Tag Archives: camping

Veteran-Approved Camping Tips for the San Diego 3-Day

Pink tints near the bay at the San Diego 3-Day.

Camping along Crown Point Shores at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is part of the Pink Bubble magic. It’s where stories are shared, friendships are forged and your incredible body finally gets a well-deserved break. The pink tents lining the shore are quite the sight, and after walking up to 20 miles each day, being well prepared can make all the difference. 

To help make camp life a little more comfortable, we gathered advice from some 3-Day veterans who’ve camped here before. Here’s what they recommend: 

  1. Headlamp: Flashlights are helpful, but when you’re navigating your way to the restroom in the middle of the night, juggling a flashlight and toilet paper is no fun. Bring a headlamp to keep your hands free! 
  2. Yoga mat or air mattress: While some veterans prefer a yoga mat to sleep on because it’s simple, lightweight and easy to roll up, others prefer a thin air mattress for a bit more cushion after a long day on your feet. Blanche H. says, “If you bring a battery-operated pump, travel with the batteries separately. They wear out before you use them. I learned the hard way.”? 
  3. Tarps: San Diego nights along the bay can bring damp grass and chilly air. Place a tarp or plastic drop cloth under your tent to keep your gear dry. Shannon S. says, “I usually get a plastic drop cloth at the dollar store or Walmart.” Some walkers even bring a second tarp to cover the tent and prevent condensation from dripping inside.  
  4. Sweatpants with elastic cuffs: After a long day of walking, you want to be warm and comfortable. There’s one small detail veteran walkers know that works well.: Suzie R. says, “Sweatpants with elastic cuffs are great post-walk because they keep them off the porta-potty floor.” 
  5. Ziploc bags: Put each outfit in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. This will keep you organized and your garments dry. Jacquelyne G. also recommends putting your shoes inside your tent at night, so they don’t get damp. Speaking of shoes, veterans also suggest bringing shower shoes. 
  6. Yes, there are showers! The showers are housed in converted semi-trucks, equipped with private shower rooms that include a bench and hooks for your belongings. There are also large sinks, tables with mirrors and clean towels provided daily. 
  7. All the warm things: Toss a couple of hand warmers into your sleeping bag before bed to help stay cozy and to warm up your hands in the mornings. Veterans also recommend packing layers, fuzzy socks and mylar blankets. “I glamped in SD 2024 and felt so bad for campers because it was so cold in the morning,” Sue S. said.  
  8. Glow sticks or battery-operated lights: When the sun sets, camp gets dark. And with rows of identical pink tents, finding yours could be tricky. Veteran walker Walter H. recommends bringing glow sticks or battery-powered string lights to clip onto your tent. “Clipping glow sticks over the tent helps find yours when it’s dark,” he said. They’re also helpful to add some light inside your tent when you’re getting ready for bed or digging through your gear.”
  9. 1-inch binder clips: Seasoned 3-Day walkers swear by these! They’re perfect to clip around the cross-poles of your tent, and you can use them to secure the rain flaps open or fasten a tarp or plastic sheeting over the tent.  

We hope these tips from our long-time walkers help make camping fun and as enjoyable as possible. Don’t forget there’s also a tent decorating contest, so bring your lights, signs and decorations that showcase your story and help build the amazing 3-Day community spirit.  

We can’t wait to see you at camp in San Diego! 

3-Day Packing Essentials

The 2025 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is almost here, have you started thinking about what to pack? Whether you’re making it a road trip or taking a flight to get to your event, preparation ahead of time will make all the difference. From must-have toiletries to on-route essentials, we’ve put together a handy checklist for hotel and camping to help you roll into the Pink Bubble fully prepped and ready to go.

WHAT TO BRING

Gear: Bring one piece of luggage, 35 pounds or less, that is clearly labeled with your name, participant identification number and cell phone number. Make sure it’s marked with something such as a unique luggage tag to help you pick it out of a crowd (Don’t use a trash bag or bungee cords).

Clothing: (for all types of weather)

  • Two pairs of broken-in shoes
  • T-shirts & shorts
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Underwear & sports bra
  • Two pairs of socks per day
  • Sweat pants, long pants, leggings
  • Warm fleece or sweater
  • Sleepwear
  • Hat or visor
  • Pack a few outfits for each day to change after returning to camp

Toiletries: Event hotels tend to have toiletries available to you, but we strongly recommend packing everything you might need for your hygiene and comfort.

  • Sunscreen
  • Toothpaste/toothbrush
  • moisturizer
  • shampoo, conditioner
  • deodorant, razor
  • hair ties/hairbrush
  • Also, don’t forget any prescription medication that you take regularly

First Aid: On event the Medical Crew will have supplies to tend to any major medical issues, but we recommend bringing your own supplies for treating minor medical and personal problems you might need along the route like band aids, petroleum jelly, antacid and pain relievers.

Miscellaneous: Don’t forget to print and pack your credentials before showing up on event! (2-Day Walkers and 1-Day Walkers will receive your credentials when you arrive at the event). We also suggest bringing anything you may use daily or to document your experience in the Pink Bubble including a phone charger, journal, camera and your Bank of America Pink Ribbon Banking card to secure a special gift in camp!

Camping: For those camping at the San Diego 3-Day, you will spend each night in a 6.5’x 6.5’ tent. For maximum comfort, you’ll want to bring some camping gear such as a sleeping bag and pillow, an air mattress or camping pad, plastic sheets or a tarp to keep your tent and gear dry in case of rain, a headlamp or flashlight and mylar blankets. Make it more festive and throw in some decorations for your tent. You could earn a Tent Flair legacy pin!

On the route: Aside from your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a waist pack for use on the route with a few essentials you may want or need along your journey. We suggest packing this ahead of time so you’re sure to have everything you need out on the route. You may want to include in your waist pack a portable charger, sunglasses, sunscreen, money/credit card, identification and a water bottle to refill along the way. Keep it light, but fill it with anything you will possibly need. We serve water and sports drinks from large containers, but you must bring your own water bottle.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Although fundraising is a core part of the Komen 3-Day, please don’t bring any donations, cash or otherwise, to the event. Be sure to have all your dollars added directly to your personal fundraising page before arriving at the hotel or campsite. To prevent loss or theft of any kind, leave behind any valuables such as fine jewelry, designer goods, or large amounts of cash. For safety reasons, headphones or portable music players are not permissible while walking on event so, although you may use them while traveling, leave them in your hotel room before heading out on the route each morning.

We highly recommend: On Thursday night before the Opening Ceremony, be sure to charge your phone, print your credential and plan for a morning snack/breakfast. Be sure your waist pack is stocked with everything you need (extra socks, lip balm, etc.) and don’t forget your water bottle!

We can’t wait to see you in the Pink Bubble!

Camping at the San Diego 3-Day

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.