Your Sundays Just Got a Whole Lot Happier!
We all know the dreaded feeling. After a perfect sunny Saturday, you wake up on Sunday morning with a pit in your stomach. The Sunday Scaries. They should be illegal, right? Well, don’t worry because we’ve got a whole slew of activities in San Diego to combat the universally understood end-of-week anxiety. Whether you find peace from petting farm animals or just need a little retail therapy, we’ve curated a fun list of ways to keep yourself distracted and entertained while discovering the beauty of San Diego. Sunday Scaries be gone!
Pet Mini Pigs
Next time the Sunday Scaries arrive, gather your pals and prepare yourselves for a new favorite pastime: petting mini pigs. SoCal Mini Pigs in Valley Center allows you to spend an hour feeding and petting their little farm friends. The owners also house mini goats, sheep, chickens, ducks and a mini horse. And, if you’ve always dreamt of being a pig parent, this family-owned business offers answers to a slew of questions—they even have piglets up for adoption! So, step into the shoes of Old MacDonald for a few, and let those anxious feelings fly away.
Location: Valley Center
Drinks and Games at Happy Does Bar
What better way to swing into Sunday afternoon than to practice your dinking (and drinking) in the pickleball kitchen while sipping on some “Happy Juice?” Offering karaoke, dancing, powerful potions (aka boozy bevs), pickleball and chicken tenders, Happy Does is a one-stop-shop for food and fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. Pre-game your next Padres outing (or should we say inning?) at this unique spot, which is open from Thursday through Sunday and on Padres home game days. In addition to their famous Chicky Tendies, the bar also offers burgers, beers, corn dogs, fruity cocktails and more. As their saying goes, “Happy Does, just because.”
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Pop-Up Roller Rink at Hotel Del Coronado
Time to roll up your sleeves and roll out that retro wardrobe because The Del just got groovier! This iconic Coronado hotel is offering summer roller skating with a side of throwback themes. Think ’80s and ’90s bangers, ’70s flower power, ’50s and ’60s twists and more. So, as you’re planning out your Sunday Scaries escapade, just know that Hotel Del Coronado has your back. And, if you decide to round up a whole crew of skaters, then be sure to take advantage of their group discount! Otherwise, general admission is $28, while hotel guests, members, military and first responders get in for $25.
Location: Coronado
La Jolla Open Aire Market
From sumptuous Turkish towels and sensational body scrubs to Carlsbad strawberries and Southeast African food, the La Jolla Open Aire Market appeals to all. Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., over 120 vendors come together in the heart of downtown La Jolla to share their goods and gather the community around the art of commerce and culture. Back in 1998, the first of these markets was held after La Jolla Elementary School (LJES) mom Sherry Ahern established its existence to raise funds for LJES. To this day, all proceeds are donated to improve educational areas such as art, music, the library, technology and more.
Location: La Jolla
Catch a Sunset at Windansea Beach
Flanked by green foliage and framed by sprawling rock formations, Windansea Beach is the perfect place to catch a sunset in San Diego. Pack a pretty picnic and pamper yourself with a solo evening before the next work week begins. Or let your lover or friends tag along for an equally sweet but different flavor of fun. Choose land or sand for your perch, and manifest success as you reflect on the highs and lows of your previous week and weekend. While you watch the surfers catch waves, remember that beating the Sunday Scaries sometimes boils down to metaphorically “riding the wave.”
Location: La Jolla
Second Sundays at Sea Hive Station
Every second Sunday of the month, Sea Hive Station hosts an outdoor vintage market that will leave you inspired with finds from all sorts of decades. From denim jackets to jewelry and more, you’re sure to discover new-to-you treasures and meet some cool people along the way. Sea Hive Station was established as an avenue for vendors and small businesses to thrive while also “cultivating freedom and community.” Check out this eclectic space from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on designated Sundays, and watch your end-of-the-weekend worries fade away. Oh, and be ready to rack up compliments on your sweet vintage finds.
Location: Liberty Station
Morning Pastries at Relic Bageri
Sunday morning pop-up pastries? Say less. Pop into Relic Bageri’s kitchen in Miramar to experience a sweet start to your Sunday. Frolic through flavor-land when you try unrivaled options such as the carrot coffee cake, nacho croissant or matcha spring wreath. Not the flavors you expected to hear, huh? That’s what makes this the hottest pastry spot in San Diego since sliced bread! The pop-ups are only open from 9:30 a.m. until they sell out, but you can also find their goods sold at Rikka Fikka and Mnemonic Coffee. When you go to their pop-up location, you’ll find parking in the front—get ready for a wild ride!
Location: Miramar
Homestyle Hawaiian Picnic at Kate Sessions Park
Pack a picnic blanket and enjoy ahi poke or salt and pepper chicken wings as you watch the sunset from Kate Sessions Park. This beautiful 79-acre park in Pacific Beach draws locals and tourists alike with its sweeping green grass and stunning views of Mission Bay. And there’s truly nothing like homemade food, so that’s why you’ll want to make a stop at Pacific Beach’s Homestyle Hawaiian, where they “cook everything home-style, Mo’s way.” Don’t forget to grab a side of kalua wontons or malasada doughnuts to complement your main choice.
Location: Pacific Beach
Explore San Diego With the 7 Bridges Hike
Whether you’re local to San Diego or visiting for a weekend, the Seven Bridges Hike is a must-do. This city jaunt is just the way to incorporate movement into your day of activities and fend off those Sunday Scaries. Start the adventure off with a morning at the museums (check out Balboa Park’s website for resident discounts), followed by a walk along the Park Boulevard and Cabrillo Bridges. Next, hit up the First Avenue Bridge and then the Quince Street Bridge for unreal views of the city. Finally, sway on the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge and end the evening with treks on the Vermont Street and Georgia Street Bridges. And, of course, stopping along the way for food at the Hillcrest Farmers Market is a must.
Location: San Diego
