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Guides FEBRUARY 3, 2018

San Diego Valentine’s Day Guide 2018

San Diego's best romantic dining, drinks, getaways, and more

San Diego Valentine’s Day Guide 2018

 

Dining Specials

608

Choose from 608’s farm-fresh, from-scratch daily menu or a three-course menu. Fixed menu includes two glasses of wine, and is available for lunch or dinner.

Pricing: $40

Location: 608 Mission Avenue, Oceanside

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 291-1040

Addison

Celebrate this special day of romance at Southern California’s only five-star and Five Diamond restaurant. The nine-course tasting menu includes oysters and caviar, with the option to add wine pairings for an additional fee.

Pricing: $275 per person

Location: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 314-1900

Amaya

Experience Amaya’s four-course tasting menu, which includes one glass of Veuve Clicquot “Rich.” Beautiful views of Fairmont Grand Del Mar will transport you to the Italian coast alongside Californian cuisine.

Pricing: $165 per person

Location: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 314-2727

Backyard Kitchen & Tap

Backyard celebrates a Lovebirds Valentine’s Day Dinner that includes blackened shrimp, butternut and goat cheese ravioli, and chocolate-covered strawberries, plusd live music by Joanna Gerolaga.

Pricing: $59.95 per couple

Location: 832 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 859-2593

Bencotto Italian Kitchen

Feast on Bencotto’s Italian cuisine, a constantly updated wine list, and à la carte menu items for a customized meal.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 750 West Fir Street, Little Italy

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 450-4786

Bleu Bohème

Be transported to Paris with Bleu Bohème’s Saint Valentin dinner. The menu features indulgent choices such as fresh King salmon, New York steak au poivre, crème brulée, and gateau au chocolat.

Pricing: $75 per person

Location: 4090 Adams Avenue, Kensington

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 255-4167

Born & Raised

This luxurious two-story Little Italy restaurant is the perfect setting for your most romantic evening of the year. Decadent dry-aged ribeye and tableside omelets are only topped by the dessert—a seven-layer carrot cake. The décor—price tag $6.5 million—will serve as eye candy.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1909 India Street, Little Italy

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 202-4577

Café 21

Do good this Valentine’s by visiting Café 21, which uses locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. This three-course menu includes a complimentary glass of sangria.

Pricing: $55 per person

Location: 802 5th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter; 2736 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 795-0721

Cafe 222

Get an early start on your Valentine’s Day dining with Cafe 222’s Some Like It Hotcakes breakfast. The stack of dark chocolate pancakes is drizzled with cream cheese frosting, chocolate sauce, and topped off with fresh strawberries.

Pricing: $12.50 per person

Location: 222 Island Avenue, East Village

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 236-9902

Campfire

Head into this high-end, outdoors-themed restaurant for family-style dining. Guests will enjoy a multi-course meal with exclusive cocktail and wine pairings.

Price: $65

Date: February 14

Location: 2725 State Street, Carlsbad

Phone: (760) 637 5121

Casa de Bandini

Visit The Forum in Carlsbad for a cozy and romantic dinner that includes dishes like Pollo Valentino. Add a Margarita Valentina, made with a sweet and sour blend of tequila, triple sec, and passion fruit puree for an extra fee.

Pricing: $29.95 per person

Location: 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 634-3443

Casa Guadalajara

Mariachis will serenade you and your loved ones while you enjoy Casa Guadalajara’s famous Bird Bath margaritas and tequila lime shrimp. End your evening with a delicious flan.

Price: $28 per person

Location: 4105 Taylor Street, Old Town

Date: February 9-14

Phone: (619) 295-5111

Casa Sol y Mar

Celebrate your love with a three-course Valentine’s meal featuring concha de guacamole, sizzling fajitas, and caramel flan. Add a house margarita to round out the night.

Price: $45 per couple

Location: 12865 El Camino Real, Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 792-4100

Chandler’s

Delight in farm-to-table, handcrafted cuisine at Chandler’s at the Cape Rey Carlsbad resort—all with an ocean view. Choose from dishes like braised short rib flatbread, or lobster-crusted butterfish as you tuck in a delicious three-course meal.

Pricing: $74 per person

Location: 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 683-5500

Cloak & Petal

This new Little Italy spot from the team behind ramen house Tajima is serving elevated Japanese fare for a four-course dinner. Pair it with a craft cocktail.

Pricing: $95 per person

Location: 1953 India Street, Little Italy

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 501-5505

The Clubhouse Grill

Let Chef Jason Winton of The Clubhouse Grill is preparing a three-course tasting menu of grand oysters, beer-braised veal short rib, and a dark chocolate skillet brownie.

Pricing: $45 per person

Location: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 314-1950

The Crossings At Carlsbad

A special four-course dinner is being offered—think butternut squash ravioli with orange ginger cream sauce or slow roasted pork oso bucco with truffle mashed potatoes.

Pricing: $119 per couple

Location: 5800 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 444-1882

Cucina Sorella & Cucina Enoteca

Visit either the Kensington or Del Mar eatery to experience a special à la carte menu featuring red-themed dishes.

Pricing: a la carte

Locations: Kensington and Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 281-4014; (858) 704-4500

Curadero

This Mexican kitchen will be serving its regular dinner options in its vibrant and playful dining room. Try sharable dishes like grilled prime carne asada and churros.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1047 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 515-3003

Cusp Dining & Drinks

From the 11th floor of Hotel La Jolla, Executive Chef Ingrid Funes will be serving delicious specials in addition to their regular menu offerings. Feast on roasted lamb loin or Scottish salmon and finish your meal with two glasses of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 7995 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 551-3620

Del Sur Mexican Cantina

This three-course romantic dinner includes a shared appetizer, two entrees (think carnitas or enchiladas), and two margaritas or sangrias. Feast on a plate of delicious churros before you continue your evening of love.

Pricing: $55 per couple

Location: 2310 30th Street, South Park

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 501-0643

El Chingon

An aphrodisiac-inspired menu at El Chingon will set the mood for you and your date. Feast on surf and turf and specialty cocktails and finish the evening with blueberry cheesecake chimichangas.

Pricing: $79 per couple

Location: 560 5th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 501-1919

Farmer’s Table

At this farm-themed restaurant with a farm-to-table ethos, chefs will prepare selections lobster salad, bison filet, and a special dessert.

