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There’s an eye treatment option for everyone, whether you’re trying to combat puffy eyes, dark circles, or dried tired-looking skin.
Men’s Eye Cream
If “eyes are the window to the soul,” then eye cream is the paint we need to help our ‘windows’ come alive.
When you wake up, you want to look rested, energized, and ready for the day. You don’t want black under-eye circles that scream -I watched Netflix until 2 am and forgot to set an alarm clock- even if you did. Enter, eye cream. A product that helps you live your best life (nightlife included) and appear well-rested the next day.
The real problem in this scenario is finding a suitable eye cream. There are too many options, they all look and sound similar, and it’s boring to read product reviews all day. We did the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. This article is a carefully curated list of the 19 best eye creams for men, from us to you.
There’s an eye treatment option for everyone, whether you’re trying to combat puffy eyes, dark circles, or dried tired-looking skin.
All-natural skincare lines have been hitting the beauty product circuit at higher volumes than ever before. With so many incredible options, how could there be one “best” grooming brand to help you achieve the skin, hair, or look you’re chasing. Well, the votes are in, and Blu Atlas provides the highest quality products that people love and trust to take care of their most precious features. Their grooming line includes the winner for best eye creams for men, Blu Atlas Eye Stick.
Their products combine all-natural ingredients that your skin will greedily devour. The Blu Atlas Eye Stick uses algae extract and caffeine as all-natural antioxidants to help fight the signs of aging. With the addition of vitamin C to fight wrinkles, help the skin recover from sun damage, and give your skin all the anti-aging goodness it needs. The Eye Stick takes care of pesky dark circles and that annoying under-eye puff after a great night out.
You’ll worship the Eye Stick if you want to live the life you love while still maintaining your youthful under eye skin.
A simple approach to anti-aging eye cream, Clinique has been a department store classic for decades. Their products are known for being high-quality, effective, and long-lasting.
The small bottle will last you a few months because you only need to apply a thin layer to receive the many benefits. The thin layer of cream will apply smoothly and not feel heavy on your under-eye. The formula uses green tea extract and other botanical ingredients to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and restore your under-eye skin.
You’ll love Clinique’s Anti-Age Eye Cream if you want a time-tested product and brand with a lightweight eye cream.
Avocados on toast, avocados IN eye cream, what delectable item will be next? We can’t see into the future, but we know the skin surrounding your eyes will feel rejuvenated and lustrous with this avocado-based product. We love this creamy, thick eye treatment option and think you will too. It provides intense under-eye hydration in a paraben-free and fragrance-free eye product.
Their unique formula mixes avocado oil and shea butter to nourish tired skin deeply, with additions of beta carotene and vitamin A to enrich it. The lush, fluffy product targets puffiness and brightens the skin.
You’ll love this if you’re looking for a rich, hydrating eye cream to use in the evening.
Anthony has an outstanding eye cream option included in their array of products for men. The eye cream has an advanced time-release formula that can help the skin around your eyes remain bright and camera-ready. Anthony’s eye cream is a lightweight option to tackle the problem of fine lines, wrinkles, and other eye problem areas.
Their unique formula combines several natural, plant-based ingredients to help you fight fine lines and those pesky dark circles. Vitamin A, C, and E combine with jojoba oil, shea butter, squalane, and carrot root to hydrate, nourish, and refresh your skin deeply. The arnica and caffeine keep the party going by keeping the puffiness and dark circles at bay.
We love Brickell’s for bringing another high-quality men’s skincare product to your bathroom. Their eye cream comes packaged in a jar so you can apply the perfect amount to your skin, sparingly, of course. This 0.5oz bottle will last at least 45 days if used morning and night. Time for some well-rested eyes!
With their delectable combination of natural ingredients, it’s hard to resist. The hyaluronic acid richly moisturizes the skin and locks in as much glow as possible. Caffeine will jump in to combat any dark circles, and MSM will brighten the skin around the eyes.
You’ll be obsessed with Burt’s Bees eye cream, especially if you have sensitive skin. Their specially formulated cream is for anyone who experiences annoying or frustrating skin irritations and everyone else looking for a gentle organic option!
Burt’s Bees want you to discover the best way to take of your eyes, with their own 98.9% natural origin Sensitive Solutions Calming Eye Cream. They know the eyes are one of the most sensitive places on your body and want to help!
The cream is hypoallergenic and is not thick! Their formula uses cotton extract as its sensitive skin champion. They combine aloe, coconut oil, and shea butter to hydrate richly.
If you’re skimming through the list to find the best retinol serum, you’ve hit the jackpot with Dr. Dennis Gross’s Triple Correction Serum. This serum helps you see immediate results, especially with fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Dennis Gross created this serum to help anyone aging or with tired skin around the eyes restore their natural luster and beauty.
This incredible serum has revolutionary ingredients to help restore and stimulate new collagen around your eyes. The formula uses retinol to smooth any lines or wrinkles and ferulic acid to combat any damage caused or triggered by the retinol. Bakuchiol creates retinol-like effects, without any irritation, in a natural way. Rambutan is another collagen-stimulating ingredient and is also an antioxidant.
You’ll love this serum if you want a doctor-created and recommended product with life-changing retinol properties.
Made in France, Clarins Line-Control Eye Balm is an excellent choice for all skin types. It is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested and will help improve your tired skin. It is a luxury eye balm at an incredible price.
A thick, fluffy balm that goes on smoothly while feeling luxurious. The balm uses a botanical blend of maritime pine to blast away dark circles and paracress to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It is best used for nighttime applications due to its thick, creamy texture.
You’ll enjoy this eye balm if you’re looking for the perfect treatment for any skin type.
The name of Dr. Brandt’s product paints a pretty picture, No More (under eye) Baggage for you. This eye gel cream combo is made for all skin types and addresses dark circles and under-eye bags. It’s smooth and lightweight when applied to the skin, and possible to see results after just one application!
With such a significant promise, what magical ingredients do they use? Inside are peptides that perform similar skin miracles to retinol, creating new levels of firm skin and strengthening elasticity. Along with caffeine to keep away those bothersome dark circles and other plant extracts to keep skin relaxed and not puffy.
You’ll love this product if you want to leave the -puffy eye- baggage behind and discover a quick fix.
There is nothing ordinary about The Ordinary Caffeine Solution—a small bottle of caffeine solution that delivers precisely what it promises. The Caffeine Solution targets dark circles and puffiness with their uncomplicated fusion of ingredients. The price is literally killer, and their simple ingredients deliver the result you want to achieve.
The Ordinary uses a simple combination of ingredients to bring brighter eyes to your life. The caffeine and EGCG will fight both puffiness and dark circles. You’ll love The Ordinary’s eye product if you want the most affordable product that gives you the biggest bang for your buck.
A cooling gel for all skin types, Healgel Eye is here to help you shrink fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a simple eye gel product with a simple goal, to help you have more youthful glowing skin. A gel perfect for both morning and night applications.
Their formula uses arnica to reduce puffiness around the eyes and stimulate collagen production. Their hyaluronic complex brings extreme levels of moistures and shields skin throughout the day.
You’ll love this product if you want a simple eye gel to battle wrinkles and dark circles.
Calm your tired eyes and skin with Lab Series Daily Rescue Energizing Eye Treatment. Their specialized men’s grooming products bring high-quality ingredients to the public. They are committed to making the world a better, more livable place and use recycled materials for their product bottles. Wake up LOOKING refreshed and rested, even if you only got 4 hours of sleep.
Their formula uses a unique blend of two exceptional ingredients, ginseng and caffeine. The caffeine delivers a dark circle free day, and the ginseng works to energize the skin around the eyes, helping your skin appear more luminous.
You’ll love this product if you’re looking for a new men’s grooming line with excellent outcomes.
Retinol, sweet retinol, where would our skin be without you? We think you’ll love this breathtaking retinol serum that can help tighten skin and significantly reduce the appearance of any fine lines or wrinkles. Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is perfect for all skin types, and it’s ideal for morning and night eye brightening and skin tightening.
This unique formula is a potent mix of retinol. They bring together three types and stages of retinol to deliver you the best results. The first retinol uses a time-released formula to provide all-day skin tightening, with an immediate retinol boost upon applying and a booster to increase retinol effectiveness throughout the day. The last stellar ingredient, hyaluronic acid, boosts moisture and helps lock in your dewy glow.
You’ll love this serum if you want one of the best retinol eye treatments on the market.
Step up your skincare routine with Shiseido’s eye treatment option. Eye cream tubes like this look small, especially when you splash big bucks to restore under-eye skin health, and they’re not always worth it. Shiseido’s Eye Cream is worth splashing extra cash for. It’s the ultimate formula for deep 48-hour hydration. It’s also great for those with sensitive skin.
So what’s not to love about it? Their blend of rice bran oil and nicotinamide takes care of skin and brings back your luster. You’ll love this product if you’re looking for a seriously hydrating eye cream.
Men with dry skin love Elemis’ Time Defence Eye Reviver. The gel cream is lightweight and doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin. It is perfect for the thin skin around the eyes, and it absorbs quickly and lightly. It adds another barrier to protect your skin from outside elements.
Their formula uses unique ingredients to bring you ultimate hydration in a lightweight liquid. Hydroxyproline, ginseng, and acacia revive tired skin, promote elasticity, and protect you from harsh radicals.
You’ll enjoy this gel cream if you want the perfect lightweight liquid for sensitive skin.
