It begins innocently enough. You exchange numbers. You start to text. You ask about siblings and their hometown and send a flirty selfie or two (after 26 takes). And, finally, you decide the beige flags outweigh the pink ones. (This is modern romance, after all.) Now, you’re ready to ditch your digital correspondence and go 3D—it’s time for a date.
To give Cupid’s arrow some tailwinds, we’ve devised 20 stellar ideas to get you and your boo(or bestie, if you prefer to enjoy the city without sweaty palms and will-we-won’t-we pressure) out and about all over the county. All we ask for in return is an invite to the wedding—or at least some kiss-and-tell intel on that first smooch.
So, go for it. Ask them out. We’ve got you covered with everything from first-dates to anniversary adventures. All you gotta do is bring the charm.
Échale Photo Credit: Kai Diaz
Encinitas
The sparks of creativity won’t be the only ones you feel tonight. Begin your date at the Institute of Contemporary Art North, a living laboratory of up-and-coming, often experimental fine artists. Spy soon-to-be classics and roam the halls of this North County museum to learn a little more about your partner’s tastes (you may be sharing an art collection, after all).
Then, swing by Leucadia’s The Mudd House. At this pottery studio, you can reserve a wheel and go for it or sign up for group or private lessons for a tutorial if you haven’t held clay since 9th grade. (Warning: Any Demi-Moore-Patrick-Swayze moments will amp up the chemistry but end up killing whatever you’ve thrown on the wheel.) End the night at Échale, the chicest little SoCal-inspired bistro in town, with a plethora of organic wines and a menu that offers bites like gambas al ajillo and local sea bass.
Courtesy of Jaguar Paw
Barrio Logan
Every second Saturday brings the perfect excuse to hit the streets of one of San Diego’s coolest neighborhoods, Barrio Logan. Running from noon to 8 p.m., the Barrio Art Crawlis a monthly self-guided tour of the area’s 15 or so galleries. Check out what’s on the walls at the lynchpin art space Bread & Salt—its micro-galleries like Best Practice support some of the most innovative cross-border art in the county. Then, head up from Julian Avenue onto Logan Avenue to stop at spots like the Logan Ave Galeria de Arte and Galeria Mestizaje, home of the Aztlan Youth Brigade, which has been helping update the murals at Chicano Park.
After working up an appetite from all that strolling and being insightful, try a cult-classic fish sando at Fish Guts, the charming shack run by renowned chef Pablo Becker. From there, amble along to Jaguar Pawfor a nightcap that won’t set you back tomorrow, thanks to a robust menu of low-ABV offerings and mocktails. The bar also offers organic wines, kombucha, and the stronger stuff should you need it, all set to live music and a swinging scene, perfect for impromptu dancing and whispering sweet nothings. May we suggest, “You’re the best artwork I saw tonight?”
Cabrillo Tidepools Photo Credit: Cole Novak
Point Loma & Ocean Beach
Great dates don’t just happen—they’re thought out ahead of time. And Point Loma is a layup when it comes to planning to spoil your date with pretty things to look at while stuffing your face with delicious eats. So, how do a little tide-pooling and a sunset picnic sound? Start off at Cabrillo National Monument, where you can spend your afternoon peering at ocean critters and traversing trails or exploring the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which, at more than 440 feet above sea level, is considered the highest lighthouse in the US.
Then bring things down to earth in OB and hit up the iconic, family-run Little Lion Café, where you can grab some to-go grub with options ranging from croissant sandos to cobb salads. (Pro tip: There’s a gas station across the street for drinks.) Then, lay down a blanket for a sunset snuggle on the nearby Sunset Cliffs, where you can tally up all the romantic brownie points you just scored.
If the date is going well once the sun sets at the cliffs, OB is where it’s at for late-night live music, drinks, and good kinds of trouble.
The Holding Company: With a rooftop bar offering a mix of modern Asian-inspired food and crafty drinks, plus two live music venues with wildly diverse lineups downstairs, THC is a solid choice for both the cocktail-inclined and the musically adventurous. So, if you’re looking for a show, this is a safe place to roll the dice.
Winstons Beach Club: There’s not a frill to be found at this laidback venue known for hosting an eclectic mix of local reggae, jam bands, and comedy nights. Unpretentious and OB to the core, Winstons is a favorite local hang. Hemp hoodies welcome.
