neighborhood known for high-end shopping in Downtown La Jolla, beautiful beaches, tide pools, and incredible Pacific Ocean views.

It’s the perfect area if you enjoy surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach. You won’t be disappointed, trust me!

Villa Jolla Park

Address: 8321 Via Mallorca, La Jolla, CA 92037

• Despicable Me 4 – August 22nd

La Jolla Recreation Center

Address: 615 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

• Lilo & Stitch (2025) – September 26th

Located on the east side of San Diego near Santee, Lakeside is perfect for picnics, fishing, or birdwatching.

Lake Jennings is worth a visit with your family and there are also some nice camping opportunities in the area.

Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park

Address: 11055 Moreno Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040

• City Slickers – June 13th

Lindo Lake County Park

Address: 12660 Lindo Ln, Lakeside, CA 92040

• Cars 3 – July 11th
• Moana 2 – September 12th

El Monte County Park

Address: 15805 El Monte Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040

• The Goonies – September 27th

Mira Mesa, just west of I-15 north of Miramar, is home to New Salem Park and Mira Mesa Community Park, two great spots to enjoy a sunny San Diego afternoon.

For a pre-movie, summer family adventure, hike the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Trails which are a highlight of the neighborhood for my family.

Lopez Ridge Recreation Center

Address: 7245 Calle Cristobal, San Diego, CA 92126

• Migration – July 18th

Verne Goodwin Senior Center

Address: 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126

• IF – October 18th

City Heights seemingly has it all. For food, you’ll find everything from Vietnamese and Ethiopian to Mexican and street food vendors. For culture, the area is full of colorful murals. For nature, Colina del Sol Park and the Azalea Park Canyon trail are my favorites.

Note that Cherokee Point Park offers various amenities including a playground, a large grassy area, and a soccer field and is also a joint-use park with Cherokee Point School.

Cherokee Joint Use Field

Address: 3901 Landis Street, San Diego, CA 92105

• Cool Runnings – June 20th

Colina Del Sol Recreation Center

Address: 5319 Orange Ave, San Diego, CA 92115

• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – July 11th

Azalea Recreation Center

Address: 2596 Violet St, San Diego, CA 92105

• Despicable Me 4 – August 1st

Rolando Park Elementary School

Address: 6620 Marlowe Dr, San Diego, CA 92115

• Wicked – August 9th

Adams Recreation Center

Address: 3491 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

• ELEMENTAL – August 15th

National City, the second oldest city in San Diego, is found just to the north of Chula Vista. You can visit places like Pepper Park, Westfield Plaza Bonita, and El Toyon Park.

Lincoln Acres County Park

Address: 2717 Granger Ave, National City, CA 91950 (at La Vista Memorial Park)

• Inside Out 2 – July 5th
• Moana 2 – August 23rd

Kimball Park

Address: E 12th St, National City, CA 91950

• The Wild Robot – September 19th

North Park borders Balboa Park, one of our team at Go Visit San Diego’s favorite spots in all of San Diego, so you know plenty is going on here!

Visit the San Diego Zoo and various nearby Balboa Park museums when you’re looking for the best things to do with your kids before a summer movie!

Morley Field Sports Complex

Address: 2221 Morley Field Dr, San Diego, CA 92104 (located in Balboa Park)

• Moana (2016) – June 21st
• Inside Out 2 – June 27th
• Mufasa: The Lion King – August 9th

North Park Recreation Center

Address: 4044 Idaho St, San Diego, CA 92104 (located in North Park Community Park)

• Space Jam (1996) – July 25th

North Park Mini Park

Address: 3812 29th St, San Diego, CA 92104 (located in Granada Square)

• Matilda – October 3rd

Historic sites, the Whaley House Museum, ghost tours, and plenty of sightseeing in the birthplace of California, Old Town San Diego, another of my favorite neighborhoods in San Diego.

As a local tip, getting around is easy with the hop on hop off bus.

