The biggest San Diego events of July 2013

Now that the Fourth of July is over, it’s time to gear up for even bigger San Diego events of the month! July is an exciting month in San Diego with incredible events from the LGBT Pride parade, rally, and festival to Comic-Con International!

The Fourth of July has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down in America’s Finest City. Every weekend of July is jam packed with fun things to do in San Diego and huge events. From the massive LGBT Pride Festival to the long running Del Mar Racing Season, July is an amazing time to be in San Diego!

SanDiego.com has put together a list of the top July San Diego events and some great places to stay to get in on all the fun, so check it out and plan a fun-filled July vacation in San Diego.

July 12-14, 2013 – Annual LGBT Pride Parade, Rally and Festival:
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally is on July 12 in Hillcrest at the Hillcrest Pride Flag. This free event will feature numerous speakers including keynote speaker George Takei. The San Diego Pride Parade will then take place on Saturday July 13 along University Avenue ending at Balboa Drive and kick off San Diego’s infamous LGBT Pride Festival at Balboa Park July 13 and 14 with an expected 50,000 participants. This massive San Diego event features multiple entertainment stages with musicians, dancers and performers, art and cultural exhibits and lots of amazing food. All ages are invited to join the fun and learn about the vast LGBT community in San Diego. There are some great San Diego hotels to book near all the action including, Inn at the Park San Diego, the Britt Scripps Inn and the Hillcrest House Bed and Breakfast.

July 18-21, 2013 – Comic-Con International:
As the biggest event of the year, Comic-Con International takes over the Gaslamp Quarter every year in San Diego. This world renowned event has been held in Downtown since 1970 when it had just 100 attendees at the iconic San Diego hotel, the US Grant. Now Comic-Con takes over the San Diego Convention Center with a whopping 130,000+ attendees! The weekend of July 18th, the entire Gaslamp Quarter will be packed with costume clad comic-lovers looking to get an inside look at the makings of their favorite comics. Celebrity cameos, meet and greets and tons of comic convention fun making this an event not to be missed!

July 17-September 4, 2013 – Del Mar Racing Season:
Horse racing will be back in San Diego starting July 17 with incredible opening day festivities. Visitors can bet on the ponies, try their luck at winning big and wearing their best floppy hat of the season to this big San Diego event. The horse race season will go on until Sept. 4th with race action, betting fun and the free with admission, Summer Concert Series every weekend featuring big names like the B-52s, Weezer, Sammy Hagar and ending with the Reggae Fest featuring Ziggy Marley! Whether you love horse racing or just want an excuse to wear a silly hat, the Del Mar Racing Season provides great entertainment in the gorgeous setting of the Del Mar Racetrack in North County San Diego! The all-time best hotel to book for the upcoming race season is L’Auberge Del Mar. This luxury beach hotel epitomizes North County style and is hosting the largest Opening Day after-party in town from 5 pm-11 pm.

Enjoy incredible food from Kitchen 1540 and flowing cocktails as you mingle with the who’s who of San Diego at this posh San Diego beach hotel.