Both Pacific Beach and North Park have developed trendy reputations, with activities and attractions that cater to younger crowds.
I think in recent years that North Park has taken the edge here, having become the #1 trendiest neighborhood in San Diego County, but overall the atmosphere isn’t too different from one area to the other.
Still, each neighborhood offers its own unique set of community activities that are open to tourists and native San Diegans alike.
My Favorite Music Was This Mariachi Band at the Seven Seas Food Festival in Seaworld San Diego
Pacific Beach Events
Pacific Beach’s biggest annual event is Pacific BeachFest. BeachFest is a family-friendly music event with food vendors and more and it is held in early October.
Another popular one is Concerts on the Green (CotG), a series of concerts featuring local musicians. These concerts are held every Sunday in July and August, making mid- to late-summer one of the best times to visit.
For more seasonal ideas near Pacific Beach, don’t forget about nearby SeaWorld San Diego! If you’re visiting in March and April each year I highly recommend stopping in on the Seven Seas Food Festival.
If I can be honest, it’d been some time since I’d been to the park, but I recently took my family to check it out and it was a blast! I loved it so much that I did a full write-up on the Seven Seas event with tons of pictures, so be sure to check that out!
The park is part of the Go City San Diego Pass and is fun for the entire family year-round.
Sidewalk Mural in North Park
Must-See Events in North Park
The North Park Music Fest is a similar event, though rather than being held throughout the summer, it’s a two-day annual event that typically runs in June. In addition to musicians from across Southern California, the festival also has food trucks, vendors, and even an art display.
Other notable annual events in North Park include the SDCCU Festival of Arts, a large street fair in May with free attendance, and frequent concerts at The Observatory, previously known as The North Park Theatre.
North Park prides itself on having a diverse community, and many of the neighborhood’s cultural displays and events aim to highlight what makes it unique.
It’s not uncommon to see craft beer festivals, art showings, or even drag show events running throughout the year.
One thing North Park and Pacific Beach have in common are the murals located throughout both neighborhoods!
Like Pacific Beach, businesses are similarly decorated in brightly-colored murals around North Park, especially along Main Street, where electrical boxes have been given a brand new look.
Mural of Pacific Beach in the 1950S
Comparing Events and Culture: Tie
With so many excellent events and cultural displays to choose from in both neighborhoods, I’d be remiss to pick a winner here, as you won’t be disappointed in either Pacific Beach or North Park.