Whether it’s a quaint get-together amongst friends or a large-scale business gathering, private dining takes your special night and decks it out to the nines. Spoil yourself this holiday season by leaving your kitchen unscathed and letting the hospitality professionals do what they do best: take care of you, with expectational service and standards. Read on for our guide of where to go and how to get your party started.
Puesto boasts several unique event venues throughout San Diego.
La Jolla
Headquarters
Mission Valley
With several event venues in San Diego, Puesto offers spacious outdoor patios and stunning indoor spaces. At Puesto La Jolla, enjoy a newly redesigned restaurant interior and a lively outdoor deck. The Plancha Room is perfect for corporate dinners or celebrations of up to 50 guests, while a full indoor buyout, including the bar, can accommodate up to 95 guests for a reception-style fiesta. In Mission Valley, gatherings can range from cozy private dining rooms to family-style fiestas for 70 on the patio, with the restaurant capable of hosting up to 400 for unforgettable events. This location features two patios and two private indoor spaces, one with A/V capabilities, along with views of the iconic bar and award-winning brewery. At The Headquarters, choose between an intimate dinner in the Loft or a family-style fiesta for 45 in the Chor Boogie dining room. At Puesto, we believe every day should be a party! eatpuesto.com
Near major downtown venues like Petco Park and the convention center.
Outdoor and perfect for hosting guests in San Diego’s warm weather.
Roy’s Restaurant
Roy’s brings the aloha spirit to San Diego’s waterfront.
Situated on the grounds of the Marriott Marquis, Roy’s San Diego offers sweeping views of the marina and San Diego Bay. From our intimate wine room to our breezy outdoor lanai to full restaurant buyouts, we have the perfect space for your next event.
Our seasonally inspired menu is an artful fusion of bold Asian flavors and classic French preparations, brought together to create Roy Yamaguchi’s signature Hawaiian Fusion cuisine. Enjoy one of our signature tropical cocktails or allow us to craft a custom cocktail just for your guests. Complete your dining experience with a selection from our expansive wine list.
For an event they’ll rave about, we invite you to experience Roy’s San Diego.
Features
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Multiple private and semiprivate spaces for groups of 10 to 500.
Dedicated private dining director to help plan your perfect event.
Custom menus and cocktails available
State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment.
333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101 | 619-239-7697 roysrestaurant.com
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
The best private dining in San Diego with four unique restaurants.
Experience exceptional waterfront dining at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, where four distinct restaurants offer extraordinary cuisine and customizable private dining options. Whether hosting an intimate dinner or a large celebration, each venue provides a unique atmosphere and unforgettable culinary experience tailored to your event.
Rumorosa: Dive into the bold and vibrant flavors of Baja cuisine, with an ambiance that captures the essence of San Diego’s laid-back vibe.
Brewery X: Satisfy your cravings with artisanal pizzas, juicy burgers, and fresh seafood dishes, all paired perfectly with our carefully crafted brews.
Sunglow: Nestled poolside with breathtaking views of the marina, Sunglow is the ultimate destination to enjoy refreshing, summer-inspired cocktails and fresh, seasonal dishes.
Bay Tower Lounge: Overlooking the iconic San Diego Bay, the Bay Tower Lounge offers handcrafted signature cocktails and a diverse menu designed to please every type of foodie.
Features
Four waterfront restaurants for private, semi-private, and buyout events.
Accommodates 10 to 300 guests for various event sizes.
Offers cocktail receptions, plated dinners, buffets, and station-style events.
Stunning waterfront views to elevate your event experience.
Customizable spaces tailored to your event’s unique needs.
Celebrate in style and experience the ultimate in vibe dining events with STK!
STK Steakhouse offers stunning spaces and private event rooms for any occasion with a vibrant mix of stylish dining, lounge spaces, paired with signature menus and world-class service. Whether you are planning an intimate dinner party or blowout celebration, our dedicated special events team will take care of every detail and make it an event to remember.
For over 80 years, The Marine Room has stood as a premier oceanfront dining destination, renowned for its breathtaking views and exceptional cuisine. Here, each occasion transforms into a memorable experience, allowing you to see the ocean in a whole new light. Dine amidst the waves and enjoy stunning panoramic vistas as the sun gracefully sinks into the shimmering waters. Our seasonal high-tide dinners provide a truly unique setting that elevates your dining experience. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our dedicated team is here to ensure every detail is tailored to perfection, making your event truly unforgettable.
