It\u2019s that time again\u2026the rare rainy day in San Diego.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll spare you assorted clich\u00e9s (see: \u201cNo one here can drive in the rain!\u201d \u201cOh, we could really use this\u2026\u201d etc.) and just get down to brass tacks:<\/p>\n
Whatever is one to do when this weather anomaly encroaches on our sunny territory?!<\/p>\n
Well, settle in, hunker down, and grab that hot toddy because the rain is a-comin\u2019, folks.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll get through it, I swear.<\/p>\n
However, in the meantime\u2026let\u2019s all just make a pact to let everyone merge equally on the freeway (Okay, ONE clich\u00e9. Just one).<\/p>\n
Here are 14 great things to do in San Diego when it\u2019s raining!<\/p>\n
Dinner and a Movie<\/p>\n
Speaking of clich\u00e9s\u2026they exist for a reason, and word to the wise\u2014you should most definitely fully indulge the tried and true clich\u00e9 of dinner and a movie, only elevated.<\/p>\n
Hop on over to The Lot<\/a> at Liberty Station or Cinepolis Del Mar<\/a> for dinner and a movie in one of their luxury theaters.<\/p>\n I mean, if you haven\u2019t watched a movie in a recliner while someone serves you a cocktail\u2026you haven\u2019t lived!<\/p>\n An added bonus at The Lot is the fact that you\u2019re already at Liberty Station, which means your rainy day fun is just getting started (more below).<\/p>\n Warm Up With a Spot of Tea<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re not a regular tea drinker, there is something undeniably cozy about this little libation ritual.<\/p>\n While there are many coffee and\u00a0tea houses in San Diego brewing up delicious elixirs, two of note that have fully embraced their roots (botanical pun intended) are Shakespeare\u2019s Corner Shoppe<\/a> and Marlene\u2019s Tea and Cakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shakespeare\u2019s Corner Shoppe offers up the most authentically British afternoon tea in town, while Marlene\u2019s offers a classic \u201chigh tea-esque\u201d experience with a variety of house-made pastries and classic savory tea snacks.<\/p>\n Both would absolutely be a departure from the typical tea experience and the perfect way to up the cozy ante on your rainy San Diego day.<\/p>\n Challenge Your Friends to Classic Video Games\u2026Loser Buys Drinks!<\/p>\n Everyone has that friend or two that you can count on to have a good time doing just about anything\u2026this is the rainy day challenge for them!<\/p>\n San Diego has some amazingly fun arcades that are designed for us \u2018big kids,\u2019 which means you\u2019ll have full bar service, great bar food, and sports on the TVs while you play!<\/p>\n Head to the Smoking Gun Arcade<\/a> or Coin-O<\/a>p for some classic Pac-Man or pinball duels and crown a champion. If you want to add a little more competitive heat\u2026loser buys drinks!<\/p>\n Commit to Cozy and Hunker Down in a Cabin<\/p>\n If you have the opportunity, why not create some snug ambiance for you and yours and rent a little getaway space for a couple of days while it rains and pours?<\/p>\n Idyllwild is our favorite (click here <\/a>to read our guide to a perfect road trip to Idyllwild). It\u2019s just a hop, skip, and a jump away\u2014and fun fact\u2014your chances of getting some snow up there when it\u2019s raining in San Diego are pretty high due to its 6,000-foot elevation.<\/p>\n We have so many options, though\u2014hit the road to Julian, Bear Mountain, or Mammoth! <\/p>\n They are all great, and you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re in a different world for a while.<\/p>\n Treat Yo-Self to a Spa Day<\/p>\n Rainy days are the perfect permission slip to practice just a tiny bit more self-care than usual.<\/p>\n When doom and gloom abound, why not indulge in a sunny new manicure from Hello Birdie Nail & Lash Lab<\/a>, or fully lean in and get a facial at Skin Habit<\/a>?