Five Days, Five Ways to Do San Diego
Who says weekends get to have all the fun? In San Diego, the good times roll all week long, from Monday night trivia to beachfront farmers markets. With fewer crowds, plenty of local happenings (and lower rates), a weekday getaway might just be your new favorite way to do San Diego.
Staying at The Dana on Mission Bay? Consider this your Monday-through-Friday cheat sheet for making the most of your time in town.
Monday: Trivia Night at SD TapRoom
Pacific Beach | 7 p.m. | About 4 miles from The Dana
Ease into the week the way Pacific Beach locals do, with a team, a cold pint and a few answers you will swear you knew all along. SD TapRoom hosts Monday Night Trivia every week at 7 p.m., pairing a deep craft beer list with hearty gastropub fare in a laid-back PB setting. Teams form fast, the banter flows freely and strangers become rivals by round two. Come hungry and let the neighborhood atmosphere turn a Monday into a great night out. The oceanfront boardwalk is just a short walk away, so you can catch a little sea air before or after the final question.
Tuesday: Half-Off Tuesdays at Belmont Park
Mission Beach | About 3 miles from The Dana
Belmont Park has been delighting beachgoers on the Mission Beach boardwalk since 1925, and Tuesdays make it even easier to say yes. Belmont Park's Tuesday promotion currently offers 50% off arcade games, a natural fit for families, couples and anyone with a competitive streak. Take a spin on the famous Giant Dipper rollercoaster, wander the boardwalk and grab a beachside bite, then trade arcade lights for a glowing sunset over the sand. Staying with us? Check out our Belmont Park package for park passes and complimentary transportation to and from the park.
For the locals: San Diego residents can enjoy Free Museum Tuesdays at Balboa Park, roughly 7 miles from The Dana. It is a wonderful way to explore the city's cultural side at no cost, though it is for residents only.
Wednesday: Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Ocean Beach | 4 to 8 p.m. | About 5 miles from The Dana
On Wednesday evenings, the 4900 block of Newport Avenue becomes the liveliest street in Ocean Beach. The Ocean Beach Farmers Market brings together more than 100 vendors, including local farmers, artisans and crafters, plus fresh produce, baked breads and desserts, honey, kombucha and a variety of hot foods to eat on the spot. Live music and an eclectic, laid-back atmosphere make it an experience well beyond shopping. Arrive hungry and graze your way down the street, then take home a loaf of bread or a jar of honey as an edible souvenir. Better still, Newport Avenue leads toward the ocean and is lined with beachside bars (perfect for people watching), so you can pair the market with a stroll through the neighborhood, a walk on the beach and a front-row seat for sunset.
Thursday: Flamingo Deck Thursday Specials
Pacific Beach | 3-6 p.m. | About 3.5 miles from The Dana
Thursday afternoon calls for a little dancing, and Flamingo Deck in Pacific Beach is happy to oblige. From 3-6 p.m., the Thursday specials bring $15 pizzas and $8 tiramisu martinis, with guest DJs setting the soundtrack and dancing filling the deck. Order a pizza for the table, raise a tiramisu martini and stay for the beat. It is lively, social and a perfect fit for friends who happy hour and dinner.
Friday: Shelter Island Friday Farmers Market
Shelter Island | About 7 miles from The Dana
Close the week on the water at the Shelter Island Friday Farmers Market, hosted at our sister property, Island Palms. This waterfront market features rotating San Diego artisans, live musicians, food and local goods in a relaxed marina setting, so every Friday feels a little different. Browse for fresh sourdough, honey, desserts and handmade finds, then linger with the boats and the bay breeze as the week winds down.
Five Days, $8 Ways at Firefly Eatery & Bar
The Dana on Mission Bay | Sunday through Thursday | On property
After a day of exploring, come home to something delicious. Firefly Eatery & Bar, right here at The Dana, turns the weekday into a celebration with Five Days, $8 Ways. Raise a glass to Margarita Monday, Tiki Tuesday, Wine Wednesday and Hoppy Thursday, each with its own theme and its own $8 way to unwind. It is the easiest plan of the week: no driving, no navigating, just a table and a toast. Find the full lineup on the Five Days, $8 Ways page.
Make The Dana Your Weekday Home Base
Five days, five ways, and approximately zero reasons to wait for the weekend. With The Dana on Mission Bay as your midweek home base, you’ll enjoy a calmer pace, a waterfront setting, and the freedom to chase trivia, arcade games and sunset markets on your own schedule.
Spend your days exploring, then come back to your comfortable guest room, enjoy Firefly Eatery & Bar’s weekly specials, and soak up the relaxed bayside setting that makes our hotel special. Ready to put those PTO days to good use? Browse our special offers for a little extra vacation inspiration, or book your weekday escape and let the good times roll!
