San Diego in January: The Ultimate Guide

Happy New Year! I’m excited to kick off 2025 with a fresh guide to all the best things to do in our beautiful city. From exciting new restaurants and businesses to must-see events and activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in San Diego in January!

Your Guide to San Diego in January

Things to Do, Any Day of the Week!

Explore the San Diego Botanic Garden’s Winter Blooms – The San Diego Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but it’s especially magical in the winter when the garden is filled with blooming flowers. Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children.
Catch a show at the Old Globe Theatre – The Old Globe Theatre is a world-renowned theater company that produces a variety of plays and musicals throughout the year. Tickets start at $29.
Go whale watching – January is a great time to see whales off the coast of San Diego. There are a number of whale watching tours available, starting at $45 per person.
Visit the San Diego Zoo – The San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Diego, and for good reason. It’s home to over 3,500 animals from around the world. Admission is $67 for adults and $57 for children.
Spend a day at the beach – San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches, so be sure to spend some time soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Tips for January in San Diego

Dress in layers – The weather in San Diego can be unpredictable in January, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers. The weather is generally pretty mild, with some sun and average temperatures still in the 60s.

Book your tickets in advance – For popular events and attractions, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance.

Take advantage of the free activities – There are plenty of free things to do in San Diego, such as visiting Balboa Park, hiking in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and exploring the Tide Pools.

January is our off-peak season – so you can expect fewer crowds at both SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. This typically means shorter wait times for attractions and a more relaxed experience.

January Events

Monster Jam – January 4-12
soundON Festival at Athenaeum – January 9-11
Poway Winter Festival – January 10-11
San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park – January 10-12
San Diego Brew Fest at NTC Park – January 11
FIT ATHLETIC YOGA at The Rady Shell – January 11
Back to the Future Musical at the Civic Theatre – January 14-19
Borrego Springs Film Festival – January 15-19
San Diego Restaurant Week – January 26
Monster Energy Supercross Championship – January 18
Bright Eyes at The Sound – January 18
San Diego Museum of Art Exhibit Opening – January 18
San Diego Underground Film Festival – January 18-19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade – January 20
Farmers Insurance Open – January 22-25
An Evening with Fran Lebowitz at Balboa Theatre – January 23
Chinese New Year Festival – January 25

New Restaurants to Try

1. Serenity Coffee & Kitchen

Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch, Coffee
Location: Hillcrest
Highlights: Serenity Coffee & Kitchen offers a relaxing spot for a delicious brunch or morning coffee. The menu includes creative avocado toasts, fresh smoothie bowls, and indulgent pastries. Their signature coffee drinks are crafted with local beans, and their plant-based options make it a go-to for health-conscious diners.
What’s New: This new café brings a peaceful vibe to Hillcrest with a focus on organic, locally-sourced ingredients, and a design that incorporates plenty of natural light and plants.

2. Olio Pizzeria

Cuisine: Pizza, Italian
Location: Mission Hills
Highlights: Olio Pizzeria specializes in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza with a San Diego twist. Expect a variety of wood-fired pizzas made with high-quality Italian ingredients and a crispy, chewy crust. They also serve pasta, antipasti, and a selection of local wines and craft beers.
What’s New: Olio’s focus on traditional pizza-making techniques and artisanal ingredients has quickly earned it a place as one of the go-to spots for pizza lovers in Mission Hills.

3. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Cuisine: Southern Comfort Food
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Highlights: Yardbird brings its beloved Southern comfort food to San Diego with dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and decadent biscuits and gravy. The expansive cocktail menu, featuring bourbon-centric drinks, pairs perfectly with the rich and hearty flavors of the food.
What’s New: The chain’s San Diego outpost offers a more upscale version of classic Southern fare, elevated with gourmet twists. The stylish setting and laid-back vibe make it an ideal destination for both brunch and dinner.

