Bubbles floating over the Ocean Beach pier at sunset

Outdoors

Outdoor events in Southern California

Run clubs, hikes, tidepools, birding, stargazing and other reasons to touch grass.

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SunOct 48amFrosted Fakers Senior-Dog Hike: Orosco RidgeSun, Oct 4 · 8amOrosco Ridge Trailhead, 21648 Pamo Rd · RamonaCommunity volunteer hike with Frosted Faces senior shelter dogs. Registration and dog assignment with volunteer coordinators required.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 48amSuper Hero Obstacle RaceSun, Oct 4 · 8amAlga Norte Park · CarlsbadCarlsbad family 2K superhero-themed obstacle race. Ages 4+; registration required.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 49amLionel’s Legacy Senior Stroll at Lake MurraySun, Oct 4 · 9amLake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Dr · La MesaDog-friendly senior stroll around Lake Murray with Lionel’s Legacy and UCSD nurses; all dogs welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 49amRaptor Talk with Dr. Bob GordonSun, Oct 4 · 9amMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center · San CarlosFree meet-and-learn session with local falconer Bob Gordon and birds of prey in the visitor center lobby.WildlifeSunOct 410amD's K-9 Cardio Community Pack WalkSun, Oct 4 · 10amBuena Vista Park, 1601 Shadowridge Dr · VistaFree structured group walk for friendly dogs. Standard 4 to 6 ft leashes only (no retractables); bring water and waste bags.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 4All daySaturn at opposition, brightest of the yearSun, Oct 4 · All daySunset Cliffs Natural Park · Sunset CliffsSaturn at opposition on October 4, 2026, its brightest and best-positioned point of the year for viewing.Space + StargazingMonOct 59amLGBTQ+ Dog Park TakeoverMon, Oct 5 · 9amSepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, 17550 Victory Blvd · EncinoFree weekly LGBTQ+-friendly dog park social in the all-breed off-leash section. Dog owners, walkers, trainers and allies welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsTueOct 66pmPaws on the PromenadeTue, Oct 6 · 6pmDog Haus Biergarten, 210 E 3rd St · Long BeachDowntown Long Beach Alliance monthly dog-friendly group walk through downtown. Bring your pup to meet other dog owners.Fitness + OutdoorsWedOct 77pmThe Sky Tonight: Galaxies GaloreWed, Oct 7 · 7pmFleet Science Center · Balboa ParkLive astronomy program exploring galaxies, paired with telescope viewing on the Prado when weather permits.Space + StargazingThuOct 87:30pmDraconid meteor shower peak, watch right after darkThu, Oct 8 · 7:30pmSunset Cliffs Natural Park · Sunset CliffsDraconid meteor shower peak, October 8-9, 2026. Best viewed in the evening after dark rather than pre-dawn.Space + StargazingThuOct 8All daythru Oct 11Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMBThu, Oct 8 · All day · thru Oct 11The Village in Big Bear Lake · Big Bear LakeMountain ultramarathon festival with multiple race distances, vendors, DJ and village activities.Fitness + OutdoorsFriOct 96pmStars at West SycamoreFri, Oct 9 · 6pmWest Sycamore – Mission Trails Regional Park · Scripps RanchFree telescope stargazing with San Diego Astronomy Association at West Sycamore staging area. Cloudy weather or rain cancels.Space + StargazingFriOct 98pmAnza-Borrego Under the StarsFri, Oct 9 · 8pmAnza-Borrego Desert State Park · Borrego SpringsGuided dark-sky astronomy night in Anza-Borrego with constellation storytelling, telescope viewing and desert stargazing.Space + StargazingFriOct 9All daythru Oct 10Joshua Tree Night Sky FestivalFri, Oct 9 · All day · thru Oct 10Sky's The Limit Observatory & Nature Center · Twentynine PalmsTwo-day dark-sky festival near Joshua Tree with astronomy programming and a Saturday night star party at the observatory.Space + StargazingSatOct 109amWildlife Tour at San Elijo LagoonSat, Oct 10 · 9amSan Elijo Lagoon · Cardiff-by-the-SeaAn autumn wildlife walk at the lagoon looking for birds, golden cottonwoods and even cochineal bugs on the prickly pear.WildlifeSatOct 109amWander the Wetlands: Bird Watching at Kendall-Frost MarshSat, Oct 10 · 9amKendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, 2055 Pacific Beach Dr · Pacific BeachA bilingual bird watching morning at one of the last salt marshes on Mission Bay, hosted by the San Diego Bird Alliance.WildlifeSatOct 109:30amFit Yoga at The Rady ShellSat, Oct 10 · 9:30amThe Rady Shell at Jacobs Park · EmbarcaderoA free all-levels one-hour vinyasa class beside San Diego Bay; registration is required.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 109:30amBlue Leash Dining Out With Your Dog WorkshopSat, Oct 10 · 9:30amLiberty Station The Boat outdoor dining area · Liberty StationHands-on workshop to help dogs settle calmly at cafés and outdoor dining areas. Registration required, $75 per dog.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 1010amDiscovery Table: Owl PelletsSat, Oct 10 · 10amMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center · San CarlosFree hands-on owl pellet discovery and dissection table in the visitor center lobby, with activities for kids and adults.WildlifeSatOct 107pmNew Moon Night Hike in Anza-BorregoSat, Oct 10 · 7pmAnza-Borrego Desert State Park · Borrego SpringsGuided 2-3 mile new-moon desert hike timed for very dark skies, with stargazing and chances to spot nocturnal bats, owls and scorpions.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 10All dayHike for Holiday Magic: Seven BridgesSat, Oct 10 · All dayVermont Street Bridge · HillcrestDog-friendly fundraising walk crossing seven San Diego bridges, ending with a pizza celebration.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 10All dayStar Party at OakoasisSat, Oct 10 · All dayOakoasis County Preserve · LakesideFree ranger and astronomy-club stargazing with telescopes. October 10 confirmed by County Parks; start time not posted on the available official page. Verify before attending.Space + StargazingSunOct 117amMission Bay 5KSun, Oct 11 · 7amVentura Cove · Mission BayTimed 5K at the Mission Bay Triathlon, starting at Ventura Cove and finishing at Bonita Cove Park.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 118amFrosted Fakers Senior-Dog Hike: Oak Shade TrailSun, Oct 11 · 8amRamona Oak Shade Trail, 15821 Cope Rd · RamonaCommunity volunteer hike with Frosted Faces senior shelter dogs. Registration and dog assignment with volunteer coordinators required.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 1111amThe Sky Tonight: Galaxies Galore (weekend edition)Sun, Oct 11 · 11amFleet Science Center · Balboa ParkA live planetarium tour of the current night sky and a look at galaxies, in a daytime weekend showing that works well for kids.Space + StargazingMonOct 129amLGBTQ+ Dog Park TakeoverMon, Oct 12 · 9amSepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, 17550 Victory Blvd · EncinoFree weekly LGBTQ+-friendly dog park social in the all-breed off-leash section. Dog owners, walkers, trainers and allies welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsWedOct 145pmMoonlight Paddling on Mission BayWed, Oct 14 · 5pmMission Bay Aquatic Center · Mission BayGuided evening paddling session on Mission Bay timed around sunset and moonlight; equipment and lifejackets provided.Fitness + OutdoorsFriOct 168amGuided Bird Walk at Kumeyaay LakeFri, Oct 16 · 8amKumeyaay Lake Campground · SanteeFree guided bird walk along Kumeyaay Lake with Mission Trails bird walk leaders. Bring binoculars if available; rain cancels.WildlifeFriOct 165:30pmQueer Hike: Spooky Sunset Stroll in Imperial BeachFri, Oct 16 · 5:30pmBayside Birding and Walking Trail · Imperial BeachFree LGBTQIA+ friendly birding and sunset hike along the bayside trail.