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Tacos, pasta, cocktails, spa treatments, and cool craft workshops— we’ve got 99 of the top picks in food, drink, fitness, beauty, and more
The Best of San Diego 2017
By Paige Breon, Jackie Bryant, Kimberly Cunningham, Erin Meanley Glenny, Maya Kroth, Kai Oliver-Kurtin, Christine Orlovsky Page, Christine Pasalo, Hoa Quach, Archana Ram, Marnie Sloan, Claire Trageser, and Ann Wycoff
Photography by Priscilla Iezzi
Winners by Category
The Best of San Diego 2017
Tribute Pizza
What started as a pop-up has turned into a buzzing, industrial-style brick and mortar in the former North Park Post Office. Tribute pays, well, tribute to the most famous pizzas of the world. Highlights include the Biancoverde, a nod to Phoenix’s Pizzeria Bianco, and a vodka sauce pie inspired by Rubirosa in Manhattan. There’s even a high-end riff on Costco cheese pizza. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Thursday with $7 margherita pizzas and $20 bottles of Gragnano wine.
3077 North Park Way, North Park
The Karina’s brand boasts five locations, including Karina’s Mexican Seafood and two Karina’s Taco Shops, but most recently the family-run empire opened Karina’s Ceviches & More in Saffron Thai’s former takeout space in Mission Hills. Their menu touts oysters, seafood cocktails, surf ’n’ turf, and a divine bacon-wrapped shrimp taco.
3731 India Street, Mission Hills
The Best of San Diego 2017
Karina’s Ceviches & More
A sleek redesign paired with panoramic ocean views makes this one of La Jolla’s hot spots. Look for seafood-heavy fare by chef Aarti Sanghavi and a beverage cart for tableside after-dinner drinks and digestivos. During Sunday brunch, the cart is dubbed the Champagne Campaign, serving flights of rare bubbly and bottomless mimosas.
1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Cucina Sorella’s pasta-centric menu, spearheaded by Urban Kitchen Group executive chef Joe Magnanelli and the talented Daniel Wolinsky, features house-made tagliatelle, gnocchi, and pappardelle, plus signature items like fried squash blossoms and appetizers from sister restaurants Cucina Urbana and Cucina Enoteca. Wolinsky also leads hands-on pasta-making classes if you want to mangiare a little more.
4055 Adams Avenue, Kensington
Tucked between Evolution and Extraordinary Desserts near Balboa Park, Donna Jean turns out rustic, plant-based comfort food like roasted sunchokes and Salisbury tempeh. Weekend brunch features omelettes, and the cast-iron mac and cheese is a gotta-try. Also, there’s strawberry rhubarb hand pie glazed with Champagne sugar.
2949 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest
It’s what San Diegans have been craving: real-deal barbecue. Brisket, pulled pork, lamb shoulder—this alfresco North Park phenom started by a native Texan does it all well, with five-star accompaniments like a house-made chimichurri and spicy coleslaw. They even manage to turn the traditionally bland turkey into a smoky, tender wonder. Waiting in line—yes, there usually is one—isn’t a worry, since even that feels like a party. Living up to its name, the eatery hosts an Argentine asado on Sundays.
3302 32nd Street, North Park
Thai chef Gan Suebsarakham puts a creative spin on traditional potpies at this fast-casual café, with flavors like panang curry, pizza, and jackfruit. He also makes breakfast pies and sweet pies, which can be paired with coffee drinks or matcha.
4404 Park Boulevard, University Heights
When the pork pros announced a new all-outdoor location on the waterfront that promised bay views, live music, and late-night happy hour, we had our new hangout. The menu features the same porky menu items you can find at their North Park outpost, plus fish tacos and weekend brunch.
1004 North Harbor Drive, Marina District
This hipster café in Encinitas serves creative vegan food (spicy jackfruit tacos, harvest salads, Buddha bowls), kombucha on tap, cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and homemade desserts. It has a spacious back room for TED-style talks, free crystal bowl yoga classes, meditation, music, lectures, and more. Board games, lounge-like couches, and a take-a-book leave-a-book library add to the cozy vibe.
575 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
The Best of San Diego 2017
Cucina Sorella
Popular throughout Orange County and LA, this fast-casual eatery expanded its artisanal sandwich and salad concept to La Jolla last year. The health-conscious menu is full of vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. A second location opens this month in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, too.
8795 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla
Named after the age-old fermentation process used to make Italian breads, Biga has a hip and modern feel without losing that authentic Italiano tradition. Countertops are Carrara marble, wood-fire ovens reach 900 degrees, and sandwiches are no ordinary deli situation. The caprese is a favorite, with its hand-pulled mozzarella and pesto aioli so good you could drink it.
950 Sixth Avenue, Downtown
Jackfruit—the savory tropical fruit that’s garnered a reputation as a low-calorie meat substitute and has a texture similar to pulled pork or chicken—is the star at this Mexican eatery in South Park. Adobo-marinated fruit is served on a bed of cabbage and topped with chipotle sauce and creamy citrus aioli. Even meat lovers will swoon.
2310 30th Street, South Park
Named after a city in New Zealand, Dunedin (duh-NEE-din) is the latest installment from the owners of Queenstown and Raglan. But this spot has arguably the best patio for people watching, putting you right next to passersby on busy 30th Street. Pick from a long list of burgers and beer for dinner, or try brunch to do some open-air daytime dining.
3501 30th Street, North Park
Giant warehouse restaurants with multiple rooms have a time and place, but for a more intimate experience, we love this new restaurant-bar adjacent to The Red Door in the former Wellington steakhouse space. The cozy, dimly lit bar has a small plates menu of tacos, vegan nachos, cocktails, and a can’t-miss sticky toffee pudding.
729 West Washington Street, Mission Hills
Goodbye to the uncomfortable plastic chairs, stale nachos, and bad hot dogs of yesteryear’s bowling alleys! Urge Gastropub & Common House in San Marcos offers a menu that features American eats and beers brewed in-house, with lawn games to burn the calories. In the swanky bowling alley, you’ll find cozy couches, dimmed lights, and a big-screen TV playing old-school music videos.
