Every year, after the shopping fervor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, comes Giving Tuesday, a global initiative encouraging people to use their dollars for good. There’s no specific charity or organization tied to the movement—instead, you’re welcomed to choose the cause that lights you up and donate accordingly. To help you find the recipient closest to your heart, we rounded up 40 San Diego nonprofits fighting for social justice, environmental conservation, and everything in between. Donate your time or money to one of these meaningful organizations making a difference locally.
Feeding San Diego is one of the county’s most impactful hunger-relief organizations. To date, the nonprofit has provided San Diegans with more than 350 million meals through initiatives such as food drives, CalFresh program assistance, school pantries, food rescue programs, and more. The organization utilizes excess stock from local grocery stores and farms to reduce food waste while fighting hunger in our area.
The San Diego food bank distributed 50 million pounds of food last year and serves nearly half a million people every month across the county. As they advocate for the hungry and provide them with nutritious food, they educate others about issues related to food insecurity locally.
Lucky Duck Foundation
Lucky Duck funds and leads programs focused on aiding San Diego’s homeless population. The organization connects individuals to shelters, provides employment opportunities and job training, and delivers food and water to unhoused people.
Father Joe’s Villages
Established in 1950, Father Joe’s Villages have been a beacon of hope for San Diego’s homeless population. Each night, their shelters house 2,000 individuals, offering food, housing, and opportunities for those faced with serious illness, mental health issues, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Through their food, housings, education, and family services, Father Joe’s Village serves as a sanctuary for those in dire need within the local community.
Sharia’s Closet
Founded in 2006 by Shamine, Sharia’s Closet began with her personal mission to gather clothes, diapers, and hygiene essentials for those in need throughout San Diego. Today, this nonprofit has aided over 55,000 individuals, dedicated to providing emergency clothing to families and individuals facing crises.
Courtesy of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Social Justice Organizations
This Is About Humanity
This Is About Humanity focuses on helping children separated from their families at the border. The org supports families by providing legal services, mental wellness checkups, and living essentials. It also funds educational trips to the border and fights for changes to the US asylum system.
GenerateHope
Founded by Susan Munsey, LCSW, GenerateHope provides sex trafficking survivors long-term care, mental health services, safe housing, and comprehensive education programs to help them reintegrate into society and build brighter futures. To date, the program has helped more than 160 women in San Diego.
Support the Enlisted Project
Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) aims to develop financial literacy among enlisted service members and recently discharged veterans. STEP offers counseling, education, and grants to military members and their families. The organization also maintains an emergency financial assistance program and distributes food, supplies for babies, and other items to military families in need.
Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre
During the pandemic, Mexico reached its highest poverty level in a century. In response, Maru Rique created Tijuana Sin Hambre, an organization fighting hunger in San Diego’s sister city across the border. The nonprofit delivers 3,000 meals per day to shelters and orphanages throughout Tijuana.
AMVETS
AMVETS (American Veterans) works to assist local veterans through mental and physical health resources and housing programs. You can also support AMVETS by shopping at its two local thrift stores.
ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a public interest law firm working to protect human rights in the US. The organization’s local branch fights for equality, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, education equity, housing equity, and LGBTQ rights through litigation and lobbying efforts.
Courtesy of the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation
Health & Medical Charities
Scripps Health Foundation
As the most highly ranked hospital in San Diego County, Scripps focuses on philanthropy with the new Here for Good campaign, which is raising funds for the expansion of the Scripps medical system and community programs. The Scripps Health Foundation supports medical research and care for patients facing cancer, Covid, neurological issues, and more.
Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation
The Rady Children’s Hospital is considered one of the top ten children’s hospitals in the US. Its foundation funds orthopedic, cardiovascular, neurological, genomic, and mental health research for local kids.
San Diego Blood Bank
San Diego Blood Bank donates 150,000 units of blood per year to hospitals throughout Southern California. The nonprofit also supports research into more advanced blood type matching and the usage of umbilical cord blood to treat various diseases.
San Ysidro Health
San Ysidro Health offers affordable care in more than 20 clinics across San Diego County. Children and adults can utilize San Ysidro Health for medical, dental, and behavioral or mental health services.
Foundations of Sharp HealthCare
The Foundations of Sharp HealthCare plays a vital role in supporting San Diegans through critical medical services, groundbreaking clinical research, and compassionate caregivers across multiple campuses throughout the city. Donations to this foundation contribute to emergency health services, art-based healing initiatives, support for women and newborns, rehabilitation programs, and various other philanthropic efforts.
GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego
Since 2018, GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego has been supporting more than 600 families in the area, offering free educational, therapeutic, and career-building programs for individuals with Down syndrome from prenatal stages to adulthood. Run by primarily by volunteers, GiGi’s Playhouse strives to help participants and their families reach their highest potential
Courtesy of Baja Animal Sanctuary
Animal Charities
Baja Animal Sanctuary
Established in 1997, Baja Animal Sanctuary is Northern Mexico’s only no-kill shelter. The organization sterilizes stray and abandoned animals, cares for more than 400 pets at its Rosarita campus, and finds forever homes for rescued cats and dogs.
In addition to functioning as a shelter for rescued dogs and cats, the Helen Woodward Animal Center delivers pet food to homebound, low-income, and disabled seniors and veterans; offers educational and animal therapy programs; and operates two animal hospitals. Since its founding in 1972, the organization has taken in 44,483 animals and successfully found homes for 29,474 of them.
San Diego Humane Society
Every year, the San Diego Humane Society cares for over 40,000 animals, while sharing its expertise with other shelters nationwide. The organization raises orphaned baby cats in its kitten nursery, rehabilitates wild animals, and teaches kids about pet safety, among other programs.
FACE Foundation
The Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) partners with local veterinary hospitals and healthcare providers to offer assistance to at-risk pet owners. The organization serves low-income families, seniors, students, military, and anyone at risk of losing their beloved pet by supplying financial support for vital veterinary care.
Courtesy of Voices for Children
Youth & Elderly Nonprofits
Voices for Children
Voices for Children has supported the needs and well-being of local children in foster care for more than 40 years. The organization trains and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who spend time with kids in foster care and champion their needs before a judge.
South Bay Community Services
South Bay Community Services aids children and adults in need in the southern region of San Diego County. The organization offers early childhood education, mental health services, an LGBTQ center, resources for survivors of domestic violence, housing support, and other diverse programs. Through community efforts, the nonprofit has positively impacted the lives of over 50,000 children each year
ElderHelp
With over 350 volunteers committed to helping older adults live independently, ElderHelp coordinates care for seniors and provides transportation to appointments and social activities. Operating since 1974, the organization also helps connect seniors with affordable housing and provides other essential services for our community’s elders.
Meals on Wheels San Diego County
Meals on Wheels has delivered 624,887 nutritious meals to the homes of San Diego’s senior citizens. Volunteers also conduct safety checks and spend time with meal recipients to ensure the physical and mental well-being of local residents 60 years and older.
Teri Campus of Life
Founded in 1980, TERI Campus of Life provides lifelong support, education and vocational training to neurodiverse children, adults and families throughout Southern California. Its programs now serve more than 900 individuals and families each year, offering residential care, life skills training and community‑integrated support.
Promises2Kids, a dedicated San Diego organization, focuses on uplifting the foster youth population by providing them with invaluable opportunities, tools, and guidance. Over 3,000 foster youth have found support through developmental screenings, pet therapy, mentoring programs, engaging extracurricular activities, higher education counseling, and fundraising initiatives, all of which have been instrumental in helping them overcome various challenges.
Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego
For 55 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego has been a cornerstone for local youth, offering personalized mentoring that empowers children to strive for positive outcomes. This local chapter arranges frequent mentoring sessions, typically 2-4 times each month, and offers tailored programs catering to San Diego’s diverse populations, including the deaf, Latino, and military communities.
Arts & Culture Nonprofits
San Diego Symphony
Founded in 1910, the San Diego Symphony performs more than 140 concerts each year in addition to bringing music programs to local elementary, middle, and high school students. The organization hosts a paid summer internship program for teenagers, helping them develop leadership and public speaking skills.
Resounding Joy
Resounding Joy utilizes music therapy to aid those suffering from depression, PTSD, brain injuries, and other disorders. The organization offers programs specifically tailored to children, military service members, and senior citizens, including songwriting workshops and music lessons.
Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
Balboa Park’s collaborative brings together 25 members of its art, science, and cultural organizations—including museums, performing arts groups, cultural centers, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo—to increase the park’s environmental sustainability and improve visitor experience.
Las Patronas
Since 1946, this devoted team of volunteers has partnered with nonprofits across San Diego County to fundraise and provide grants for key community services that benefit health, education, and cultural arts. Las Patronas generates funds through initiatives and events such as their annual Jewel Ball—a social, philanthropic tradition in San Diego.
Kitchens for Good
Established in 2014, Kitchens for Good is a San Diego nonprofit harnessing the power of food to transform lives. Since launching its Baking and Hospitality Apprenticeship program in 2016, the organization has provided over 700 individuals with hands-on training in culinary, baking, and hospitality skills, aiming to break cycles of poverty and promote sustainable community growth.
Courtesy of Serge Dedina
Environmental Conservation Nonprofits
Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider San Diego is an environmental activism group centered on the protection of local beaches and coastal habitats. This organization combats plastic waste and ocean pollution through research, beach cleanups, and efforts to pass national and local legislation.
Wildcoast
This international team strives to conserve Earth’s ecosystems and address climate change. Wildcoast manages protected areas, advocates for conservation policies, promotes ocean wildlife education, and works to protect coastal communities across Mexico, Cuba, and the US.
Berry Good Food Foundation
Founded with a focus on regional, sustainable food systems, the Berry Good Food Foundation has built a network of farmers, chefs, and scientists to improve local access to healthy food, reduce food insecurity, and provide nutrition education for San Diegans.
Living Coast Discovery Center
Located in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center advocates for local wildlife through education and conservation efforts. The Discovery Center offers exhibits highlighting San Diego–area sea creatures, birds, and insects and hosts community events, local cleanups, and other projects.
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD)
Originating as the San Diego War Against Litter Committee in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego has spent over seven decades serving the community to keep San Diego beautiful and sustainable. In partnership with the San Diego Ecology Center since 1989, ILACSD organizes more than 600 community cleanups each year, collecting nearly half a million pounds of litter and working toward a zero-waste future for the region.
ECOLIFE Conservation
Founded by renowned conservation biologist Bill Toone, ECOLIFE Conservation is a San Diego nonprofit tackling major global threats to both people and wildlife. Known for its impactful initiatives, the organization has established the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and delivered over 13,500 eco-stoves, which have preserved more than half a million trees in the process.
What Will It Take to Make San Diego a Global Arts City?
Jonathon Glus on the Art + Design District, investing in the creative economy, keeping artists in the city, and what we can learn from places like London and Chicago
Jonathon Glus is the Prebys Foundation senior fellow leading the development of the Art + Design District at the Downtown San Diego Partnership. He has been asked what an arts and design district is many times. In our conversation, I asked him instead to describe what it isn’t. His answer opened up a broader discussion about what San Diego has and hasn’t invested in, what it has the capacity to become, and what other cities have done that we haven’t. Glus speaks about global art fairs and architecture biennials in Chicago and long tables at dinner parties all with the same fluency. He also discusses who gets to live in the neighborhoods where creative work happens, and what it means when they can’t afford to stay.
Claire Johnson: You have been asked what an arts and design district is many times. Can you tell me what it isn’t?
Jonathon Glus: It is not a place designed intentionally and specifically for tourists. Of course there will be opportunities for tourists to come, but the district is really focused on creatives, on creative education, and on the creative workforce—as well as our major performing arts organizations. That is the emphasis.
What does the district need to do in the next five years for you to consider it a success?
[It needs to] develop greater connectivity between the anchor institutions—the symphony, Broadway San Diego, the opera, all the wonderful things happening in Balboa [Park]—and the creative workforce that will be living and working in that neighborhood 24/7.
What does San Diego not have that you wish it did?
We have not been intentionally investing in the contemporary art product that other major cities have been building. A contemporary art fair. A biennial that reflects the ethos of this region. Chicago developed an architecture biennial about eight years ago. London has a design biennial. Desert X, right here in Southern California, invests in and elevates contemporary artists inside a city. We have not really been playing in the global art market in a way that we have the capacity to.
What capacity do we have?
