Go Surfing
While I would recommend surfing in any season, surfing in a San Diego summer is special. The water is refreshingly cool, but warm enough that you don’t need a wetsuit. You might find yourself in a crowd of other surfers enjoying the waves, which always makes me feel like a part of the surf community. One of my favorite places to surf is South Mission Beach, right next to the jetty, which is a great spot for beginners. I also love surfing near the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad, which is better for more advanced surfers. To get to the beach at the Army-Navy Academy, you go down the path behind the church, and find yourself on a lovely stretch of beach. However, when surfing in San Diego, always remember to do the stingray shuffle.
Take the Ferry to Coronado
Riding the ferry to Coronado is a fun activity for both summer nights and summer days. I remember taking the ferry at 10 one evening, running up and down the beach in the dark with my friends while we admired the lights of downtown. Afterwards, we stopped at a French bakery on the water, Parfait Paris, and enjoyed our gelato on the sand.
Check Out a New Ice Cream Shop
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a cold cone of ice cream, and it’s always fun to mix it up and try out a new ice cream shop. I love North Park Creamery, known for its delicious soft serve ice cream and Polaroid picture dog wall. Mariposa Ice Cream in Normal Heights is a tasty summer treat, at a beloved neighborhood store. You can see the care and community fostered at Mariposa, a family-run business. Mutual Friend Ice Cream is the perfect place to go if you enjoy a less traditional flavor. I love their spumoni ice cream, the perfect blend of pistachio, dark chocolate, and cherry. Their menu changes every few weeks, so you never know what you will get. Or, go all in at the Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival on June 22nd in North Park.
Rent a Water Trampoline
A few summers ago, I enjoyed an amazing day on the bay at Santa Clara Point when my family rented a water trampoline. Mission Bay Sportcenter rents out these monstrosities, striped yellow and blue like a circus tent, and oh-so-fun. You can jump for hours on the trampoline and splash around in the bay, and I recommend bringing a volleyball and enjoying a game on the beach in between jumping
Have a Beach Bonfire
Some of my best summer memories are of my friends’ annual summer solstice beach bonfire. Her family claims a fire pit while we bodysurf, and when we come in we have a warm fire to huddle around. We roast marshmallows, hotdogs, and watch the sunset on the longest day of the year. While you are no longer allowed to bring your own fire pit to the beach, you can find free designated fire pits at beaches across San Diego, including La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, South Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach.
