Politics and pledges of allegiance aside, there’s something wonderfully, guiltlessly noncommittal about partaking in the independence festivities of a nation other than your own. No matter the country, it usually involves a lot of food, booze, and pyrotechnics. Americans are famous for thinking Mexico won its independence on Cinco de Mayo, which actually marks the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mexico’s true independence day happened on September 16, 1810. It all started the night before, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rallied the townsfolk of Dolores, Guanajuato, to revolt against the Spanish monarchy.
These days the traditional main event on the night of September 15 in every Mexican pueblo, no matter the size, is the mayor’s reenactment of Hidalgo’s speech (grito), a must-see for any gabacho (foreigner) who’s a grito virgen.
Tijuana’s version usually happens less than a mile from the San Ysidro border crossing, outside the municipal palace, amid a street fair that stretches over to Paseo de los Heroes below the Monument of Independence (known as “las tijeras” for its resemblance to a pair of scissor blades). Grab a beer and a huarache—carne asada and queso fresco piled atop a thick slab of fried corn masa that’s shaped like a sandal (hence the name), arguably the most iconic staple of celebratory Mexican street fare—before the show, which starts around 10 p.m.
Go big at the cavernous Cantina de los Remedios on Paseo de los Heroes and Diego Rivera in Zona Rio. Bullfighting memorabilia, vintage beer babes, and wise one-liners like “If you drink to forget, pay first” cover the wall. Dueling for-hire norteño and mariachi bands fill the monstrous space. You’ll usually find a live feed of the El Grito festivities from Mexico City on the big screen, but, more important, happy hour stretches until 11 p.m.; beers and cocktails come in pairs for the price of one.
You’ll need help recovering the next day. El Potrero on Boulevard Agua Caliente is shaped like a giant hat and has been a TJ breakfast staple since the 1960s. Order chile en nogada, the go-to dish this time of year—its trio of chile, sauce, and pomegranate seeds represent the red, white, and green of the Mexican flag.
With more than 100 wineries in Valle de Guadalupe, knowing where to go and which to try can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we took the guesswork out of the task and put together a list of our favorite wines in the region from organic pours to a husband-and-wife team, and a century-old icon, here’s what to drink in Valle.
Finca La Carrodilla
The first organic and biodynamic winery in Mexico (with certifications from CCOF and the USDA) is best known for its Árbol line—the 2021 grenache rosé is fresh and acidic, with notes of strawberries and red fruit.
Vena Cava
A highlight of winemaker Phil Gregory’s vision is the 2020 Ambar, a skin-contact chardonnay that is aged for two months in neutral oak barrels, yielding a smooth trip toward the tannic pleasures of an otherwise hackneyed grape.
Started by ex-veterinarian Pau Pijoan, this sleeper hit of the valley is best known for “El Carbónico,” a playful take of the known grapes of the region—grenache, tempranillo, and syrah—fermented through carbonic maceration.
L.A. Cetto
Channeling the body and depth of Super Tuscans, the 2018 Petite Sirah from this nearly 100-year-old icon is a hearty red whose grapes hail from the Rhône Valley in France but feel just as at home in the arid landscapes of Valle de Guadalupe.
Danielle is a freelance culture journalist focusing on music, food, wine, hospitality, and arts, and founder-playwright of Yeah No Yeah Theatre company, based in San Diego. Her work has been featured in FLAUNT, Filter Magazine, and San Diego Magazine. Born and raised in Maui, she still loves a good Mai Tai.
Longtime popular cruise ship destination, the port of Ensenada has been known more for its animated tourist bars and trinket shops than as a cultural and culinary hub—but all that is changing. These days, the city is holding its own against Tijuana, Valle de Guadalupe, and other nearby food hot spots. A population of young professionals, many who work in the wineries and fine dining restaurants of Valle, are choosing to live in the more affordable Ensenada and making it their own with moody bars, contemporary restaurants, and a slew of new specialty shops.
Courtesy of Baja California Tourism Ministry
The Plaza Santo Tomás is a great example of this new energy. Built originally for Santo Tomás winery’s warehouses, the plaza and its buildings have been converted into a dozen or more locales that include the tiny Loca mezcal bar, high-end fishmongers De Garo Pescados Y Mariscos, the Tanto Santo pizza kitchen, and local cheese shop Fromagerie. La Morocha Resta Bar is a collaboration between some of the region’s biggest names in food, including David Castro Hussong, chef of Valle’s famed Fauna restaurant.
