Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Monello Cocktail & Spirit Pairing Dinner

December 19

Chef Fabrizio Cavallini and GBOD Beverage Director Ryan Andrews will lead a four-course pairing dinner at Monello featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon this Friday at 7 p.m. Guests will dine on handmade pasta and sip bourbon-infused cocktails. Andrews will also explore the history and production process of the whiskey. This meal is $125 and only open to 24 guests. To RSVP, you must submit a $50 reservation deposit.

750 West Fir Street, Little Italy

December 10, 2024

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Duck Dive Holiday Onesie Brunch

December 20

Enjoy a cozy meal in Pacific Beach at Duck Dive’s annual Holiday Onesie Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come in your most comfortable onesie or pajamas and indulge in sweet and savory breakfast items like chorizo potato hash and stuffed French toast. Buying an entrée gets you $19 bottomless mimosas, also available until 2 p.m.

4650 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach

Coastal Chill: Winter Solstice Celebration at Garibaldi

December 21

Spend your Winter Solstice at Garibaldi‘s fun and frosty Coastal Chill event at 4 p.m. this Saturday on the third floor of InterContinental San Diego. The event includes music from DJ Ayla Simone, luxe winter parkas, a snow machine, heaters, and an all-you-can-eat buffet that features oysters, lobster, and mussels. Also included in the ticket price are bottomless Amaro hot chocolate and Mediterranean s’mores with a dessert wine pairing, as well as an intention-setting station, where every card completed marks a $1 donation to the conservation nonprofit Wildcoast. Tickets can be purchased on Resy for $85. 

901 Bayfront Court, Downtown

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Digable Planets and The Pharcyde at The Sound

December 19

Legendary hip hop groups from opposite coasts—Brooklyn-based Digable Planets and LA’s The Pharcyde—will collide for a night of alternative rap at The Sound this Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $61 for this concert. 

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

November 29, 2024

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The Vandals Christmas Formal at House of Blues 

December 20

Orange County–bred punk rockers The Vandals have always had a soft spot for Christmas, dating back to their 1996 holiday album Oi to the World! This year, the band is bringing its annual Christmas Formal concert to San Diego this Friday night at the House of Blues. Tickets start at $42 for this show. 

1055 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp

Las Posadas: A Traditional Mexican Christmas Celebration at Balboa Theatre

December 20

This Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre, Las Posadas will tell the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus through traditional Mexican carols and American holiday tunes. Tickets start at $34. 

868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp

Sara Petite Presents A Loretta Lynn Christmas at The Casbah

December 22

Local americana artist Sara Petite will channel the country storytelling of the legendary Loretta Lynn in a performance with her band and some special guests this Sunday at 6 p.m. at The Casbah. Petite will debut her track “Honky Tonk Angel” and sing a handful of Christmas essentials in this intimate performance. Tickets are $20 for this concert. 

2501 Kettner Boulevard, Harborview

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

Merry Grinch-Mas at Exclusive Collection Gallery

Through December 31

Ted Geisel, known to readers worldwide as Dr. Seuss, penned iconic children’s books like How the Grinch Stole Christmas! In the new Merry Grinch-Mas exhibition from Exclusive Collection Gallery’s The Arts of Dr. Seuss collection, the gallery will display private images featuring Seuss’ beloved green grump, including works signed by his wife, Audrey Geisel. 

621 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp 

Fates, Boots and Bob: A Hijacked Hootenanny Holiday Hullabaloo at Bread & Salt

December 20

This Friday at Bread & Salt Gallery, performers from Project [BLANK] will present the intergalactic comedy Fates, Boots and Bob: A Hijacked Hootenanny Holiday Hullabaloo. It’s A Christmas Carol with several twists, including an extraterrestrial visitor and a piece of sacred toast. This event has all-in pricing—you can choose your cost, from $5 to $50. Attendees are also invited to bring items like new clothing, undergarments, reusable water bottles, and non-perishable food items to donate to Border Angels. 

1955 Julian Avenue, Logan Heights 

Golden State Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at Civic Theatre

December 20–22

Travel to the Land of the Sweets with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince at Golden State Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Civic Theatre. There will be five performances of The Nutcracker this weekend. Tickets start at $48 for this timeless holiday ballet. 

1100 Third Avenue, Downtown

Lighthouse Players Present: A Christmas Carol, the Musical

December 21–22

The Lighthouse Players offer a musical version of A Christmas Carol with period-era costumes and a live orchestra this weekend. There will be performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Bornemann Theatre. Tickets range from $25 to $35 and can be purchased here.

555 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos 

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend

Mini Golf Pop-Up at Swing Social 

December 18 

Test out your putt-putt skills this Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. as Swing Social sets up 18 holes of mini golf in the Gaslamp. Golfers can enjoy nearby food and drink specials, such as $16 draft beers and $10 Wagyu smash burgers and fries at Swing Social, long happy hours at Huntress (6 to 9 p.m.) and Lumi (4 to 9 p.m.), and $12 Wagyu sliders and spicy chicken sliders at Rustic Root. Tickets for this all-ages pop-up are $20; ticket prices will rise to $39 the day of the event. 

527 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp

December 4, 2024

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The Office: Holiday Party at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero

December 19

Spend your Thursday evening with Dunder Mifflin employees and superfans of The Office at the Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero. The Office: Holiday Party will run through the show’s iconic holiday party episodes: “Christmas Party,” “A Benihana Christmas – Parts 1 & 2,” and “Moroccan Christmas.” The screening at 6:30 p.m. is already sold out, but tickets ($33) for the 9:45 showing are still available. Your booking comes with a reserved loveseat; a heater; and a hot, seasonal, non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.

1 Market Place, Embarcadero

Fit Athletic Yoga at The Rady Shell

December 21

Beat the holiday stress with a free group yoga session this Saturday morning on the grass lawn of the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Instructor Viktoria Talbot of FIT Athletic leads the class from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP on Eventbrite. 

222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero 

The post 14 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: Dec. 18–22 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Annie’s Canyon Trail

This hike is a rare find: It’s relatively short, easy, and flat, but it also boasts truly unparalleled landscapes that you can’t get anywhere else in the region. People won’t believe they’re in San Diego instead of Zion Canyon or some other spot with steep walls and cool rock formations. It’s a white slot canyon that has become quite famous on Instagram, especially after officials worked to clean up the graffiti that used to cover the walls. Your guests will be thrilled to take cool photos to show off when they go home.

• Directions: Park at 150 Solana Point Circle in Solana Beach and follow the trail east to get to Annie’s Canyon. Don’t use Google Maps! You’ll avoid climbing a very steep hill along the highway.
• Distance: 1.2 miles out and back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs: Allowed, but don’t try to bring them up the ladders in the canyon
• Details: Parking is free.

April 11, 2024

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Old Sea World Drive

This path along the San Diego River makes you feel like you’re walking straight out into the ocean. It has beautiful views of the bay and the river and cool seaside breezes—it offers the quintessential San Diego waterside stroll experience. Plus, your friends or family will think you’re an in-the-know insider when you pull up to this secluded path. Follow it out straight and west, and when you reach the turnaround point that sticks out into the ocean, you’ll get the sense you’re standing at the edge of the world.

• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Allowed
• Details: Park on the lot just off Friars Road.

Balboa Park Seven Bridges Hike

Guests—especially kids—will love this fun, urban hike that takes you across all seven pedestrian bridges scattered around Balboa Park. It feels like taking secret passageways through the heart of San Diego. Plus, the swinging suspension bridge on Spruce Street is sure to thrill and entertain. 

• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Length: 6.5 miles for the loop
• Dogs: Allowed
• Details: Park on Park Boulevard near the San Diego Zoo and take the pedestrian bridge to the Desert Garden. Then, walk back through the park to the Cabrillo Bridge over the 163. Follow Laurel Avenue, then turn right on First Avenue to the First Avenue Bridge, then turn right on Quince Street to cross the Quince Street Bridge. From there, turn left on Fourth Avenue and left on Spruce Street to cross the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. Walk through Hillcrest to University Avenue, then through the Trader Joe’s shopping area to the Vermont Street Bridge. Follow Lincoln Avenue to Georgia Street, and take the short Georgia Street Bridge over University Avenue, then follow Robinson Street back to Park Boulevard where you started. 

