The 9 best things to do in San Diego County this weekend

September 18–20, 2026 · handpicked from everything on across San Diego County.

This weekend's roundup skews toward atmosphere over neat categories — Restaurant Week is winding down across downtown dining rooms, SeaWorld goes full nightmare mode, and a mountain film fest and a pumpkin patch near the border round out a genuinely varied Sunday in San Diego County.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour- FallSunday · 7:00 PM · San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) · San DiegoThe Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings a lineup of adrenaline-driven mountain films to the Nat History Museum — a solid pick if you want big-screen adventure without leaving town.Howl-O-Scream San DiegoSunday · 7:00 PM · SeaWorld San Diego · San DiegoSeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream turns the park into a nighttime haunt, making it San Diego's largest Halloween-season nighttime experience and a fun way to kick off spooky season early.La Ruta del Maíz Pumpkin PatchSunday · 5:00 PM · C32F+RP, 22165 Hermanos Heredia, Baja California, Mexico · All San Diego CountyJust south of the border, La Ruta del Maíz reopens its pumpkin patch with fall displays, flower fields, farm animals and a cafe — a low-key family outing that runs through October.Twilight at Rooftop Cinema ClubSunday · 10:15 PM · Porto Vista Hotel & SuitesRooftop Cinema Club screens Twilight under the sky at Porto Vista Hotel — a nostalgic, atmospheric way to spend a Sunday night with a view.OB-oke Karaoke LIVE at WinstonsOBSunday · 8:00 PM · Winstons · San DiegoWinston's OB-oke turns the Ocean Beach bar's big stage over to karaoke every Sunday night, and it's built a reputation as one of the city's liveliest sing-along scenes.San Diego Restaurant Week at Oceana Coastal KitchenSunday · 11:30 AM · Oceana Coastal Kitchen · San DiegoOceana Coastal Kitchen wraps up San Diego Restaurant Week with a curated two- or three-course menu and Mission Bay views — a nice last chance to catch the citywide dining deal.San Diego Restaurant Week at AKASunday · 5:00 PM · AKA · San DiegoOver in the Gaslamp, AKA closes out Restaurant Week with a three-course prix-fixe menu blending Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai flavors.Surfside Race PlaceSunday · 10:00 AM · Del Mar Fairgrounds · Del MarDel Mar Fairgrounds' Surfside Race Place offers off-track wagering on live thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness racing beamed in from tracks worldwide — a good option for racing fans between meets.The Melt - National Cheeseburger Weekend! Signup for Melt Rewards by 9/17Sunday · 10:00 AM · The Melt · San DiegoThe Melt caps off National Cheeseburger Day with a weekend-long deal — Melt Rewards members who buy a MeltBurger earn a free one to come back for, a easy excuse for a casual burger run.

Looking for the current weekend? See what’s on in San Diego County this weekend →