Featured articles
Featured articles
Featured articles
What's next
Featured articles
Featured articles
Featured articles
Ready to know more about San Diego?
SubscribeReady to know more about San Diego?
Are you looking for legit online gambling sites to play online casino games? Look no further than this top 5 list.
Rad Revenue
Real money gambling sites are becoming increasingly popular in the betting world. There are lots of opportunities to win money, but there are also lots of opportunities to lose money. Gambling is risky, but most people who play casino games already know this. However, it gets even more dangerous with the plethora of platforms available to play online casino games, which may or may not be legitimate.
We have compiled this list to save you the risk of trial and error and the burden of spending so much time researching. This list features the top online gambling sites that are legitimate, easy to use, and offer a great variety, including online sports betting for people who are into it. They are carefully selected using important criteria outlined below.
Below are the five top gambling sites that offer great games and everything you want in an online casino. We have gone further to highlight each of their strengths.
Ignition Casino – Overall Best Online Gambling Site; Top Pick
Bovada – Top Rated Gambling Site For Sports Betting
Cafe Casino – Popular Real Money Gambling Site With Huge Welcome Bonuses
BitStarz – Best Crypto Gambling Site With No Deposit Bonuses
7Bit Casino – Variety of Games With Fastest Payouts
This casino has been in existence for over six years. As a result, they have a well-established customer base that trusts them and keeps coming back. They are one of the most popular destinations for gamers and bettors who love online casino gambling.
Ignition Casino serves an American audience, providing you with over 300 slot games, poker tournaments, and table games. They also have live dealer games of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. In addition to a good selection of games, they have a wide selection of payment methods, including crypto. Your transactions are secure via their SSL certificate-protected website.
Furthermore, all of their games are created by well-known game providers like RTG (real-time gaming) and Rival Gaming. Therefore, you can be sure of the quality of the games and how interesting they will be. The casino games range in difficulty, so there is something for both beginners and experts.
Great User Interface: When gambling online, it is always important that the casino’s website is easy to understand and navigate for a user. Ignition Casino games are great, and their website has a great layout. The color coding is aesthetically pleasing, and the site has a comprehensive site map to navigate all its sections.
Games: Ignition Casino has anonymous tables to play poker games free of predators. They also have poker tournaments and a dedicated poker section with lots of games and guides for poker lovers. This makes it arguably the best online gambling site for those who love poker. Additionally, Ignition Casino has a virtual sports section for those who are into sports betting.
Extra Security: The website of Ignition Casino is SSL protected, meaning that all your payment and ID information are safe. They are encrypted and protected from third parties who may be out to steal people’s personal information.
Furthermore, to ensure you are of legal age to gamble online, the owner of your credit card, and the person who will receive any profits made, you will have to do an ID verification. This KYC step is necessary to make a deposit or withdraw any winnings.
Deals and Bonuses: Ignition Casino has a lot of weekly promos and bonus offers you might get in your mail from the moment you sign up. Their first bonus is a deposit bonus of up to $3000, depending on whether you deposit crypto or regular cash.
They also have a referral bonus where you get 200% of whatever amount your friend deposits up to $100. If they make a crypto deposit, you get 25% more, and you can get these bonuses on every friend you refer. There is no limit.
Unique specialty poker games
Reasonable wagering requirements
Comprehensive help center
Anonymous poker tables
Comprehensive guides for beginners
No anonymous gambling option
Direct contacts are social media channels.
=> Click here to visit the official website “Ignition Casino”
Bovada is an online casino that excels, especially in sports betting. From the moment you open the site, you realize how in-depth their sportsbook is as it opens you up to the world of almost 30 different sports. You can find a section for trending events worldwide where you can start. There is also the option to bet on horse racing.
Furthermore, they have a guide for you if you have never placed a bet before. Although their sports book is great, they are not lacking on the casino games side of things. If you are more into playing casino games to gamble online, they also have enough in store for you.
Bovada has poker rooms, live dealer games, and some regular casino games like slots and table games such as roulettes, blackjack, and so on. The themes of their games range from the classics to more modern designs and graphics to keep you hooked. They engage the services of top-tier gaming providers like RTG to achieve this.
Customer Support: For the resolution of any disputes that may occur as a result of your use of their website, Bovada has a dedicated email for dispute resolution. When you contact them via email, their customer representatives sort out the issue.
You can also request that a supervisor rather than a representative address your issue. Furthermore, you can reach them on various social media platforms to connect or contact them.
Bonuses: Bovada has a $750 welcome bonus, but you can get up to $4500 in bonuses when you play with crypto. They also have a separate dedicated $250 sports welcome bonus. If you refer friends, you can get up to $275 per friend you refer, and you also get reward points for being a loyal customer. Finally, you can get a $3000 casino welcome bonus and up to 100% bonus on your poker deposit.
