Father’s Day is often the overlooked summer holiday that doesn’t quite get the extravagant brunch treatment or overflowing bouquets that Mother’s Day does. Sure, there’s the annual pair of socks, Padres hat you’re convinced he doesn’t already own, beer subscriptions, phone case doubling as a wallet, plus the classic “Best Dad” keepsakes. But this year, let’s flip the narrative with events, activities, and specials made with Dad in mind.
Whether he wants a quiet dinner, a big screen full of San Diego sports and wings, or a weekend that somehow includes NASCAR, a jazz festival, and a Broadway reimagining, there is something for every dad. Here’s your guide to a memorable Father’s Day in San Diego.
Nothing says “Happy Father’s Day” like the sound of engines ripping across Naval Base Coronado. NASCAR is turning this into a historic race weekend that feels less like a casual outing and more like a full-scale San Diego moment people will be talking about long after June is over. This is the first time a NASCAR Cup Series race has ever taken place on an active military base, which instantly puts it in “you had to be there” territory.
It’s fast, loud, and very on-brand for a Father’s Day where Dad suddenly becomes an expert on tire strategy, pit stops, and track positions. The bar might be set unreasonably high for every Father’s Day that follows, but that’s a next-year problem, right?
At Humphreys, Father’s Day gets a little more sophisticated. Roger Friend and an all-star lineup of jazz musicians bring decades of international experience to the bay, where dads can lean into their musical side with head nods and shoe taps. It’s smooth, layered, and exactly the amount of jazz you didn’t realize your playlists were missing.
Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Address: 241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego
Belmont Parkis rolling out a Father’s Day lineup that basically turns Mission Beach into a living garage scene, with a free car show featuring everything from polished 1960s Camaros to classic Bel Airs and lowriders. If he has a ride of his own, vintage car owners can join the lineup for $35 per vehicle. After the chrome tour, it’s straight into a Mission Beach classic: boardwalk strolls, fish tacos on the sand, and rides at Belmont Park.
Price: Free to attend | Register vehicle here Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Address: Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego
Bob Dylan at The Rady Shell
I think it’s an unspoken rule that dads love Bob Dylan. Mine is already figuring out how he’s getting to San Diego for this. But this isn’t just a Father’s Day activity, it’s a cultural event that happens to land on Father’s Day weekend and immediately becomes the plan. Bob Dylan at The Rady Shell means you’ll be surrounded by city lights sparkling across the harbor, legacy music, and at least one moment where Dad leans over and whispers, “You know, this guy wrote everything.” And honestly? He’s not wrong.
Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster Time: 6:30 p.m. Address: 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego
San Diego County Fair
The San Diego County Fair returns with fried everything, questionable decisions, rides that definitely looked safer in the 2000s, and Dad’s very confident plan to “just walk around for an hour” that somehow turns into an entire day. It’s also the biggest, longest-running community event in San Diego County, running Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, July 5, with a “Once Upon a Fair” theme. It basically becomes part of the Father’s Day season whether you planned it or not. So, consider this your annual reminder that “happily ever after” can, in fact, involve Cajun honey dogs, cinnamon rolls, a Ferris wheel you swore you wouldn’t go on, and Dad somehow knowing exactly which booth has the best Spam wonton tacos.
Price: Tickets available here: website Date & Time: June 10 – July 5 (closed Mondays & Tuesdays) | 11 a.m. Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
RENT at Diversionary Theatre
For the thespian Dad, the patron of the arts Dad, and the one who still refers to every stage as “the theater,” Diversionary’s reimagined RENT is intimate, raw, and guarantees Dad will be quietly humming on the drive home. This bold, stripped-down production leans fully into chosen family, resilience, and all the feelings that land a little deeper than expected in the best possible way. There is even an optional immersive moment, which is a polite way of saying yes, you may become part of the show now. Break a leg!
Price: Tickets available here Time: 2 p.m. Address: 4545 Park Blvd #101, San Diego
Madison Beer at Gallagher Square
Girl dads, this one’s for you. For those who sing along during pop-playlist car rides, Madison Beer: The Locket Tour at Gallagher Square at Petco Park is the move. It’s a full-production night out with special guests Thủy and Lulu Simon, and the perfect excuse for matching concert shirts. A Father’s Day pick with a little more glitter than expected, and that’s exactly the point!
Price: Tickets available on Ticketmaster Time: 7 p.m. Address: 840 K St, San Diego
Courtesy of San Diego Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tours
San Diego Beer, Wine and Spirits Tour for Dad
For the dad who already owns everything except a very well-planned afternoon, this Father’s Day calls for a “tasty adventure” on a San Diego Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tour, running throughout June. It’s basically an excuse to hand him a glass and a scenic view. Guests must be 18+ for the tour and 21+ for tastings, and yes, Dad does still need to show ID for this one. But that’s really all the planning required.