The post 3 San Diego Hikes to Wow Your Out-of-Town Guests appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

Understory’s Winter Wonderland: Après-Ski Five-Course Dinner & Cocktail Series

Thursdays-Saturdays from December 12 – January 4

Understory Bar at The Sky Deck is channeling elegance with the warm comfort of an Aspen ski lodge for its new winter pop-up concept, happening Thursdays-Saturdays through January 4, beginning this week. At “The Alpine Affair,” guests will be served a five-course dinner, each dish being paired with cocktails that feature Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey, to accentuate the wintery feel. Tickets are $170 per person for this dinner. 

12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar

Holiday High Tide Brunch Buffet at The Marine Room 

December 14 & 15

Gather your loved ones for a special Holiday High Tide Brunch Buffet at The Marine Room from 7 a.m. to noon this Saturday and Sunday. As a fan favorite returns to La Jolla’s shores, guests can indulge in seafood, tenderloin and seasonal breakfast dishes with a picturesque view of the Pacific. Brunch is $80 per adult and $45 per child, with a $20 add-on option for free-flowing Champagne for 21+ guests. Reservations can be made on OpenTable, with seatings available every 15 minutes. 

1950 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla

December 10, 2024

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Swan Bar Pop-Up

Now through December 31

Swan Bar in University Heights is hosting a holiday pop-up, now through December 31, 2024. The festive menu will feature seasonal cocktails like Abuelita’s Hot Cocoa, Naughty Nog, and a Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini. Guests can also pickup holiday bottles of either Cocorumpy made with chocolate peppermint and Schnapps or Midnight Rider made with Really Good Coffee liqueur. The pop-up is open Monday-Friday 4 p.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to midnight. No reservations required.

Concerts & Festival in San Diego This Weekend

Jingle Terrace Live 

Through December 21

Immerse yourself in a nightly video and light shows, with crafts, games and costumed characters at Jingle Terrace Live. This free event, taking place nightly at Moonlight Amphitheater at Brengle Terrace Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.—this year with the theme of SoCal Holiday Splash!—will include appearances from Christmas Highland Cows (Tuesday-Thursday) and a performance by the Jingle Brass Band (Saturday) this week. Attendees are also invited to check out a cash donation station, collecting contributions for Meals on Wheels, Mama’s Kitchen and Brother Benno’s. 

1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista

Will Smith at The Observatory North Park

December 11 & 12

Many likely know Will Smith best for his acting career, but before he became a box office king, Smith—alongside producer DJ Jazzy Jeff—was one of the biggest artists of hip-hop’s Golden Age. Though Smith has come a long way from West Philly, he’ll be tapping into his rapping ability with two concerts this week at The Observatory North Park, as he tours for the release of first new album in 19 years, “Dance in Your Darkest Moments.” Tickets starting at $71 for both Wednesday and Thursday’s shows. 

2891 University Avenue, North Park

November 29, 2024

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2 Pianos 4 Hands at North Coast Repertory Theatre

December 12-29

The piano-playing duo of Richard Todd Adams and Matthew McGloin will hit the keys and do a bit of comedic storytelling during 2 Pianos 4 Hands at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. The two will describe their musical upbringing while playing classical and jukebox hits. There will be six performances of 2 Pianos 4 Hands this week (Sunday’s matinee show is already sold out) and tickets are on sale for $67. 

987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival

December 14

Watch Elf at the Memorial Bowl, take pictures with Santa Claus and see more than 100 parade entries float down Third Avenue during the free Starlight Parade & Festival. This South Bay tradition is both a holiday festival with a 25-foot tree lighting, music and dance performances, and a holiday market, plus a community parade with a long line of cars, marching bands and dance teams marching through downtown as part of the procession.

353 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista 

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

A Swingin’ Seasonal Spectacular at OnStage Playhouse

December 13-15

This new show from Good Vibe Cinema at the OnStage Playhouse takes nostalgia for classic Christmas specials, and combines it with live music and sketch comedy to create A Swingin Seasonal Spectacular. In this production, host Mack Macclaine tries to get through his final time leading a beloved holiday special when things hilariously fall apart and threaten to overshadow the performance. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, students and educators, and $15 for everyone under the age of 30. 

291 Third Avenue, Chula Vista

A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play at Scripps Ranch Theatre

December 13-15

For four shows only, Scripps Ranch Theatre is offering a classic theater experience of the traditional Christmas tale. During A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, nine actors will portray Charles Dickens’ cast of characters as audiences get to experience the breadth of the audio-visual medium live within the fictional radio station of WSRT. Tickets for this production are $30. 

9783 Avenue of Nations, Scripps Ranch

Tarnished Emporium Opening Reception at Distinction Gallery

December 14

Sculptor Valency Genis’ newest set of wonder-eyes creatures made using clay, resin, glass and metallics, and prominently displayed with uniquely shaped antlers, will open at Distinction Gallery this Saturday and remain on display through January 4. At the opening reception for Tarnished Emporium this Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., attendees can enjoy live music, purchase drinks from LastSpot by TorTari and mingle with the artist in attendance. 

317 East Grand Avenue, Escondido

More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend

Holiday Market at Petco Park 

Select Dates Through December 27

Thursday through Sunday this week in Gallagher Square, Holiday Market at Petco Park rolls on with nightly snowfall, sweet treats and live reindeer. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, the market will host local craft and artisan vendors, live entertainment, carousel rides and all-around holiday festivities. Tickets for adults range from $31 to 37, and for kids ages 14 and under, tickets are $24 to $28. 

840 K Street, Downtown

2024 Holiday Open House at The Conrad 

December 12

The La Jolla Music Society is inviting the public for an evening filled with shopping, live music, and holiday cocktails during its annual Holiday Open House. This free event at the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd will feature a holiday market from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., storytime from Librarian on the Go at 5 p.m. and close with salsa-fueled sounds from the Manny Cepeda Orchestra from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. RSVP here. 

7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla

October 25, 2024

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Coastal Christmas Del Mar

Select Dates from December 13-26 

The Del Mar Fairgrounds’ vision of a seaside North Pole, Coastal Christmas Del Mar, opens this Friday, with features like a holiday light trail, music from The Mar Dels, fire pits and igloos for rent and “glice” skating. This Friday and Saturday, the event will include the Holiday Wine Walk ($50) with ticketholders receiving eight two ounce wine or beer samples from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $24 for adults and $15 for kids for Coastal Christmas.

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Holiday in the Village

December 14

La Mesa Village will go full winter wonderland this Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. during its free annual Holiday in the Village. Attendees can enjoy holiday songs from strolling carolers and gingerbread house photo ops, plus new features like a synthetic ice skating rink, mini golf and the elf adventure trail. There will also be family-friendly activities like the Mrs. Claus Reading Nook, holiday-themed inflatables and the kids holiday shopping program.

La Mesa Boulevard between Spring Street and 4th Street, La Mesa

San Diego Santa Run

December 14

Run with a pack of Kris Kringles at the 10th annual San Diego Santa Run, where each participant gets their very own Sunny Santa suit and matching sunglasses for a holly jolly time. After the run, 21+ racers can use their complimentary drink ticket at one of four local bar partners, take advantage of discounts at several PB businesses, and hang around Garnet Avenue for the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is $60 for the 5K option and $40 for the kids one mile as well as the pup-friendly dog mile.

912 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach 

Gaslamp Quarter Pet Parade, Expo & Pups in the Pub Party 

December 14

Local doggos are invited to strut down Market Street during the annual Gaslamp Quarter Pet Parade festivities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event begins with the Gaslamp Holiday Expo with photo ops, dog treats, an appearance from Santa Claus and pet vendors. Then, cheer on the decorated and dressed pets during the parade, with the chance to compete for prizes in eight holiday costume categories, and finish with a party at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp featuring beers, treats, games and more. Register your pets for the parade for $25. 

702 Market Street, Gaslamp

The post 16 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: December 12-15 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Christmas Dinner Specials | Christmas Buffets | Restaurants Open on Christmas

Christmas Dinner Specials in San Diego

The Grill at Torrey Pines

Upgrade your holiday game with a three-course dinner that’s as extra as it sounds. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is serving up seasonal bites like parsnip soup, caramelized scallops, and chocolate peppermint mousse from executive chef Kelli Crosson and chef de cuisine Ryan Dzierzawski. Oh, and did we mention the views? Picture yourself digging into your holiday meal with the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course as your backdrop. 

• Price: $135 for adults | $65 for kids (11 and under) 
• Hours: Dec. 25 | 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 
• Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla
• Reservations: OpenTable

Solare

Who isn’t up for special Italian holiday dishes? Start your Christmas Eve at Solare, with a prix-fixe menu crafted by Randy and the Solare Team. Family-owned and operated, Solare will be sharing traditional cuisine from Italy including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone-free meats the entire evening.

