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From buffet brunches to DIY flower workshops, check out San Diego's best Mother's Day specials
This Oceanside restaurant boasts a creative three-course champagne brunch with special dishes like miso-glazed scallops and cast iron duck pot pie.
Price: $59.95 per adult, $13.95 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 333 North Pacific Street, Oceanside
Phone: (760) 433-3333
The Friday after Mother’s Day, wine enthusiasts can reserve a spot at AVANT’s Daou wine dinner, a four-course meal and amuse-bouche with proprietor George Daou.
Price: $100 per person
Date: May 19
Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
Phone: (858) 675-8551
Live music, bottomless mimosas, specialty cocktails, and French influenced California cuisine are awaiting diners at this Escondido restaurant. The brunch menu features small plates, crepes, soups, salads, and more.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 417 West Girard Avenue, Escondido
Phone: (760) 747-5000
If mom isn’t a big brunch person, treat her to a fancy four-course dinner at BiCE for an evening full of burrata, pan seared salmon, and double cut lamb loin. Be sure to save room for the strawberry panna cotta.
Price: $49 per adult, $25 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 425 Island Avenue, Downtown
Phone: (619) 239-2423
Moms eat free at Blue Point Coastal Cuisine this Mother’s Day. Enjoy seafood from a special limited menu that features “hook, line, and sinker” options, including pan-seared day boat scallops and passion fruit cheesecake.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 565 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Phone: (619) 233-6623
BO-beau is sticking to the classics and offering a special Mother’s Day brunch menu full of their favorites like strawberry French toast and crab cake Benedict.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 8384 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa
Phone: (619) 337-3445
The kitchen at Bracero is cooking up a Baja influenced Mexican brunch menu to celebrate Mother’s Day. All moms will receive a complimentary house margarita or no mames cocktail to go with their meal as well as a special dessert.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 1490 Kettner Boulevard, Downtown
Phone: (619) 765-7864
Show mom your appreciation with an all-you-can-eat style brunch at Buster’s featuring free-flowing mimosas and Champagne, French toast, pancakes, eggs, and more.
Price: $32 per adult, $15 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 800 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village
Phone: (619) 357-4465
Spend your morning at San Diego’s favorite modern Mexican restaurant for a champagne buffet brunch. Made-to-order omelets and an assortment of cakes, cookies, and pastries are all on the menu.
Price: $69.95 per adult, $17.95 per child (6-12), free for children under 6
Date: May 14
Location: 880 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island
Phone: (619) 814-1300
Hotel Palomar’s new Mexican kitchen is serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Mother’s Day. Brunch-goers can try Chef Kraten’s pitaya bowl creation made with dragon fruit sorbet, fresh banana, berries, and house-made granola.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 1047 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
Phone: (619) 515-3003
This Italian kitchen is opening early and serving a variety of family favorites in honor of Mother’s Day. From their antipasti bar filled with pizza, ragu, and salads to their egg and carving stations, there will be something for all taste buds.
Price: $38 per adult, $18 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 2730 Via de la Valle, Del Mar
Phone: (858) 704-4500
Bite into brunch at the La Jolla ocean view restaurant. The coastal buffet menu prepared by Chef Ingrid Funes consists of a mix of sweet and savory dishes and a selection of desserts.
Price: $65 per adult, $30 per child ($10 off each from 9am – 9:45am)
Date: May 14
Location: 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 551-3620
Give mom the gift of more with Decoy’s endless buffet brunch that includes carving stations, omelet stations, seafood, and desserts. Every mom will receive a complimentary Decoy gift certificate for future dining and three lucky moms will win “Queen of the Day” prizes like a $500 Tiffany & Co. gift certificate.
Price: $60 per adult ($65 with bottomless champagne), $18 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos
Phone: (760) 621-0909
Build your own waffle or bagel at Farmer & The Seahorse this Mother’s Day, or head to their hot buffet, salad bar, or carving station that will all be serving delicious dishes in honor of the holiday.
Price: $59.95 per adult, $19.95 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 10996 Torreyana Road, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 260-5400
Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge
In collaboration with Bird Rock Yoga, Firehouse in Pacific Beach is hosting a “Yoga & Brunch” Mother’s Day event. Yogi moms can choose from three time slots and enjoy a yoga class, breakfast, and bubbles.
Price: $25 per person
Date: May 14
Location: 722 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Phone: (858) 274-3100
Combining fresh Spring ingredients and ocean views, the coastal La Jolla restaurant will be serving a Mother’s Day brunch with special dishes like French toast with Chino Farms strawberries and Meyer lemon cream as well as local yellowtail and Baja striped bass.