Price: $197.35 per guest 21+ (Guests 18-20 are permitted on tours) Date & Time: Throughout summer | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Address: Meeting & Dropoff: 805 W. Harbor Dr. Ste B, San Diego
Whether you’re celebrating Dad on Father’s Day or gifting him the “casino resort” experience for later, Harrah’s Resort Southern California is basically built for him. Ditch the Vegas flight and drive to Funner, CA, where it’s all high-energy action, from the expanded High Limit gaming floor with 100 slot machines and table games like Baccarat and Blackjack, to Easy Speak for barrel picks and rare spirits. Head over to Dive for swim-up bars, DJ sets, and a 400-foot lazy river that dares Dad to actually relax, all rounded out by Hell’s Kitchen, because of course it is.
Price:Book a night | Hell’s Kitchen OpenTable Address: 777 S Resort Dr, Valley Center
Father’s Day Treatment at Spa Pendry
Yes, this is Father’s Day. Yes, Dad is getting a massage. No, he will not admit he enjoyed it that much. Spa Pendry leans fully into restoration mode with deep tissue everything, HydraFacials, and a complimentary IPA at the end because dads also deserve a little pampering every once in a while.
Father’s Day at the Bay turns San Diego Mission Bay Resort into a full day, no-excuses celebration of Dad, where the agenda is “Dad’s ideal Sunday.” Start at Covewood with World Cup matches and NASCAR coverage paired with Shake and Bake Chicken Wings and cold beer specials, including the signature Noble Wolf Pilsner, then head bayfront for beach volleyball, remote-control boat races, cornhole, and every other resort activity that somehow turns Dad into an unexpected champion. It’s structured fun disguised as spontaneity.
Time: Brunch: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Last bites: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Dinner: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Address: 1775 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego
Estancia La Jolla Father’s Day Cabana
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa leans into a quieter kind of Father’s Day, where families settle into a private cabana at The Palma and the resort’s reimagined poolside oasis. Each cabana includes shaded lounge seating, a stocked mini fridge, a fruit platter, Coola sun care products, and poolside food and drink service. It’s low-effort in the best way.
Father’s Day gets a slow ride through the Coronado Cays with a private 50-minute gondola cruise, drifting through canals and waterways. Along for the ride: a six-pack of Ballast Point beer or a bottle of house wine, mini sparkling apple ciders, a heart-shaped box of “#1 Dad’s Edition” Meathearts, honey roasted peanuts, and complimentary corkage if you want to bring your own bottle.
Price: Starting at $215 Time: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Address: 503 Grand Caribe Causeway Suite C, Coronado
Rooftop Cinema Club on Father’s Day
Who says you can’t spend all of Father’s Day with buttery popcorn, fruity candies, an oversized soda, and even a cocktail or two (it is a movie marathon after all) at Rooftop Cinema Club in Little Italy? The city glow replaces the usual theater lights as the Father’s Day lineup rolls out: The Sandlot at 12:45 p.m., Raiders of the Lost Ark at 3:00 p.m., Interstellar at 6:30 p.m., and Big Daddy at 10:15 p.m.
Price: Starting at $19 for adults | $12 for children (12 and under) Address: 1835 Columbia St., 5th Floor, San Diego
Just give Dad a golf course, beer, and absolutely no reason to leave. Opened just in time for Father’s Day, Harland Clubhouse brings smashburgers, breakfast burritos, tacos, and deli sandwiches to the fairway like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Harland beers—Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, Japanese Lager—are made with care by dads, for dads. It’s a celebration intertwined with a beer vacation, which is really all anyone was aiming for anyway.
Time: Initial operating hours are 7 a.m. – 10 p.m Address: 2702 N Mission Bay Dr, San Diego
Happy Does Does Father’s Day
Happy Does is all games, drinks, and childhood nostalgia, just with better lighting and significantly more tequila. Built for a Father’s Day that’s really about hanging out, this retro indoor-outdoor Gaslamp bar keeps things easy with free games all day and food that does exactly what it needs to do: the Smash San Diego Burger, Big Kenny Chicken Sandwich, plus jalapeño poppers, beef sliders, and chicken sliders for good measure. And once Dad gets a little too invested in foosball (it will happen), there’s always a reset button in liquid form.
Time: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Address: 340 5th Ave, San Diego, CA
A Far Corner Father’s Day
Don’t sleep on East Village this Father’s Day. Far Corner is just steps from Petco Park, which means you can do the very responsible thing of over-ordering gourmet wings and seriously good pizza first, then casually “walk it off” in one of the best stadiums in the MLB. Start with a spinach ricotta calzone with garlic confit and marinara, play a round of pool, sip a “Raddy Daddy” (Paulaner Radler, campari, mezcal) out on the patio, then head straight into a sunset lap around Petco Park. Dad gets a meal, a stroll, and the illusion of balance, all within two blocks.