• Price: $68 + per person | Holiday kids menu will be available 
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 12:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Closed on Dec. 25
• Address: 2820 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma
• Reservations: OpenTable

November 15, 2024

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Provisional Kitchen at the Pendry

Christmas Dinners always come with a twist, so why not make it one with great food and a touch of holiday luxury? At the Pendry San Diego, executive chef Brandon Sloan’s three-course special menu features dishes that are as indulgent as they are memorable. Black truffle french onion soup, glazed duck breast, and bourbon bread pudding—the good kind of holiday twist.

• Price: $105 per adult | $40 per child
• Hours: Dec. 25 | 4:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.
• Address: 550 J St, Gaslamp Quarter
• Reservations: OpenTable

October 25, 2024

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Valle 

If a six-course holiday menu perfectly paired with specially selected wines that complement each dish sounds like your kind of celebration, then Valle is the place to be this Christmas. Chef Roberto Alcocer’s decadent flavors complemented with an optional holiday wine pairing will prove that it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

• Price: $200 per person
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Address: 222 North Pacific Street, Oceanside
• Reservations: Tock

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

Christmas meets modern coastal cuisine at Gaslamp’s Lionfish. Treat yourself to their Holiday Large Cast Iron featuring a half roasted duck, duck confit stuffing, harvest mashed potatoes, and buttery biscuits all by chef Jojo Ruiz.

• Price: $75 per person
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. 
• Address: 435 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
• Reservations: OpenTable

Mister A’s 

Celebrate Christmas with stunning skyline views and food to match it. Start with appetizers like beet and arugula salad, French onion soup, or black truffle cacio e pepe. For the main course, enjoy A5 Wagyu bavette, lamb osso buco, or Chilean sea bass. You can even indulge in desserts like vanilla crème brûlée or caramel apple cheesecake. 

• Price: Dec. 24 $115 per person and $45 for children (12 and under) | Dec. 25 $105 per person and $45 for children (12 and under)
• Hours: Dec. 24, 4:30–9 p.m. | Dec. 25, 12–7 p.m
• Address: 2550 Fifth Ave 12th floor, Bankers Hill
• Reservations: OpenTable

Marine Room

The Marine Room brings the Christmas flavors and beauties of the Turks and Caicos lifestyle right to La Jolla. Their holiday curated menu blends seasonal favorites, like chestnut spinach ricotta cannelloni, ferrari island salmon crudo, and roasted whole fresh branzino, paired with the restaurant’s coastal flair.

• Price: $165 per person
• Hours: Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 | 4:30–9:00 p.m.
• Address: 904 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla
• Reservations: OpenTable

Juniper + Ivy

This previously abandoned warehouse turned impressive social dining space invites San Diegans to spend Christmas Eve at theirs! With a four-course prix fixe, crafted by executive chef, Jonathan Kinsella and pastry chef Amanda Santiago, you can have your holiday choosings of Kusshi oysters, pumpkin spiced kabocha squash agnolotti, koa king salmon, and an assortment of mignardise for entire the table.

• Price: $168 per person
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
• Address: 2228 Kettner Blvd, Little Italy
• Reservations: OpenTable

Ranch 45 

Don’t worry, take out on Christmas is always an option. A customizable a la carte holiday feast at Ranch 45 offers choices from herb-crusted prime rib, braised short rib, smoked turkey legs, 45-day aged ribeye, and smoked cornish game hen, plus desserts such as pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and apple Crisp. Perfect for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, this pick-up menu offers the flexibility to create your ideal holiday at-home spread.

• Hours: Pre-orders due by Dec. 17 at 4:00 p.m. for pick-up on Dec. 24 
• Address: 437 S. Highway 101, Solana Beach
• Order Online: Ranch 45

Huntress and Lumi

This year, Huntress will be providing holiday dining just as impressive as its steaks. This year, they’ll be serving their traditional menu along chef specials such as beef Wellington with mushroom duxelle, creamy lobster risotto with a hint of preserved lemon, and caviar deviled eggs.

• Hours: Huntress: Dec. 24 | 5:00 p.m. – 9 p.m and Dec. 25 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Address: Huntress: 376 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
• Reservations: Huntress OpenTable

Herb & Wood

Herb & Wood combines rustic, wood-fired dishes with Mediterranean flavors, embracing a California feeling of seasonality and sustainability. With just a touch of Southern charm, it feels right at home in Southern California. Chef Adian’s specials like beef tartare, wild boar sausage, creamy mushrooms and whole tiger prawns is the “timeless yet approachable” choice for a Christmas Eve dinner.

• Price: $92 per adult | $37 per child.
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 3:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Address: 2210 Kettner Blvd, Little Italy

Roy’s

Marriott Marquis, Roy’s San Diego gives the gift of aloha this season. With picturesque views of San Diego Bay, this restaurant celebrates Christmas with a three-course holiday menu featuring everything from 8 oz. filet mignon to tempura lobster tail. End the holidays blissfully on the bayfront, while indulging in Hawaiian fusion cuisine.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 
• Address: 333 West Harbor Drive, Downtown
• Reservations: OpenTable

Christmas Dinner Buffets in San Diego

Dockside 1953

Why stress over Christmas dinner when you can escape to lush tropical gardens and miles of sandy beaches? The Bahia Resort provides a dockside three-course Christmas Eve meal at Dockside 1953, and this chef-curated menu is all about options. Think tender beef, bergamot-infused duck, or Mediterranean sea bass—and dessert that melts together with a chocolate and Nutella yule log. And if that wasn’t enough, on Christmas Day the resort has a brunch buffet where seafood lovers can indulge in fresh oysters, while breakfast fans build their ultimate eggs Benedict. 

• Price: Dinner: $79+ per person | Brunch: $150 for adults | $50 for kids (5–12) | Free for kids (4 and under) 
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 5:00–9:00 p.m. & Dec. 25 | 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last seating at 2:30 p.m.)
• Address: 998 W Mission Bay Dr, Mission Beach
• Reservations: Bahia Hotel Resort

ARLO

Award-winning ARLO restaurant will be open for both a plated dinner and a lively reception-style dinner. Chill indoors or head out to the cozy fireplace patio for stunning resort views. Need a little extra space? Semi-private areas and full buyouts are available for a more intimate gathering. ARLO has options to match any holiday vibe with custom or set menu choices with tasty bites like Wagyu tartare, thyme roasted pork chop, salmon wontons, and even Calabrian chili prawns.

• Price: $90 per person | $38 for children (12 & under)
• Hours: Dec. 25, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Address: 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley
• Reservations: OpenTable

Pony Room

Open Christmas Eve, Rancho Valenci’s signature grand holiday-inspired buffet at the Pony Room allows customers to choose between traditional trimmings, seafood station, carving station, and endless delicious culinary creations like Nueske’s Honey Spiral Cut Ham and 4 oz. Petrossian Caviar. Between live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and cookie decorating it’s the ideal setting for celebrating with friends and family. Plus, this year Pony Room is offering this Christmas buffet to-go!

• Price: $235+ per person | Children ages 4-11 $95+ | Free for children 3 and under
• Hours: Dec. 25 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Address: 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
• Reservations: Call (858)759-6246

Hotel Del Coronado

Nothing says “quintessential San Diego winter” quite like ice skating at the Hotel del Coronado’s iconic beachfront rink. Perfect for making holiday memories, The Del also hosts a lush Christmas Eve dinner buffet full of traditional favorites as well as a Christmas day brunch. Grab your fur coat because holidays at The Del are a glamorous tribute to Hollywood’s golden age.

• Price: $205 per adult | Children ages 5 – 12: $100 | Children 4 years and under complimentary with a paying adult 
• Hours: Dec. 24 | 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. & Dec. 25 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado
• Reservations: Hotel Del Coronado

Coasterra

Christmas at Coasterra is a classic. This modern Mexican restaurant, surrounded by a mural-painted main dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, transforms into an expansive Christmas buffet on the solar-heated patio, complete with skyline views of Coronado. While the buffet features holiday classics, Coasterra also serves signature dishes like gluten-free tortilla soup, cheese and rajas tamales, and cauliflower al pastor.

• Price: $94.95 per adult | $24.95 per child (under 6 free) 
• Hours: Dec. 25th, 12:00–7:00 p.m. 
• Address: 880 B Harbor Island Drive, Shelter Island
• Reservations: OpenTable

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Who isn’t up for a Christmas feast alongside 400 acres of nature’s dreamlike scenery? The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is hosting an extravagant dining event at the Manchester Salon with a lavish buffet featuring culinary delights, traditional holiday favorites, and live entertainment. Did I mention the twinkling palm trees and sparkling 25-foot tree to really set the festive season?

