Springtime Activities in Sunny San Diego

Spring starts on Sunday, March 20, 2016

Fields of flowers, the San Diego Padres and pretty much perfect weather could only mean one thing: it’s springtime in San Diego. Here are some ways to celebrate the season and frolic in America’s Finest City.

Carlsbad Flower Fields
Nothing says spring quite like a visit to the Carlsbad Flower Fields on Paseo Del Norte in San Diego’s North County. Open now through May 8, guests can enjoy the blooms daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for kids three to 10 years old. Children under 2 get in free. Besides a walk along the fields and endless photo opportunities, visitors can enjoy snacks from vendors and shopping at the on-site store and nursery. The Flower Fields also hosts a bunch of events each spring, including a special kid’s day, live music and a Mother’s Day celebration.

Balboa Park Botanical Building
Sure, it’s open year-round, but Balboa Park’s Botanical Building in the spring is truly a spectacular sight. The 100-year-old historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world, not to mention one of the most photographed spots in Balboa Park. There are more than 2,100 permanent plants inside including cynads, ferns, orchids, palms and other tropical plants. The iconic Lily Pond is also right in front of the Botanical Building, which makes this the perfect springtime stop. It’s free to enter and open Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bonus: on the third Friday of each month, at 11 a.m., the San Diego Floral Association gives a free tour of the site. Tours leave from the south end of the Lily Pond and are open to the public.

San Diego Padres at Petco Park
Spring means baseball season! Head over to Petco Park in downtown San Diego and catch a Padres game. The Padres Home Opener lands on April 4 this year against the Dodgers. Check out the team’s full schedule here. Most single-game tickets start at $15 per person.

Mission Beach Boardwalk
Take advantage of our gorgeous weather and visit the iconic boardwalk at Mission Beach. The boardwalk is currently undergoing massive renovations to restore the landmark to how it looked when it first debuted in the 1920s. The restoration project should be completed by Memorial Day. For now, some parts of the boardwalk and seawall remain open and construction-free. Soon, however, as spring turns to summer, it'll be ready for strolling. On any given day – especially when the temps are practically perfect – dozens of people can be seen walking, jogging and bicycling along the boardwalk. The exercise is great, but the clear view of the ocean is even better.

Picnic at a Local Lake
Get in touch with nature by having yourself a good old-fashioned picnic at one of our many local lakes. East County spots include Santee Lakes, Lake Murray and Lake Jennings. There’s also Dixon Lake in Escondido, Lake Miramar, Lake Morena and Chollas Lake, to name a few more.

Whale Watching (Yes, even in the spring)
Traditionally a winter activity, whale watching in San Diego has now become a year-round activity. Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, said last year that San Diego should be considered the world's No. 1 destination for whale watching. Around this time in 2015, Flagship Cruises said gray whale sightings were on the rise in San Diego, with more than 200 spotted off our shores over the first few months of the year.

What kind of springtime activities do you enjoy as a San Diego resident or visitor? Share in the comments section below.

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