Time: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m Address: 410 Tenth Ave, San Diego
Father’s Day at Brewery X
Set along Harbor Island, this waterfront hangout delivers craft beer, live music, trivia nights, and an atmosphere where no one is really checking the time. It’s casual in the best way… like Father’s Day put on flip-flops, disappeared for the afternoon, and forgot to tell anyone where it went. Keep an eye on their website for seasonal specials and fun treats made just for Dad.
Time: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m Address: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego
Courtesy of Kona Kai Resort
Father’s Day Restaurants and Dining Specials in San Diego
Father’s Day Weekend at Solare Ristorante
For the dad who insists grilling is the same as professional cooking, Solare is here to test that theory in real time. This Father’s Day Weekend cooking class drops him straight into a working kitchen with Executive Chef Denice Grande, where he’ll attempt (lovingly) to master Italian-style meat cookery. Expect La Fiorentina, Agnello Scottadito, and techniques that suddenly make Dad very confident about hosting Sunday dinner. Secure a spot on OpenTable or Tock.
Price: $118 per person (plus tax) Date & Time: June 20 | 10:30 a.m. Address: 2820 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego
Rancho Bernardo Inn Fathers Day BBQ
Rancho Bernardo Inn keeps Father’s Day easy, with a relaxed afternoon built around a BBQ buffet stacked with bold flavors and timeless favorites, live music setting the pace, and classic lawn games turning the whole thing into a low-effort, high-reward kind of celebration that feels exactly right for Dad. Reserve now.
If you want to take it up a notch, gift him a Del Mar Racetrack ticket while they are on sale, then casually suggest a drive-by on the way home to really sell the vision.
Price: $75 per adult | $40 per child Time: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Address: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, San Diego
Lumi’s Cheers to Dad with Sushi & Stars
Lumi is what happens when sushi decides it deserves a skyline. In partnership with chef Akira Back, Lumi brings Japanese and Nikkei fare, a serious sake program, and Father’s Day specials. The Robatayaki Flight is stacked with skewers like yuzu kosho shrimp, miso eggplant, and Wagyu meatball. Pair it with something strong like the Ka “Fire” or Midori Yutaka, and somewhere along the way, this turns Dad from a sports bar loyalist into a rooftop patio regular. You’re welcome.
Price: À la carte Time: 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Address: 366 Fifth Ave, San Diego
Mastro’s Ocean Club
Every family has a Mastro’s dad. The one who orders steak like it’s their main personality trait and considers seafood towers a reasonable life decision. This year, their must-try is the Winter Frost Wagyu Ribeye topped with Lobster Oscar. Add old fashioneds, live music, and harbor views, and you’ve basically built a Father’s Day that will be referenced unprompted until next June.
Price: À la carte Time: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Address: 901 Bayfront Court, Suite 105, San Diego
Mister A’s turns Father’s Day into the kind of rooftop cookout that makes everyone sit up a little straighter. Between the city’s silhouette, cocktails, and a 3-course prix fixe brunch menu that’s significantly more polished than anything happening in your backyard, the whole day feels effortlessly impressive. Reserve your table now for a morning of Dad confidently identifying every building on the skyline.
Price: $95 per adult | $45 per child (12 and under) Date & Time: June 20 & 21 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Address: 2550 Fifth Avenue, Ste 406, San Diego
Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar Father’s Day Brunch
Bonne Vie is for dads who think they have strong opinions about eggs benedict (they’re out there, trust me). This brasserie leans into polished French energy, with a chef-attended omelet station, an indulgent dessert display, a tableside Bloody Mary cart, and rotating draft beer specials. It’s the kind of brunch where Dad gives the nod of approval at least three separate times, each one more reassuring than the last. Time slots are still available.
Price: $59 per adult | $35 per child (12 and under) Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Address: 1055 2nd Ave., San Diego
ARLO’s Talladega Nights Father’s Day Brunch
Finally, a brunch that understands Dad has seen Talladega Nights more than once and quotes it unprompted. ARLO’s themed Father’s Day brunch leans fully into racing energy, where whiskey is sipped and cigars are rolled from Glenfiddich. The real experience, however, is everyone pretending they’re not about to get competitive over the King Muffuletta Sandwich, the Big Daddy Brookie, or the Dad’s Day Steak and Fries. If you ain’t first, you’re last—so book your table now.
Price: À la carte Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Address: 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego
Father’s Day Brunch Sail
This is brunch, but with nowhere to escape—and somehow that’s the appeal. You board a boat, someone hands you elevated French-inspired bites like a wagyu slider, brûléed French toast, and Lyonnaise potatoes from Little Frenchie. Suddenly, Father’s Day becomes a slow-motion tour of the coastline where absolutely nobody wants to head back to shore. All of it unfolds on a 2.5-hour San Diego Bay cruise aboard the largest catamaran yacht in San Diego.
Price: $75 per adult | $40 per child (12 and under), not including fees Time: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Address: 2700 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego
Europa Village Sunset Sips family BBQ
If Dad’s looking for a wine country escape, Europa Village is the perfect setting. Set across 45 acres of vineyards in Temecula, it leans into the charm and character of an old-world Europe fantasy. For Father’s Day, the Sunset Sips family BBQ brings it all together with filet mignon arrosticini, chicken spiedini, grilled artichokes, and plenty of wine. Live music, gelato, and vineyard views do the rest. Reservations are encouraged.
