A George Balanchine ballet, Carole King a capella, and a Gilbert and Sullivan opera—we’ve rounded up the must-see shows and events starting this fall. See you in the mezzanine!
Can’t wait to see Hamilton here in January? For its last show of the summer season, Moonlight Amphitheatre brings us Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first big hit, In the Heights, this month. The story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood, In the Heights won Tonys for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations.
Back in the ’90s, Johnny Depp charmed film audiences in Benny & Joon with his portrayal of Sam, an eccentric whose silent-comedy-inspired behavior helps him win the heart of Joon, a mentally disturbed woman living with her brother Benny. The Old Globe will premiere its rendition of the story this month.
September 7–October 22
For nearly a decade, the vocal group Sacra/Profana has been blending traditional choral performance with innovative programming, including reimaginings of pop hits by Prince and Maroon 5 and world premieres by contemporary composers. The theme for their ninth season is “Building Bridges,” and the first concert is Re-Covering the Music of Carole King. The first half will feature the singer-songwriter’s hits made famous by other performers; the second half will be a cover of her iconic album Tapestry, with the group’s singers as instrumentalists and vocalists.
September 23–24
29 Must-See Shows in San Diego This Season
Trolley Dances
When Elton John set to music the story of Billy Elliot, an 11-year-old boy from England’s coal country who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, the theater world went nuts, with 10 Tonys to prove it. Now San Diego Musical Theatre is partnering with California Ballet to bring Billy Elliot to the Spreckels Theatre.
September 22–October 8
The Trolley Dances are back for their 19th year, and this time they’re heading to Chula Vista. Jean Isaacs’ San Diego Dance Theatre sends 50 intrepid dancers onto mass transit to perform site-specific dances with all-new choreography. Find them on the MTS Blue Line from Chula Vista to downtown over two weekends.
September 30–October 8
The big news at La Jolla Playhouse this year is that its acclaimed Without Walls (WoW) Festival is moving downtown under new festival director Meiyin Wang. Performances will take place all over downtown San Diego and in surrounding areas, including The New Children’s Museum and Border X Brewing in Barrio Logan.
October 1–22
Our San Diego Symphony keeps rolling out lush seasons, exploring everything from the great classical works to world music and chamber pieces. This season is no exception. A standout: French piano virtuoso Jean-Yves Thibaudet returns with both a Masterworks concert led by Edo de Waart, featuring selections by Wagner, Liszt, and Strauss, and a more intimate afternoon performance as part of the Chamber Music Series.
October 6–8
29 Must-See Shows in San Diego This Season
San Diego Opera’s Pirates of Penzance
San Diego Opera’s making Gilbert and Sullivan fans happy by starting its season with the popular Pirates of Penzance. The company has pulled off a casting coup with three members of opera aristocracy in the main roles—bass Greer Grimsley as the Pirate King; with his real-life wife, mezzo Luretta Bybee, as Ruth; and their daughter, rising soprano Emma Grimsley, as Mabel. The elder Grimsley has been a local audience favorite for many years in traditional bad-guy bass-baritone roles, so watch him let his (glorious) hair down as the Pirate King.
Bach Collegium San Diego’s 15th season kicks off with the concert version of Handel’s Acis and Galatea, the Messiah composer’s first dramatic work in English, dating from 1718. Drawing from Greek mythology, the work portrays the love affair between the nymph Galatea and the shepherd Acis, whose reunion is thwarted by the monster Polyphemus. The music is dramatic and gorgeous.
October 20–21
29 Must-See Shows in San Diego This Season
Bach Collegium’s Acis and Galatea
When a show is described as “Sesame Street meets The Exorcist,” we’re intrigued. This fall the San Diego Rep’s Sam Woodhouse directs Hand to God, a dark comedy about Tyrone, a hand puppet who comes to life and possesses the arm of a Texas church youth group member. Considering the explicit language advisory, this show is not for the kiddies, but if it’s half as funny as Avenue Q, we’re in.
