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Court summer breezes and sweet views with a drink in hand
We did it. We made it to locals’ summer. After a seemingly long, lukewarm summer, the sun has made like Blink-182 and returned to rocking. Now that the weather is heating up, it’s time visit your favorite rooftop bar and grab a cold one to celebrate. To help plan happy-hour hangs and kick off fall romances, we rounded up 20 of our favorite rooftop bars in San Diego to check out. Here are some of the top sun-kissed patios in the city.

Walking into Seneca Trattoria is like strolling onto a luxurious cruise ship from another era. Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Hotel, Seneca peers down at the San Diego waterfront and offers booth seating along the perimeter. The restaurant whips up Italian eats like Wagyu bolognese pasta and wood-fired pizzas that pair well with their Mediterranean-inspired cocktails. Be sure to make a reservation and dress to impress—may we suggest Italian linen?
Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Level 19, Downtown
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Dine poolside and sky-high at the Rooftop at the Mission Pacific hotel. This 21-plus lounge is a great spot to mix and mingle, order refreshing cocktails, and enjoy live music from their resident DJs. Drinks at the Mission Pacific can lean toward the pricey side, but the beachfront views, classy atmosphere, and great service make it worth a little extra coin.
Address: 201 N Myers St, Oceanside
Hours: Monday–Thursday, noon–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour: Weekdays, 2–5 p.m.

Nestled in Little Italy, Coco Maya’s lush rooftop is the spot for fun island flair, killer brunch (hello, lobster caviar benedict and spicy mango ceviche), and Instagram-worthy cocktails. By day, soak up the sun with fresh flavors and colorful mimosas; by night, dive into smoky Josper-oven dishes and mezcal drinks in a lively, inviting setting.
Address: 1660 India St, Little Italy
Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–midnight; Sunday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m.
Reservations: Coco Maya

High above Mission Hills, Communion crowns The Sasan with an impressive view of the whole San Diego skyline and a hyper-seasonal menu. The chic rooftop spot serves plates like squid ink risotto, lamb lollipops, and kaluga caviar, paired with cocktails crafted to play up those rich flavors. Communion was also voted critic’s pick in our annual Best Restaurants issue this year, so you know it’s going to be a good time.
Address: 901 W Washington St, Mission Hills
Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 4–8:30 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 4–9 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Happy Hour: Daily, 4–6 p.m.
Reservations: Tock

Lumi, a restaurant atop the Huntress on Fifth Avenue in downtown, takes you on a culinary journey. Created by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Akira Back, Lumi turns globally sourced ingredients into colorful works of art. The rooftop eatery features booth seating for larger groups, a cocktail bar overlooking the Gaslamp strip, live DJs, and creative Japanese-Peruvian fusion plates. Crowd favorites include the tuna-topped Akira Back Pizza and the Kanpachi Ceviche.
Address: 366 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday, 5:30–11 p.m.; Thursday, 5:30 p.m.–midnight; Friday, 5:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m.–1:30 a.m.
Happy Hour: Sunday–Thursday, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

One thing that didn’t change with Mister A’s 2022 renovation? The local institution’s 180-degree view of the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, and the bayfront. The San Diego Magazine Best Restaurant winner sits on the 12th floor of the Manchester Financial building in Banker’s Hill. Impress your summer sweetheart with a fancy meal (potato-crusted sea bass and butter-poached lobster!) and complex cocktails, or make it a daytime date at the restaurant’s Jazz Brunch from every weekend.
Address: 2550 Fifth Ave 12th floor, Bankers Hill
Bar Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 3:30–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 3:30–11 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

The Holding Company in Ocean Beach features three floors packed with dining space, bars, and a live music venue. Blocks from the beach, the restaurant is a perfect spot to catch a concert, or simply inhale chicken wings and a Screwball shot after an afternoon wandering Newport Avenue.
Address: 5046 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach
Hours: Wednesday–Friday, 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–2 a.m.; Monday–Tuesday, closed
Happy Hour: Wednesday–Friday, 4–6 p.m.; half off select drafts, half off most spirits, and 30% off entire food menu
Private Events: The Holding Company

With more than 10,000 square feet of space, Kairoa in University Heights is a great rooftop bar for large groups. The New Zealand–inspired spot also features an in-house brewery and a private event area. Post up with a pilsner and a rack of lamb and, since Kairoa’s dog-friendly, order your furry pal some chicken and veggies from the pup menu.
Address: 4601 Park Blvd, University Heights
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, closed; Wednesday–Thursday, 4–11 p.m.; Friday, 4–11 p.m.; Saturday, noon–11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Perched a whopping 40 stories high atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt, this sleek lounge provides a relaxed getaway from the bustling streets below. With a panoramic view of the ocean and city skyline, Top of the Hyatt is the perfect spot to unwind with its menu of unique cocktails inspired by San Diego’s neighborhoods.
Address: 1 Market Pl, Downtown
Hours: Daily, 3 p.m.–12 a.m.
Private Events: Top of the Hyatt