Here, comfort food like grilled cheese or arroz a la tumbada is served in a casual, Sunday-dinner-with-the-family ambiance. On the other side of the plaza is La Bête Noire, a cocktail bar and listening room dropped into a space that looks more like a secondhand shop. In the dimly lit basement speakeasy, you can sip a negroni and vibe to electronic beats.
Off the plaza, Ojo Cameleón—opened in late 2024— is filled with locals who come for the craft cocktails and guest DJs that spin all night long on the weekends. The bar Matilda is a mellower scene with outdoor tables and a cozy dining room.
Opened in 2021, it may have the best cocktails in town, with both classic and inventive options. Try the La Margaret with gin, St. Germain liqueur, sake, watermelon radish, rice vinegar, and mirin. The bar also serves a concise menu of delicious tapas and small plates.
Sakanaya Murajiro is a brand-new project highlighting the bounty of local seafood as well as imported delicacies from Japan, with an omakase menu designed by chef and owner Daichi Sato. A hospitality crowd favorite, Da Toni has become the restaurant of chefs and sommeliers on their night off. The menu weaves together dishes from northern Italy and the local influences of Baja—think tagliarini with sea urchin or calamari in anchovy and chiltepín chile sauce.
Courtesy of Baja California Tourism Ministry Bluefin tuna and prosciutto crudo from Da Toni.
The flavor of Ensenada cannot be truly appreciated with just the new and exciting. Seafood salad tostadas at La Guerrerense or a few oysters on the half shell at El Güero are required eating here. Also, stop by Hussong’s Cantina for a margarita and a heartfelt bolero from the restaurant’s musical trio, a 133-year tradition. If you’re open to making a meal yourself, stroll through the city’s tiny fish market that sets up near the waterfront for fresh-from-the-sea abalone, shrimp, and mahi-mahi.
In contrast to the luxury hotels in nearby Valle, you will find places in Ensenada that fit the more laidback style and lower price point of the city. There are several fantastic Airbnbs, but for something a little more personalized and cozy, stay at La Villa De Adelina, a small, five-room boutique hotel with both a bar and bakery on site.
Hotel Punta Morro on the waterfront has dramatic seafront views with chic, modern décor. For some nostalgia, the midcentury Las Rosas Hotel & Spa with its pale pink façade has been lovingly maintained throughout the years and draws back many returning visitors.
Courtesy of Azteca Express
Ensenada serves as an incredible base for exploring the nearby vineyards, but it also has its own collection of attractions. From mid-December to April, whales swim and play along the shores, and charter boats offer a chance to catch them in action. For active travelers, there’s sport fishing, kayaking, surfing, and hiking along the coast. Though Ensenada’s downtown is dominated by the waterfront, several nearby beaches are perfect for a picnic.
Estero Beach is mellow for swimming and paddle-boarding, while the shorelines near La Bufadora are great for strolling. Northern San Miguel Beach has a volcanic rock shoreline and waves that make it a top surf spot. And, now, it’s even easier to go from San Diego to Ensenada—the Azteca Express, a ferry traveling between the two cities, officially launched last month.
Lydia Carey is a travel and food writer based in Mexico City, who has spent the last 20 years traveling the Americas and sampling its bounty. She has been published widely online and in print and is the founder of the Mexico City Streets tour company.
Tijuana is a city shaped by movement. Home to the busiest border crossing in the world, TJ is astir like nowhere else. Despite being a place countless people travel through, the city is no stopover; it’s a destination in its own right. Just make sure you arrive hungry.
The Locals
Mariana Sánchez of Nana en Tijuana & Kevin Gómez of Aruba Day Drink
Better known as “Nana,” Sánchez is a proud Tijuanense and the founder of walking tour company Nana en Tijuana, with which she showcases the real Tijuana, far beyond border town clichés. We asked her for her insider’s view.
Tijuana native Kevin Gómez’s pandemic project, Aruba Day Drink, quickly became a West Coast cocktail destination, landing on The World’s 50 Best list for North American bars in 2023 and 2024. Gómez knows what new spots are worth trying and which underground classics still warrant a trip, so we hit him up for where to go when touring TJ.