255 Redel Road, San Marcos
At this Italian steakhouse, chef Aliano Decka carves up 40-ounce porterhouse steaks tableside—ensuring the meat is cooked as desired while removing any excess fat. As an added touch, Decka uses his knife to engrave the steak bone with a guest’s name. Now that’s sharp service!
314 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
As a dual-concept café and marketplace, Herb & Eatery is a more casual dining option under the same roof as chef Brian Malarkey’s Little Italy restaurant, Herb & Wood. The laid-back alternative is ideal for the laptop crowd working remotely or those grabbing prepared meals for carryout. Order from the full menu, or indulge in one of their fresh-baked croissants made with French butter.
2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
The Best of San Diego 2017
Boba Bar
Waffle cone sundaes are so yesterday. Now it’s all about the waffle sundae. Pulling inspiration from a popular Taiwanese street food, Boba Bar in Kearny Mesa pairs a soft, bulbous waffle, or “puffle,” with custard. Options range from a s’mores puffle with marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate chips baked in, to green tea Oreo cheesecake with matcha Pocky sticks, to the peanut butter chocolate overload.
4619 Convoy Street, Kearny Mesa; 7655 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa
Fine dining isn’t necessarily Rolando’s calling card, but Garden Kitchen is changing that. The tiny restaurant has an ever-changing menu of dishes made with farm-fresh ingredients, like a short rib osso buco and scallop ceviche. They also host special events like a Baja wine dinner and Rainbow Happy Hour pegged to Pride month. All of the seating is outside on the cozy patio, making you feel like you’ve walked off the street and into someone’s home.
4204 Rolando Boulevard, Rolando
The coffee shop has an extensive toast menu that spans sweet and savory, but their standout dish is the avocado toast with truffle oil and micro greens. The crusty toast should be eaten using your hands for the best aromatic bite since sliced bread. Add a poached egg on top for a more filling (and oozy) meal.
3752 Park Boulevard, Hillcrest
At the new Liberty Station spin-off of South Park’s Buona Forchetta, the prix-fixe two-course lunch means fresh greens or soup paired with entrées like grilled chicken breast, salmon, homemade pastas, or a choice of their famed Neapolitan pizzas with a non-boozy beverage—all for $14.
2865 Sims Road, Liberty Station
TJ Tacos in Escondido dishes up nine different types of street-style tacos, including nopal (cactus), chorizo, and the ever-so-tasty adobada. But it’s not just about tacos; they also dish out fries, burritos, and quesadillas. Come during the day to avoid the lines.
802 East Valley Parkway, Escondido
Blackmarket Bakery makes bread and pastries from scratch using only “pronounceable” ingredients. Their scones, croissants, cookies, cakes, and tarts are whipped up daily, or guests can opt for a sandwich with one of their house-made breads, like Dutch crunch or artichoke Asiago.
4686 30th Street, North Park
Pouring, chopping, spackling, and scraping are involved in the creation of these made-to-order frozen desserts, a traditional sweet in Thailand. The result: a bowl of camera-ready ice cream roll-ups, garnished with goodies from whipped cream to mochi. Try their variation on cookies and cream, venture with a Fruity Pebbles cereal ice cream base, or go full foodie with the black sesame ice cream; they’re all winners.
4425 Convoy Street, Kearny Mesa
Almost every day of the week, Allison Markow is up when most of us are asleep, baking bars, scones, breads, cakes, and cookies to supply cafés from Oceanside to downtown. One bite of her signature Nutella blondie, a chewy butterscotch cousin to the brownie topped with thick swirls of baked-in Nutella, and you’ll be grateful she does. Grab a fresh-made treat at 14 spots around the county, including Revolution Roasters (Oceanside), Copa Vida (Carlsbad and East Village), Bean Bar (East Village), and Moniker General (Liberty Station).
The Best of San Diego 2017
Fifth & Rose
The new Gaslamp property proves that hotel bars are more than stuffy, suit-clad business travelers or party-hearty twentysomethings. Fifth & Rose gives downtown a breath of refinement, with sleek decor, five-star cocktails, and an ambience that calls for getting a little dressed up (hey, some of us don’t want to wear flip-flops every day). We love visiting during the quiet afternoons, when the light pours in and big windows draw breezes. Happy hour indeed.
550 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Holy Matcha, the dairy-free tea café much admired for its blush-and-lush interior, started offering this drink hybrid in the spring. Served in a pink mason jar, the iced agua fresca gets shaken up with a dose of green tea powder and topped with a dash of ground cinnamon.
3118 University Avenue, North Park
This house-made drink boasts just the right shade of millennial pink and is super refreshing on a hot summer day. The boutique coffee house elevates its fresh lemonade with black cherry syrup, a touch of sparkling water, and muddled black cherries and basil. It’s that last ingredient that co-owner Rina Porras-Moceri says gives the drink “just the right amount of earthiness.” She also swears by her wild ginger and mint lemonade. Both varieties are subject to seasonal availability.
1619 West Lewis Street, Mission Hills
This breakfast eatery has a drink list as colorful as its food menu. We love the Ginger Kombucha Mule, Jurassic Pork Bloody Mary, and Spicy Karma cocktail with tequila blanco, jalapeño pepper, lime, cilantro, and agave to start the day. There’s also craft beer and kombucha flights, Prosecco on tap, ciders, bottomless organic coffee, exotic lattes, antioxidant shots, and more.
Locations in East Village, Encinitas, Liberty Station, North Park, and Ocean Beach
Rosé slushies are making boozy waves across the country and in San Diego at spots like Hotel Solamar’s Upper East Bar and Extraordinary Desserts. But the Firehouse Frosé tops our list. A blend of chilled rosé, vodka, citrus, and strawberry makes it sweet, subtle, and light for summer. Rosé all day? Gladly!
