The San Diego Symphony hosts several musical series a year. The Symphony Concert Series, which runs from October-May, takes place mostly at Copley Symphony Hall but includes a few additional venues throughout the county.
Contact number: (619) 235-0804
Location: 1245 Seventh Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
The Old Globe is the place to see everything from Hamlet to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. This Tony-award winning stage is one of the most renowned community theatres in the world, making it the premier arts institution of San Diego. The Globe produces 15 plays and musicals a year and is best known for their annual Shakespeare Festival.
Contact number: (619) 234-5623
Location: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
The oldest-running youth theatre in the U.S. has about thirteen offerings a year at their three locations (Balboa Park, La Jolla and Chula Vista). Your grandchildren will delight in seeing actors their own age performing kid-friendly fare (Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web, The Stinky Cheese Man) and taking center stage! And if they get bit with the acting bug, classes and camps are available.
Contact number: (619) 239-1311
Location: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
San Diego Opera is one of the top opera companies in the U.S. With well-known and new productions offered each year, you’re sure to find just the right production to share with your grandchildren as their first introduction to this extraordinary art form. Opening night, pre-opera and post-opera events are fun ways to make your special evening even more exciting. You can also take a backstage tour before a Friday evening performance.
Contact number: (619) 533-7000
Location: 1200 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
Keep Arts Tix in mind before you head out to a live performance. This discreet ticket booth, located on the corner of Broadway and Third Ave. at Broadway Circle, often sells half-price tickets to same day events. These discounted tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis so it’s best to be there when Arts Tix opens.
Contact number: (619) 497-5000
Location: 28 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
Coronado’s Promenade Concert in the Park Series, running on Sundays from Memorial Day-Labor Day, offers up jazz, Big Band, pops, fifties classics and local community band performances at this cozy event. Musicians assemble in a gazebo that is smack dab in the middle of the park so just about any spot you choose for setting up camp is a good one.
Contact number: (619) 437-8788
Location: Spreckels Park 601 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118
Learn more here.
The San Diego Bay Ferry shuttles passengers (no cars) from the Broadway Pier in Downtown San Diego to the Ferry Landing Marketplace in Coronado (and vice-versa). The 15-minute ride is just long enough to make you feel like you’re getting away from it all. You and your grandchildren can challenge each other by seeing who can spot the most sea animals (there are plenty of seals hanging out on the buoys) from the bow.
Contact number: (619) 234-4111
Location: 1050 North Harbor Drive,San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
San Diego is one of the best locations to catch the annual migration of gray whales as they make their way from the cold waters of the Arctic to the warm waters of Baja to birth their calves. Prime viewing months for Whale Watching Tours are late December-early March.
Contact number: (619) 234-4111
Location: 1050 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
Every summer, the Museum of Photographic Arts presents the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival. Films from all over the world are featured, each with children in mind. Each program is based on a theme (Earth and Space, Teen Filmmakers, Cinco de Mayo Celebracion) and features several short films based around that theme.
Contact number: (760) 805-9510
Location: 1649 El Prado , San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
The music, art, dance, education and technology of the African and indigenous cultures of the world are highlighted here in an effort of promotion and preservation. The center offers many classes for families to do together, so you and your grandchildren can enroll in an art, drumming, dance or music class. Earth Day, MLK Day, Bob Marley Day and Kwanzaa are just a sampling of their exciting annual celebrations.
Contact number: (619) 230-1190
Location: 2100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
Learn more here.