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 178amGrebes at Lake WohlfordSat, Oct 17 · 8amLake Wohlford Ranger Station, 25453 Lake Wohlford Rd · EscondidoA morning birding outing focused on the grebes that gather at Lake Wohlford each fall.WildlifeSatOct 178amBirding walk at the San Diego River mouth, Robb Field (free)Sat, Oct 17 · 8amRobb Field · Ocean BeachSan Diego Bird Alliance outing at the San Diego River Mouth / Robb Field, October 17, 2026 from 8am to 10:30am. Free. Check the official outing list for current details and registration.WildlifeSatOct 178amGuided Bird Walk at Kumeyaay LakeSat, Oct 17 · 8amKumeyaay Lake Campground · SanteeFree guided bird walk along Kumeyaay Lake with Mission Trails bird walk leaders. Bring binoculars if available; rain cancels.WildlifeSatOct 178amBirding Outing: San Diego River Mouth (Robb Field)Sat, Oct 17 · 8amSan Diego River Mouth at Robb Field · Ocean BeachFree guided birding at the river estuary, focusing on birds that thrive in changing wetland habitat.WildlifeSatOct 178amBird Photography Club: San Elijo Lagoon Photo StrollSat, Oct 17 · 8amSan Elijo Lagoon · CardiffFree community bird photography stroll combining birdwatching and photography.WildlifeSatOct 179amBlue Leash Dog Paddleboarding WorkshopSat, Oct 17 · 9amLiberty Station Beach · Liberty StationDog-and-handler paddleboarding instruction with SUP Pups. Learn to introduce your dog to a paddleboard and safely get comfortable on the water. Official current schedule lists $120 per dog; signup ...Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 179amBirding Outing: Famosa SloughSat, Oct 17 · 9amFamosa Slough · Point LomaFree birding outing at Famosa Slough with the San Diego Bird Alliance and Friends of Famosa Slough, focused on wetland birds and habitat.WildlifeSatOct 179amBirding Outing: Famosa SloughSat, Oct 17 · 9amFamosa Slough · Point LomaFree guided wetland birding with Friends of Famosa Slough.WildlifeSatOct 171pmFamily Discovery Walk: Kumeyaay KidsSat, Oct 17 · 1pmKumeyaay Lake Campground · SanteeFree family nature walk about how Kumeyaay children lived and played at Mission Trails. Rain may cancel; meet at the campground shade structure.WildlifeSatOct 17All dayPalomar Observatory Experience with the FleetSat, Oct 17 · All dayPalomar Observatory (bus from Fleet Science Center) · Palomar MountainAn adults-only trip up to Palomar Observatory with bus transportation, a meal option and a private telescope tour.Space + StargazingSunOct 188amLiberty Station Pack WalkSun, Oct 18 · 8amUSS Recruit, 2558 Laning Rd · Liberty StationFree morning group dog walk around Liberty Station. Register ahead to sign the waiver; dogs must stay on a 3 to 6 foot leash, and retractable leashes are not allowed.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 188amFrosted Fakers Senior-Dog Hike: Wellfield ParkSun, Oct 18 · 8amWellfield Park Soccer Fields, 700 Elm St · RamonaCommunity volunteer hike with Frosted Faces senior shelter dogs. Registration and dog assignment with volunteer coordinators required.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 184pm10th Annual SUP’er Scary Halloween Paddle & FundraiserSun, Oct 18 · 4pmSUP Pups, 2592 Laning Rd · Liberty StationBring your pup on a costumed group paddle with pet and human costume contest, raffle, refreshments, pup cups and adoptable senior dogs. Benefits Frosted Faces Foundation.Fitness + OutdoorsMonOct 199amLGBTQ+ Dog Park TakeoverMon, Oct 19 · 9amSepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, 17550 Victory Blvd · EncinoFree weekly LGBTQ+-friendly dog park social in the all-breed off-leash section. Dog owners, walkers, trainers and allies welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsWedOct 219amThe Axolotl's Garden / El Jardín del AjoloteWed, Oct 21 · 9amBirch Aquarium at Scripps · La JollaNew immersive exhibit exploring endangered axolotls, Mexican art and culture, with living habitats. Included with general aquarium admission. Opens Oct 21; end date not announced; check official si...WildlifeThuOct 22All dayOrionid meteor shower peak, best after midnightThu, Oct 22 · All daySunset Cliffs Natural Park · Sunset CliffsOrionid meteor shower peak, October 21-22, 2026, from debris left by Halley's Comet. NASA's event page has the current viewing details.Space + StargazingSatOct 246:50amBike the CoastSat, Oct 24 · 6:50amOceanside Pier / Betty's Lot · OceansideOceanfront cycling event with 7, 15, 25, 50 and 100-mile routes plus a public finish festival with live music, food and a beer garden.