This North Park rooftop gem from Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman is a fresh take on local, sustainable dining. With cozy lounge areas and sunset views, it’s a great place to unwind with creative cocktails, Baja wines, and a rotating menu of seasonal small plates. For a wallet-friendly dining experience, don’t miss the happy hour special featuring $12 dozen oysters and $10 cocktail specials.
Address: 3131 University Ave., North Park
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 5–9 p.m.; Sunday, 4–7:30 p.m.
Happy Hour: Tuesday–Saturday, 5–6:30 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Looking for one of the best views in La Jolla and one of the top Italian restaurants (named critic’s choice in our 2023 Best Restaurants issue) in San Diego? Hit both goals at Catania, which sits on Girard Avenue scant blocks away from the La Jolla Cove. A Whisknladle spot, the restaurant boasts stellar views of the ocean and dishes like duck sugo orecchiette and an assortment of Italian beers, wines, and cocktails. Be sure to get a reservation around sunset to get the most out of your rooftop Italian feast.
Address: 7863 Girard Ave 301 F3, La Jolla
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 4–8:30 p.m.; Friday, 4–9 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Located above the Brick Hotel in Oceanside, Cococabana is a Caribbean-style rooftop bar known for its fruit-forward cocktails. Sip on tropical concoctions like the guava-grapefruit Havana Good Time, served in a copper flamingo statue, while taking in the ocean views and the lively atmosphere of Oceanside’s main street. To make the most of your visit without breaking the bank, drop by during the weekend for bottomless mimosas from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only at the Coca… Cococabana.
Address: 408 Pier View Way Suite 401, Oceanside
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3–10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.–midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Happy Hour: Friday, 1–4 p.m.; weekdays, 3–6 p.m., 25% off drinks for Oceanside locals
Reservations: OpenTable

Garibaldi is one of San Diego’s best-kept rooftop secrets. The Southern Italian restaurant and bar, located blocks away from the marina, features gorgeous views of the San Diego Bay. Order a spread of seafood and seasonal cocktails (we like their spiced agave Quattro Rosso) and make peace with being a little late to work tomorrow.
Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Suite 1, Downtown
Hours: Monday–Wednesday, closed; Thursday–Friday, 4:30–10 p.m.; Sunday, 4–9 p.m.
Happy Hour: Daily, 4:30 p.m.–sunset
Reservations: Resy

Leave of Absence is a rare San Diego rooftop bar with a swimming pool and the perfect chill vibes—tropical drinks, wood-fire pizzas, and poolside service. Located above Alma, just a short walk from Little Italy, it’s the ideal spot to call out of work sick and sip cocktails all day by the pool.
Address: 1047 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Hours: Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (food available until 7 p.m.); Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (food available until 5 p.m.); Monday–Thursday, closed

George’s at the Cove, a four-decade-old cliffside restaurant, features two levels of oceanfront seating in the La Jolla Cove, plus a menu full of surf and turf and salads and an almost dizzyingly long wine list. Parking can be tough around the cove, so either valet on Prospect Street or search for spots deeper into the village.
Address: 1250 Prospect St, La Jolla
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Reservations: Tock

Perched on the boardwalk of Mission Beach, Cannonball is a lively sushi bar just a stone’s throw from the beach. The vibrant spot offers sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes like the tuna-and-tempura Red Dragon and the seafood-filled Cannonball Burrito (which, spoiler, is really a massive sushi roll). Pair any of these dishes with one of their sakes, Japanese whiskeys, or craft cocktails. And every Tuesday and Thursday, they tap San Diego musicians to perform an acoustic concert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach
Hours: Monday–Thursday, noon–8 p.m.; Friday, noon–9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Happy Hour: Weekdays, 2–5 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

This laid back lounge is proof that any hour can be happy when you’re on island time. Play giant Jenga, jump in the pool, or relax in a cabana while sipping tropical cocktails and munching on roasted poblano and mushroom tacos. With 7,500 square feet where you can roam and soak up the sunshine, this oasis is one of the biggest rooftop spaces in San Diego. Cheers to never watching the clock here.
Address: 616 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour: Tuesday–Sunday, 3–6 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

