Savory or sweet? Bloody mary or mimosa? Breakfast or lunch? With so many options for the best meal of the day, the dreaded hangry feeling can kick in before you’ve made your choice. Lucky for you, we’ve got some of San Diego’s most delicious brunch spots-and their signature dishes-here to satisfy any craving.
Cocina 35 strives to bring the greatest experience to the table offering the best chilaquiles in town made with homemade totopos, salsas, and beans; warm service; and excellent drinks such as café de olla, made- from-scratch aguas frescas, and our new take on Mexican mimosas.
In The Kitchen:
Cesar & Paulina Chaidez
In the effort to obtain the American Dream, the Chaidez siblings (a brother-and-sister team) brought their grandmother’s recipes to San Dieg
Signature Dishes:
El Patron – An amazing sampler with your choice of chilaquiles, eggs, beans, and the delicious cajeta toast
La Bomba – Creamy cilantro habanero chilaquiles topped with juicy cochinita pibil
Café de olla – The spiced Mexican coffee with cacao, cloves, and cinnamon
Flan – The creamiest flan you’ll ever try
Locations:
CORTEZ HILL: 1435 SIXTH AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 | 619-431-5611 OTAY MESA: 9335 AIRWAY ROAD #112, SAN DIEGO, CA 92154 | 619-591-9973 BARRIO LOGAN (TO-GO ONLY): 2649 BOSTON AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92113 LIBERTY STATION (COMING SOON)
Catania is located in the heart of La Jolla with a priceless view of the ocean. Expect to find a rotating selection of fresh crudo, house-made pastas, and handcrafted pizzas, all crisped to perfection by Beatrice, our 5,000-pound wood burning oven. Add in an Aperol spritz, and you’ve got everything you need.
Signature Dishes:
Kale Salad – Treviso, chickpeas, celery, parmigiano reggiano, and anchovy vinaigrette
Crudo – Local tuna, capers, pickled shallots with citrus agromatoDuck Sugo
Orecchiette – Braised duck, tomato, porcini mushrooms, juniper, and parmigiano reggiano Wood-Fired Seasonal Pizza – Made with local seasonal ingredients
Don’t Miss:
-Priceless view of the ocean and village
-Weekend lunch!
-Seasonal craft cocktails
-Homemade pasta
Location:
863 GIRARD AVENUE, THIRD FLOOR, LA JOLLA, CA 92037 | 858-551-7575
Splashing fountains, vibrant dining rooms inside and out, and award-winning dishes inspired by regional villages of Mexico make Casa Guadalajara a dreamy brunch spot. Head next door to Bazaar del Mundo to shop authentic folk art, home décor, and more.
Signature Dishes:
Tequila Lime Shrimp – Shrimp sautéed to perfection in a tequila lime butter seasoned with garlic and cilantro over Mexican rice, served with black beans. Our signature dish
Ensenada Fish Tacos – Crispy, battered pescado blanco in soft corn tortillas with cabbage, pico de gallo and a spicy Ensenada salsa, served with black beans and cilantro lime fiesta slaw
Don’t Miss:
-The towering 250-year-old California pepper tree shading the patio
-Hot-off-the-grill flour tortillas made by hand daily in the Tortilleria Full-service Cantina featuring premium spirits and handcrafted margaritas
Location:
4105 TAYLOR STREET SAN DIEGO, CA 92110 | 619-295-5111
What’s better than brunch and a little bubbly?! Enjoy Sevilla’s “Brunch from the Other South” every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring classic brunch dishes with a Spanish twist and accompanied by $22 bottomless mimosas and a variety of specialty brunch cocktails.
Signature Dishes:
Torrijas Spanish Style French Toast – French loaf soaked in nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon zest cream, topped with sangria blueberry syrup and served with fresh fruit
Spanish Eggs Benedict – Poached farm fresh eggs, Spanish jamón Serrano crisp, and saffron hollandaise on Kalamata olive loaf, served with Spanish fries and greens
Don’t Miss:
-Bringing your pup to brunch — Cafe Sevilla is dog friendly
-Bottomless mimosas
-Live latin guitar music starting at 2 P.M. on Sundays
Location:
353 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101 | 619-233-5979
Join us at Draft at Belmont Park for breakfast with an ocean view! Sip on specialty breakfast cocktails as well as innovative dishes like banana bread french toast, breakfast grilled cheese, and more! Soak in the sun on the patio with coffee creations and boozy lattes, or step inside and catch the game on our infamous 31-foot LED screen.
In The Kitchen:
Jerry Ranson
A Los Angeles area native, Jerry Ranson moved to San Diego after joining the Navy in 1997. Ranson joined Belmont Park in 2014 and became executive chef two years later. He credits lessons from the Navy for his culinary success.
