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Whether you're celebrating the end of a decade or the beginning of a new one, these are fine choices of venue.
This year, ring in the 20s as you like—with delectable dishes, yacht cruises, unforgettable parties, even family fun. There’s something here for just about any vibe, from quiet night to baller status.
Send the entire family down the rabbit hole! This kid-friendly celebration will feature a delicious buffet, dancing to DJ-supplied tunes, costume contest, games, 21+ area, and complimentary midnight toast. Tickets available here or by calling (760) 827-2800.
Where: The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
When: Dec. 31 from 6:30 p.m. to January 1 at 12:30 a.m.
Price: $150 per adult, $85 per child ages 13-17, $65 per child ages 4-12, free for children under 3
5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Dine on the A.R. Valentien patio or its elegant dining room while enjoying a five-course prix fixe meal, courtesy of Executive Chef Jeff Jackson. Call (858) 777-6635 for tickets.
Where: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
When: Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $135 per person or $185 with wine pairings, $70 for children under 12
11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
Animae
Photo by Dustin Bailey
San Diego’s newest hotspot will be offering a four-course prix fixe menu to start your year off right. Reservations for the first seating take place between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. while the second seating kicks off at 8 p.m. and continues until close. The second seating includes a midnight toast. Reservations—highly recommended!—can be made here.
Where: Animae
When: Dec. 31, times above
Price: $95 to $115
969 Pacific Highway. San Diego CA, 92101
Toast to the new year at The Grill at Torrey Pines. Pick between a savory three-course prix fixe meal or their à la carte menu. Optional beer or wine pairings. Call (858) 777-6641 for details.
Where: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
When: Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $60 per person, $75 with beer pairings and $85 with wine pairings, $35 for children under 12
11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
Forget midnight madness! Head to Corner Drafthouse for bites, brews, and a pup-friendly patio. At 9 p.m. Corner Drafthouse will have an East Coast Toast, for all you Eastern Standard Time transplants out there. Doors close at 11 p.m.
Where: Corner Drafthouse
When: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
Price: Varies
495 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101
Head to Pacific Beach to chow down on a prix fixe menu at JRDN. Then dance the night away at Tower23.
Where: Tower23 and JRDN
When: Dec. 31 with seating at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Doors to Tower 23 open at 10 p.m.
Price: $85 per person
723 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA 92109
Raise a toast to the new year with a delicious prix fixe dinner. Options include roasted salmon, filet mignon, pan-seared scallops, and whipped sweet potatoes. Make a reservation here or by calling (619) 231-0222.
Where: Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant
When: Dec. 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Price: $65 per person, beverage pairings for $32
2202 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Start the new year early at Bier Garden. From the comfort of Encinitas, at 9 p.m., the restaurant will watch the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square. Doors close at 11:30 p.m.
Where: Bier Garden
When: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
Price: Varies
641 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
With a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, Madison will serve an upscale Mediterranean and Southern California inspired three-course prix fixe dinner. The menu will highlight dishes like tuna tartare, Madison’s famous double-cut sesame crusted pork chop, filet mignon, and gluten-free vegan ravioli. Reservations can be made on their website or at OpenTable.
Where: Madison on Park
When: Dec. 31 with seating from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 8 to 11 p.m.
Price: $65 per person, $19 for wine and cocktail pairings
4622 Park Boulevard, University Heights
Vistal
AUDA
Enjoy panoramic views and live music by Taryn Donath while feasting on a three or five-course prix fixe menu. Chef Amy DiBiase will craft yellowtail crudo, juniper-brined duck breast, seared scallops with caviar butter, and wagyu rib eye cap, to name a few highlights.
Where: Vistal Bar + Restaurant
When: Dec. 31, early seating from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., late seating from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Price: $70 for three-course plus $35 for optional wine pairing, $120 for five-course dinner plus $60 for optional wine pairing
901 Bayfront Court Suite 1, San Diego, CA 92101
Feast, drink, and dance from beach to rooftop at San Diego’s hottest beachfront party on the Mission Beach boardwalk. With multiple venues and DJs, live music, and a champagne toast, it’s the perfect way to ring in the new year. Er, decade.