If you like your San Diego skyline views paired with mouthwatering Wagyu steak and expertly prepared espresso martinis, Born & Raised’s glitzy rooftop is your spot. The CH Projects restaurant mixes old-school charm with a little bit of edge—servers in tuxedos and Converse, cocktails dramatically prepared right at your table, and an ambient environment that’s perfect for lingering.
Address: 1909 India St, Little Italy
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3 p.m.–midnight; Friday, 3 p.m.–1 a.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m.–1 a.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m.
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–4:30 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Sea & Sky has certainly earned its name with its breathtaking views of the Pacific from the top of Hotel La Jolla. The food is fresh and local, showcasing the best of coastal California seafood, while the drinks highlight regional wines and creative cocktails from around the world. Come for daily happy hour, Sunday jazz brunch, or a sunset that makes your drink taste even better.
Address: 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Happy Hour: Daily, 3–5 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable

Only a couple blocks from the beach, Pueblo captures the spirit of Baja with fresh coastal Mexican flavors and a laid-back PB vibe. The margaritas are strong, the pints are ice-cold, and the bar pours wine and brews from both sides of the border. With its breezy, open-air setting, it’s the perfect spot to drift from beach day to happy hour seamlessly.
Address: 877 Hornblend St, Pacific Beach
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–5 p.m.
Reservations: Yelp
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Phoenix is a senior at San Diego State University where she studies journalism and photography. You can find her reading at the beach, taking photos at a concert, or cultivating her 200th Spotify playlist.
The Mexican restaurant continues the Barrio Logan tradition of art in unexpected places
I’m sitting in a slab of concrete under a freeway, eating a ceviche black as eyeliner.
There might be seven seats in this restaurant. Or maybe it’s 12 minus five. That area under the stairs might also be a couple seats, or it might just be a very inviting storage area with a flower vase. The restaurant is so small your core instinct is to count seats and tabulate if Alchemy – Choose Thy Poison is a real place with a sane business plan or if it’s a social art project designed to question the reality of restaurants and business plans.
There’s a large, floor-to-human-height window near our table. Through it, I notice someone didn’t make their bed this morning. It’s a decision I deeply empathize with. It’s moments like this that make you acutely aware that Alchemy is also technically the courtyard of a six-room micro-hotel called Narcissus. Not the kind of massagey boutique hotel you’re thinking of with soft woods, obscene amounts of linen, and opinions on bonsai therapy. It’s a near-Brutalist cube of base industrial materials—concrete and acrylics bent and molded into a series of alcoves, with pods to sleep in. Sculptures lie behind glass like Tilda Swinton circa 2013.
The window to the unmade bed forcibly crams light voyeurism into the dining experience. The hotel and Alchemy feel like the parts of Mexico I love the most. Although Mexico has its multimillion-dollar restaurants, a vast majority of the best street-level places feel like you’re temporarily recreating in a very lovely construction project.
Alchemy’s location is what most people comment on (“I can’t believe a place like this exists on a block like this.”)—jammed at the bottom of the freeway embankment on the northeast side of Barrio Logan. But that makes it distinctly Barrio, the historic cradle of San Diego’s Hispanic and Chicano culture. The I-5 freeway was built through Barrio in 1963—a fairly traumatic gashing of the neighborhood—and residents responded by painting epic murals on the ugly concrete belly of eminent domain. Where some would’ve just accepted the industrial blight, locals saw shade for a park. There is a deep history here of turning concrete into art, and Alchemy carries that on.

The vision for the property came from owner Benjamin Longwell, whose company—The Society of Master Craftsmen—sounds like it wears a monocle. Longwell is part of the new guard of developers who focus on urban infill. Instead of adding to the city sprawl, they find unused or underutilized parcels of land in established neighborhoods, then build creative mixed-use spaces that, in perfect scenarios, add something of value for locals.
I’m not making a case for architectural sainthood, but there isn’t a huge list of developers who would look at the line of cars exiting the freeway in front of Alchemy and think, “We must build here.” So in that sense, Narcissus and Alchemy feel additive to the community, not extractive.

I stare back at Alchemy’s ceviche negro, a glossy mound of halibut that looks inspired by the La Brea Tar Pits or melted vinyl records. Chef-owner and Mexico City–native Eddy Cortes saves all the trimmings of his dishes (garlic and onion skins, vegetable shavings), then chars them into an ash to create a recado negro—a Yucatán specialty that usually involves toasted chiles, achiote paste, vinegar, and a ton of warm spices. He tosses local halibut with squid ink, tamari, charred pineapple, and citrus. The usual charm of ceviche is that it’s light, bright, full of color. Not here.
It is fantastic—acidic but with a whole world of toasted, warm flavors, like ceviche that’s seen some things.
The menu from Cortes—a home cook his whole life, only having taken it professional a few years ago with his popular pop-up, Barracruda—is really a tour of specialties from various states in Mexico.