October 19–November 12
The city’s most artistically accomplished ballet company, City Ballet of San Diego, celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. With George Balanchine’s Serenade on the program of the season opener, as well as Peter Martins’s Ash, Stravinsky’s The Firebird, and Samuel Barber’s gorgeous Adagio for Strings—the latter two choreographed by City Ballet’s own Elizabeth Wistrich—plus live orchestral accompaniment, we’re pegging this as our top dance pick of the fall.
November 3–5
The small but feisty Bodhi Tree Concerts won “Best of the Fest” at this summer’s San Diego Fringe Festival for 8 Songs for a Mad King. This fall the group, which donates 100 percent of its profits to relevant charities, brings back a show it premiered last year to rave reviews. All Is Calm tells the story of the Christmas Truce of World War I through a cappella songs and letters, performed at the Veterans Museum in Balboa Park in conjunction with a special exhibition.
November 17–19
We’re intrigued by Fly By Night, which will have its San Diego premiere at the Coronado Playhouse this fall. It’s being called a “metaphysical musical” with a rock-inspired score that’s about a sandwich maker, two entrancing sisters, young love, and the invisible universe that connects us all. We think it’ll be worth a drive across the big blue bridge.
November 10–December 10
This fall, UC San Diego’s ArtPower brings back fan fave David Sedaris, the celebrated humorist and author. Also on our radar is the San Diego premiere of Yemen Blues, blending traditional Yemenite melodies with funk, blues, and jazz. Check out all of this season’s eclectic programming on the website.
November 9 and 16
29 Must-See Shows in San Diego This Season
David Hartig
And in 2018…
Hamilton finally conquers San Diego in January…
Ástor Piazzolla thrills tango aficionados with Maria de Buenos Aires at San Diego Opera in January…
Violin superstar Pinchas Zukerman plays Tchaikovsky at the San Diego Symphony in February…
Brooklyn-based Sudanese singer Alsarah breaks cultural and linguistic barriers with her East African retro-pop band the Nubatones at ArtPower in February…
No one’s putting Baby in the corner when Dirty Dancing the musical arrives in February…
Guest conductor Scott Allen Jarrett leads Bach Collegium San Diego through Soundscape: Musical Architects of the Baroque in March…
The Australian sensation Ten Tenors is touring Wish You Were Here, celebrating musical legends including Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, and more, in March…
Audiences decide how the show will go in the immersive theatre experience Beachtown at the Lyceum Space in March and April…
California Ballet dances back into the Jazz Age with Septime Webre’s setting of The Great Gatsby in April…
Jahja Ling returns to lead Behzod Abduraimov and the San Diego Symphony in the Rach 3 in April…
Local jazz treasure Gilbert Castellanos and friends perform every track of Miles Davis’s classic 1959 album Kind of Blue in April…
The Old Globe’s world premiere of The Wanderers lands in April and May…
Don’t miss the legendary Manhattan Transfer in March and a special concert featuring Audra McDonald in May, both at the symphony…
Classic film fans will flip over Luscious Noise performing John Luther Adams’s In the White Silence live to accompany the 1928 silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc in May…
A Thousand Splendid Suns, adapted from the novel by Khaled Hosseini, gets its Southern California premiere at The Old Globe in May…
…and then it’s time for the summer festival and concert announcements!
29 Must-See Shows in San Diego This Season
City Ballet’s The Firebird
Everything SD
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Special Activations at the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Fest’s Grand Tasting
Chef collaborations, cooking demonstrations, DJs, games, photo ops, and plenty of reasons to keep wandering on Oct 3 and Oct 4
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, the walk between food tents can take a while. You might stop to watch a chef competition, get pulled toward the DJ, or find yourself playing mini golf before you remember which bite you were after.
Across the Del Mar Polo Fields, there’s also line dancing, a 1961 red Beetle ready for photos, and an aviation-themed pop-up with Reno Tahoe chefs and mixologists. Need a slower stretch? Check out the wellness stops or browse the shops. Here’s what to look for as you make your way through the festival’s zones:
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
VIP First Bites & First Sips
VIP ticket holders get a head start, with the VIP Reception running from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serving first bites, first sips, and a few surprises before the Grand Tasting officially gets going. Champagne Telmont will make the festival’s first pour, while Cohn Restaurant Group brings carajillos alongside pours from Karl Strauss, Licor 43, Tap Truck San Diego, Bebemos Tequila, and Devil’s Grin Gin.