Best Places to Explore in Tijuana
Sánchez says to start in Zona Centro (downtown) or Zona Río, the city’s main hubs for food, shopping, and entertainment. The Cacho neighborhood is the go-to spot for trendy cafés and bars, while Hipódromo offers a bustling stadium and the massive Casino Caliente. Sports fans should visit between January and May to catch a Xolos soccer match, a Toros baseball game, or a Zonkeys basketball showdown, she adds.
Photo Credit: Mariana Sánchez Murals and public art pepper the city.
Top Cultural Attractions in Tijuana
Want the ultimate introduction to the city? Book a walking tour with Nana En Tijuana. Stroll through Avenida Revolución, explore the Pasajes for unique local shopping, and visit the history museum in the Antiguo Palacio Municipal. Tijuana’s Cultural Center is the heart of the city’s arts scene, hosting free exhibits and performances. Looking for something quirky? Check out the The Taco Museum for an interactive food experience.
Courtesy of Misión 19 Artfully plated tuna at Misión 19.
What to Eat in Tijuana
Tijuana is a foodie’s paradise, starting with tacos. Sánchez’s top picks? Birria Sí for rich, flavorful birria tacos; Mariscos El Mazateño for fresh seafood tacos; and Tacos La Pasadita De La 20 for unbeatable carne asada. Want a sit-down experience? Lion Fish serves up incredible seafood, La Casa Del Mole is a must for traditional Mexican cuisine, and Misión 19 delivers a high-end dining experience.
Gómez digs Tacos El Francés‘ carne asada and adobada tacos and recommends that you “make a reservation at Oryx to try the tasting menu and the signature taco negro”—a tweak on the classic Ensendada-style fish taco. Still seeking more tacos? “You can’t go wrong with Las Tres Salsas, Tacos El Vaquero, Vicky’s Tacos, or Taco-N-Todo,” Gómez points out. For seafood, try the ceviche at Mariscos Raúl.
Of course, it’s not only Mexican fare in TJ. To explore other cuisines, “I’d go to Chan’s Bistro for Chinese food, grab a burger at 80/20, or have a pizza slice at Mr. Wink,” Gómez says.
And, there’s Caesar’s, where its namesake salad was invented just over a century ago. “Order half a salad and some snacks from the tapas menu,” Gómez advises. “Trust me, it’s not a tourist trap.”
Courtesy of Jacinto Baristas whip up drinks at Jacinto, located inside Michelin Guide breakfast spot Carmelita.
For boozier concoctions, Gómez often heads across the street from Aruba Day Drink to Minimal, an appropriately sleek cocktail bar doing creative and sciencey things with traditional Mexican ingredients. And more mixed drinks await at Nórtico, a speakeasy behind Oryx. Or drop by Dandy Del Sur for its frozen marg. “Order it with Cascahuín Blanco or Orendain,” Gómez suggests.
If craft beer is more your style, try Farland Aleworks, Madueño Brewing Co., and Cervecería Insurgente.
And many of these spots can slake a thirst for cultura, too. “Lately, the jazz scene has been growing in different bars and coffee shops around the city,” Gómez says. “It’s a fantastic midweek option.”
A Perfect Day in Tijuana According to a Local
Sánchez starts her day with coffee—recent favorites include Serenne Café for a chagaccino, Brewja Barra De Café for cold brew, or Container Coffee Roaster Co. for house-roasted beans. For breakfast, Carmelita Molino Y Cocina (and its in-house coffee shop Jacinto) is a must, while Inspiración 9 offers a delicious vegan lunch. Dinner? Keep it casual with Los Muñecos’ tacos de papa. To end the day, explore Tijuana’s nightlife— join a free dance lesson, catch a lucha libre match, or do an impromptu bar crawl through Zona Centro.
Amelia Rodriguez is a writer and journalist and winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her five-year Duolingo streak.
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. asion has passed.
Get ready to paint the town red, white, and blue this Fourth of July at these patriotic celebrations around San Diego County. While fireworks displays are, of course, the main attraction on this summer holiday, several events offer family-friendly fun before the pyrotechnics start. From early morning races and neighborhood parades to theme park activities and live outdoor concerts, spend the day and night celebrating the land of the free and home of the brave.
Courtesy of Visit Oceanside
4th of July Events in San Diego
Oceanside Independence Day Parade & Fireworks Display
June 29 & July 3
Start the festivities a little early in Oceanside with the annual Independence Day Parade on Coast Highway. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, cheer on the floats, bands (including the 1st Marine Division Band), walking groups, and decked-out cars. Then, on July 3, witness a spectacular fireworks show, hosted by the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department. The pyrotechnics start at 9 p.m. at the SoCal Soccer Complex, but the gates open at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities and food trucks.