Heritage County Park

Address: 2454 Heritage Park Row, San Diego, CA 92110

• An American Tail – September 19th
• Selena – October 3rd

Old Town San Diego State Park

Address: San Diego Avenue and, Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110

• Coco – November 1st

Our founder Todd is a longtime resident of Pacific Beach, the seaside neighborhood home to surfing, sunbathing, wide sandy beaches, biking on the boardwalk, and laid back vibes.

You name it and Pacific Beach probably has it!

Pacific Beach/Taylor Library

Address: 4275 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

• Toy Story – June 7th
• The Lion King (1994) – August 5th

Santa Clara Recreation Center

Address: 1008 Santa Clara Pl, San Diego, CA 92109 (located in S.D.S.U. Aquatic Center)

• The Wild Robot – August 22nd

Pacific Beach Recreation Center

Address: 1405 Diamond St, San Diego, CA 92109 (located in Pacific Beach Park)

• Incredibles 2 – October 10th

Pacific Highlands Ranch, just north of state route 56, is home to The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch which has shopping, activities for the kids, and more. There are also some great restaurants to try in the area.

Pacific Highlands Ranch Recreation Center

Address: 5977 Village Center Loop Rd, San Diego, CA 92130 (located in Pacific Trails Middle School)

• Inside Out 2 – June 7th

Pine Valley is a scenic area well east of Downtown San Diego with canyons, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, incredible sunsets, and other outdoor fun that can make for a memorable day with your family!

Pine Valley County Park

Address: 28810 Old Hwy 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962

• Jumanji – June 27th
• Moana 2 – August 22nd

There’s plenty to “sea” in Point Loma with whale watching and other sea life just waiting for you to spot them just off shore.

Home to Cabrillo National Monument at the mouth of the San Diego Bay, this is another of my family’s favorite spots to go kayaking and take part in a wide range of water sports.

Point Loma Park

Address: 4071 Liggett Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

• A Dog’s Journey – August 15th

Cabrillo Recreation Center

Address: 3051 Cañon St, San Diego, CA 92106 (located in Cabrillo Elementary School)

• A Dog’s Journey – August 15th

Poway, sometimes called ‘The City in the Country’ is a sprawling rural area to the northeast of Downtown San Diego.

There are local parks in Poway as well as horse trails and hiking routes. It’s a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and dark skies after sunset!

Poway Community Park

Address: 13094 Civic Center Dr, Poway, CA 92064

• Despicable Me 4 – June 21st
• Inside Out 2 – July 5th
• Moana 2 – July 19th
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – August 2nd

Poway Community Park – Swim Center

Address: 13094 Civic Center Dr, Poway, CA 92064

• Moana 2 – July 19th

Old Poway Park

Address: 14134 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064

• The Sound of Music – August 16th

Rancho Bernardo, northwest of Poway, hugs Lake Hodges and I-15. One of the big draws to this area is all of the open spaces and lakeside areas.

The master-planned community is also home to the Bernardo Winery.

Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center

Address: 18448 W Bernardo Dr, San Diego, CA 92127

• Despicable Me 4 – June 28th
• Inside Out 2 – August 23rd

Home to Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve and Trails and the Black Mountain Open Space Park, Rancho Peñasquitos is a suburban area home to green spaces perfect for hiking and biking.

Los Peñasquitos County Preserve

Address: 12020 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129

• Despicable Me 4 – August 1st

Hilltop Recreation Center

Address: 9711 Oviedo Way, San Diego, CA 92129

• The Goonies – October 11th

Ramona to the northwest of Poway, is home to the Swartz Canyon County Park and the Ramona Grassland Preserve.

These areas are the perfect spots to visit in the afternoon before a summer movie in one of the area’s parks.

Dos Picos County Park

Address: 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd, Ramona, CA 92065

• Gnomeo & Juliet – June 7th
• The Wild Robot – July 19th

Collier County Park

Address: 626 E St, Ramona, CA 92065

• Coco – September 13th

Paradise Hills has a very urban feel to me. Next to National City, it’s known for its family-friendly environment, with parks, recreation centers, and much more!