The Harp: Recently purchased by Miles Doughty, the frontman of OB-based band Slightly Stoopid, The Harp is the revitalized beating heart of the Newport Avenue live music and beer (and early-morning European soccer) scene. Bands play loud here, so popping in for a show is less about conversation and more about seeing how your date dances to reggae-rock.
Courtesy of Hidden Fish
Convoy District
Ahead of “til death do us part,” give “for richer, for poorer” a test run with a high-low night in Convoy. Omakase spot Hidden Fish’s 12-seat sushi gallery boasts offerings from Japan’s world-renowned Toyosu Fish Market. During your 90-minute slot, you’ll nibble 18 delectable morsels of silky sashimi, and what’s sexier than that? If you said a pitchy performance of “Take On Me,” you’re in luck—Carriage House Cocktails & Karaoke is only a five-minute walk away. You’ll know you’re there by the blackout windows and sole, flickering Budweiser sign.
Inside is a dive to win all dives. Darts whiz past your barstool and the sand on the shuffleboard table hasn’t been changed, well, ever, but everyone who follows the bouncing ball here gets a healthy round of applause. Once you’ve heard all the forced vibrato you can stomach, trade “loudly sung” for a “Softly Spoken”—a gentle elixir of Diplomatico rum, Michter’s bourbon, Pedro Ximenez sherry, mango, coconut cream, Chinese five spice, orange, lime, and angostura bitters—at Realm of The 52 Remedies, a favorite amongst San Diego’s bar industry elite.
Courtesy of Belmont Park
Mission Bay
Ah, young love. Is it the best kind? Find out by channeling your inner teenager and spending a day in Mission Bay. Enter the gates of Belmont Park and walk down the midway full of the aromas of funnel cakes and pheromones as you attempt to win your paramour a gigantic stuffie with your dart-throwing or water-gun accuracy skills.
If the thrill of riding the 100-year-old Giant Dipper roller coaster didn’t get you in the mood, maybe snuggling up on a Sea-Doo will. Head to Mission Bay Sportcenter and hold tight to your own bae for a jet ski excursion. Bring a change of duds (something a little fancier) to end the evening with a meal at Dockside 1953. This nautical-leaning eatery at the Bahia Resort boasts unbridled views of the water and options like seafood towers and braised lamb.
The key to a successful first out-of-towner? Keep it low-pressure by escaping only an hour from downtown SD to Fallbrook. Make it an early morning mission and head up the 15 to Monserate Mountain Trail Loop, a hike that takes you up 1,400 feet. At the summit, you’ll be greeted with views of the Peninsular Range and hopefully a sweaty hug.
This is proof that you can weather the ups and downs together should be all you need to get them a rock—a semi-precious one, anyway. At the nearby Oceanview Mine, you can pick and pry for gems (tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, and more) with local company Dig for Gems. Finally, wind down with a visit to Monserate Winery. Go through a guided tasting with the resident oenophiles; it includes six of the winery’s estate-grown vinos, plus some welcome bubbles to tickle your palate.
Courtesy of Discover Coronado
Coronado
Time for your own personal Love Island—with fewer camera crews, bare midriffs, and (hopefully) shouting matches and more adorable architecture, charming shops, and sea breezes. Coronado’s Flagship Ferry launches near the Convention Center or the Broadway Pier to take you to the idyllic peninsula. After a quick sprint across the bay with epic views of the Coronado Bridge, get your land legs and then head to the Coronado Municipal Golf Course for a bucket of balls.
Neither of you know how to play? Even better. Forge your bond in the fire of open self-mockery and a pact to forever avoid anything but putt-putt. Give yourselves a congratulatory quiet clap, then show them your true grip with a cutesy handhold as you mosey over to The Henry to split a plate of short rib potstickers and people-watch below charming striped umbrellas.
La Jolla
San Diego is a destination for millions of visitors each year—so why not play tourist in your own backyard for a carefree day of staycation stylings? Begin with brunch at Sea & Sky, Hotel La Jolla’s penthouse perch with panoramic views of the Pacific. Get energized with pancakes that play with the flavors of pink lady apples, cinnamon anglaise, and a pecan-oat crunch.
More of a savory character? Try the green egg shakshuka. Then, strap on your life vest, stretch your arms, and climb into a boat built for two to explore the coast’s famous sea caves on a guided tour with La Jolla Kayak. Once you’ve saluted the sea lions, say hi to other marine life at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which houses tiny penguins almost as cute as your boo.
