Top 7 Summer Solstice Activities in San Diego

Sol. Soleil. Sunna. Amaterasu. Apollo. Helios. Ra.

Honor the longest day of the year and appease the Sun Gods + Goddesses with these 7 inspiring summer solstice activities in San Diego:

1. Start with Sun Salutations.

Start the longest day of the year with a series of sun salutations. Here’s how:

1. Place your mat so that you are facing East – the direction of the sunrise.
2. Stand at the top of your mat in mountain pose, with your hands in a prayer position at your heart. Inhale.
3. Bring your arms out and up over your head, and look up. Exhale.
4. Release your arms down to your sides, swan dive and move into a forward bend (uttanasana) with your fingertips touching the mat. Inhale.
5. Lift your head, look forward and come into a flat back position, placing your hands on your shins. Exhale.
6. Move to a plank position. Inhale and exhale.
7. Lower to the floor either into chaturanga pose or lay down on the floor with your hands in front of you. Inhale.
8. Move to cobra pose or upward facing dog pose. Exhale.
9. Push back into downward facing dog. Take a few breath cycles.
10. On the exhale, step the right foot forward next to your right hand and then bring the left foot up to meet it to come into a forward bend. Inhale.
11. Repeat the flat back pose and exhale.
12. Move back into your forward bend. Inhale.
13. Lift your arms out and up, and return to mountain pose, with hands back in prayer position. Breathe deeply.
14. Repeat as many times as you’d like!

2. Celebrate the Sunrise.

Everyone knows how beautiful the sunsets are in San Diego, but what about the sunrise? Here are some top sunrise spots around the County:

• Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial 
• Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
• Cowles Mountain
• Sunrise Highway

3. Brew Sun Tea.

Perfect to make before you head out for the day so you can enjoy a cold glass of ice tea when you come back in the afternoon!

How to make sun tea:

• Grab a large quart or gallon glass container.
• Add 6 to 8 green, black or herbal tea bags, fill with water and close the lid.
• Place the container outside where the sunlight can warm the container for 4 to 5 hours.
• After 4 to 5 hours, bring the container inside.
• Remove the tea bags, add lemons, mint or desired sweeteners, and mix.
• Place the container in the refrigerator to cool.

4. Have a Sun-Themed Picnic

Sunny, summery recipe ideas:

• sunflower butter + jelly sandwiches
• avocado toast on sunflower seed bread
• sunny-side up or hard-boiled eggs
• sun-dried tomato and basil pasta
• strawberry salsa
• stuffed yellow summer squash boats
• lemon poppyseed muffins
• citrus-infused water, lemonade/limeade, or fresh strawberry pomegranate juice

5. Make a Sun-Inspired Craft.

Braid a flower crown, place some leaves and flowers on sun art paper to make a beautiful print, or try your hand at making a suncatcher out of tissue paper or crayons.

6. Head Outside!

Hit the beach, hike a family-friendly trail or go strawberry picking and soak up the sun. Remember to use sunscreen: check out our top locally-made sunscreen picks.

7. Watch the Sunset and Catch the Green Flash.

Head to the San Diego coastline for the most spectacular sunsets imaginable. Here are our favorite spots:

• Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
• Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
• Ocean Beach Pier
• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
• Windansea Beach, La Jolla
• Oceanside Pier
• Cowles Mountain

Want to see the Green Flash? Look at the sun when it is nearly below the horizon and watch for the green rays to “flash” just as the sun sinks beyond view.

Need more ideas?

Check out our Events calendar for the latest summer solstice, meditation, yoga, food and health-oriented events and classes. Have an activity idea we missed? DM us on Instagram or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you!