Memorial Day honors fallen service members of the U.S. military. In a military-centric town like San Diego, there are plenty of options of San Diego Memorial Day activities all weekend long. Hang outdoors alongside family and friends, mourn the loss of brothers and sisters in arms, and pay tribute in a way that feels right to you.
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Mt. Soledad’s Memorial Day Ceremony: May 27, 2024
On May 27, 2024, Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will hold the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Unite with our San Diego community to honor our fallen soldiers who served in the Armed Forces.
The 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony will pay tribute to the service members of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Additionally, the Memorial Day Ceremony will be featuring a distinguished guest, Chip Reid. As a former NBC correspondent, Reid spent six weeks embedded with the 3/5 Marines during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. His insightful reflections on this experience are captured in his publication, “Battle Scars, Twenty Years Later: Third Battalion Fifth Marines Look Back at the Iraq War and How it Changed Their Lives.” Mr. Reid’s presence underscores the significance and solemnity of our Memorial Day commemoration.
Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our heroes and hear from someone who has witnessed their bravery firsthand.
Remembering the 80th Anniversary of D-Day: May 26, 2024
A special program will take place to honor and remember the more than 1.2 million American men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The Miramar National Cemetery, where over 30,000 veterans and their families are interred, provides a solemn and fitting location for this significant event.
Attendees will have the opportunity to visit notable landmarks such as the Memorial Walkway, the POW Liberation Memorial, and the Veterans Tribute Tower and Carillon.
This ceremony is open to the public, free to attend, and free parking will be available.
Hours: 1pm – 3pm
📍 Miramar National Cemetery Amphitheater, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
Fort Rosecrans Bouquet Ride: May 25, 2024
Saturday, May 25th marks a significant event for one of our Gold Star families—the 4th Annual “BOUQUET RIDE.” This important bicycle ride honors their beloved son, CPL Gregory Millard (AKA Shortie). The ride will depart from California Bicycle in La Jolla and head towards Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Participants will enjoy a casual family ride culminating at Fort Rosecrans, where flowers will be laid at CPL Millard’s final resting place. Previous rides have seen tremendous support, with many riders and an abundance of flowers. This year, the goal is to have even more participants and bouquets.
To accommodate the flowers, some bicycles will be set up with large baskets, and an additional vehicle will carry extra flowers to meet the group at Fort Rosecrans. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show support and honor a fallen hero.
USS Midway Museum: May 24-27, 2024
What to do in San Diego for Memorial Day Weekend? Visit the USS Midway, obviously. Legacy Week at the USS Midway Museum is the centerpiece of Memorial Day celebrations in San Diego. It is a heartfelt tribute to our military’s valor and sacrifices, offering a series of events designed for everyone to experience the spirit of honor, remembrance, and celebration. From the Top Gun Maverick Party & Movie Night and exclusive encounters with aviators with their aircraft to a solemn Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony, Legacy Week encapsulates the essence of Memorial Day weekend. If you have never checked out the USS Midway before, it’s beyond impressive. Walk the flight deck and check the quarters where the crew actually lived.
📍 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Sing Dance Crawl: May 25, 2024
What is the most popular activity people participate in on Memorial Day? It’s probably the ultimate Gaslamp takeover. And it’s for a good cause! If you’re ready to toast in remembrance, check out Sing Dance Crawl. For over 10 years, this event has come together over Memorial Day weekend to sing, dance, and crawl its way to fundraising for The Wingman Foundation! This foundation’s mission includes taking care of families in the days immediately following a military aviation mishap. They help with family expenses such as funeral, travel, and lodging costs.
SDC 2024 kicks off on Saturday, May 25th with a group of 2,000 crawlers seizing the opportunity to celebrate the essence of being American. This electrifying all-day affair features a selection of San Diego’s premier venues in the Gaslamp Quarter. Every venue is set to deliver an unforgettable experience, reminiscent of a bustling Saturday night—except it’s in broad daylight! They’re amping up the festivities with liberty, independence, DJs, dancers, and VIP bottle service, taking over Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp hotspots like never before! Get an old fashion and cheer for the red, white, and blue. This is bound to be the most amped up of San Diego Memorial Day activities.