722 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Sitting along the Bayshore Bikeway, this newly developed cluster of shops is the perfect pit stop. You can get a taste of the behemoth project at Coronado Brewing Company, which is opening a temporary tasting room this summer, with a restaurant and distillery coming in the next year. Also due in the Bikeway build-out: Trident Coffee and a bike shop.
536 13th Street, Imperial Beach
The massive Barn Yard bloody mary, befitting the eatery’s upcycled country-living decor, is a sight to be seen. This brunch-meets-beverage comes in a pitcher with a whole roasted chicken, bacon-wrapped shrimp, roasted and pickled veggies, and mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers.
8141 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa
Tropical drinks are known for having extra flair—an umbrella here, a pineapple wedge there. But instead of traditional punch bowls, this Mission Beach bar serves large-batch cocktails like the Havana Good Time in a giant, flamingo-shaped copper cup. Sip, sip away!
3704 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
This winery in Escondido took root in the late 1800s and is home to San Diego’s oldest vine—a Muscat of Alexandria that’s more than 100 years old—along with a cool collection of antiques like a massive “forgotten barrel” from 1932 whose delicious contents are being bottled as a tawny port. The new owners have added a stylish tasting room and patio with live music on weekends, and have brought in Napa winemaker John Robert Eppler to oversee production.
1120 West 15th Avenue, Escondido
The Best of San Diego 2017
The Grass Skirt
Sommelier Brandon Boghosian, an alum of the prestigious Bouchon in Napa, has curated the J&I wine list with “Tried and True” classics and “Leap of Faith” hard-to-find gems or bottles from up-and-coming regions. Seventeen Juniper and Ivy team members have taken the intro course, so expect savvy somms working the floor.
2228 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Fourth-generation wine pro Lowell Jooste is serving wine like you’ve never had it before. The South African native turned La Jolla resident created The Wine Steward, a device that allows high-end wine to be served directly out of the barrel without being tainted by oxygen. He’s currently serving more than 10 varietals in Bird Rock—snag a seat at his surfboard bar—all made by one of Napa Valley’s first female winemakers, Alison Green-Doran.
5621 La Jolla Boulevard, Bird Rock
Last fall we named the Escondido-based J. Brix Wine one of six “winemakers to watch” for their small batches of unconventional, unfiltered wines. And we weren’t the only ones to notice. Spouses Emily Towe and Jody Brix Towe got national attention when Bon Appétit listed them under “great California winemakers [they] love.” And in May, Vogue called their 2016 Uncontainable Rosé of Cinsault “perfectly crisp and zesty, and great for summer day drinking.” But best of all, behind the praiseworthy wine is a down-to-earth, dedicated couple who are just as passionate about each other as they are about their highly drinkable creations. Wine Spectator, take note!
Pizzeria Ambrogio15 is the only restaurant in SoCal that imports wines from a small Italian consortium of biodynamic and organic winemakers (Consorzio dei Vignaioli Biodinamici). The coalition represents six different regions in Italy, and focuses on biodiversity, sustainability, and natural agriculture. All of the wines come from small-production wineries, which produce fewer than 7,000 bottles annually.
926 Turquoise Street, Pacific Beach
Little Italy’s Vino Carta focuses on smaller-scale producers from all around the world, making a point to highlight more natural wines made with minimal intervention, and they’re happy to tell you all about them during one of their many tastings or happy hours.
2161 India Street, Little Italy
Trivia night is usually relegated to sports bars and brewpubs, but Négociant brings the quizzing to an urban winery. At the North Park bar, trivia night holds court on their outdoor patio Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Don’t have an answer? We’re pretty sure the vino will make your guesses a little more creative.
2419 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
San Diego has long been a tiki city—just look to Shelter Island and its faux-Polynesian buildings—but the recent tiki explosion has brought several new watering holes. We like The Grass Skirt for its top-shelf tropical drink list and creative food menu, which is a cut above the standard pupu platter most people expect. The decor is transformative, taking you from our slice of paradise to one that feels like a tropical island getaway.
910 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
Recognizing that 40 percent of food grown in the US winds up in landfills, the North County–based masterminds behind Misadventure set out to turn food waste into beverage gold. They take expired baked goods (jalapeno cheese bagels, Ding Dongs, etc.) and convert those usable starches into sugar—then, with the help of yeast, turn that into alcohol. See? Drink booze, do good.
Available at The Compass (Carlsbad), Mission Avenue Bar and Grill (Oceanside), and at misadventure.co
The Best of San Diego 2017
You & Yours Distilling Co. | Photo by Lindsey Marie Photography
Trust Me is an organic, gluten-free, purified-water-based spirit launched by a local startup. It doubles as art, too. Each bottle features colorful work by a mix of professional and up-and-coming artists.
2100 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad
The feeling at most distilleries is all metal and no sit-and-stay-awhile comfort. Not so at this new downtown spot that serves gin and vodka in an urban tasting room with a sleek, feminine warehouse design. The female-owned company uses potatoes, corn, and California grapes to add flavor during the distillation process. Make it a “healthy hour” with one of their veggie cocktails, like the Side Salad with bell peppers, basil, lime, and honey.
1495 G Street, East Village
The Best of San Diego 2017
Drybar La Jolla
Founder Alli Webb was onto something when she launched her flat-rate blowouts-only concept in Brentwood. Drybar has since become a national phenomenon, with more than 70 locations. The second San Diego installment just opened in La Jolla Village Square, offering that just-stepped-out-of-a-salon look without having to pony up for a cut and color. Also noteworthy are Drybar’s “Detox” dry shampoo and new “Whipped” dry shampoo foam, which can extend the life of a blowout for several more days. Consider us blown away!
8867 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla
File this under one of the more unusual spa experiences. After an exfoliating seaweed scrub, a therapist wraps the limbs, torso, and chest in warm kelp leaves harvested by hand off the western shore of Ireland. The mineral-rich leaves, paired with a quick organic seaweed lotion massage at the end, leave skin plump and nourished. The Lodge’s sister property, the Catamaran, will also be debuting the new service ($215 for 80 minutes).