Rolling-ball applicators, step aside; the best eye treatment applicator is in town. Jack Black’s eye balm and gel were made to make applying your eye product as easy as 1, 2, 3. All it takes is a few quick swipes, and you’ll be on your way.
We love this lightweight gel for making skin feel fresh, young, and ready for the day. It’s easy to use but even easier to toss in a bag to take to work, the gym, or your next vacation. Their balm and gel formula rejuvenates and plumps the skin under the eye to prepare you for your next business meeting.
You’ll love this product if you want a cooling gel to treat under-eye difficulties.
The Geologie pump bottle takes out the guesswork of “how much product do I apply?” With one pump, you’re ready to dab and pat all the wrinkles away. Geologie undertakes the work to make some of the best skincare products for men. You can even get a trial with a month’s worth of products to see if they work for you! You can also get personalized skincare recommendations from their team of dermatologists.
The formula uses kojic acid and hyaluronic acid to lock in extra moisture and create a protective barrier for the skin. Along with caffeine to rid you of the dark under-eye circles and keep your skin brighter and tighter.
You’ll love this cream if you want a simple solution to under-eye issues and want to buy other skincare products in one place.
Is it a gel, or is it a cream? Both! Cetaphil packs in the properties of gels and creams in one tiny tube. While many great eye creams are expensive, we also wanted to bring you options that fit a lower budget without losing quality. Cetaphil is an affordable eye treatment option with their Hydrating Eye Gel.
They use hyaluronic acid to keep your skin intensely moisturized along with vitamin E, B, and licorice extract to brighten and protect your skin from outside elements.
You’ll love Cetaphils gel cream if you’re looking for an affordable option.
It’s time to turn back the clock on the delicate skin around your eyes with Neutrogena’s special retinol cream. An industry standard, Neutrogena has been producing this superior retinol product to fight signs of aging for decades. It can help fight signs of aging in four weeks, including fine lines and wrinkles—an incredible retinol cream at an affordable price. Retinol can irritate the skin, so it’s best used in conjunction with an SPF and not used by those with sensitive skin.
You’ll love this product if you want retinol that has stood the test of time, and people love it!
The main difference between eye creams will be how they feel on the skin. Or if the product feels oily, light, or something in between. Some of the many forms they come in are balms, gels, creams, oils, or serums.
1. Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of aging
Time waits for no man. As you age, your eyes will gather wrinkles, fine lines, and crevices you didn’t know existed. With the correct eye cream, it is possible to lessen these signs. You’ll want to use an eye cream that harnesses retinol or peptides to stimulate collagen production and help your skin feel tighter, plumper, and more full. If you want to combat these signs of aging, you’ll want to use an eye cream daily.
2. Reduces puffiness
I’m sure you’ve experienced waking up after a restless night just to see new bags under your eyes. That puffiness is a build-up of fluids below your eye. You can cut down on the puff problem by using an eye cream with caffeine. It will help diminish the swelling and encourage circulation.
3. Reduces dark circles
Dark circles are a common yet irritating problem. They’re in your face and one of the top reasons men want to use eye cream. Eye creams with skin brightening ingredients will be your go-to. Vitamin K and caffeine are two great ingredients to cut down on dark circles.
When choosing the best men’s eye cream, gel, balm, or serum, your skin type matters and will guide you to the correct product.
If you suffer from dry skin, a thicker solution, such as a cream or serum, will be perfect for keeping dryness in check. Look out for extra hydrating ingredients such as oils or hyaluronic acid too.
Light but refreshing choices such as a gel or a serum may be perfect for you if you have sensitive skin. There are unique sensitive skin formulations to look out for, such as Burt’s Bees Sensitive Solutions Eye Cream.
Oily skin is best paired with a lightweight option because we don’t want to clog those pores and cause more acne. A light gel may be perfect for the under-eye area in those with oily skin.
The perfect ingredients for your eye cream will depend on your skin type. Take note of any problem areas you’d like to treat before picking the best eye treatment option for you.
Known for helping skin become plumper, tighter, and younger-looking, retinol is a powerhouse for eye creams. It is a vitamin A derivative that enables you to increase and stimulate collagen production, making it one of the leading anti aging ingredients. It is not recommended for sensitive skin as it irritates the skin.
Neuropeptides are an ingredient that will lend you a brighter, more even-looking skin tone. It is better for sensitive skin and is an excellent substitute for retinoid products. It produces a similar type of retinol effect with fewer irritants.
An ingredient to help improve the strength of your skin. Ceramides help seal moisture and hydration into the skin. Ceramides provide excellent prevention against dry skin.
Skincare brands love using hyaluronic acid for its incredible hydrating properties. It’s hard to believe, but it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, and its job is to draw water into the skin. What does this mean? It can provide your skin with obscene levels of hydration, leaving it feeling plump and sated. Even though it contains extreme moisture levels, it dries quickly and leaves your skin dry, clean, and fresh.