Youngblood Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra
Downtown
If music be the food of love, a musical is a veritable buffet—but first, treat them to an actual meal at Saint James French Diner. Sit two-by-two at the très mignon bar or head upstairs to the roof to see the expanse of the Gaslamp in all its historically debaucherous glory. Try the steak or moules frites (they both come with fries, so how can you go wrong?) and sip a vert-hued cocktail in anticipation of your seats at the San Diego Civic Theatre’s live production of Wicked. (We suggest the absinthe frappe to stay on-brand emerald.)
Stroll a few blocks to the theater and follow the love story of two not-so-different friends. After the show, head towards 8&G, the compound that houses Youngblood, a minuscule, Parisian-style, gem-in-the-wall cocktail speakeasy with a mere 16 seats. Once inside, try not to stare at the genitalia-print carpet and only into your date’s eyes.
A splash of bubbles greets you as the bartenders begin to whip, shake, and stir an intoxicating, three-course, liquid trip based wholly on your preferences. Taking a paramour someplace where the mixologists can turn their favorite dessert into a digestif is sure to make you, well, popular.
Courtesy of Market on 8th
South Bay
Tired of taking yet another pedicab-dodging Tinder stroll through the Gaslamp? Show your date the underrated charms of South Bay instead. Begin at Chula Vista Bicycles, where you can rent a pair of two-wheelers for a half-hour ride (just under six miles via Broadway and the Bayshore Bikeway) to Market on 8th for a food cruise—but be sure to call ahead for bike availability.
After your self-guided tour of the food hall’s wares (perhaps Sushi National for some Japanese-Mexican mash-up or an espresso sweet treat from Alessie Café?), swap the bikes for your whip and roll into the South Bay Drive-In for a flick. May we recommend ditching the front seat for the back to ensure ample cuddling space? You’ll thank us when you come up for air as the credits roll.
Courtesy of The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines
The craggy and majestic Torrey Pines cliffs are romantic enough, but when you add the peril of paragliding and hang gliding at the Gliderport, intimacy is sure to take flight. Unless you’ve gone through glider school, you’ll have to break away from your babe to do a tandem soar with some of North America’s best glider pilots. But the views of the rolling, watery corduroy below are worth it. Once you’re back in the safety of terra firma, head up to The Lodge at Torrey Pines and sneak onto the croquet court, perched above the greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course with a spectacular view of the horizon.
A mallet in hand always gives Heathers, so find your inner Christian and Winona as you compete in this very civilized sport (just leave the chainsaws and TNT at home). Finish up your hang by patronizing yet another hotel down the road. Estancia La Jolla’s Mustangs & Burros offers open-air dining and a central fireplace to amp up the cozy factor—just in case your margarita (or your date) doesn’t do the trick.
Photo Credit: Andrew Jorgensen
Shelter Island
When was the last time you ventured over to Shelter Island? If you’re local, we’re willing to bet it’s time to revisit, if only for the food at nearby Old Venice, where we suggest opening with what restaurant critic Troy Johnson called “the little black dress of apps”—baked triple-cream brie served with a hulking bulb of roasted garlic—then moseying into the rigatoni bolognese. If you scored the two-top that’s fireside, linger over dessert. If not, ditch the sweets in lieu of something fortified at Bali Hai.
Swing hand-in-hand to this Shelter Island institution. Order the mai tai and do your best Lady and the Tramp impression with two straws. Once you’re thoroughly tipsy (which won’t take much at Bali Hai), it’s time for the main event: a show at Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, with seats that boast a great view of the stage and the ships beyond.
Courtesy of Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours
Old Town
Exploring the city’s spine-tingling heritage in Old Town will jump-scare your date straight into your arms. Start at Cas Wet Plate Collodion Photography for an old-timey tin-type snap. Holed up at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant on the weekends, this father-daughter film duo brings the 19th century to the now, one flash at a time. Next, steel yourself with something strong enough to keep the demons at bay at Oculto 477, San Diego’s only speakeasy settled next to a graveyard.
Stashed inside Tahona, the bar serves sinful sips like the Gluttony, a blend of Japanese whisky, rhubarb amaro, sweet vermouth, and mole. Then it’s on to the only kind of ghosting you should be doing tonight: Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours offers evening slots to saunter through the unseemly sites of San Diego lore, from Heritage Park to the Whaley House—all fraught with sagas that will scintillate any true-crime podcast obsessive.