Signature Dishes:
Banana Bread French Toast – House-made banana bread dipped in French toast batter and topped with brûléed bananas, cream cheese icing, salted pecans, and chantilly
Fried Chicken and Biscuits – Crispy fried chicken and sausage gravy on a house-made buttermilk biscuit, served with breakfast potatoes
Smoked Salmon BLT Toast – Smoked salmon, crispy bacon, hard-boiled egg, arugula, and tomato hollandaise sauce on a slice of artisan French bread
Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes – Triple stack of pumpkin spice pancakes topped with salted butter, cream cheese glaze, and salted pecans
Don’t Miss:
-Baja vida bloody Mary
-Midway Margarita
-Patio with great ocean view
-Beer flights!
Location:
3105 OCEAN FRONT WALK SAN DIEGO, CA 92109 | 858-228-9305
Crushed brings an awesome brunch and dinner to North Park. It’s a space where you can enjoy a variety of craft beer, unique mimosas, and great wine in a neighborhood atmosphere.
Signature Dishes:
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – Rolled pancakes with a cinnamon and brown sugar filling, topped with a decadent glaze
Chicken Parm Sliders – Panko-breaded chicken fillets topped with fresh mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh basil in Grammy’s family recipe marinara sauce
Don’t Miss:
-A vibe brunch
-Wine Wednesday
-Mimosa flights
Location:
2920 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92104 619-310-5338
Escape to Shelter Island for the Bali Hai Sunday Brunch Buffet with its world famous mai tais and classic tiki drinks along with breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and downtown skyline.
Signature Dishes:
Bali Hai Poke – Local bluefin tuna, avocado, and seaweed salad Firecracker
Pork Ribs – Slow- cooked St. Louis spare ribs glazed in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with a mild kick, topped with scallions and sesame seeds
Don’t Miss:
-Sunday brunch buffet
-All-you-can-eat seafood!
-Breathtaking views of the downtown skyline
Location:
2230 SHELTER ISLAND DRIVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92106 619-222-1181
Brunch at Anthony’s La Mesa boasts the inland county’s most scenic outdoor dining experience. Dine along a private spring-fed pond among fountains and flowers. Bring your pooch to enjoy our dedicated doggie area.
Signature Dishes:
Crab Cake Benedict – With grilled tomato and zesty lemon cream sauce Filet
Mignon Machaca Burrito – Tossed with 3 eggs, topped with ranchero sauce, and avocado crema mustard sauce
Cocina de Barrio specializes in Mesoamerican cuisine, focusing on authentic and ancestral Oaxacan dishes as well as dishes from the Southern and Central regions of Mexico. Enjoy the lively ambiance Cocina de Barrio has to offer while sipping on bottomless mimosas. Craving something sweet? Try our best-selling Churros and French toast. Want to try something more traditional? Try our unique Oaxacan Tlayuda!
In The Kitchen:
Jose J. Flores
Growing up in the restaurant industry, co-owner and executive chef Jose J. Flores found his love for all things culinary by watching his mom run her own restaurant. He went on to graduate from the California Culinary Academy in 2000 and decided to pour his roots into the authentic cuisine that Cocina de Barrio offers today.
Signature Dishes:
Churros and French Toast – Churros, banana, berries, caramel sauce, and dulce de leche ice cream
Tlayuda – Large, thin crunchy tortilla with refried beans, chorizo istmeno, queso Oaxaca, and cilantro
Popsicle Margaritas – Tequila blanco, agave, and fresh lime juice with your choice of popsicle flavor
Located in Lemon Grove, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian- inspired cucina where locals gather for fresh and flavorful dishes such as seafood, pasta, pizza, and salads. It is open for lunch, happy hour, weekend brunch, and dinner.
Signature Dishes:
Fried Chicken and Waffles – Served with maple syrup
Three Meat Breakfast Pizza – With mozzarella and over-easy eggs
Gravity Heights was not created to take the San Diego beer scene by storm or reinvent the wheel because, the truth is, there’s no shortage of good breweries in San Diego. Instead, our aim is to pair that good beer with the same delicious food, exceptional service, and genuine hospitality we’re known for so you never have to compromise one for the other again.
The start of the brunch revolution in San Diego, Hash House A Go Go has been serving its “twisted farm food” sice the year 2000. Serving brunch seven days a week, Hash House A Go Go offers everything from Big O’ Pancakes and French toast to fresh made mashes and biscuits made fresh daily.
Signature Dishes:
Sage Fried Chicken and Bacon Waffle Tower – Sage fried chicken breasts, bacon waffle, hot maple reduction, and fried leeks served with two eggs
Griddled French Toast – Amish milk bread dipped in banana cinnamon cream with maple pecan syrup
Don’t Miss:
-Johnny’s BLT Mary
-Andy’s wild boar chilaquiles
Location:
3628 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92103 | 619-851-7275
Soak in ocean views and live music at The Shores Restaurant’s Weekend Brunch. Sit beachside on the airy patio, and enjoy sustainable coastal favorites like the lobster eggs benedict while sipping on bottomless mimosas and signature bloody marys.