11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
The lush resort just debuted a cabana collaboration with Kopari, a local beauty brand that uses coconut oil as a base in all its products. With the poolside Kopari cabana ($325 for the day), you and a guest get a stash of Kopari products, a bottle of rosé, fruit, Suja juices, and mini treatments, like foot scrubs and scalp massages. Want to clock in more spa time? Try the new Kerstin Florian Neroli Blossom Experience, an 80-minute dry brush exfoliation and neroli oil massage. So long, parched summer skin. Hello, glow!
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Lacey Haegen’s take on hand cream is nothing short of ingenious. Made with jasmine and tuberose flower wax, it comes in a stick form designed for the tops of hands only, which moisturizes dry areas and avoids greasy palms. She just released a shin and arm version that’s worth adding to one’s beauty arsenal as well. Everything is handmade with natural ingredients in her Mission Hills studio. Bonus points for the pretty packaging!
Years before thick, full brows came back in vogue, Gerami had been preaching the gospel of the natural look, expertly threading La Jolla’s finest brows. She quietly returned to the village in 2015 following a short break, much to the delight of longtime customers. Find Gerami in her intimate Crosby Center spa, where she offers threading, waxing, lash extensions, facials, and skin treatments using organic products from Eminence.
1035 Silverado Street, La Jolla
Downtown recently upped its style factor, following the addition of this cute women’s boutique. Owner Rachel Hunt curates a selection of niche ready-to-wear labels, most of which are modestly priced. Also, look for local brands like Little Italy–based jewelry designer JaxKelly and Fair Seas Supply Co. beach blankets.
740 Market Street, Downtown
Rob and Sophie Machado know a thing or two about how to look good on the beach. The pro surfer and his wife have traveled to the best and most exotic coastal spots in the world. The couple’s latest venture, with Sophie at the helm, is a lifestyle store in a cute bungalow on the 101. We love the laid-back rompers and dresses, and the bikinis by Acacia are a customer favorite.
930 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
The Best of San Diego 2017
Artelexia
Earlier this year, Elexia de la Parra brought the best of Mexico to North Park with an offshoot of her Little Italy store, which she has since closed. The new location boasts an eclectic blend of vibrant giftables, home decor, and more. From metallic donkey piñatas to embroidered linens, her fun and unique items showcase the style and spirit of our Southern neighbors. De la Parra also hosts crafting workshops (with wine!) and guided culinary and cultural trips to Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende.
3811 Ray Street, North Park
The team behind the hipster-cool event and workspace Moniker Warehouse opened this minimalist retail shop meets coffee bar meets bar last year. The inventory includes Steven Alan eyewear and Linus bicycles, but the stash of streamlined, design-forward local items is impressive. Look for Norden Goods soaps, Affinità surfboards, and Dear Survivor handbags.
2860 Sims Road, Liberty Station
This Cardiff-based brand has given us easy and stylish bags and pouches to store our wet swimsuits and workout clothes in between the beach and gym or whatever else life has in store. Their “splash-proof” styles come in a variety of sizes and tropical prints. Sure, they’re made to handle wet stuff, but we love them as small everyday clutches and cosmetics bags, too. Carry on!
Thanks to owner Mary Beltrante, we can have our nautical stripes and anchor motifs and wear them, too. The former Mainer has enlisted some of her favorite East Coast brands for totes, candles, gifts, and more—all with great entrepreneurial stories, which she loves to share with her customers. Also noteworthy is her selection of clean, non-toxic beauty products that can’t be found anywhere else in San Diego.
7660 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
Designed in San Diego, these round towels are a statement piece on the sand. With hand-drawn designs contributed by artists from around the world, Slippas are made of soft cotton velour and measure five feet in diameter. Tote them with a towel carrier made of repurposed leather salvaged from planes at San Diego International Airport.
The Best of San Diego 2017
SparkCycle
The national spin brand just landed in Hillcrest, and with it comes high-octane spin sessions. The “cycle theaters” are arranged with stadium-style seating, a spotlight on the instructor, and most distinguishing of all, a competitive edge. To ensure no slacking off, every bike has a monitor that tracks RPM (revolutions per minute), and a giant screen at the front displays your ranking in the class. That feature is optional, but undoubtedly makes even the least competitive cyclist push a little harder. After each class, riders receive an email with estimated calories burned, class ranking, and other stats.
1040 University Avenue, Hillcrest (coming soon to Carmel Valley)
This workout regimen originated in Australia, the land of the perfectly sculpted beach bod, and just opened its newest San Diego location downtown. F45 combines elements of circuit, functional, and high-intensity interval training, which is the ultimate combo for burning fat and building lean muscle. The best part? Every workout is different, keeping members challenged, intrigued, and sweaty. Really, really sweaty.
1240 Tenth Avenue, Downtown, also in La Jolla, Del Mar, Mission Gorge
After a successful three years in La Jolla, the spin studio has opened a shinier, larger studio in ever-expanding Liberty Station. The new digs have four rows of bikes instead of three and more spacious locker rooms, plus the same perks their community of cyclists have come to love, like free spin-shoe rentals and chilled eucalyptus-scented towels after class.
2835 Perry Road, Liberty Station
Barre, the ballet-inspired workout designed to tone and lengthen, is challenging enough on its own—but when paired with heat, it’s next-level tough. Instructors here do a great job explaining the equipment and space; the front area’s a scorching 90 degrees, while the back is a “cooler” 80. Every class is slightly different, but expect weights and cardio bursts that make the class feel almost like a boot camp. To top it off, your first class is just $5.
3956 First Avenue, Hillcrest
Adjacent to and owned by The Westgate Hotel/Grand America Hotels is a new wellness club that’s been a long time coming. But it was worth the wait. The four-level, 40,000-square-foot facility includes huge, airy classrooms, a running track and lap pool on the rooftop, and amenities such as private lockers and laundry service for certain memberships. Some include valet parking as well. But perhaps studio space is the biggest luxury of all here—we love that we can take a class without stepping on other students.
