This is the hard part of the pandemic. San Diegan's have stayed home more than ever before, wore masks, and yet here we are again in the Purple Tier. If you have little ones, it's hard to stay indoors until further notice. My son goes stir crazy in our home. So we go out wearing our masks, visiting places off peak, usually outdoor open spaces, or venues that require reservations, and operate at reduced capacity. This latest announcement by the health department was tough, but I have made a list of establishments that remain open.
List of Open Venues
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is Open!
The Japanese Friendship Garden sits on a 12-acre plot. It offers a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and festivals as well as accredited horticultural classes to enhance and deepen visitor appreciation for Japanese culture. The garden is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with the last admission at 5 PM.
JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN
2215 PAN AMERICAN ROAD. E.
SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
(619) 232 - 2721
ADMISSIONS
$ 12 - ADULTS (18+)
$ 10 - STUDENTS, SENIORS (65+), MILITARY
* CHILDREN AGES 6 AND YOUNGER ARE FREE.
Spanish Village Art Center— OPEN
Open daily 11 AM to 4 PM.
Spanish Village Art Center
1770 Village Place
Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
Balboa Park gardens — OPEN (except Botanical Building)
The Following Balboa Park Recreational Facilities Are OPEN
- Balboa Park Golf Course
- Balboa Park Disc Golf
- Balboa Tennis Club
- Archery ranges
- Bocce lanes
- Lawn bowling
- Horseshoe pits
On Hold or Cancelled:
December Nights is cancelled, but special Taste of December Nights event is scheduled Dec. 4–6 (see details).
Holiday Food Truck Festival is cancelled this year.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion Concerts: Tune in to their weekly online concert
San Diego Zoo & Safari Park Are Open!
SeaWorld is Open Reservations Are Required
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Is Open!
See 30 historical marine aircraft at this free outdoor museum! Parking is also free! Open Wed.-Sunday 9 AM to 3:30 PM.
4203 Anderson Avenue
San Diego, CA 92145
Birch Aquarium Outdoor Spaces Are Open!
Here's What You Can See At The Birch!
Marine Protected Area Touch Experience:
Get a chance to touch some local animals, like small sharks and rays, sea hares and snails while learning about Marine Protected Areas.
Tide Pool Touch Experience:
Enjoy tidepooling get up close and touch our La Jolla locals, like anemones, urchins and sea cucumbers.
Tropical Touch Experience:
Dip your hands into our warmer waters to get a chance to touch animals like Cleaner Shrimp, hermit crabs, sea stars and even young Epaulette Sharks.
Nursery Animals:
Get a chance to observe some of our nursery animals, like clumps of mussels, swell shark egg cases and juvenile sharks, sand crabs, juvenile zebra perch and garibaldi, gorgonians, limpets, jellies, decorator crabs, seagrasses, and nudibranch.
Winter Migrators:
Have you ever wondered who passes through our waters during the winter season? Guests will explore wintertime ocean species that migrate through the San Diego coastline and be able to log what they see!
Artist / Scientists in Residence:
See how our artist scientists at work! Join Brian Gibson or Siena McKim on the Tide Pool Plaza as they bring art to life.
Kelp Cam on the Big Screen:
Check out what’s going on in our kelp forest exhibit by watching it up on the big screen.
Oddities Outdoors:
Explore some of our most interesting specimens through our comic book panels. A larger than life octopus inflatable sculpture and our guest-favorite "shark head" will be available for fun photo opportunities.
Shark Shores:
Meet the locals and see large adult Leopard Sharks, rays, and other species that live along the sandy shores within view of the aquarium.
Whale Fall:
Learn what happens after a whale falls by exploring real whale bone specimens.
Location & Hours
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
Open 9—5 Daily
I will continue to bring you more information regarding open venues, events, and freebies. We'll get through this together San Diego!
Stay Informed Join Central San Diego Macaroni Kid It's Free!