Where: South Draft Mission
When: Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. to January 1 at 1:30 a.m.
Price: Range from $49 to $195
3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Fluxx
Join other partygoers in the Gaslamp this year! A masquerade-themed celebration with live music by veteran Las Vegas DJ Wellman, masquerade-themed drinks, décor, and—for those who dare—lace masks. Buy tickets here or make a reservation by calling (619) 328-0138.
Where: FLUXX Nightclub
When: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Price: $40 to $80 per person
500 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
What better way to ring in the new year than with a Latin buffet and dancing? Salsa into the Westgate’s Versailles Ballroom for food, live music by Julio De La Huerta, a champagne toast, and a balloon drop. Cocktail attire required. Tickets available here.
Where: The Westgate Hotel
When: Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. to January 1 at 12:30 a.m.
Price: $165 per person
1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
This New Year’s Eve, step inside the intoxicating Realm of the 52 Remedies. This speakeasy-style bar attached to Kearny Mesa’s Common Theory Public House will feature a night of live music, punch bowls, tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and a midnight champagne toast. Cocktail attire required.
Where: Realm of the 52 Remedies
When: Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. to January 1 at 1 a.m.
Price: General admission at $95 per person
4805 Convoy Street, San Diego, California 92111
Sleepy already? Midnight comes early for families at Legoland, where the theme park will recreate the Time Square ball drop with—what else?—a giant Lego brick. Party hats and special glasses will be available while viewing fireworks.
Where: Legoland California Theme Park
When: Dec. 31, countdown at 6 p.m.
Price: Admission included with purchase of park ticket
One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
No need to bring your wallet: this event is all-inclusive! Drinks, food, and access to 10 different party zones are included. (Don’t forget your ID, though!)
Where: Hilton San Diego Bayfront
When: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Price: Varies
1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
619 Spirits
Photo by Chris Brake
Say hello to 2020 at North Park’s award-winning distillery and tasting room. Enjoy 619’s regular food menu, line-up of premium handcrafted vodka, midnight champagne toast, and a silent disco beginning at 7 p.m. Reservations can be made here.
Where: 619 Spirits Distillery & Tasting Room
When: Dec. 31
Price: Varies
3015 Lincoln Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
Bahia Belle
Cruise through Mission Bay on the Bahia Belle as you enjoy an appetizer buffet, live DJ, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast.
Where: Mission Bay and Bahia Resort Hotel
When: Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Price: Cruise at $30 per person, overnight at hotel varies
998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
This New Year’s Eve, the historic steam ferryboat Berkeley will be transformed into a glamorous lounge with dessert, dancing, party favors, and, at the stroke of midnight, a toast with some bubbly.
Where: Maritime Museum of San Diego
When: Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Price: $60 per person
1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
This year celebrate by stepping onto the Spirit of San Diego: a 146-foot long, three-level luxury yacht with outdoor decks, lounges, and dueling dance floors. This event has sold out 16 years in a row—just sayin’—so get your tickets here.
Where: Spirit of San Diego Yacht
When: Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to January 1 at 12:45 a.m.
Price: $149 per person
990 North Harbor Drive, Dock #3, San Diego, CA, 92101
Don your best 1920s attire for a night of dinner, dancing, live music and glamour, with bottomless champagne and a four course dinner. Tickets available here.
Where: Hornblower Cruises
When: Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to January 1 at 12:30 a.m.
Price: $225 per person
1800 N. Harbor Drive, Pier 1, San Diego, CA 92101
Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in San Diego 2020
PARTNER CONTENT
Photo: Shutterstock.com
From North Park block parties to art exhibitions and Oceanside festivals, here are 12 events across the county
Juneteenth, sometimes called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, has grown from a local Texas tradition into a nationwide celebration. It marks the moment in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of around 250,000 enslaved people—symbolizing the end of slavery in one of the most remote parts of the former Confederacy.
In San Diego, Juneteenth stretches beyond the history books. It spills into parks, libraries, beaches, and backyards. It sounds like live jazz, spoken word, and open mics. It reminds you that liberation looks like a community in motion. There’s no one way to observe Juneteenth. From North Park block parties and dance floors to art exhibitions and Oceanside festivals, here are 12 events that all orbit the same idea: celebration with intention.