3300 Dr Hugh La Bounty Dr, Oceanside
SeaWorld San Diego 4th of July Fireworks
June 30–July 4
Oh, say, you can see some glimmering pyrotechnics after a day of sea-themed fun. The week of June 30 through July 4, view nightly SeaWorld fireworks at 9:30 p.m. from around the park. The festive explosives show is synced to music to ring in another year of America’s independence.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
Chula Vista 4th Fest
July 4
BYO blankets and chairs to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for a free fireworks display set to a bilingual soundtrack on Amor 102.9. Get to South Bay early—the gates open at 7 p.m., and free parking is limited to 600 spots. There will be food trucks onsite to enjoy while you wait for the show to start. If you miss out on the training center parking, you can still get a great view of the fireworks from nearby Mountain Hawk Park.
2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista
Courtesy of Crown City Classic
Crown City Classic Run
July 4
Burn off some pre-barbecue calories with a patriotic 12K or 5K run on Coronado Island. (Why 12K? A nod to America’s birthday—it equates to 7.4 miles.) The out-and-back race, now in its 51st year, starts in Tidelands Park, wraps around the golf course and Glorietta Bay, and heads out onto the Silver Strand with scenic views of the Coronado Bridge. You can bring the whole family—there’s a Crown City Half Mile race for kids. Then stick around after your run for more star-spangled Coronado festivities (see below).
2000 Mullinex Drive, Coronado
Coronado Fourth of July
July 4
From sunup to sundown, celebrate our nation’s independence with a packed schedule of patriotic events for the whole family. The 75th annual parade on Coronado’s Orange Avenue doesn’t set out till 10 a.m., but spectators start saving their spots at 5 a.m., and the pre-parade entertainment begins at 7:30. Afterward, catch a demonstration by the US Navy parachute team, live musical performances in Spreckels Park, and a colorful fireworks show you can watch from the Coronado Golf Course at 9 p.m.
Various locations, Coronado
El Cajon Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4
East County’s Kennedy Park hosts this patriotic fireworks display starting at 9 p.m., but the family-friendly activities start at 2 p.m. Arrive early to the park to enjoy free train rides, arts and crafts, and games and watch live music from two bands. Then sit back to ooh and ahh as the fireworks light up the sky.
1675 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon
Courtesy of Big Bay Boom
Big Bay Boom Firework Show
July 4
The Big Bay Boom is the largest fireworks display in California. Bring lawn chairs to watch from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero, the Marina District, or the Coronado Ferry Landing at 9 p.m., or get a closer view from your own vessel on the bay. To avoid parking downtown, consider taking advantage of the expanded trolley service that night.
Various locations
Maritime Museum July 4th BBQ Dinner & Fireworks Viewing
July 4
The San Diego Maritime Museum opens up the McKinney Deck of the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley and the waterfront barge behind it for visitors to enjoy a barbecue dinner along the water starting at 7 p.m., then a front-row seat to the 9 p.m. fireworks show over the bay. Purchase your tickets online in advance, and bring a blanket for the first-come, first-serve seating on the boat.
1492 North Harbor Drive, Waterfront
Old Town Historic 4th of July Celebration
July 4
Join Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s staff and volunteers to experience an 1800s-style Independence Day celebration. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the free event offers games, crafts, and live music from Big Mountain Blue Grass Band. Previous years’ activities have included potato sack races, tug-of-war, and folk dances.
San Diego Avenue & Twiggs Street, Old Town
Courtesy of Poway-Midland Railroad
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July
July 4
Flash back to the turn of the 20th century at Old Poway Park’s Independence Day celebration. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy train displays, children’s crafts, old-fashioned games, patriotic entertainment, train rides, and tasty food. Follow that up with two glimmering fireworks displays illuminating the sky over the Poway High School Stadium and the Poway Sportsplex. The high school gates open at 6 p.m., and for $6 per adult (kids 11 and under are free), you can enjoy games, activities, and music leading up to the big show.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds has hosted the San Diego County Fair—the unofficial summer kick-off in SD—since 1936. Spend the day riding the Ferris wheel, cheering on piglets in the Swifty Swine Pig Races, or housing fried chicken sandwiched between two hot honey–drizzled funnel cakes. Then, head to the Corona Grandstand Stage to watch the dazzling fireworks show at 9 p.m. General admission (standing room only) is free, or you can pay to reserve a seat.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Escondido Independence Day Festival
July 4
Let freedom ring in the heart of Escondido at this annual Independence Day Festival. Starting at 4 p.m. in Grape Day Park, you can explore the artisan market; order eats from local food trucks; drink local craft beers and spirits; and listen to live performances, including one from the Navy 32nd Street Brass Band, hosted by the adjacent California Center for the Arts. Then settle down on a blanket or lawn chair for the spectacular fireworks finale at 9:05 p.m. For the first time this year, the Center for the Arts is extending the celebration to a four-day free concert series, so come back on July 5, 6, or 7 for more live shows.