A crema de poblano has the blended ghost of rajas at its core: an emulsion of roasted poblanos with butter-sautéed onions and garlic, plus a touch of milk that’s topped with queso fresco, chile ancho, and morita oil. Morita—a smoky Mexican condiment made from dried and smoked red jalapeños for a less intense, fruitier cousin of chipotle—is the key here. It specializes in spiking fats (guacamole, fried eggs, burritos). Sop up the crema with house-baked garlic-rosemary sourdough, blackened from the ash of a corn husk.
Smoked tuna is a Baja gift that’s become an anchor for most San Diego taco shops, and Alchemy combines mesquite-smoked yellowtail with caramelized onions, sweet peppers, and Chihuahua cheese (the OG quesadilla filling), then stuffs it in a perfectly baked masa empanada. The result is somewhere between a TJ Oyster Bar taco, a calzone, and a tamale—but with extra flavor and more black hue from cuttlefish ink.
Alchemy’s huaraches de res is Cortes’ ode to where he’s from. Huaraches are the New Haven–style pizza of Mexican food—thick, oblong masa flatbread layered with refried beans and a payload inspired by the Mexico City markets the chef grew up roaming with his dad: braised beef (braseado), avocado salsa, pickled vegetables, salsa macha, and jocoque (Mexico’s fermented dairy product, like a cross between crema and labneh).
Alchemy’s seared tuna crudo gets a tad abused by the riot of big flavors: charred hibiscus salsa, avocado salsa, pickled grapes, pomegranate salsa macha, and chipotle aioli. It’s a fate that also tempers the joy of the zarandeado, with the adobo marinade on the shrimp fighting a bit with recado negro and chipotle crema. Sticking with curmudgeonly food critic notes, flies are a part of the Alchemy experience, at least during our visit. They’re fairly hard to evict from the outside world, but more measures could be taken to discourage their participation.

The oxtail tetelas—like a Mexican pupusa—are a diary note from Cortes’ travels to Tlaquepaque, where they famously superboost their salsa with a touch of instant coffee. First, Cortes braises the oxtail with beer and Mexican spices. Then he blends that braising liquid into a salsa with beef tallow, guajillo, charred onions, tomatoes, and black garlic. Keeping with the goth food theme, the oxtail goes into masa negra infused with squid ink.
Desserts are where you realize just how deeply Alchemy is committed to the art bit. Rarely do you see a neighborhood bistro trying to pull off trompe l’œil—the French specialty of making pastries and other desserts look like fruit or other everyday objects. (The phrase means “to deceive the eye” and is the historical precedent for the Is It Cake? phenomenon.) Pastry chef Catherinne Avila does, though. A “Naranja” comes out in the form of a mandarin, but inside is orange blossom mousse, apricot jelly, and sablée (a delicate, crumbly shortcrust). A “Philosopher’s Stone” comes in the form of a brick of gold with a serpent on top; inside are mango mousse, mango-Tajín jelly, and a coconut dacquoise.
As Barrio Logan enters an apprehensive phase—its creative culture and restaurant scene growing rapidly, bringing economic promise face-to-face with the need to protect the Chicano way of life—this concrete tuckaway from a Mexico City kid feels like a good step. The Barrio has a long history of making art in unexpected places, and Alchemy carries that a little further.
Photos Credit: Dee Sandoval






Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.
After building a loyal following through coffee shop pop-ups, Scoopy Scoopy is putting down roots in Leucadia
There’s a saying in business that if you’re not evolving, you’re dying. I personally have a saying that if you’re not eating ice cream, you’re also probably dying, but of sadness.
Scoopy Scoopy doesn’t have either of those problems. The premium ice cream pop-up launched last year with the idea of setting up in coffee shops after hours, helping those businesses maximize their profitability while also avoiding the costs of a brick and mortar. But it turns out, a lot of people in Leucadia really like ice cream—so much so that Scoopy Scoopy decided to open their own scoop shop in the same building as Moto Deli and Cadence Cyclery (in the former Queenstage Coffee House space) on July 8.
Evolving doesn’t mean leaving the old ways behind. Zach Zien, who runs Scoopy with his partner Steven Segal and wife Sophia, says they will continue to pursue the shared space model on weekends at Coffee Coffee in Leucadia through the summer and are still open to popping up at other venues. “That’s still a core part of our business,” he says. But with steady demand in the Encinitas area, it gave them the confidence to put down roots of their own.
“People have really welcomed us and we’ve been well-received,” he explains. “We think this is the market to succeed in.”
The super-premium ice cream is still sourced from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream in Wisconsin, but instead of the eight flavors they’re limited to for popups, the permanent storefront will be able to offer 12. “There will be three or four that regularly rotate, with probably eight staples that are our best sellers,” says Zien, pointing to flavors like peanut butter, oatmeal cookie, and the alternating vegan options. They’ll also be able to fill pints to order, something they haven’t been able to do in the past.
Currently, Moto Deli closes at 4 p.m. daily, but once Scoopy Scoopy is up and running, it will offer beer and wine until 8 p.m. for a shared drinks-and-dessert Happy Hour. “We’re hoping to get a food truck vendor on regular rotation to have food options available after hours as well,” says Zien.
The spontaneity of pop-ups can be as exciting as it is efficient. But when it comes to ice cream, I like knowing exactly when and where I can get a scoop—before the sadness kicks in.
Scoopy Scoopy soft opens on July 8 at 190 N. Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas. Initial operating hours are Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. (subject to change).

Speaking of pop-ups, San Diego’s culinary entrepreneurs keep ramping things up with more concepts launching every week. But after a parade of pastry prodigies and brilliant breadmakers, it might be nice to sink your teeth into something with a bit of protein. (Shoutout to all my carboholic brethren out there.)
Jim Adamski is joining the ever-swelling ranks of MEHKO (Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen) businesses alongside the likes of The Hidden Gazebo Eatery in Lemon Grove and Warung RieRie in Serra Mesa with his new venture, Cold Smoke BBQ. He’s not following a specific regional barbecue style like Central Texas, Kansas City, or St. Louis—he’s driven by whatever inspires him at the time (or, whatever he’s craving). He’s also not following a specific schedule. “My loose plans are weekends… then eventually maybe during the week,” he says. His menu and pick-up schedule get updated regularly, with pre-orders available to pick up from his house in 4S Ranch. So far, he says the dry-rubbed ribs and rib tips have been the best-sellers. But if you absolutely can’t resist adding a bread-adjacent item, you’re still in luck—he’s got cornbread.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
We found a handful of inspiring people who live in, and truly know, these 'hoods and asked them how they’d spend their time out and about
Growing up in Carlsbad, I never quite understood why people vacationed there. What, so you want to check out the field where I have soccer practice? Pay my orthodontist a visit? Carlsbad just felt like a town by the beach, no better or worse than any other in the country. It took going to college out of state for me to actually understand just how rare a place like Carlsbad is.
Thanksgiving break my freshman year, my first time coming home after three months in the Midwest, my shoulders dropped. I rolled down the windows and drove to lifeguard tower 37—the hangout magnet for Carlsbad’s youths (and, in the summer, tourists)—and the smells of the ocean woke me right up like smelling salts do. I finally got it.
Carlsbad isn’t just a stopover town on your way to something better. It is the destination. Travel + Leisure named Carlsbad one of the top 50 places around the world to travel in 2026. From the whole globe, the travel magazine picked my home. Sure, we’ve got the Flower Fields and Legoland—but now it’s the smaller ships and indier dreams that are giving it street-level character.
It’s not just Carlsbad, either. People have talked about the “North County bubble” for decades—a force field that prevents its residents from traveling south of the 56. It’s often used derogatorily, and it’s a fairly accurate burn.
For decades, living up in North County meant giving up on culture, or at least culture within close proximity. But now, the main expansion of San Diego culture is happening up north. Central San Diego restaurants have started taking notice and are expanding into the area—spurred no doubt by Oceanside’s food boom and the Jeune et Jolie–Campfire–Wildland–Lilo constellation in Carlsbad. City Heights burger joint Key & Cleaver opened a new spot in Oceanside; the owners of Parc Bistro-Brasserie in Bankers Hill opened Parc Lounge in Rancho Santa Fe. Possibly the strongest market indicator is that Sam Fox—one of the most successful restaurateurs west of the Rockies—has started focusing on North County for his concepts. In 2025, he opened both The Henry in Carlsbad and Culinary Dropout in Del Mar.
For the ultimate insider guide, we found a handful of inspiring people who live and create and truly know six North County neighborhoods—San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, Leucadia, Rancho Santa Fe, and Vista—and asked them how they’d spend a dream day out and about in their town.