Pricing: $49 per person; $15 for wine pairing

Location: 8141 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 724-6465

Fiore Steakhouse

Create a romantic evening with a candlelit dinner at Fiore Steakhouse at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Feast on a special menu of lobster cocktails, smoke porterhouse steak, and a decadent chocolate mousse.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 751-3100

Fishmonger’s Market

After you dine on the sustainably sourced, fresh-caught seafood dishes, share a complimentary couples’ dessert and glasses of champagnes at the Fishmonger’s Market.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 756-7345

Harbor House

This iconic Seaport Village waterfront restaurant will serve a three-course menu. Choose from lobster bisque, flat iron steak with blue cheese butter, or crab-crusted salmon.

Pricing: $48 per person

Location: 831 West Harbor Drive, Marina District

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 232-1141

Havana 1920

Share a traditional Cuban three-course dinner at Havana 1920. The prix-fixe menu includes a jibarito sandwich, Havana salmon with chimichurri, and a dessert empanada filled with guava and cream cheese.

Pricing: $38 per person

Location: 548 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 13 & 14

Phone: (619) 369-1920

The Haven Pizzeria

Share a three-course meal that includes a house bottle of red or white wine, and specialty pizzas.

Pricing: $50 per couple

Location: 4051 Adams Avenue, Kensington

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 281-1904

Herb & Wood

Cozy up to Herb & Wood’s fireplace while indulging in oxtail gnocchi, lobster crepe, or prime filet mignon. A decadent dessert, like tiramisu or pavlova, will finish the night.

Pricing: $89.95

Location: 2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 955-8495

Herringbone

Elegant coastal cuisine is served up at Herringbone La Jolla, with a focus on line-caught seafood and high-quality meats. Executive Chef Jessie Glessner and Pastry Chef Becky Kastelz have crafted a four-course menu for the occasion.

Pricing: $88 per person

Location: 7837 Herschel Avenue, La Jolla

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 459-0221

Hotel del Coronado

Enjoy a black-tie evening of fine dining, dancing, and entertainment at the Hotel del Coronado, one of San Diego’s most luxurious and iconic locations. The evening will include a dinner collaboration from five Master French chefs.

Pricing: $250 per person

Location: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado

Date: February 17

Phone: (800) 468-3533

Giardino

This buzzy new Lemon Grove eatery is serving a three-course menu with options like a strawberry salad, special lobster ravioli in vodka cream sauce and champagne with chocolate-covered strawberries.

Pricing: $45 per person

Location: 8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 825-7112

Grant Grill

In the iconic US Grant Hotel, The Grant Grill is serving up a tasting dinner for two that includes Shigoku oysters and California spiny lobster. Deconstructed red velvet cake is on the menu for dessert.

Pricing: $105 per person

Location: 326 Broadway, Downtown

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 744-2077

Juniper & Ivy

Little Italy’s “Left Coast” eatery is celebrating with a four-course meal crafted by Executive Chef Anthony Wells. Wine pairings are also available à la carte.

Pricing: $105

Location: 2228 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 269-9036

JSix

Executive Chef Anthony Sinsay will be serving a shared meal that includes a complimentary glass of champagne.

Pricing: $100 per couple

Location: 616 J Street, East Village

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 531-8744

Lakehouse Hotel & Resort

Escape the city and enjoy Lake San Marcos’s Perfect Pair Valentine’s Day special, which includes two appetizers, prime chateaubriand and lobster tail, and dessert. Stay overnight at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort for a full Valentine’s celebration.

Pricing: $225 per couple

Location: 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 744-0120

Liberty Public Market

Looking for a low pressure date night? Wander the halls of Liberty Public Market with a glass of wine or a craft beer in hand and choose from 30 artisan booths with dinner, dessert, and drink options.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 487-9346

The Marine Room

Book an oceanview table at this iconic La Jolla restaurant where they’re serving a decadent menu of Norwegian halibut, Sansho butter-basted lobster tail, Midwestern black angus filet mignon, and more. Dessert ranges from a gold dust Valrhona chocolate pyramid to the lilikoi coconut blanc manger.

Pricing: $150 per person

Location: 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla

Date: February 14

Phone: (866) 644-2351

Meze Greek Fusion

Meze Greek Restaurant in the Gaslamp will be showcasing a four-course dinner with optional Greek wine pairings. Enjoy innovative dishes like chicken souvlaki, fettucine à la Greca, and flourless chocolate cake.

Pricing: From $45 per person

Location: 345 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 550-1600

Mille Fleurs

This Rancho Santa Fe dining destination will be serving a specialty lunch this Valentine’s Day in addition to a lavish four-course dinner.

Pricing: Lunch a la carte; dinner $135

Location: 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 756-3085

Mister A’s

Get an early start on your Valentine’s Day feasting with Mister A’s three-course lunch or exclusive dinner of upscale American cuisine with French influences.

Pricing: Lunch $65; Dinner $135

Location: 2550 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 239-1377

Monello

The first restaurant in San Diego to serve a cheese wheel, Monello is also one of Little Italy’s most authentic Italian dining experiences. Stop by this Valentine’s for special Risotto Valentino or Tagliolini Agli Scampi.

Pricing: $35 per person

Location: 750 West Fir Street, Little Italy

Dates: February 14-18

Phone: (619) 501-0030

Monkey King

The modern Chinese restaurant in the Gaslamp is serving a menu of Cantonese shrimp, banana spring rolls, and chocolate-covered strawberries with Chinese five spice whipped cream.

Price: $60 per couple

Location: 467 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 359-8897

OB Surf Lodge

Looking for a casual dinner with luxurious views? Look no further than OB Surf Lodge’s Valentine’s dinner with fresh seafood and a creative cocktail menu.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 5083 Santa Monica Avenue, Ocean Beach

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 955-5475

One Door North

Feast on a three-course Valentine’s Day dinner under a vintage canvas tent in this outdoors-themed restaurant. Dishes from the three-course menu include a Caprese Salad with crispy prosciutto, heirloom tomatoes, and balsamic caviar, as well as a grilled local sea bass served alongside roasted Brussels sprouts.