The bites are just as good. Celebrity chef Beau MacMillan will serve a first bite, while Warung RieRie is bringing one of its highly coveted dishes. Yes, this is the restaurant that currently has an eight-month waitlist. You’ll also find bites from The Shellfish Affair, The Waverly, Wolf in the Woods, Dora Ristorante, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, An’s Gelato, Pacific 333, Vintana, and more.
And because every good first act needs a soundtrack, there will be live painting and music, with Courtney Govan bringing live jazz to the reception. It’s the perfect opening act before the main event.
Live Cooking & Culinary Moments
During the VIP Reception, chefs Tommy Gomes and Jeff Roberto will conduct a live ahi cutting. Plant Paradise brings another culinary angle, with celebrity chef Zuliya Khawaja joining the plant-based lineup. The area combines chef talent with plant-forward restaurants and brands, giving guests a chance to see just how creative plant-based cooking can get.
Throughout the weekend, The Stage keeps the cooking demonstrations coming, with celebrities and chefs sharing techniques, recipes, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who plans to actually cook something when they get home. Before you know it, you’re watching a chef demo, casting your awards vote, and sipping mezcal on the grass with friends you just met in line.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
DJs, Music, & The Party
At the Grand Tasting, dancing just sort of… happens. A DJ drops the right song. Someone’s holding a taco in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The country zone breaks into a two-step. Friends convince friends. Strangers become temporary dance partners. By the end of the day, everyone’s forgotten they were ever worried about looking cool.
DJ TENAX will be spinning in Plant Paradise, bringing house, techno, and UKG to an open-air dance floor that’s hard to leave. Chris Cantore, a veteran San Diego broadcaster, takes over the VIP Tent, while BootScootin Line Dance and PVO Events bring country-style line dancing to the Polo Fields, so you can work off your tasting itinerary one two-step at a time.
Then a live guitar hum in the distance leads you to a fuchsia boa over at the Pride Zone, where you’ll find yourself covered in sequins and having the lawn party of a lifetime.
Sports, Tailgates, & Games
Not every activity at the festival requires a tasting glass (although it’s certainly encouraged).
The Matchday Experience brings San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC into the Grand Tasting, complete with interactive tents and plenty of game-day energy. Athletic Brewing is also sharing activation space with San Diego Wave FC, bringing a fun nonalcoholic option into the mix.
For golf fans, the Los Angeles Golf Club is bringing a Dryve Box golf simulator to the festival. And if your competitive streak is less fairway and more miniature windmill, SD Pop Up Mini Golf has you covered.
The Beach Zone gets in on the action, too, with surfing-inspired elements and Playavole paddle courts. Hemlock Hats and other California brands add to the coastal atmosphere, but the real draw is having somewhere to actually play. And don’t worry, you can cool down in COOLA’s turquoise beach chairs, too, and when your bestie suggests reapplying sunscreen, obviously you do. Basically, there are plenty of ways to work up an appetite between tastings.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Photo Ops & Instagram Moments
You’re going to want to take photos, and the festival has made that extremely easy.
A Timeless Day is bringing multiple photo moments to the Grand Tasting, including a 1961 red Beetle at The Italian Getaway and a teal VW bus in The Beach Zone. For something a little more polished than the standard group selfie, head to the Locals Zone for Pixster Photo Booth and San Diego’s version of a Glam-Bot, complete with a grass red carpet.
Bebemos Tequila is also bringing back its festival-favorite hidden speakeasy. If there’s ever a time for a photo, it’s here. Otherwise, people might not believe you. The speakeasy serves bone marrow shots straight from the bone, with candlelight, a lounge area that makes it hard to believe you’re in a tent outside, and little orange shot glasses. This is “first slide of your festival photo dump” material.