We have a wonderful foundation. Two theater companies that produce work that goes to Broadway more than many regional theaters in the country, major museums, artists teaching at UC San Diego and University of San Diego. What a city does when it wants to take itself to the next level is intentionally create the product. Miami went after the Art Basel fair; they did not passively receive it. You have to have the intention and the will, and you have to go after it. We haven’t done that in the way that other cities have.
Look at what we did with the tech sector; we’re now a major tech center. That was intentional. Leadership organized around it. We have to do the same thing around the arts. We have a lot of contemporary art collectors here. We have a lot of galleries. But the ecosystem of the business of contemporary art is not as organized or as visible as it should be.
Which city is your North Star?
It’s bits and pieces of different cities. Dubai has invested very quickly and very intentionally in contemporary art—art fairs, design fairs, higher education, artist residencies from all over the world. London has centered artists and creatives in the contemporary zeitgeist in a way that was not true 40 years ago. They built biennials. They ensured British artists had affordable housing and workspace. They made sure the media paid attention to what they were doing.
If you don’t have an artist at your dinner table, it’s not a dinner party. That sounds elitist, but it’s true. It shows the value that artists have in a community. Our relationship culturally with Tijuana is really significant here because artists in Baja seem to be at the table.
We’ve talked before about how food, fashion, design, and art aren’t siloed anymore.
They aren’t. When super creative people are in a community doing extraordinary work, that draws other super creative people doing extraordinary work. That’s why other arts and design districts around the world end up populated with some of the most interesting restaurants and young fashion designers. Creatives want to be around other creatives.
Which leads to the economic argument…
Our creative economy already employs about 170,000 people and generates more than $11 billion in economic activity. It’s large and robust. But we must center all of this in accessibility and affordability. Williamsburg used to be affordable. Artists can’t afford to live there anymore. Wicker Park and Bucktown in Chicago—artist central, now unaffordable. If we’re going to invest in this district, we have to be really intentional about housing and workspace, so creatives have a place in the future of this district.
I see all these new supper clubs and creative collectives popping up. What is the lesson there for San Diego in terms of the commercialization of cultural and creative groups?
I think the lesson is that nothing changes. What do people love? Long tables. Why? Because you’re with a lot of people—some you may have known your entire life, but most you don’t. And if it’s driven by a creative process, all the better. We know one of the best ways to do that is around food, but also music.
For the Art + Design District, part of why we’re leaning into the process is because, culturally, we’re bringing down the barriers between film, fashion, multimedia, tech, and architecture. It’s an experiential mashup in the best possible way.
And it’s not just about art and design, but community writ large. Creative expression is something we all desire. Whether it’s at a long table, at the opera, or in your studio, we gravitate toward creative expression as a way of building community and communicating with the people around us.
Is there a question I should have asked you but haven’t?
I hope you are writing about this in seven years when the district is fully mature. But this is just the beginning for all of this. I think that’s what’s most exciting to me. We don’t know what this is going to be like, but we know it’s going to be creatively centered, and that’s super exciting to me.
On February 28, 1926, the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego (now called the San Diego Museum of Art) opened its Plateresque doors to 3,000 guests for opening day. Over the next century, the museum changed with the times—even once functioning as a naval hospital after Pearl Harbor. This year, the museum is celebrating its 100th birthday with an exhibit (open through January 24, 2027) featuring photographs, ephemera, and film footage spanning the museum’s history.
Courtesy of Tim Novara
Free Concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Every Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m., stop by the historic Spreckels Organ Pavilion for a free concert presented by the City of San Diego on the largest outdoor organ in the world (more than 5,000 pipes). The pavilion seats 2,400 for performances by the civic organist or guest artists.
Some think natural history museums are just cemeteries for dioramas that haven’t received an update since the Reagan administration. When it comes to The Nat, which just finished a $7.5 million rejuvenation, they’re totally wrong. The museum debuted a new rooftop that replaces its 25-year-old atrium. The old roof created a greenhouse effect that steamed up some exhibits, so the new one—which includes 200 solar panels and better temperature control—will help preserve the artifacts inside. Each Friday in the summer, The Nat also becomes one of the season’s vibiest hotspots during Nat at Night, with food from places like Wolf in the Woods and The Craft Taco, bars and signature cocktails on several floors, and a rooftop DJ.
