10 Things to Do in San Diego in April

When April comes to San Diego, it brings with it a feast of activities that will get you buzzing - how about a close encounter with grey whales on their annual migration or visiting Carlsbad's flower fields at their best? Meanwhile, at the WOW Festival you'll interact with artists in unexpected ways. But if beer and culinary delights are your thing, this month also brings the SeaWorld Food and Craft Beer Festival with more than 50 types of craft beers. And the fun doesn't stop there.

Are you a nature enthusiast? National Parks Week awaits you with open arms. Wine lovers will also want to try some of the best local wines, as well as the wines of some of the festivals' barracas and more. In this article I'll share with you the best things to do and see in San Diego in April. Here we go!

Since 1986 one of the first weekends in April has been dedicated to the exciting Carlsbad 5000 race, presented by the National University in San Diego, California. This event offers a full day of road racing along the scenic streets alongside some of San Diego's best beaches.

Who can participate? The Carlsbad 5000 includes individual 5K races suitable for all ages and ability levels, such as the men's and women's Masters divisions for those over 40, the men's and women's Open divisions for those under 39, and a non-competitive fun run.

After your run, I recommend enjoying the Carlsbad flower fields, a sight to behold, especially in the spring when the buttercup bulbs are in full bloom. Also, if you want to spoil the kids, you can buy tickets to Legoland California, which is only 1 kilometre away from the flower fields.

If you're a wine lover, you shouldn't miss the San Diego Wine Festival during the first half of April. With over 150 wines and bubbles from all over the world, you'll have plenty of options to find your favourite.

This event is a golden opportunity to taste some excellent local wines, as well as, tasting wines from barracas. But that's not all. There will be live music by a DJ, a photo booth to create special memories, and plenty of local food trucks to satisfy your taste buds.

Tickets for this festival are offered in two formats, to suit your tastes. First you have the general admission ticket, which allows you to taste the main wines of the festival. On the other hand, you have the advance ticket, which is for small groups and allows you to enjoy an additional tasting of wines from the wineries.

The Uncorked San Diego Wine Festival is held at Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Drive. It will be an afternoon to stimulate the senses, and if you want to take the experience up a notch, consider booking the Patriot Jet Boat Tour which departs from just behind the park.

There's more than one reason to visit the national parks, but what if I told you there's a special week for it? That's right, as you read it: during the second half of April every year National Parks Week is celebrated.

The event is a celebration that spans 8-10 days, where millions of people are encouraged to follow some of the best hikes and day trips in San Diego. They are determined to participate in the promotion and preservation of natural and cultural heritage at the foot of iconic sites such as Joshua Tree National Park, located about 3 hours from downtown.

Prefer a national park closer to home? Consider heading to Cabrillo National Monument, which you can even get to in fun ways, such as booking an amphibious bus tour along the San Diego coastline. Visit the national parks, hike, visit museums, or just appreciate the natural beauty - join the #NationalParkWeek community!

If you're visiting San Diego in April, you can't miss the San Diego Padres stadium. During this month, baseball season is in full swing, so you can cheer on the team by attending one of the exciting games at Petco Park.

And if you're in the mood for a behind-the-scenes look at the Padres, your guided tour of the stadium will allow you to explore the Hall of Fame, the media room, the locker rooms and the dugouts. In addition, the stadium is known for its impressive architecture, which incorporates elements of the neighbourhood in which it is located, a work of architect Antoine Predock.

I invite you to learn more about how to buy tickets for a baseball game in San Diego, its price, available dates, and in general, all the guide to get to know Petco Park and join the baseball fever. Where is this stadium located? At 100 Park Blvd, it's easily accessible by public transport and even the tourist tram.

Experience the thrill of a whale watching cruise during the month of April in San Diego, when the grey whale migration season reaches its climax, giving you the perfect opportunity to witness this breathtaking natural phenomenon.

Join a journey through the waters of the Pacific, where some 20,000 gray whales surface and play in the waves, while expert guides offer valuable insights into their behaviour and even the birth of calves during their 10,000-mile migration. It's the ideal time to hop aboard San Diego's best cruises.

Watch these enormous sea creatures swim close to the bay for about 2-4 hours, depending on the cruise you choose. This type of experience connects you with the grandeur of the ocean in a unique way, highly recommended this season.