Hours: Check in at 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
📍 1055 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Start At
Santee Street Fair: May 25, 2024
If you’re looking for something a little more low key, check out the Santee Street Fair. This is the ultimate one-day block party over Memorial Day weekend providing fun for the whole family with food and treats, a beer garden with local craft brews, wines and spirits, kid-zones with carnival games and rides, live entertainment, and retail vendors. It’s okay to grow up.
Hours: 10am-6pm
📍 9625 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071
Sea World: May 25 – May 27, 2024
Enjoy a day in the sun and with the sea. Great for families and those who never watched the film Blackfish. This weekend is the start of their Summer Spectacular program. Each night of Memorial Day Weekend there will be fireworks 10 minutes prior to the park closing. They are also offering their memorial day sale – 15% off their Silver Pass and a discount on their 2024 Fun Card. Might as well go all year long.
If you’re a regular, you’ll be into the new shows like the 60th Anniversary celebration, So Much More to SEA Parade, and Shamu and Crew – Together Again live performance character show. It’s also ready to appeal to the millennials with its BMX BLAST! high energy stunt show featuring the hits of the late nineties. If they don’t play the NSYNC, we’ll walk. After all, it’s gonna be May.
Hours:10:00 am – 9:00 pm
📍 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
Flagship Cruises: May 25 – May 27, 2024
Flagship’s scenic Harbor Tour has 1 and 2-hour options that take you alongside playful sea lions, Navy ships, scenic skyline architecture, past historic landmarks and under the Coronado Bridge.
Memorial Day also kicks off the Patriot Jet Boat summer schedule! High-speed half-hour tours now depart every day. Honestly, if you have not taken the Patriot Jet Boat… you need to go ASAP. They hype it up the appropriate amount.
The Flagship Ferry is only $8. The beautiful, historic ride connects downtown San Diego to the Coronado Ferry Landing. Once you get there, check out Top 9 Things To Do in Coronado.
📍990 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Boat Rentals
If you want to do the boat thing on your own for your San Diego Memorial Day activities, we get it. Grab some friends and book San Diego Boat Rentals. They have a fleet of jet skis and boat options for you to take out on the San Diego Bay. Bring your American flag speedo and a 6 pack of Coors. You won’t be the only one.
📍1201 First St Coronado CA 92118
Annual Pancake Festival: May 27, 2024
Get back to the basics, enjoy a pancake platter and listen to the stories of veterans. The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society 17th Annual Pancake Festival is honoring the Military on Memorial Day from 8 am until 11 am at Webb Lake Park in Rancho Bernardo. The festival is held in conjunction with the RB Veterans Memorial Association’s Ceremony at 11 am. Pancakes are flipped by Los Rancheros Kiwanis Club and Poway Kiwanis Club. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice, yogurt, and coffee.
For more Veteran specific Memorial Day activities, The San Diego Union-Tribune does a great roundup of Memorial Day 2024 events.
Hours: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
📍11666 Avena Pl, San Diego, CA 92128
Murph Challenge: May 27, 2024
You’re guaranteed to hear about The Murph Challenge this Memorial Day. It is the annual fundraiser of the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation, presented by Forged®.
The workout event is held annually on Memorial Day, and people from all over the world come together to honor Lieutenant Murphy and all those who have given their lives in service to our country. The workout consists of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another one-mile run, all done while wearing a weighted vest. Participate with a virtual community or drop in on one of The Murph Challenge Hosts in San Diego: Bear Republic, CrossFit Humanity, Fitness Quest 10, Stay Classy CrossFit. If you can do it, you deserve to brag about it.
Beach, all day, every day
If all else fails, go to the beach. We have your guide for the best beaches in San Diego. Kick back, relax, and thank your lucky stars for these San Diego Memorial Day activities.