You can also grab your squad and head to LaCroix’s bright and ridiculously cute setup, or swing by San Diego Magazine’s area, where you might stop for a photo in front of the larger-than-life SD Magazine sign and find yourself watching a painting come to life.
But really, you’re in Del Mar. The ocean is essentially your backdrop, and every zone gives you an excuse to stop for the obligatory “totally candid” photo. And yes, the best strategy is to get the group shot before everyone has been sampling wine for three hours.
Shop, Browse, & Take Something Home
The Grand Tasting also doubles as a little shopping excursion, with local makers, fashion, vintage finds, jewelry, and lifestyle brands scattered throughout the grounds. Smoke Revival Vintage Vault brings the thrill of vintage treasure hunting, while Nortte Hats and Hemlock Hat Company make a pretty good case for leaving with a new accessory.
Keep an eye out for jewelry and creative vendors, too, including Iris Studio Jewelry and New Nightfall Jewelry, plus local artists and makers featured throughout the festival.
You can come for an all day food and wine festival, but still leave with something shiny you definitely did not plan to buy.
Wellness & Reset Moments
We know, at some point, even the most dedicated grazer has to come up for air. The Novo Dia Wellness Zone is designed for exactly that, bringing together mocktails, coffee, hydration, wellness brands, and even bites from Parakeet Cafe.
Step away from the food and drink frenzy for a few minutes, relax in the shade, try some skincare, stretch with prAna, and maybe grab some Instant Hydration Electrolytes before round three.
There’s also nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses at Green Air Botanicals while devouring a dairy-free cheese dip. It’s less about disappearing from the party and more about making sure you have enough energy to keep going.
The zones give you somewhere to wander, and the activities give you a reason to keep going. So grab your tasting glass, check the schedule, and leave a little room in your afternoon for something you didn’t plan on doing. At Del Mar Wine & Food, that’s usually where things get interesting.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, everyone has their own goals for the day. One friend wants oysters and Champagne. Another heard there’s line dancing. Someone disappeared into Taco Alley. The food person is making a beeline for every chef demo, the golf friend has found the simulator, and someone else is already settled into a beach chair with a mezcal cocktail and has announced they’re “never leaving.”
Consider yourself zoned in.
This year, the Grand Tasting turns the Del Mar Polo Fields into a full-blown foodie wonderland, with chef showdowns, wellness escapes, art installations, lawn games, music, and plenty of magazine-worthy plates. But the zones are where everyone gets to play their own way. You might sip your way through the SLO Zone, accidentally spend the afternoon behind the DJ booth in Plant Paradise, or live out your best beach day in The Beach Zone.
With 100-plus chefs and restaurants, 150-plus wineries, breweries, distilleries, and drink makers, plus a whole lot more happening in between, there’s no shortage of ways to spend the weekend. And with the Grand Tasting taking place October 3 and 4, there’s actually time to explore.
Because the problem with bringing your favorite people to an adult playground is that everyone wants to play differently. Luckily, you get two days to figure it out. Here’s where to start:
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
The Beef Experience
The Beef Experience, presented by Brandt Beef – One World Beef, is for the people who believe a food festival is a perfectly reasonable excuse to build an entire afternoon around meat. Brandt Beef brings its signature fare to the Polo Fields alongside a seriously stacked lineup of local favorites, from Tanner’s Prime Burgers and Ranch 45 to Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Order Fire Barbecue, Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen, The Pit BBQ, Aloha Rib Shack, and more.
And then there’s the tent you might almost miss.
Tucked into Brandt Beef Alley, Bebemos Tequila has set up what looks, from the outside, like a fairly unassuming tent. Walk inside, though, and you’ll find a full little speakeasy lounge, complete with a bar and one very dramatic tequila trick. The team lights the shots right in front of you before pouring them straight into guests’ mouths. Candlelight, fire, tequila, barbecue. Suddenly, your casual afternoon tasting has taken a turn.
Grab a plate of Brandt Beef tallow fries, chase it with a pour from Bebemos Tequila or Tap Truck San Diego, and maybe browse Nortte Hats while you recover. The rules are simple: follow the smoke, trust the grill, and maybe don’t make dinner plans afterward.
