Summer’s Not Slowing Down: Your Guide to San Diego County This August
Photo courtesy of visitoceanside.org
The world’s top professional female surf contest will be back in Oceanside, CA for the 20th annual Super Girl Surf Festival, a 3-day event from August 21 – 23, 2026. The weekend will be jam-packed with a world-class surfing competition that will blow your mind, and a festival village loaded with female-inspired vendors, activities and amazing entertainment. The event is free to attend!
August in San Diego means one thing: summer at full blast. The marine layer burns off early, the water’s as warm as it gets all year, and the county’s calendar fills up with festivals, competitions, and only-here happenings. Whether you’re a local looking to make the most of your own backyard or visiting for the week, here’s what’s actually worth planning around this month.
Tiki Oasis (Aug 5–9)
The original and largest tiki event in the world kicks off today at the Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley, with a Wednesday-night luau at the Catamaran Resort to open things up. Expect a psychedelic-tiki theme this year, 150+ vendors, live bands, burlesque, and a weekend marketplace and art show that’s free and open to the public even if you skip the ticketed parties.
Hillcrest CityFest Street Fair (Aug 9)
A neighborhood institution under the Hillcrest sign, CityFest packs in live music, food, art, and craft vendors for a classic San Diego street-fair afternoon. Easy to walk to via trolley, easy to make a whole day of it.
USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s and 16s National Championships (Aug 8–16)
Over 400 of the country’s top junior tennis players compete for the national title — and for wild-card spots into the US Open. Free and open to spectators, it’s a good one for tennis-loving locals who want to watch future pros up close.
Chula Vista Lemon Festival (Aug 15)
Downtown Chula Vista’s Third Avenue goes full lemon for the day: pie-eating contests, lemonade, live music, games, and dogs in lemon costumes. It’s free, family-friendly, and a nice excuse to explore South Bay if you don’t usually make it down there.
World Bodysurfing Championships (Aug 15–16)
The 49th annual championships take over the sand next to the Oceanside Pier, drawing 350–400 bodysurfers from around the world. Heats start at 6:30 a.m. both days — prelims Saturday, semis and finals Sunday — so if you want to watch, get there early and bring coffee.
America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K (Aug 16)
A scenic, fast course starting at Cabrillo National Monument and finishing in Balboa Park. Not racing? It’s still a fun one to cheer on from the sidelines with a coastal view.
Super Girl Surf Festival (Aug 21–23)
Celebrating its 20th year, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, music, and lifestyle festival, taking over the Oceanside Pier and Amphitheater. More than 160 top female surf pros compete, plus free concerts and events spanning skateboarding, beach volleyball, soccer, and BMX. Completely free to attend.
San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival (Aug 21–23)
A family-friendly film festival at the Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad — a solid air-conditioned break from the beach if you’re wrangling kids on a hot weekend.
Bike the Bay (Aug 23)
The one day a year you can pedal across the Coronado Bay Bridge. This non-competitive, mostly-flat 25-mile ride starts at Embarcadero Marina Park South and loops through National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and Coronado via the Bayshore Bikeway — a genuinely unique way to see the bay.
LeucadiART Walk (Aug 24)
A North County day of art, music, and community along Leucadia’s coastal streets. Low-key, walkable, and a good one for locals who want to support local artists.
Ramona Rodeo (Aug 27–29)
Backcountry San Diego shows out for this PRCA-sanctioned rodeo at Fred Grand Arena — bull riding, roping, and small-town hospitality about an hour from downtown.
Quick-reference dates:
| Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tiki Oasis | Aug 5–9 | Mission Valley |
| Hillcrest CityFest | Aug 9 | Hillcrest |
| USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ Championships | Aug 8–16 | San Diego |
| Chula Vista Lemon Festival | Aug 15 | Chula Vista |
| World Bodysurfing Championships | Aug 15–16 | Oceanside |
| America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K | Aug 16 | Point Loma–Balboa Park |
| Super Girl Surf Festival | Aug 21–23 | Oceanside |
| San Diego Int’l Kids’ Film Festival | Aug 21–23 | Carlsbad |
| Bike the Bay | Aug 23 | San Diego Bay |
| LeucadiART Walk | Aug 24 | Leucadia |
| Ramona Rodeo | Aug 27–29 | Ramona |
Loving San Diego this summer? Imagine calling it home year-round. Aaron and Lisette with LPT Realty, Inc. know this county block by block — from Oceanside to Chula Vista. Ready to explore buying or selling in San Diego? Reach out today and let’s talk.
NOTE: As of today, 08-06-2026, this list only includes special events (festivals, competitions, one-time happenings) confirmed for August 2026 in San Diego County. Always double-check times and ticket status before you head out, since details can shift.
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