Mabel’s Gone Fishing Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos
North Park
North Park has run up the ranks as the top contender for SD’s best food neighborhood, thanks to recent additions like Finca and Flora, mainstays like Black Radish, and upcoming attractions like Brad Wise’s A’L’ouest. To satisfy your Bourdain itch, get your mollusk on with the hip staff of Mabel’s Gone Fishing. The restaurant’s “Oyster Hour” kicks off at 4 p.m. Pair discounted oysters and Iberian-inspired snacks with a porrón (your personal wine funnel) full of garnatxa from Catalonia and test your trust and target skills by having your date pour the wine straight into your mouth—glasses are so passé (but available if you’re feeling coy).
Head a few blocks down University Avenue to 31ThirtyOne’s urban rooftop overlooking the North Park skyline to sup on refined, tweezer-tamed dishes from the Michelin-starred mind of Drew Deckman. Then, call a ride share to The LaFayette Hotel (trust us, you don’t want to battle for parking) to see a concert at CH Projects’ venue du jour, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, with an illuminated, vintage shell stage and a calendar of artists curated by local music maestro Tim Mays.
Not ready for the night to end? Grab a lift back to North Park’s main drag for a last sip at one of the neighborhood’s many watering holes.
Redwing Bar & Grill: The concert’s not over yet. Tuesdays through Sundays at this always-packed, LGBTQ-friendly joint on 30th Street, boozed-up regulars provide free entertainment in the form of enthusiastic karaoke. Here’s your chance to serenade your date yourself.
Coin-Op Game Room: The best way to round out a rendezvous? Mortal Kombat. Drop a few quarters at Coin-Op, a temple of themed pinball machines and cocktails more creative and delicious than an arcade bar demands.
Seven Grand: Still swanky but not stuffy (there’s pool!), this University Avenue bar houses one of San Diego’s most robust whiskey selections. Candlelight and a cozy back room keep things romantic—though things get hopping after 10 p.m., so expect your sweet nothings to be shared at a shout.
Merenda Photo Credit: Ian Ware
Oceanside
Is Oceanside the next Silver Lake? Twosomes who secretly envy LA and have any Supreme or Rodarte in your wardrobes, this date’s for you. Start out at the swanky, newly opened Merenda to snap the perfect hard-launch pic. Natural wine list? Check. Small plates? Check. Dim lighting that makes you look almost more stunning than you naturally are? Obvi. Have the rockfish carpaccio with a glass of pineau d’aunis from Loire Valley and talk about how hard it is to be the coolest one in your friend group.
Then, pop over to Frontwave Arena to see the San Diego Clippers shoot their shots. Ideally, you splurged on floor seats, but, if not, make it fun and place some playful bets on three-pointers from the cheap seats (drinks on you at the next spot?). Cash in on those odds at Frankie’s for a soothing nightcap fixed by some of SD’s most artful bartenders in a subtly trendy O-side setting.
Soda Bar Photo Credit: Veronika Reinert
City Heights
There’s nothing steamier than proving you’ve got your finger on the pulse of our progressive, grassroots arts scene—except maybe a hot bowl of phở at Phở Hòa on El Cajon Boulevard. Squirt sriracha to your heart’s content to show your date how spicy you want things to go. Then, head to the Azalea Park enclave of City Heights to check out a show at The Brown Building on Poplar Street, a creative haven led by trans artists and activists.
Peep the site’s IG stories (@thebrownbuildingarts) for the latest upcoming events, whether that’s a suite of local bands, like the dreamy, watercolor-pop stylings of Kan Kan; a vision board–making workshop; or DJ school. Then, finish off the night at Soda Bar, one of the city’s top venues for emerging and local bands, so you can say you saw them before they made it to The Sound.
Born and Raised Photo Credit: Shannon Partrick
Little Italy
Play posh for the night in Little Italy, starting in the gilded halls of Born and Raised. With its neo-Gatsby architecture and artful homage to rap superstars, it’s the perfect spot to eschew pretense but love it all the same. Ball out and ask for an off-the-menu caviar bump to kick off the night’s festivities and pair it with something off the Champagne cart. Continue the indulgence and share some uni pasta made with local Assenti’s spaghetti and a sunset-hued sauce that rivals the richness of your 401K.
