4 Events That Made All San Diego Residents Feel Like Neighbors
In any given city, there are events, tragedies, or strange phenomenons that brings residents closer together. In San Diego, locals have been fortunate to dodge fire season, while other parts of California were not so lucky. Another event was a strange phenomenon that happened in the sky this summer with strange lights appearing. While it ended up being naval testing, San Diegans were still brought together at the idea of “the truth” being out there. Large or small, citizens of a city can be brought closer together through a variety of events. There were many events this year that not only brought San Diego residents closer together, but also allowed for celebration. Here are four events that made all San Diego residents feel like neighbors.
San Diego Padres Home Opener
Sporting events usually bring locals together in a fun and lively way. For San Diego sports fans, it was a joy to head down to Petco Park for the home opener of the San Diego Padres against the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Located in Downtown San Diego, the baseball park gives the best views of the city as well as state-of-the-art amenities such as a virtual reality experience that allows fans to feel like they are at home plate where they can hit as many home runs as they can within 90 seconds. Not only does this experience make them feel proud of their home team, but also feel like they are “on” the team.
San Diego Pride Parade
In Hillcrest, the annual San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade that takes place in July, stretches over a mile on University Avenue, south on 6th Street, and ending on Laurel. San Diegans are not only more neighborly during the festival, but also gain new neighbors as the parade brings out spectators and participants from beyond the city borders to celebrate this special occasion. Pride fits in snugly with the Hillcrest neighborhood, offering dancing, live music, activities, and even a Pride 5K run for those who want to get a workout in before partying.
San Diego Comic Con
This annual event that takes place in Downtown San Diego in July and is very near and dear to my heart, as this was what brought me to move to San Diego. This comic con event attracts people from all walks of life and from all over the world. The event features geek culture, the latest in entertainment, activities, and much more. For 48 years, this comic con has been bringing people together, making them not only neighborly, but also becoming neighbors while they wait in long lines for panels, some lasting all night long for those who care to camp out for seats and first hall entry.
“This was honestly the best comic con I’ve been to, personally, and I’ve been going for the last 25 years,” said San Marcos resident and social media marketer of BOG Enterprises LLC, Brandenn Orban-Griggs. “Typically, I’d spend my time walking the floors in the convention hall, but this year I got to see more panels, and literally the most amazing experience at a comic con ever in Hall H.”
KAABOO Del Mar
The Kaaboo Del Mar music festival is a special treat for locals in September who head to Del Mar to watch top-rated performances. The three-day event features popular musical acts ranging from Foo Fighters, Gucci Mane, Halsey, and Nelly to old school classics like Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Idol, and Melissa Etheridge. An event like this attracts a variety of music fans, allowing them to mingle with fans of different genres while getting to know them in a beach setting. And, while it is labeled as a music festival, it also offers comedy sets from a variety of comedians, such as Craig Ferguson, Craig Robinson, Whitney Cummings, Judd Apatow, and Louie Anderson.