321 North Broadway, Escondido
Courtesy of Legoland
Legoland’s Red, White & Boom!
July 4
Spend Fourth of July at Legoland with a full schedule of USA-themed activities—DJ dance parties, limited-edition treats, lawn games, and meet-and-greets—in addition to the normal brick-building fun and rides. Then put on magic glasses to see a spectacular show: fireworks exploding into 3D Lego bricks. The special event is included with regular park admission.
One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
Santee Salutes
July 4
Enjoy an all-American afternoon in East County at Santee’s Town Center Park. The gates open at 2 p.m., inviting guests to partake in amusement rides and food trucks in between performances by the US Marine Corps Band Popular Music Group and country band Whiskey Ridge. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. and will be synced to the fireworks soundtrack on SanteeTV.
550 Park Center Drive, Santee
Julian 4th of July Parade
July 4
Experience small-town charm in the Cuayamaca Mountains with this annual patriotic parade. For more than 20 years, Julian residents and their friends have lined up on Main Street to wave their flags and cheer on local school marching bands. Pre-parade activities include musical performances, an Old West reenactment, pie-eating contests, and a vintage airplane fly-over before the main event starts at noon.
Bethany Mavis is a writer, editor and aficionado of hiking, crafting and thrifting. She is an adjunct professor in journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University, and she lives in Escondido with her husband and three daughters.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s time to finalize your plans with some of San Diego’s best restaurants and chefs crafting prix fixe menus for the holiday. From modern twists on Thanksgiving classics to lavish seafood buffets and ready-to-cook feasts, we’ve got your guide to ensuring your turkey day is worthy of your friends and family’s thanks. Here are 21 places to get Thanksgiving dinner in San Diego this year:
Courtesy of Visit Temecula
Thanksgiving Dinner Specials
The Vineyard Rose Restaurant
On Thanksgiving day, the Vineyard Rose restaurant in Temecula will host their Bountiful Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet, offering guests a variety of seasonal favorites. The spread includes meat and charcuterie boards; a seafood display with shrimps, mussels, and poke; a salad bar; carved turkey; and an omelet station. The Vineyard also offers a takeout special from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are required via OpenTable or by calling (951) 719-8356.
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Price: $79 for adults; $39 for guests five to 11
Address: 34843 Rancho California Rd, Temecula
Turf Club
Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Del Mar Racetrack with a Thanksgiving brunch at the Turf Club followed a day of racing and festivities. Brunch consists of a three-course meal serving traditional Thanksgiving favorites and bottomless Mimosas. Dress code is enforced, so be sure to don your finest turkey day attire. Reserved tables seat up to four and larger groups will be seated adjacently.
Time: 11 a.m
Price: $125 per person
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
Rustic Root
Celebrate Thanksgiving at this stylish rooftop venue in the heart of the Gaslamp offering a modern take on Thanksgiving classics. Rustic Root’s Thanksgiving meal includes roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cream corn, butter biscuits, and herb roasted turkey breast. These seasonal favorites are available in addition to their full dinner menu options.
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Price: $32 for in-venue dining; $100 for a to-go family pack that feeds four
Address: 535 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
20|Twenty
After a round of Thanksgiving Day golf at the Crossings, savor a Thanksgiving dinner at 20|Twenty, offering a three-course feast of locally sourced ingredients. The prix fixe menu begins with your choice of chicory greens or ginger miso carrots, followed by entree options like Diestel turkey, Campbell River salmon, stuffed acorn squash, or prime rib. The service concludes with a butter cake or pumpkin pie sure to hit the spot. Enjoy this feast on the outpost’s spacious outdoor patio, offering a panoramic view of the North County coastline.