Fleet Science Theater Remodel
The Fleet Science Center just received its most significant update since the 1990s. It expanded its exhibit space by 20 percent and introduced a newly designed entrance gallery (formerly the IMAX theater lobby) that includes free exhibits for visitors who want a taste of the science without paying an admission fee. The former ticketing area now houses the Mindbender Mansion exhibit, and there’s a new café, Element 8, that will, of course, sell the center’s famous soft serve.
September is San Diego’s unofficial second summer—the crowds thin, the weather stays warm, and the city’s calendar somehow gets even busier. This month brings stadium-sized rock shows, Broadway’s buzziest comedy, a new anime convention, world-premiere theater, gallery openings, food festivals, and the first signs of spooky season. Whether you’re ready to lean into fall or determined to keep summer going, here are the best things to do in San Diego this September.
As Guns N’ Roses storm into decade five, their appetite for destruction persists. During their Snapdragon Stadium concert, hear the hard rock anthems, new material and a set from The Black Crowes.
9/23
Kehlani is proof that the romance and earnest sensuality of old-school R&B will never go out of style. Hear her take it back to the aughts at Viejas Arena.
From the silver screen to The Old Globe stage, John Carney will Begin Again (again) with a world premiere musical adaptation featuring new songs—courtesy of Train—and a story overflowing with hope.
9/12-10/17
The concept of work is a guiding principle for San Diego native and multidisciplinary creative noé olivas. Observe his community-informed approach via Tierra y Cielo (Earth and Sky) at Best Practice Gallery.
9/18-10/25
Two workers grapple with the weight of their roles at a temporary migrant shelter in Mario Vega’s world premiere play Our Lady of the San Diego Convention Center, set for citywide performances.
9/26-2/28/2027
Luminous visions of peace and the Punjabi-American roots of Rupinder Kaloti inform The Gathering, a wondrous unification of family foretold via paintings at Oceanside Museum of Art.
9/29-10/4
It’s Mary Todd Lincoln’s world and we’re just living in it. See the presidential paramour barrel to her way to stardom at the Civic Theatre during Oh, Mary!, Cole Escola’s political spoof.
Courtesy of SeaWorld
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
9/5 & 9/6
Pros and Con(vention)s: Anime San Diego will debut at the San Diego Convention Center with cosplayers, panels and more than 400 vendors well-versed in Japanese animation.
9/11-10/31
Scaredy cats beware: SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream embraces frights forged in darkness. Enjoy an ominous lineup of live shows, scare zones and bloody bars ahead of Halloween.
9/12
The best parts of Artivál and the Alley Cat Art Walk have united for the free Alley Cat Art Fest, an all-day outing for live music and immersive artwork in Downtown El Cajon.
9/12 & 9/13
Take a Grecian vacation for a fraction of the price during the annual Cardiff Greek Festival, two days of immersive cuisine and culture—with plenty of dancing—on the Encinitas coast.
9/13-9/20
Step away from the stove! The California Restaurant Association has eight days of eating experiences with your name on it. During San Diego Restaurant Week, explore by meal, neighborhood or cuisine for your personal dining plan.
9/16
Nourish yourself with an all-inclusive spread of Pacific Beach eats and locally-crafted artwork during the HeArt of PB Restaurant Walk on Garnet Avenue.
9/19
When it comes to stand-up comedy, Chelsea Handler is always ready to roast. See Handler tell anecdotes and skewer an assemblage of victims during her Balboa Theatre performance.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Kelly H. Harfouche, founder of KQ Aesthetic Society, knows firsthand that cosmetic treatments like fillers, neurotoxins, and microneedling, can not only enhance a person’s appearance and restore confidence, they have the power to truly change a person’s life. An expert injector has the ability to tailor treatments to each individual patient’s anatomy and goals for personalized results. Harfouche, a board-certified nurse practitioner, has spent nearly a decade perfecting her craft as an aesthetic injector and integrating her multifaceted artistic skills with precision patient care. Her commitment to continual education and training, plus a passion for helping people look—and feel—their best, set KQ Aesthetic Society apart in a sea of local medspas.