Features
Décor elegance and charm, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean serving as the backdrop.
Popular Dishes: Salmon Cornets, Caviar Service, Uni Santa Barbara.
Max capacity of 200 seated and 250 reception style for full restaurant buyout.
For intimate gatherings, 20–100 guests in semi-private dining rooms.
1950 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, California 92037 | 858-459-7222 marineroom.com
The Shores Restaurant
Experience private dining seaside, where stunning ocean views meet fresh, sustainable California coastal-inspired cuisine. Enjoy curated cocktails and craft beers just steps from the sand in a range of unique event spaces. Choose between an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, our beachfront lawn, open-air patios, and private ocean-view Acapulco deck can accommodate groups of any size. Bring your loved ones together and create unforgettable memories at this beautiful seaside escape.
Features
Private indoor and outdoor venues from 40–300 guests.
Event coordination from our friendly and experienced catering team.
Customized and creative menus to accommodate all event types.
Experience an intimate and authentic Italian dining experience at Ciccia Osteria in San Diego. Our private dining space is perfect for special occasions, offering personalized service, rustic decor, and a cozy atmosphere. Indulge in hand-crafted dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Whether it’s a family gathering, celebration, or corporate event, Ciccia Osteria ensures an unforgettable experience.
Features
Customizable menus featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Dedicated private dining area with warm, rustic ambiance.
Attentive service tailored to your event’s specific needs.
2233 Logan Avenue, San Diego, California 92113 | 619-674-4069 cicciasandiego.com
Seasons Restaurant at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara
Tucked away in the scenic hills of north county San Diego, Seasons Restaurant proudly celebrates seasonal flavors and locally-sourced ingredients. Choose your vibe: the intimate Chef’s Table, cozy Private Dining room, or breezy Outdoor Veranda. Our culinary creativity and personalized menus wow, but it’s the outstanding service and genuine connections that make every meal unforgettable.
Features
Private Dining Room: Ideal for intimate meetings and gatherings for up to 24 guests.
Veranda: Elegant patio fit for any celebration of up to 40 guests.
Restaurant: Buy-outs available, accommodating up to 97 guests.
7210 Blue Heron Place, Carlsbad, California 92011 | 760-603-3716 seasonsaviara.com
Juniper & Ivy
From intimate gatherings to blowout soirées, each of our private event spaces has been recently updated to create the ideal setting for your next celebration. Our private dining room, semi-private cubes, covered patio, and tented outdoor space are the perfect places to gather. Create a unique event and pair our edgy decor with customized, local menus and award-winning wines. It’s no wonder OpenTable ranked us amongst the Top 100 Restaurants in America for a Big Night Out!
Features
Customizable styling and menu planning.
Indoor and outdoor options.
Spaces for all events from intimate to corporate.
2228 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, California 92101 General: 619-269-9036 | Events: 619-487-9627 juniperandivy.com
Marisi
From intimate gatherings to blowout soirées, each of our private event spaces has been recently updated to create the ideal setting for your next celebration. Our private dining room, semi-private cubes, covered patio, and tented outdoor space are the perfect places to gather. Create a unique event and pair our edgy decor with customized, local menus and award-winning wines. It’s no wonder OpenTable ranked us amongst the Top 100 Restaurants in America for a Big Night Out!
Features
In La Jolla Cove, a short walk to the beach.
Event spaces for intimate gatherings or sunny, breezy dinners.
Tasting menus highlight classics from La Jolla and the Amalfi Coast.
1044 Wall Street, La Jolla, California 92037 | 858-401-6787 marisilajolla.com
Roma Norte
Roma Norte, the newest venture from the expert beverage team behind Puesto and Marisi, draws inspiration from the vibrant cocktail culture of Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood. It offers a technique-driven cocktail experience paired with light, refreshing Mexico City-style bites. The venue accommodates up to 75 guests for standing receptions, with seating for 40 at cocktail rounds and communal tables. Enjoy a custom events menu with tray-passed bites, cocktails, and lively music that reflects the vibrant atmosphere of Roma Norte.
Features
Close to major downtown venues like Petco Park and the convention center.
Book independently or add to an event booked at Puesto.
Lounge seating, moody lighting, and technique-driven cocktails.