Price: À la carte Time: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Address: 41150 Via Europa, Temecula
Courtesy of Garibaldi
Garibaldi
Garibaldi doesn’t do subtle. Perched on the third floor of the InterContinental San Diego, it pairs sweeping bay views with a Father’s Day spread that goes all in. The 32oz porcini-dusted Omaha tomahawk steak comes with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, Lyonnaise potato, Comté cheese, maitake mushrooms, herb-parsley butter, and a rich shallot bordelaise. To match, there are bold Italian reds from Sicily and Sardinia poured at special pricing, made for slow sipping. Secure reservations via OpenTable.
Price: À la carte Time: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Suite 1, San Diego
Morena Provisions
For the dad who works all day and, if he’s being honest, would rather spend Father’s Day horizontal on the couch in pajamas, Morena Provisions totally understands. From the team behind Urban Kitchen Group, it’s a chef-prepared, fully to-go spread where “setup” basically means opening containers and claiming your spot on the couch. Think meatballs, shrimp, tri-tip, brisket, and desserts that keep him exactly where he wants to be: horizontal. It’s essentially a Father’s Day picnic, but strictly indoors, under fuzzy blankets, surrounded by pillows, and shared with the family.
Price: Family style à la carte Time:Order online(48 hours notice required) Address:Pickup from 1122 Morena Boulevard, San Diego
Kona Kai
Kona Kai takes Father’s Day seriously in a very specific way: whiskey, chef bites, and bottle engraving. The resort is teaming up with Angel’s Envy for an early toast on Thursday, June 18 from 6–8 p.m., featuring pours of Angel’s Envy, Angel’s Envy Rye, and Angel’s Envy Triple Oak, paired with light bites from the culinary team. There’s also an on-site engraving station, so Dad leaves with a custom bottle and a very personal reason to bring it up at every future dinner.
Price: Starting at $81 per ticket Date & Time: June 18 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Address: 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego
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.
From celebrity pickleball tournaments to intimate dinner parties with your favorite Food Network chefs, here are all of the can’t-miss events going on Sept 30–Oct 4
Play is underrated. Somewhere along the way, someone decided it was something we should outgrow. That you A good song comes on, and they dance. A game appears, and they’re in. Someone hands them a melting ice cream cone, and somehow it’s the best part of the day.
Adults tend to need a reason. Or maybe just the right setting.
That’s part of what makes the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival feel different. Yes, the week revolves around food and wine, with celebrated chefs, winemakers, and restaurants drawing crowds from across the region. But what lingers afterward is the conversations that stretch a little longer than expected, the strangers who become dinner companions, the live music that pulls people out of their seats, and the rare chance to spend a few hours simply enjoying yourself without much of an agenda.
The Grand Tasting is the festival’s centerpiece, bringing thousands of guests together over two days for hundreds of bites and pours. But some of the week’s most memorable experiences happen on a smaller scale. In the days leading up to the main event, intimate dinners, chef collaborations, and guided tastings create opportunities for guests to interact more closely with the people behind the food and wine and with each other.
Signature San Diego Opening Night Party at Monarch Ocean Pub
Start festival week the San Diego way: ocean views, Baja-inspired bites, and a drink in hand as the sun goes down. The Signature San Diego Opening Night Party at Monarch Ocean Pub sets the tone for the week ahead with a walk-around tasting experience celebrating the flavors that make this city impossible to replicate. It’s an evening of fresh coastal cuisine, bold Mexican flavors, Baja seafood, and plenty of local favorites—all served against one of Del Mar’s most iconic backdrops. Consider it your first official toast to the weekend ahead…
Celebrity Pickleball Tournament Presented by Justin Vineyards & Winery
Wine and competition make an unexpectedly perfect pair. You can join Drew Brees and celebrity players at Barnes Tennis Center for a pickleball tournament benefiting Feeding San Diego, where the sidelines are just as exciting as the court. Grab a paddle, cheer from the sidelines, or simply enjoy a glass of wine while the action unfolds. The day blends friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience.
Since year one, Del Mar Wine & Food Festival has partnered with Feeding San Diego to raise $100,000 in support of the organization’s mission to fight hunger across the region. Every serve, sip, and bite helps give back to the community that makes this festival possible.
Remember that pickleball paddle you swore you’d use? Time to put it to work.
Barnes Tennis Center | 4490 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
This is essentially a passport to Spain with no airport required. Set among the lush grounds of Rancho Valencia, Rioja Uncorked celebrates one of Spain’s most iconic wine regions with an evening of exceptional pours and thoughtfully paired bites. Guests will sip their way through Rioja wines while enjoying a menu featuring everything from Hiramasa crudo and uni toast to duck rillette, birria mini tacos, Cardiff Crack tri-tip sandwiches, and a sweet finale from Karen Krasne of Extraordinary Desserts (date night plans, solved).