Split a bone-in, dry-aged ribeye while you’re at it—you’re at a steakhouse, after all. Then swing by Bobboi on Kettner Boulevard for more decadence, this time in the form of a little charcoal vanilla gelato. Round things out with a quick jaunt to Vino Carta, San Diego’s flagship natural wine shop and bar. A glass of biodynamic vino is sure to bring the feels—figuratively, of course.
Courtesy of Mingei International Museum
Balboa Park
Low on funds but high on love? Take your date to the iconic Balboa Park for a slew of gratis activities. If things are blooming between you, start at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden for some delightful sniffs and winsome snaps for the ’gram. Cross into the park and stroll by the fountain, then start museum-hopping. If it’s not a Tuesday (when some museums are free for locals), you can still hit up the cultural institutions with complimentary or give-what-you-can admission. Drop by the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art to see celluloid stunners.
If window shopping is your thing, head over to the Mingei, our local folk-arts museum, to browse the lobby’s impeccably curated gift shop and sample the art on the entry level (you’ll need to shell out $15 each to ogle the rest of the exhibitions). The Timken Museum is always free—read up on your European masters, American art, and Russian icons ahead of time to drop some historical facts and impress your boo. To rest your eyes but keep the cultural feast going, make your way to Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Check out their calendar of events for specific shows, or roll up on Sunday for a free concert starting at 2 p.m.
Courtesy of Neon Moon
East County
Though us city slickers fancy ourselves Kendrick Lamar types, head 20 minutes east of our city core and it’s all Tim McGraw. So, hop in your Ford F-150, crank the AM to some Hank Williams, and drive to East County for a night of cowboy moonlighting. Kick things off at Grand Ole BBQ in Flinn Springs, where the meat just tastes smokier when you eat it while wearing cowboy boots. Get a spread of brisket, slaw, and some bacon-laden beans to share with your buckle bunny.
Now hike up those daisy dukes for a night on the dance floor at Renegade Country, where you can spin your sweetie in a Texas two-step or line dance to your heart’s content. After you’ve worked off your hearty meal honky tonking, shuffle down to Neon Moon in Lakeside for the signature Rattlesnake Margarita. It just might make you want to sink your teeth into something—or someone.
Courtesy California Wolf Center
Julian
This date is a perfect barometer of your compatibility for one reason: You get to see how they drive. Make the true commitment of spending an hour in the car with someone before you even get to the first official hang at the California Wolf Center animal reserve, just outside Julian’s main drag. Opt for the Enrichment Tour to watch packs of Mexican gray wolves as handlers offer them food and scents to really get them (and you?) on the prowl.
Try to quell that animalistic energy as you head into Julian with its bucolic vibes and all-around PG rating. Bop around the quaint Main Street and stumble into shops like Antique Boutique to find tchotchkes of yore and Julian Book House to search for romantic inscriptions on the flyleaf of used novels. Before you settle back in for another long ride down State Highway 78, stop by Julian Beer Co. to bring the howl back with a pint of the award-winning and aptly titled “Carnal Intent” black IPA.
Danielle is a freelance culture journalist focusing on music, food, wine, hospitality, and arts, and founder-playwright of Yeah No Yeah Theatre company, based in San Diego. Her work has been featured in FLAUNT, Filter Magazine, and San Diego Magazine. Born and raised in Maui, she still loves a good Mai Tai.
San Diego is full of people who deserve a few thousand words on what they make, who they bring together, and how their work changes the city around them. The artists, makers, advocates, and behind-the-scenes talent below are a small part of that larger ecosystem.
To help us narrow our list, we looked for names that kept coming up, work that reflects the diversity of our region, and people building something bigger than themselves.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
Matt Eisenberg is an award-winning writer and photographer based in San Diego. A former ESPN editor, his work has also been published by CNN, Bleacher Report and the New York Daily News.
Aaryn Belfer is a writer and editor specializing in nonfiction across art, architecture, and culture. Once upon a time, she wrote a provocative column for San Diego CityBeat (RIP). She was a runner up in the 2025 Matchbook Stories contest at the San Diego Central Library and is irrationally happy about it. Currently in her Soft Girl Era, Aaryn has expensive taste in (mostly flat) shoes and will choose a great art exhibit or live jazz concert over almost anything else. Except, possibly, Javier Bardem.
Lili Kim is a content coordinator and writer for San Diego Magazine, with experience highlighting local businesses and communities. When not writing or shooting film, she is likely brewing her seventh cup of tea of the day or strolling along Sunset Cliffs.