For more than 50 years, the Cooper Family Foundation has been at the heart of San Diego’s Juneteenth celebrations, turning remembrance into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events. It all began with Sidney Cooper Sr., a businessman and cornerstone of the Black community, who championed Juneteenth long before it became widely recognized.
Today, that legacy continues in full force, carried on by his family and held in loving memory of both Sidney and Thelma Cooper. This free, family-friendly celebration blends history with joy. Prepare for over 100 vendors, five food trucks, a domino tournament, multiple stages featuring live music, African drumming and dance, educational programming, and a dedicated kids’ zone. It’s a day of culture, connection, and community, all rooted in the belief that “We know the past. We shape the future.”
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | 2975 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego
Because financial freedom is part of the conversation, too, this $5 community breakfast pairs syrupy stacks with real talk about generational wealth, investing, and how to build a thriving Black economy. Come for the pancakes, stay for flipping the script on financial education. Bonus: every donation supports 7th and 8th graders who participate in a financial literacy course, and helps kick-start their futures with a $25 boost.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa
It’s freedom, flavor, and firsts in San Marcos this year with its inaugural Juneteenth celebration at Cal State University San Marcos. The Student Union will host an afternoon of live music, local vendors, family-friendly fun, and community spirit. The standout is the Emancipation Lounge VIP Culinary Experience, a rooftop tasting featuring upscale small bites from top Black chefs like Kelston Moore, Tony Bennett Jr., and DuVal Warner. Guests will enjoy handcrafted mocktails, goodie bags, a red carpet, and stunning views, plus a chance to connect with the chefs behind the dishes. With just 250 VIP tickets available, this exclusive event is expected to sell out fast. Proceeds benefit Bad Boyz of Culinary and AIM: Achievement in Motion.
3 – 8 p.m. | 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos
With great food and smooth R&B, Rhythm & Brunch SD’s Juneteenth celebration is the perfect way to spend your Thursday. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m, toast to a delicious, boozy brunch with a soulful soundtrack that celebrates culture and community. It’s casual, celebratory, and something you won’t want to miss.
3 – 9 p.m. | 401 G Street San Diego
Louisiana Purchase isn’t just hosting a party, it’s celebrating history, resilience, and freedom with a vibrant block party that puts culture front and center. Enjoy exclusive Juneteenth menu specials featuring New Orleans-inspired bites alongside a selection of Black-owned local vendors. The soundtrack flows with Afrobeats, R&B, and Hip-Hop, creating the perfect backdrop for a night honoring Black excellence through music, food, and community. The celebration kicks off at 12 p.m.
12 – 7 p.m.
2305 University Ave, San Diego
Maybe you’re a poet, or maybe you’re just a really good listener. Either way, this celebration night invites you to grab the mic or settle in for something real. You’ll hear raw, poetic, and often hilarious takes on freedom, gratitude, resilience, hope and identity from some of San Diego’s most compelling storytellers. It’s an open space for local voices to share original pieces and reflect on what Juneteenth means right now.
4 – 5 p.m. | Online
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
America’s Independence Day arrives with a bang at these 15 festive community events
Get ready to paint the town red, white, and blue this Fourth of July at these patriotic celebrations around San Diego County. While fireworks displays are, of course, the main attraction on this summer holiday, several events offer family-friendly fun before the pyrotechnics start. From early morning races and neighborhood parades to theme park activities and live outdoor concerts, spend the day and night celebrating the land of the free and home of the brave.
Start the festivities a little early in Oceanside with the annual Independence Day Parade on Coast Highway. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, cheer on the floats, bands (including the 1st Marine Division Band), walking groups, and decked-out cars. Then, on July 3, witness a spectacular fireworks show, hosted by the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department. The pyrotechnics start at 9 p.m. at the SoCal Soccer Complex, but the gates open at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities and food trucks.
