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San Diego Magazine staff and award recipients (left to right): Joyce Glazer, Publication Director of Charitable Giving Guide at San Diego Magazine, Jim Fitzpatrick, CEO & Publisher, San Diego Magazine, Shelley Zimmerman, Judi Sheppard Missett, Dr. Constance M. Carroll, Ph. D. WHEN: San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year Awards took place on September 24, […]
San Diego Magazine staff and award recipients (left to right): Joyce Glazer, Publication Director of Charitable Giving Guide at San Diego Magazine, Jim Fitzpatrick, CEO & Publisher, San Diego Magazine, Shelley Zimmerman, Judi Sheppard Missett, Dr. Constance M. Carroll, Ph. D.
WHEN: San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year Awards took place on September 24, 2014
WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla, California
WHAT: Five hundred of San Diego’s top female executives gathered at MCASD La Jolla for an unforgettable event honoring women in business. After a networking hour with food, drinks and live entertainment, guests were invited into the auditorium for the event program. The host for the evening was Cheryl Goodman, Founder and CEO of Social Global Mobile, who welcomed guests and moderated a 45-minute panel discussion on leadership strategies and work/life balance. After a compelling discussion that was provocative, inspiring and educational, the program turned to the announcement of several special category awards and the much anticipated, Woman of the Year.
WHO: Eight outstanding female leaders were honored during the event’s program including Judi Sheppard Misset, Founder and CEO of Jazzercise, who was named the 2014 Woman of the Year.
The 2014 Leadership Award was awarded to Dr. Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District.
The Public Service Award was awarded to Shelley Zimmerman, Chief of the San Diego Police Department.
The 2014 Woman of the Year Award, the highest honor of the evening was presented to Judi Sheppard Misset, Founder and CEO of Jazzercise, Inc.
Additionally, five women were recognized as finalists for the Woman of the Year Award: Jan Nordstrom Arnold, Co-founder of CND – a Division of Revlon, Jan Beronio, Regional President & General Manager of Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Trish Khaleghi, Senior Vice President and CEO of Sharp Mary Birch, Lynelle Lynch, President and Owner of Bellus Acadeny, Kim Reed Perell, CEO of Adconion Media Group.
See all of the Woman of the Year nominees here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Rea, Marketing Director, [email protected] or 619.744.0523
PARTNER CONTENT
San Diego Magazine names the 2014 Woman of the Year and honors top San Diego women in business
Balboa Park, 1914
$3M – Amount needed in order to reopen the California Tower to the public in 2015
1911 – California State Legislature authorized the use of the park for an exposition, as well as ratified the decision to name it Balboa Park
25 cents – Admission paid by anyone who wanted to watch the construction
1 million – Number of plants John Morley was hired to put into the ground of the canyons (another 50,000 were on the Exposition grounds)
$1,937,445 – Amount spent erecting the buildings for the Exposition
42,486 – Spectators at the December 31, 1914 concert, opening ceremonies, and fireworks (about equivalent to the then-population of San Diego)
San Diego’s City Park was founded in 1868. But as late as 1909, only about 100 of the 1,400 acres had been landscaped. That year, the president of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, G. Aubrey Davidson, had the idea of using the park to host a celebration for the opening of the Panama Canal, which was slated for January 1, 1915. San Diego would be the first U.S. port north of the canal, and city leaders wanted to take advantage of their geographic position to boost the economy and help develop the park.
New York architect Bertram Goodhue chose a Spanish Colonial Revival style for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. Officials liked that it would distinguish SD’s event from the San Francisco Panama–Pacific Exposition, which would have a “Beaux Arts” look.
Park commissioners gave it the name “Balboa Park” after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a European explorer who first saw the Pacific in 1513. As the Panama Canal would connect the Atlantic to the Pacific, the moniker was a good association for the park and the planned fair.
The 2015 Centennial, which kicks off this month, refers not to the 100th anniversary of the park, but rather the recognition of an entire century since the Exposition, and of enjoying the park’s architecture as we know it today.
Vintage San Diego: Building Balboa Park
San Diego Stadium, 1977
1960 – Los Angeles Chargers founded (moved to SD the next year)
1967 – First year the Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium (then San Diego Stadium)
71,500 – Seating capacity of Qualcomm Stadium
1990 – Year the Charger Girls were formed
28 – Charger Girls in current squad
2,500 – Number of nonprofits the Chargers supported in SD County last year
Back in the Sixties, Charger cheerleaders were just local high school groups, rotating around the field at Balboa Stadium during home games. But by the time this photograph was taken, the Chargettes were a full-fledged squad performing at San Diego Stadium. The photo above shows the 4 p.m. game on November 13, 1977. The team, which included quarterback James Harris, running back Bo Matthews, and kicker—and La Jolla High School alum—Rolf Benirschke, played its best against the Denver Broncos (even though the Broncos won, 17–14).
The Chargettes’ pleated skirts were short, but compared to today’s midriff-baring uniforms, they were relatively modest. (We love the neckerchiefs!)