Pricing: $45 per person

Location: 3422 30th Street, North Park

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 618-1285

Osetra Seafood & Steaks

Osetra has created a delicious and upscale three-course, prix-fixe menu that includes creamy lobster ravioli, grilled Chilean sea bass, and prime filet mignon. Sip on a glass of complimentary bubbly at the end of your dinner.

Pricing: TBD

Location: 904 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 239-1800

Pacifica Del Mar

Pick from Pacifica Del Mar’s delicious à la carte menu and enjoy a soup or salad with every entrée. Sip a signature chocolate martini while soaking up the amazing ocean view.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 792-0476

Primavera Ristorante

Coronado’s Primavera will be offering a three-course menu di San Valentino. Choose from classic Italian entrees including lobster-stuffed ravioli, filet mignon with a port wine glaze, or seared scallops with tomato thyme fondue.

Pricing: $69.95 per person

Location: 932 Orange Ave, Coronado

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 435-0454

The Red Door

A Feast for Lovers dinner will include a red velvet soup, garden ravioli, and dark chocolate truffles.

Pricing: $70 per person

Location: 714 West Washington Street, Mission Hills

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 295-6000

Sally’s Fish House and Bar

Sally’s Fish House and Bar is waterfront dining at its finest—feast on a three-course dinner in the dining room, bar, or outside by the cozy fire pits. Toast the end of the meal with a complimentary glass of champagne.

Pricing: $75 per person

Location: 1 Market Place, Marina

Dates: February 14

Phone: (619) 358-6740

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill

All six location of this local pizza chain are selling heart-shaped, make-at-home pizza kits with housemade pizza dough (gluten-free available!), mozzarella, basil, and tomato sauce, with the option of pepperoni. For every kit sold, $1 will benefit the American Heart Association.

Pricing: From $7

Locations: Del Mar, La Jolla, La Mesa, Mission Valley, San Marcos, and Scripps Ranch

Dates: All February long

Searsucker

Visit one of Searsucker’s locations this Valentine’s Day to experience a four-course menu of short rib with roasted mushrooms, scallops with preserved lemon, and braised pork shank.

Pricing: $75-$85 per person

Locations: Gaslamp Quarter; Del Mar

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 233-7327; (858) 369-5700

Smoking Goat

A classic French dinner will transport you to the City of Love. Their three-course menu includes foie gras paired with blueberries and blue cheese and veal topped with lobster and petite hollaindaise.

Pricing: $70 per person

Location: 3408 30th Street, North Park

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 955-5295

Tajima

Visit one of Tajima’s San Diego locations to enjoy a cozy ramen dinner. Options include the spicy sesame, creamy chicken, or vegan bowls. End the night with a mochi ice cream.

Pricing: $30 per couple

Locations: Convoy Street, Mercury Street, Hillcrest, East Village or North Park

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 431-5820

Tidal

Indulge in Tidal’s three-course menu of Paradise oysters, pink peppercorn New York strip steak, and truffle tremor raviolo.

Pricing: $65 per person

Locations: 1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay

Date: February 14-17

Phone: (858) 240-4913

Trust

Known for their small plates approach, Trust’s dishes are perfect for sharing. Try the wood-grilled cauliflower, lamb meatballs with tzatziki, and pillow-soft profiteroles.

Location: 3752 Park Boulevard, Hillcrest

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 795-6901

Union Kitchen & Tap

Union’s festivities include a three-course menu with an optional wine pairing, live music starring K. Emeline, and karaoke starting at 10 p.m.

Pricing: $95 per couple; $150 per couple for wine pairings

Location: 333 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 795-9463

La Valencia Hotel

This five-course dinner and wine pairing features wines from the small-lot Robert Craig Wineries, located in the mountains of Napa. Adam Glatt, a representative from the vineyard, will share his first-hand experiences before the delicious meal. And on Valentine’s Day, choose from two dinner options. The MED is serving a four-course dinner in the hotel’s Great Room, featuring lobster rillette or diver scallops. Café la Rue is also serving a special dinner for two, where couples can enjoy duo oysters and surf and turf.

Pricing: $125 per person; Valentine’s Day dinner à la carte

Location: 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Dates: various dates in February; February 14

Phone: (858) 454-0771

Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana

Vigilucci’s is offering a Sweetly Savory San Valentino prix-fixe menu, which includes a complimentary glass of Italian Prosecco. Options for your meal include an 18oz grilled NY steak bone-in or one of Vigilucci’s from-scratch fresh pastas.

Pricing: $85 per person

Location: 2943 State Street, Carlsbad

Date: February 14

Phone: (760) 434-2500

Waterbar

This seaside destination has a special love day menu to accompany their ocean views. Highlights include a rose panna cotta.

Pricing: $70 per couple

Location: 4325 Ocean Boulevard, Pacific Beach

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 888-4343

The Westgate Room

Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel will create a four-course French wine pairing dinner. Post-meal, enjoy the extraordinary jazz music of Julia Vari at The Plaza Bar.

Pricing: $89 per person

Location: 1055 Second Avenue, Downtown

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 238-1818

Wokou Ramen & Yakitori

Dine on elevated Japanese cuisine in this quirky eatery, with specialty pink and red cocktails and house beers at happy hour prices all night. Choose an appetizer to share, and two bowls of ramen.

Pricing: $30 per couple

Location: 5965 Village Way, Carmel Valley

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 779-2620

Woodstock’s Pizza

Give your special someone a pizza your heart this Valentine’s Day at Woodstock’s Pizza. Request their special heart-shaped pizza and enjoy a fun themed meal.

Pricing: à la carte

Locations: 1221 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach; 6145 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 642-6900; (619) 265-0999

Sweet Treats

Puesto

Enjoy churro cannolis created by pastry chef, Jessica Scott, who recently competed and won Food Network’s Dessert Games. Churro cannoli flavors include chocolate chip, chocolate almond, and strawberry guava.

Pricing: $15 for 8

Locations: San Diego and La Jolla

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 233-8880

Drinks

Barçon

Celebrate your favorite ladies at this ‘Modern Love: Ladies Night’ cocktail party that includes appetizers, a nail bar, and braid bar.