Date: May 14
Location: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 454-4244
The revamped La Jolla restaurant will host a brunch buffet of ethically sourced, chef-driven dishes like très leches French toast, crab masala, and opah chorizo and eggs. Moms can sip on complimentary bottomless mimosas.
Price: $38 per person
Date: May 14
Location: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 454-1637
Hope 46 at The Lafayette Hotel
Dine at Hope 46 for their prix-fixe Mother’s Day special that features a carving station, an omelet station, side dishes, and salads. Guests will also enjoy a live performance from Beatles cover band, The Rollers.
Price: $46 per person ($56 with bottomless mimosas)
Date: May 14
Location: 2223 El Cajon Boulevard, University Heights
Phone: (619) 780-0358
The Del is toasting to all mothers at their champagne brunch, complete with live music entertainment and a take-home chocolate confection prepared by pastry chef Daphne.
Price: $125 – $135 per adult, $50 per child (6-10), free for children under 6
Date: May 14
Location: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Phone: (619) 522-8490
Vera cruz tamales and fresh churros are a couple of the Latin-inspired offerings on Indigo Grill’s three-course Mother’s Day menu.
Price: $44.95 per adult, $13.95 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 1536 India Street, Little Italy
Phone: (619) 234-6802
Perched right above the water, Island Prime / C Level invites guests to a three-course menu created by Chef Deborah Scott. Savor some creamy lobster bisque or satisfy that sweet tooth with German chocolate cake.
Price: $59.95 per adult, 13.95 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 880 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island
Phone: (619) 298-6802
Build your own mimosa with blood orange rosemary, pineapple mango, and blackberry mint juices and say cheers to mom on the patio of Tower23’s coastal restaurant. Their brunch menu features seafood infused breakfast dishes and sandwiches served on artisanal rustic breads.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 723 Felspar Street, Pacific Beach
Phone: (858) 270-2323
Celebrate Mother’s Day with an indulgent four-course meal that starts with a choice of cheese fondue, like their creamy pesto walnut blend. Once you’ve had your fondue fix, continue to the salad, entrée, and dessert courses.
Price: $53.95+ per adult, $19.95 per child (12 & under)
Date: May 14
Location: 901 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Phone: (619) 234-5554
On both Saturday and Sunday of Mother’s Day weekend the sweet bakery is offering brunch specials and a pop-up with Haystack Floral. After you and mom enjoy traditional French breakfast options and 2-for-1 champagne cocktails (each with a chocolate cream puff), create a bouquet from Haystack’s selection of flowers and greens, and don’t forget to pick up a package of macarons. There will also be live music on Sunday.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 13 and 14
Location: 555 G Street, Gaslamp
Phone: 619-245-4457
This urban island eatery will be handing out flowers to all moms at brunch on Mother’s Day. Diners can choose from a selection of farm-fresh dishes including citrus French toast and duck flautas as well as sip on one of their handcrafted spring cocktails.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 1015 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Phone: (619) 437-6087
Stop by this Little Italy restaurant for brunch or dinner to order their special “Pizza della Mamma” made with stracchino cheese, parma, prosciutto, rainbow cauliflower, and eggs for $20. They will also be serving a $25 beet tagliatelle dish cooked in one of their iconic cheese wheels.
Date: May 14
Location: 750 West Fir Street, Little Italy
Phone: (619) 501-0030
The Gaslamp restaurant will be opening its doors early to serve a special Mother’s Day-inspired brunch starting at 11 a.m. Meanwhile, their Violets are Blue cocktail—a mixture of blackberries and apple vodka that’s exclusive to the occasion—will be available starting on Saturday for those who want to celebrate early.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 400 J Street, Gaslamp
Phone: (619) 858-2277
Moms dining at Liberty Station’s new Officine Buona Forchetta will be treated to a complimentary glass of Prosecco upon arrival. Co-owner and chef Mario Cassineri and his team have developed a Festa Della Mamma menu of mom-inspired dishes including a provolone prosciutto cotto quiche, pizza topped with shrimp, lemon, scamorza, and edible flowers, and for dessert, a flourless chocolate cake with sea salt caramel.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 2865 Sims Road, Liberty Station
Phone: (619) 458-9231
Raise a glass to your special lady at Pacific Del Mar and enjoy a three-course brunch menu and a selection of brunch cocktails. Executive Chef David Burke has prepared a kids menu as well.