The Beach Zone
For the friend who thinks every good afternoon should involve a little sunshine, a cold drink, and nowhere to be, there’s The Beach Zone. Presented by Reef Lifestyle, this laid-back corner brings the San Diego summer fantasy to the Polo Fields, complete with coastal bites, beach-inspired brands, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
Grab bites from Duke’s La Jolla, Jake’s Del Mar, Lofty Coffee Co., Dang Brother Pizza Co., and Coral Del Mar, then cool off with Summer Club, Volley, Surfside Iced Tea and Lemonade + Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mezo Mezoritas, Roseade Wine Spritzer, Pinkys, and more. Hemlock Hat Co., Coola, Sambazon, Playavole, Shibumi Shade, Spritz del Conte, and Out of the Woods add a little retail therapy to the mix, because the Grand Tasting obviously needs shopping, too.
And yes, there’s a photo op. Find the teal VW bus from A Timeless Day, gather your favorite people, and pretend you’ve spent the afternoon cruising the California coast instead of wandering around a wine and food festival.
It’s an area filled with surf-inspired games, your next favorite beach accessory, and a drink in hand. Basically, San Diego summer, condensed into one very convenient patch of grass.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Pride Zone
Neon boas, glitter-filled drinks, and enough food to make choosing a single dinner impossible. The Pride Zone presented by San Diego Pride is bringing the energy, gathering some of San Diego’s favorite restaurants, bars, breweries, and sweet spots in one very colorful corner of the Polo Fields. Expect bites and beverages from Cary Q Wines, Gossip Grill, Rootdown & Es Okay, T’Maro Brands, and more.
Plant Paradise
Plant Paradise is your green oasis, but don’t expect it to be particularly peaceful. DJ Tenax returns with house, techno, UKG, and the kind of set that can turn a quick stop into an hour on the open-air dance floor. As Green Air Botanicals sets the mood, grab a cocktail from Mission Craft Cocktails, Makku, or San Hagen Tequila, and a bite from the sprawling lineup of plant-based bites and snacks from some of San Diego’s vegan favorites.
Kindred, Nourish Eats, The Plot, Maya’s Cookies and more. There’s also a full lineup of brands to snack your way through, including Aficio 22, Bücha Hard Kombucha, Nichols Farms, Nuts For Cheese.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
It may be a bit too warm still for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice drinks, but beginning this week, locals and visitors can experience some of what San Diego has in store for fall. Fans of neo-soul grooves and R&B jams can catch concerts from Kehlani at Viejas Arena and Erykah Badu, along with The Alchemist, at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Oktoberfest is back in full swing, and local beer-laden celebrations include an all-day festival and artisan faire in Encinitas and the two weekend-long Oktoberfest in El Cajon. And if brews aren’t your preferred alcoholic beverage, the San Diego Sake Festival and the San Diego Spirits Festival are prime opportunities to sample a plethora of premium spirits.
San Diego VegFest advocates for sustainable living, starting with a delicious and eco-friendly diet. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park, check out global food options, plant-based vendors, community resources, live music, a kids zone, and educational speaker panels. This free event also offers microchipping services, cat adoptions, and complimentary wellness classes, including yoga, tai chi, and meditation. RSVP here.
Balboa Park Boulevard and Presidents Way Lawn, Balboa Park
San Diego Spirits Festival
September 26 & 27
No matter if you prefer your cocktails shaken or stirred, all visitors to the 17th annual San Diego Spirits Festival can readily get in the mix this weekend. This Saturday (2:30-6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1-5 p.m.) at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, receive unlimited sips of expertly crafted cocktails and top-shelf spirits, indulge in a selection of artisanal bites from local eateries, and take in an array of live entertainment, including local band Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Admission is $89 for Saturday and $68 for Sunday for guests 21 and older.