Emma Veidt is an editor at San Diego Magazine. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism. She loves running, hiking, and rock climbing, but really, she mostly loves encounters with the street cats around North Park.
Gail Czyszczon is owner/copywriter at Z3 Writing and best-selling author of a children’s book series. As a strategic communications professional and editorialist, she's passionate about discovering untold stories and themes that ignite fresh conversation and true change in communities.
Imagine being the song continuously getting skipped on the playlist. Not because no one wants to hear you, but because you never quite fit the moment. For years, San Diego has been that song on the touring circuit. Artists who have outgrown intimate clubs but aren’t yet filling arenas and stadiums have often passed us by, heading north to venues better suited to the size of their show. San Diego wasn’t missing the audience, it was missing the room.
That’s all about to change.
On August 17, Live Nation Entertainment announced plans to transform the historic Wonder Bread Building, which it purchased in June for $16.8 million, into a 4,000-capacity indoor venue slated to open in fall 2028. The new space will host music acts as well as private, corporate, and community events.
Currently, San Diego’s concert landscape jumps quickly from intimate clubs like the Casbah, Winston’s, and Belly Up to larger theaters, amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums. What’s largely missing—particularly downtown—is a modern indoor room built specifically for roughly 4,000 concertgoers. This leaves a gap in mid-size venues for touring acts that land stages like the Hollywood Palladium or Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
“We are filling a void in the market,” says John Schalk, Live Nation’s Vice President, San Diego Market. “There are other venues in town, but this […] building is just something that doesn’t currently exist.” Although SDSU’s Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater serves the 4,000-capacity range, its outdoor, fixed-seating arrangement isn’t as versatile as the proposed Live Nation project.
Located at 171 14th Street, just a six-minute walk from Petco Park, the building carries a century of history. Architect Eugene Hoffman designed it in 1924, a year after completing the Barcelona Apartment Hotel in Bankers Hill. The landmark brick building served as a bakery and warehouse for the Southern California Baking Company before Continental Baking Company, producers of Wonder Bread, took over in the 1950s and operated there through 1988 continued at the site until 2007.
In the early 2000s, Bob and Gay Sinclair, the couple behind a portfolio of East Village properties, purchased the building. After Bob—the founder of Pannikin Coffee & Tea—died in 2011, Gay sold much of their real estate portfolio but held onto the Wonder Bread Building. Mission Brewing eventually took over the space, where it operated for more than a decade before announcing its 2026 departure.
Now, the building is preparing for another reinvention. Live Nation plans to preserve the historic bakery’s four exterior walls, red brick façade, grain silo, barrel-vaulted trusses, and skylights as part of its next chapter.
Live Nation isn’t looking to erase its history but to celebrate it, allowing the building’s past to give the new venue some soul. “It’s really important for us that we maintain the integrity and the history of that building,” Schalk says. “There will be new construction and design elements as we go through the process to create the concert venue, but we’re working really hard to preserve it.”
Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group, and Gensler, the architecture firm behind San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 and Snapdragon Stadium, will be heading the project. The plan is to design the ground-floor space as an open, general-admission area with a premium level above with 600-plus fixed seats, in addition to box and suite sections. There will also be an additional structure built on top of the historical portion of the building (the four original walls that house the lobby) called the Vinyl Room—a Japanese-inspired hi-fi listening VIP lounge serving elevated food options.
One of the most reassuring aspects of the project is the focus on the concertgoer’s experience—specifically the “pet peeves” we all know too well: long bathroom lines, cramped exits, obstructed views. According to Schalk, one of the best things about building upon the existing structure is having the ability to consider potential obstacles and tackle them before construction begins. “I’d say we are ‘purpose building’ the entirety of the project for a music venue,” says Gensler lead project architect Garrett van Leeuwen. “As part of our design process, we do an in-depth sightline analysis to make sure that sightlines are optimized from every point and seat within the venue.”
Circulation design is also being implemented to ease traffic flow, alongside acoustic optimization and a transformative outdoor beautification effort. According to van Leeuwen, this “public realm space” will grow the existing 14-foot sidewalk to a 32-foot sidewalk complete with plazas and landscaping.