Pricing: $35-$50

Location: 2875 Dewey Road, Point Loma

Date: February 9

Barefoot Bar & Grill

Frustrated with the world of online dating? Come drink your worries away at Barefoot Bar & Grill with their themed Left Swipe, Ghosted, and Catfish cocktails.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay

Date: February 14

Phone: (858) 581-5960

Barleymash

Dance the night away at a stoplight party at Barleymash, no matter your relationship status. Wear read if you’re taken, yellow if it’s complicated, or green if you’re single.

Pricing: Free

Location: 600 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 255-7373

Carnitas’ Snack Shack

Skip the clichés this Valentine’s Day, and head down to Carnitas’ Snack Shack on the Embarcadero for a perfect love potion. Try the The Lady in Red or Cupid’s Cocktail, or go get Drunk in Love.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1004 North Harbor Drive, Core-Columbia

Dates: February 1-18

Phone: (619) 696-7675

Holy Matcha

The North Park cafe has created a brand-new beverage of love that features rose water and maca, a natural supplement proven to improve libido and mental clarity.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 3118 University Avenue, North Park

Date: February 14

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Morton’s will be crafting The Blushing Lady cocktail, a blend of Evan Williams Black Bourbon, PAMA pomegranate liqueur, cranberry and lime juices, and simple syrup, topped with La Marca Prosessco and served with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Pricing: $17

Location: 285 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Dates: Through February 18

Phone: (619) 696-3369

The Nolen

Located on the rooftop of the Courtyard Marriot, sip on a variety of pink beverages and enjoy perfect views of San Diego at The Nolen. Indulge in a romantic Fondue for Two.

Pricing: $10 per cocktail

Location: 453 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 796-6536

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Sip on Oceanaire’s Peach Passion cocktail—a unique blend of Belvedere Peach Nectar vodka, Chambrod, fresh lime juice and Maschio Prosecco.

Pricing: $16

Location: 400 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Dates: February 12-18

Phone: (619) 858-2277

Prohibition

Celebrate being single and your romantic freedom at Prohibition’s “I Got The Blues” party. Numb your romantic trials with a selection of craft cocktails, such as the Old Fashioned Heartbreak or You Were the Bee’s Knees, and live music. Bring in a photo of your ex to shred for a free shot of whiskey!

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 548 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 501-1919

The Rabbit Hole

Snap a flawless Instagram shot with Cupid at The Rabbit Hole. Enjoy bar bites and cocktails.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 3377 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 255-4653

The Smoking Gun

Paint the town with your fellow single-and-ready-to-mingle friends at The Smoking Gun. Try a game of Ping-Pong at this retro cocktail bar and restaurant.

Pricing: Free

Location: 555 Market Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 233-3836

True Food Kitchen

True Food Kitchen’s Fashion Valley and UTC locations are both celebrating Valentine’s all week long with a “Sip with Someone Special” cocktail menu, featuring love-themed beverages and non-alcoholic options.

Pricing: à la carte

Locations: 7007 Friars Rd, Fashion Valley; 4303 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

Dates: February 9-18

Phone: (619) 810-2929; (858) 431-4384

Stake Chophouse + Bar

Coronado’s elegant restaurant is serving a one-night-only menu this Valentine’s day, featuring premium cuts and fresh seafood. Finish the meal with a caramelized “blackout” cake.

Pricing: $120 per person

Location: 1309 Orange Avenue, Coronado

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 522-0077

Sycamore Den

Be transported to the 1970s in this groovy cocktail den in Normal Heights. Try one of Sycamore Den’s special Valentine’s Day cocktails, such as Velvet Crush or Bitter Lip.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 3391 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 563-9019

Top of the Hyatt

Sip in style this Valentine’s Day at the Top of the Hyatt. Enjoy views from 40 stories above the city while indulging in sweet and sparkling beverages, such as Love Potion #9 and My Cherry Amour.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1 Market Place, Marina District

Dates: February 9-14

Phone: (619) 232-1234

Upper East Bar

Watch the clock this Valentine’s Day at Upper East Bar, which is offering glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne by the glass, starting at $5 at 5 p.m., and going up $1 every hour.

Pricing: From $5

Location: 435 6th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 531-8744

Shows

The Abbey

Bottomless champagne and sweet and savory snacks are the perfect start to an evening of jazz at The Abbey, a 1910 historic building. Live entertainment from local performer David Patrone will serenade you at your private reserved table.

Pricing: $55 per person

Location: 2825 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 686-8715

House of Blues

Appreciate the musical stylings of Ramon Ayala and Lorenzo de Montecarlo at the House of Blues San Diego. This romantic night of music is the perfect start to your celebrations.

Pricing: $50-$85 plus fees

Location: 1055 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 14 & 15

Phone: (619) 299-2583

Beauty, Crafts, Culture, & More

Bub’s at the Ballpark

Come to Bub’s fourth Annual Valentine’s Day Doggie Brunch—there will be a special doggie menu, a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar, and rescue dogs available for adoption. This event benefits Second Chance Dog Rescue.

Price: Free

Location: 715 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter

Date: February 11

Phone: (619) 546-0815

Café 21

Try a creative date night at Café 21’s couples cocktail class. Channel your inner mixologist and learn how to make three unique drinks in an intimate class setting.

Pricing: $100 per couple

Location: 802 5th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter

Dates: February 5-9

Phone: (619) 795-0721

The Headquarters

The 1939 classic Bonnie & Clyde is the perfect movie to snuggle up to at The Headquarters for this free outdoor date night. Before the film starts, pick up snacks and drinks from one of the many surrounding restaurants and settle into your lawn chair for the flick.

Pricing: Free

Location: 789 West Harbor Drive, Marina District

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 696-0025

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Stunning bay views pair with a Valentine’s Day menu and dancing on Hornblower’s brunch and dinner cruises.

Pricing: Brunch cruises from $65.95, dinner cruises from $114.95

Location: 1800 North Harbor Drive, Marina

Date: February 10, 11, 14, 17, and 18

Phone: (619) 725-8839

The Maritime Museum of San Diego

Experience sailing on the beautiful bay aboard a historic vessel, such as the San Salvador or the Californian. The three-hour tour will include views of marine life and other local landmarks.

Pricing: $70-$90 for adults, $48-$58 for children

Location: 1492 North Harbor Drive, Marina

Date: February 10 and 11

Phone: (619) 234-9153

The Old Globe

The Old Globe presents an AXIS event, Give Love San Diego, to encourage love and kindness to all. Enjoy fun events, crafts and live music, as well as meaningful discussions about love.