For many people considering nonsurgical treatments, the intent is to look refreshed and refined. KQ Aesthetic Society’s philosophy eschews a cookie cutter approach that bases treatments around units, instead working to understand each person’s unique goals, then curating a treatment plan to fit that vision. Harfouche focuses on “inclusive luxury,” the belief that everyone deserves access to aesthetic treatments, respective of budget restrictions. She develops long-standing trusted relationships with her patients, and works with each one to achieve their aesthetic objectives and address the underlying causes of their concerns.
“For me, forming an honest and open relationship with every patient who walks through the door is essential. This means understanding them on a deeper level and meeting them where they are to define and achieve their individual goals,” she says.
Drawing on her artistic background, which inspired her transition into medical aesthetics, Harfouche sees each client as a “unique canvas.” Rather than relying on standardized procedures, the practitioner’s distinctive approach combines her profound understanding of the physiological and anatomical changes associated with aging with an unwavering commitment to ongoing education about the newest products and their mechanisms of action. Her goal is to make each patient feel beautiful in their own skin and to embrace their individuality.
She has also pioneered a way to combine her talent for aesthetic artistry with her philanthropic nature. Harfouche is one of only a handful of providers using dermal fillers to treat patients with lip asymmetry and scarring resulting from cleft lip surgery. Patients travel from around the country for this transformative treatment, noting increased confidence and a restored identity. She hopes to eventually launch a training program to help fill the void in this space.
“My passion has always been connecting with people and giving back in any capacity that I can,” she says. In the rapidly advancing landscape of aesthetic medicine, you can place your confidence in Harfouche and KQ Aesthetic Society to deliver exceptional care. To learn more or book a consultation, please visit kqaestheticsociety.com.
La Jolla has a rich history. From its roots as Kumeyaay territory and early days shaped by influential San Diegans like Ellen Browning Scripps to the vibrant hub for arts, culture, and education that it is today, the roughly seven-mile stretch along the coast has long been a local gem.
In 1964, a group of volunteers came together to preserve the history of the community. They formed the La Jolla Historical Society, which has since evolved into the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. For the past 62 years, the organization has worked to protect historic buildings, archival materials, and recorded memories, ensuring the character of the neighborhood would endure well into the future.
“La Jolla is a small community, but it has a fascinating history,” says Lauren Lockhart, executive director of the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. “The focus was always on how do we preserve the stories, places, and people that make La Jolla unique, and that remains central to our mission.”
However, in its early days, the organization was limited in what types of programming it could offer because it didn’t have a permanent homebase. A pivotal point came in 2008, when it was gifted Wisteria Cottage, originally the private residence of Virginia Scripps, by descendants of the Scripps family. The historic Craftsman cottage had been remodeled by famed architect Irving Gill, whose other modernist works are peppered throughout La Jolla, adding to its distinctive look. The organization then launched a capital campaign to expand into a museum-quality space to host exhibitions and to store the tens of thousands of photos, drawings, postcards, and other materials in its collection, Lockhart explains.
“At that point the organization could really begin to invest in developing a public space and public programs that would give back to the community,” she adds. “That effort accelerated with my predecessor, Heath Fox, who pushed the organization to think about an exhibition program that was interdisciplinary in nature. It’s something that drew me to this organization and that I’ve continued to advocate for because examining history through lenses of art, architecture, science, and literature is so compelling and such a great way to bring different audiences into the fold.”
Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla
The organization entered another period of transformation this year when it “outgrew” its previous identity as La Jolla Historical Society and officially rebranded as the Museum of History and Culture La Jolla. The organization had transitioned from a traditional historical society into a professionally operated museum and wanted to reflect that while also amplifying its ability to connect with broader audiences.
“We’ve grown so far beyond what a traditional historical society might offer to the public that we were finding that often, especially younger generations, they would come through our doors and say, ‘Wow, it’s a lot cooler than I thought it would be,’ which is a nice compliment, but it made us ask ourselves who’s not coming through our doors because they’re not sure what we have to offer or that they will see themselves reflected here,” says Lockhart. “We wanted to remove that barrier and make sure that everyone, just from recognizing our name, will think, That sounds like there’s something there for me, and that definitely is evidenced in our current programming and exhibitions.”
Courtesy of Museum of History and Culture La Jolla
The change, she says, has been a long time coming. “We’ve already made a lot of huge strides over the years,” Lockhart says. “It’s about our name catching up to our work.”