San Marcos is in full renaissance mode. The biggest story is that the grand North City vision is starting to peek through the scaffolding. It’s essentially the North County Downtown that’s been written in the tea leaves and discussed whenever someone gets stuck in traffic at the 5/805 merge: a 200-acre, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use face-changer that’s slated for 2,600 homes, 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 250 hotel rooms, and about a million square feet of offices and labs. Its most recent manifestation is 222 North City—a 12-story residential tower with over 450 residences, rooftop garden, pool cabanas, art installations, and almost 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail (Necessity Coffee, Buona Forchetta, Draft Republic, Milonga Empanadas, and a grocery store anchor on its way).
Which means Restaurant Row is no longer burdened with being the primary caregiver for the hungry or the socially inclined. Patricia Prado-Olmos has watched the city morph during her nearly three-decade tenure at CSUSM, having spent the past six years as the school’s chief community engagement officer. She also just announced her forthcoming retirement at the end of the 2026–2027 school year, so she’ll have even more time to haunt local haunts.
Those in the know call the university “Cal State StairMaster” from the Sisyphean amount of stairs on the hillside campus. So, any day at or around CSUSM should start with a homestyle carbo-load (biscuits and gravy) from Mama Kat’s.

“There’s something about this breakfast spot that immediately puts me in a good mood,” she says. Mama Kat’s is also known for its pie (strawberry-rhubarb), which is breakfast if you change your perspective.
After a few hours on campus—with a break to pet the university’s official therapy goldendoodle, Frank, who helps ease finals tremors or apprehension of on-campus stairs—Prado-Olmos will wander into North City, just steps away. She says the almond croissant and coffee at Christophe Rull Patisserie rival Parisian cafés: “It feels like the kind of place you’d stumble across in a much bigger city.”
Rull, a Michelin-trained pastry chef who’s done stints on Netflix (Bake Squad) and Food Network (Super Mega Cakes, Halloween Wars), opened his patisserie last fall. The hype hasn’t cooled off yet: Get there early because the crowds do.
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.
A customized memory-filled explosion gift box is a creative way to show someone you care
Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.

The brand was built for people who want to give something meaningful without spending hours printing photos, cutting paper, folding cardstock, or assembling a DIY project. Customers simply choose a box, upload their favorite photos, add personal messages, and the Xplosion Box team transforms those details into a polished keepsake that feels thoughtful, personal, and beautifully made.
Xplosion Box offers personalized gift boxes for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, proposals, bridesmaid gifts, long-distance relationships, and thoughtful “just because” moments.

