Guests celebrated the outstanding chefs and restaurants featured in the June “Best Restaurants” issue at Fixtures Living with cooking demonstrations and hosted bites from Bencotto, Brooklyn Girl, Cucina Urbana, Puesto, Slater’s 50/50, Azucar, Royal India, Roppongi, BadunkaChunk, Green Acre, Rubicon Deli, and Marina Kitchen. Beer and wine were provided by Stella Artois and Miramonte Winery.
Welcome to SDM’s Guide to San Diego Food + Drink, our new video series dedicated to our favorite food and drink in the city. At the end of the summer, we’re bring many of these restaurants to the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival for a massive party. You should come. San Diego restaurants, local wineries, Food Network chefs… it’s our big dream for the city.
Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.
14 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 17–22
See the premiere of a '70s music celerbation, join San Marcos’ inaugural Juneteenth shindig, and sample several local ice cream shops at Scoop San Diego
This Friday marks the summer solstice. Ring it in with some fun summer happenings. Foodies can spend two evenings touring Little Italy for bites, treats, and tasters, while sweet tooths can beat the heat with a sugar rush this Sunday at the annual Scoop San Diego festival in North Park. Plus, locals can celebrate the first annual Juneteenth San Marcos or partake in the San Diego Black Artist Collective’s Juneteenth Black Arts Festival, plus more.
Sample neighborhood flavors at the annual Taste of Little Italy, returning Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each day, attendees will check in at the Piazza della Famiglia to get their taste passport and begin their culinary tour of Little Italy. Bites and sips will include beer, sweet treats, Australian wagyu skewers, and a variety of pasta dishes, such as rigatoni alla vodka, penne with pesto, and campanella sausage with creamy tomato sauce. Tickets are $71 per day, with Tuesday already sold out.
Little Italy
Crab Hut’s 18th Anniversary Party
June 18
Help blow out the candles for The Crab Hut as the seafood boil chain celebrates its 18th birthday this Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at its Convoy location. The festivities will include drink specials, live music from DJ @e.vandamme, photo ops, raffles, prizes, and exclusive merch.
4646 Convoy Street, Kearny Mesa
Scoop San Diego
June 22
Dive into desserts from more than 35 vendors serving ice cream, gelato, and paletas at Scoop San Diego. From noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday, enjoy live music, photo ops, and your fill of the sweets. All net proceeds from the festival will benefit local food recovery nonprofit ProduceGood. General admission tickets ($45) are shareable and come with 10 one-ounce samples, while VIP passes ($125) include a swag bag, seven exclusive vendors, a VIP-only hour from 11 a.m. to noon, and much more.
30th Street & North Park Way, North Park
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival
June 18–28
Many of the finest orchestra players from around the country, under the tutelage of conductor Michael Francis, will gather in San Diego for the upcoming Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival. This year’s festival, beginning this Wednesday, will feature six classical music performances, happening at the Epstein Family Amphitheater (June 21 and 28) and the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center (June 18, 20, 24, and 26). Tickets range from $88 to $260 for individual concerts, while subscription packages by venue or for the entire festival can be purchased here.
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla | 7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Juneteenth San Marcos
June 19
Natalie and Lionel Saulsberry, partners in life and in podcasting on Couples Unfiltered, are expanding their community Juneteenth celebration to the campus of California State University San Marcos this Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. Created alongside Clinton and Renee Huggins, the inaugural Juneteenth San Marcos offers free admission, with food trucks, live entertainment, a kids’ zone, over 30 vendor booths, and a focus on educating and empowering. The VIP culinary experience ($65) in the rooftop “Emancipation Lounge” comes with red carpet photo ops, handcrafted mocktails, swag bags, and elevated small bites from a handful of the area’s most outstanding Black chefs.
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos
Dierks Bentley at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 19
Dierks Bentley will perform his newest album Broken Branches at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, with bluegrass singer Zach Top and Georgia country group The Band Loula opening. Tickets start at $30 for this concert, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
June 19–22
The San Diego Black Artist Collective will celebrate Black cultural and creative expression at its Juneteenth Black Arts Festival at University Heights’ Diversionary Theatre. The festival programming begins with a kickback Thursday night, followed by a new play series (Friday), a community showcase, and a featured play reading (Saturday). It finishes with a gospel brunch on Sunday at 11 a.m. Tickets for individual events are $29, while an all-inclusive festival pass is $87.
