When the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® began in 2003, each evening concluded with walkers pitching their pink tents and setting up camp alongside one another. Participants would decorate their campsite and mingle with one another before calling it a night under the stars. It was an experience unlike any other; an opportunity to soak up the Pink Bubble every second of the day. The community spirit was unending from the Opening Ceremony to the Finish Line Festival. Over time, the Komen 3-Day has evolved to moving camp inside a hotel, which comes with perks of its own, but there’s really nothing quite like the original camping experience. Luckily, the original Pink Bubble experience consisting of a sea of pink tents on the waterfront with amenities galore is still an option at the San Diego 3-Day®. While there are benefits to staying in a hotel, the pros of camping far outweigh the fears that you may have when deciding where to call it a night in San Diego.  

For starters, the San Diego campsite is in a beautiful place on one of the city’s many beloved waterfront properties. In the mornings, there may be kayakers on the water or locals out for a paddle; it’s a very San Diego zen way to start your day! Plus, you can sleep for an extra 30 minutes in the mornings, waking up right where you need to be. No need to take a shuttle – you can walk over to the dining tent, enjoy breakfast and ease into your morning as the day’s hustle and bustle starts.  

Ultimately, you’re located where everything is happening. After you finish walking on the route, you can eat, shower, enjoy your home-away-from-home and spend time talking with other participants. You don’t need to hurry to a shuttle line, decide if you’ll come back to camp for dinner and evening festivities, or choose between comfort and convenience. You can take your time, do some stretching, visit the Remembrance Tent, enjoy your meals, and soak in every second of the Pink Bubble spirit. Many people add their own flare by decorating their tents with twinkly lights, flags, posters, or a fun theme, turning nighttime exploration into an adventure. As the evening activities end, and the hum of conversation quiets down, you can sit under a space heater, enjoy the view of lights across the water, then tuck yourself into your own personal pink tent for the night. 

You’ll have the chance to interact with many more crew members and walkers than you otherwise would. From those who serve your meals to those loading your gear bag in and out of the truck, you have the chance to get to know more people in the 3-Day community. It lends you the opportunity to connect with crew members and walkers who all have a powerful story to share – just like you! Plus, you’ll earn yourself a badge of honor for having experienced the 3-Day the way it all began. 

“We strongly believe that every first-timer should experience camping at the San Diego 3-Day! The camaraderie and unique atmosphere at camp, from waiting in line for showers to making midnight visits to the porta-potties, are invaluable. The sound of chatter and laughter echoing from the dining tent adds to the sense of community and shared purpose that defines the event. It’s an integral part of the 3-Day journey, fostering connections and memories that endure long after the event is over.” —Sarah B.