Price: $42 per person
Date: May 14
Location: 1555 Camino Del Mar
Phone: (858) 792-0476
Feast on a gourmet three-course French brunch meal in Bankers Hill with butter poached lobster and smoked salmon rillettes as menu highlights.
Price: $42.50 per person
Date: May 14
Location: 2760 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill
Phone: (619) 319-9472
Bring mom to brunch at Ponsaty’s for live music, $15 bottomless mimosas and house Bloody Marys, and à la carte and prix-fixe menu options, or dine later and enjoy the special á la carte Mother’s Day dinner menu featuring slow poached white asparagus and lacquered milk fed rack of lamb.
Price: prices vary
Date: May 14
Location: 6106 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe
Phone: (858) 771-1871
Buffet brunches are better with a chocolate fountain. On Mother’s Day, guests can fill their bellies with a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes and end their meal with a stop at the chocolate fountain, filled with Belgian chocolate and accompanied with a variety of dipping treats.
Price: $64.95 per adult, $17.95 per child (6-12), free for children under 6
Date: May 14
Location: 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park
Phone: (619) 557-9441
Share the love this Mother’s Day with a field-to-fork brunch spread, including Veladora omelets, fresh pastries, Belgian waffles, local vegetables, and more. After brunch, guests can design a flower bouquet or crown for mom, pamper her with a spa treatment, and sip on Prosecco floats.
Price: $130 per adult, $55 per child, free for children under 3
Date: May 14
Location: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
Phone: (858) 759-6246
Savor a healthy beachfront buffet brunch at Imperial Beach with traditional, vegetarian-friendly, and “south of the pier” style brunch dishes. Polish off your meal with a treat from the pastries display.
Price: $59.95 per adult, $17.95 per child (6-12), free for children under 6
Date: May 14
Location: 800 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach
Phone: (619) 631-4949
Enjoy classic brunch dishes with a modern spin at Social Tap Eatery, like the huevos rancheros served on blue corn arepa and topped with fresh pico and avocado. Fresh fruit and peach puree mimosas will be available for all the mamas in the house.
Date: every weekend
Location: 815 J Street, Downtown; 4800 Art Street, College Area
Phone: (619) 398-8938; (619) 501-1541
This Coronado steakhouse is showing their appreciation by treating all moms to a complimentary sparkling glass of champagne this Mother’s Day. They have also prepared a special prix-fixe brunch menu with seafood, steak, and egg dishes.
Price: $65 per adult, $30 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 1309 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Phone: (619) 522-0077
Brunch will feature coastal views, music, and children’s activities at the Carlsbad restaurant. Reservations are required.
Price: $70 per adult ($80 with bottomless champagne), $30 for children 4-12, free for children 3 and under.
Location: 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad
Phone: 760-827-2500
In the Presidential Ballroom, enjoy a buffet brunch full of bottomless mimosas, breakfast specials, sweet treats, and more. Arrive early to create a hand made bouquet at the pop-up floral market in the lobby to give mom an extra bit of love.
Price: $82 per adult, $72 per senior, $39 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 326 Broadway, Downtown
Phone: (619) 232-3121
Spoil mom with a bottomless mimosas and champagne brunch in La Jolla. The lavish Mother’s Day menu includes an array of breakfast classics, savory small bites, and sweet treats.
Price: $89 per adult, $39 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 454-0771
Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant
An outdoor brunch buffet, $14 bottomless mimosas, and live music await local families at Rancho Bernardo Inn’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Surprise mom at the table with a floral arrangement designed by Inn Florals starting at $25.
Price: $68 per adult, $25 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
Phone: (844) 338-9275
Atop Lexus Escondido, enjoy a memorable fine-dining experience at Vintana with a three-course menu and champagne meal.
Price: $59.95 per adult, $13.95 per child
Date: May 14
Location: 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido
Phone: (760) 745-7777
This year treat mom to “a dozen roses” drink, made with rosehip-infused gin, rose water syrup, fresh lemon juice, Peychaud’s Bitters. and sparkling wine. The trendy eatery will also be serving a special Sunday brunch to celebrate the occasion.
Date: May 14
Location: 2202 4th Avenue, Bankers Hill
Phone: (619) 231-0222
It’s all about roses and rosé at Bottega Americano. Moms will receive a complimentary long stem rose can sip on bottomless Listel Rosé for $20. Brunch will be served with special selections as well.