Rancho Valencia | 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
Justin Wine Dinner with Chefs Kaitlyn Weber, Buddha Lo & Jackson Kalb
Justin Wine Dinner sounds simple: three chefs, one unforgettable table. But chefs Kaitlyn Weber (Estancia La Jolla), Buddha Lo (Top Chef), and Jackson Kalb (Top Chef) are taking you on a one-night-only culinary ride where three styles collide over a multi-course menu paired with exceptional pours from Justin Vineyards & Winery. Set in Estancia’s coastal estate, the evening unfolds course by course with pairings from Justin wines as each chef brings their own style to a menu focused on craft, connection, and a bit of friendly culinary overlap. It’s the kind of culinary conversation that only happens when very, very talented people cook together.
Estancia – Olive Lawn | 9700 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California
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.
Best Place to Buy Original Art Without Needing a Tiny Paddle
Goblin Shark Emporium
Almost everything in this Oceanside shop is made by local artists and independent weirdos, and almost none of it requires a gallerist’s budget. Goblin Shark Emporium rotates a new featured artist every month between the vinyl crates, blacklight posters, and hilariously specific stickers, so you can walk out with original work and a tarot reading to contemplate as you sip your Banana Dang Coffee from a couple storefronts down.
Best Hidden Gem
Through the Fold
Tucked within the potting tables and ferns of Mission Hills Nursery, the oldest nursery in Southern California and a Kate Sessions original, sits Through the Fold, the sweet indie bookstore that mother-daughter team Gail Levine and Jennifer Medeiros hand-built and opened in late April. Two retired educators and lifelong bibliophiles run it like a neighborhood living room: three book clubs, toddler story time, and a summer camp for the 7-to-12 set. It’s the rare retail run that smells like soil and new paperbacks, which is to say, like a very specific kind of heaven.
Open since 1993 under the unbeatable tagline “Books of Martians, Murder, Magic, and Mayhem,” this Rosecrans Street institution is the city’s portal for anyone who would rather be on a different planet. Load up on sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, then stick around for the weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaign, because the only thing better than reading about another universe is rolling a d20 inside one.
Best Stop into Trinket Town
Library Shop
On the ground floor of the downtown Central Library, tucked into the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Common, sits the Library Shop, a tightly curated gift store stocked with presents and trinkets you didn’t know you needed: wind-up kitchen timers, specialty pencils, felt coasters in colors cheerful enough to overcome the first half of the Padres’ season—you get it. Every dollar funds the San Diego Public Library system, which makes the shop’s official “Guilt-Free Shopping” motto the rare slogan that holds up. Come for a paperback, leave having formed a genuine emotional attachment to a $4 pencil.
The window at this North Park shop is alive: a front-of-house catio where adoptable rescue cats audition for your heart while you pretend to be just browsing. From there, a literal catwalk runs along the ceiling to a back resting room (because existing around inferior beings is exhausting for cats). Owner Vera Blatchley of Purrgatory stocks the full cat-lover arsenal, plus a wall of gifts for the feline who already has nine of everything. Fan favorite: a retro-style, bubblegum-pink Kit-Cat Clock.
Best San Diego Mood Board
Club Paradise
Surf art’s everywhere, but it’s somehow always a little kooky. Painter Andy Davis’ style captured that elemental soul, making him one of the most successful surf artists of the last few decades (check his giant mural at Town and Country Resort). His tiny Encinitas storefront, Club Paradise, is a gallery-slash-gift shop that stocks his paintings and prints—and he’s using the space as a culture club for local and touring creatives.
Best Limited-Edition Tan Line
Tulux Resortwear
Tulux is the Pacific Beach swimwear label out of Cass Street, where designer Yamhed Torres turns the whole Tulum fantasy into bold, limited-run bikinis. This year, Vogue México y Latinoamérica named her one of just 10 emerging designers to watch, so each suit comes with the kind of credentials that practically books its own sunset getaway. Everything is one and done: When a piece sells, it’s gone for good, which is either smart scarcity or the universe telling you to commit.
Free lotto tickets at crystal shops? Yes, please. Pacific Beads owner Shlomo Gruer greets you at the door of this Clairemont Mesa warehouse with 4,000 square feet of crystals, geodes, and beads by the bin. You come for wholesale amethyst and sterling findings; you leave holding a fistful of healing stones and a statistically remote shot at early retirement. Need another reason to visit? Owner Gruer has his own line of jewelry, and Pacific Beads also hosts jewelry-making classes.
Best Nostalgia Purchase
123 Sweetsss
El Cajon’s Parkway Plaza could look radically different in the near future, as city officials are hatching plans to reinvent the one-time community and commercial center. Inflection points of iconic structures are always compelling times to visit and tabulate your own urban-planning daydreams. As you do, hit the first NAMA-certified automatic cotton candy vending machine in the country. Push a button, and 123 Sweetsss spins you a fresh cloud of childhood in under a minute. No carnival, no county fair admission, no sweaty teenager in a paper hat required.