Time: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: Prix fixe menu – $95; reservations recommended
Address: 5480 Grand Pacific Dr, Carlsbad
Courtesy of STK Steakhouse
STK
Steak isn’t the only thing on the menu at this downtown locale; those looking for a Turkey dinner can dine-in between November 23 to 26 this year. STK is offering free-range turkey dinners featuring cornbread and sage stuffing, shallot and thyme thighs, sautéed green beans, baked sweet potatoes, cranberry orange chutney, and spiced pumpkin pie which can also be ordered to-go. Pre-order this feast to go starting November 13.
Time: November 23-26
Price: Dining in costs $64 for adults and $29 for children (12 & under); take-home dinners are $64 per serving plus signature sides at $16 each plus whole pumpkin pies available for $64
Address: 600 F St, Gaslamp Quarter
Ambrogio by Acquerello
Indulge in a Thanksgiving dinner at the charming Ambrogio by Acquerello. Experience an exceptional eight-course tasting menu curated by esteemed chef Silvio Salmoiraghi, featuring signature dishes like Trancio di Tacchino in Stile Ringraziamento (an Italian spin on a turkey dinner), Raviolo d’Autunno (a pasta dish featuring harvest flavors like pumpkin and chestnut), and Torta Morbida alle Noci (a crumbly cake offering hints of pecan and vanilla). Reservations for this Italian feast are filling up fast; visit Tock to secure your spot.
Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Price: Chef’s signature menu is $159 per person; vegetarian menu is $139 per person
Address: 7556 Fay Ave, La Jolla
Rancho Bernardo Inn
For a Thanksgiving meal in true Country Club fashion, visit Rancho Bernardo Inn for a feast by the links. Enjoy a four-course meal at their French American bistro, Avant, curated by chef Sergio Jimenez offering seasonal specials like pumpkin veloute, crispy duck leg, butternut squash gratin, and sweet potato pie. For guests interested in traditional a la carte options, there will be a Thanksgiving buffet in their Bernardo Ballroom from 1-4 p.m. and freshly baked 9” pies from Cafe Granada, including pumpkin, Dutch apple, bourbon pecan, and a unique orange and cranberry pie with rosemary compote.
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.
If you’re anything like us, it can be easy to get so caught up in taking care of everyone else, that your own needs get lost in the ether. But while this may be a cliché, that doesn’t make it any less true: You can’t give your best self to other people unless you’re taking care of yourself.
Sometimes, that looks like stopping in for your regular acupuncture or chiropractic appointment. Other days, it means giving your body the fresh, organic fuel it needs to truly feel and function at its best. And some other times still, it involves leaving your responsibilities behind for a weekend to pamper yourself at an incredible resort and spa.
Only you can decide what your truly need. We’re just here to help you find the best ways to get it.
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Island living meets desert luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. When you step onto the 11-acre property, you’ll be surrounded by sweeping view of the Santa Rosa Mountains with olive trees and fragrant citrus groves decorating the grounds. In other words, everything about this relaxed but refined resort is primed to help you let go of the stress from home and enjoy easy sun-soaked days and gorgeous starry nights.
The rooms blend calming, woven textures with Tommy Bahama’s signature tropical prints and feature private lanais, making it easy unwind the moment you walk in the door. If you book one of the four Villa Suites, you’ll be treated to exclusive Tommy Bahama furniture and unique personal touches to further that feeling of instant ease.
At the award-winning Spa Rosa, the expert team will help reset and recharge your body and mind using methods and rituals inspired by the desert. The 12,000-square-foot retreat includes outdoor soaking pools, eucalyptus steam rooms, and outdoor cabanas, as well as massages, facials, and body masks—all aimed at creating a day dedicated to you. We’re particularly partial to the Day Long Escape, an indulgent all-day affair of CDBs soaks, renewing scrubs, life changing massages, and transformative facials.
Following your treatment, continue the experience with a meal on the patio at Grapefruit Basil. We love the Hamachi Crudo, a light, citrus-forward dish featuring premium yellowtail, house-made ponzu, creamy avocado, and fresh seasonal garnishes.
