Father’s Day 2025: Top Things to Do & Events in San Diego

While the Padres are away on Father’s Day weekend in 2025, catching a game at Petco Park just before or after Father’s Day would make an amazing gift.

There are plenty of games in June, including the big one versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 11th. They play the Dodger in a three game series from Monday, June 9th until Wednesday, June 11th. The first pitch is 1:10pm for the Wednesday game and tickets start at $48 per person.

The team will return on Friday, June 20th for a three game series at PETCO Park over the weekend against the Kansas City Royals, so that could be another opportunity to celebrate Dad! PETCO Park’s season calendar is full of events in June so check that out for even more ideas.

I love to see the Padres play, grab a beer, and eat some San Diego grub! Taking the San Diego Trolley is the best idea I can give you to get to the game so you don’t have to battle for parking.

Why Dad Will Thank You

Not only can you catch an amazing game of baseball, but you can hang out in the Gaslamp Quarter right near PETCO Park before or after the game. With lots of restaurants and bars to choose from, it’s a win-win.

We love this idea for Father’s Day so much that we also included it as part of our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego article.

If you want to spend some time in the Mission Bay neighborhood, check out the 2025 Belmont Park Father’s Day Car Show.

Your Dad can enjoy the classic cars and he can also join the family on some rides at the amusement park. The car show is happening from 10:00am to 3:00pm, so there’s plenty of time to include other activities. Since the car show is a free event, it fills up quickly, so I suggest that you get there early.

At the Belmont Park amusement park, the ride and play park pass is the best way to get into the park for the cheapest price. The amusement park is part of the Go City San Diego pass, so be sure to check it out to get that savings using discount code GVSD5OFF.

One more thing, if you’re staying over in the area, The Dana on Mission Bay is one of my favorite resorts because of its views, comfortable rooms, and convenient nearby location.

Why Dad Will Thank You

If your Dad loves cars, this is a no-brainer. He gets to see cool cars for free!

Your kids can go on some rides, and everyone is happy. One of my favorite rides is the classic, historic Giant Dipper Rollercoaster. Beware, this is only for BIG thrill seekers!

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with planning a day outside in San Diego. And let me tell you that from experience, the Sea Caves in La Jolla never disappoint!

It’s a uniquely San Diego adventure that the whole family can do together. And since the Kayak Tour to the Sea Caves in La Jolla is a 2-hour tour, it’s the safest way to have the experience. You’ll get to kayak through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life enjoying the sea cliffs and sea caves looking for dolphins and enjoying the sandstone formations.

There are timeslots available starting at 9:00am and running until 5:00pm on Father’s Day. So, there’s plenty of time to kayak and still to do other things. Tickets are $89 per group of two which is just $44.50 per person!

The tour recommends you arrive at 2158 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA about 30 minutes before your start time.

Why Dad Will Thank You

The Kayak Tour to the Sea Caves in La Jolla is a great way to enjoy San Diego’s weather and spend a day on the water in La Jolla.

I promised you some one-of-a-kind San Diego Father’s Day ideas and this is one I really love.

If your Dad is an early bird who loves donuts, this could be really fun. There are donut shops all over San Diego that could make for a memorable donut crawl. As a donut-loving Dad myself, I highly recommend Devil’s Donut Shop in Little Italy. They tend to sell out early, so plan ahead!

I also would recommend Copper Top Coffee & Donuts in Pacific Beach and Broad Street Dough Co in Encinitas.

Why Dad Will Thank You

There are donuts. Lots of donuts. And maybe a cup of coffee or two. There’s not much more that needs to be said really!

Our team at Go Visit San Diego thought this was a fun and unique idea that our Dad’s would really enjoy!

Surfing is one of my favorite hobbies, very San Diego, and an activity I highly recommend for Father’s Day. As a longboarder, two of my favorite spots are Tourmoline Surf Park in Pacific Beach and Swami’s in Encinitas. As a local tip, the early morning is the best time to hit these spots.

If your Dad doesn’t know how to hang ten, you could opt for a surfing lesson. This will undoubtedly be something to remember!

Check out more about surfing on the holidays in San Diego and other fun ideas that we include as part of our complete guide to all the holidays in San Diego.

Why Dad Will Thank You

Surfing is a fun way to spend quality time with family at one of the more than 75 picturesque San Diego beaches. San Diego County is known for its beaches so why not take your Dad surfing to show him you care.

While going on a hike might be a ‘good idea’, grabbing a tasty breakfast burrito after you finish makes it a ‘fantastic’ idea!

While your sunrise hike can happen anywhere, I really like the sunrise from Cowles Mountain at Mission Trails

for its views of the Pacific Ocean. You could also check out our best hiking trails article for more ideas.

When it comes to burritos, you can’t go wrong in San Diego! My family loves the La Playa Taco Shop in Mission Beach. The only thing is they don’t open until 11:00am, so that may put a wrinkle in your sunrise plans. There’s also The Taco Shop in La Jolla Village. If you go there, you can also enjoy local shopping and some cafes.