Affiliate Program: Another great thing about this gambling site is that if you love them so much, you can promote them in exchange for money. You can be an affiliate for the poker rooms, sportsbook, racebook, or casino itself. It has three commission models you can choose from. With this, you can profit much more from your love for gambling than your winnings.
VIP Program: Bovada has a VIP program that consists of six levels. You rise through the ranks the more you play, and each level has perks. Apart from the first and last levels, others have three sub-levels. Advancing through these levels and winning perks makes gambling even more exciting for Bovada users.
Demo mode available
Live sports betting available
No fees when you play with crypto
Remarkable blackjack range
Horse racing betting available
Contact email is hard to find on website
Site navigation is a little buggy
=> Click here to visit the official website “Bovada”
Cafe Casino has existed for over eight years and has steadily made a name for itself. They highly promote their jackpot section with an extensive range of progressive and fixed jackpot games. These games are in sections ranging from slots to poker and even bingo.
Their website is very easy to navigate, making them a great choice for gambling beginners. They have a great selection of games apart from jackpots that you can explore. There are live dealer options available and specialty games. They also have video poker for those who love that extra realism in their online poker games.
Deposit Bonus: Cafe casino offers up to 250% deposit bonus on regular money deposits and up to 350% on crypto deposits. However, depending on the method you use for making the deposit, you may be subject to a certain minimum amount.
Reputation: Cafe Casino has a pretty solid reputation in the gambling world owing to its solid work. The services they put out are credible and verified by the many people that use them. Furthermore, they are licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority, giving them further credibility.
Weekly Bonus: There is a mystery bonus every Thursday for active players. This is an incentive for the players to continue being active and a reward at the same time for continued activity.
Reward Points: Apart from the weekly Thursday bonus, active players also earn reward points. One can accumulate these points and then exchange them for cash later.
Great progressive jackpot slots
Many jackpot games
Completely mobile-optimized
Great online reputation
Loyalty points are permanent
No sports betting
=> Click here to visit the official website “Cafe Casino”
BitStarz is popular as a bitcoin casino. However, they now accept other deposit forms, although they still favor bitcoin as an ultra-modern casino. It is built for the modern-day gambler comfortable with technology, particularly crypto. You can even buy crypto with your card via their website.
They have a great collection of table games that contain all the classics, but they are refined to reflect modern themes and twists. When young gamers play them, they enjoy the feel of the game with new twists. They also have a lot of bonuses and promos like other casinos on this list.
Finally, they have a great variety of games supported on both web and mobile. In addition, the casino is available for gaming in several countries, so you can play even if you are traveling internationally.
Game Graphics: As one of the crypto gambling sites out there, the site is very technologically advanced. As such, it reflects in the quality of the games they put out. The graphics of the games on BitStarz are extremely high quality, and they are sure to draw you in and dazzle you.
Award-Winning: Very few platforms can brag about being an award-winning online platform. BitStarz has been recognized severally in the gambling industry for the quality of its services. Further proof of their competence is their high rating on many rating platforms, including Trustpilot.
Phone Support: BitStarz is one of the rare platforms for online gambling that offers phone support in addition to live chat and email. Their customer support is always available for you to reach, and their lines are toll-free.
Anonymous Gaming: You do not need to create a gaming account with BitStarz to access some of its gaming features. This makes it perfect for some people who just want to have a little fun anonymously without staking anything or committing to the platform by signing up.
Toll-free customer service contact
Very modern operation and games
Many customer support contact options
Huge BTC referral bonus
No steep wagering requirements for bonuses
Has a deposit fee
Not many payment methods
=> Click here to visit the official website “BitStarz”
7Bit Casino is another crypto-friendly casino on our list. They also happen to be one of the largest, with over 3000 games available on their site. These include slots, live games, table games, jackpots, and exclusively bitcoin games.
They provide a great user experience with the unique design of their site. The website is easy to navigate, and you get a lot of bonuses upon signing up. Furthermore, if you join the VIP program, you have a larger avenue to make money from your gaming.
Finally, 7Bit Casino offers support in nine different languages, and they have a detailed guide to bitcoin for people unfamiliar with it. Therefore, they are suitable for both beginner and expert gamblers.
Customer Support: They have 24/7 customer support available with an email option. You can also send them a ticket containing your support request, and they will promptly get back to you. Furthermore, their extensive FAQ page contains answers to most of your questions.
Provably Fair Games: They have a probability page explaining how you can prove that their games are not rigged but based on fair and random computer-generated algorithms. This is important for you to trust an online casino with your money.