Pricing: Free

Location: 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

Date: February 10

Phone: (619) 234-5623

San Diego Museum of Art

Enchant your special someone with an after-hours art tour and garden picnic. The docent-led museum tour will showcase the museum’s most romantic works of art. After the tour, feast on a gourmet picnic basket in the museum’s sculpture garden.

Pricing: $125 per couple

Location: 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park

Date: February 14

Phone: (619) 232-7931

Solare

Learn how to buy, taste, temper, and decorate with chocolate at this hands-on class led by Solare chef Accursio Lota. You’ll incorporate chocolate into cold and baked pastries and learn to use it as a sweet and savory component in main dishes. Classes limited to 10 people.

Pricing: $85 per person

Location: 2820 Roosevelt Road, Liberty Station

Date: February 3

Getaways

Chopra Center

Guided by world-renowned psychologist Dr. Robert Holden, the three-day workshop “Love Beyond Limits” focuses on the transformative power of love, passion, and purpose.

Pricing: $1,685

Location: 2013 Costa Del Mar Road, La Costa

Dates: February 16-18

Phone: (760) 494-1639

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Indulge in San Diego’s five-star spa with Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Romance Ritual or Rose Petal Pedicure. Or, sip champagne poolside with the Love Afloat at the Pool Valentine’s event.

Pricing: Prices vary

Location: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

Date: Various dates in February

Phone: (858) 314-2020

Ocean Crest Spa

Treat yourself to a Bulgarian Rose Body Wrap, consisting of the oil from 3,000 rose petals, or a couples’ Vino-Therapy Experience, complete with a merlot bubble bath.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad

Date: Various dates in February

Phone: (760) 683-5555

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

An advanced 1000 Roses Beauty Elixir 1 facial treatment will transform your skin, complete with aromatherapy and ocean-inspired rhythmic movements, a partnership with Kypris.

Pricing: $175 per person

Location: 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad

Date: Valentine’s weekend

Phone: (800) 854-5000

Paradise Point Spa

Escape your day-to-day with indulgent spa treatments. Try a chocolate and roses replenishing facial, couples in harmony package, or loving oil massage.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 1404 Vacation Road, Mission Bay

Date: various dates in February

Phone: (858) 240-4913

Rancho Bernardo Inn Spa

Gift or try romantic spa packages, such as the chocolate lovers treatment that includes a glass of sparkling wine, or get a luxe chocolate rose pedicure.

Pricing: à la carte

Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo

Date: various dates in February

Phone: (844) 338-9282

San Diego Valentine’s Day Guide 2018

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Everything SD JUNE 12, 2026

San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Rancho Bernardo

Discover eateries, outings, and shops within this inland North County community

San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Rancho Bernardo
Courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn

Just south of Lake Hodges near 4S Ranch and Poway, Rancho Bernardo is a suburban community that blends residential neighborhoods with industrial pockets, elevated by a decidedly diverse food scene.  

Over 60 years ago, this North County neighborhood was once part of a family ranch. Since that time, big tech companies have taken up residence here, including Amazon, Sony Electronics, Oura Ring, HP, Teradata, and ASML. Rancho Bernardo Inn serves as a community hub, with locals frequently meeting at the hotel’s restaurants, golf course, and spa.  

Whether it’s work or a round of golf that brings you to Rancho Bernardo, we’ve taken care of the agenda planning with our guide to the area’s best restaurants, activities, and shops.

Courtesy of Avant Restaurant

Rancho Bernardo Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops

Avant

Sample ingredients plucked straight from Rancho Bernardo Inn’s onsite garden and served at their signature restaurant Avant. One of the neighborhood’s most upscale dining options, they serve a French-inspired menu with nods to California, including many seafood options. Don’t miss their more casual sister restaurant Veranda for al fresco dining.

17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive

Things to do in Ramona, CA near San Diego featuring

The Kitchen at Bernardo Winery

Wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas are standouts at The Kitchen, Bernardo Winery’s counter-service restaurant specializing in Sicilian flavors. Charcuterie boards and bruschetta make for great starters or snacks while wine tasting.

13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte

Bushfire Kitchen

Fast-casual and family-owned eatery Bushfire Kitchen recently opened a location in Rancho Bernardo, serving sandwiches, bowls, salads, burgers, protein plates, and housemade empanadas. Bushfire prepares comfort food with healthy ingredients, and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

11962 Bernardo Plaza Drive, Suite 110

The Cork & Craft

Some might call The Cork & Craft an overachiever. This gastropub has an in-house craft brewery and winery: Abnormal Beer and Wine. The more, the merrier. Their sushi menu is definitely worth exploring, but don’t miss other specialties like garlic noodles, chicken wings, and pork belly.

16990 Via Tazon

Courtesy of Carvers Steaks & Chops

Carvers Steaks & Chops

You don’t have to leave Rancho Bernardo to get a white tablecloth steakhouse experience. Carvers Steaks & Chops has prime rib (their best seller), filet, ribeye, porterhouse, New York strip, and other cuts, served alongside crab-stuffed mushrooms, wedge salad, French onion soup, potato skins, and other steakhouse specialties.

1940 Bernardo Plaza Drive

Burma Place

This no-frills Burmese restaurant is known for its traditional tea leaf salad that’s topped with sesame and sunflower seeds, garlic chips, peanuts, tomatoes, jalapeños, fried yellow beans, and fermented green tea leaf dressing. Tucked into a nondescript strip mall, Burma Place is a great takeout option when you want to eat garlic noodles, fried rice, chicken curry, and samosas from the comfort of your couch.

16719 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A

Phở Ca Dao

Find authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Phở Ca Dao, including favorites like phở noodle soup, vermicelli noodles, broken rice dishes, and spring rolls. One of eight locations throughout San Diego, this family-owned chain uses robot servers for food delivery.

11808 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 100

The Kebab Shop

It’s all about the sauce at fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant The Kebab Shop. Smothering your chicken shawarma, gyro, or falafels in garlic yogurt, cilantro jalapeno, fire chili, and dill yogurt sauce is practically a rite of passage. The hardest part is deciding whether to order a wrap, bowl, or salad.

