This article was updated July 21 with information about a long-standing Gaslamp bar and restaurant being up for sale.
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com San Diego Blogger
The city with an endless summer actually has a real summer and that means there is so much to do that if you wind up not doing anything then its probably because you could not decide what to do in the first place. But don’t let that be you.
This guide provides a rundown of the top events and the latest bar and restaurant news in San Diego for July. It is intended for the single people and fun couples and does not include “family friendly” events or content for kids.
Padres At Home In July
Here’s the dates and opponents for San Diego Padres home games in July:
• July 6-12 (Diamondbacks July 6-9, Blue Jays July 10-12)
• July 28-Aug. 2 (Rockies July 28 & 29, Giants July 30-Aug. 2)
Over-The-Line 2026
San Diego’s softball-ish tournament on the flat and sometimes dusty plains of Fiesta Island returns for 2026 on July 11-12 and 18-19. Around since the 1950s, it features hundreds of teams with names so funny and crude it will make you both laugh and cringe at the same time. The best part is that you can actually drink on the grounds (but act like you’ve been there before because there is a solid police presence). I’ve covered it several time as you can see in this post. And don’t forget to check out the annual Miss Emerson contest on Saturday, July 18.
Del Mar Opening Day 2026
The 2026 date for Del Mar Opening Day is Friday, July 17.
I used to call this “the Kentucky Derby of the West Coast” because the scenery and atmosphere was similar (tho without the wild Kentucky Derby infield party) to that big event. That was pre-Covid when they let in as many people as could get through the turnstiles. Crowds then exceeded 35,000.
Now, tho, they sell out of GA tickets and instead of being $10 they are a whopping $73. It’s still a “thing” but no longer a drop-everything must-do San Diego event. Plus, Opening Day is now on a Friday, another tradition gone as for years it was on a Wednesday. Still, if you want to go, here is link to Del Mar Opening Day tickets.
From my viewpoint, you’re better off going on one of its beer or wine events or for its Friday afternoon Happy Hour and even that’s scaled back now. Up until recently (last year?) it was 50% off select cocktails until 5 p.m. Now its 25% off until 4.
Comic-Con 2026 Dates Plus Bar & Restaurant Specials
The dates for Comic-Con 2026 are July 23-26. You probably know the drill; if you don’t have a ticket you can still experience the atmosphere around the Gaslamp Sign (the road is blocked off to traffic), going to some of the less-crowded pop-ups and behind the convention center. Heck, even the pedicab drivers dress up for Comic-Con!
• Bar & Restaurant Theme Parties & Cocktails
And Just Up The Coast… Mooning of the Amtrak
This one is just bizzare. But cool! Each year on the second Saturday of July (so July 11 in 2026), hundreds of people go to a bar in Laguna Niguel to literally moon the passing Amtrak (and MetroLink) trains. Sometimes, staff on the trains moons the mooners. This event takes place all day an into the night with each passing train. If you don’t believe me, see this Mooning of the Amtrak story.
Update: I went and mooned the Amtrak. Here’s what the experience is like and the current scene through words, photos and video.
Hard Rock Pool Saturdays
Hard Rock Hotel has pool parties every Saturdays all summer. There is free entry (before 2 p.m., register in advance here; then it’s $12 and up).
Pacific Records Festival
Pacific Records is bringing California coastal and island culture to San Diego this summer with the Pacific Records Festival on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Kate Sessions Park. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the freeevent features performances from Pacific Records artists Sandollar, Twilight Highway and Slack Key ‘Ohana with additional performances from VB By the Sea and The Tourmaliners. As part of Pacific Beach Town Council’s Concerts on the Green series and Community Night, Pacific Records Festival blends live music with San Diego’s beach culture and sunsets.
Holo Holo Music Festival
Reggae and island music bring a bit of the Caribbean culture to Gallagher Square on July 18. Ticket prices start at $84.