The year after this photo was taken, the squad would be disbanded, in part because a few of the women had posed for Playboy. But those Chargers’ girls would be back—with visions of the Super Bowl.
Share your vintage photo of San Diego! Send your pic and story to [email protected].
Vintage San Diego: Holiday Cheer
WHEN/WHERE: San Diego Magazine’s Latinos Making a Difference Awards took place last Thursday, October 22, 2014 at the University Club atop Symphony Towers in downtown San Diego. The evening was hosted in partnership with Univision KBNT San Diego. It is the second annual Latinos Making a Difference event. WHAT: Three hundred of San Diego’s top […]
WHEN/WHERE: San Diego Magazine’s Latinos Making a Difference Awards took place last Thursday, October 22, 2014 at the University Club atop Symphony Towers in downtown San Diego. The evening was hosted in partnership with Univision KBNT San Diego. It is the second annual Latinos Making a Difference event.
WHAT: Three hundred of San Diego’s top Latino business leaders gathered to honor the recipients of this years Latinos Making a Difference Awards. Guests enjoyed a cooking demonstration and tasting by Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero, owner of La Querencia Baja Med. The emcee for the evening was Dr. Diane Perez, host of Despierta San Diego on Univision.
WHO: Six outstanding leaders were honored during the event’s program.
The Cross-Border Leader Award was presented to Sylvia Casas, President of Casas International Brokerage, Inc. For the past 30 years, Casas has worked tirelessly to become the Hispanic woman at the forefront of international trade on the U.S. – Mexico border.
Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Fanny Miller, President, CEO & Editor of El Latino Newspaper, the number-one Hispanic newspaper in San Diego and the largest Hispanic-owned Spanish language newspaper in California with more than 186,000 weekly readers.
Inspirational Leader of the Year was awarded to two individuals.
The first recipient was Jose Galicot Behar, President of Tijuana Innovadora. He is the visionary, creator and driving force behind Tijuana Innovadora, a two-week event and movement with the goal of enriching the San Diego-Tijuana relationship for the prosperity of citizens on both sides of the border.
The second recipient was Pilar Montoya, President, CEO and Founder of the Caminos Foundation. Through the Caminos Foundation, Latinos can receive the tools and knowledge necessary to live healthier, more productive lives and fulfill their potential.
Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Anna Jauregui-Law, an attorney with Appellate Defenders, Inc. Determined to find a way to support the advancement of Latinas in the legal profession, Jauregui-Law cofounded Latinas in the Law in 2005, an organization dedicated to providing educational forums and culturally sensitive mentoring to young Latina lawyers, law students, and legal professionals.
At the end of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to David Valladolid who has been at the helm of the Parent Institute for Quality Education for the past 17 years. He continues to expand the free programming under PIQE. Since the inception of the signature program in 1987, more than 585,000 parents have graduated. Valladolid is also a sixth-generation Californian and a Vietnam combat veteran (1968-69), twice wounded and the recipient of the Purple Heart.
The evening was a true celebration of all of the award finalists and winners and their contributions to our local community. A portion of proceeds from the event was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES AND EVENT INFO: http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/latinos
PHOTOS & MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Rea, Marketing Director, [email protected] or 619.744.0523
ABOUT SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE:
San Diego Magazine, the city’s leading lifestyle publication with an award-winning history, gives readers the insider information they need to experience the city to the fullest – the best in food, fashion, culture, business and people. For more information please visit sandiegomagazine.com, or follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
San Diego Magazine names the 2014 Latinos Making a Difference award recipients
2014 Latinos Making a Difference award recipients | Photo by E3 Photography Eddie Garcia III
Yes, Chef! winner Emily Brubaker leads the robust culinary program at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
For more on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and its dining program, please visit omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
San Diego Charity News for October 27
Malin Burnham received the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award from United Way of San Diego County at its annual Community Kickoff at UC San Diego on Sept. 25. Burnham was honored for his ongoing commitment to volunteerism and accomplishments as a community leader. Steven Northcote was presented the “Volunteer of the Year” Naish Award. Pastor Archie Robinson and New Birth Praise serenaded the audience with a gospel rendition of Katy Perry’s hit song “Firework.” “United Way works to promote social change, harnessing the collective impact of all San Diegans for long-term sustainable solutions,” said President and CEO Kevin Crawford. “Mr. Burnham and Mr. Northcote are model citizens for their contributions to local communities and dedication to the greater San Diego area.”
The Glenn Napierskie Family and Sharp Grossmont Hospital Medical Staff are the Presenting Sponsors of the 29th Annual Grossmont Hospital Foundation Gala. The event is set for Nov. 8 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. The Shea Family is the Visionary Sponsor and Champion Sponsors include Barona Band of Mission Indians and San Diego Critical Care Medical Group. Proceeds of the evening are in support of heart and vascular care at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
United Way presents the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
HGH – Home of Guiding Hands
HGH – Home of Guiding Hands
The Home of Guiding Hands held its 32nd annual Golf Classic Pro-Am Tournament on Sept. 26 at Sycuan Resort. A total of $50,000 was raised to support the services, training and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities at HGH. Presenting Sponsor was the Bill and Norma Verbeck Foundation. Other sponsors included Kerr Family Foundation, Sycuan Casino, Torrey Pines Bank, Quick Dry Flood Services and San Diego County Credit Union.
