2026 Best of San Diego & Best Restaurants Marketing Toolkit

Every year, San Diego shows off its best: the tacos we dream about, the studios that keep us glowing, the shops we can’t stop talking about, the services that save our sanity. The truth is: YOU make this city shine.

This toolkit gives you everything you need to rally your community, boost visibility, and set yourself up for a big win during nominations and voting.

Grab what you need and easily share it.

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Key Dates

Nomination Round: January 5 – February 1, 2026
Final Voting Round: February 23 – March 22, 2026

The top-nominated businesses move on to the final ballot.

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Where Winners Are Featured

Best Restaurants Issue — June 2026:
Lists winners from the Best Restaurants category.

Best of San Diego Issue — August 2026:
Featuring winners across:
Food + Drink • Weddings • Beauty + Cosmetic • Health + Wellness • Fitness • Home + Garden • Kids • People • Pets • Professional Services • Travel + Entertainment • Shopping + Retail

Best of San Diego Party — August 7, 2026:
All winners are invited to showcase their business and celebrate with thousands of readers at our city’s biggest lifestyle party of the year.

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Step 1: Pre-Register Your Business (Starting in December)

Think of this as adding your name to the guest list before the party starts.

Pre-registration helps your business:


• Auto-populate in the ballot search

• Avoid misspellings,duplicates
and missed votes
• Make it easier for your fans to find you

• Start strong the moment nominations open

And yes, it’s free.

How to Register:

1. Visit BOSDVote.SDMag.com
2. On desktop: click Promote in the top right
3. On mobile: tap the white AD icon
4. Verify your email to complete the process (Be sure to check your junk folder)

Need a walkthrough? → Full instructions here

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Step 2: Promote Nominations (Jan 5 – Feb 1)

This is your “call the fan club” moment. Use our branded graphics and Canva templates to encourage followers, clients, customers, and community members to nominate you.

The more nominations you collect, the better your shot at the final ballot.

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Step 3: Drive Votes (Feb 23 – Mar 22)

Once the ballot goes live, return to BOSDVote.SDMag.com and share it everywhere; email, social, signage, your website, your front counter… your forehead… if that’s your vibe.

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Ballot Advertising Opportunities

Want more eyeballs while the city is voting? Ballot advertising put your business front and center while fans are actively casting their votes.

Click Ad Promote in the top right corner of the ballot to explore self-serve advertising options including custom voting links.

Looking for premium placements? Reach out to your account manager or email [email protected]

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Marketing Assets

Nomination Round 

Branded “Nominate Us” Graphics

Ready-to-use graphics for email, social media, websites, and print.

Click here to access graphics → Google Drive folder

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Customizable “Nominate Us” Graphics (Canva)

Make them your own. Add photos, your logo, category, and personality.


Instagram Story Template →Click here

Instagram Post Template →Click here

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Voting Round Assets

Branded “Vote for Us” Graphics

Pre-sized assets for social, email, signage, and more.

Click here to access graphics → Google Drive folder

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Customizable “Vote for Us” Graphics (Canva)

Make them your own. Add photos, your logo, category, and personality.
Perfect for spotlighting your business during the final round.


Instagram Story Template →Click here

Instagram Post Template →Click here