• Price: $195 per adult | $85 per child (ages 3-12)
• Hours: Dec. 25 | 10:30 am to 2:00 p.m.
• Address: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Carmel Valley

San Diego Restaurants Open on Christmas

Echale 

Who says traditional Christmas Eve dinner needs a glazed ham and roasted turkey? Experience a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar serving a mix of California, Mediterranean, and Spanish-style cuisine. This North County Mexican restaurant on the Coast highway serving green chili burgers and tuna crudo might be the present you’ve been waiting for. 

• Hours: Dec. 24.| 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
• Address: 947 S Coast Hwy 101 Suite 103D, Encinitas
• Reservations: OpenTable

Eddie V’s

Ready to trade cookies and milk for prime seafood? Open Christmas Eve with two locations, Eddie V’s dinner menu highlights their iconic shellfish tower featuring wild jumbo gulf shrimp, blue point oysters, royal ossetra petrossian caviar and lobster from Maine on ice. Not the biggest seafood lover? Don’t worry, Eddie V classic appetizers, premium hand-cut steaks, and “cocktails with attitude” are available, too!

• Hours: Dec. 24 | 4:00-9:00 p.m.
• Address: 1270 Prospect St, La Jolla and 789 W Harbor Dr Suite 158, Downtown
• Reservations: La Jolla OpenTable and Downtown OpenTable

VUE

Located just inside the Spanish Mission-style property of Omni La Costa Resort & Spa‘s, sits VUE. Open for Christmas Day, the resort’s renowned restaurant specializes in prime rib with au jus and horseradish cream, buttery potato puree and roast fennel with squash. Holiday desserts like a pear almond tart with cranberry coulis and white chocolate dust will also be available, all while enjoying the Omni’s championship golf courses.

• Hours: Vue will be open on Dec. 25 only | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Address: 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad
• Reservations: OpenTable

Shan Xi Magic Kitchen

Spice lovers, this is for you. Experience knife-cut noodles and bold, vinegary flavors at this restaurant inspired by the Shanxi region in northern China. For a Christmas dinner that’s both unique and satisfying, try customer favorites like hot and sour soup dumplings, spicy twice-cooked pork, cucumber salad, and cumin lamb biang noodles. Shan Xi Magic Kitchen is proof that the holidays don’t have to mean a dry turkey…

• Hours: Dec 25 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Address: 4344 Convoy St, Kearny Mesa

Ciccia Osteria

Cherish Christmas day with a taste of authentic Italian cuisine at Michelin-recognized restaurant Ciccia Osteria. Tucked within the neighborhood of Barrio Logan, chefs Francesca Penoncelli and Mario Casineri have created a cozy osteria and serve up holiday specials and classic Italian menu items such as homemade cappelli and spaghetti pomodoro, accompanied perfectly with a house Cab.

• Hours: Dec. 24, 12:00 p.m.–2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m. | Dec. 25 4:30–9:15 p.m.
• Address: 2233 Logan Ave, Barrio Logan
• Reservations: OpenTable

YinTang Spicy Hot Pot

This Taiwanese hot pot in Kearny Mesa is the perfect comfort food for the Christmas season. The menu is ingredient rich with choices of beef, fish, tofu, fish balls, and fresh vegetables. Add some heat to the holiday with your choice of bone broth or a dry, spicy mix. Revel in a Christmas dinner that’s just as interactive as it is delicious.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
• Address: 4690 Convoy St #111, Kearny Mesa

Ember & Rye

For a holiday dinner that’s all about smoked prime rib with black truffle au jus, journey to Ember & Rye, where chef Richard Blais brings his exclusive Christmas cuisine. Set overlooking the 18th green, this one-of-a-kind steakhouse combines bold flavors with a more laid-back, vintage clubhouse vibe. Enjoy Ember & Rye classic dinner menu, also still available, of mouth watering steaks, fresh seafood, and dishes inspired by local ingredients.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | 5:30–9:00 p.m.
• Address: 7447 Batiquitos Dr, Carlsbad
• Reservations: OpenTable

Benihana

Craving hibachi steak or yakisoba for Christmas? Benihana is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but you’ll want to secure a reservation early for a spot around their hibachi grill to watch as a personal chef prepares your very own traditional Japanese dinner. Come ready to witness ingredients tossed in the air (or at you), onion towers on fire, and eggs magically appearing.

• Hours: Dec. 24 11 a.m.–10 p.m. | Dec. 25 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Address: 477 Camino del Rio S, Mission Valley
• Reservations: OpenTable

Sea & Sky

Dine on a menu that cooks up the rich flavors of the Pacific Ocean. Sea & Sky intertwines their coastal cuisine with the holiday sharpness of slow roasted prime ride roast. It’s surf and turf at its best—start with grilled octopus, then dive into the Kurobuta pork chop topped with miso-squash purée and walnut crumble.

• Hours: Dec. 24 | 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
• Address: 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla
• Reservations: OpenTable

Quixote

If Oaxacan fondue is on your Christmas palette this year, head to Quixote inside the infamous LaFayette Hotel. With rich titled glass windows, dark wood paneling decor and low lit lighting, Quixote makes for an incomparable Christmas dinner. Spoil yourself with chili garlic shrimp tacos, braised lamb belly, fritters, and their one-of-a kind cocktails.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | 12:00 p.m–12:00 a.m.
• Address: 2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
• Reservations: OpenTable

Beginners Diner

Now, if you’re seeking out a more nostalgic festive dinner, The LaFayette Hotel’s Beginners Diner will also be open 24 hours on Christmas day. This restaurant is a replica of a traditional diner from the 1940s, with red neon lighting mirroring the diner-esqu bar stools. In addition to reflective chrome walls, Beginners Diner offers classics like corned beef hash, deviled eggs, and banana bread pudding french toast.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | Open 24 hours
• Address: 2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Head to Amalfi Cucina Italiana and relish in the joy of twenty pizza options and eight pasta shapes, all paired with your choice of sauce and handmade by chef Marcello. Cap your night with a personally crafted old fashion, negroni cocktails, or even an espresso martini. And, with locations in San Marcos, Carmel Valley, and Oceanside, they’re celebrating the Christmas season all throughout the North County with festive lights and authentic Italian flavors.

• Hours: Dec. 25 | Amalfi Cucina Italiana – Carmel Valley: 4:00 p.m.-9 p.m. | Amalfi Cucina Italiana – San Marcos: 4:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. | Amalfi Cucina Italiana – Oceanside: 12 p.m.-3:00 p.m. and 4:30-9:00 p.m.
• Address: Amalfi Cucina Italiana – Carmel Valley, 5980 Village Way #106, Carmel Valley | Amalfi Cucina Italiana – San Marcos, 1035 La Bonita Dr, San Marcos | Amalfi Cucina Italiana – Oceanside, 221 N Cleveland St, Oceanside
• Reservations: OpenTable Carmvel Valley | OpenTable San Marcos | Open Table Oceanside

Gravity Heights

Even with all the extravagant Christmas meals, sometimes all you really need is some good mac & cheese. At Gravity Heights, you’ll find classic munchies like cheesy pasta, barbecue pulled pork dirty fries, and sweet chili chicken wings. If that doesn’t do it for your taste buds, their wood-fired hot agave pizzas or tikka masala chicken pot pie dinner entrees just might!

• Hours: Dec. 25 | Gravity Heights, Sorrento Valley: 11am – 8:30 p.m. | Gravity Heights, Mission Valley: 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Address: Gravity Heights, Sorrento Valley: 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd, Sorrento Valley | Gravity Heights, Mission valley 525 Camino De La Reina, Mission Valley
• Reservations: OpenTable Sorrento Valley | OpenTable Mission Valley

The post Where to Get Christmas Dinner in San Diego, 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Fidel’s opened in 1960, and the original owner, Fidel Montanez, runs it to this day. The restaurant’s famous, gloriously bulging smothered burritos taste the same today as they did last week as they did last year as they did in the ’60s. My son eats the same tacos I gobbled down as a teen. Nostalgia is one potent emotion, and, for me, Fidel’s provides it in spades. In an age when the average restaurant lifespan ranges from eight to 10 years, it’s managed to last. How?

Places like Fidel’s don’t have Instagram accounts or weekly email newsletters carefully curated by a public relations firm. They’re the joints you drive by every day on your commute until one day, during a commercial break on 91X, it occurs to you to wonder, “How long has that place been there?” and, then, “How on earth does it stay open?” Maybe it makes you intrigued enough that, on your way home, you take that exit, and you step inside.