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Taste of College Area
September 27
The neighborhoods surrounding San Diego State University are rich with food options, and this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., all are welcome to sample the college-adjacent fare. During the third annual Taste of College Area, dishes like chicken wings, ramen, and frozen yogurt will be available to try from a lineup of over 20 nearby eateries. Attendees can stroll to each stop or hop aboard the free Old Town Trolley to canvass the complete menu. Tickets are $40 online and $45 the day of.
El Cajon Boulevard between 55th Street & 73rd Street, College Area & Rolando
San Diego Sake Festival
September 27
Premium sake is the star of this libation celebration from the San Diego Sake Club, returning this Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The 10th annual San Diego Sake Festival will showcase more than 100 premium sake and shochu varieties from Japan and the US, and guests can also sample Japanese beer, enjoy live performances, and converse with local brewers and sommeliers. Ticket options include general admission ($93) and Nonbei admission ($114), which comes with early entry at 2:30 p.m. and a $10 food voucher.
Both a love letter to old-school R&B and a testament to her creative and personal maturation, Kehlani’s self-titled album, released in April, feels like a new height for an artist continually on the rise. Standout tracks like “Folded” and “No Such Thing” are tailor made additions to her enviable collection of great love songs, and the project’s throwback feeling is punctuated by appearances from the likes of Brandy, Missy Elliott, and Lil Jon. Hear Kehlani from the woman herself this Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) at Viejas Arena, with opening sets by Dixson, Durand Burnarr, Waseel, and TheARTI$T. Tickets start at $83 for this concert.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area
Local Oktoberfests
September 25-27
Fill up your steins and break out your Bavarian threads—it’s Oktoberfest time in El Cajon and Encinitas. The first weekend of the German American Societies’ annual festival in El Cajon kicks off with games, contests, folk dancing, and traditional German cuisine this Friday (4-10 p.m.), Saturday (noon to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (noon to 9 p.m.); daily admission is $5-$15 for adults and free for those under 21 and active military. Meanwhile, this Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), the free Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire will feature oompah bands, a selection of craft and German brews, and over 130 vendors to shop from.
1017 South Mollison Avenue, El Cajon | Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, Encinitas
My Hero Academia in Concert at Jacobs Music Center
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Join a slew of celebrity athletes—former world No. 4 tennis star James Blake, and former MLB players Brett Tomko and Eric Byrnes, to name a few—chefs, and other hunger-relief supporters for a Celebrity Pickleball Tournament to raise money for Feeding San Diego. The tournament at the Barnes Tennis Center in Point Loma is part of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, which has raised more than $100,000 for Feeding San Diego and other local nonprofit organizations since 2023.
October 3: Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Illumination Gala
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking research at its Illumination Gala at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Support from the gala will help Sanford Burnham Prebys continue to advance medicine and change lives.
Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society
October 3: San Diego Humane Society’s 40th Annual Fur Ball
San Diego Humane Society supporters—both people and pets—will get dressed to the nines for the 40th annual Fur Ball. Proceeds from the event at San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street campus will support the organization’s efforts to care for more than 40,000 animals each year.
October 3: Voices for Children Starry Starry Night Gala
Voices for Children will celebrate the impact of its Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) at its Starry Starry Night Gala on the Heron Lawn at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. The 46-year-old organization is the only agency in the county designated to provide CASAs to advocate for local foster children.
October 3: Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala
Show off your sparkle at the Autism Society of San Diego Diamond Anniversary Gala at the Town & Country Resort. The nonprofit will celebrate six decades of service with dinner, entertainment, and special guests.
October 11: Robin’s Nest Rescue Rockin’ Robin Music Fest
More than 30 performers will take the stage to support Robin’s Nest Rescue at its fourth annual Rockin’ Robin Music Fest. The five-acre animal sanctuary in Ramona will also celebrate America’s 250th birthday, showcase local artisans, and introduce guests to some of its rescue animals.
October 17: Adjoin Soil to Soul Garden Party
Local nonprofit Adjoin will host a whimsical garden party fundraiser at a private home in La Mesa. The Soil to Soul Garden Party will support Adjoin’s mission to build inclusive communities and support independence for people with disabilities and veteran families experiencing homelessness.