For thousands of years, the Kumeyaay who lived in this area called a mountain south of Julian Cush-pii, meaning “sharp peak.” Then, after the Civil War, Confederate sympathizers saw that same mountain and decided to rename it Stonewall Peak—after General Stonewall Jackson. The name stuck for nearly a century and a half, until Cuyamaca Rancho State Park announced earlier this year that the name will return to its original, Cush-pii. Hike to the summit for expansive views of the Coronado Islands to the west and Mexico to the south.
Courtesy of Culture Shock San Diego
Best Pop and Lock Spot
Culture Shock
In 1993, Angie Bunch gathered a group of hip-hop dancers—called Culture Shock Dance Troupe—and gave them a space to practice and perform. As hip hop grew through the ’90s, so did Culture Shock. It has since become a nonprofit, a space for young and old, beginner and expert dancers. Culture Shock has also expanded to Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, D.C., as well as Ottawa and Toronto, Canada.
In 2019, Amanda Leach created the Yoga Box method, which takes high-energy flows and adds strength-building poses in heated, vibey, lava-lamp-lit studios. What started on Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach has spread to 15 locations across the county, with even more trickling into Denver, Chicago, and Brooklyn. The best part? Mindfulness newbies who can’t touch their toes and six-packed contortionists can hang in the same class. You can customize each session based on your ability and fitness level.
Courtesy of Fit Athletic Club
Best Leg Day Turned Social Hour
Fit Mission Beach
A gym taking over a historic beachfront pool sounds like the setup for a new season of Love Island, but Fit Mission Beach operating the nearly 100-year-old Plunge at Belmont Park is real. The independent fitness brand has spent the past several years building a loyal following through group fitness classes, community events, and a members’ social club overlooking the ocean. Upstairs, members can work remotely, meet friends, or hang out long after their workout ends. Between the Plunge, the coworking-style lounge, and a packed calendar of events, Fit has evolved into something bigger than a gym. It’s a clubhouse for San Diego’s fitness crowd.
Best Place to Learn What a Vagus Is
Breathe Degrees
The wellness world is finally transitioning away from HIIT workouts and cult-like spin classes, where your heart rate hits Zone 5 within minutes and stays there until cooldown. Good. At Breathe Degrees, wellness takes the form of zenned-out communal breathing sessions or vagus nerve–activating cold plunges. Breathwork is said to boost your mood in the short term and improve your heart health in the long term, and maybe that’s why everyone’s coming back for more. You can’t run into someone in Carlsbad who hasn’t dropped into at least one breathwork session, and now the studio has opened a second location in Liberty Station.
Photo Credit: Shot On Us
Best Pilates Studio for People With Tiny Roommates
Soul Pilates and Care
Pilates wasn’t just popular this year; it was practically a requirement for maintaining your San Diego residency. New studios seemed to appear weekly across San Diego, each promising stronger cores and better posture, but Soul Pilates and Care found a way to stand out by addressing a challenge many parents know well: finding time to exercise at all. Fitness doesn’t have to compete with parenting responsibilities. Parents can drop their kids off with trained caregivers while they head into reformer classes, eliminating one of the biggest barriers to working out. The studio has earned strong reviews for both its instruction and family-friendly approach.
The Hotel del Coronado’s sweeping $550 million restoration touched nearly every corner of the historic resort, but one of the most anticipated unveilils was the debut of its redesigned spa. The oceanfront wellness destination now features 21 treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, a sauna, steam room, and a treatment menu inspired by the coastal environment just steps away. The redesign blends the Del’s Victorian legacy with a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic, creating a space that feels distinctly SoCal rather than generic luxury hotel. For locals who don’t have time for a vacation, it’s the next best thing.
Best Cheers Without Beers
Good News Bar
As non-alcoholic beverages continue their meteoric rise, Good News Bar has become one of San Diego’s most compelling arguments for a booze-free evening. The University Heights hotspot serves a menu of carefully crafted zero-proof cocktails that borrow techniques and ingredients from traditional cocktail programs (it’s not just fancy juices and soda water), minus the hangover. The space also hosts regular community events and has quickly become a gathering place for everyone from sober San Diegans to the merely sober-curious. In a nightlife industry built around alcohol sales, Good News proved there’s plenty of demand for connection without the buzz.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
If you can’t quite swing the cost of a trip to the African outback, the Safari Park’s new Elephant Valley is a pretty convincing Plan B. The 13-acre immersive habitat—the largest project in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history—is home to eight African elephants, but it’s the thoughtful details that steal the show. Keep your eyes open for intricate Kenyan-inspired artwork, native landscaping, and stop by the Mkutano House, where you can grab lunch with a front-row view of the herd.