Such curiosity recently got the better of me. Sandwiched between a fishing supply shop and a smog inspection garage is Volare Italian Dining, a family-owned eatery open since 1978. I’ve passed the unassuming building in Point Loma dozens—if not hundreds— of times on my way to Pechanga Arena and Liberty Station, and I’ve long wondered what garlicky treasures lie inside the walls that so badly need a fresh paint job. One night, family in tow, I decided it was time to find out.

After wedging my car into a spot in the very crowded parking lot at Squidco bait shop next door, I walked into a time capsule—clearly, interior design is not a priority at Volare, but it works.

“People don’t go here because they want to have a five-star dining experience,” laughs owner Antonella Pascucci, née Sanfilippo. “But that’s the charm of it. It’s a fine line between ‘I want to do some updates’ [and] ‘I don’t want to lose the old-school vibe.’”

Pascucci’s uncles Alfio and Onofrio Sanfilippo opened Volare in the ’70s, running the restaurant as partners until they returned to their native Sicily 20 years later. Their sister Anna, Pascucci’s mother, took the reins, and it’s remained in the family ever since. Now, Pascucci handles the day-to-day and hopes that, one day, her own children will take over the business.

That history is visible inside. Terracotta-colored walls showcase crinkled photos and mismatched paintings over an industrial-gray carpet, worn down over decades of service. None of the plates match, and there’s one beer on draft, $13.95 for a pitcher.

Food prices have hardly soared with the times, either. Pascucci says they’ve rarely had to increase prices until recently, thanks to a longtime affordable rent agreement with their landlords at Squidco, another multi-generation, family-owned business. “I literally have raised prices probably three times this year, because of the fact that my mom had prices from, like, 1992,” she laughs.

It’s still a screaming deal—my linguini with clams cost a whopping $15.95 and easily serves two. You can feed a kid for less than 10 bucks. A glass of wine is $7.

Despite the family’s disinterest in traditional advertising, decades of word-of-mouth referrals have proved to be enough to keep loyal regulars coming back again and again and again. Just don’t look for them on delivery apps. “My focus is my customers that are in the restaurant,” Pascucci says. The kitchen is tiny, and, frankly, they don’t need the added stress.

Speaking of stress, soon after my visit to Volare, I find myself gritting my teeth as my car scrapes and bounces its way along the crumbling stretch of University Avenue from Rolando Park to City Heights. “This food better be worth it,” I whisper to myself.

But once I step inside the 600-or-so-seat Chinese banquet hall at City Heights’ Diamond Palace resplendent with glittering chandeliers; Chiavari chairs; and white-tableclothed tables piled high with pan-fried potstickers, shrimp siu mai, and steamed pork buns—the intense salivation prompted by the glorious scents helps wash my irritation away. Aromas of scallions, chili oil, roasting meat… my olfactory glands are working overtime.

Michael Tran is one of the four partners behind Diamond Palace, which opened in 2022. It’s hardly a new endeavor for the longtime restaurateur—he’s worked in restaurants for the better part of 30 years, 23 of them as general manager at another San Diego dim sum giant. That experience helped him launch what he believes is the biggest (and best) dim sum restaurant in the county.

He points to the menu, each item accompanied by a picture. “[Ordering is] very easy,” he promises, even for first-timers. While the restaurant does get plenty of Chinese guests, he says City Heights’ heavily international neighborhood brings in diners from all over the world, including many refugees and immigrants from Somalia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

“Weekdays, we’re not that busy. You can show up with 20 people, no problem,” Tran says. But on weekends or holidays, the dining room often fills up for both lunch and dinner, especially when a private party books the adjoining room that can be sectioned off.

Dim sum is always available, as is the regular kitchen menu with dishes like Peking duck and salt-and-pepper shrimp. To get the most out of your visit, Tran encourages guests to order a variety of options without fear. Don’t like one? “Don’t worry, I’ll take it back,” he promises. “I’ll make it simple, easy.” He doesn’t let me leave empty-handed, and I show enormous self-restraint not scarfing down all of the steamed custard buns before leaving the parking lot.

Of San Diego’s estimated 11,000 restaurants, only a small fraction of them ever appear on a TV show or the pages of a glossy magazine. Many of them have managed to survive, against all odds, without viral videos or even reliable hours. Even the most adventurous eaters can fall prey to new restaurant FOMO I’m guilty of it. But it’s worth exploring those quiet spaces built not on the backs of giants, but grandparents and dreamers. These restaurants provide more than food. It’s a legacy. And it tastes great.

The post 3 Popular San Diego Restaurants You’ve Likely Never Heard Of appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Whether you first fell in love with his twisted brilliance during the dadaist Pink Flamingos debauchery or swooned over the campy ingenuity of Hairspray before it went mainstream, one thing’s for sure: John Waters is the trashy uncle we all wish we had.

The 78-year-old isn’t just a filmmaker—he’s a provocateur, an oracle, and for decades has proven the ultimate champion of weirdos everywhere. He’s the man who told us, “To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about.” From his pencil-thin mustache to his sharp tongue and sharp suits, Waters has spent decades breaking boundaries, offending sensibilities, and making Americana a little more fabulous. So buckle up and clutch your pearls as we talk Christmas witchcraft with Waters ahead of his visit to SD.

Let’s talk about your new record—not really a typical holiday album, is it?

Not at all. The first side is certainly a parody of one of the most hated Christmas carols ever: a barking dog singing “Jingle Bells.” I’ve always wanted to do it. It kind of joins the line of my other obscure records. Last year, I did a novelty song from the ’50s and even a spoken-word piece called “A Prayer to Pasolini,” which I recorded at the site where [the Italian poet and film director] was murdered.

But this record? It’s the worst cover record ever made! On the other side, it’s a spoken-word punk rock Christmas manifesto. It’s for people with a sense of humor. Right on the cover it says, “Please don’t listen to this record.”

Okay, so who are you hoping to reach with this project?

People who like to have fun at Christmas. People who don’t let it drive them crazy. Christmas has extremes—some people love it, others hate it. My spoken word and this record are for people who can laugh at it all.

What can audiences expect if they see your show this year?

Oh, I talk about everything. Being naked on Christmas. Drugs at Christmas. Santa creeping around children’s bedrooms—how he might be so politically incorrect now that he’d be canceled. I have a “good little boy and girl” list of what you can do to be good or bad at Christmas, and I even cover what not to give people as gifts. It’s all part of the fun.

What’s it like to put together a show like this every year?

I rewrite the show completely every year. So, even if you come annually, it’s a whole new show. The most amazing part? I memorize it. It’s 70 minutes, every year, brand-new. That’s my anti-Alzheimer’s exercise.

What do you hope audiences take away from your performances?

I think that everybody has stories. Everybody can entertain someone. There’s no reason to ever say you’re bored if you just watch human behavior.

Seems like you’re juggling a good amount—the record, the tour, your other shows. How do you keep going at this pace?

People always say, “I don’t know how you do it,” and I say, “I don’t know how I wouldn’t.” If it’s offered, and I’m alive, I’m going to do it. I’m busier than I’ve ever been. Santa keeps giving me new jobs!

Any message for your fans—or your haters?

To my fans, I’d say, thank you for making me never have to get a real job. Even though my hours are worse than yours. And my haters? I wish I had some! Respectability can be such a bore.

You know, when the Library of Congress made Pink Flamingos one of the Great American Films, I was amazed. I mean, imagine the screening where they decided that. I’m still picturing someone saying, “Yes, the singing asshole scene—this is art.” It’s astounding!

You’ll be performing at Lou Lou’s, which is a relatively new venue in San Diego. Have you been there before?

Not yet, but I’ve heard it’s gorgeous—like a 1930s supper club. I think it’s going to be great. And I love San Diego! We had all the Hairspray tryouts for the musical there before it went to Broadway, so I’ve spent some time in the city. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone!

A John Waters Christmas comes to Lou Lou’s Jungle Room at the LaFayette Hotel on December 8 and 9.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m.