11980 Bernardo Plaza Drive

Casa Lahori

Get a taste of South Asian flavors at Casa Lahori, a Pakistani restaurant noted for its grilled meat kabobs. Other best-selling dishes include beef nihari, chicken biryani, and shahi paneer— best enjoyed with naan bread.

11975 Bernardo Plaza Drive

Kangnam Korean BBQ

Grill your own meat on the tabletop at Kangnam Korean BBQ, an interactive, all-you-can-eat experience that’s well-suited for large groups. Marinated beef bulgogi, grilled galbi short ribs, and spicy pork are served alongside traditional banchan dishes like kimchi, japchae glass noodles, and flavorful stews. Weekday lunch specials provide a nice discount on these filling meals.

11828 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 117–119

Courtesy of Curry & More Indian Bistro

Curry & More Indian Bistro

Dig in to your favorite curries and kebabs at Curry & More Indian Bistro. Most entrees are served with a choice of two side dishes, including basmati rice, potatoes with cumin, daal, naan, or mixed greens. Help offset the spice with one of their sweet mango or strawberry lassi drinks.

11808 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 123

Sushi Kami

Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.

Guides JUNE 11, 2026

A Guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in SoCal

From San Diego’s coastline to Los Angeles stadium and fan zones across the region, here’s how to experience soccer’s biggest event

A Guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in SoCal
Courtesy of FIFA

When three nations and 16 cities come together to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the scale stops feeling like a tournament and starts feeling like geography. A continent becomes the stage as borders soften into corridors. And Southern California—shaped by migration, sport, entertainment, and constant movement—sits inside that landscape with all eyes on it.

San Diego and Los Angeles have always felt connected. Hop on the Pacific Surfliner, and the trip unfolds in one continuous stretch of coastline, passing beach towns, neighborhoods, and city centers.

Traveling from San Diego, everything still feels slightly suspended as the Pacific Surfliner follows the coast north with ocean on one side and a slow suburban blur on the other. San Diego stays in exhale. Los Angeles is already building toward something louder.

This summer, Los Angeles will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, including the US Men’s National Team opener on June 11, while the region stretches into 39 days of programming across stadiums, parks, transit hubs, beaches, and neighborhoods. Instead of one massive fan hub, Los Angeles is embracing a citywide celebration, with fan zones spread across its entirety.

But this pattern has been rehearsed here for decades. In 1994, Southern California became one of the defining stages of the World Cup, when matches at the Rose Bowl placed global attention on the region and turned local stadiums into international landmarks, confirming its ability to hold the world at scale.

What distinguishes Southern California is not just infrastructure, but cultural permeability. Fashion, music, film, art, and sport constantly overlap here, creating an environment where identity is flexible and always in motion. From the Venice boardwalk, where skate culture shaped modern street style, to global soccer stars rubbing shoulders with Hollywood celebs, to authentic Spanish cuisine moving up and down the I-5 corridor, everything circulates.

The World Cup is not introducing anything new here, it’s showing up for the summer and showing out, revealing what this city has always known about itself. What follows is a look at the fan zones and how Los Angeles turns itself into a city-wide stage for the tournament, one neighborhood at a time.

Courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

Los Angeles Union Station

As the heart of Los Angeles, Union Station is an official Fan Zone June 25-28 during the World Cup, but in practice it never really stops being one.

It is the city’s circulation point, its meeting ground, its pressure valve. Commuters, travelers, match-day crowds, and everyday Angelenos all move through the same space, and everything mixes, overlaps, and scales in real time. In a way, this is where the World Cup stops arriving in Los Angeles and starts moving through it.

The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Los Angeles makes that shift feel almost too easy. No stress or  gridlock anxiety, just a straight line up the coastline with ocean on one side and everything slowly becoming more built on the other. It’s one of the rare ways into LA that doesn’t feel like arrival as friction. You can sit with a laptop, watch the Pacific drift past, grab coffee from the café car, and let the city come to you in pieces.

That’s the beauty of arriving at Union Station. Instead of feeling like you’re on the edge of the city, you’re immediately surrounded by it. And, inside, the station already reads like a World Cup nerve center: banners, movement, multilingual energy, the sense that something global is about to funnel through this exact point. The Heart of the City Fan Zone only sharpens that feeling, with simultaneous match screens, DJ sets, meet and greets, and immersive activations built around marquee games like USA vs. Türkiye.

From there, the city splits outward.

ROW DTLA feels like the first exhale after arrival. A converted industrial campus turned creative district where restaurants, retail, and open-air courtyards form a self-contained ecosystem. If you’re looking for the perfect first meal in LA, make it lunch at Pizzeria Bianco. The thin-crust pizza is reason enough to go, but the space leaves just as much of an impression.

What I liked most about ROW DTLA is how quickly it resets you after the train. One minute you are stepping off at Union Station, and the next you are in a space that feels like its own version of LA, a city inside a city with some of the most curated shopping I’ve ever seen.

Bodega hides itself behind a convenience-store front, a sneaker and streetwear space disguised as something ordinary, like LA refusing to make anything feel too obvious. The whole campus moves like that, part retail, part gallery, part neighborhood you are only temporarily inside.

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.

Arts & Culture JUNE 10, 2026

30 Fun Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day, 2026

We rounded up the city’s best events, activities, and restaurants to celebrate Dad on June 21

30 Fun Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day, 2026
Courtesy of The Gondola Company

Father’s Day is often the overlooked summer holiday that doesn’t quite get the extravagant brunch treatment or overflowing bouquets that Mother’s Day does. Sure, there’s the annual pair of socks, Padres hat you’re convinced he doesn’t already own, beer subscriptions, phone case doubling as a wallet, plus the classic “Best Dad” keepsakes. But this year, let’s flip the narrative with events, activities, and specials made with Dad in mind.

Whether he wants a quiet dinner, a big screen full of San Diego sports and wings, or a weekend that somehow includes NASCAR, a jazz festival, and a Broadway reimagining, there is something for every dad. Here’s your guide to a memorable Father’s Day in San Diego. 