Dedicated Crypto Games: 7Bit Casino has many games that are crypto games. Some of them include bitcoin slots, bitcoin jackpot slots, bitcoin live casino, bitcoin casino table games, bitcoin roulette, bitcoin poker, bitcoin baccarat, ethereum gambling, litecoin gambling, and dogecoin gambling.
Comp Points: When you play games on 7Bit Casino and join the VIP program, you earn comp points. These comp points can be exchanged for money once you have made up to four deposits since joining. As you go higher in the VIP levels, you can exchange your comp points for money at a higher rate.
Generous crypto bonus
Numerous payment methods
Easy withdrawal
Regular promos
Over 1,000 casino games
Has country restrictions on some games
Low withdrawal limits
=> Click here to visit the official website “7Bit Casino”
Our team came up with the final list of five after narrowing down a much longer list. They identified a few crucial things an online gambling site should have to be considered safe, legit, and a gamer’s favorite.
Safety: Gambling is already a huge risk or not, as there is a significant potential to lose money. However, online gambling websites may pose greater risks as they can be unregulated, rigged, and, worse, leave one’s sensitive information available via the internet.
We made sure to shortlist only websites that have taken measures to secure their customers’ information. With secure SSL certificates, proper licenses, and trustworthy game providers, these online casinos provide a safe zone to gamble online. Furthermore, our shortlisted sites adhere to the online gambling laws that govern them.
Convenience: The reason many people gamble online is for convenience. You can access online betting sites via smartphones and laptops. We looked for those with great user interfaces and navigation. Some of our selected choices also have smartphone apps to make gambling extra convenient for you.
Variety of Games: Online slots are the most popular online casino games you would find. So, all our selections have a robust selection of online slot games. In addition, we chose sites with specialty games, online poker games, and table games you would love. From the classics to modern themes and twists, there is enough variety to keep you playing.
Bonuses: Online gambling sites are known for their generous bonus offers. However, some of these offers come with steep wagering requirements. We looked out for casinos with decent signup offers, deposit bonuses, tournaments, promos, and chances to win a great deal of money. We made sure to check for casino sites whose wagering requirements were reasonable.
Customer Support: The best gambling sites offer great customer support. Our team researched, tested, and confirmed that the casinos we selected were reachable and responsive to complaints and inquiries.
You should exercise caution when gambling online in order to protect your money and personal information. Consider the following things before using a gambling site:
It might seem boring to read, but certain policies on the site are important to you as a user. You should at least scan through some of them to find any hidden terms and conditions that may be unfavorable to you, especially because you are putting real money at stake,
You should confirm that your chosen website is able to function flawlessly on your primary gaming device. So if you mostly use your mobile device for gaming, you should confirm that your chosen site is optimized for mobile gaming and not just web gaming.
It is crucial that you only choose sites that encrypt your personal and payment information. Also, you should confirm that these sites operate under a valid gambling license and that their privacy policies protect you. If you have state laws regulating your use of online casinos, try to confirm that the casino of your choice meets your state’s safety requirements.
The laws concerning online gambling vary by state in the United States. You will need to research the specific laws of your state. While online gambling does not have wide acceptance in US states, sports betting is much more widely accepted. You may find that your state allows sports betting but not online gambling via casino games, poker rooms, and the like.
If you are in a state where it is explicitly illegal to gamble online, you may have no other option but to walk into a live casino to get some action. Otherwise, the convenience of online gambling outweighs that of physical gambling. One of the biggest differences is the number of bonuses you have access to when you gamble online. There are seldom any or many bonuses when you walk into a live casino.
Furthermore, with online gambling, you can be anywhere while gambling on your device. And lastly, the variety you find online tremendously outweighs those in physical casinos most times. Without the rowdiness and noise of the casino atmosphere, you may be in a better headspace to enjoy your game and possibly make some winnings.
Yes, you can. There are a lot of real money gambling sites that payout actual cash if you win. The trouble is finding the legitimate ones, and that is why we have put together this list. However, it is important that you do not gamble with the idea that it will make you rich. Otherwise, you will likely be disappointed, as gambling is supposed to be fun first.
Gambling is a fun leisure time activity and a great way to make some quick bucks if you are lucky. However, you must not go into gambling with the sole purpose of profit-making, as it might soon turn into a problem.
Also, you should note that almost all gambling sites have links to helplines in case you have a gambling addiction. That said, this list is the perfect reference if you are looking for top-tier online casinos to have some fun with.
DISCLAIMER: Gambling is extremely risky. Bet at your own risk. Don’t spend funds you can’t afford to lose. Gambling for underage players is illegal. This guide is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only, we take no responsibility for the loss of funds made on any of these sites. Some casino sites may not be accessible where you’re located. Always check local rules and policies in your region before signing up in any online casino.
If you believe you may have a gambling problem, reach out to https://www.ncpgambling.org/or 1-800-522-4700
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
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