The post John Waters is Coming to Spit on Your Holiday Spirit appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Marine Room

Japanese A5 Wagyu Strip Steak

Most dishes at The Marine Room have my vote for some of the top bites in SD. But the Wagyu strip steak may take the cake. Offered with Oaxacan ancho creme, onion ash, arugula, bacon jam, and sweet drop pepper, the steak is best served rare for a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience with a hint of charred goodness on the outside. –NM

Échale Wine Bar & Kitchen

Elote

I feel lightly sedated here. I am a mellow vibe with flammable secrets. That feeling is why Échale is Encinitas’ low-lit, lowkey hidden gem. The menu, made partially of family recipes from co-owner Jon Rhinerson, is mostly share plates. The street corn doesn’t have any alien whoa ingredients—your usual chili powder, chipotle aioli, cotija cheese, and cilantro—but sometimes classic notes, played at right volumes, are everything you need. –TJ

Madison on Park

Watermelon Stack

Halloumi is God’s grilling cheese—so sturdy it’s almost the steak of dairy. And sweet, juicy watermelon loves a grill mark. This share plate at Madison in University Heights puts both those facts to fantastic use. With fresh watermelon; grilled halloumi; creamy fat from avocado; the good, light pain of jalapeño; radish; mint; lime; and Aleppo pepper oil, it’s one of the best salads in town. –TJ

Ki’s Restaurant

Harvest Cobb Salad

My response to the old “If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?” thought experiment is always salad—a cheater answer, as the dish is as transformational as Willem Defoe. At Ki’s, it looks like romaine, chicken, bacon, roasted butternut squash, avocado, egg, and spicy candied pecans with a creamy corn-poblano dressing. Bonus: ocean views (in idyllic Cardiff-by-the-Sea, no less) at Sweetgreen prices. –AR

Surf Me a Taco

The “Beef”

Sometimes, a delicious taco is the difference between a good day and a great one. Every week, a side street by SDM‘s homebase fills up with food trucks for us in-office 9-to-5ers. Recently, Surf Me A Taco pulled up with one of the best tacos I’ve had in a while. Made with steak, grilled cheese, grilled onion, cilantro, and a spicy guacamole cream sauce that steals the show, this mouth party had me forgetting that I was on deadline for just about everything. –NM

Selva Coffee House

Mothertrucker

Located inside Terra Bella Nursery (which itself is perched in the deadly Frogger-game-come-to-life area underneath where the 5 and 8 interstates meet), Selva is a refuge for those who prefer the company of plants. A giant fan succulent dominates the room, while walls of greenery surround. The place is alive with conversation and happy little pothos. The Mothertrucker is a blooming pistachio and white mocha flower, a caffeinated Middle Eastern dessert in a glass. Mulch for the mind. –MH

Soi OB Thai Street Food

Tom Yum Soup

There are two types of people in this world: hardcore soup fanatics and the rest of us. Because I’m in the latter camp, on the rare occasion that I do order a bowl, it has to be pretty damn good. Soi OB‘S tom yum does not disappoint. It’s full of lemongrass, cilantro, green onions, kaffir lime leaves, and pork belly. The only issue is that my spice-sensitive self couldn’t finish it (if you’re like me, medium spicy will make your nose and eyes water). –NM

Frosty Burger

Ortega Chile Cheeseburger

Recently, I stopped at this roadside burger shack in Pine Valley during an aimless road trip through East County. Founded in 1980, the retro-fabulous outpost with a killer classic rock playlist was bought by a mom-and-daughter duo a year ago. “You can make anything a smash burger,” Mom told me, but I opted for the piled-high Ortega chile burger with pepper jack cheese instead, and washed it down with a vanilla soft-serve cone. It’s a burger joint time machine. –JB

Pho Duyên Mai

Egg Rolls & Grilled Chicken Vermicelli Noodles

Just across the 163 from Convoy’s buzz is a Vietnamese joint giving the beloved district’s eateries a run for their money. While phö is the star here, there are plenty of options for the soup-averse, including toasted banh mi, fluffy buns, and noodle dishes galore. This vermicelli bowl is a favorite, loaded with grilled chicken, crunchy cucumbers, pickled carrots, bean sprouts, daikon, and egg rolls topped with a splash of tangy fish sauce. –CN

Il Cannoli Bar

Chocolate-Dipped Cannoli

Carbs and cheese are winners anytime, but they’re underrated as a dessert, especially since cheese plates made the leap to the appetizer section of menus. Enter the sylphlike cannoli, which is fully customizable at the Little Italy Food Hall’s II Cannoli Bar. I went with the classic ricotta-filled, dipped in crushed pistachios on one end and strawberry dust on the other. –AR

Las Cuatro Milpas

The Full Spread

The menu at Barrio Logan’s Las Cuatro Milpas, touted by many as the oldest continually running Mexican restaurant in San Diego, is simple. If you order five rolled tacos; a couple of crispy pork tacos with shredded lettuce and cotija; a steaming bowl of rice, beans, and eggs; a knotted plastic bag of freshly made flour tortillas; and an orange Fanta, you’ll get to try almost everything on offer, but you might not be able to move for several hours afterward. With all of the rumors swirling around about whether it will close soon, I’d say it’s worth going for the full haul, just in case. –JB

Meraki

Aguachile Steak

When it’s not hosting weddings and parties, newish South Park restaurant and event space Meraki (from the team behind Buona Forchetta) is laying down plates like the aguachile steak: tender, grilled meat tossed in a smoky burnt tortilla sauce with a bold blend of serrano chili, cilantro, lime, and olive oil, complemented by cool cucumber, crisp red onion, cilantro, and a touch of aji-mirin. When my plate was suddenly empty, I assumed my partner snuck a bite, only to realize I’d devoured it all myself in record time. –AN

Il Fornaio

Casarecce Al Pesto E Pollo

Coronado isn’t typically a foodie hot spot, but Il Fornaio is a big exception—a gem amongst tourist traps, offering truly great food, speedy service, and a prime waterfront view that’s a steal for the price. This pasta stands out, featuring sundried tomatoes and a rich pesto. Pro tip: Enjoy dinner and wine here before catching the ferry to a concert at the Rady Shell for a traffic- and hassle-free evening. –CN

Shakespeare Pub

Bangers & Mash

Peas don’t get a lot of love these days—at least, not like in the early ’90s, when meals were served on top of wooden TV trays in the living room. Thankfully, this British pub in Old Town plates up a killer bangers and mash that’ll have you missing your daily helping of Nick at Nite. Be sure to load up your fork with a bite of sausage and grilled onions, a mountain of mash and gravy, and a sprinkling of those little green bulbs for the perfect helping of good ol’ days nostalgia. –NM

Lobby Lounge

Potato Croquette

Let’s call them what they are: tater tots, the great fried olive branch of humanity. Only these tots are light, crispy-fluffy wonders made by Roman Garcia, who was the chef de cuisine at Selby’s when it got its Michelin star and is currently leading the kitchen at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Amaya. They’re topped with Iberico ham (think of it as the world’s greatest, silkiest bacon bits), garlic aioli, and chili thread and served at the Fairmont’s all-new Lobby Lounge. –TJ

The post 15 of the Best San Diego Food & Drinks to Try This December appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

No. 24 SDSU Men’s Basketball vs. University of San Diego

Saturday, December 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Viejas Arena

Watch: YurView

After beating No. 21 Creighton and No. 6 Houston in a span of four days, SDSU has crashed the AP‘s Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll, landing at No. 24 in the latest rankings. It’s a familiar story for coach Brian Dutcher’s team. After an unremarkable start to the 2022-23 season, SDSU won 25 of their last 28 games to reach the national championship game. Last year, they lost seven games in a 15-game stretch before turning it around to make the Sweet Sixteen.

“When we scheduled this season, I knew I had a good team, but could we be good in November?“ Dutcher said after the recent victory over Houston. “It was a daunting four-game stretch with [Gonzaga], Creighton, Oregon, and Houston. But we played good basketball, and we did what we had to do.” The Aztecs will look to climb the rankings against crosstown rivals USD. 

November 25, 2024

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San Diego Seals vs. Colorado Mammoth

Friday, December 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena

Breakout the eyeliner and let your top eight on Myspace know that the Seals are back in action and hosting Emo Night at their game on Friday, December 13. But there’s no reason to be sad about San Diego’s National Lacrosse League franchise. In the five seasons since their inception in 2019, the Seals have compiled a 53-31 record and have never missed the NLL playoffs. (The 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.) Led by captain and star forward Wes Berg, the Seals look to build on last season’s successful 13-win campaign that ended in the NLL semifinals. Tickets start at $21 and the angsty singalongs are free.

San Diego Santa Run

Saturday, December 14 | 8:00 a.m. | 912 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach

Staged by San Diego Running Company, the San Diego Santa Run sees over 30,000 Santa Clauses descend from the North Pole to race through warm and sunny Pacific Beach. It’s why USA Today has named it the “best fun run” in the country, and it immediately precedes the PB Holiday Parade. There may not be a more festive day in San Diego. Registration for the 5K is $55, and includes a Santa suit and a drink ticket, redeemable at Mavericks Beach Club. Kids and pets don’t have to miss the festivities, either. For $35, they can participate in a one-miler. 