“This venue is for the fans. For the music lovers,” Schalk explains. The vision is intimate: “I want a fan to walk up to that building, see that red brick facade, grab their ticket from the box office, go into the lobby and see some of the history that will present itself… and feel like you entered a home.” Schalk also expressed a “keen interest in making sure that we work with the local artists, the local bands, the local musicians in town.” It’s a project that recognizes San Diego as a growing market that is hungry and ready to see a vibrant arts and culture community thrive.
According to an analysis by Oxford Economics analysis shared by Live Nation, the venue is projected to deliver a significant boost to the local economy, generating approximately $97 million in annual economic impact and supporting 660 jobs. This also includes welcoming 316,000 fans each year—with 126,000 traveling from outside the San Diego metro area—and driving $53 million in local spending at nearby restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments.
Considering its proximity to other major event spaces and overall busy urban areas, traffic and parking may be a concern, especially on nights of overlapping events. But in those cases, Schalk said they would work together on communication efforts; parking availability; and staggering start, end, and loading times; as well as providing easy access to designated rideshare areas. With transit stations nearby (the closest one being a 4-minute walk at 12th & Imperial), public transportation is another great option for enjoying your night out.
There are still two years of design, construction, and plenty of logistics between now and opening night. But the bigger promise of the Wonder Bread Building is simple: San Diego finally gets a venue built for the artists who have historically passed it by. After years of getting skipped on the touring playlist, the city may finally be getting its turn on repeat.
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
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.
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.
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.
Arts District Liberty Station officially became one of the state’s designated cultural districts, joining a list reserved for places with thriving creative communities. Considering the campus is home to more than 100 galleries, artist studios, museums, and arts organizations—not to mention The Joan, the 42,000-square-foot performance center housing Cygnet Theatre—it was only a matter of time until the district got its flowers.
Best Deterrent of Public Vandalism
Vision Culture Foundation
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. The National City Public Works building has been a target of graffiti artists for years, only to be constantly painted over (and the cycle restarts). Now, it’s working with the local artists from Vision Culture Foundation to create intentional public murals. A win-win in our book.
One of the biggest questions this year is who will show up for San Diego arts and culture—so a Best Of nod goes to a nonprofit that’s been doing it for years. Founded by longtime arts advocate Susanna Peredo Swap, Vanguard Culture has staged events for creatives, told their stories, and just created an SD ARTS Pass—a single ticket that gets you access to 39 creative spots.
Photo credit: Carly Topazio
Best Way to Overcome Your Fear of Ghosts
The Rosin Box Project
Ballet’s already got a sort of otherworldly thing going for it, with people morphing into 90-degree angles and defying gravity with each pirouette. The Rosin Box Project feels like a raw, creative new force in the classic art form, though—especially with its annual Ghost Light Masquerade. It’s a dance of eerie spirits that makes you second-guess what’s real and what’s not.
Best Music Venue That Also Sells Hot Dogs
Gallagher Square
Once upon a time, Gallagher Square was just a grassy knoll behind the outfield wall at Petco Park. Now, it’s a concert venue, playground, play ball field, dog park, and unofficial home for those who prefer the vibe of baseball more than the actual game. Big-time performers are showing up: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Cypress Hill, and Peach Pit.
Best Local Canvas
Casa Casillas
Casa Casillas has filled a long-standing gap in Chula Vista’s art scene. Open since last August, the space gives local artists a dedicated venue to display their work and visitors a chance to explore the neighborhood’s vibrant art. Two rotating resident artists always keep the space moving, so it rarely looks the same twice.
Courtesy of Alley Cat Art Fest
Best Place to Say “I Think It’s About Capitalism”
Alley Cat Art Fest
El Cajon translates to “the box” in Spanish—a nod to the city’s surrounding hills—but Alley Cat Art Fest (previously called Artivál) doesn’t stay inside it. As the first arts festival in East County, it celebrates local galleries, sculpture, live music, and food trucks—the whole nine.
Best On-Two-Feet Art Tour
Barrio Art Crawl
Every second Saturday, Barrio Logan turns into a choose-your-own-adventure with the Barrio Art Crawl, a free self-guided art tour through galleries, museums, and murals, with street food and music filling in the gaps. Barrio is one of the city’s most thriving arts neighborhoods, and it’s worth getting a bit lost in.
Leave it to The Old Globe to give the local theater scene some Hollywood glamour. Katie Holmes led the premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler this past spring, turning the classic Norwegian play into one of the most buzzed-about theater productions of the year.
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