3300 Dr Hugh La Bounty Dr, Oceanside
Oh, say, you can see some glimmering pyrotechnics after a day of sea-themed fun. The week of June 30 through July 4, view nightly SeaWorld fireworks at 9:30 p.m. from around the park. The festive explosives show is synced to music to ring in another year of America’s independence.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
BYO blankets and chairs to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for a free fireworks display set to a bilingual soundtrack on Amor 102.9. Get to South Bay early—the gates open at 7 p.m., and free parking is limited to 600 spots. There will be food trucks onsite to enjoy while you wait for the show to start. If you miss out on the training center parking, you can still get a great view of the fireworks from nearby Mountain Hawk Park.
2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista
Burn off some pre-barbecue calories with a patriotic 12K or 5K run on Coronado Island. (Why 12K? A nod to America’s birthday—it equates to 7.4 miles.) The out-and-back race, now in its 51st year, starts in Tidelands Park, wraps around the golf course and Glorietta Bay, and heads out onto the Silver Strand with scenic views of the Coronado Bridge. You can bring the whole family—there’s a Crown City Half Mile race for kids. Then stick around after your run for more star-spangled Coronado festivities (see below).
2000 Mullinex Drive, Coronado
From sunup to sundown, celebrate our nation’s independence with a packed schedule of patriotic events for the whole family. The 75th annual parade on Coronado’s Orange Avenue doesn’t set out till 10 a.m., but spectators start saving their spots at 5 a.m., and the pre-parade entertainment begins at 7:30. Afterward, catch a demonstration by the US Navy parachute team, live musical performances in Spreckels Park, and a colorful fireworks show you can watch from the Coronado Golf Course at 9 p.m.
Various locations, Coronado
East County’s Kennedy Park hosts this patriotic fireworks display starting at 9 p.m., but the family-friendly activities start at 2 p.m. Arrive early to the park to enjoy free train rides, arts and crafts, and games and watch live music from two bands. Then sit back to ooh and ahh as the fireworks light up the sky.
1675 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon
The Big Bay Boom is the largest fireworks display in California. Bring lawn chairs to watch from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero, the Marina District, or the Coronado Ferry Landing at 9 p.m., or get a closer view from your own vessel on the bay. To avoid parking downtown, consider taking advantage of the expanded trolley service that night.
Various locations
The San Diego Maritime Museum opens up the McKinney Deck of the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley and the waterfront barge behind it for visitors to enjoy a barbecue dinner along the water starting at 7 p.m., then a front-row seat to the 9 p.m. fireworks show over the bay. Purchase your tickets online in advance, and bring a blanket for the first-come, first-serve seating on the boat.
1492 North Harbor Drive, Waterfront
Join Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s staff and volunteers to experience an 1800s-style Independence Day celebration. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the free event offers games, crafts, and live music from Big Mountain Blue Grass Band. Previous years’ activities have included potato sack races, tug-of-war, and folk dances.
San Diego Avenue & Twiggs Street, Old Town
Flash back to the turn of the 20th century at Old Poway Park’s Independence Day celebration. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy train displays, children’s crafts, old-fashioned games, patriotic entertainment, train rides, and tasty food. Follow that up with two glimmering fireworks displays illuminating the sky over the Poway High School Stadium and the Poway Sportsplex. The high school gates open at 6 p.m., and for $6 per adult (kids 11 and under are free), you can enjoy games, activities, and music leading up to the big show.
14134 Midland Road | 15500 Espola Road | 12349 McIvers Court, Poway
The Del Mar Fairgrounds has hosted the San Diego County Fair—the unofficial summer kick-off in SD—since 1936. Spend the day riding the Ferris wheel, cheering on piglets in the Swifty Swine Pig Races, or housing fried chicken sandwiched between two hot honey–drizzled funnel cakes. Then, head to the Corona Grandstand Stage to watch the dazzling fireworks show at 9 p.m. General admission (standing room only) is free, or you can pay to reserve a seat.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Let freedom ring in the heart of Escondido at this annual Independence Day Festival. Starting at 4 p.m. in Grape Day Park, you can explore the artisan market; order eats from local food trucks; drink local craft beers and spirits; and listen to live performances, including one from the Navy 32nd Street Brass Band, hosted by the adjacent California Center for the Arts. Then settle down on a blanket or lawn chair for the spectacular fireworks finale at 9:05 p.m. For the first time this year, the Center for the Arts is extending the celebration to a four-day free concert series, so come back on July 5, 6, or 7 for more live shows.