234 Broadway, Downtown
The Best of San Diego 2017
Paintbox Studio
Founder, owner, and instructor Jaimee Brant hosts after-school art classes, arts and sewing camps, and sewing clubs for beginners and intermediate learners. This year, the UC San Diego alum will also offer a six-week fashion sketching and drafting class, as well as quarterly gallery showings featuring student pieces. Great for kindergartners and up.
1101 Washington Place, Mission Hills
The revamped library in IB feels every bit coastal, with a water-themed design that includes wave-shaped structures to give it a beachy vibe. The new space is three times the size of the original with plenty of kid-friendly add-ons, like a woody station wagon for kids to read in, surfboard tables, cozy nooks, and more.
810 Imperial Beach Boulevard, Imperial Beach
Craft culture meets family friendly at this new Del Sur spin-off, where kids can order off their own special menu and romp in the play area with cubbyholes and toys, while adults enjoy 30 rotating brews, rosé on tap, and executive chef Rich Sweeney’s creative comfort food like tri tip crostini, shaved street corn, carnitas verde mac and cheese, beer can chicken, and potato chip sundaes.
16480 Paseo Del Sur, Del Sur
This mini chain isn’t just about groceries; they have engaging family-friendly events, too. Their mission is to encourage kids to be adventurous eaters. In June they organized a grocery store scavenger hunt that got kids to try nutritious foods, like kombucha and quinoa edamame salad. On August 8 the North Park location will host a kids’ cooking event, where families will learn how to make 10-minute meals together. Just say no to chicken nuggets and fries!
Locations in Alpine, North Park, Point Loma, and Rancho Bernardo
Have a baby shower or kid’s birthday party on the calendar? Head to See/Saw beforehand to find a unique gift. Owner Theresa Renfro’s assortment of fine wooden toys, luxe organic clothing, and more is sure to please youngsters and mothers-to-be alike.
3028 Cañon Street, Point Loma
The latest installation to wow the little ones is a collaboration with the award-winning, Tokyo-based TeamLab. The group of “ultra-technologists” has created an interactive 20-by-10-foot digital aquarium where kids can draw their own marine animal, scan it in, and see it swim around and interact with other creatures. It’s also a touch screen, so kids can feed their creations or move them about. Just another next-level offering from one of the coolest children’s museums in the country. Bonus: Their café, Bean Sprouts, is now open!
200 West Island Avenue, Downtown
Parenting on an empty stomach is ill advised; so fueling up and getting something in return is a true win-win. Dine alfresco or savor the stunning views inside as kids enjoy a free meal per adult purchase on Saturdays after 4 p.m. Mini munchers will be over the moon for the create-your-own-pizza option (s’mores dessert included!) and starting the meal with Ignite’s renowned Man Candy sweet-and-spicy bacon is a must for parents.
6996 El Camino Real, Carlsbad
The Best of San Diego 2017
Mint Studio
Nearly 20 workshops led by local and internationally renowned crafters are hosted here monthly, from block printing basics to brush lettering. Prefer to create at your own pace? Check out the projects offered in the DIY studio, where all materials needed are at hand and you pay only for what you make. The space can also be booked for private parties and events.
5965 Village Way, Carmel Valley
After reviving a forgotten theater space in Ocean Beach in June 2016, Jennie and William Connard have managed to produce a crazy-good lineup that’s included Broadway and off-Broadway favorites like Urinetown, The Who’s Tommy, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. We’re thrilled to see these beloved shows back in performance, and in a walkable neighborhood venue. Despite a matchbook-size stage, OB makes it work with stellar musical and acting talent.
4944 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
Good actors tend to be risk takers. So maybe it stands to reason that in the face of impending cuts to local and national arts funding, Will Cooper, Phil Johnson, and Ruff Yeager formed a professional theater company this spring, focusing on new work as well as classic and contemporary plays. Their first production, Margin of Error, written by Cooper, was praised by the Union-Tribune; they followed up with a comedic retelling of Emily Bronte in Withering Heights. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
While the larger San Diego theaters are making a lot of noise, and rightfully so (Jimmy Buffett! Tony Awards!), this small professional theater with the mission to “create more diverse and honest images of women” is producing cerebral but accessible work, like The Revolutionists, a comedy set during the Reign of Terror. Next up: Ironbound and The Diary of Anne Frank.
6663 El Cajon Boulevard, College East
A stable of women empowerment groups have risen in San Diego, focusing on career, networking, and collaboration.
Earlier this year, florist Jill Fausner of Layered Vintage teamed up with Pow Wow Design Studio and Miho Catering Co. to throw two parties geared at celebrating female friendships and partnerships, and has plans to host another ticketed party this year. And mom boss Katie Saffert has carved out a place for business mamas with Hatched Collective, a new coworking space in Normal Heights.
Two new meetup series, Lady Killas and SheRocks, aim to take the work out of networking. Formed by SDSU alum Courtney Wall, and former San Diego Magazine employees Jessica Jalowiec and Laurie Nicoud, respectively, the events encourage women to consider collaboration over competition. SheRocks hosts one annual event and smaller offerings each season. Lady Killas hosts monthly.
Chef collaborations, cooking demonstrations, DJs, games, photo ops, and plenty of reasons to keep wandering on Oct 3 and Oct 4
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, the walk between food tents can take a while. You might stop to watch a chef competition, get pulled toward the DJ, or find yourself playing mini golf before you remember which bite you were after.
Across the Del Mar Polo Fields, there’s also line dancing, a 1961 red Beetle ready for photos, and an aviation-themed pop-up with Reno Tahoe chefs and mixologists. Need a slower stretch? Check out the wellness stops or browse the shops. Here’s what to look for as you make your way through the festival’s zones:
VIP ticket holders get a head start, with the VIP Reception running from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serving first bites, first sips, and a few surprises before the Grand Tasting officially gets going. Champagne Telmont will make the festival’s first pour, while Cohn Restaurant Group brings carajillos alongside pours from Karl Strauss, Licor 43, Tap Truck San Diego, Bebemos Tequila, and Devil’s Grin Gin.
