8 Reasons We're Going to San Diego This Year
If San Diego's beaches, breweries and world-class attractions aren't reason enough to make you plan a visit, there's a calendar full of can't miss events in 2017.
Some, like Comic-Con® International, are synonymous with San Diego, while others, like the Extreme Sailing Series™, are stopping in this SoCal beach city for the first time.
These eight events are taking our deal experts to San Diego this year:
1. A beach weekend party full of exciting games, played the San Diego way.
Fiesta Island earns its name come July with a two-weekend party and competitive bat-and-ball game at the 64th Over the Line Tournament (July 8-9, 15-16), hosted by the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club. This game has a truly unique set of rules with teams of three, wooden softball bats and no bases, just lines drawn in the sand.
This is the beach scene you've always imagined -- a party island in Mission Bay where everyone gets together for two weekends of fun. And it's easy to attend with free admission, a bike valet and free shuttles. To participate, sign up in person on May 6 at the Beachcomber and Pennant bars in South Mission Beach or online starting May 8. Follow @ombac on Twitter for updates.
2. It's time for you to cheer "GOOOOAL".
The United States hosts this year's biennial CONCACAF Gold Cup™ soccer tournament-- the international men's soccer championship for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. And on July 9, the opening Group C double-header games come to San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.
Up first: Mexico vs. El Salvador. These teams have one of Latin America's most storied rivalries and they're sure to bring that to the field. Then it's time for Jamaica vs. Curacao in their first-ever Gold Cup appearance.
3. Meet superheroes (in real life) at the country's largest comic event.
Thousands of artists, celebrities, and fans of comic books and movie memorabilia flock to San Diego for Comic-Con® International (July 20-23) -- the largest comic and pop culture event in the U.S. It's where you can geek out and rub elbows with superheroes and the real-life actors who play them on the big screen. And even get an autograph in Artists' Alley.
There's so much going on it's hard to know where to start: previews of upcoming feature films, workshops with comic book professionals, the Masquerade costume contest, and over 350 hours of comic book and pop culture programming. And most importantly, remember to dress as your favorite character -- the convention center hallways will be brimming with costumes.
4. What other music festival has a pool, spa and comedy performances?
For three days the Del Mar Fairgrounds are transformed into the city's biggest music festival -- KAABOO® (Sept. 15-17). Picture yourself rocking out to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Muse on a man-made beach or maybe from the pool -- that's right, there's a pool that overlooks the Grandview stage.
KAABOO goes beyond the average music festival with comedy performances, public art installations (some are even created live), an indoor spa zone, artisan cuisine and a big craft beer scene.
5. You'll likely never be closer to a fast-paced, international sailing race.
This fall (Oct. 19-22) marks the first time in six years that the Extreme Sailing Series™ will visit the Americas. This event places you 16 feet from the action -- the fast, foiling 32-foot catamarans will race just off Harbor Island. Plus, the race village will have live music, beer gardens, access to the boat pit and a VIP viewing pontoon on the water. 
6. See for yourself why San Diego is the Craft Beer Capital of America.
There are more than 130 breweries in San Diego from the more well-known Stone Brewing and Karl Strauss Brewing Company to the up-and-coming Mother Earth Brew Co. and Modern Times Beer. And during San Diego Beer Week (Nov. 3-12), you can try them all.
The festival kicks off with the VIP Brewer Takeover and the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival (Nov. 3-4) with beer samples from more than 60 breweries. This 10-day festival will feature over 500 local brewery sponsored events and culminates at the Beer Garden at the Lodge at Torrey Pines on Nov. 12. Take a look at last year's events for a sneak peak at what this year's sponsored brewery events may hold.
7. Horse races and formal wear: San Diego knows how to stay classy.
Don your trendiest (or most outrageous) derby hat for the Breeders' Cup® World Championships horse races in Del Mar (Nov. 3-4). This event has drawn the top international thoroughbred competitors since 1984 and continues to do so today -- the biggest prize of $6 million goes to the Breeders' Cup world champion. And it's the same week kickoff for Del Mar’s fall racing meet, Fall Bing Crosby Season, which returns Nov. 1-26.
You'll be among the first to experience the Del Mar racetrack's high-end transformation. There's a new village on the west end with two temporary track-side luxury chalets and a new sandy "beach" area with a private bar and a video screen so you won't miss any of the action. Breeders' Cup will also partner with local businesses for a taco and tequila festival.
8. International surfers to be crowned World Champion.
Join surf-enthusiasts and the International Surfing Association at La Jolla Shores for the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship. The 3rd annual Paralympics team-style event draws surfers from more than 20 countries to San Diego as they compete for both individual and country medals. This event will take place this fall; check back for an official date. 
Ready to go? If you're visiting San Diego for these events, don't miss these must-see spots.
Sponsored by the San Diego Tourism Authority, funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District assessment funds.