The CarMax Foundation has granted $15,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego through The CarMax Foundation’s Regional Giving Program. The Foundation has provided over $50,000 in grants over the past four years.
Casa de Amparo is holding its 16th Annual Crystal Ball on Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Country Club. DEI Holdings, Inc. is being honored for its commitment through DEI’s Forte for Children Foundation which seeks to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children with an emphasis on music education and therapy. Chairman and CEO Jim Minarik of DEI Holdings is Honorary Chair of the Gala. Proceeds benefit the programs and services for Casa Kids. The event is underwritten by The Jim and Diane Martin Family in memory of Jim Martin.
United Way presents the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
Doyles, Vaughns, Chief – San Diego Police Foundation
Doyles, Vaughns, Chief – San Diego Police Foundation
The San Diego Police Foundation presented the 2014 Gold Shield Gala on Oct. 4 at the Del Mar Country Club. The event chaired by Kathryn & Don Vaughn and Honorary Co-Chairs Lynne & Steve Doyle, raised $133,000 to support the Foundation’s efforts to provide better training and to purchase equipment that is not included in the SDPD budget. Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman addressed the attendees outlining the future goals for the Department. Sponsors included Wells Fargo, Alethea, Bank of America, SDG&E, Anderson Plumbing and Heating and California Bank & Trust.
United Way presents the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
AT&T Ignacio De La Torre, Nico Marcolongo, Phyllis King
AT&T Pioneers De Anza Chapter held its annual fashion show on Oct. 11 at Barona Resort and Casino. The event raised $6,000 to benefit Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Operation Rebound, a sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and first responders with permanent physical disabilities. Volunteers from the Operation Rebound program participated as models in the fashion show.
Quantum Design, a San Diego-based technology company is providing in-kind and cash gifts totaling $279,000 to update and modernize lab courses and instructional materials in the department of physics at the University of California, San Diego. “Thanks to the generosity of Quantum Design, a long-term partner of the UC San Diego physics department, we have been able to bring 21st century instruments for materials discovery into a teaching lab designed for our undergraduate students,” said Dimitri Basov, chair of the department of physics.
United Way presents the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
SD Police – Las Patronas
SD Police – Las Patronas
Joyce Glazer
Joyce Glazer
Las Patronas was honored by the San Diego Police Foundation for providing a grant to purchase two high-grade golf carts for use by the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. Sempra/SDG&E was also recognized for its support of the RSVP program. In anticipation of increased number of visitors to Balboa Park during the Centennial, this equipment is important to public safety. The patrol carts for Balboa Park will allow the RSVP Volunteer Patrol to keep watch over the park’s 1,200 acres, ensuring the safety of visitors and security of historic buildings and structures of the Park.
Please send news items to Joyce Glazer at [email protected].
United Way presents the James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award
United Way Kick-off
Vintage San Diego: San Diego Takes Flight Share your vintage photo of San Diego! Send your pic and story to [email protected]. Share your vintage photo of San Diego! Send your pic and story to [email protected] . By the Numbers $500 – Initial cost of an aviation course at the Curtiss School of Aviation. 1917 – […]
Vintage San Diego: San Diego Takes Flight
Share your vintage photo of San Diego! Send your pic and story to [email protected].
Share your vintage photo of San Diego! Send your pic and story to
.
$500 – Initial cost of an aviation course at the Curtiss School of Aviation.
1917 – North Island commissioned as a Naval Air Station.
16 aviation world records broken in 1923 by Lts. Lowell H. Smith and John P. Richter, thanks to the new refueling system.
1963 – North Island Station granted recognition as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation” by the House Armed Services Committee.
23 aviation squadrons currently located at North Island.
317K jobs in San Diego as a result of defense spending
San Diego, the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation,” has much to celebrate during National Aviation History Month this November. When flight enthusiast Glenn Curtiss came to California from New York for a flying exhibition in 1910, he discovered the long, flat, sandy beaches of North Island were ideal for landing planes. Curtiss opened the Curtiss School of Aviation in 1911. Among the first to enlist was Lt. Theodore Ellyson.
Just three years later, the government bought the land to create Naval Air Station. In Curtiss’ spirit, the North Island base continued to advance flight research. In the picture above, Lts. Lowell H. Smith and John P. Richter achieve the first successful midair refueling while flying over North Island on June 27, 1923. Other impressive aviation feats launched from North Island include the first seaplane flight and the first nonstop transcontinental flight.
Today Naval Air Station North Island is homeport to aircraft carriers and squadrons, advancing aircraft practice and providing thousands of jobs. (The two carriers alone will pump $1 billion into the economy this year. Cha-ching!)
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.
Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer
Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233
An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721
A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623
Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291
History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203
Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311
This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190
Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