The bites are just as good. Celebrity chef Beau MacMillan will serve a first bite, while Warung RieRie is bringing one of its highly coveted dishes. Yes, this is the restaurant that currently has an eight-month waitlist. You’ll also find bites from The Shellfish Affair, The Waverly, Wolf in the Woods, Dora Ristorante, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, An’s Gelato, Pacific 333, Vintana, and more.
And because every good first act needs a soundtrack, there will be live painting and music, with Courtney Govan bringing live jazz to the reception. It’s the perfect opening act before the main event.
During the VIP Reception, chefs Tommy Gomes and Jeff Roberto will conduct a live ahi cutting. Plant Paradise brings another culinary angle, with celebrity chef Zuliya Khawaja joining the plant-based lineup. The area combines chef talent with plant-forward restaurants and brands, giving guests a chance to see just how creative plant-based cooking can get.
Throughout the weekend, The Stage keeps the cooking demonstrations coming, with celebrities and chefs sharing techniques, recipes, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who plans to actually cook something when they get home. Before you know it, you’re watching a chef demo, casting your awards vote, and sipping mezcal on the grass with friends you just met in line.
At the Grand Tasting, dancing just sort of… happens. A DJ drops the right song. Someone’s holding a taco in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The country zone breaks into a two-step. Friends convince friends. Strangers become temporary dance partners. By the end of the day, everyone’s forgotten they were ever worried about looking cool.
DJ TENAX will be spinning in Plant Paradise, bringing house, techno, and UKG to an open-air dance floor that’s hard to leave. Chris Cantore, a veteran San Diego broadcaster, takes over the VIP Tent, while BootScootin Line Dance and PVO Events bring country-style line dancing to the Polo Fields, so you can work off your tasting itinerary one two-step at a time.
Then a live guitar hum in the distance leads you to a fuchsia boa over at the Pride Zone, where you’ll find yourself covered in sequins and having the lawn party of a lifetime.
Not every activity at the festival requires a tasting glass (although it’s certainly encouraged).
The Matchday Experience brings San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC into the Grand Tasting, complete with interactive tents and plenty of game-day energy. Athletic Brewing is also sharing activation space with San Diego Wave FC, bringing a fun nonalcoholic option into the mix.
For golf fans, the Los Angeles Golf Club is bringing a Dryve Box golf simulator to the festival. And if your competitive streak is less fairway and more miniature windmill, SD Pop Up Mini Golf has you covered.
The Beach Zone gets in on the action, too, with surfing-inspired elements and Playavole paddle courts. Hemlock Hats and other California brands add to the coastal atmosphere, but the real draw is having somewhere to actually play. And don’t worry, you can cool down in COOLA’s turquoise beach chairs, too, and when your bestie suggests reapplying sunscreen, obviously you do. Basically, there are plenty of ways to work up an appetite between tastings.
You’re going to want to take photos, and the festival has made that extremely easy.
A Timeless Day is bringing multiple photo moments to the Grand Tasting, including a 1961 red Beetle at The Italian Getaway and a teal VW bus in The Beach Zone. For something a little more polished than the standard group selfie, head to the Locals Zone for Pixster Photo Booth and San Diego’s version of a Glam-Bot, complete with a grass red carpet.
Bebemos Tequila is also bringing back its festival-favorite hidden speakeasy. If there’s ever a time for a photo, it’s here. Otherwise, people might not believe you. The speakeasy serves bone marrow shots straight from the bone, with candlelight, a lounge area that makes it hard to believe you’re in a tent outside, and little orange shot glasses. This is “first slide of your festival photo dump” material.
You can also grab your squad and head to LaCroix’s bright and ridiculously cute setup, or swing by San Diego Magazine’s area, where you might stop for a photo in front of the larger-than-life SD Magazine sign and find yourself watching a painting come to life.
But really, you’re in Del Mar. The ocean is essentially your backdrop, and every zone gives you an excuse to stop for the obligatory “totally candid” photo. And yes, the best strategy is to get the group shot before everyone has been sampling wine for three hours.
The Grand Tasting also doubles as a little shopping excursion, with local makers, fashion, vintage finds, jewelry, and lifestyle brands scattered throughout the grounds. Smoke Revival Vintage Vault brings the thrill of vintage treasure hunting, while Nortte Hats and Hemlock Hat Company make a pretty good case for leaving with a new accessory.
Keep an eye out for jewelry and creative vendors, too, including Iris Studio Jewelry and New Nightfall Jewelry, plus local artists and makers featured throughout the festival.
You can come for an all day food and wine festival, but still leave with something shiny you definitely did not plan to buy.
We know, at some point, even the most dedicated grazer has to come up for air. The Novo Dia Wellness Zone is designed for exactly that, bringing together mocktails, coffee, hydration, wellness brands, and even bites from Parakeet Cafe.
Step away from the food and drink frenzy for a few minutes, relax in the shade, try some skincare, stretch with prAna, and maybe grab some Instant Hydration Electrolytes before round three.
There’s also nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses at Green Air Botanicals while devouring a dairy-free cheese dip. It’s less about disappearing from the party and more about making sure you have enough energy to keep going.
The zones give you somewhere to wander, and the activities give you a reason to keep going. So grab your tasting glass, check the schedule, and leave a little room in your afternoon for something you didn’t plan on doing. At Del Mar Wine & Food, that’s usually where things get interesting.
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.
A century ago, there was a stage actress known as San Diego’s Sweetheart—we traced her footprint through history, up to modern day
There was once an actress known as “San Diego’s Sweetheart” who mailed herself to Los Angeles—donning a helmet covered in postage stamps and boarding a two-seater, single-engine mail plane. The publicity stunt was billed as the first air parcel package in the US. It wasn’t. She wasn’t even the first human to be mailed: When the US parcel post started in 1913, at least seven people mailed their newborns to relatives (an innovative loophole eventually outlawed).
