25+ Things to Do Near MCAS Miramar in San Diego, El Cajon, and Del Mar

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar features plenty of great on-base recreational facilities, from its recreational swimming pool to its multiple beautiful parks, its golf course, and the base theater. These are all great places to spend your next free afternoon, but we want to encourage you to look beyond the gates, and you don’t even have to look very far. The neighborhood of Mira Mesa itself has many great restaurants and fun activities, and just a bit further into the nearby cities of San Diego, Poway, and El Cajon, you find even more to do. Keep reading for some of our top recommendations!

5 Military-Friendly Activities Near MCAS Miramar

Kicking things off, these five activities are military-friendly, meaning they offer military discounts or are Veteran-owned and operated! Some of the other restaurants and recreation activities in this guide are also military-friendly, but here we highlight a few you definitely won’t want to miss.

Grab Brunch at Gillespie Field Cafe

Gillespie Field Cafe is a proudly women- and Veteran-owned breakfast and lunch spot in El Cajon that you won’t want to miss!

It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience thanks to its location at Gillespie Field - where you can watch Cessnas, warbirds, and helicopters come and go from the historic airfield. With plenty of outdoor seating, you can bring your pooch along, too.

Visit the Birch Aquarium

The Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego is a destination your whole family will love. With seasonal programs for all ages, events, and special activities that vary by the day, you'll want to return to the Birch Aquarium again and again.

Great thing they offer a military discount! Access discounted tickets at the IT&T office on base or use the promo code MILITARY on the aquarium website.

Catch a San Diego Gulls Game

The San Diego Gulls are the city’s very own hockey team, playing in the American Hockey League. Whether you’re an avid hockey fan or have never seen a game in your life, you’ll want to check out a Gulls game at least once, just for the experience!

Plus, they offer discounted tickets to home games for service members through GOVX.

Explore the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Visit the savannah without ever leaving California, and experience a one-of-a-kind adventure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Whether you walk through the park or take a special tour driven by a guide, you’re sure to see incredible wildlife up close and personal. Members of the U.S. military get free entry to the Zoo, while spouses and dependents receive a 10% discount.

Grab a Brew at Protector Brewery

Not only is Protector Brewery San Diego’s first organic brewery, but it’s also owned and operated by a former Navy SEAL. Visit their original tasting room in Miramar for a cold craft brew you’ll want to savor.

10 Restaurants Near MCAS Miramar You Won’t Want to Miss

San Diego has so many great restaurants; we had trouble narrowing down this list! Here are a few top recommendations, but there are many more fantastic options throughout the city. Start with these, then keep exploring and let us know if you find a new favorite we should know about!

Cui-Daoré - One of the best sushi spots near MCAS Miramar.

Sattvik Foods - Craving curry? Head to this Indian restaurant for a delicious lunch or dinner.

RomBomb Burger - Stop at RomBomb for a smash burger that can’t be beat.

Pastalini - This casual Italian joint offers pizza, paninis, and customizable pasta dishes.

Hanna Garden - Don’t be fooled by this unassuming spot's exterior - they’re serving up delicious Mediterranean food inside.

Restaurants for the Whole (Furry) Family

Dog lovers stationed at MCAS Miramar will also find some great restaurant options with outdoor seating where their furry family members can join them for a meal.

Burning Beard Brewing Company and Punkspear's Brasserie - This brewery and restaurant in El Cajon offers award-winning craft beers alongside delicious eats on an outdoor patio where your four-legged friend can join you.

Tamarindo Del Mar - This fantastic Tex-Mex spot in Del Mar even has an exclusive menu for Fido! Your dog can actually enjoy a meal with you here.

Sushi Kuchi - This stylish Japanese restaurant has over 80 different rolls for you to try and dog-friendly outdoor seating.

The Hop Stop - This casual eatery offers up delicious craft brews and SoCal staples on its large outdoor patio, where your furry friends are welcome to join you.

Cross Street - Korean fried chicken and San Diego craft beer, what more do you need? Maybe outdoor seating so your dog can join you for dinner, and they’ve got that, too!

What Are Some Pet Friendly Places Near MCAS Miramar?

Dog lovers stationed at MCAS Miramar will find lots of options for outings with their furry friends in San Diego, from dog parks to nature preserves with miles of trails perfect for long hikes. Here are a few great options not far from MCAS Miramar.

Kearny Mesa Community Park

Location: 3170 Armstrong St, San Diego, CA, US, 92111

The dog park at Kearny Mesa Community Park is a 1-acre fenced-in area with a water station, plenty of shade, and lights for winter evenings when the sun sets early.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

Location: Multiple access points.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is a beautiful nature preserve north of MCAS Miramar that offers miles of trails, perfect for long hikes on-leash with your dog.

Civita Park

Location: 7960 Civita Blvd, San Diego, CA, US, 92108

Civita Park is a massive park complex where dogs are welcome on-leash in most areas. There’s also an off-leash dog park with separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

Poway Community Park

Location: 13094 Civic Center Dr, Poway, CA, US, 92064

The Poway Community Park features an off-leash dog park with not two, but three separate, fenced-in areas based on dog size (small, medium, and large). There are also picnic benches and a water fountain.

4 Great Date Ideas Near MCAS Miramar (For Couples or BFFs)

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon with your girls, going for a guys' night out, or planning a romantic date with your special someone, you’ll find plenty of great options around Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Show Off Your Skills at Brewski’s Bar & Arcade

Brewski's Bar & Arcade is a great spot to let your inner child out to play on the large variety of arcade games, pinball machines, pool tables, and more. They’re also serving delicious craft brews and mouthwatering food. This is the perfect spot for a casual night out, and it’s not far from base.