October 24: Living Coast Discovery Center Farm to Bay
Enjoy bites, beverages, and animal encounters at Living Coast Discovery Center’s Farm to Bay fundraiser. The annual event at the nonprofit zoo and aquarium on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge will support coastal conservation efforts.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Tickets to the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival get you in the door. The real fun is figuring out who you’ll run into once you’re there. This year’s weeklong schedule of exclusive events, running September 30–October 4, includes dinners, tastings, and loosely-supervised chaos where celebrity chefs and local icons finally let their hair down.
The festival has a track record of the unexpected: Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul once toasted their mezcal brand Dos Hombres with an intimate dinner at the Lodge at Torrey Pines (and then, evidently unsatisfied, kept drinking it on the cliffs above Blacks Beach with a rotating cast of San Diego and Food Network chefs. Alex Morgan showed up for a dinner under the lights honoring the country’s most badass women chefs). Drew Brees ran a celebrity pickleball tournament where the guy from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia got absolutely humbled by locals.
If you scored a ticket to last year’s Grand Tasting, you might’ve caught Guy Fieri doing exactly what Guy Fieri does: strolling the grass, signing t-shirts and foreheads, and hanging off the DJ surf van like it was built for him. Meanwhile, local chef Ethan Yang of Glass Box walked off with the Chef Competition surfboard.
So whether your plan for 2026 is to corner legendary San Diego chefs like Victor Jimenez of Cowboy Star and Jon Sloan of Juniper & Ivy in person, or just aim for a spontaneous golf cart ride with a Food Network star—here’s your cheat sheet for where to run into a celebrity chef, TV personality, award-winning winemaker, or pro athlete at this year’s Del Mar Wine & Food Festival.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Troy Johnson, Karen Krasne
Signature San Diego Opening Night Party
September 30 | 6 – 9 p.m. | Monarch Ocean Pub
Consider this your soft landing into festival week—the walk-around tasting that eases you in before things get chaotic later on. Monarch Ocean Pub hands its patio over to the flavors that define San Diego eating: Baja seafood done right, coastal bites, Mexican flavors with some heat behind them, all the staples locals will fight you over.
The celebrity sightings here lean more “bump into” than “spot from across the room.” Troy Johnson—Food Network judge, San Diego Magazine chief content officer and co-owner, Emmy-winning host, a man who has eaten his way across the entire country professionally—is the type to materialize at whichever station has the longest line, because he already knows it’s worth the wait. Ask him what he’s had so far. He’ll have opinions.
Then there’s celebrity pastry chef Karen Krasne, owner and executive pastry chef of Extraordinary Desserts, James Beard House alum, and a woman Forbes once ranked among the top 10 pastry chefs in the country—which tracks, because you might find her holding court next to a tray of her roasted pecan shortbread dipped in white chocolate, explaining exactly why this is the flavor combination. You will listen to every word, too, because you’ll want to try that cookie.
This is an opening night party where the person next to you in line might just be the one who baked the thing you’re about to eat.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Bryn McArthur, Mawa McQueen
Chateau Montelena’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
October 1 | 6 – 9 p.m. | Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fifty years ago, a Napa Chardonnay beat France at its own game and rewrote what the world thought it knew about wine. This dinner is that legacy, poured by the family who built it, course by course.
Under the arches at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Ernie Hahn and the Hahn family, who partnered with the Barretts to revive Chateau Montelena into the Napa powerhouse it is today, host an evening built entirely around the winery’s most iconic pours. Every course gets its own pairing straight from the Montelena portfolio, so you’re not just hearing about the Judgment of Paris, you’re tasting the wine that started it.
Chef Mawa McQueen, a former James Beard Best of the West winner out of Aspen, brings globally inspired cuisine and serious technique to the table. Alongside her, Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s executive chef Bryn McArthur leans into farm-to-table sensibility shaped by a career of global kitchens. Together they’re building a menu meant to hold its own against wine that already changed history once.
This is the rare dinner where the wine isn’t just accompanying the meal, it’s the reason the meal exists. Fifty years after Paris, the rematch is happening right here in Del Mar.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
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