Price: À la carte
Date: May 14
Location: 1195 Island Avenue, East Village
Phone: (619) 255-7800
Pop into Puesto at The Headquarters to try their frozen dessert taco or tres leches de café cake, a great choice for those who want a small but unique sweet kick.
Date: May 14
Location: 789 West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village
Phone: (619) 233-8880
Surprise mom with a dozen of Sprinkles’ freshly made cupcakes. Their MOM box is filled with dark chocolate, red velvet, vanilla, and salty caramel cupcakes and adorned with sugar decorations and daisies.
Price: $45 per box
Date: May 12 – 14
Location: 8855 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla
Phone: (858) 457-3800
Moms are in for a treat this May with AquaVie’s “Queen for the Day” spa package. The two-hour spa treatment includes an elevated wellness facial, anti-oxidant booster or peel booster, elevated wellness massage, rose petal footbath and pedicure, and lunch at the rooftop pool deck.
Price: $350 per person
Date: month of May
Location: 234 Broadway Street, Downtown
Phone: (619) 557-3663
Spend the Saturday before Mother’s Day at the Hops and Shop Spring Market presented by 32 North Brewing in Miramar. The market will host a variety of vendors and allow guests to attend workshops and demos, drink beer, and snack on bites from the food trucks on site. Plus, the first 25 people will receive swag bags filled with vendor samples and gifts.
Date: May 13
Location: 8655 Production Avenue, Miramar
Phone: (619) 363-2622
Invite mom to a traditional English tea party at Flower Hill Promenade for her special day. Sip tea from fine china and snack on handmade scones, fruit, cookies, and finger sandwiches.
Price: $60 for two
Date: May 14
Location: 2720 Via De La Valle, Del Mar
The Hyatt Regency in La Jolla is hosting its 26th annual Mama’s Day tasting event the Friday before Mother’s Day. The event features 55 chefs from some of San Diego’s top restaurants, hotels, and catering companies who prepare samples for guests. Proceeds benefit Mama’s Kitchen, an organization committed to serve those affected by AIDS and cancer.
Price: $150 – $250
Date: May 12
Location: 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Phone: (619) 233-6262
Get a running start on Mother’s Day with the 5th Annual Rotary Club of Mission Valley Sunset Mother’s Bay Run. The whole family can join in and tackle the 10K, 5K, or Lil’ Tykes Dash, all benefitting the San Diego Rescue Mission which supports homeless men, women, and children in San Diego.
Price: Free – $45 depending on race
Date: April 29
Location: De Anza Cove, Mission Bay
Phone: (619) 687-3720
Enjoy a morning of painting with mom as Julie Marriott, a San Diego artist, helps you create a colorful canvas with acrylic paints. All supplies are provided and you’ll leave with your masterpiece in hand.
Price: $45
Date: May 13
Location: 5965 Village Way, Carmel Valley
Phone: (858) 348-1778
Right in time for Mother’s Day, this North Park flower shop is hosting two mother-daughter flower workshops at The Rose in South Park. The flower crown workshop teaches guests how to build their own flower crown and includes a photo booth, treats, drinks, and a small take-home kit. At the wine tasting and flower arranging workshop guests will learn how to create a medium arrangement and receive a take-home guide, a pair of flower shears, mimosas, coffee, and treats. Bubbly will be available at both events, but all ages are welcome to attend.
Price: $105 – $150
Date: May 7
Location: 2219 30th Street, South Park
Phone: (619) 281-0718
AHR Florals welcomes DIY enthusiasts to attend their Pinot + Petals wine tasting and floral arranging event hosted at Vin De Syrah. Attendees will sip on a selection of wines while learning the basics of flower arranging.
Price: $45 per person
Date: May 10
Location: 901 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Bring your mom to The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn and let her be pampered and massaged on her special day. Available indoors or in the outdoor spa garden and patio, moms can enjoy an 80-minute full body treatment that includes a blueberry and lemon sugar scrub, yogurt and kaolin clay mask, and a complimentary blueberry lemonade refresher.
Price: $190
Date: March 1 – May 31
Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
Phone: (844) 338-9282
Nothing quite says thank you like a chocolate fountain. The day before Mother’s Day, head to the Chocolate Festival at the San Diego Botanic Garden for dozens of chocolate tastings, demonstrations, and Mother’s Day gifts.
Price: free – $14
Date: May 13
Location: 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Phone: (760) 436-3036
This nonprofit group is hosting a Mother’s Day Weekend Art, Garden, and Studio Tour, a self-guided, driving tour that displays paintings, ceramics, photography, and more from artists at the San Dieguito Art Guild. Attendees will drive to multiple homes in the area to view the displays and talk with the artists. Complimentary refreshments will be available at each stop.
Price: $25 per person
Date: May 13 – 14
Location: 937 South Coast Highway, Encinitas
Phone: (760) 942-3636
San Diego Mother’s Day Guide 2017
Spend an evening with Goose, explore Chula Vista’s annual Lemon Festival and feel the heat (and the beat) in Hell’s Kitchen
Films, concerts and an exorbitant amount of lemons comprise this week’s most entertaining events in San Diego. Those looking to beat the heat can find shelter and cinematic gold with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre at Digital Gym Cinema, or check out a cult classic at the Balboa Theatre’s 40th anniversary screening of Little Shop of Horrors. From South Bay to La Jolla, concertgoers can catch collaborative tours from the likes of Santana & the Doobie Brothers, Helado Negro & Reyna Tropical and Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan. This weekend also marks the return of the two-day San Diego Made Summer Market and the yearly Lemon Festival, both of which are ripe for shopping unique local vendors.
JUMP TO: Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

SeaWorld San Diego’s beer and barbeque party is back with a live music component and an extra ‘B’ in its name. Every Friday-Sunday (and Labor Day) through Sept. 7, the Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ festival will feature 60+ locally crafted beers and bites like pork belly tater tots, root beer baked beans and s’mores pie. SeaWorld visitors can also check out rock concerts featuring Saliva (Saturday), Uncle Kracker (Aug. 22) and Skillet (Aug. 29) in the Bayside Amphitheater. Park entry starts at $74 for Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ dates, and includes festival admission.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
Seize the day, or squeeze the day—whichever your preference—at the Downtown Chula Vista Association’s free Lemon Festival. This annual event celebrates lemons in all their citrusy glory and ensures the city’s lemon legacy still bears fruit for years to come. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy a lemony menu, two live music stages, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities at Memorial Park and photos with the festival’s mascot, Tarty the Lemon. And be sure to save room for the lemon pie eating contest, with registration still open to those ages 12-99.
Third Avenue, Chula Vista

Few regions have birthed as many iconic bands as the Bay Area, with Santana (San Francisco) and the Doobie Brothers (San Jose) among the area’s most influential. Though they’ve mastered different variations of rock n’ roll—with Santana championing Latin rock and the Doobie Brothers masters of breezy yacht rock—both groups understand the importance of a good groove. This Tuesday (7 p.m.), the two bands will run through their greatest hits at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, and showcase their shared roots. Tickets start at $28 for this concert.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
One of the year’s best musical teamups—combining the talents of Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro) and Fabi Reyna (Reyna Tropical)—produced Helado Tropical, a subtle yet audacious daliance with Latin pop and wavy soundscapes. This Wednesday (7 p.m.) at Epstein Family Amphitheater, Lange and Reyna will pull from their respective catalogs and play their collaborative album in full. Ticket options include youth admission for ages 2-18 ($25-$28) and adults ($35-$50).
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
The defining quality that makes a jam band truly so is a willingness to improvise, keeping audiences, and even their most dedicated fans, waiting with bated breath for their next move. As with pioneers of the practice like the Grateful Dead, Connecticut rock group Goose treat concerts as a nightly display for their vast musical chemistry. When Goose performs this Thursday (7 p.m.) at Cal Coast Credit Union Theatre, don’t be surprised if a familiar track is extended by an extra five, ten or thirty minutes into a new cosmic space. Tickets start at $55 for this concert.
5500 Campanile Drive, College Area
Georgians Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan both began their rise to country music stardom in the 2000s, and have since become two of the genre’s revered elder statesmen. After a sold-out one-off show at the University of Georgia in April, the pair decided to take the Peach State experience nationwide with co-headlining stops in Missoula, Montana, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and San Diego’s Petco Park. This Sunday (4 p.m.), country fans can catch the two stars, as well as a slew of up-and-coming talent, with openers Gavin Adcock, Chase Matthew, Dee Jay Silver and DJ Rock. Tickets start at $74 for this concert.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
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.
From celebrity pickleball tournaments to intimate dinner parties with your favorite Food Network chefs, here are all of the can’t-miss events going on Sept 30–Oct 4
Play is underrated. Somewhere along the way, someone decided it was something we should outgrow. That you A good song comes on, and they dance. A game appears, and they’re in. Someone hands them a melting ice cream cone, and somehow it’s the best part of the day.
Adults tend to need a reason. Or maybe just the right setting.
That’s part of what makes the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival feel different. Yes, the week revolves around food and wine, with celebrated chefs, winemakers, and restaurants drawing crowds from across the region. But what lingers afterward is the conversations that stretch a little longer than expected, the strangers who become dinner companions, the live music that pulls people out of their seats, and the rare chance to spend a few hours simply enjoying yourself without much of an agenda.
The Grand Tasting is the festival’s centerpiece, bringing thousands of guests together over two days for hundreds of bites and pours. But some of the week’s most memorable experiences happen on a smaller scale. In the days leading up to the main event, intimate dinners, chef collaborations, and guided tastings create opportunities for guests to interact more closely with the people behind the food and wine and with each other.
Here’s your guide to the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival happening September 30–October 4.

Start festival week the San Diego way: ocean views, Baja-inspired bites, and a drink in hand as the sun goes down. The Signature San Diego Opening Night Party at Monarch Ocean Pub sets the tone for the week ahead with a walk-around tasting experience celebrating the flavors that make this city impossible to replicate. It’s an evening of fresh coastal cuisine, bold Mexican flavors, Baja seafood, and plenty of local favorites—all served against one of Del Mar’s most iconic backdrops. Consider it your first official toast to the weekend ahead…

Wine and competition make an unexpectedly perfect pair. You can join Drew Brees and celebrity players at Barnes Tennis Center for a pickleball tournament benefiting Feeding San Diego, where the sidelines are just as exciting as the court. Grab a paddle, cheer from the sidelines, or simply enjoy a glass of wine while the action unfolds. The day blends friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience.
Since year one, Del Mar Wine & Food Festival has partnered with Feeding San Diego to raise $100,000 in support of the organization’s mission to fight hunger across the region. Every serve, sip, and bite helps give back to the community that makes this festival possible.
Remember that pickleball paddle you swore you’d use? Time to put it to work.

This is essentially a passport to Spain with no airport required. Set among the lush grounds of Rancho Valencia, Rioja Uncorked celebrates one of Spain’s most iconic wine regions with an evening of exceptional pours and thoughtfully paired bites. Guests will sip their way through Rioja wines while enjoying a menu featuring everything from Hiramasa crudo and uni toast to duck rillette, birria mini tacos, Cardiff Crack tri-tip sandwiches, and a sweet finale from Karen Krasne of Extraordinary Desserts (date night plans, solved).

Justin Wine Dinner sounds simple: three chefs, one unforgettable table. But chefs Kaitlyn Weber (Estancia La Jolla), Buddha Lo (Top Chef), and Jackson Kalb (Top Chef) are taking you on a one-night-only culinary ride where three styles collide over a multi-course menu paired with exceptional pours from Justin Vineyards & Winery. Set in Estancia’s coastal estate, the evening unfolds course by course with pairings from Justin wines as each chef brings their own style to a menu focused on craft, connection, and a bit of friendly culinary overlap. It’s the kind of culinary conversation that only happens when very, very talented people cook together.

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.
From concerts and festivals to theater, food, and outdoor fun, here are the San Diego events worth adding to your August calendar
August is San Diego at full volume. Summer crowds are still chasing sunshine, but the calendar belongs to locals who know this is when the city really shows off. One night you’re dancing under the stars, the next you’re watching thoroughbreds with a plate of oysters in hand, catching Broadway hits, wandering gallery exhibitions, or rallying on a downtown pickleball court. Whether you’re looking for live music, festivals, theater, food, or an excuse to spend as little time indoors as possible, these are the August events worth putting on your calendar.
JUMP TO: Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

On the heels of Cross Pollination II’s release, house musician Lane 8 will co-headline FNGRS CRSSD x Cross Pollination, a day of back-to-back grooves at Waterfront Park.
Cross coasts at the Civic Theatre for a jukebox musical rooted in family, coming of age, and blossoming talent in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, inspired by the 16-Grammy Award-winning singer’s NYC upbringing.
Jeff Goldblum is a classic man. In his show at The Rady Shell, Goldblum will accentuate his old-school charm with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

Explore gallery walls lined with artwork juried by acclaimed artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya and chosen by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for its esteemed 34th Annual Juried Exhibition.
As you already know, we adore San Diego. That’s why we’re assembling the city’s crème de la crème—including over 90 curated vendors—in Liberty Station for our annual Best of San Diego Party, presented by Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical each specialize in bilingual music, songs overflowing with proud markers of Latinx identity. Hear the ear-tingling transmissions from their collaborative LP at Epstein Family Amphitheater.
Country music superstars, proud Georgians, and close pals Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are doubling down on their summertime stadium tour with a boot-stomping concert at Petco Park.
The one-woman play Eleanor—told via the eloquent perspective of Eleanor Roosevelt—will make a limited return to the North Coast Repertory Theatre.
For six straight Thursdays, downtown’s Fifth Avenue will shut down and become the city’s first-ever street-style pickleball event. Bring a paddle and enjoy DJs, a wellness market, and zero-proof drinks at Gaslamp Urban Pickleball.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s newest foodie event, the buttery Turf & Surf Festival, offers a luxurious combo of land and sea, built for watching trackside with a loaded plate in hand.
For the first time since 2019, the free Chula Vista HarborFest will hit the shores of Bayside Park with a classic car expo, lucha libre showdowns, and the chance to meet a mermaid.
Celebrate the seven decades (and counting) spent upholding Point Loma’s coastal landmark during Cabrillo Under the Stars, a 21-plus fundraiser with bites, Beatles covers, and, best of all, twinkling lights.
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.
Behind every beautiful space is a thoughtful process, and ASID San Diego is helping homeowners understand the value of professional design.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.

“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!

“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
Follow ASID San Diego on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for updates on upcoming events, or connect with the chapter directly at [email protected] or 619-548-8847.
We the Commas are mixing surf, soul, alternative rock, and sibling chemistry into one unmistakable sound
Siblings make better music. That’s the hot take, and there’s some logic and science behind it. The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Billie Eilish and Finneas, AC/DC, Van Halen, The Allman Brothers—heck, even the Hanson brothers, why not? Beyond just a shared sense of taste and nonverbal communication developed over decades of living and evolving together, there’s a thing called “blood harmony.” The genetically similar throat cavities, vocal cords, speech patterns, and resonant bone structures all blend each unique voice into a more homophonic sound than what comes out of two non-related singers.
Those throat cavities are working wonders for emerging San Diego band We the Commas—three brothers (from oldest to youngest) Lenny, Jordon, and Cam Comma.
Raised in Vista and Carlsbad, the family opted out of cable TV (video games got a pass). Without binge-watching to fill bored hours, the trio turned to music. Guitar Hero led to GarageBand and finally to live instruments—guitars for Lenny and Cam, drum set for Jordon. In their sound, the influence of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Who, and Dave Matthews Band is obvious, and so is surf culture, specifically that laid-back chill of North County surf culture.
“We’re like the Black Beach Boys,” Cam says. (Note: Three of the five founding members of the Beach Boys were siblings—the theory gets stronger.)
Their debut EP pretty clearly lays out how they see their sound—titled SARB, an acronym for Surf Alternative R&B. That resonates in the song “Sherry,” with its easy-listening, windows-down-on-the-101 vibe. It also works in the louder, surf-punkier “Pissed Off.” Despite some advances in reducing core stereotyping tendencies, people still tend to autofill Black musicians into rap and R&B. The Comma brothers immediately circumvent that by declaring themselves out the gates.
“SARB makes it so [listeners are] open to all of the things that we want to do,” Lenny says. “From there, you can put a label on whatever you think it sounds like.”

People—and musicians further up the stream—are taking note. In 2023, they co-wrote the song “I Keep Fallin’” with Eric Cannata, guitarist for multi-platinum SoCal band Young the Giant. In early 2024, they were tapped to open the national tour of Brooklyn’s jazz-pop heroes, Sammy Rae & The Friends. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias invited them to warm up his show at Pechanga a couple months later.
“We really believe genuinely, with our whole hearts, minds and souls, that this is going to work the way that we think it’s going to,” Cam says, grinning ear to ear.
Currently, the Commas live together in Vista, and the dream, wholeheartedly, is more alive than ever. They’ve put out two dozen singles and a trio of EPs: SARB (2020), Old School Love (2021), and Aeroplane (2024); this year alone brought the release of three new singles, including “Let Me,” a silky-smooth entry in their growing collection of love songs.
“We fully realized the magic is in all of us together,” Lenny says. “We know that this doesn’t happen without each person, and we have respect for each other because we need each other.”
As they grow as brothers and as a band, the Commas try to always remember what unified them in the first place.
“Music has always been a glue,” Jordon says.
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.
Explore restaurants, activities, and shops within this affluent North County community
The inland North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is often associated with wealth. It’s one of San Diego’s most expensive residential markets and is consistently ranked one of the highest-income zip codes in California and the U.S. Rancho Santa Fe is known for its large equestrian community including riding facilities and horse trails, as well as its country club lifestyle and associated golf courses.
At the center of this luxury master-planned community is a small, walkable downtown area referred to as the “village,” with The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe acting as both a landmark and social hub. Much of the community, including the historic Inn, was designed by acclaimed architect Lilian Rice, one of California’s earliest female architects. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture she brought to the village is still one of its defining characteristics today.
Whether you’re coming to Rancho Santa Fe for golf, horseback riding, or pampering at a resort spa, be sure to start with a short walk around the village to take in the neighborhood’s charm. Plan your next visit here with our neighborhood guide to the area’s best restaurants, things to do, and shopping.
Jump To: Restaurants | Things to Do | Shopping

Families congregate at The Pony Room for elevated California ranch-style cuisine. Lamb lollipops, carne asada tacos, burgers, and weekly dinner specials are offered here, alongside an extensive collection of wine and spirits (especially tequila) and sizeable kids menus. As the signature restaurant of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, this all-day eatery is a lively centerpiece of the local social scene.
5921 Valencia Circle
The piano bar at Mille Fleurs is the buzziest spot to be on Friday and Saturday nights in Rancho Santa Fe. French classics like escargot, lobster bisque, duck confit, and steak frites are the main dinner attractions at this local institution that has been around for more than 40 years. Spring for the four-course prix fixe menu before nabbing a coveted bar seat near the piano entertainer.
6009 Paseo Delicias
Nick & G’s is one of the most prominent restaurants in the village, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the main thoroughfare. Enjoy modern Italian food, steaks, and seafood dishes here, including homemade pasta, pizza, wagyu beef, and oysters. Be sure to check their live music schedule and events calendar for the latest happenings.
6106 Paseo Delicias
Named after renowned architect and planner Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s flagship restaurant. Their upscale menus feature sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, local produce, and even sushi rolls during dinner. Outdoor seating provides a bird’s-eye view of the village and an elegant backdrop for weekend brunch. Stop by Bing’s Bar (a nod to Bing Crosby) for craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites in a refined setting.
5951 Linea Del Cielo
Quaint cafe and bakery Thyme in the Ranch serves a small selection of breakfast and lunch items (don’t miss the tarragon chicken salad), but is perhaps best known for its pastries and baked goods. Cakes, pies, muffins, scones, and cookies fly off the shelves here, where locals come for special occasions, parties, and group catering orders.
16905 Avenida De Acacias
Located inside a historic building once home to Rancho Santa Fe’s original schoolhouse, Paseo RSF is one of the village’s newest dining options. The charming American bistro has pasta, salads, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, plus a thoughtfully selected California wine list and new sushi and omakase program. Kids and dogs are both welcome here.
6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C
Grab a quick coffee to go from this walk-up window in the same shopping center as the post office. Cinnamon roll lattes, cold brew, spiced chai, smoothies, protein bowls, and more can be found at Rancho Roasters, where they brew beans from Dark Horse Coffee.
16950 Via De Santa Fe
Casual pizzeria and martini bar Goli is a popular spot for catching the latest sports games. Order one of their unique specialty pizzas like the Casbah with hummus and veggies, build your own pizza or burger, or go with one of their hearty wraps that’s made with an extra thin version of pizza dough.
18021 Calle Ambiente, Suite 403
Find generous portions of Mexican food at Cocina del Rancho, run by the same owners as Carlsbad’s Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Village Kabob. Get classic dishes like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, plus their specialty items including pulpo, carne asada, and fajitas with lobster tail. Don’t skip the margaritas.
16089 San Dieguito Road
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
Innovative treatment could offer cancer patients new options with fewer side effects
Chemotherapy and radiation have long been considered gold standards of cancer treatment, but they can cause severe side effects. A promising new approach called theranostics—a combination of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”—could offer patients with certain types of metastatic cancers new hope. It’s a two-step process that uses a drug that binds to specific receptors on cancer cells. Advanced imaging detects this radioisotope, allowing doctors to then use a second radioisotope that binds to the cancer cells and destroys them. Click here to learn more about how specialists at Scripps Cancer Center are using theranostics.
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