Catch a Show at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is a small local performance venue in nearby Poway, CA. Featuring a range of professional performances from plays to concerts, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on their upcoming schedule of events to catch a show.

Go for a Climb at Mesa Rim

If you’re more adventurous or athletic, you’ll want to check out Mesa Rim. This massive indoor climbing center is great for experienced climbers and newbies alike (they even offer rock climbing lessons). If heights aren’t your thing, don’t worry! They also offer a variety of yoga classes and workshops for special occasions.

Explore Torrey Pines State Nature Preserve

Torrey Pines State Nature Preserve is home to the nation’s rarest pine tree and is also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.

Get away from the hubbub of the city and take in the beautiful natural world around you as you hike along 8 miles of beginner-friendly trails,

4 Places Kids Will Love Near MCAS Miramar

Families with young children will find plenty of options for physical activity and imaginative play in the area surrounding MCAS Miramar. Best of all? Every single one of our recommendations is indoors (at least partially), so you can beat the heat!

Get Air - Poway

At Get Air in Poway, kids can run, jump, and flip around to their hearts' content. This trampoline park in Poway features separate areas for young kids (determined by height) and also offers a special toddlers-only time where the park is only open to little jumpers (46” and under).

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours:

• Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Toddler Time) and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Toddler Time) and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

San Diego Children’s Discovery Center

The San Diego Children's Discovery Center is a massive museum with both a variety of indoor exhibits and an outdoor discovery garden. The museum is focused on encouraging learning through play across six key areas: science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math.

Ages: 10 and under

Military Discount? Yes, with ID.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tiny Tiger Indoor Playground

Tiny Tiger is an indoor playground designed specifically for young children up to age 7. In addition to the variety of physical and imaginative play areas, Tiny Tiger offers regular weekly programming like story times and parachute play, plus character meet-and-greets and other special events each month.

Ages: 1-7

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Candeeland Wonderpark

Candeeland Wonderpark is a candy-themed indoor playground where kids can run, play, and explore. Candeeland features a variety of play areas with big slides, a light-up dance floor, and much more. There’s also a separate area for little ones (4 and under) and a cafe to grab a snack when you work up an appetite on the playground.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Activities Near MCAS Miramar!

All of our recommendations so far have been available all year, but there are some fantastic once-a-year opportunities you’ll want to take advantage of while you’re stationed at MCAS Miramar. We’ve got one recommendation for every season. Don’t miss out!

See Natural Coastal Wonders in Early Spring

Late winter and early spring are some of the best times of year to see stunning coastal wildlife in San Diego, from whale watching off the coast to visiting Children’s Pool Beach to watch harbor seal pups play in the sand.

Don’t miss the La Jolla tidepools in March, one of the last months with minus tides during daylight hours. These minus tides reveal miniature marine habitats in the tide pools where you might see anemones, crabs, sea slugs, or even octopuses!

Just remember, look, don't touch, and definitely never take! These are protected habitats.

San Diego County Fair

You won’t want to miss the San Diego County Fair, a weeks-long fair extravaganza held each year from mid-June to early July.

Regularly featuring big-name musicians, thrilling rides, carnival games, and more. Service members can get discounted tickets through GOVX or the IT&T office.

Haunted Trail at Balboa Park

If spooky season is your jam, you won’t want to miss the annual Haunted Trail at Balboa Park. Start in the eXperiment Maze before exploring the mile-long trail full of frights. This has been named one of CNN’s Top 5 BEST Haunted Attractions in America.

If you’re more interested in doing the scaring than getting scared, check out the website around summertime to explore job opportunities for scare actors and get yourself a fun side hustle for the fall season!

Spend the Holidays with the Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Holidays at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar are a truly magical experience. Each December, this luxury resort in San Diego offers weekly brunches with Santa and holiday teas, as well as performances of The Nutcracker.

The hotel also reopens its Glice Skating rink each year with seasonal beverages and treats, s’mores, exclusive cabanas and firepits. These are experiences worth saving up for!

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

On your next long weekend or day off, you might want to plan a quick getaway. Hit the road to one of these nearby cities and explore all that Southern California has to offer!

Palm Springs, CA

Drive time: 2-2.5 hours

• Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tramcar that will take you into the San Jacinto Mountains.
• Grab a day pass to sit by the pool at one of the city’s many boutique hotels.
• Explore local museums, like the Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Art Museum, or wander through Moorten Botanical Garden (which features many rare cacti species)

Los Angeles, CA

Drive time: 2-2.5 hours

• Take advantage of military discounts through the Information, Tickets & Travel Office and go to Disneyland, whether you just want to go for the day or plan to make it a longer vacation!
• Visit Griffith Park to see the iconic Hollywood Sign or learn about the cosmos at Griffith Observatory.
• Explore one of LA’s many incredible art museums, like the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Hammer Museum, or the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near MCAS Miramar

Of the many military installations in the San Diego Metro area, MCAS Miramar is the furthest from the hubbub of downtown. However, that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things to do. Its location near the San Diego suburbs and nearby small cities like Poway, El Cajon, and Del Mar means there are still plenty of great restaurants and local attractions to keep you busy on your next day off.

Plus, those living near Miramar have easy access to some of the best hiking in the county, well beyond what we had time to explore in this article. Nearby cities include Palm Springs and Los Angeles, two of the most sought-after destinations in the country. Odds are you’ll only be stationed at Miramar for a few years, so make the most of it while you can!