Customers can choose from flexible customization options starting at $27. The Mini Surprise Box includes 10 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note, while the Mega Surprise Box offers a fuller keepsake experience with 40 photos, three message cards, and one hidden secret note.
What sets Xplosion Box apart is its high level of customization combined with convenience. Filled with personal photos, custom text, decorative details, and layered surprises, each box gives customers the freedom to create a gift that feels one-of-a-kind — without having to make it themselves.
At its core, Xplosion Box helps people turn favorite photos, stories, and words into something tangible: a keepsake that can be opened, revisited, and remembered long after the occasion has passed.
Free and low-cost options for getting in on the pop culture action outside of the convention center’s walls
It’s happening, San Diego. The pre–Comic-Con excitement jitters begin to creep in as soon as July hits the calendar. But for those who forgot to set an alarm on registration day, whose batteries died or whose luck ran out in the virtual waiting room, or who simply prefer to soak up the fandom frenzy from the outside, we’ve got the best ways to experience Comic-Con weekend—no badge required.
Ain’t no party like an after-hours party, and XLE Productions’ Ready Party One is definitely one for comic book fans. Kick-start your convention weekend at Parq Nightclub and enjoy music by fan-favorite ’80s tribute band The Flux Capacitors, along with enough fandom fun, cosplay, retro gaming and pop-culture nostalgia to satisfy your inner geek. At least for the night.
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 8 p.m.
Location: Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Tickets start at $34
With more than a dozen activities and brand activations, Petco Park’s Interactive Zone is a badgeless fan’s playground, bringing together brands, games, celebrity appearances and immersive experiences all in one place. On Friday, July 24, Funko’s beloved annual party, hosted by Funko founder Mike Becker, returns to Gallagher Square. This year’s “Quest for the Grail” event will take guests on a journey to the sunken city of Atlantis. Expect themed décor, food, drinks, games and special guest appearances.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26 (times TBD)
Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park
Price: Free; Funko Funday event is ticketed
Cartoon and art lovers can celebrate the work of Chuck Jones, creator of some of animation’s most iconic characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Pepé Le Pew, at Seaport Village’s Chuck Jones Gallery. During Comic-Con weekend, the showroom will also host meet-and-greets with talented artists including Disney artist and seascape painter Steve Barton, The Simpsons animator Stephen Reis, and licensed Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and Disney fine artist Ben Olson.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25, 2026 (times TBD)
Location: Chuck Jones Gallery, 809 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
Price: Free
Get your pup’s—and your own—cosplay game ready because Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PAWmicon is back. Enjoy a Comic-Con-themed outing with the whole family while raising awareness for orphaned pets in San Diego. Divided into three categories—Flying Solo, Dynamic Duos & Trios & More, and Fantastic Floats—the event is a paw-fect way to jump-start the festivities.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 4:30–7 p.m.
Location: Presidents Way Lawn at Balboa Park
Price: Free
Why leave all the fun, mischief and mayhem to badge holders when you can join more than 300 partygoers and crawl through some of downtown San Diego’s top bars and nightclubs? Whether you’re called to save the universe or have an allegiance to the dark side, the annual Comic-Con Bar Crawl gives attendees exclusive access to more than 20 venues throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, with free welcome shots, exclusive drink discounts and complimentary entry along the way. This event for ages 21 and older is a fun way to celebrate your fandom outside the convention center.
Date & Time: Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26, 2026, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
Location: Check-in at Toro, 672 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, from 8–9 p.m.
Price: $13–$30
Geek out over couture at the annual Her Universe Fashion Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hosted by founder and Star Wars: The Clone Wars actress Ashley Eckstein and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, this year’s show will feature a selection of designers showcasing one-of-a-kind DC-inspired creations as they compete for a $2,000 cash prize.
Note: Wristbands are traditionally distributed the morning of the event on a first-come, first-served basis, but official details have not yet been announced.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Free
A destination for all things fandom, Balboa Park’s Comic-Con Museum brings world-premiere and exclusive exhibits and events to the heart of San Diego, giving fans a place to geek out all year long. The museum is currently featuring the U.S. debut of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, showcasing 17 of the Doctor’s most iconic costumes, a full-size TARDIS and a collection of original sonic screwdrivers used on-screen. Visitors can also explore Sangre, Sudor y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre, featuring rare collectibles and authentic masks and costumes worn by legendary luchadores.
Date & Time: Open Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wednesdays), 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: $15–$30; free for children younger than 6
Browse an extensive collection of original drawings, paintings, jewelry and other whimsical creations from more than 100 professional and amateur artists at the Comic-Con Art Show. Many pieces will be available for purchase through the silent auction or Quick Sale, giving fans the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind Comic-Con souvenir while supporting talented artists.
Dates & Times:
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall CD, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Free
Looking for a supercute way to fuel your Comic-Con adventures? Swing by the Hello Kitty Café Truck. This traveling pink café on wheels will be parked at Petco Park’s Interactive Zone, serving up tasty treats and exclusive merchandise. From limited-edition tote bags and hats to mugs and T-shirts, it’s the perfect stop to grab a snack and a little extra kawaii cuteness.
Date & Time:
Location: Petco Park Interactive Zone, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Menu items vary
Get ready to fuel up and hype up. Whether you’re a plain-bagel purist or an everything-bagel fan, don’t miss your chance to grab breakfast or recharge at PopUp Bagels’ Volkswagen bus parked outside Pendry San Diego. Then satisfy your sweet tooth at Provisional with a rotating selection of character-themed doughnuts from Donut Bar. Both are available throughout the weekend beginning at 7 a.m. until sold out.
On Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m., head to Nason’s Beer Hall to celebrate Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Guests can sample Tom Holland’s nonalcoholic beer brand, BERO, served in limited-edition themed cans available exclusively during the event.
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.
Dance to the American Rhythm, shop after-hours at the Summer Sera, and catch the Big Bay Boom fireworks show
Before, during, and after the Fourth of July, San Diegans can commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with an abundance of stars, stripes and local celebrations. America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell and Lamb’s Players Theatre’s revival of American Rhythm will look back at the many songs which define our country. Liberty Station’s Anchored in Freedom celebration and the Independence Day Carnival offer community-centered fun and loads of family-friendly activities. And who can possibly forget the Big Bay Boom, which will resume its reign over San Diego Bay as the state’s biggest fireworks show. Outside of the holiday festivities, this week brings the yearly return of Little Italy’s Summer Sera and the Athenaeum Summer Festival, as well as a slate of championship matches for All Elite Wrestling.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Sip on refreshing beverages and savor a panoramic rooftop view this Friday from 6-8 p.m. during the 21-plus Sunset & Spritz at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. There will be a live DJ (until 9 p.m.), appetizers, pool and cabana access, a photo booth, and a cash bar (until 11 p.m.). To accentuate the summer theme, guests are invited to dress in white, pink, and orange attire. Tickets are $29 and come with a welcome aperol spritz.
616 J Street, Gaslamp
Bring a patriotic palette to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar for The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya this Friday and Saturday from 5-8:30 p.m. Patrons will be treated to a five-course tasting menu, curated to exhibit a selection of standout regional flavors and culinary concepts that have shaped our country’s distinct food heritage. The meal will also include beverage pairings with each course, such as wine, cocktails, and artisanal drinks. Reservations are $330 per person (with tax and 20% gratuity) on OpenTable.
5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar
Don Toliver thrives at being the life of the party (and the “After Party”). His fifth album Octane, released in February, is indicative of his thrill-seeking nature. As with his earlier releases, Octane sees Toliver operating in the space between hip-hop and R&B, with warbling vocals and blaring beats that are best heard at a high volume. This Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Toliver will play at Pechanga Arena, with rappers SoFaygo, Chase B and SahBabii—who had a guest verse on Octane standout “K9”—as special guests. Tickets start at $156 for this concert.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
What makes musicals like Wicked, Cats, Chicago, and Jersey Boys so timeless is the legion of excellent songs that makes fans out of those who’ve never even watched the show. This Friday at 7:30 p.m. during Blockbuster Broadway! at The Rady Shell, conductor Evan Roider, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and veteran vocalists Alex Getlin, Jessica Hendy, Scott Coulter, and John Boswell (also on piano) will perform an all-star theater soundtrack. In addition to the shows named above, audiences can expect songs from A Chorus Line, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie, and more. Tickets range from $57 to $129 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
One night after recognizing the brilliance of Broadway, The Rady Shell will ring in the United States’ landmark anniversary with America The Beautiful: 250 this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Conductor Byron Stripling, joined by a five-performer ensemble and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, will lead a night of ballads that best resemble the red, white, and blue, including songs sourced from the Great American Songbook. After the show, concertgoers are invited to watch the nearby Big Bay Boom from their seats. Tickets range from $71 to $139 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
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.
SeaWorld dazzles with a drone show, big-name entertainers, new animal adventures and more
Nights are heating up at SeaWorld San Diego. The quintessential summertime staple on Mission Bay is transforming into a destination for unforgettable day-to-night adventures, bringing back some of its most popular Summer Nights programming and introducing exciting new experiences sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