4. Somoza Cocina

Cuisine: Mexican Fusion
Location: Encinitas
Highlights: Somoza Cocina offers a creative fusion of modern Mexican dishes with international flavors. Expect unique takes on tacos, burritos, and bowls, along with fresh ceviches and tropical cocktails. Their seafood-forward menu and vegan options cater to a wide range of preferences.
What’s New: This spot has already garnered attention for its bold and innovative twists on traditional Mexican staples, all served in a trendy, beachy atmosphere perfect for casual dining.

5. Bovino

Cuisine: Steakhouse, American
Location: Bankers Hill
Highlights: Bovino brings an upscale, yet approachable, steakhouse experience to Bankers Hill. Specializing in prime cuts of beef, including dry-aged steaks and wagyu, Bovino also offers a selection of fresh seafood, decadent sides, and craft cocktails. The atmosphere is chic yet inviting, with an open kitchen and stylish décor.
What’s New: The modern design and focus on high-quality, locally-sourced meats set Bovino apart from other steakhouses in the area, and their innovative cocktails are a big draw for those looking for something beyond the typical steakhouse experience.

New Businesses to Check Out

1. Holo Holo

What’s New: This VR lounge is one of the first of its kind in San Diego to provide fully immersive VR experiences for groups, combining entertainment with technology in a sleek, high-tech space.

Type: Immersive VR Experience & Entertainment

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

Highlights: Holo Holo brings cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) experiences to San Diego, with fully immersive, interactive environments that transport you to other worlds. The space offers a variety of experiences from adventure games to creative, artistic VR installations. Whether you’re slaying zombies, exploring outer space, or visiting fantastical worlds, Holo Holo is a futuristic entertainment hub for thrill-seekers and gamers alike.

2. The Birdhouse

What’s New: This boutique stands out by offering a curated collection of items that emphasize ethical consumption and environmental responsibility—perfect for those looking to elevate their home while reducing their carbon footprint.

Type: Boutique & Sustainable Home Goods

Location: South Park

Highlights: The Birdhouse is a new eco-conscious home goods boutique that specializes in sustainable, locally-made, and ethically sourced products for the home. Offering everything from handmade ceramics to eco-friendly cleaning supplies, the shop also carries furniture, unique decor, and a curated selection of plants. The focus is on promoting sustainability while bringing beauty and functionality into people’s living spaces.

3. Puppy & Me Café

What’s New: This concept is a fun and heartwarming twist on the typical pet café, combining the joy of coffee with the chance to adopt a furry companion. It’s also part of the growing trend in pet-friendly businesses that embrace a community-minded approach to animal welfare.

Type: Pet-Friendly Café & Dog Adoption Hub

Location: North Park

Highlights: Puppy & Me Café is a pet lover’s paradise, blending a dog-friendly café with a dog adoption service. The café offers a full menu of gourmet coffee, pastries, and light bites, but the real draw is the opportunity to hang out with adoptable pups from local shelters. Visitors can enjoy their drinks while interacting with the dogs, and even adopt their new best friend on the spot.

4. Café Coyote (Kona Ice Bar)

What’s New: This new addition adds a flavorful, frozen dimension to the classic Café Coyote in Old Town, blending dessert with tropical cocktails in a playful, festive setting.

Type: Ice Cream & Cocktail Bar

Location: Old Town

Highlights: Café Coyote’s Kona Ice Bar brings a tropical twist to San Diego’s dessert scene, offering shaved ice with a choice of refreshing and exotic tropical syrups, as well as creative ice cream and cocktail combos. Customers can enjoy fun concoctions like boozy shaved ice and classic Hawaiian-style ice creams. The vibrant, beachy vibe of the spot also makes it perfect for a laid-back hangout.

5. Mercado 710

What’s New: A fusion of food, culture, and shopping, Mercado 710 reimagines the traditional mercado, creating a space that blends culinary adventure with community engagement and local art.

Type: Mexican Market & Modern Eatery

Location: Barrio Logan

Highlights: Mercado 710 brings an elevated experience to the traditional Mexican market with a sleek, modern twist. The space features a curated selection of artisan goods, handmade crafts, and fresh Mexican ingredients, alongside a casual eatery serving tacos, burritos, and specialty dishes like mole bowls and birria quesatacos. The market also hosts live music, pop-up events, and art showcases.