2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl

Friday, December 27 | Time: 5:00 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium

Watch: Fox

The 44th edition of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl has something for everyone. There’s the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, billed as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade,” and the Snapdragon Bowl Bash downtown. For those wanting to relive the glory days, there’s a tailgate party, and for those who want to burn off their holiday feasts there’s a 5K walk/run. And of course, there’s the Holiday Bowl game itself, which is typically one of college football’s best matchups of the year and one of San Diego’s great sports traditions.

“Last year’s game was fantastic with a strong USC performance over the highly ranked Louisville Cardinals,” said Jackie Reed, 2024 president of Sports San Diego. “We can’t wait for this year’s game at our new home at Snapdragon Stadium.” Teams will be announced on December 8, but tickets are available now.

San Diego Clippers vs. Memphis Hustle

Sunday, December 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Frontwave Arena

The NBA G League Clippers made their San Diego debut last month, and at 5-3 on the year they’re giving fans at Oceanside’s new Frontwave Arena an exciting brand of team basketball. None of the Clippers are one of the G League’s top-five scorers, yet the Clips are the third highest-scoring team. Led by guard Jordan Miller’s 20 points-per-game, they’re getting contributions from every position on the floor. There are two home games this month to see them in action, but the December 29 game against the Memphis Hustle stands out as First Responders Night. Tickets start at $18.

The post 5 San Diego Sports Events to Watch: December 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

East Village Holiday Happy Hour

December 6 

UCSD Park & Market will host its inaugural First Friday happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday with a holiday theme. The East Village Holiday Happy Hour will feature live music from dance band Full Strength, Italian food paired with wines and libations courtesy of Senses Bistro. Attendees can also give back by donating to the event charity, the Lucky Duck Foundation, which helps fund high-impact programs to assist San Diego’s homeless community. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door and come with one beer or glass of wine. 

1100 Market Street, East Village

November 29, 2024

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Del Mar Village Winter Taste & Sip

December 8

Stroll through Downtown Del Mar Village while sampling food and drinks from neighborhood eateries at the area’s annual Winter Taste & Sip from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday. The seasonal festivities will include live music from local bands and carolers, and ticket options for both taste-only ($50) and taste and sip ($61) attendees. Attendees can also enjoy activities like ornament making and the local holiday tree lighting at Del Mar Village’s free North Pole by the Sea event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Andrea Bocelli at Pechanga Arena

December 4

The maestro of melodies, Andrea Bocelli, will sing a medley of expansive arias, romantic ballads and tracks from his album A Family Christmas during his Wednesday concert at Pechanga Arena. Hear one of the world’s most prominent vocalists showcase his range with a show that celebrates his greatest hits with a helping of yuletide flair. Tickets are starting at $154 for this performance.

3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway

Trisha Paytas: TRISHMAS LIVE! at Civic Theatre

December 5

For “TRISHMAS LIVE!,” YouTube star, podcast personality and all-around entertainer Trish Paytas is taking her talents on the road for the holiday season. During her Thursday night show at the Balboa Theatre, Paytas’ forthright comedic style will shine with original holiday compositions like “I Love You Jesus,” “Covid Christmas” and “Merry Trishmas.” Tickets to “TRISHMAS LIVE!” start at $65.

1100 Third Avenue, Downtown

ISOKNOCK presents SAN DIEGO 4EVR at Thrive Park

December 7 & 8

This weekend at Thrive Park will be an epic homecoming for Julian Isorena (ISOxo) and Richard Nakhonethap (Knock2). Together they form the duo ISOKNOCK, and they’ll triumphantly return to their hometown with SAN DIEGO 4EVR, a sprawling 18+ festival for the crowd of dedicated year-round ravers. ISOKNOCK have gained a massive following for their thrilling live performances, and for their last performance of the year they’ll have a lineup full of EDM heavy hitters, with special guests like RL Grime, Peekaboo and Madeon. Two-day resale tickets are still available, starting at $299. 

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

Holiday Concerts at Epstein Family Amphitheater 

December 7 & 8 

UC San Diego ArtPower is throwing a pair of festive shows at the Epstein Family Theater this Saturday and Sunday, with a celebration of an Andalusian Christmas carol and a free holiday sing-along. Saturday’s Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! will feature Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico Grande. On the following night during Choir! Choir! Choir!, the audience will play a primary part in the vocal ensemble for an “Un-Silent Night.” Tickets start at $35 for Campana Sobre Campana. RSVP-only required for Choir! Choir! Choir!

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen at Palomar College

December 6-15

A grieving woman in ‘90s Ohio comes to terms with the loss of her sister through an action-packed Dungeons & Dragons adventure in She Kills Monsters. Directed by Heather Megill and written by Qui Nguyen, this story uses the fantasy role-playing game as a unique storytelling vehicle, with the protagonist becoming immersed in a world of beasts, battles and realizations. She Kills Monsters will run through December 15 at Studio Theatre at Palomar College. Tickets range from $10 to $16 and can be purchased here. 

1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos

Manny and The Wise Queens at Brooks Theatre 

December 6-22

The Oceanside Theatre Company’s humorous and hopeful new production Manny and The Wise Queens sees two wise queens bring a bit of Christmas spirit to a depressed teen in Bethlehem, USA on a pandemic-era night in December 2020. There will be a preview performance Friday night, with Saturday’s opening night performance to be followed by a Champagne toast after the show. Tickets range from $20 to $45 for this local theater production. 

217 North Coast Highway, Oceanside

FOUND ADRIFT | Timeless New Works Inspired by an 1876 Seaweed Scrapbook at Studio Culture

Opens December 6

Local artist and designer Ron Miriello has formed a collection of over 50 new works on canvas, textiles, video and lithographs to be displayed in FOUND ADRIFT | Timeless new works inspired by an 1876 seaweed scrapbook. Inspired by a recently found seaweed scrapbook from the 1880s, Miriello has crafted a testament to the world’s unseen natural artifacts. The free opening reception will take place on Friday night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Studio Culture (the former Woodbury School of Architecture), with a live DJ, food truck, beer and coffee. Following this, the exhibition will be open for appointment-only viewing through Feb. 1. 

2122 Main Street, Barrio Logan 

Making Merry: A Choral Holiday Celebration at Balboa Theatre

December 7 

The crooners of the San Diego Opera Chorus will run through holiday fan favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Carol of the Bells,” for “Making Merry” at the Balboa Theatre. This Saturday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m., special guests and chorus performers will sing both traditional and contemporary carols led by music director Bruce Stasyna. Tickets range from $23 to $163 for this performance. 

868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp

A John Waters Christmas at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room

December 8-9

The king of trashy cinema and the filthiest filmmaker of all, the legendary John Waters, will deliver a round of deliciously grotesque commentary on Christmas during a two night stint at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room. As Waters returns to San Diego for more nights of naughtiness, learn what gifts (and tricks) he has in store during A John Waters Christmas. Sunday’s show is already sold out but single tickets for Monday are still available here. 

2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park

More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend

Balboa Park December Nights

December 6 & 7 

Balboa Park will be buzzing during its free holiday festival, with dozens of food, drink and retail vendors, plus six live music stages platforming an array of community dance and music performances. But the fun at Balboa Park December Nights doesn’t stop there, with highlights like skateboard demonstrations, complimentary entry at select museums and a free ferris wheel in Pan American Plaza. Plus, there will be a community sock drive put on by SDGE in partnership with PATH San Diego to provide donations to unsheltered individuals. 

1549 El Prado, Balboa Park 

Makers Arcade Holiday Fair

December 6-8

See what San Diego’s most creative makers have in store at the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair, a three-day shopping extravaganza at the Broadway Pier. There will be more than 140 handmade vendors, a food truck court, photo booths, cocktail/mocktail and beer bars, live music and more. General admission is $6 online and $7 at the door while children under 10 years old will receive free entry. The first 75 people who enter each day will receive a swag bag and VIP packages—which come with three-day admission, gifts and merch—are available for purchase. 

1000 North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero

October 25, 2024

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City Lights: An Immersive Journey Through Light & Sound

December 6 – January 19 

Take a mesmerizing 50-minute walk through light displays, LED sculptures and digital art at Quartyard during City Lights. Attendees can enjoy six different illuminating zones created by artist Ben Guerrette, including sections with choreographed light and sound, and finish in a lounge with curated cocktails and a tapas menu from El Comal. After this weekend, City Lights will run from Thursday through Sundays until January 19. Tickets are $20 for adults and children under the age of 5 are free to enter.