From March through the end of April, on weekends you have the opportunity to join in the good vibes at SeaWorld San Diego's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival. It's perfect to schedule into your trip of at least 7 days in San Diego, because this is one of those experiences that comes around the same trip to the city.

SeaWorld's Seven Seas Craft Beer & Food Festival is a vibrant event, combining culinary delights with more than 70 types of exceptional craft beers in a festive atmosphere. As you stroll through the festival, you'll discover options to suit every palate, from traditional flavours to contemporary creations

. The atmosphere is charged with energy with live music and a lively ambience that invites you to enjoy. Add to this that when you buy SeaWorld tickets you can also see the usual marine wildlife exhibits featuring the resort's favourites such as dolphins, sea lions, bat rays, and flamingos. You'll have a culinary event that will not only satiate your senses, but also leave you with unforgettable memories. Where's the rendezvous? 500 SeaWorld Drive.

Do you love avocados? Every year, thousands of enthusiasts flock to Fallbrook in late April for the annual Avocado Festival. The event features a variety of activities, including the Alvarado Craft Stroll, where local artisans showcase their work and margarita tasters make their presence known. There are also performances by local talent, food trucks, wine gardens, local beer, children's zone, and Avocado Central, where avocados and trees can be purchased.

For more than 50 years, avocado lovers have flocked to San Diego's North County Inland to enjoy the festival's themed attractions, such as wacky cooking contests and the opportunity to purchase quirky avocado-themed gifts. The festival offers a variety of bands, live entertainment and cosy outdoor beer gardens.

Fans of handmade art will love the numerous craft stalls and booths located on Main and Alvarado streets. These stalls offer unique clothing, hats, crafts and jewellery. Visitors can also attend a race in which cars race avocados, as well as other contests and exhibits - admission is free! Where is the event? North Inland, E Alvarado St & S Main Ave, Fallbrook. A 1 hour drive from downtown San Diego.

Often those visiting San Diego for 5 days or more in April dedicate a day to the event and take the opportunity to stay on site and hike, as the area is surrounded by a green reserve thanks to its parks, such as the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and Live Oak County Park.

In April, you won't want to miss the Without Walls (WOW) Festival, presented annually by La Jolla Playhouse since 2013. This family-friendly event is a multi-day celebration of theatre that departs from traditional venues. Instead, it takes over unexpected venues, transforming them into interactive stages that blur the line between performer and audience.

During the WOW festival, you'll discover innovative American and international artists, each of whom brings a unique perspective to**"bold and extreme**" plays, according to the New York Times. From immersive performances that transport you to another world to site-specific productions that give new meaning to familiar spaces, each show is an invitation to reimagine theatre.

As you explore the festival grounds, you'll find a dizzying array of playful, intriguing and, above all, unforgettable theatre experiences. Whether you're a theatre aficionado or a newcomer to the scene, the WOW festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the future of theatre and experience it firsthand. Where is the event? 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego.

Get ready for the Linda Vista Multi-cultural Parade and Fair, this annual festival promotes cultural awareness, appreciation and consciousness in San Diego in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Attendees of this free event have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of cultural exhibits, ethnic foods and dazzling artistic performances in the 6900 block of Linda Vista Road, just a couple of blocks from Tecolote Canyon Nature Park and Nature Center for one day during the last week of April.

The North Park Beer Festival is an annual event held during the first week of April. With over 50 classic and craft beers to sample, this festival is a beer lover's paradise. But that's not all: to keep the good vibes going, there's live music and a number of food trucks to keep you entertained.

There's also a wide range of craft stalls offering handmade goods to explore. The festival is an open-air, general admission event, open to anyone 21 and over. Where is it held? At the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd, a 5-minute drive from Balboa Park.

Come to the San Diego Botanical Garden and take advantage of the last days of the Orchid Festival during the first week of April.

Immerse yourself in a unique botanical experience as you delight in the exquisite beauty of these flowers at their peak. Stroll the winding paths of the Encinitas Botanical Garden, time to admire the diversity of colours and shapes offered by the orchids at this annual festival.

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for nature enthusiasts and flower lovers. You can take away photographic memories, soak up the tranquil surroundings and even do yoga surrounded by vibrant flowers, as well as explore the country's largest collection of bamboos in its bamboo garden. Spring is here in April, so bloom with it.

Reserve your ticket in advance and visit them at 300 Quail Gardens Drive (at Ecke Ranch Road) Encinitas.