321 North Broadway, Escondido
Spend Fourth of July at Legoland with a full schedule of USA-themed activities—DJ dance parties, limited-edition treats, lawn games, and meet-and-greets—in addition to the normal brick-building fun and rides. Then put on magic glasses to see a spectacular show: fireworks exploding into 3D Lego bricks. The special event is included with regular park admission.
One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
Enjoy an all-American afternoon in East County at Santee’s Town Center Park. The gates open at 2 p.m., inviting guests to partake in amusement rides and food trucks in between performances by the US Marine Corps Band Popular Music Group and country band Whiskey Ridge. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. and will be synced to the fireworks soundtrack on SanteeTV.
550 Park Center Drive, Santee
Experience small-town charm in the Cuayamaca Mountains with this annual patriotic parade. For more than 20 years, Julian residents and their friends have lined up on Main Street to wave their flags and cheer on local school marching bands. Pre-parade activities include musical performances, an Old West reenactment, pie-eating contests, and a vintage airplane fly-over before the main event starts at noon.
Main Street, Julian
Bethany Mavis is a writer, editor and aficionado of hiking, crafting and thrifting. She is an adjunct professor in journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University, and she lives in Escondido with her husband and three daughters.
How to stay busy and important this month in America's Finest City
Goodbye May gray, hello June gloom. If it isn’t evident from lengthy bar lines, weekend traffic on the 5, and calls from the ‘Zonies in your extended family, tourist season is officially here. June is packed with plenty of fun things to do this year, including another exciting music festival, county fair festivities in Del Mar, and plenty of food and beer happenings to indulge in. Mark your calendars and attend these 12 San Diego events in the sun (or shade) this month.
Food and Drink | Concerts and Theater | Festivals and Art | More Things to Do
Meet us at the Carlsbad Flower Fields, where we’ll gather our favorite restaurants, distilleries, and businesses from up north for SDM’s annual Best of North County Party. Wear your cutest stretchy pants—you’ll need the extra room to indulge in all the bites and sips that await. Must be 21 to attend.
5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Dive into a sea of tacos and tequila at Wildcoast’s 12th annual Baja Bash on World Oceans Day. Help wildlife in Baja and beyond while feasting on delectable bites from some of SD’s top names in sustainable seafood, including Roberto Alcocer (Malva and Valle) and Emiliano Safa (Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa) at the Montbleau Estate in Solana Beach.
Montbleau Estate, Solana Beach
Save your appetito for two days of Italian delicacies at Taste of Little Italy. Head to the Piazza della Famiglia to pick up your Taste Passport and make your rounds at some of our favorite Italian cucinas, sampling pasta, pizza, and pesto to your heart’s content.
2210 Columbia Street, Little Italy
Put “crack a cold one” on your calendar. It’s time for San Diego Beer Weekend, an annual fest from the SD Brewers Guild highlighting independent craft breweries across the county—an area with more than 150 independent beer manufacturers.
Citywide
Some of SoCal and Baja’s favorite musicians are appearing at the North Park Music Festival for another year of amps, bites, and brews. All ages are welcome to enjoy live performances and check out installations from binational artists, including Tijuana’s Parque de Cometas. More than 15 local food vendors and craft breweries will join the scene.
3812 29th St, North Park
Catch Banjo Hall of Famer and Grammy Award winner Alison Brown at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center for a bluegrass-jazz concert benefiting the Rotary Club of La Jolla. Top-tier ticketholders get access to a pre-concert reception and a Q&A session with Jamie Deering, CEO of the SD-based Deering Banjo Company.
7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla
Golden Hill has a new kid on the block: Union Hall Gallery, an offshoot of the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery. The space launches its inaugural exhibit, The Art of Experience, this month. Ponder the works of sculptor Ted Berryman and his late wife, abstract painter Martha Moramay Cuevas, and take advantage of a rare opportunity to touch the art in this interactive showcase.