Best Fresh Grounds
Pepper Park
Pepper Park became the emotional anchor of the bayfront overhaul when the National City park reopened this March with a 2.5-acre expansion. Hopefully that’s just the start. The California Coastal Commission also approved the city’s ambitious waterfront plan, clearing the way for a long-envisioned 77-acre bayfront makeover with more green space, better bike paths, and improved waterfront access. Money still has to be raised, but head to Pepper Park, sit on a brand-new bench, and gaze out at the future of the South Bay.
Not every family destination comes with roller coasters—sometimes, they have paint rollers. The Willie Henderson Sports Complex in southeast San Diego recently received a new paint job and major facelift (courtesy of San Diego FC, the Prebys Foundation, and community advocates), giving thousands of kids a safer, smoother, and more colorful place to play basketball or soccer. If your weekends revolve around sports gear, folding chairs, and orange slices, you’ll definitely appreciate the upgrade.
Best Slice in the Galaxy
Killer Pizza From Mars
Parents come for the pizza. Kids come for the games. Sci-fi nerds come for it all. Killer Pizza From Mars is an Oceanside mainstay for families who love arcades, vintage Star Wars memorabilia, and piled-high pizzas with outrageously silly names like the “Mars”gherita pizza. Order a basket of Killer Fries, sink your teeth into a Martian Melt sandwich, and don’t be surprised if your kids clamor for a return mission.
Best Return to Monkey Business
Fanuel Street Park
After what must have felt like an eternity for Pacific Beach families, Fanuel Street Park’s playground is finally back. The old play structure got the heave-ho nearly two years ago, but this spring, the community raised enough donations to replace it with modern climbing structures, new swings, and better accessibility. It’s finally back to being a low-key locals spot perfect for picnicking, splashing around, and letting the kids burn off some energy.
Photo Credit: Farah Assi
Best Way to Frustrate Your Child in a Fun Way
Lara’s Labyrinth
If screen time has obliterated your attention span, try giving your brain a workout at an escape room. Lara’s Labyrinth provides a few options ranging from kid-friendly to “try not to pee your pants in fright,” where participants can attempt to escape an enchanted forest or decipher clues left by Leonardo da Vinci. (Some rooms have G, PG-13, and R-rated versions for your family’s comfort level, but maybe save the “Cannibal” room for an adults-only excursion.)
Best Babysitter With a Degree in Marine Biology
Living Seas at Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium has always made a splash, but the $18.7 million Living Seas exhibit is a tidal wave of awesome. The immersive exhibit features different marine ecosystems throughout the Pacific Ocean, from the warm aqua waters of tropical zones to the frigid (but nourishing) Pacific Northwest. Bigger is better here: There are areas designated for the gigantic sunflower sea star and giant Pacific octopus, so prepare for oceanic marvels to wow you.
Best Hip New Thing at the Hip Kid Place
Artopia at The New Children’s Museum
Forget “don’t touch the art.” At Artopia, touching, building, climbing, experimenting, and making a colorful mess are all exactly the point. Created by the museum’s in-house Creative Studios team, the interactive space invites kids to become artists through hands-on projects like weekend ceramics workshops and after-school programs. When creativity gets a little chaotic is when it’s at its most fun.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar used to feel like someplace you admired from afar. Grand Social changed that. Three levels of outdoor space are now home to a bar and grill, bocce courts, and other lawn games, as well as a summertime concert series and other family-friendly events that welcome locals just as much as overnight guests. It’s proof that one of San Diego’s fanciest addresses also knows how to have a little fun.
Best Place to See Sharks and Only Be a Little Scared
SeaWorld’s Shark Encounter
You don’t need a cage to come face-to-face with sharks anymore. SeaWorld’s revamped Shark Encounter lets you get startlingly close to species like reef sharks, massive sand tigers, and endangered Australian leopard sharks, all inside newly redesigned habitats. It’s equal parts adrenaline and education, and a good reminder that these misunderstood predators are closer to Bruce in Finding Nemo than Jaws in… well, Jaws.
Photo Credit: Richie Wireman
Best Mission for Major Tom
LEGOLAND’s LEGO Galaxy
Houston, we have a new reason to visit LEGOLAND California. LEGO Galaxy is the plastic-brick haven’s biggest in-park investment ever, including the first new roller coaster in 20 years. Between the customizable Galacticoaster experience, build-your-own spacecraft stations, and interactive space adventures, aspiring astronauts can easily spend hours exploring this brick-built universe.
Arts District Liberty Station officially became one of the state’s designated cultural districts, joining a list reserved for places with thriving creative communities. Considering the campus is home to more than 100 galleries, artist studios, museums, and arts organizations—not to mention The Joan, the 42,000-square-foot performance center housing Cygnet Theatre—it was only a matter of time until the district got its flowers.
Best Deterrent of Public Vandalism
Vision Culture Foundation
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. The National City Public Works building has been a target of graffiti artists for years, only to be constantly painted over (and the cycle restarts). Now, it’s working with the local artists from Vision Culture Foundation to create intentional public murals. A win-win in our book.