1301 Market Street, East Village

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

December 7

Attendees can shop seasonal treats and handmade holiday items from local businesses and admire the lighting of the Piazza della Famiglia’s 25-foot tree and Joshua Hubert’s Aurora tree during this Saturday’s Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village. Ten-foot nutcrackers, light-up displays, Santa Claus, live entertainment, and the pleasing sound of merry music will also appear around the plaza from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

523 West Date Street, Little Italy 

The 54th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

December 8 & 15

Roughly 80 local schooners will coast through San Diego Bay on two Sunday nights in December as part of the annual Parade of Lights, with this year’s theme being “Peace on Earth.” The boats, all adorned in themed decorations, will begin at Shelter Island and finish by the Ferry Landing on Coronado. Best of all, the parade can be viewed for free along the coast at spots like Seaport Village, the Embarcadero and Cesar Chavez Park. 

San Diego Bay

The post 16 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: December 4-8 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The county’s festive spirit is revived and ready to bring its A-game when it comes to themed events—especially date nights. You can basically find every version of a Hallmark movie right here in the city. Santa run? Check. Cooking classes? Check. More tree lightings than you can fit in an entire month? Check.

Here are 12 holiday date ideas to experience with your love this season:

Fireside Films at Rooftop Cinema Club

Dec. 5–24

Starting off with a bang, Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing the heat with “Fireside Films” for the holidays. Known for their intimate evenings, the Embarcadero theater is offering cozy two-person loveseats with wood-burning heaters in their prime seating section facing the downtown skyline. Each ticket (starting at $24) includes a complimentary warm beverage, and the experience will be available for all Christmas films starting at 5 p.m. or later.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, 1 Market Pl, San Diego

October 25, 2024

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Winter Wonderland Igloo Dining at Marriott Marquis

Dec. 13–14 & Dec. 20–21

For a truly magical holidate post-skate, consider reserving a private, snow globe-inspired igloo at the Sleighbell Social event. Available on Dec. 13-14 and 20-21, these cozy, winter wonderland-themed igloos offer an intimate dining experience for up to six guests. The event has curated a prix fixe menu from Marina Kitchen, featuring delights like Baja Oyster Rockefeller and Prime Rib, or opt for a la carte selections from Agave Bar & Grill. Priced at $150 for a 90-minute reservation, the igloos are available at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the perfect setting for a festive and unforgettable evening.

333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego

“Lightscape” at San Diego Botanic Garden

Nov. 15–Jan. 5

To bring an enchanting twist to a typical tree-lighting head to “Lightscape” at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Now in its third year as a showcase, this immersive, after-dark experience features a stunning display of over a million twinkling lights along a one-mile trail, with breathtaking installations that create a festive, dazzling atmosphere. Stroll hand-in-hand through the gardens, take in the unique floral light displays, and make memories beneath the shimmering trees.

300 Quail Gardens Dr. Encinitas

Holly Jolly Bar at Las Tres Catrinas

Nov. 22–Dec. 29

Bucket Listers presents the Holly Jolly Bar at Chula Vista’s well-loved restaurant, Las Tres Catrinas, for their San Diego pop-up this year. This bar is a merry mix of Christmas cheer and colorful Latin flair, offering a themed welcome cocktail or mocktail with each $18 ticket, which also includes a 90-minute reservation. After being taken over for the holidays, Las Tres Catrinas’s over-the-top decor and soulful bites brings out a lively atmosphere and a happy spirit even the Grinch can’t avoid, where you’ll surely have both a naughty and nice time with that special someone.

555 Broadway Suite 1084 Chula Vista

Scenic Marina Skating and Tastings at Marriott Marquis

Nov. 25–Jan. 5

The new “Downtown Skate” roller rink at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina offers a unique holiday skating experience with stunning views of San Diego Bay. The eco-friendly, 6,000-square-foot rink features a variety of activities, including live DJs, local food trucks, and themed nights like “Swiftmas Skate” for Taylor Swift’s birthday, and industry night where tickets are marked down to $15. Guests can also order treats from local favorite Cali Cream, including exclusive ice cream flavors and gingerbread ice cream sandwiches. A sweet for your sweet.

333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Dec. 8 & 15

Our wallets are all going to be at their lightest this time of year, so I know we’d appreciate a budget-friendly, seaside date idea when we see one. The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a great way to have a free and improvisable event that could lead into a picnic by the harbor or perhaps an evening nightcap. Starting at Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m. and ending in Coronado, the “peace on earth” theme includes more than 80 boats decked out in dazzling holiday lights cruising along the bay. It’s like walking through a lit up neighborhood, except you don’t have to move a muscle and the crowds are really kept to a minimum. With the boats gliding past iconic waterfront spots, it’s an easy way to reminisce in the season’s glow without feeling like you’re in a holiday shopping mall.

Starting point: Shelter Island, San Diego

Gulls Hockey Game at Pechanga Arena

Nov. 2–April 19

Nothing screams winter romance like watching men crash into each other on the ice with a $5 beer in hand. And, dare I say, those jerseys with a beanie would make the perfect comfy date outfit. Hockey season is in full swing and weekends at Pechanga Arena are calling your name. The AHL San Diego Gulls have been enjoying a steady season and, whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or a first-timer, a hockey game offers an unforgettable experience that’s just as fast-paced and intense as the sport itself. If you’re able to catch one of their Friday night home games, you can get your hands on the Gulls’s signature Blue Line Blonde Ale collaboration with Mason Ale Works for an Abe.

3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego

Holiday pop-up bar at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Nov. 21–Dec. 24

Greenfinch Bar at Estancia La Jolla—an intimate, moody cocktail lounge with a masculine color palette—will transform into The Frosty Saddle, a cozy winter pop-up experience brimming with festive flair. Featuring signature mulled wine and freshly brewed eggnog, the hotel’s lead mixologist, Luis Tovar Zarate, has also curated an impressive menu of Instagram-worthy themed cocktails and mocktails like the Santa’s Milk Punch, Jingle Bell Bomb, Thin Ice (garnished with a white chocolate snowflake) and more. Waltz in during an afternoon or evening for an elevated staycation experience.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla

Tinsel Town at Tako

Nov. 29–Dec. 24

If you’re feeling sultry and daring, Tako’s Christmas jungle-themed speakeasy in Old Town is the perfect fit. Equipped with an intricate cocktail menu to match their sushi bar, this restaurant makes for an intimate, yet fun evening. Known for their vibrant drinks and mouth-watering bites, Tako is the newest trendy place to get a taste of SD’s culinary scene.

2836 Juan St. San Diego

Don’t Tell Comedy Secret Pop-Up Shows Across the County

Nov. 30–Jan. 4

The best nights are unexpected. In a time full of glee, Don’t Tell Comedy combines the element of surprise with infinite laughs from jokes told by local comedians at bars and breweries all over north and south county. In order to attend, you must first purchase a ticket for the neighborhood you’d like to see a show in. Only a week before the gig, the company will release both the location and lineup for the evening of your choice. Mystery and secrets galore. Live performances always leave you with an interesting story to tell. Why not share this unique experience with a date? Besides, if it all goes wrong, it’s not like you’ll run into them here again.

Various Locations

Wheel + Wine Workshop at Terra Terra

Every Friday and Saturday

Feeling creative and inspired even? Try the Wheel + Wine Workshop pottery class at the speakeasy Terra Terra studio in Little Italy. Spend two hours with owner Jazmin Colette learning to craft art on the pottery wheel and through hand-building techniques, all while enjoying wine, snacks, and good company. You’ll leave with 1-3 pieces of your own creation, and the studio provides everything you need—clay, tools, and glazes. Whether you bring a date or fly solo, it’s a relaxed and playful way to get into the holiday spirit. No experience is necessary.

2310-C Kettner Blvd., San Diego

Jingle Jazz Night at Blind Lady Ale House

Every Thursday

Every year, contemporary bar Blind Lady Ale House contributes to the community’s tradition of decorating for the holidays. It’s so inviting and perfectly nostalgic that even Will Ferrell approved. To add to the aesthetic and ambiance, every Thursday the brewpub puts on live jazz to pair with its craft beers and farm to pizza menu for all–making it a laid-back evening of bubbly splendor and closeness. If you can’t make it on Thursdays, BLAHs’ got vinyl spinning and DJ sets popping up throughout the month.

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