Jump To: Activities | Bars & Drinks | Dining Specials 


Courtesy of San Diego Mission Bay Resort

Father’s Day Events and Activities in San Diego

NASCAR San Diego Cup Series

Nothing says “Happy Father’s Day” like the sound of engines ripping across Naval Base Coronado. NASCAR is turning this into a historic race weekend that feels less like a casual outing and more like a full-scale San Diego moment people will be talking about long after June is over. This is the first time a NASCAR Cup Series race has ever taken place on an active military base, which instantly puts it in “you had to be there” territory.

It’s fast, loud, and very on-brand for a Father’s Day where Dad suddenly becomes an expert on tire strategy, pit stops, and track positions. The bar might be set unreasonably high for every Father’s Day that follows, but that’s a next-year problem, right?

Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster  
Dates: June 19–21 | Weekend Schedule
Address: Naval Base Coronado 

Father’s Day Jazz Festival

At Humphreys, Father’s Day gets a little more sophisticated. Roger Friend and an all-star lineup of jazz musicians bring decades of international experience to the bay, where dads can lean into their musical side with head nods and shoe taps. It’s smooth, layered, and exactly the amount of jazz you didn’t realize your playlists were missing. 

Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster  
Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: 241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego

Father’s Day Cruise to Belmont Park Car Show

Belmont Park is rolling out a Father’s Day lineup that basically turns Mission Beach into a living garage scene, with a free car show featuring everything from polished 1960s Camaros to classic Bel Airs and lowriders. If he has a ride of his own, vintage car owners can join the lineup for $35 per vehicle. After the chrome tour, it’s straight into a Mission Beach classic: boardwalk strolls, fish tacos on the sand, and rides at Belmont Park.

Price: Free to attend | Register vehicle here
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego

Bob Dylan at The Rady Shell

I think it’s an unspoken rule that dads love Bob Dylan. Mine is already figuring out how he’s getting to San Diego for this. But this isn’t just a Father’s Day activity, it’s a cultural event that happens to land on Father’s Day weekend and immediately becomes the plan. Bob Dylan at ​​The Rady Shell means you’ll be surrounded by city lights sparkling across the harbor, legacy music, and at least one moment where Dad leans over and whispers, “You know, this guy wrote everything.” And honestly? He’s not wrong.

Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster  
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Address: 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego

San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair returns with fried everything, questionable decisions, rides that definitely looked safer in the 2000s, and Dad’s very confident plan to “just walk around for an hour” that somehow turns into an entire day. It’s also the biggest, longest-running community event in San Diego County, running Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, July 5, with a “Once Upon a Fair” theme. It basically becomes part of the Father’s Day season whether you planned it or not. So, consider this your annual reminder that “happily ever after” can, in fact, involve Cajun honey dogs, cinnamon rolls, a Ferris wheel you swore you wouldn’t go on, and Dad somehow knowing exactly which booth has the best Spam wonton tacos.

Price: Tickets available here: website
Date & Time: June 10 – July 5 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays) | 11 a.m.
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar

RENT at Diversionary Theatre 

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.

Studio S JUNE 15, 2026

A Modern Take on Steak

Stake Chophouse & Bar brings contemporary classics and old-school service to the heart of Coronado

A Modern Take on Steak
Courtesy of Stake Chophouse

Stake Chophouse & Bar isn’t your average steakhouse. Blue Bridge Hospitality’s Coronado outpost is a modern interpretation of a big-city steakhouse nestled in the heart of the small coastal community. The team at Stake has reimagined the whole steakhouse experience. By prioritizing a seasonal farm-to-table sourcing philosophy, a personalized guest experience, and unique service touches, like a formal steak presentation and a bespoke knife selection process, Stake distinguishes itself in a sea of steakhouses.

Exceptional steaks, including Wagyu from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., and fresh seafood flown in daily form the core of Stake’s culinary identity. The menu features a five-course omakase-style steak experience highlighting house favorites, plus an array of cuts, and classic steakhouse staples—think a wedge salad, baked potato, or pasta carbonara—refined for a contemporary palate without losing their traditional appeal. Stake focuses on seasonal sourcing from the region’s best family farms and specialty purveyors, and incorporates intentionally unexpected touches to create something truly unique.

“I challenge our chefs and myself to take it a step further in sourcing,” says Chef Ronnie Schwandt. “It’s important to us to highlight different farms, unique one-off farms—whether it’s cattle, strawberries, a local fisherman or from anywhere in the United States, we’re always trying to find that niche.”

Beyond the menu, Stake emphasizes outstanding service, says Vinny Spatafore, Director of Hospitality Operations. Staff maintains detailed notes, allowing them to remember guests by name, recall previous orders such as a favorite martini (also memorable for the customer since it’s served in an extra tall, distinctly-shaped glass), and celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

“When you have those points of topic that you remember about a guest, they appreciate that,” he says. “Our servers are really good with that—we have a couple servers who have been here since the beginning and they’ll remember somebody from years ago, their name, their kids’ names, where they live. I’m really thankful to have a great front of house staff.”

Award-winning wines, rare whiskeys, special events, and a complementary black car service that provides transportation for guests throughout Coronado add to Stake’s appeal.

Schwandt stresses that Stake offers more than a meal; they aim to give patrons something unforgettable.

“It starts when you walk up the stairs and are greeted by the hostess—that sets the tone for the night. Then you’re greeted by a server, who may know you by name, and can guide you through the menu and curate as they get to know you,” says Schwandt. “Most people leave kind of blown away; they leave feeling like they just had an experience. That’s the goal, right? Whether you’re serving smash burgers or high-end steak, you want somebody to leave thinking, Wow, that was awesome.”

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Food & Drink JUNE 5, 2026

Del Mar Wine & Food Fest Returns With SoCal’s Top Chefs

San Diego’s biggest food and drink festival is back for a week-long celebration of SoCal’s best restaurants, chefs, and wineries from Sept. 30–Oct. 4

Del Mar Wine & Food Fest Returns With SoCal’s Top Chefs
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

Maybe it was when Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul drank mezcal with chefs from San Diego and Food Network on the cliffs over Blacks Beach. Or the dinner outside under lights with Alex Morgan, celebrating some of the country’s most badass women chefs. Or the celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees, where the star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia made thwacking sounds with locals. Or when Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan commandeered (some say “stole”) a golf cart and delivered drinks and ice to chefs.