2323 Broadway # 201, Golden Hill
A kaleidoscopic experience awaits at Sarah Stieber’s experiential pop-up gallery in Little Italy. The shimmering hues of her Integration Series echo the transparent acrylic displays and furniture throughout the space, immersing visitors in Stieber’s joyful world.
1943 India St., Little Italy
If you haven’t stuffed your face with deep-fried everything at the San Diego County Fair, have you really experienced summer here? Dig up your vintage threads—shoulder pads, neon colors, and clashing prints—for this year’s “Let’s Go Retro” theme at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
On your marks, get set… ROCK! San Diego’s highly anticipated Rock ‘n’ Roll race is back, inviting distance runners to test their mettle with a marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. Those without a need for speed can gather on the sidelines to cheer the athletes on and help them re-up on electrolytes.
Citywide
Zero experience necessary, but yoga mat, SPF, and sunnies encouraged. Namaste your way to the Rady Shell, where FIT Athletic and longtime yogi Viktoria Talbot leads a free flow amid picturesque views of the bay. Registration required.
222 Marina Park Way, Downtown
Don your athleisure for Anchored in Wellness, a day of movement and mindfulness at Liberty Station. Try a fitness class (like yoga with Yoga Six, or Pilates with Club Pilates), then find that mind-to-body connection with a post-workout ice bath, meditation, or breathwork. Finally, fuel up with local food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and more.
2640 Cushing Road, Point Loma
Roxana Becerril is a Mexican-American writer living in San Diego. When she's not traveling or checking out the newest restaurant in the city, she covers art, culture, lifestyle and Latino topics.
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
Enjoy music festival fun on the waterfront, strike a pose at the Posh on Prospect fashion show, and see the Padres take on their LA rivals at Petco Park
Whether you’re fêting Mom this weekend or chilling with friends, the lineup of things to do in San Diego is chock-full of shindigs for revelers of every stripe. Theater buffs can catch shows by local up-and-comers at UCSD’s Wagner New Plays Festival, while blues fans can boogie at the bayou-themed Gator by the Bay. Hanging with your mama? Spoil her with an indulgent brunch or an art-filled tour through eight North County homes. Here are 13 of our favorite San Diego events this weekend.
Food and Drink | Concerts and Theater | Festivals and Art | More Things to Do
Celebrate Mom with an all-you-can-eat brunch at one of San Diego’s iconic seaside spots. In the Hotel del Coronado’s Southpointe Ballroom, guests will enjoy live music and brunch stations featuring sweet treats like Polynesian vanilla buttermilk pancakes and chocolate chip breakfast bread pudding, plus made-to-order omelets, eggs benedicts, and avocado toast. Guests ages 21 and up will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne. Mother’s Day Brunch at the Hotel del Coronado is $185 for adults, $95 for children ages 4 to 12, and complementary for children 3 and under with a paid adult. Seatings take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there are still several reservation times available here.
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
The Coronado Schools Foundation and the Coronado Chamber of Commerce invite residents to wine, dine, and admire the art on display this Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. The festival will feature more than 80 artist booths, plus live music and a varied selection of sips and bites, all in an effort to fundraise for local art education. Admission to the art festival is free, but to try wine, you’ll have to purchase one of several tasting packages, such as the $50 wine village pass (which comes with six vino samples, bites, and live music) or the $275 all-inclusive VIP pass (it comes with 15 wine tastings, plus access to all three tasting areas and a “meet the artists” pre-party invite). For the entire list of ticket options, visit here.
1125 10th Street, Coronado
San Diegans can support local playwrights on the rise at the 2024 Wagner New Play Festival, where five UC San Diego grad students will present their original works onstage at a trio of intimate theaters on UCSD’s campus. Highlights from this year’s showcase include the satirical military and musical theater mashup of Milo Cramer’s No Singing in the Navy and the dark coming-of-age comedy Dead Girl’s Quinceanera by Phanésia Pharel. Individual show tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for UCSD students, and $15 for UCSD staff and faculty.