<\/p>\n Visit a Distillery or Brewery and Commit<\/p>\n San Diego is known for being a mainstay in the brewing community. However, the bounty of quality distilleries here in our fair city is something surely noteworthy, and it\u2019s only growing.<\/p>\n Seven Caves Distillery<\/a> bills itself as \u2018San Diego\u2019s Ludicrously Small Batch Distiller\u2019 and makes all of their products from \u2018grain to glass\u2019 right here in San Diego. <\/p>\n Or pay a visit to one of our many tasting rooms around town, including the Societe Brewing<\/a> tasting room in the Old Town Corral\u2014this place is so cool!<\/p>\n Either way, pick a distillery or brewery and commit to staying and enjoying one or two more than normal\u2026it\u2019s a special day, after all!<\/p>\n Grab a Bowl of Something Seriously Comforting: Ramen<\/p>\n While the prospect of whipping up a fully from scratch artisan soup with the flick of a wrist sounds all too optimal, there comes a time to call a spade a spade and make your load just a little bit lighter\u2014a rainy day being the perfect occasion to do so.<\/p>\n This being the case, grab yourself a bowl of the soup-hug equivalent: ramen.<\/p>\n Raki-Raki<\/a> is a favorite, with a seriously delicious offering of ramen, sushi, curry, and more. But wow, the options we have for good ramen in San Diego just keep getting better\u2014so enjoy exploring!<\/p>\n Old Indoor Reliable: Birch Aquarium<\/p>\n There\u2019s something inherently dreamy and gloomy-weather appropriate about being in a moody underwater setting. The Birch Aquarium<\/a> in La Jolla is the perfect spot to go, kiddos-in-tow or not, and see some seriously stunning sea life.<\/p>\n Peruse Something Fun, and Maybe Even Buy It<\/p>\n What better rainy day activity is there than endlessly sifting through vintage merchandise? We can think of few.<\/p>\n Maybe this isn\u2019t your bag, but shopping for vintage treasures is, at the very least, a conversation piece. Whether you\u2019re commenting to your significant other about some seriously laughable album art or sternly haggling over the price of a new dinette set, anyone can get in on the pre-owned glory.<\/p>\n Some notable favorites include Folk Arts Rare Records<\/a>, Verbatim Books<\/a>,\u00a0and Midcentury<\/a>.<\/p>\n Make a rainy day of it!<\/p>\n Hit a Museum<\/p>\n A rainy day is a perfect opportunity to take a leisurely, educational stroll through one of San Diego\u2019s fantastic museums.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s exploring the inner workings of the Midway<\/a> or taking in one (or several!) of Balboa Park\u2019s many museums<\/a>, you can\u2019t go wrong.<\/p>\n Think you\u2019ve seen them all already? We bet you haven\u2019t been to all of the museums represented by the San Diego Museum Council\u2014check out their directory of San Diego museums<\/a> and pick one.<\/p>\n And if you happen to be reading this in February\u2014SCORE!\u2014it\u2019s San Diego Museum Month, and you\u2019re going to save 50% on admission!<\/p>\n Wander Around the Market, Beer in Hand<\/p>\n We LOVE Liberty Public Market<\/a>, and it\u2019s quite possibly the perfect place in San Diego to spend a rainy day. Grab a beer at Bottlecraft<\/a> and wander the aisles of incredible food and products from local merchants.<\/p>\n Take your time\u2026it\u2019s still raining outside.<\/p>\n Go Climb a Rock<\/p>\n San Diego has some great indoor rock-climbing facilities to check out.<\/p>\n Mesa Rim<\/a> is a standout, with multiple beautiful facilities in San Diego that have a variety of options to keep everyone having fun while getting a great workout.<\/p>\n And no, you don\u2019t have to be an experienced climber to go have fun\u2014you\u2019ll find plenty of opportunities to learn and to challenge yourself, no matter your level of fitness or experience.<\/p>\n Release Your Inner Formula One Driver<\/p>\n You feel the need. The need for speed!<\/p>\n Nothing will get the competitive juices flowing like a race with friends, and everyone has \u2018that friend\u2019 that thinks they are the best driver in the world (or tells you they\u2019ve never raced before\u2026then smokes you!).<\/p>\n