789 West Harbor Drive, Suite 155, San Diego, California 92101 | 619-600-5535 romanorte.bar
Zest Wine Bistro
Zest Wine Bistro is the next-door sister restaurant to the ever-popular Giardino Neighborhood Cucina. It’s one of the most sought-after venues for private events, offering a chance to take over a restaurant for the night at an affordable price. From its beautiful, heated patio, to its cozy wine bar inside, guests will find comfortable spaces to gather with friends and family while enjoying celebrated food and gracious hospitality.
Features
Beautiful, affordable private & semi-private spaces for up to 54 guests.
Family-style or plated menus starting at just $35 per person.
Ideal al fresco setting for brunches, celebrations, showers and receptions.
Bencotto Italian Kitchen, located in the heart of Little Italy, offers the largest selection of fresh pastas in San Diego, crafting 1,000 pounds each week. With Milanese-inspired cuisine served in a chic ambiance, Bencotto is perfect for private gatherings. Reserve the mezzanine dining area for parties of up to 50 guests, ideal for special celebrations or meetings. Experience authentic Italian flavors in a kitchen that truly belongs to Italians, dedicated to delivering excellence in every dish.
Features
Olive Room: A private, intimate space for up to 15 guests, perfect for cozy gatherings, private meetings, or small celebrations.
Mezzanine Level: A spacious, private area for up to 50 guests, ideal for larger celebrations or events.
750 W Fir Street, San Diego, California 92101 | 619-450-4786 lovebencotto.com
The Best Gym in San Diego Isn’t Really a Gym Anymore
Earlier this year, Fit quietly dropped "athletic" from its brand, from Fit Athletic Clubs to simply Fit, and started calling itself something new: a social wellness club.
There’s a version of San Diego that lives in two extremes. On one side, the 5 a.m. crowd: biohackers, marathoners, people who’ve already logged a cold plunge before your alarm goes off. On the other, the after-dark crowd, the ones chasing sunset happy hours and late dinners with friends. Everyone seems to be either optimizing or unwinding, and most of us feel like we’re failing at both.
Fit, San Diego’s reigning Best Gym for the third year running, has built its entire identity around erasing that divide.
Walk into one of Fit’s three San Diego locations on a Tuesday afternoon and the lines blur fast. Someone’s mid-set on the squat rack. Someone else has a laptop open at a café table a few feet away, half-working, half-people-watching. A group is trading plans for the weekend’s event by the recovery lounge. Nobody’s in a rush to leave.
“We’re not competing for the same people,” says Emily Waybright, Public Relations Manager at Fit, addressing the arrival of a national luxury gym chain in San Diego this year. “We don’t really feel like we’re in the gym category. It’s this unique thing.”
That unique thing has a name now. Earlier this year, Fit quietly dropped “athletic” from its brand, from Fit Athletic Clubs to simply Fit, and started calling itself something new: a social wellness club.
It’s a small wording change with a bigger idea behind it. Fit was never built around escaping the workday. It was built around the people who genuinely like what they do, and who want workouts, work, and friendships to happen in the same place instead of three separate ones. Because sometimes red light therapy with a stranger turns into weekend plans.
Fit’s philosophy traces back to its founder, who started the brand nearly two decades ago after failing to find a gym he actually wanted to belong to. He looked instead to the old-school country club, where people came for a shared interest and stayed for the community. His version was made for a younger generation, minus the golf, plus the loud music.
Which makes it a little ironic that the very award putting Fit back in the spotlight this year is Best Gym.
What does the best traditional gym look like when the definition of a gym is becoming less traditional? It’s a fair question, and Fit’s answer is that the fitness industry itself is shifting. The 45-minutes-in, 45-minutes-out model is giving way to something closer to a genuine third space, the kind of role the office and the bar used to play before remote work and changing nightlife habits rearranged how people spend their time
For Fit, community isn’t a marketing add-on to fitness. It’s the through-line. Members aren’t just paying for a treadmill; they’re paying for an entire day of social wellness that’s built on performance, recovery, connection, and a plan for the next event on the calendar. That’s a much harder membership to walk away from.
Ambition and ease aren’t opposites here, they exist side by side, where passion and play share the same morning. On September 12, Fit is hosting Sol, a full day wellness festival at Fit Social. The morning focuses on wellness classes and vendors and then the evening is a full party with multiple DJ sets and an open bar. Think of it as a kick-off to locals’ summer in San Diego.
Ready to see what a social wellness club actually looks like? Visit fitclubs.com, or follow along at @thefitclubs on Instagram.
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
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