Technicalities be damned. That kind of nose for spectacle was why Virginia Brissac was such a star—landing bit parts in TV shows (I Love Lucy, Dragnet) and 155 films, notably playing James Dean’s grandmother in Rebel Without a Cause. “Nobody could help but love her,” her dresser told San Diego Magazine in a 1971 feature, published when Brissac was 88 years old.
In 1911, she topped the Playbill at the opening of the Savoy Theatre at 3rd and C streets in Downtown—a grand live-performance hall built for $150,000 ($5.2 million in today’s money). It became one of the premiere vaudeville theaters in the country (under vaudeville king Alexander Patages). The theater helped make San Diego a destination for stars like silent-film comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey, plus classical legends Rachmaninoff and Anna Pavlova. As theaters converted to movie houses through the ’20s and ’30s, the Savoy remained dedicated to live humans. It closed in 1940, and the Civic Theater now stands in its footprint.
As for Brissac, during a time when women couldn’t even vote, she led a stock company under her own name at the Strand Theatre. The Brissac Company held a four-year residency, “an all-time successful record run for San Diego,” the article says. That classic Ocean Beach theater (featured in San Diego film legend Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous) has been closed for decades, its bones now a chain beachwear and souvenir store. But Brissac’s legacy lives through the women leading San Diego’s theater scene.
Read the entire 1971 article by Merle Clayton below…
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.
Some problems are worth having—like too many things to eat, sip, and do in one afternoon
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, everyone has their own goals for the day. One friend wants oysters and Champagne. Another heard there’s line dancing. Someone disappeared into Taco Alley. The food person is making a beeline for every chef demo, the golf friend has found the simulator, and someone else is already settled into a beach chair with a mezcal cocktail and has announced they’re “never leaving.”
Consider yourself zoned in.
This year, the Grand Tasting turns the Del Mar Polo Fields into a full-blown foodie wonderland, with chef showdowns, wellness escapes, art installations, lawn games, music, and plenty of magazine-worthy plates. But the zones are where everyone gets to play their own way. You might sip your way through the SLO Zone, accidentally spend the afternoon behind the DJ booth in Plant Paradise, or live out your best beach day in The Beach Zone.
With 100-plus chefs and restaurants, 150-plus wineries, breweries, distilleries, and drink makers, plus a whole lot more happening in between, there’s no shortage of ways to spend the weekend. And with the Grand Tasting taking place October 3 and 4, there’s actually time to explore.
Because the problem with bringing your favorite people to an adult playground is that everyone wants to play differently. Luckily, you get two days to figure it out. Here’s where to start:
The Beef Experience, presented by Brandt Beef – One World Beef, is for the people who believe a food festival is a perfectly reasonable excuse to build an entire afternoon around meat. Brandt Beef brings its signature fare to the Polo Fields alongside a seriously stacked lineup of local favorites, from Tanner’s Prime Burgers and Ranch 45 to Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Order Fire Barbecue, Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen, The Pit BBQ, Aloha Rib Shack, and more.
And then there’s the tent you might almost miss.
Tucked into Brandt Beef Alley, Bebemos Tequila has set up what looks, from the outside, like a fairly unassuming tent. Walk inside, though, and you’ll find a full little speakeasy lounge, complete with a bar and one very dramatic tequila trick. The team lights the shots right in front of you before pouring them straight into guests’ mouths. Candlelight, fire, tequila, barbecue. Suddenly, your casual afternoon tasting has taken a turn.
Grab a plate of Brandt Beef tallow fries, chase it with a pour from Bebemos Tequila or Tap Truck San Diego, and maybe browse Nortte Hats while you recover. The rules are simple: follow the smoke, trust the grill, and maybe don’t make dinner plans afterward.
For the friend who thinks every good afternoon should involve a little sunshine, a cold drink, and nowhere to be, there’s The Beach Zone. Presented by Reef Lifestyle, this laid-back corner brings the San Diego summer fantasy to the Polo Fields, complete with coastal bites, beach-inspired brands, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
Grab bites from Duke’s La Jolla, Jake’s Del Mar, Lofty Coffee Co., Dang Brother Pizza Co., and Coral Del Mar, then cool off with Summer Club, Volley, Surfside Iced Tea and Lemonade + Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mezo Mezoritas, Roseade Wine Spritzer, Pinkys, and more. Hemlock Hat Co., Coola, Sambazon, Playavole, Shibumi Shade, Spritz del Conte, and Out of the Woods add a little retail therapy to the mix, because the Grand Tasting obviously needs shopping, too.
And yes, there’s a photo op. Find the teal VW bus from A Timeless Day, gather your favorite people, and pretend you’ve spent the afternoon cruising the California coast instead of wandering around a wine and food festival.
It’s an area filled with surf-inspired games, your next favorite beach accessory, and a drink in hand. Basically, San Diego summer, condensed into one very convenient patch of grass.
Neon boas, glitter-filled drinks, and enough food to make choosing a single dinner impossible. The Pride Zone presented by San Diego Pride is bringing the energy, gathering some of San Diego’s favorite restaurants, bars, breweries, and sweet spots in one very colorful corner of the Polo Fields. Expect bites and beverages from Cary Q Wines, Gossip Grill, Rootdown & Es Okay, T’Maro Brands, and more.
Plant Paradise is your green oasis, but don’t expect it to be particularly peaceful. DJ Tenax returns with house, techno, UKG, and the kind of set that can turn a quick stop into an hour on the open-air dance floor. As Green Air Botanicals sets the mood, grab a cocktail from Mission Craft Cocktails, Makku, or San Hagen Tequila, and a bite from the sprawling lineup of plant-based bites and snacks from some of San Diego’s vegan favorites.