San Diego Bar & Restaurant Happenings For July
There are many cool things about being in San Diego in July, among them the rooftop “socials.” In the Gaslamp (well, okay, East Village to be specific, there’s Sunset Sessions each Friday at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktailson the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter,Register for free here and get a Golden Hour toast cocktail on the house.
Saturdays in Little Italy, the Carte Rooftop & Lounge has Skyline Social. This is a weekly event with cocktails and DJ music. You can resigster for free here.
The Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter has Tivia Nights on Tuesdays in the Wild Hare Bar Garden with half-off taco plates, house margaritas, and Mexican lagers. Starting at 5:30 p.m., it is co-hosted by Trivia Goat and the San Diego-based migling app Walkabout. The bar also has Yappy Hours every third Saturday from 4-6 p.m.; the one on July 18 is Comic-Con themed (bottled beer $6, well drinks $6). At the hotel’s Starlight Terrace, it has Movie Night Under the Stars on select summer Fridays. Starting at dusk, the upcoming featured flicks are Top Gun: Maverick on July 3 and Barbie on July 31. It’s free and seating is first come, first served. Cocktails are fro the Wild Hare.
Like line dancing? It happens every Tuesday at Moonshine Beach in Pacific Beach (lessons 8:30-10; drink specials are $7 Bandero Blanco Tequila, $9 Bandero Reposado, $8 House Margarita, $8 Mexican Candy Shot and 2-for-1 Buena Cerveza Mexican Lage), Thursday at Moonshine Flats in the Gaslamp/East Village (lessons 8 p.m.; drink specials are $7 Jack Daniel’s: Black, Fire, Honey & Apple and 2-for-1 Buena Cerveza) and Thursdays at Maverick’s in PB (7 p.m.).
One of PubClub’s favorite Gaslamp spots – good prices, really nice owners and staff – Las Hadas is up for sale. It’s been pretty slow since Fluxx nightclub a couple doors down closed (it was a very fun and popular pre-party bar) and it remains open for now.
San Diego Pride Week was July 11-19 – the parade is July 18 – and Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails has a the Sparkle and Shine Sangria. Available Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19, the refreshing rooftop sip is made with California red blend wine, brandy, fresh fruit juices and fresh berries,with edible glitter for shimmer ($12). Sally’s Waterfront Dining in Seaport Village has a Pride Rainbow three-glass mimosa flight inspired by the Pride flag colors and a Lavender Marriage, a lavender lemon gimlet finished with a Thai basil garnish. The True Colors Pride Rooftop Party is July 18 from 2-8:45 pm at Spin Nightclub. Hosted by New Life Sounds and STEPPIN TIL CHECKOUT, this ticketed 21+ event benefits the local nonprofit The Music Company (TMC). It features headliner Leisan alongside a dynamic lineup of local DJs. Tickets start at $20.20 and are available here.
Temaki Bar: Handroll, Sushi, Sake in Encinitas is heating up summer nights with exclusive food and drink specials available during Encinitas Cruise Nights, a downtown monthly event of classic cars live music and entertainment every third Thursday running through Thursday, Sept. 17. Temaki has a Ghost Flame hand roll, inspired by the iconic flame graphics found on classic hot rods and custom cars made with albacore, jalapeño, mango, yuzu kosho, furikake and cilantro for $11. Temaki also has $5 sake bombs. The specials are available on these Thursdays: July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17.
Over The Shoulder
4th of July Fireworks Shows
July starts with a bang – a big bang, in fact, with the Big Bay Boom fireworks over San Diego bay. Several barges are in different places from the Coronado Bridge to Shelter Island so there’s plenty of good viewing places. Just don’t expect to show up at the last minute and have a prime front-row location. You can learn all about the Big Bay Boom, other fireworks shows and pretty much everything else happening here on our country’s 250th birthday with PubClub’s complete guide to the 4th of July in San Diego.
Click the link; it keeps me from repeating the same information here.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and San Diego-based nightlife expert who has spent years exploring Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and other coastal communities. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.
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