In The Kitchen:
Mike Minor
Executive chef Mike Minor is an award-winning chef nationally known for sustainable and inspired dishes that impress the eye as well as the palate.
Signature Dishes:
Lobster Benedict – Open-face croissant with chipotle hollandaise
Sunrise Burger – Quarter-pound burger with American cheese, jalapeño bacon, and a sunny- side-up egg
Locals flock to Pacifica for some of the best views and food around. Brunch features classic dishes and Pacifica favorites—so come gather for the food, and stay for the views.
Signature Dishes:
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast – Capers, red onion, pea shoots, lemon oil (shown)
Sugar Spiced Salmon Hash – Poached eggs, red potatoes, feta cheese, green onion, cilantro, English mustard sauce
Don’t Miss:
-Brunch daily at 11 A.M.
-Ocean views
-Oysters and bubbly
Location:
1555 CAMINO DEL MAR, DEL MAR, CA 92014 858-792-0476
Red O offers a unique combination of steak and seafood with celebrity chef Rick Bayless’s signature Mexican-inspired influences.With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, Red O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico.
Signature Dishes:
Short Rib Benedict – Poached eggs, crispy sope, and refried beans topped with tapatio hollandaise
Traditional Huevos Rancheros – Tostada with fried eggs, refried beans, peppers, onions, and queso served with crema, avocado, and ranchero salsa
Don’t Miss:
-Bottomless brunch cocktails
-Tulum-inspired decor
-Valet parking
Location:
4340 LA JOLLA VILLAGE DRIVE, LA JOLLA, CA 92122 | 858-291-8360
Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar inside Seven Mile Casino serves its Toasted Gastrobrunch menu every day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.The beautiful outdoor patio looks out to the South Bay and gives you a garden feel. All ages are welcome in the restaurant, which is open 24 hours per day.
Signature Dishes:
Chilaquiles – Salsa verde, corn tortillas, cilantro, two sunny-side-up eggs, chipotle cream, beef barbacoa, and cotija
Veggie Hash – Two sunny-side-up eggs, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, diced potatoes, mushrooms, black beans, jalapeños, frisée, and goat cheese
Don’t Miss:
-Climate-controlled patio
-Ocean view
-Bottomless mimosa brunch
Location:
285 BAY BOULEVARD CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA 91910 | 619-425-3333
Executive chef Marty Fay invites you to brunch just a short walk from the sand of La Jolla Shores – Sundays only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Brunch at Sandpiper means great drinks, oysters, brunch, and lunch items, perfect for family and friends.
Signature Dishes:
Prime Rib California Burrito – Fries, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and pico de gallo
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – Served with whipped cream
Don’t Miss:
-Wine and hand-crafted cocktails from Evan Valley, advanced sommelier
A newcomer to Oceanside, Toasted Gastrobrunch and Dinner has a menu to delight all dayparts. Toasted opens daily at 8 a.m. and serves its elevated brunch menu until 3 p.m. The dinner menu starts at 3 p.m. with a sprinkling of brunch favorites available all day.
Signature Dishes:
Coconut Pistachio Kanafee, House Specialty – Shredded phyllo dough, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, coconut, orange blossom syrup, and pistachios, served on toasted brioche
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, known for its Sunday Brunch Buffet, fresh seafood, locally influenced craft beer program, and breathtaking views of downtown and the Bay, has been serving San Diego locals and visitors alike since 1971.
Signature Dishes:
Raw Bar – Maine lobster claws, crab legs, scallops, oysters, and shrimp
Carving Station – Roasted tri-tip
Don’t Miss:
-Sunday brunch buffet
-Outdoor dining with a view
Build-your-own omelet and pasta station
Location:
339 NORTH CLEVELAND STREET, OCEANSIDE, CA 92054
Studio S
JUNE 15, 2026
A Modern Take on Steak
Stake Chophouse & Bar brings contemporary classics and old-school service to the heart of
Coronado
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.”
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.
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 theBalboa 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.
16 Museums, One Pass
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.
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
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
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
The Old Globe
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
San Diego Air & Space Museum
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
San Diego History Center
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
San Diego Junior Theatre
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
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
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
WorldBeat Cultural Center
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
Event Calendar
Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
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.
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.
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
June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps
Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Try This!
Seared Scallops: With charred broccolini oyster mushrooms corn puree herb cherry tomatoes and chimichurri
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.
Try This!
Pistachio 54: Pistachio foam layered with a slow drip Viet coffee or Matcha
Labora Café
8055 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 101, San Diego, California 92111 858-471-6970 | laboracafe.com | @laborasd
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.
Try This!
Lava Flowgroni: Pineapple gin layered with strawberry Campari, banana vermouth and coconut, served over crushed party ice.
Happy Medium
4002 30th Street, San Diego, California 92104 619-310-5642 | happymediumsd.com