Whether you’re strolling the gardens, relaxing beside its saltwater pools, or indulging in a restorative treatment, you’ll be able to escape in style and relax in luxury at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Healcove Chiropractic
There’s no shortage of ways to stay active in San Diego—but if you really want to enjoy everything the city has to offer, you’ve got to make sure you’re giving your body its tune-ups. Enter: Healcove Chiropractic. The board-certified chiropractors and wellness professionals at Healcove are experts at addressing that stage where you’re not injured, exactly, but you’re not at 100%, either. Maybe you’re feeling a bit tense or stressed out. Or it could be that you’re not quite moving the way you want to. Sometimes, it’s just that the accumulation of days, weeks, or even years of daily strain is starting to take a toll. No matter what stage you find yourself at, the Healcove Chiropractic team can provide integrated, preventative care centered on long-term, science-backed approaches that ensure you can always stay active and live the life you want to live pain-free.
This starts by providing truly individualized care. Every patient can expect a thorough 60-minute consultation session that includes a posture and movement screening. This allows the team to develop a completely personalized plan. That plan might include chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, as well as functional fitness training, vibration and sound therapy, and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, a clinical rehabilitation method that retrains the body’s stabilization systems. Whatever the team recommends, you can be sure that it’s tailored to meeting your body’s needs today and the future.
There’s a reason that San Diego Magazine named Healcove the “Best Chiropractor in San Diego”—don’t wait until you’re struggling with an injury to find out why. Book an appointment today for holistic, integrated care that helps ground and heal your body before it reaches a crisis point.
Juice Holler
West Coast wellness culture meets the community feel of Southern Appalachia at Juice Holler. Juice Holler’s menu consists of made-to-order smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as grab-and-go cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, salads, and more. It operates from the blissfully simple premise that fueling up with food and drink that’s guilt-free and good your body should be simple, accessible, and, above all else, delicious. And if you haven’t yet made it out to the Encinitas café, which opened just this year, let us be the first to tell you: Juice Holler delivers on each and every of these fronts.
We love the Supercharger smoothie, a mood-lifting and body-fueling option made with banana, almond butter, blue spirulina, maca, grass-fed whey protein, raw cacao nibs, medjool dates, and coconut milk. We’re also partial to the Thrive Alive smoothie bowl, where avocado, mango, sea moss, spirulina, mint, coconut milk, and agave are mixed and topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberry, mango, and chocolate drizzle. The wellness shots include the Detoxifier, a cleansing blend of kale, cucumber, lemon and spirulina, plus a shot specially designed to fight inflammation (named, fittingly, Anti-Inflammation). Probiotic overnight oats, lemon turmeric bars, and strawberry shortcake chia pudding are other standouts on the grab-and-go menu.
Much of the vibe feels beachy North County chic—think green tile with orange and pink accents, grounded with greenery and natural wood—but Juice Holler founder Kelly Sergott, a longtime Encinitas local, has also enfused the space with her Kentucky roots. In Appalachia, a holler is small valley between hills and mountains, where nature reigns, community is king, and nourishment comes right from the land. At Juice Holler, Sergott has created a holler for the busy modern times, using local ingredients to create a spot for people to come together and enjoy fresh, fast, feel-good fuel for their day.
Everwell Acupuncture
We’ve all had that experience with a medical professional where we’ve felt rushed, ignored, or misunderstood—and ultimately, like we didn’t get the answers that we needed. But at Everwell, the holistic acupuncture practice located in Solana Beach, the care team wants to transform your understanding of what healthcare can look like.
Patients at Everwell experience care rooted in intentional listening and radical empathy—and trust us, those aren’t just corporate buzzwords. This place actually puts those ideas into practice. You will always be given the time you need to tell your story— initial in-take appointments are two hours long—and you can rest assured that your story will be believed. Every single question and concern will be addressed by a dedicated practitioner who wants to find the specific solutions that work best for you, and you’ll receive care that’s aimed at healing the body, mind, and spirit.
Everwell’s highly trained, doctorate-level practitioners blend evidence-based acupuncture with the practice of classical Chinese medicine. (If you’ve never tried acupuncture before or aren’t sure if the team will be a fit, we’d highly recommended Everwell’s complimentary 20-minute consultations.) Research shows that by stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture activates a natural healing response in the body, helping to restore balance, regulate the nervous system, and improve overall wellbeing. This allows the practice to address an incredibly wide range of conditions from chronic pain and autoimmune disorders to digestive issues, from stress and burnout to headaches migraines, fertility and postpartum struggles, hormonal imbalances, sleep concerns and more.
At Everwell, you can expect to feel heard, trusted, respected, and cared for. This is a space that doesn’t want to be just another healthcare provider you visit; it wants to provide patients with dedicated partner who will be there for their entire health journey.