The 2026 Summer Day to Night at SeaWorld San Diego is the park’s most ambitious season yet. SeaWorld has planned a highly anticipated entertainment lineup that features nine weeks of throwback concerts featuring R&B and hip‑hop favorites from the ‘90s and early 2000s, including Jordin Sparks, Too $hort and Warren G, Ashanti, and an array of boy band heartthrobs performing together as part of the Pop 2000 Tour.
New this season is perhaps the park’s most visible update: a nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, which illuminates the sky with hundreds of synchronized sparklers. Drones form sea otters, sharks, dolphins, and a majestic orca that tell a breathtaking 12-minute story of marine life and underwater ecosystems. The show culminates with a spectacular electric neon finale celebrating hope, wonder, and ocean stewardship.
Nighttime visitors are also in store for animal adventures that fuse education with high-energy fun and the dreamy ambiance of nighttime. The park has launched two all-new animal presentations: Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night and Dolphins: Touch the Sky. Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night features vibrant lighting, music, and dynamic choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales. Dolphins: Touch the Sky showcases playful bottlenose dolphins and the special connection between humans and the natural world. And back by popular demand is fan-favorite Sea Lions Tonite. See the charming pinnipeds splash, play, and parody pop culture in this refreshed crowd-pleaser.

More must-sees: a newly reimagined Shark Encounter, one of the country’s more immersive exhibits highlighting 11 different species up close, SeaWorld’s beloved BMX Blast! stunt show, and high-seas escapade, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. And don’t miss the park’s all-new Deep Sea Disco, which encourages guests to dance the night away under the glow of the SkyTower, and vibrant closing time laser light display Laser Reef Summer Spectacular.
Amp up the nighttime vibe with local craft beers, curated cocktails, and nostalgic theme park treats with $1 beer all summer long. SeaWorld is the place for day to night summer fun. When the sun goes down, SeaWorld lights up, and inspires guests of all ages to embrace their inner whimsy and see why generations of San Diegans head to SeaWorld to make memories they’ll never forget.