4545 Park Boulevard, University Heights
Wu-Tang Clan at Pechanga Arena
June 21
After spending over 30 years as a musical force to be reckoned with, Wu-Tang Clan have embarked on what could be their final tour with Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber. This East Coast collective has a bulletproof legacy as one of the best rap groups of all time. Their show Saturday at Pechanga Arena will feature hip hop duo Run the Jewels as the opening act. Tickets range from $67 to $269 for this concert, beginning at 8 p.m.
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.
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.
Courtesy of Cooper Family Foundation
How to Celebrate Juneteenth in San Diego
Cooper Family Juneteenth Celebration
June 21
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
Financial Literacy Pancake Breakfast
June 19
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
Inaugural Juneteenth San Marcos
June 19
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
Courtesy of Rhythm & Brunch
Rhythm & Brunch Juneteenth Celebration
June 19
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 Juneteenth Block Party
June 19
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
Juneteenth Spoken Word Open Mic!
June 19
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.
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.
Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.
Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.
“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”
Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”
Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.
Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.
“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”
17 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 11–15
Eat international street food in City Heights, see the world-premiere play Indian Princesses, and hit the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the Summer Pet-tacular
Looking for a local Juneteenth bash? A delicious culinary adventure? How about something suitable for Father’s Day with your old man? No matter what, we’ve got you covered. SD Melanin’s spirited Kinfolk Fest at Waterfront Park offers an all-day Juneteenth celebration this Saturday. The City Heights Street Food Fest and Wildcoast’s Baja Bash fundraiser are just a couple of the tasty options on the food and drink lineup this week. Last but certainly not least, dads love a good bargain, and, fortunately, free events are plentiful this weekend in San Diego, with no charge for Summer Fun on the 101, As You Like It at the Coronado Playhouse, and the new Black Perspectives 2 and Kumeyaay Visual Storytelling exhibitions.
Sample wares from an array of local eateries and beverage vendors at Del Mar Village’s Summer Solstice in Powerhouse Park. This Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., 21-plus attendees can try finely crafted bites; a range of wine, beer and cocktails; and a beachy reggae concert from Ben Benavente and the Stateside Bruddahs. General admission is $141 and comes with a commemorative tasting glass and a sunset cheers with Monarch Ocean Pub.
City Heights Community Development hosts the free Street Food Fest, a community showcase of culinary diversity, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday. University Avenue will be abuzz with artists and dancers, a beer garden, and vendors serving up foods from around the world. Bodhi Tree Concerts’ Music en la Calle will provide an international soundtrack throughout the festival. RSVP for the event or purchase a $50 taste ticket, which comes with a bite from each participating vendor, on Eventbrite.
University Avenue & 37th Street, City Heights
San Diego Brew Festival
June 14
At the 14th annual San Diego Brew Festival at NTC Park in Liberty Station, attendees can explore more than 70 breweries and 200 beers, lawn games, food trucks, and live music from local cover bands. Ticket options include $62 general admission (with entry from 1 to 4 p.m.) and $79 VIP passes, which come with specialty pours from noon to 1 p.m. Those who’d like to stop by but skip the libations can purchase designated driver tickets at the event for $20 cash.
2455 Cushing Road, Point Loma
Wildcoast Baja Bash Fundraiser
June 14
Wildcoast commemorates 25 years of coastal conservation efforts with its annual Baja Bash fundraiser, with proceeds helping to sustain the nonprofit’s programs. On Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at a private Solana Beach residence, guests can dine on sustainably minded fare from top San Diego and Baja chefs, with fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, and plenty of sweet treats. This elevated evening will also include fine wine, craft beer, small batch mezcal and tequila, live music, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $240 for Baja Bash.
Montbleau Estate, Solana Beach
Courtesy of Quartyard
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego County Fair
June 11–July 6
The San Diego County Fair is celebrating animal companions this year with themed exhibits, pet adoptions, and an appearance by the dog whisperer himself: Cesar Millan. This week, fairgoers can enjoy rides, games, funnel cakes, and concerts from neo-soul favorite Maxwell (Friday), EDM superstar Zedd (Saturday), and the legendary Los Tigres Del Norte (Sunday). Other special events include a Swiftie tribute (Wednesday and Thursday) and the Fair-tastic Food Competition (Friday), in which local culinary giants, including San Diego Mag Chief Content Officer Troy Johnson, will vote for their favorite innovative fair food creation. Fair admission is $16 ($20 day of) for Wednesdays and Thursdays and $20 for Friday through Sunday ($25 day of).