Why Dad Will Thank You

You can tell Dad to “take a hike” and not get in trouble!

Seriously though, this is a good activity for active Dads who like to spend time outdoors with their families. Add in a burrito reward and your Dad will surely ‘thank you’!

San Diego is bustling with breweries, so where you go really depends on what area you’re in this Father’s Day. Coronado Brewery is my personal favorite because while it’s 21 and over to drink, it’s still all ages to get in and pet friendly.

There are various places to grab a San Diego beer around the city. My go-to location is Bay Park, which is home to Harland Brewing Co., another top spot.

Besides visiting a brewery, you may also want to consider a popular beer tour for Dad like the San Diego: North Park Beer-ucation Tour.

Why Dad Will Thank You

Dad can have a few beers, play a few board games with the kids, and even bring the dog along. It doesn’t get much better than that!

You’ve heard of “Night at the Museum”, so how about ‘Father’s Day at the museum’? There are many different museums in San Diego, so it’s really a matter of what you and your family enjoy.

The San Diego Natural History Museum, The San Diego Automotive Museum, and the Museum of Making Music are all interesting. But, for me, the Photography Museum in Balboa Park is the best!

While you can take advantage of the Go City San Diego pass for admission to many Balboa Park museums using discount code GVSD5OFF for your family, there are a few that will let Dad in for FREE! The San Diego Automotive Museum typically offers free admission for dads during Father's Day weekend. The Air & Space Museum and Fleet Science Center have also offered FREE admission in years past.

I’d suggest that you call ahead so you can make sure Dad will get in for free.

Why Dad Will Thank You

Many of the museums on our list are interactive, meaning your Dad can enjoy the exhibits while spending quality time with his family. It’s also a good option if it happens to rain on Father’s Day.

All aboard the trolley this Father’s Day!

Take a San Diego trolley ride to the Embarcadero. This is a great way to enjoy the San Diego weather while taking part in a family-friendly activity through the city.

Get off the trolley in the Embarcadero and go for a walk along beautiful San Diego Bay's boardwalk along the Embarcadero.

After your walk at Seaport Village, take the trolley to Little Italy to grab gelato at Little Italy Food Hall.

Why Dad Will Thank You

If your dad wants a low-key way to spend Father’s Day, this could be it! A trolley ride and gelato sound like a perfect pair to me!

You don’t have to break the bank to have a fun Father’s Day in San Diego. At Go Visit San Diego we’re always looking for budget-friendly and even free activities.

We think having a FREE beach bonfire where you can roast marshmallows on a firepit on Mission Bay is a great way to celebrate Dad! This is one of my favorite things to do with my family, so I highly recommend it. This is just one of the many free things to do in San Diego that Dad will love.

As a local tip, some of the best bonfire locations are those lesser-known spots like Vacation Island or Ski Beach. They’re not crowded and have unbeatable views. Trust me on this one!

Why Dad Will Thank You

Dads like to spend any time they can with their kids, especially as they get older. Something simple like roasting marshmallows by a firepit will surely put a smile on your Dad’s face.

Take Dad around San Diego Bay this Father’s Day with a special harbor cruise or yacht Father’s Day brunch.

The San Diego Harbor Tour will highlight San Diego landmarks like the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, Coronado Bridge, and Downtown San Diego, depending on what you book. The cruise length can also be one or two hours, depending on which you choose.

You could also opt for a Buffet Breakfast and Brunch Cruise. Here you’ll set sail on a 2-hour cruise to take in the sights of San Diego.

As a local tip, think about choosing the smaller cruises. They will give you a more intimate feel and will really allow you to spend quality time with your family.

Why Dad Will Thank You

Dad will thank you for this gift because you can really customize it to what he likes.

Plus, he’ll get quality family time on the San Diego Bay with the people he loves most which is priceless!

Let Dad explore on an Old Town San Diego tour. These rank high on my list because I love the history in Old Town San Diego. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the tacos are pretty good too!

Choose from historic walking tours, ghost tours, or a DIY taco-and-history crawl through Old Town. These make a great low-cost option for Father’s Day that’s also fun.

While it’s not around Father’s Day, my favorite event of the year in Old Town San Diego is the Día de Los Muertos celebration that happens on the first of November. So, if you’re in the area then, I highly recommend that you check it out!

Why Dad Will Thank You

Dads are curious! At least all the Father’s I know seem to love to learn. They all also seem to love tacos!

So why not let your Dad be a super sleuth and check out what Old Town has to offer?

A staycation can be a great vacation!

This is especially true if you’re in the Embarcadero neighborhood. You’ll definitely want to look into the Hilton San Diego Bayfront or the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

Both of these hotels have pools where Dad and the entire family can just chill out and relax. You can book a Father’s Day weekend stay and make some memories!

Why Dad Will Thank You

We recommend this Father’s Day activity because you don’t have to go far to have fun! Activities like these are right in our backyard, so why not take advantage of them?