Kindred, Nourish Eats, The Plot, Maya’s Cookies and more. There’s also a full lineup of brands to snack your way through, including Aficio 22, Bücha Hard Kombucha, Nichols Farms, Nuts For Cheese.
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.
At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Witness Erykah Badu in concert, see the Padres’ regular season finale, and toast to the San Diego Spirits Festival
It may be a bit too warm still for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice drinks, but beginning this week, locals and visitors can experience some of what San Diego has in store for fall. Fans of neo-soul grooves and R&B jams can catch concerts from Kehlani at Viejas Arena and Erykah Badu, along with The Alchemist, at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Oktoberfest is back in full swing, and local beer-laden celebrations include an all-day festival and artisan faire in Encinitas and the two weekend-long Oktoberfest in El Cajon. And if brews aren’t your preferred alcoholic beverage, the San Diego Sake Festival and the San Diego Spirits Festival are prime opportunities to sample a plethora of premium spirits.
JUMP TO: Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
San Diego VegFest advocates for sustainable living, starting with a delicious and eco-friendly diet. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park, check out global food options, plant-based vendors, community resources, live music, a kids zone, and educational speaker panels. This free event also offers microchipping services, cat adoptions, and complimentary wellness classes, including yoga, tai chi, and meditation. RSVP here.
Balboa Park Boulevard and Presidents Way Lawn, Balboa Park
No matter if you prefer your cocktails shaken or stirred, all visitors to the 17th annual San Diego Spirits Festival can readily get in the mix this weekend. This Saturday (2:30-6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1-5 p.m.) at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, receive unlimited sips of expertly crafted cocktails and top-shelf spirits, indulge in a selection of artisanal bites from local eateries, and take in an array of live entertainment, including local band Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Admission is $89 for Saturday and $68 for Sunday for guests 21 and older.
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
The neighborhoods surrounding San Diego State University are rich with food options, and this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., all are welcome to sample the college-adjacent fare. During the third annual Taste of College Area, dishes like chicken wings, ramen, and frozen yogurt will be available to try from a lineup of over 20 nearby eateries. Attendees can stroll to each stop or hop aboard the free Old Town Trolley to canvass the complete menu. Tickets are $40 online and $45 the day of.
El Cajon Boulevard between 55th Street & 73rd Street, College Area & Rolando
Premium sake is the star of this libation celebration from the San Diego Sake Club, returning this Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The 10th annual San Diego Sake Festival will showcase more than 100 premium sake and shochu varieties from Japan and the US, and guests can also sample Japanese beer, enjoy live performances, and converse with local brewers and sommeliers. Ticket options include general admission ($93) and Nonbei admission ($114), which comes with early entry at 2:30 p.m. and a $10 food voucher.
1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills
Both a love letter to old-school R&B and a testament to her creative and personal maturation, Kehlani’s self-titled album, released in April, feels like a new height for an artist continually on the rise. Standout tracks like “Folded” and “No Such Thing” are tailor made additions to her enviable collection of great love songs, and the project’s throwback feeling is punctuated by appearances from the likes of Brandy, Missy Elliott, and Lil Jon. Hear Kehlani from the woman herself this Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) at Viejas Arena, with opening sets by Dixson, Durand Burnarr, Waseel, and TheARTI$T. Tickets start at $83 for this concert.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area
Fill up your steins and break out your Bavarian threads—it’s Oktoberfest time in El Cajon and Encinitas. The first weekend of the German American Societies’ annual festival in El Cajon kicks off with games, contests, folk dancing, and traditional German cuisine this Friday (4-10 p.m.), Saturday (noon to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (noon to 9 p.m.); daily admission is $5-$15 for adults and free for those under 21 and active military. Meanwhile, this Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), the free Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire will feature oompah bands, a selection of craft and German brews, and over 130 vendors to shop from.
1017 South Mollison Avenue, El Cajon | Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, Encinitas
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.
Here’s where to celebrate, connect, give back, and make a difference this month
Join a slew of celebrity athletes—former world No. 4 tennis star James Blake, and former MLB players Brett Tomko and Eric Byrnes, to name a few—chefs, and other hunger-relief supporters for a Celebrity Pickleball Tournament to raise money for Feeding San Diego. The tournament at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma is part of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, which has raised more than $100,000 for Feeding San Diego and other local nonprofit organizations since 2023.
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking research at its Illumination Gala at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Support from the gala will help Sanford Burnham Prebys continue to advance medicine and change lives.
San Diego Humane Society supporters—both people and pets—will get dressed to the nines for the 40th annual Fur Ball. Proceeds from the event at San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street campus will support the organization’s efforts to care for more than 40,000 animals each year.
Voices for Children will celebrate the impact of its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) at its Starry Starry Night Gala on the Heron Lawn at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. The 46-year-old organization is the only agency in the county designated to provide CASAs to advocate for local foster children.
Show off your sparkle at the Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala at the Town & Country Resort. The nonprofit will celebrate six decades of service with dinner, entertainment, and special guests.
More than 30 performers will take the stage to support Robin’s Nest Rescue at its fourth annual Rockin’ Robin Music Fest. The five-acre animal sanctuary in Ramona will also celebrate America’s 250th birthday, showcase local artisans, and introduce guests to some of its rescue animals.
Local nonprofit Adjoin will host a whimsical garden party fundraiser at a private home in La Mesa. The Soil to Soul Garden Party will support Adjoin’s mission to build inclusive communities and support independence for people with disabilities and veteran families experiencing homelessness.
Enjoy bites, beverages, and animal encounters at Living Coast Discovery Center’s Farm to Bay fundraiser. The annual event at the nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge will support coastal conservation efforts.
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.
San Diego Magazine's Private School Guide 2026
NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!
Enrollment: 100
Grades: K – 8
Tuition: $30,000
Deadline: Rolling
Gender: All-inclusive
Details Nonsectarian
Open House Tours by appointment
12285 Oak Knoll Road • Poway, California 92064
858-679-5744 • [email protected] • thenewbridgeschool.com