You want to keep your eyes peeled for caffeine if you suffer from dark circles or have puffy areas under your eyes. Caffeine uses its anti-inflammatory powers to reduce puffiness. It also shrinks blood vessels, reducing dark circles, tightening the skin, and making it feel more youthful.
Vitamin E and C are both antioxidants with different roles. Vitamin C will help with skin elasticity, and vitamin E protects you against free radicals and puffiness. Vitamin K helps with blood clotting issues in the under-eye area. It will help solve this issue and reduce the dark under-eye.
If you’re regularly outside in the sun, it’s a good idea to find an eye cream that has SPF. Prevention (from wrinkles and fine lines) is one of the best forms of skincare.
Always start with clean hands
Clean hands are always the right place to start with skincare. You’ll want to ensure your hands are free from any dirt or bacteria before putting your finger near your eye. Not only bacteria, but you also want to be sure to wash away any oils or residues that may change your eye cream application process.
Apply the right amount
Because the skin around your eyes is so delicate, we want to apply products to it sparingly. This means using the right amount of eye cream, serum, or balm. Check your eye cream bottle for specific instructions and amounts, but there is general guidance you can follow with any eye cream.
If your eye cream comes in a slim pump bottle, use around half of a pump for each eye. If it comes in a roller-ball applicator bottle, gently shake the liquid before applying and moving the tip twice over the eyes. If your glorious eye cream comes in a jar, you want to use a pea-sized (or q-tip sized) amount of product. The eyes are small, so you don’t want to overdo it, and there isn’t much skin to cover, making a pea-sized amount perfect.
Lightly apply the eye cream
Protect the thin skin around your eye by gently patting the product around your eye. Gently patting or tapping the product onto the skin is best to protect this area of fragile skin. Use your ring finger, as it’s known to be the weakest, to apply the cream to the area.
Do your best to be gentle with this area of skin. Don’t rub the product in or press it into your skin. If you hastily rub the product in, you could be introducing your eyes to new wrinkles or puffiness and eradicating your eye cream’s hard work!
To apply the eye cream successfully, start at the outer corner of your eye (closer to your temple and hairline) and lightly tap and move in towards the inner corner. Then you’ll apply the cream below the brow line, your orbital bone, and gently pat it in. (The orbital bone is the bone you feel and see below your eyebrows).
What time to apply eye cream?
Check your eye cream for specific guidelines or instructions, but you can use most eye creams day or night. Some eye creams will have ingredients that better suit them for particular times. Many morning eye creams will have SPF or caffeine, while night eye creams may have retinol or peptides.
Before you head out and take on the day, you can benefit from the perfect eye cream. You want your morning eye cream to create a barrier between the world and your skin. Protecting your skin is, first and foremost, the goal.
In the morning, it’s best to use a product with SPF -to protect your gorgeous skin-and a lightweight option. A lightweight formulation will dry quickly and help you get ready faster in the morning.
When you’re ready to relax, head to bed, or pamper yourself in the evening, you can use a thicker, fluffier eye treatment. You want your evening eye cream to revitalize and repair skin overnight. No SPF is needed because you’ll be tucked up in bed rehydrating your skin.
Well, it depends. Some eye creams may offer immediate results that make you feel younger the same day. These effects usually include reducing puffiness, brightening skin, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But as with other skincare results, it can take much longer than one day to see a difference. It can take six to even eight weeks to see progress or improvements with issues like dark circles, wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, and dryness. It depends entirely on how your body processes the eye cream, the eye cream product itself, and your skin!
Wear a hat or wear sunglasses. A great way to protect the skin around the eyes is to keep direct sunlight off it.
Buy an eye cream with SPF for the skin around the eyes. Don’t apply your everyday sunscreen near your eyes, but an eye cream with SPF would be perfect for daytime use to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
The winner for 2022 is Blu Atlas’s Eye Stick. A vegan, all-natural ingredient, fragrance-free eye treatment will give you the results you’re looking for. Their composition includes ingredients that won’t irritate the delicate skin around the eyes and help you feel fresh.
You don’t want it to look like you just had botox, but you do want it to look like you got 8+ hours of sleep last night and woke up refreshed and oh so alive. Blu Atlas can help with that.
Stake Chophouse & Bar brings contemporary classics and old-school service to the heart of Coronado
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.”
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
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.
San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.
The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.
Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago.
Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.
Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14.
There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.
If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities.
If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.

Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).
Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.
BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer

Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.
Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233

An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.
Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721

A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.
Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623

Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.
Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291

History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.
By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.
Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203

Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre.
Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.
Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311

This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.
But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.
Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821

The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.
Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190

Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.
San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.
San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101

Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101

A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12).
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.
WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
La Gran Terraza, the University of San Diego’s signature restaurant, has been a campus favorite for over 16 years, offering California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. This summer, its gastropub, O’Toole’s, is open for evening service —perfect for sunset bites and drinks.
At the helm is chef Marbi Becerra, a Culinary Institute of America alum with roots in the US and Mexico. She now leads culinary operations for La Gran Terraza and USD Catering, bringing bold Mediterranean flavors and a fresh perspective.
Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri

5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110
619-849-8205 | lagranterraza.com | @eatatusd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Labora Café offers so much more than premium ceremonial-grade matcha; it’s a lifestyle café where people come to feel more energized, inspired, and connected to their community. Labora partners with retailers and lifestyle brands, from local Pilates instructors to Neiman Marcus, so there’s always something new to learn about or browse when you’re here. As for the drinks, whether you’re thinking matcha or Vietnamese coffee with a specialty house-made foam on top, expect a natural pick-me-up, without extra sugars or syrups.
Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha

8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111
858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd
Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.
Happy Medium lives in the sweet spot: not too fancy, not too gritty. Think dive bar soul with cocktail bar standards. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a beer and a shot, a fancy cocktail, plus a killer spirits list. The menu includes all the best bar classics along with elevated plates. Some would call it a “happy medium.” With your favorite B-side tracks always playing in the background, Happy Medium is the ultimate neighborhood hangout spot.
Lava Flowgroni: Pineapple gin layered with strawberry Campari, banana vermouth and coconut, served over crushed party ice.

4002 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104
619-310-5642 | happymediumsd.com