Labor Day Weekend Heroes Needed to Keep Blood Supply Strong
Labor Day weekend is a time to relax, celebrate, and enjoy everything San Diego has to offer—backyard barbecues, beach days, and family gatherings. But it’s also a meaningful opportunity to do something truly impactful for our community: donating blood.
If you’re searching for things to do Labor Day weekend or wondering what is open on Labor Day, the San Diego Blood Bank will be open and welcoming donors across the region. Giving blood is one of the simplest and most powerful ways you can help others—right here, right now.
Why Donate Blood Over Labor Day Weekend?
Holidays are a time for rest and reflection, but they are also times when blood donations tend to dip. Many people are traveling or busy with holiday plans, and fewer appointments are scheduled. Unfortunately, the need for blood never takes a holiday.
Hospitals still need a steady supply to help trauma patients, newborns in the NICU, those battling cancer, and people undergoing emergency surgeries. By taking an hour or two out of your weekend to donate, you can give someone else the chance to spend future holidays with their loved ones.
Find a Donor Center or Blood Drive
There are many blood donation opportunities across Southern California over Labor Day Weekend! Find a location to schedule your next blood or platelet donation from the list below.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025
Hoag Foothill Ranch Blood Drive (Foothill Ranch) 10:00 am – 3:45 pm 🩸 Schedule
Pure Project Brewing Blood Drive (Vista) 12:00 pm – 5:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Dan McKinney Family YMCA Blood Drive (La Jolla) 9:00 am – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Jersey Mike’s – Mission Gorge Blood Drive (San Diego) 9:00 am – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
McGrath Family YMCA/Broken Yolk Cafe Blood Drive (Rancho San Diego) 8:00 am – 1:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
The Broken Yolk Cafe/Vons Eastlake (Chula Vista) 12:00 pm – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Walmart – Chula Vista Blood Drive (Chula Vista) 7:30 am – 9:45 am 🩸 Schedule
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025
La Costa Valley Master’s Association Blood Drive (Carlsbad) 9:00 am – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Albertsons – Ramona Blood Drive (Ramona) 9:00 am – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Church of Christ – North San Diego Blood Drive (Miramar) 8:00 am – 1:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Sons of Norway Blood Drive (La Mesa) 9:30 am – 2:45 pm 🩸 Schedule
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025
King of Kings Lutheran Church Oceanside Blood Drive (Oceanside) 8:00 am – 1:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Saint Mark’s Parish Blood Drive (San Marcos) 8:30 am – 1:45 pm 🩸 Schedule
Ramona United Methodist Church Blood Drive (Ramona) 10:00 am – 2:45 pm 🩸 Schedule
Guardian Angels Catholic Church Blood Drive (Santee) 8:30 am – 1:45 pm 🩸 Schedule
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY HOURS: Gateway and Sabre Springs locations and two blood drives will be OPEN on Monday, September 1, 2025 — All other locations will be closed.
Gateway Donor Center 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 🩸Schedule
Sabre Springs Donor Center 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 🩸 Schedule
The Broken Yolk Cafe Blood Drive (Del Mar) 8:00 am – 1:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Chick-fil-A Blood Drive (Santee) 9:00 am – 2:15 pm 🩸 Schedule
Donors Score Cool Rewards as a Thank You
When you donate over Labor Day Weekend there are some cool donor appreciation gifts to take home as thanks for saving lives.
Marvel Fantastic Four T-shirt*
For All Blood Donors Through August 31, 2025:
Give blood and get a Limited-Edition Marvel Fantastic Four T-shirt,
while sizes and supplies last
SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream San Diego Ticket **
For All Blood Donors Starting September 1, 2025:
Give blood and get a Ticket to SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream San Diego, while supplies last.
Select Nights from September 12 - November 1, 2025.
Share Your Gift of Life This Labor Day Weekend
As you plan your holiday—whether it’s a trip to the beach, a cookout, or simply some much-needed rest—we invite you to add “donate blood” to your list of things to do Labor Day weekend in San Diego.
San Diego Blood Bank will be open and ready to welcome you. With your donation, you’ll be giving the greatest gift of all: time and hope for local patients and their families.
Schedule your appointment today and make this Labor Day more than just a holiday—make it a chance to save lives.
To donate blood, you must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health.
View FAQs
*Marvel Fantastic Four T-shirts are available for presenting donors July 28, 2025 – August 31, 2025, at any San Diego Blood Bank or Southern California Blood Bank center or drive while sizes and supplies last. Donor appreciation gifts are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, have no market value, and are not for resale.
**Tickets to SeaWorld® Howl-O-Scream® San Diego are available to presenting blood donors September 1–30, 2025, while supplies last. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event on select dates, September 12–November 1, 2025. Vouchers are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, not for resale and cannot be used as a General Admission Park Ticket to SeaWorld® San Diego. Click here for event details.