Bay Terraces Community Park

Address: 7373 Tooma St, San Diego, CA 92139

• Moana (2016) – June 21st

Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center

Address: 6401 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114

• Mufasa: The Lion King – August 29th

Scripps Ranch is big, hilly, and quite green with plenty of space to stretch out.

For me personally, I really like the colors of the sunsets at Scripps Ranch. Come down before the movie starts to catch a glimpse and maybe even go on a short hike!

Scripps Ranch Community Park

Address: 11454 Blue Cypress Dr, San Diego, CA 92131

• Moana 2 – June 6th

When you’re in the area, you could visit landmarks like Chicano Park and Writerz Blok.

This area is also home to the annual Diamond Street Festival and FilAmFest and not far from Barrio Logan, the Embarcadero, and the San Diego Bay.

Mountain View Community Center

Address: 641 S Boundary St, San Diego, CA 92113

• Moana 2 – June 6th
• Mufasa: The Lion King – August 8th

Willie Henderson Sports Complex

Address: 1035 S 45th St, San Diego, CA 92113

• Moana 2 – June 13th

Mount Hope Cemetery

Address: 3751 Market St, San Diego, CA 92102

• Coco – October 18th

Quite centrally located north of Downtown San Diego between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15, Serra Mesa features Ruffin and Sandrock Canyons, which are popular for hiking and exploring nature.

Wegeforth Joint Use Park

Address: 3384 Glencolum Dr, San Diego, CA 92123 (located in Serra Mesa Recreation Center)

• A Minecraft Movie – October 10th

Spring Valley, east of the city, is quite residential with a few parks and plenty of quick places to grab a meal before a summer movie.

Spring Valley County Park

Address: 8735 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977

• Kung Fu Panda 4 – August 8th
• Inside Out 2 – September 19th

Spring Valley Gymnasium

Address: 838 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977

• Hocus Pocus – October 24th

Sweetwater Place County Park

Address: 10691 Sweetwater Park Pl, Spring Valley, CA 91977

• Moana 2 – August 9th

Tierrasanta, the Spanish for "holy land, is home to Mission Trails Regional Park, the perfect place to take advantage of the hills and trails in the area.

Tierrasanta Recreation Center

Address: 11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92124

• Moana 2 – September 6th

There are plenty of family-friendly activities in University City.

You won’t want to miss the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, part of the Go City San Diego pass, which is just to the west in La Jolla, or the Westfield UTC Mall, one of my favorite malls in San Diego.

Doyle Recreation Center

Address: 8175 Regents Rd, San Diego, CA 92122

• Moana 2 – June 20th

Nobel Recreation Center

Address: 8810 Judicial Dr, San Diego, CA 92122

• Finding Dory – June 27th
• Wicked – August 8th

Standley Recreation Center

Address: 3585 Governor Dr, San Diego, CA 92122

• The Sandlot – May 31st
• IF – October 24th

University Gardens Park

Address: Gullstrand St & Governor Dr., Gullstrand St, San Diego, CA 92122

• Wicked – July 26th

University Village Park

Address: 7100 Florey St, San Diego, CA 92122

• The Wizard of Oz – June 28th

Vista in the Carlsbad area is home to the Moonlight Amphitheatre where you can see summer music shows.

LEGOLAND California, also part of the Go City San Diego pass, is a short drive to the west and could pair nicely with a free summer movie in the park in the evening.

Brengle Terrace Park Softball Fields

Address: 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, CA 92084

• Despicable Me 4 – July 12th

Buena Vista Ball Fields

Address: 1851 S Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92081

• Transformers One – June 14th

Rancho Guajome Adobe

Address: 2210 N Santa Fe Ave, Vista, CA 92083

• Ramona and Beezus – September 6th