May 2019: 10 Family-Friendly Activities in San Diego

Although we can’t be certain if May in San Diego will bring grey or sun, one thing is for sure – the calendar is loaded with exciting family-friendly events all month long!

Try some flavorful Creole cuisine, attend an American Indian Pow Wow, stroll through exquisite gardens on Mother’s Day, or go fly a kite! The options for May family fun are endless.

1. Gator By The Bay
   When: May 9-12
   Where: Spanish Landing Park
   Cost: Adults $35 and up; Kids 17 and under free
   Ages: All ages
   Gator By The Bay is the most authentic family-friendly celebration of Louisiana and bayou culture in California! Sample your way through the numerous Creole and Cajun cuisine vendors while enjoying live music, a Mardi Gras parade, face-painting, silly hat-making and plenty more fun for kids!
2. Waterfront Park 5-Year Celebration
   When: May 10
   Where: Waterfront Park
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   Celebrate Waterfront Park’s 5th birthday with a fabulous afternoon and evening of entertainment! The downtown favorite, known for its delightful spray fountains and fun play equipment, will be packed with inflatables, craft stations, food trucks and a free concert lineup with local kids’ favorite, Hullabaloo band.
3. 31st Annual Balboa Park Pow Wow
   When: May 11-12
   Where: Balboa Park
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   Bring the family to Balboa Park to commemorate American Indians’ strength, heritage and culture. Participants of all ages from many American Indian Tribes, bands and communities will demonstrate their cultural and spiritual traditions, including drum groups, singers and Inter-Tribal Dancing performances. The Pow Wow also features many delicious food vendors, and artisans selling handmade goods such as pottery, jewelry, weaving and clothing.
4. Mother’s Day Celebration at The Flower Fields
   When: May 12
   Where: Carlsbad Flower Fields
   Cost: Adults $18; Kids $9
   Ages: All ages
   It’s fitting that the final day of The Flower Fields’ season ends on Mother’s Day! Take Mom and the gang on a relaxed Mother’s Day stroll through one of Southern California’s most stunning gardens. Enjoy the colorful dancing of Rancho Buena Vista High School’s Ballet Folklorico, which will be performing from open ‘til close.
5. Seussical The Musical
   When: Through May 12
   Where: Casa del Prado Theatre
   Cost: $14 and up
   Ages: All ages
   San Diego Junior Theatre presents Seussical, the zany musical performance of Dr. Seuss’ magical cast of characters. Hosted by The Cat In The Hat, you’ll go on a journey into the World of the Whos, alongside Horton the Elephant, to follow the story of a little boy with a big imagination.
6. Fiesta Del Sol
   When: May 18-19
   Where: Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All Ages
   Solana Beach’s free, two-day arts and music festival is back for its 40th year at Fletcher Cove! Kick off the 2019 beach season with Fiesta Del Sol, which hosts dozens of great musicians; a huge children’s area with games, rides and a climbing wall; and plenty of food, drink and arts & crafts vendors all weekend long.
7. Ocean Beach Kite Festival
   When: May 18
   Where: Robb Athletic Field, Ocean Beach
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   The oldest children’s kite festival in the United States happens at Robb Athletic Field in Ocean Beach! Marvel at the professional kite fliers while also enjoying a street fair, carnival rides, kite decorating, prizes, live music and gourmet food!
8. Grand Avenue Festival
   When: May 19
   Where: Grand Avenue, Historic Downtown Escondido
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   Historic downtown Escondido comes alive on Grand Avenue for a day of exciting family-friendly activities! This year, Grand Avenue Festival will host a juried art show at Heritage Garden, Dogs on the Lawn – pet demonstrations, contests and adoptions – and Creative Kids Corner. Get there early for the traditional Jaycees Pancake Breakfast and to find a good spot to watch all the music and dancing performances that await!
9. Open Cockpit Days
   When: May 25-26
   Where: Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
   Cost: Free
   Ages: All ages
   Have you ever wondered what it was like to sit in a cockpit in front of the control panel? Then you won’t want to miss Open Cockpit Days at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, where you can get a pilot’s perspective in many different aircraft, from all different time periods. Real pilots will be present for Q&A too!
10. House of Pacific Relations’ (HPR) Ethnic Food Fair
    When: May 26
    Where: HPR International Cottages, Balboa Park
    Cost: Free to attend, nominal cost for food
    Ages: All ages
    If your family loves trying delicious foods from all over the world, be sure to mark your calendar for HPR’s annual Ethnic Food Fair! This day-long celebration at Balboa Park’s International Village features the culinary delights of 34 different cultures as well as music and dance performances in native costumes on the HPR stage.Want to know what fantastic family-friendly events are happening around San Diego every month? Be sure to bookmark all of Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ helpful articles!