Looking for some stress relief and safe ways to get outside this Fall? Lucky for you, here is a compiled list of the greatest November events in San Diego. These event will keep your heart happy and your brain socialized. Even though many of the annual events like Beer Week and Fleet Week look a little different this year, they are still happening! Local businesses have your safety in mind as they recreate these events in new venue spaces.

2020 Disclaimer: Please visit event websites to confirm COVID-19 precautions before attendance. Be kind to local vendors, they’re doing their best!

1. Wine Wednesdays at Escondido Center for the Arts

Every Wednesday in November, you can enjoy the special exhibit “World of Frida Kahlo” with a plate of cheeses and a glass of wine. Join them from 5:00 – 7:30pm on Wednesdays for $20. The ticket cost includes museum entry, special Frida Khalo exhibit entry, a glass of wine and a plate of artisan cheese. Featuring over 100 of Frida’s works, it is one of the largest exhibitions to visit San Diego. Buy tickets ahead of time on their website.

2. San Diego Beer Week

Since we can’t have a giant event on the bay this year, join the county-wide celebrations of independent craft brewers at these November events in San Diego. Hundreds of small batch breweries will be hosting their own events throughout the county November 6th-15th.

Notable events include:

• Thorn Brewing’s Dia de Los Muertos themed 3rd Anniversary party
• Slushie Saturday at Pure Project
• Clear the Cellar Sale at Coronado Brewing Company
• Friendsgiving with Karl Strauss Brewing Co.

3. Fleet Week

November 9th – 15th, San Diego will be honoring its military personnel  through various community events and demonstrations. The most popular of which is the boat parade on Veteran’s Day, November 11th. You can watch this event from anywhere along the bay downtown. There will also be flyovers and demonstrations from US Navy and Air Force pilots. You can enjoy watching the festivities from most beach cities in San Diego as the pilots will fly from Miramar to Downtown.

4. Hornblower Cruises Movie Nights

Drive-ins are so 2019… try a cruise-in this year for an incredibly unique dinner experience. Join Hornblower Cruises in the San Diego Bay during select Thursday and Sunday evenings in November. View a Blockbuster movie like Black Panther, Jurassic Park, or even Frozen 2 from the top deck of a yacht.

For just $48 per adult, you will get a chef crafted meal choice (including LOBSTER), soft drinks, and popcorn for the movie. Additional appetizers, desserts, and cocktails are also available for purchase. Hornblower offers special discounts for family 4 pack of tickets and date night packages that include a premium bottle of champagne. Check out their website for more details.

5. Free Pass Day at Cabrillo National Monument

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that Cabrillo National Monument is one of my favorite spots in all of San Diego. Why? TIDE POOLS! On Wednesday, November 11th (Veteran’s Day), you can enjoy the area for free!  Visit the historic lighthouse originally built in 1854 and see the monument dedicated to Juan Rodrigez Cabrillo. He was the first European explorer to set foot on the west coast in 1542 and is the namesake of the park.

Head down to the water to see the tide pools next! Pro tip: DO NOT park in the first parking lot. Go down to the second or third and follow the trail down to the cliffs. There, you’ll find lots of spots to lay down a blanket in the sun for a bit and explore the tide pools to find bait fish, crabs, and sea anemones.

6. Doggie Street Festival

Calling all animal lovers! This is hands down the cutest of the November events in San Diego. Head to Liberty Station on Saturday, November 21st from 9am-3pm to enjoy a free, dog-friendly event and maybe even adopt a new furry friend! Both dogs and cats of various ages will be available for adoption.

As the West Coast’s largest adopt-a-thon and pet celebration, you can enjoy good music, snacks (for humans and their four-legged friends), and meet friendly pets from 16 local rescues that are in need of good homes. There will be vets on site for vaccination services and vendors to help you get set up with your new pal.

7. Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 28th is widely celebrated as Small Business Saturday. Since 98% of San Diego’s businesses ARE small and locally owned, this is the perfect time to support them in an even more pivotal time of need following the pandemic.

Neighborhoods like North Park, Little Italy, Point Loma, and more will have plenty of participating restaurants, breweries, and retail stores during this November event in San Diego. Check each neighborhood’s website to see additional details as the date draws closer.

Subscribe to my email newsletter if you want to be the first to know about monthly events happening in San Diego. If you’re looking for more fun things to do, consider a visit to the San Diego Zoo or the rooftop restaurants in the area! As always, message me on Instagram or TikTok and I’d love to chat with you!