Parks and Rec

Kick Off Summer at Waterfront Park

From the 2015 Kickoff to Summer
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Show dad that you know best this Father’s Day: take the whole family to Kickoff to Summer at the County’s Waterfront Park Sunday. The free event is sure to be double the fun, celebrating both dear old dad and the start of the summer season.

Kickoff to Summer is a full afternoon of family-friendly activities. Enjoy live music, crafts, free beer tastings (for those 21+), miniature golf, giant foosball, bubble soccer, arcade and carnival games, bounce houses, food trucks and much more. The festivities begin at noon on Sunday, June 19 and run through 4 p.m.

“Last year’s Kickoff to Summer came early, and coincided with Mother’s Day,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts, chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. “This year it’s perfect that we get to celebrate on Father’s Day, giving dads an equal chance to relax, enjoy some special treatment and maybe even catch some sports on television in the Dad’s Tent.”

In addition to Kickoff to Summer activities, Waterfront Park is home to an expansive civic green, gardens, a children’s play zone, picnic tables and a spectacular 830-foot-long fountain that runs nearly the length of the park. The fountain’s basins create a one-inch-deep splash area for children. So don’t forget your swimsuits for some fun in the fountains on what weather forecasters are saying will be a hot start to summer.

“I can’t imagine a better place to kick off summer than at the Waterfront Park, splashing in the fountains, enjoying the sunshine and the view of San Diego Bay,” said Supervisor Greg Cox.

Opened in May 2014, the Waterfront Park is located at 1600 Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego. Paid parking for Kickoff to Summer will be available in the underground garage off Ash Street between Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive, as well as at the nearby 640-space, 10-story county public parking structure at the corner of Cedar Street and Kettner Boulevard. Outside of those spaces, parking is limited, so visitors are encouraged to take public transportation. The MTS trolley’s County Center/Little Italy station is just one block from the park.

For more information about the event, call (619) 232-PARK (7275) or visit the Waterfront Park’s website.

Michelle Mowad is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact