For most of the country, summertime means festival season. San Diego has the benefit of a much longer outdoor concert season than most, but the added benefit of festival-driven tour dates means a lot more major acts find their way to our backyard. Here are nine of my picks for must-see San Diego summer concerts.
You’d be hard pressed to find two better contemporary storytellers through music than Jason Isbell and Father John Misty. Each one is a different kind of troubadour; Isbell is thoughtful and reflective, while Misty (whose real name is Josh Tillman) cuts his confessions with potent doses of irony and cynicism. What they share, however, is an unflinching honesty that makes every last verse a gripping one, even when they’re opening up about hitting rock bottom.
Jamila Woods doesn’t have the same name recognition as a lot of the artists featured in this roundup, but listeners would do themselves a massive favor delving into her new album, LEGACY! LEGACY! A singer, songwriter, and poet who’s collaborated with fellow Chicago artists such as Saba and Chance the Rapper, Woods pays tribute to a number of artists—Zora Neale Hurston, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, James Baldwin—through songs with all-caps titles (“MILES,” “ZORA,” etc.) that take hard-grooving stylistic twists and turns. It’s easily among the year’s best, and the opportunity to see her perform in such an intimate venue probably won’t be around long.
Back in January I had Anderson .Paak on my wish list of Coachella acts I hoped would make their way a little southwest to grace us with their live show. Well, wish granted! Paak’s been especially productive of late, having released two albums—Oxnard and Ventura—within six months of each other, each of which features his signature feel-good R&B and funk. Still, a set full of standouts from his 2016 album Malibu would be more than enough to convince me to catch this show.
Though I don’t often listen to Beck’s most recent batch of records, I still contend that he’s one of the best live acts I’ve seen. He was amazing when I saw him in 1997 on the Odelay tour. And he was amazing in 2002 when he performed backed by The Flaming Lips. Those might be hard performances to live up to in the scheme of things, but at his core Beck is a showman, and he’ll no doubt deliver a killer performance.
For some reason The B-52s have proven, anecdotally, to be somewhat polarizing. It might have something to do with the fact that they make music to serve pretty much one purpose: To have fun. I fail to see the problem, personally, especially when songs like “Rock Lobster” are still as much of a blast 40 years later (or so I’d assume; I wasn’t yet born in 1979). So yeah, there’s plenty of room for serious music, but don’t expect to come to this show—which is part of the San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights series—and have a bad time.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2015 album Emotion was a high point for millennial pop. Though I’ll admit I came to it a little late after requiring some much needed space from 2012’s ubiquitous “Call Me Maybe,” I was stunned to discover that the Canadian artist had created one of the most endlessly playable, fun, and joyful pop records of recent years. She’s releasing its follow-up, Dedicated, later this week, and I look forward to finding out where she goes next. In the meantime, I’m game to hear “Run Away with Me” a few hundred more times. (A bit of advice: Don’t attempt that song at karaoke unless you know you have the range for it.)
Last year, I spent about a month listening to a significant chunk of Herbie Hancock’s catalog. And let it be known that from 1962 up until the mid-’70s, there’s not a bum note to be heard. He’s one of the most significant players in jazz history, not only releasing his own groundbreaking albums like Mwandishi and Head Hunters, but his name can be found in the credits of literally hundreds of albums, having performed with the likes of Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder. And the jazz pioneer is still going strong.
Kacey Musgraves is another artist I featured on my Localchella Wish List back in January, and since then she won the Album of the Year Grammy for her 2018 LP, Golden Hour. And it’s well deserved. Though she might not be obliterating genre in the same way that Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is, she’s certainly offering a different and more diverse kind of country that boldly, seamlessly incorporates disco, rock, indie folk, and other styles. She’s a treasure.
Smashing Pumpkins have had a hit-or-miss record over the past decade or so, and up until recently that’s meant a version of the band with few original members other than Billy Corgan. Yet last year the band embarked on a 25th anniversary tour for their classic album Siamese Dream, with a setlist full of hits from their first four albums as well as soundtrack highlights such as “Eye” and even a number of covers. Far be it from me to celebrate a “just play the hits” point of view, but seeing some of the setlists from that tour makes me think this is the ideal way to see the band.
Other San Diego summer concerts to put on your calendar:
Oh Sees at Belly Up (June 14)
Charly Bliss at The Casbah (June 29)
Jackie Mendoza at Soda Bar (July 14)
Jill Scott at Humphreys (August 4)
Snail Mail at The Irenic (August 21)
Chris Isaak at Humphreys Concerts by The Bay (August 28)
San Diego Summer Concert Preview 2019
Kacey Musgraves | Photo: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Before, during, and after the Fourth of July, San Diegans can commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with an abundance of stars, stripes and local celebrations. America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell and Lamb’s Players Theatre’s revival of American Rhythm will look back at the many songs which define our country. Liberty Station’s Anchored in Freedom celebration and the Independence Day Carnival offer community-centered fun and loads of family-friendly activities. And who can possibly forget the Big Bay Boom, which will resume its reign over San Diego Bay as the state’s biggest fireworks show. Outside of the holiday festivities, this week brings the yearly return of Little Italy’s Summer Sera and the Athenaeum Summer Festival, as well as a slate of championship matches for All Elite Wrestling.
Sip on refreshing beverages and savor a panoramic rooftop view this Friday from 6-8 p.m. during the 21-plus Sunset & Spritz at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. There will be a live DJ (until 9 p.m.), appetizers, pool and cabana access, a photo booth, and a cash bar (until 11 p.m.). To accentuate the summer theme, guests are invited to dress in white, pink, and orange attire. Tickets are $29 and come with a welcome aperol spritz.
616 J Street, Gaslamp
The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya
July 3 & 4
Bring a patriotic palette to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar for The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya this Friday and Saturday from 5-8:30 p.m. Patrons will be treated to a five-course tasting menu, curated to exhibit a selection of standout regional flavors and culinary concepts that have shaped our country’s distinct food heritage. The meal will also include beverage pairings with each course, such as wine, cocktails, and artisanal drinks. Reservations are $330 per person (with tax and 20% gratuity) on OpenTable.
Don Toliver thrives at being the life of the party (and the “After Party”). His fifth album Octane, released in February, is indicative of his thrill-seeking nature. As with his earlier releases, Octane sees Toliver operating in the space between hip-hop and R&B, with warbling vocals and blaring beats that are best heard at a high volume. This Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Toliver will play at Pechanga Arena, with rappers SoFaygo, Chase B and SahBabii—who had a guest verse on Octane standout “K9”—as special guests. Tickets start at $156 for this concert.
What makes musicals like Wicked, Cats, Chicago, and Jersey Boys so timeless is the legion of excellent songs that makes fans out of those who’ve never even watched the show. This Friday at 7:30 p.m. during Blockbuster Broadway! at The Rady Shell, conductor Evan Roider, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and veteran vocalists Alex Getlin, Jessica Hendy, Scott Coulter, and John Boswell (also on piano) will perform an all-star theater soundtrack. In addition to the shows named above, audiences can expect songs from A Chorus Line, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie,and more. Tickets range from $57 to $129 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell
July 4
One night after recognizing the brilliance of Broadway, The Rady Shell will ring in the United States’ landmark anniversary with America The Beautiful: 250 this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Conductor Byron Stripling, joined by a five-performer ensemble and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, will lead a night of ballads that best resemble the red, white, and blue, including songs sourced from the Great American Songbook. After the show, concertgoers are invited to watch the nearby Big Bay Boom from their seats. Tickets range from $71 to $139 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Athenaeum Summer Festival at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
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.
For the people still fretting about what to do for Mother’s Day: We’ve got you. If mom likes a good festival, consider stopping for drinks at the Coronado Art & Wine Festival or learning how to dance in the zydeco tradition at Gator by the Bay. Or peruse the local art scene and explore new exhibitions Bloodlines & Brushtrokes at Distinction Gallery, ArtSpectrum 2026 at Gallery 21, or (fittingly) Athenaeum Art Center’s Día de las Madres pop-up. Regardless of how you choose to spend time with mom this weekend, there’s plenty of ways to make her feel special.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Gaslamp’s Huntress is offering a trio of food specials crafted by Executive Chef Chris Hutchison, plus complimentary welcome mimosas for all the mothers in attendance. This Friday-Sunday, patrons can order a lemony spring pea risotto, a beef Wellington with wild mushrooms and a rose dessert with chocolate mousse, strawberry air cake and loads of raspberry. The specials also include the Mother’s Flower Cocktail which comes with gin, lavender, citrus and prosecco and Albert Bichot Crémant Sparkling Rosé. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
Stroll the fifth annual Coronado Art & Wine Festival for fine artwork, live music, pour of wine and bubbly, and to raise money for STEM and arts education for Coronado’s K-12 students. This Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., over 100 artists, including this year’s four featured artists, will display and sell their work, with other festivities including selfie stations, family-friendly crafts, 21+ libation zones. General admission is free; deluxe ticket options include Wine Village passes with six tastings, Bubbles Lounge/Wine Village passes with nine tastings, and all-access VIP with 12 tastings.
10th Street and Orange Avenue, Coronado
‘Momakase’ Experience at Temaki Bar
May 10
Take mom out for a sophisticated, yet thrifty, sushi dinner through Temaki Bar’s ‘Momakase’ experience, happening this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The experience ($39 per person) comes with salmon, shrimp and yellowtail handrolls, a nigiri platter with deluxe seafood and flavor combos—including salmon with brown butter aioli, sweet soy and smoked salt—and a matcha-flavored vodka martini. Because Temaki does not take reservations, guests are advised to join the restaurant’s online waitlist before arriving.
575 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Meshell Ndegeocello at Epstein Family Amphitheater
May 6
Armed with a bass guitar that could nourish any souls its vibrations encounter, and an alluring voice to match, Meshell Ndegeocello is a vital figure in the lineage of Black musical tradition. Her vocation, an artistic desire for love and truth told through jazz, pop, R&B and neo-soul, is best understood through her sublime covers project Ventriloquism and her most recent album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin. This Wednesday from 7-9 p.m., Ndegeocello will perform tracks from No More Water and career-spanning hits at Epstein Family Amphitheater as part of ArtPower’s spring event lineup. Tickets range for $18 to $50 for this concert.
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
GI Film Festival at Museum of Photographic Arts
May 6-8
Active and former military members will share their experiences through cinema during the GI Film Festival at the Museum of Photographic Arts, coinciding with Military Appreciation Month. The festival begins Wednesday with an opening night reception featuring awards, photo ops and a screening of Home from the Vietnam War, continues Thursday with Ugo: An Artist at War and documentary shorts and finishes Friday with American Solitaire and narrative shorts. Ticket options include opening night admission, tickets for screenings/blocks, and multi-ticket packs which come with admission to all screenings and events.
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
Sister Nancy with Kat Hall at Music Box
May 9
Calling Sister Nancy a dancehall pioneer is true, yet also an understatement. Though her career never resembled a normal trajectory for someone of her talents, the persistence of her 1982 hit “Bam Bam” is undeniable, cementing her as a beacon for Caribbean sound and a worldwide influence—with the song having since been sampled 100+ times, including by Too $hort, Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill. This Saturday at Music Box, hear classics from Sister Nancy’s catalog, plus jazzy reggae tunes from opener Kat Hall. Tickets start at $44 for this concert.
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.
Enter May in resplendent style, with a lineup of exciting concerts, creative showcases and gastronomic festivals. Those looking for their live music fix can sing along to the stylings of Ms. Lauryn Hill at Gallagher Square, catch indie rocker Snail Mail at The Observatory North Park or watch Star Wars: A New Hope with a live orchestra at The Rady Shell. Artistically-inclined folks can immerse themselves in the imaginative and the innovative within the Art Garden at UCSD Park & Market and the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Avant Garde Ball. As for the weekend’s most appetizing events, there’s the three-day Foodieland San Diego festival, the annual San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew and a 54-hour excursion with chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Here are the best things to do in San Diego this weekend.
54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn
April 30–May 3
Embark on a tasteful getaway to Rancho Bernardo Inn for 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs. Patrons can spend intimate time with the cream of the culinary crop via dinners, cooking demonstrations, kitchen skill workshops, wine and whiskey tastings and deluxe activities, like a round of golf with the participating chefs. Ticket options include a seat at Sunday’s Chef Tour Dinner ($240), the Gold Ticket for Friday and Saturday’s events ($450) and the all-access Platinum Ticket ($600).
Takoyaki, raspados, Japanese hot dogs and freeze dried honey cones are just some of the street food concoctions available to try at this year’s FoodieLand San Diego festival. This Friday from 3-10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-10 p.m. at Del Mar Fairgrounds, attendees can peruse a smorgasbord of eye-catching and appetite-filling eats from 125 food stalls. But Foodieland doesn’t solely consist of nourishment, with a plethora of shopping vendors offering up apparel, accessories and boutique finds. Single-day tickets are $12.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew
May 2
Dine amongst the fauna at the annual San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew, a 21+ conservation fundraiser for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance this Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Guests can navigate their way around the park for live music, wildlife encounters and all-inclusive samples from a lineup of restaurants, breweries and wineries, plus complimentary soft drinks. General admission is $179, while VIP passes, which come with early entry at 6:30 p.m. along with exclusive menu items, private lounges and a special wildlife encounter, are $299.
Catch a rare live performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill this Thursday at 8 p.m. during the Padres Foundation’s fifth annual Dinner on the Diamond. This charitable gala, held on the Petco Park outfield, will feature auctions, an elegant dinner and appearances from Padres staff, players and alumni. Plus, for the first time, tickets to the event’s entertainment portion in Gallagher Square are open to the public. Hill, a few of the legendary Fugees, and the creative force behind The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, will be joined by a pair of special guests, her children Zion and YG Marley. Tickets for this concert start at $50, with net proceeds going to the Padres Foundation.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at The Rady Shell
May 1 & 3
Since its debut on the silver screen in 1977, Star Wars has developed into a cultural behemoth, rich with iconic characters, epic lightsaber showdowns and grand space adventures. This Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (6:30 p.m.), fans of cinema and sci-fi can see the film that started it all, Star Wars: A New Hope, outdoors at The Rady Shell. From the expository opening crawl to the Death Star’s demise, audiences can experience the franchise’s beginnings with a live rendition of John Williams’ score, performed by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and conductor Scott Terrell. Tickets range from $68 to $173 for Friday and $51 to $173 for Sunday.
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.
Entrepreneurs typically launch businesses because they’re passionate about a product or service, not because they want to manage its finances. While working to carve out a niche in their respective industries and drive their companies forward, many business owners find themselves bogged down by day-to-day accounting. Their existing accounting tools don’t provide the necessary visibility or insight, and they don’t have the time or resources to hire additional staff or a chief financial officer. That’s where NOW CFO comes in.
For more than 20 years, NOW CFO has been pairing businesses across the country with experienced accounting and finance professionals. Its outsourced model allows clients to customize solutions that match their individual needs, size, and financial challenges, whether that’s fractional or interim support, project-based services, or full-time placement.
NOW CFO’s clients range from startups preparing for rapid growth to established companies that need additional financial leadership without the commitment or expense of building an in-house team. However, many of these companies don’t fully understand their needs until they experience a “trigger” event: preparing for an acquisition or capital raise, navigating a first-time audit, or another period of transition. With a team of over 300 consultants nationwide, NOW CFO can start quickly and match the right expert to the right business.
“It’s important for companies to have financial visibility, and we can help them avoid a lot of the potholes that companies often run into,” says Mariah Block, a partner at NOW CFO’s San Diego branch. “Roughly half of our clients have an in-house finance person or department, and we’re resourced for more bandwidth when they need an extra set of hands at the staff or senior accountant level, or the controller or CFO level. Some clients use this a few hours a month and others use multiple people close to full-time. Our model is solution-based and customizable. We’re like a faucet you can turn on and off.”
With NOW CFO, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Solutions are based on the client’s individual goals, challenges, needs, and budget, meaning a client never pays for more than they need. Whether it’s a few hours of executive-level guidance or a full accounting team to support daily operations, NOW CFO meets businesses where they are and grows alongside them.
“We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the right resources at the right rate and being able to evolve as their needs evolve,” says Block.
And clients appreciate on-demand access to cost-effective support designed to improve performance and profitability.
Luxury car storage service Auto Concierge has partnered with NOW CFO to support growth over the past year. The arrangement began with a staff accountant who covered a leave of absence, but as the client’s needs changed, they also added a controller role. This allowed Auto Concierge to put effective processes in place and navigate operational challenges. Lori Church, Auto Concierge’s chief operating officer, says NOW CFO has been an “outstanding resource” and a “true strategic partner.”
“From the controller to the bookkeeper, every professional they’ve placed has brought a high level of expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism to our organization. Their team took the time to understand our business of high-profile clients and needs, adapted quickly to our fast-paced environment, and became a trusted extension of our team,” she says. “As Auto Concierge continues to grow, having a reliable financial partner like NOW CFO has allowed us to strengthen our financial and business operations while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
With springtime set to arrive on Saturday, the new season will bring free activities, interactive dining experiences and plentiful film screenings to San Diego, in addition to the unseasonably hot weather. Wallet-friendly fun includes the showcase for Aladino Ghioni’s In Conversation with Stones and the 22nd annual Julian Daffodil Show. Foodies can peruse the neighborhood flavors of Downtown Chula Vista during Taste of Third and enjoy a uniquely immersive evening at the Chapel via An Artist @ The Table. Plus, movie buffs have plentiful screening options with the return of the San Diego Latino Film Festival and the Blue Water Film Festival.
Stroll the block for an assortment of appetizers, tasters and sweet treats during the annual Taste of Third this Thursday from 4-8 p.m. As always, Third Avenue is the setting for Downtown Chula Vista’s most tasteful event, with this year’s dining exploration featuring 25 neighborhood eateries and a handful of live musical performances. This year’s menu includes beer, wine and cocktail samples, dishes like rolled tacos and penne alla vodka, and for dessert, all natural ice cream and crêpes with nutella or strawberry rhubarb jam. Tickets are $54 for Taste of Third.
Third Avenue from H Street to E Street, Chula Vista
Across three consecutive nights, Liberty Station’s Chapel will transform into a flurry of flavors, colors and elements as part of Vanguard Culture’s An Artist @ The Table series. This Friday-Sunday from 6-9 p.m., patrons can feast on the visual artistry of Ben Guerrette and a four-course dinner with wine pairings from chef Flor Franco. Throughout the dynamic meal, the interplay between art and food will draw inspiration from the creative inertia of the four classical elements. Tickets are $234 each for Friday and Sunday, with Sunday’s tickets already sold out.
2881 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma
Mediterranean Voyage: Croatia at Garibaldi
March 20-22
For the next stop in its monthly deep-dive into the breadth of Mediterranean gastronomy, Garibaldi will offer a Croatian-themed dinner menu this Friday-Sunday. The faithful Croatian fare will include grilled branzino with potato and swiss chard, fennel pollen and Istrian salsa verde (Pečeni Brancin), Istrian fuži pasta with black truffle butter sauce (Fuži s Tartufima) and plum dumplings with vanilla gelato and plum brandy coulis (Knedle sa Šljivama). Reservations are $76 per person, with an optional Croatian wine pairing add-on for $35 on OpenTable.
The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Pink Floyd’s The Wall at The Magnolia
March 18
The Black Jacket Symphony specializes in recreating classic sounds, one legendary rock album at a time. The repertoire of this talented, ever-changing ensemble has tackled projects by the likes of The Beatles, Prince, Nirvana and Led Zeppelin, and for Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. performance at The Magnolia, they’ll perform Pink Floyd’s seismic rock opera The Wall. The concert will serve as a full-scale reproduction of The Wall on wax and a spirited celebration of Pink Floyd’s career-spanning hits. Tickets range from $35 to $70 for this concert.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
San Diego Latino Film Festival
March 18-22
See a wide-ranging selection of Latino-led films during the 33rd annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, with screenings beginning Wednesday at AMC Mission Valley and Digital Gym Cinema. Special events will include Wednesday’s opening night reception at El After ($35), Saturday’s closing night bash at UC San Diego Park & Market ($45), and a Sunday screening of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center. Festival pass options include a five ticket pack ($50), an 11-film pass ($120), an all-screening festival pass ($200) and the all-access VIP pass ($300); tickets are $13 for individual screenings.
Citywide
Blue Water Film Festival
March 19-22
Environmental storytelling is at the forefront of the Blue Water Institute’s 7th annual Blue Water Film Festival, with a lineup of independent features, shorts and animated films. The festival programming will include screenings ($23 each) at THE Lot La Jolla, as well as Sunday evening’s award gala ($211) at UCSD Park & Market with dinner and music by Tita Oses and Taj Mahal. Festival attendees can also check out the free Blue Water Summit, with eco-focused panels and workshops on Thursday and Friday at La Jolla Ridford Library; RSVP 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.
As winter goes out with a whimper, and spring readies for its time in the sun, spend the weekend canvassing the city’s creative offerings, special events and sports teams. Admire art exhibitions galore, including new shows at Best Practice, Bread & Salt, and the Athenaeum Art Center, all located at the same Logan Heights address. Enjoy festival fun at the springtime edition of CRSSD and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival—just don’t forget to wear green. Plus, soccer fans have a full week ahead with chances to attend San Diego FC’s next Concacaf Champions Cup match, Wave FC’s home opener and the San Diego Sockers’ clash against the Kansas City Comets.
Dine for a good cause this Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Eve during Susan G. Komen San Diego’s annual Impact Luncheon, centered on breast cancer awareness and ongoing research. The event will open with a welcome reception, allowing guests to network, check out a silent auction, snap photo ops and grab their welcome beverage while listening to live acoustic music. This will be followed by a lunch and panel discussion, where attendees will hear from both medical professionals and breast cancer survivors. Individual tickets are $150 for the Impact Luncheon; attendees are encouraged to dress in business chic and show off some pink flair.
975 Waterfront Place, Embarcadero
The Art of Beer at Ballast Point Little Italy
March 14
The first-ever edition of The Art of Beer will be a dual art show and intimate tasting presentation at Ballast Point Little Italy. This Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., craft beer enthusiasts (21+ of course) are invited to sample limited-release tastings from a lineup of 10 local breweries and learn what goes into making a great beer, including an appealing label design. General admission is $33, while VIP tickets are $107 and come with exclusive tastings and curated food pairings from noon to 1 p.m., as well as $10 tap room certificates from each participating brewery.
2215 India Street, Little Italy
Pucks & Pints
March 14
Hockey and charity harmoniously intertwine every March for Pucks & Pints, with the 2026 fundraiser slated for this Saturday. The all-day affair begins at 12:30 p.m. with the puck drop for the Brewers Charity Game, followed by a 21+ craft beer festival with BBQ, live music and raffles across the street at Bay City Brewing from 2-5 p.m., then it’s back over to Pechanga Arena to see San Diego Gulls take on the Colorado Eagles at 6 p.m. Tickets are $70 for Pucks & Pints. This year’s event proceeds will go towards Resque Ranch, Emilio Nares Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego, San Diego Brewers Guild and the San Diego Chill.
Pechanga Arena: 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard & Bay City Brewing: 3769 Hancock Street, Midway
Photo Credit: Domonick Kotas
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Cherry Blossom Festival at Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum San Diego
March 12-15
Take part in the time-honored tradition of Japanese flower viewing (hanami) during the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., garden visitors can walk the cherry blossom grove and admire the serene pink treasures of spring. Attendees can also check out all-day live performances, food and merchant vendors, a beer and sake garden and new features like a wall of lanterns and community artwork. Ticket options include single-day festival admission ($20) and expedited entry tickets ($25).
2215 Pan American Road East, Balboa Park
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
March 14
Enjoy live entertainment, libations, vendors, games and big helpings of Irish nosh during the 44th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival this Saturday. The Irish Congress of Southern California will present this year’s St. Paddy’s Day celebration with the unifying theme of “Irish Here, There and Everywhere.” The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Balboa Park while the parade will begin rolling through town at 10:30 a.m. Festival entry is $12 for 21+ attendees and free for those under 21 and with military ID; beer tasting tickets are also available for $10.
Festival: Sixth Avenue between Laurel and Nutmeg Streets, Balboa Park; Parade: Fifth Avenue & Laurel Street, Balboa Park
The Gershwins on Broadway with Rob Fisher at Jacobs Music Center
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.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Healcove Chiropractic
There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.
Juice Holler
West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.
Everwell Acupuncture
We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.