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 248:30am13th Annual Howl-O-Ween Mutt Run/WalkSat, Oct 24 · 8:30amRoad Runner Sports, 5553 Copley Drive · Kearny MesaDog-friendly 5K run/walk benefiting Labs and More, with costume parade and contest plus rescue dog adoptions. Bring your dog or attend without one.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 249amStrength in the City FestivalSat, Oct 24 · 9amWaterfront Park · Downtown San DiegoCommunity wellness and fitness festival at Waterfront Park.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 249:30amBlue Leash Canine Good Citizen WorkshopSat, Oct 24 · 9:30amNobel Leash Free Dog Park · University CityDog-and-handler Canine Good Citizen workshop with optional AKC CGC testing after the session. Official listing includes test and ribbon for qualifying dogs; $75 per dog, RSVP required.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 249:30amAncient Spirits Speak: Ethnobotany Walk + Oak Gall PigmentSat, Oct 24 · 9:30amSilverwood Wildlife Sanctuary · LakesideGuided ethnobotany walk and hands-on oak-gall pigment activity presented with Barona Cultural Center & Museum. $20.WildlifeSatOct 245:30pmNature Nights: Bat Walk & Moths at Peutz CreekSat, Oct 24 · 5:30pmPeutz Creek · AlpineGuided bat and moth walk with bioacoustics and a UV light station. $20 registration. No visitor pets allowed. Meeting address and check-in instructions are on the official event page.WildlifeSunOct 2510amCalifornia Wolf Center Wolf WalkSun, Oct 25 · 10amLake Cuyamaca Loop Trail · JulianScenic fundraising walk around Lake Cuyamaca supporting wolf conservation, with California Wolf Center staff and conservation education. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 2512pmBasics of Meditation & MindfulnessSun, Oct 25 · 12pmDharma Center · Ocean BeachFourth-Sunday introductory meditation and mindfulness instruction, in person and online. Donation optional.Fitness + OutdoorsSunOct 252pmLow tide -0.4 ft at 3:27pm, Cabrillo tide pools, plus Hunter's Moon tonightSun, Oct 25 · 2pmCabrillo National Monument tide pools · Point LomaCabrillo's Oct. 25 tide table shows a -0.37 ft low at 3:27pm, a strong tidepool-viewing window before the tidepool area closes at 4:30pm. Park entrance fees may apply.WildlifeSunOct 255pmMoonlight Paddling on Mission BaySun, Oct 25 · 5pmMission Bay Aquatic Center · Mission BayGuided evening paddling session on Mission Bay timed around sunset and moonlight; equipment and lifejackets provided.Fitness + OutdoorsMonOct 269amLGBTQ+ Dog Park TakeoverMon, Oct 26 · 9amSepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, 17550 Victory Blvd · EncinoFree weekly LGBTQ+-friendly dog park social in the all-breed off-leash section. Dog owners, walkers, trainers and allies welcome.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 319amOB Community Clean-Up SeriesSat, Oct 31 · 9amSaratoga Park · Ocean BeachNeighborhood volunteer cleanup organized by the Ocean Beach Community Foundation.Fitness + OutdoorsSatOct 3110amDiscovery Tables: Spiders & Bats Halloween SpecialSat, Oct 31 · 10amMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center · San CarlosHalloween-themed hands-on discovery tables about spiders and bats at the park visitor center. Check event listing for closing time.WildlifeSatOct 3112:30pmSpooky Mini Pelagic Birding TripSat, Oct 31 · 12:30pmSeaforth Sport Fishing, 1717 Quivira Rd · Mission BayA Halloween afternoon boat trip offshore to look for seabirds, and maybe dolphins, with the San Diego Bird Alliance.WildlifeSatOct 311pmBirding Basics Class at Mission TrailsSat, Oct 31 · 1pmMission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center · San CarlosFree bird identification class with MTRP guide Winona Sollock; classroom A, first 15 attendees seated.Wildlife

Event times, specials and details can change. Tap an event to check the original source before heading out.