La Jolla
The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival kicks off this Friday, bringing more than 80 musicians to downtown’s waterfront. In addition to headliners like Kaytranada, Dominic Fike, and Beck, expect appearances from a wide variety of local bands and Latin music artists. Wonderfont will also include pop-up sports and games at Ruocco Park, plus VIP boat cruises, yacht parties, art installations, and plenty of nighttime events to keep the party jumping all over the city. Wonderfront tickets are still available, with three-day general admission and VIP passes going for $329 and $399 respectively. Single-day passes are on sale for $135.
839 West Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
The Nowell Family Foundation will sponsor a day full of activities in Oceanside, all aimed at promoting addiction recovery. A Sublime Life, a free sobriety festival featuring live music, workshops, speakers, and more at Oceanside Civic Center Plaza, takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 5 to 10 p.m., just down the street at the Oceanside Museum of Art, rock out at Sublime Family Jam, a benefit concert hosted by Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and new lead singer Jakob Nowell (son of original frontman Bradley Nowell) to raise funds for Bradley’s House, the foundation’s sobriety home. Tickets to the concert—which also includes a DJ performance from Troy Dendekker, a Sublime memorabilia exhibition, and an art competition highlighting artwork focused on addiction and mental health—are $115.
A Sublime Life – 300 North Coast Highway, Oceanside | Sublime Family Jam – 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
How to stay busy and important this month in America's Finest City
Don’t let Gray May get you down—not when there are so many things to do in San Diego this month, regardless of whether the sun decides to catch the vibe. From family-friendly happenings at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to a stacked music festival and a couple of bold ballets, here are nine exciting events to add to your itinerary.
Concerts and Theater | Festivals and Art | More Things to Do
Celestial sounds will echo through UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium with To The Stars. Presented by the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, each of the production’s two shows offers live renditions of moving compositions by Anton Webern, Osvaldo Golijov, and Johannes Brahms.
9390 Mandeville Ln, La Jolla
The San Diego Ballet stages a uniquely SD take on Giselle, a heartbreaking love story originally set in medieval Germany, at the Balboa Theatre. Artistic Director Javier Velasco’s version transfers the tale to Spanish-colonial California and turns the traditional “Wilis”—ghosts of scorned women—into Mexican lloronas.
868 Fourth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Two siblings bridge the physical and emotional distance between them through a shared love of their mother’s favorite recipe in Stir, a recently commissioned, world-premiere play at the Old Globe, proving that food truly does bring people together.
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
San Diego’s annual Wonderfront Music Festival is back, welcoming headliners Weezer, Kaytranada, Beck, Dominic Fike, Mt. Joy, and JID, among other artists, for three days of good food and drinks and even better music against a backdrop of nonstop sun and glistening waves in downtown.
100 The Embarcadero, Seaport Village
“This I Promise You”… former N*SYNC boy bander Justin Timberlake’s show at Pechanga Arena on Midway will be jam-packed with bops. The 10-time Grammy winner will play tunes from his 2023 album Everything I Thought I Was.
3500 Sports Arena Blvd, Point Loma
In the running for the most well-known ballet on the planet, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake follows Odette, a princess turned into a swan by dark magic. Hand-painted sets and elaborate costumes bring the classic story to life at the Civic Theatre.
1100 Third Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
The one thing you won’t find at the San Diego International Fringe Festival? Censorship. Everything else is fair game. The 12th annual iteration of this free-to-low-cost fest celebrating out-of-the-box theatre, dance, and art brings hundreds of bold performances to Balboa Park and beyond.
Balboa Park
Ring in spring with the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch’s annual ranunculus extravaganza. Get lost amid 55 acres of blooms while wandering peaceful gardens and a sweet pea maze, snacking on food truck eats, and chugging through the kaleidoscopic fields in a tractor-pulled wagon.
5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Birds, bees, and butterflies are the stars of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s spring activities in Escondido. Expect breakdancing pollinators, guitar-playing bluebirds, and the chance to try your hand at nature photography in the park’s colorful Butterfly Jungle.
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido
Roxana Becerril is a Mexican-American writer living in San Diego. When she's not traveling or checking out the newest restaurant in the city, she covers art, culture, lifestyle and Latino topics.
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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