Since Juneteenth falls on a Thursday this year, the holiday observances begin this weekend, with a trio of community events to check out. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Friends of the Oak Park Library will host a free performance from the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, along with light refreshments, book readings, and family-friendly activities. Next, SD Melanin’s Kinfolk Fest returns to Waterfront Park from 12:30 to 9 p.m. with a live music and DJ lineup, a Black-owned business marketplace, and much more. Tickets range from $39 to $103. Finally, Quartyard is throwing a special Juneteenth edition of its R&B Block Party from 5 to 10 p.m.; admission is $15 online and $30 the day of.
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.
15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: Nov. 27–Dec. 1
Be thankful for a Friendsgiving feast at Lionfish, admire bejeweled ornaments at the Timken Museum of Art, and catch “A Christmas Carol” at the Cygnet Theater
There’s much to be thankful for this week—including another busy weekend full of fun San Diego events. Folks who still have Woodstock FOMO will have two chances to celebrate the music of the era’s biggest stars. Local theaters will bring iconic holiday tales to life. And a handful of SD restaurants are offering Friendsgiving spreads, so you can skip the cooking and focus on all the other great things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Fort Oak’s “Snowed In” cocktail pop-up will pair snow globe ambience with a dozen seasonal drinks. The menu from Fort Oak Beverage Director Jess Stewart will feature highlights like creamy espresso martinis and tiki-inspired rum and fruit concoctions in festive mugs. These libations can be enjoyed nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight, now through the end of the year.
1011 Fort Stockton Drive, Mission Hills
Friendsgiving Feast at Lionfish
November 27
Lionfish chef Jose “JoJo” Ruiz is taking a fine-dining approach to holiday home cooking with his Friendsgiving Feast menu. From 5 to 10 p.m. this Wednesday, guests can indulge in a deep-fried turkey bucket, Boursin mashed potatoes, truffle mac and cheese, and buttermilk biscuits for $45, and if you’d like, wash it all down with $5 shots.
Berry Good Food Foundation Friendsgiving Eve Fundraiser at Rumorosa
November 27
Rumorosa on Harbor Island is hosting a range of fundraisers this month, with 15 percent of proceeds going to the sustainable nonprofit Berry Good Food Foundation. The restaurant’s Friendsgiving Eve Fundraiser this Wednesday will be a buffet-style meal with Baja white fish ceviche, agave-and-chipotle-glazed chicken wings, and mezcal-flambéed cream cheese flan for $20 per person plus tax and gratuity. Patrons arriving in groups of four or more can also enjoy the restaurant’s month-long Friendsgiving Fundraiser, a $65-per-person meal from chef Cesar Oceguera with items such as mole negro roasted chicken, through Nov. 30.
1380 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island
Beer By the Bay 2024
November 30
Beer By the Bay returns this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Coronado Ferry Landing Park. Attendees can enjoy craft beer, selections from regional wineries, games, a photo booth, and live music by the water. Ticket options include general admission ($81.88) and military GA ($65.87), which come with unlimited craft beer, spirit, wine, cocktail and seltzer tastings, and VIP ($161.90), which comes with early admission, VIP seating, and more.
1201 1st Street, Coronado
Courtesy of Thee Sacred Souls
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Gand Band Woodstock Immersive Experience at Humphreys Backstage
November 27
Fronted by local singers Michele Lundeen and Damion Willis, the six-piece Gand Band is bringing the Woodstock festival experience to Humphreys Backstage this Wednesday night. While the band members play the defining hits of the counterculture period—from Santana to Sly Stone—in all of their tie-dye glory, psychedelic visuals and interviews with the era’s musicians will be projected on screen. Tickets are starting at $28.75.
2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party at Balboa Theatre
November 30
This Saturday at the Balboa Theatre, swing revival specialists Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will keep things fun and festive, performing original yuletide tunes—like the brass-heavy lounge track “Christmas Time in Tinsel Town”—along with holiday essentials. Tickets start at $54.05.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Thee Sacred Souls at SOMA
December 1
San Diegans will have one last chance to see Thee Sacred Souls perform live locally in 2024 this Sunday night at SOMA. Tickets are officially sold out for this performance from the darlings of San Diego soul, but resale admission is going for upwards of $230.
3350 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
Courtesy of Cygnet Theater
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play at New Village Arts
Through December 24
In this radio play adaptation of Miracle on 34th Streetat New Village Arts, when a newly hired Macy’s department store Santa Claus claims to be the real deal, all in his orbit are forced to confront their belief in the existence of Old Saint Nick. There will be four performances of Miracle on 34th Street this week, with previews through Nov. 29 and opening night this Saturday. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased here.
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.
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.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