Whatever it is, Del Mar Wine & Food seems to have become the food and wine festival for people who don’t usually like food and wine festivals. The most San Diego thing.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

Two years ago, Thrillist named it one of the best food festivals in the country. Last year, 10,000 people came out to experience it, including Guy Fieri. Afterward, the founders spent a couple days trying to put their finger on why it felt so special. They had to name it, lean into whatever that was.

“It all came back to play,” says one of those founders, SDM co-owner Troy Johnson, a longtime San Diego food writer and Food Network judge. “Making world-class bread is serious, but breaking bread shouldn’t be. We gather all these incredibly talented people who take their craft very, very seriously—work their butts off all year to make some of the best food and drink in the country—and then we all just kinda play in the grass. We believe it’s possible to create something of incredible value and make the experience of that thing a laidback, easygoing, unpretentious experience. That’s what this is, and who we are in San Diego. The whole reason we did this was to shine a national spotlight on the people who make our food and drink culture hum.”

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

The festival dropped its 2026 lineup today.

Headlining the fest are Food Network chefs Jet Tila, Maneet Chauhan, and Aarti Sequeira; Top Chef winner and Michelin-starred Buddha Lo; Iron Chef alum Beau MacMillan; MasterChef winner Kelsey Murphy; MasterChef Latinos winner Michelle Mathelin, chef and Guy’s Grocery Games judge Catherine McCord,  chef and former Masterchef Mexico judge Benito Molina, Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman, Michelin-starred chef Javier Plascencia, James Beard award-winning chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, and James Beard-nominated chef Mawa McQueen.

The party kicks off on Wednesday, September 30 at Monarch Ocean Pub with Signature San Diego, a walk-around tasting of the city’s greatest bites, from Baja seafood to bold Mexican flavors. From there, the energy carries into a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees at Barnes Tennis Center on October 2, pairing friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience in support of Feeding San Diego.

The main event is the two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park on Oct. 3 and 4. The city’s top chefs, food people from TV lands, and local tastemakers gather on the weirdly perfect grass to serve up everything from juicy Wagyu burgers and beef tallow fries to yellowtail tuna tostadas and veggies dressed up in their Sunday best. Wine and cocktail pairings are designed to round out the whole experience, including activations from Aperol Spritz, Hendrick’s Gin, Tequila Ocho, Mezcal Vago, Rioja wines, and Temecula producers.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

A VIP lounge offers exclusive access to curated small plates from Michelin-level chefs and pour from some of SoCal and Napa’s finest wineries and drink makers. The Official After Party at Guesthouse La Valle on October 3, a spirited walk-around tasting just steps from the Grand Tasting, where cocktails take center stage through imaginative bites inspired by the smoky, citrus-forward, and bittersweet flavors of classic drinks.

Zones return with activations including the Big Queer Food Fest celebrating queer chefs and queer-owned businesses; the Wellness Zone led by Novo Dia offering a built-in reset with non-alcoholic mocktails, movement-driven activations, and wellness-forward moments. Coastal lifestyle and locally made brands are also integrated throughout the festival.

“We are excited for the fourth edition of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival this fall, which has quickly become one of the largest food and wine experiences on the West Coast,” says co-founder Chris Finn. “As the festival continues to grow, we are constantly looking to add events, experiences, and partners that will resonate with our San Diego community, and embody the Southern California way of life.”

Returning as the festival’s partner is local nonprofit Feeding San Diego. To date, Del Mar Wine & Food has raised $100,000 to support their ongoing fight against hunger across the region. 

Stay tuned for additional events hosted by festival partners including Rob Machado, San Diego Wave, San Diego FC, Town & Country, and San Diego Mojo.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

Del Mar Wine & Food Fest: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?

The 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival will take place September 30–October 4 throughout San Diego County.

Where is the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?

The week culminates with the Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park (formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields) at 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar. 

A wide variety of exclusive dinners, drink tastings, and other lifestyle events will be announced soon and available for purchase individually on Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s website. These festivities include chef-curated dining experiences across San Diego’s hottest restaurants, a celebrity pickleball tournament, wine tastings, and more. 

When is the 2026 Grand Tasting?

The Grand Tasting takes place this year on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. 

How much are tickets? 

General admission for the single-day Grand Tasting starts at $185. An Early Access option is also available at $235, which includes an extra four hours before general admission to meet, mingle, and feast. For a two-day pass, General Admission starts at $275, while Early Access is $375.

VIP tickets begin at $425 for a single day, offering access to pre-festival experiences, exclusive food vendors, a dedicated VIP area, and more. For the full weekend in VIP, passes are priced at $765.

Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?

Buy tickets today at DelMar.Wine.

Are pets or kids allowed?

Unfortunately, only service animals are allowed at the venue. All attendees must be 21 years or older.

Sponsors: 

  • Alaska Airlines 
  • Aperol Spritz
  • Brandt Beef
  • Coola
  • Glenfiddich
  • Hendrick’s Gin 
  • Justin Winery
  • La Croix 
  • Mezcal Vago 
  • Milagro Tequila 
  • One World Beef
  • Pechanga Resort Casino
  • Rioja Spain’s Finest Wine Region 
  • San Simeon
  • Tequila Ocho
  • The Balvenie
  • Tito’s Handmade Vodka
  • Tullamore D.E.W
  • William Grant & Sons

Lifestyle Partners

  • Big Queer Food Fest 
  • Novo Dia Wellness Experience
  • Town & Country 
  • San Diego Mojo 
  • San Diego FC
  • San Diego Wave

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.

Everything SD JUNE 5, 2026

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2026

We asked, you voted, and food critic Troy Johnson chose his favorites—these are the top food and drink people and places in the city

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2026
Photo Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Some keep lists of favorite books, of quotes, of enemies whose time shall come. At SDM we keep vast, nuanced, hotly debated lists of the best food and drink in the city. Menus are our smut novels. From Michelin stars to mom and pops, our list constantly evolves over hundreds of new bites tried every year. Here’s the 2026 list from food critic Troy Johnson and 129,000-plus votes from our readers, who really, really know their food.

Scroll down for the full list of Best Restaurant winners

Troy Johnson

About Troy Johnson

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.

Partner Content JUNE 10, 2026

New Options for GLP-1 Users

Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results

New Options for GLP-1 Users
Courtesy of Scripps Health

While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

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