The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla’s current exhibits include Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles, presented in partnership with the Visions Museum of Textile Art at Liberty Station, on display through September 6. On deck is The Scientific Art of Historic Preservation, which explores the processes behind the museum’s mission. To honor the philanthropic spirit of the Scripps sisters, admission to the museum and many of its public programs are free of charge.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
September 4: Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Day of Service
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will honor the legacy of the late Jimmy Buffet with a fundraiser for the San Diego Music Foundation. Its Day of Service at its rooftop bar will feature a performance by The Buffett Band, a travel and experience themed silent auction, and interactive entertainment.
September 5: McAlister Institute Walk for Sobriety
Hundreds of San Diegans will gather at NTC Park at Liberty Station for the McAlister Institute’s 14th Annual Walk for Sobriety. In addition to the walk, the event will include a resource fair with more than 35 nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community organizations that are part of a network of support for those in recovery.
September 14: Promises2Kids Dream On Concert Gala
Foreigner will take the stage to benefit Promises2Kids at its Dream On Concert Gala at a private home in La Jolla. Proceeds from the exclusive event will help Promises2Kids create a brighter future for local foster kids.
September 17: Lucky Duck Foundation 2026 Showcase Soirée
The Lucky Duck Foundation will host its annual Showcase Soirée at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. Proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit’s mission to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County.
September 17: Emilio Nares Foundation Harvest for Hope
Show your support for families of local children with life-threatening diseases at the Emilio Nares Foundation’s Harvest for Hope at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Funds raised will benefit programs like Ride With Emilio, which provides no-cost transportation for families seeking medical treatment, and Healing Through Nature activities for kids in recent cancer remission.
September 18: Girl Scouts San Diego Urban Campout 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts San Diego’s Camp Winacka, the organization will host a nostalgic evening under the stars. This year’s Urban Campout: Ignite the Possibilities at Girl Scouts San Diego’s Balboa Campus will feature camp-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and activities.
September 19: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego’s An Evening of Changing Lives
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego will celebrate its impact on local youth at its 13th annual An Evening of Changing Lives. Proceeds from the gala at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina support programs that promote academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles.
Youth Tennis San Diego will honor the sport’s American icons at its annual gala at the Barnes Tennis Center. An Evening Celebrating Tennis Heritage & Legends will help the nonprofit make tennis accessible to all youth in San Diego, regardless of background or skill level.
September 19: Serving Seniors Sunshine Gala
Serving Seniors will produce a Jukebox Broadway-style show for its highly anticipated Sunshine Gala. The evening at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar will support Serving Seniors’ compassionate and life-changing services for seniors in need throughout San Diego.
September 25: Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament
Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) will host an 18-hole golf tournament on the South Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa to raise money for its financial wellness program. Proceeds from STEP’s Swing Fore Our Heroes Charity Golf Tournament will help connect military families and veterans in need with financial social workers, emergency relief, and other tools.
September 26: Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope
Tom Petty Tribute Band, PettyBreakers, will take the stage at the Doors of Change 2026 Concert of Hope at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. This year, the nonprofit will celebrate its 25th year of transforming the lives of unhoused youth.
September 26: Boys to Men Mentoring 100 Wave Challenge
Boys to Men Mentoring will celebrate30 years of service this year at its annual 100 Wave Challenge. The annual surf-a-thon event welcomes hundreds of surfers who attempt to catch 100 waves in one day and raise $1,000 or more to support Boys to Men Mentoring.
September 26: The Party in the Park
The San Diego Automotive Museum will host The Party in the Park to raise money for the museum and programs that equip youth for careers in the automotive industry. The Roaring 20s-themed event at the Balboa Park institution will feature live jazz and an exhibit of 1920s automobiles.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
AVRP Studios’ tradition for Design Excellence and Innovation began in 1976 with Doug Austin, FAIA, in Solana Beach, California. The firm has since grown to complete major projects throughout the United States and Canada. We think of ourselves as a family and we care deeply about people. We want to inspire, help make their lives richer and more complete through our efforts. We believe that architecture is one of the most important art forms because of the impact it can have on the lives of those it touches. We’re delighted to have been recognized with over 150 awards for design excellence.
703 16th Street, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92101 | 619-704-2700 | avrpstudios.com