One of the biggest questions this year is who will show up for San Diego arts and culture—so a Best Of nod goes to a nonprofit that’s been doing it for years. Founded by longtime arts advocate Susanna Peredo Swap, Vanguard Culture has staged events for creatives, told their stories, and just created an SD ARTS Pass—a single ticket that gets you access to 39 creative spots.
Photo credit: Carly Topazio
Best Way to Overcome Your Fear of Ghosts
The Rosin Box Project
Ballet’s already got a sort of otherworldly thing going for it, with people morphing into 90-degree angles and defying gravity with each pirouette. The Rosin Box Project feels like a raw, creative new force in the classic art form, though—especially with its annual Ghost Light Masquerade. It’s a dance of eerie spirits that makes you second-guess what’s real and what’s not.
Best Music Venue That Also Sells Hot Dogs
Gallagher Square
Once upon a time, Gallagher Square was just a grassy knoll behind the outfield wall at Petco Park. Now, it’s a concert venue, playground, play ball field, dog park, and unofficial home for those who prefer the vibe of baseball more than the actual game. Big-time performers are showing up: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Cypress Hill, and Peach Pit.
Best Local Canvas
Casa Casillas
Casa Casillas has filled a long-standing gap in Chula Vista’s art scene. Open since last August, the space gives local artists a dedicated venue to display their work and visitors a chance to explore the neighborhood’s vibrant art. Two rotating resident artists always keep the space moving, so it rarely looks the same twice.
Courtesy of Alley Cat Art Fest
Best Place to Say “I Think It’s About Capitalism”
Alley Cat Art Fest
El Cajon translates to “the box” in Spanish—a nod to the city’s surrounding hills—but Alley Cat Art Fest (previously called Artivál) doesn’t stay inside it. As the first arts festival in East County, it celebrates local galleries, sculpture, live music, and food trucks—the whole nine.
Best On-Two-Feet Art Tour
Barrio Art Crawl
Every second Saturday, Barrio Logan turns into a choose-your-own-adventure with the Barrio Art Crawl, a free self-guided art tour through galleries, museums, and murals, with street food and music filling in the gaps. Barrio is one of the city’s most thriving arts neighborhoods, and it’s worth getting a bit lost in.
Leave it to The Old Globe to give the local theater scene some Hollywood glamour. Katie Holmes led the premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler this past spring, turning the classic Norwegian play into one of the most buzzed-about theater productions of the year.
SeaWorld dazzles with a drone show, big-name entertainers, new animal adventures and more
By Partner Content
Nights are heating up at SeaWorld San Diego. The quintessential summertime staple on Mission Bay is transforming into a destination for unforgettable day-to-night adventures, bringing back some of its most popular Summer Nights programming and introducing exciting new experiences sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
The 2026 Summer Day to Night at SeaWorld San Diego is the park’s most ambitious season yet. SeaWorld has planned a highly anticipated entertainment lineup that features nine weeks of throwback concerts featuring R&B and hip‑hop favorites from the ‘90s and early 2000s, including Jordin Sparks, Too $hort and Warren G, Ashanti, and an array of boy band heartthrobs performing together as part of the Pop 2000 Tour.
New this season is perhaps the park’s most visible update: a nightly drone show, Ocean of Dreams, which illuminates the sky with hundreds of synchronized sparklers. Drones form sea otters, sharks, dolphins, and a majestic orca that tell a breathtaking 12-minute story of marine life and underwater ecosystems. The show culminates with a spectacular electric neon finale celebrating hope, wonder, and ocean stewardship.
Nighttime visitors are also in store for animal adventures that fuse education with high-energy fun and the dreamy ambiance of nighttime. The park has launched two all-new animal presentations: Shamu’s Celebration:Light Up the Night and Dolphins: Touch the Sky. Shamu’s Celebration:Light Up the Night features vibrant lighting, music, and dynamic choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales. Dolphins: Touch the Sky showcases playful bottlenose dolphins and the special connection between humans and the natural world. And back by popular demand is fan-favorite Sea Lions Tonite. See the charming pinnipeds splash, play, and parody pop culture in this refreshed crowd-pleaser.
More must-sees: a newly reimagined Shark Encounter, one of the country’s more immersive exhibits highlighting 11 different species up close, SeaWorld’s beloved BMX Blast! stunt show, and high-seas escapade, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. And don’t miss the park’s all-new Deep Sea Disco, which encourages guests to dance the night away under the glow of the SkyTower, and vibrant closing time laser light display Laser Reef Summer Spectacular.
Amp up the nighttime vibe with local craft beers, curated cocktails, and nostalgic theme park treats with $1 beer all summer long. SeaWorld is the place for day to night summer fun. When the sun goes down, SeaWorld lights up, and inspires guests of all ages to embrace their inner whimsy and see why generations of San Diegans head to SeaWorld to make memories they’ll never forget.
