Festival Program
The San Diego Bird Festival has over 200 activities available to you over 5 days!
Keynote Speakers
Our speakers share their experience and insights to teach and inspire.
We have enjoyed presentations from keynote speakers from across the country and across the world. They have spoken on subjects like how birding makes us better, their experiences with conservation projects, inclusivity in birding, and beyond.
Classroom Programs
Learn about all things avian!
You’ll enjoy:
Skill building workshops
Lectures on bird behavior
Talks about great places to see birds
Cultural explorations of the relationship between birds and people
Field Trips
See San Diego’s birds with some of the best guides in the county! There are two categories of field trip:
Transportation provided - For these field trips, transportation to and from field trip locations from Marina Village Conference Center is included in the price of the field trip.
Meet-you-there - For this type of field trip transportation to and from the field trip location is not provided. We’ll meet you at the trip site.
Silent Auction
Help support the vital conservation work done by the San Diego Bird Alliance!
Sales from the silent auction support the mission of San Diego Bird Alliance to defend our region's birds, unique biodiversity, and threatened habitats through advocacy, education, and restoration. Items available will include trips, local culinary experiences, optics, photography equipment, art and photography, products for your neighborhood birds, and more!
Exhibit Hall
Visit with local and national vendors, and learn more about our conservation partners.
Now with more vendors! Try out the latest in optics technology, learn about bird tours across the world, learn about birdy products and services, purchase art and photography, and more!
Free Day
Come on Saturday, March 1 from 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday, March 2 from 10 AM - 3 PM for free activities.
You’ll enjoy:
Food
A full schedule of programs in two classrooms, including live bird presentations
Outdoor activities with our partner organizations
The Red Bird Bookstore
Used and new books, gear, and birdy gifts!
Before you leave at the end of the festival, be sure to visit the Red Book Bookstore. Publications new and used are available for purchase, along with apparel, stickers, and other souvenirs for you to take home and remember your 2025 San Diego Bird Festival experience!
Camp Surfbird
Camp Surfbird is a unique overnight camp experience designed specifically for youth ages 13-17 to enjoy the San Diego Bird Festival to the fullest.
Working together, San Diego Bird Alliance and the American Birding Association have planned an unforgettable weekend for young birders to gather and explore the region with like-minded peers.