Travel to a new city with the family can be daunting: What to do, where to do, when to travel? There’s a lot to consider.
Planning a getaway with your crew can be made (a little) easier when traveling for a specific event. Find something everyone can get excited about and work it into your schedule, or simply use a fun festival as an excuse to get out and enjoy the city for the day.
One of the best ways to explore San Diego like a local is with the locals, and locals love a festival — luckily, there is always something going on in this City in Motion. After a long, cold winter, break away for the West Coast, just in time for San Diego’s spring festival lineup.
International Mariachi Festival
Celebrate Mexican arts and culture during the annual International Mariachi Festival. This San Diego tradition honors Mexican heritage with music — and lots of it. Festivalgoers head to Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, March 8, 2020, for live mariachi music, colorful costumes, traditional Mexican cuisine, an adults-only beverage garden, live ballet performances, folk dancing and more. Families have an entire area catering to all ages, with a children’s stage, face painting and rock-climbing wall.
Mariachi culture in San Diego. Photo: Scott Jones | Dreamstime.com
San Diego’s wild history of prospectors and gold rush opportunists come back to life April 6, 2020, at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This unique tradition kicks off at dusk (around 7:15 p.m.) with storytellers and, well, liars, competing in the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest. In honor of 1800s mountain man and famous storyteller Thomas L. Smith, or “Peg Leg” Smith, web-spinners of all ages can enter in the competition to be judged on presentation, props, originality, costumes and theme.
Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival
Did someone say avocado? While it may sound like millennial bait for your adult children, Annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival has actually been a beloved tradition since the 1960s. The April 19, 2020, event includes live entertainment, avocado-themed goods, cooking contests, guacamole-making contests, beer gardens, crowning of Little Miss and Little Mister Avocado and, of course, plenty of chances to sample the local product.
San Diego’s diverse population of Chicano and Mexican residents celebrates its 50th anniversary with a free event, April 25, 2020. Home of the largest collection of Chicano murals in the world, Chicano Park hosts the free event, filled with dancing, music, indigenous traditions, a low-rider car show and art workshops for kids.
San Diego Surf Film Festival
With a strong surf culture and artistic side, this city expertly blends the two with an international surf film festival: San Diego Surf Film Festival. Guests can meet filmmakers and local artists at a luncheon, or just enjoy the live music, art and festivities each May.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedNorth America
Jul 7, 2026Your Next Luxury Family Getaway Calls from Colorado
Family adventure is calling — and so are the Rocky Mountains. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, in Colorado, is the perfect summer getaway, combining adventure, wellness and luxury accommodations for all ages.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Jul 6, 2026Fairmont San Francisco, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” Partner
It’s a tale as old as time still being told today as Fairmont San Francisco recently announced a collection of immersive guest experiences inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, on stage at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre July 14–Aug. 9.
Europe
Jul 6, 2026Heading to Poland? Make for This Family-Friendly Wrocław Hotel
Wrocław, Poland, might not be at the top of family travel lists, but the city is emerging as a popular destination for family summer travel. The destination sets itself aside from the more crowded European cities thanks to its walkable Old Town, colorful architecture, riverfront setting, cultural attractions, parks and family-friendly experiences.
Hotels
Jul 3, 2026JW Marriott Venice Launches Football Academy with World Cup Legend Zambrotta
JW Marriott Venice gets in on all the World Cup fun by inviting family travelers to participate in its GZ19 Football Legends Academy. July 6 to 10, locals and guests alike can spend the week living out World Cup dreams and train with Italian soccer star Gianluca Zambrotta, with the stunning Venetian Lagoon as the backdrop.
Hotels
Jul 3, 2026Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Offers Curated Summer Programming
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess unveiled a full summer of family programming, culinary offerings and patriotic celebrations, headlined by this weekend’s 16th annual Freedom Fest.
ShareThis