With Carlsbad Village as the main downtown hub, this city spans several neighborhoods from La Costa and Aviara in the south, Bressi Ranch and Poinsettia in the center, and Olde Carlsbad and Calavera Hills to the north—with many in between. Natural mineral springs helped put Carlsbad on the map, and its alkaline mineral drinking water continues to be one of its claims to fame. Carlsbad Village encompasses 10 walkable blocks filled with restaurants (including two with Michelin stars) and coffee shops, wineries and breweries, boutiques and galleries.
No matter what brings you to Carlsbad, we’ve got you covered with our neighborhood guide filled with recommendations on what to eat, things to do, and where to shop.
Ranked amongst Yelp’s 2025 list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the US, Gonzo! is the place to go for a steaming bowl of flavorful ramen. Start with picking a soup base like the red (spicy), black (smoky garlic), or green (veggie) and then explore protein options including pork chashu, chicken karaage, or tofu.
While most restaurants brag about their authentic cuisine, Same Same bills itself as “inauthentic Thai”—basically, Asian fusion. Think wonton samosas, Korean short ribs, and chicken satay. A live DJ and cheeky cocktails make for a happening bar scene here.
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 213
Little Victory Wine Bar
Dual family-owned and operated wine bar Little Victory focuses on natural, organic, and biodynamic vinos in a charming indoor/outdoor space made for date night or girls’ night out. The small but mighty food menu has the usual wine bar suspects like cheese, bread, and olives, in addition to pasta, seafood, and other shareable small plates.
505 Oak Ave., Suite B
Prager Brothers
Established by Carlsbad natives Clinton and Louie Prager, artisan bread shop Prager Brothers has three dedicated retail shops, but its products are also sold at several local farmers’ markets and grocery stores. The Carlsbad location has a bakery, espresso bar, pizza and market, plus live music on the weekends. Get an almond croissant and grab a loaf of whole grain sourdough to go.
5611 Palmer Way, Suite C
Pitfire Pizza
Fast-casual pizza joint and Los Angeles transplant, Pitfire Pizza has a roster of 12 pies with sourdough crust, but the pastas and salads here should not be overlooked. Check for seasonal menu offerings, and make substitutions for vegan cheese or cauliflower crust if needed. Plus, its full bar includes boozy frozen slushies like the Negroni Freezoni which is never a bad idea.
7720 El Camino Real, Suite A
The Goods
Artisan donut and coffee shop, The Goods, has creative flavors like a cold brew float, spiced pear & sweet cream, and Nutella buttercream, though other dough-licious bestsellers include the brown butter and Boston cream. They also have plentiful vegan and gluten-free options and all treats can be serve alongside Stumptown Coffee drinks.
2965 State St.
Courtesy of Campfire
Campfire
Live-fire cooking techniques are at the center of Campfire, an upscale yet approachable modern American restaurant for shareable plates with the whole family. There’s a teepee for kids to play inside, and build-your-own s’mores for dessert. As one of the most popular dinner spots in Carlsbad, reservations are recommended.
2725 State St.
Cherry Blossom
Find Burmese street food like classic tea leaf salad (a must-try) or coconut khao soi at Cherry Blossom cafe and poké shop. This small, family-operated restaurant brings bold flavors from Myanmar that are influenced by Thailand, India, and China.
2521 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 103
Beshock Ramen
Get your Japanese soul food fix at Beshock Ramen, where ramen broths are made from scratch daily. Guests can also find sushi, rice bowls, and appetizers like chicken karaage, takoyaki, and gyoza on the menu. Don’t skip the sake either, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better selection in town.
2525 El Camino Real, Suite 211
The Cassara Kitchen & Bar
This Mediterranean-inspired Hilton property overlooking The Flower Fields is the perfect backdrop for cocktails with a view. Drop by The Cassara for handcrafted or frozen cocktails, and take advantage of discounted wine and beer during weekday happy hour.
5805 Armada Drive
The Wise Ox
The deli counter inside a butcher shop is sure to be a meat lover’s dream. Order one of seven sandwiches served at The Wise Ox like a dry-aged burger or cheesesteak, then grab a pound of ribeye or prime rib to cook at home later.
7750 El Camino Real
Jeune et Jolie
Campfire’s fancier sister restaurant just a few doors down, Jeune et Jolie earned Carlsbad’s first Michelin star. Named “young and beautiful” this chic restaurant offers a four-course tasting menu of French cuisine with optional wine or beverage pairings. For a more casual evening, grab a seat at the bar and order à la carte.
2659 State St.
Photo Credit: Elodie Bost
Wildland + Lilo
Casual, all-day restaurant, bar, and bakehouse, Wildland (same hospitality team as Jeune et Jolie and Campfire) has a buzzy social scene with woodfired pizzas, fresh pasta, and rotisserie chicken. Come for flaky pastries in the morning, hearty sandwiches at mid-day, and full service dining with inventive cocktails in the evening. For a more exclusive experience, book reservations at Lilo, the 22-seat chef’s table/counter that’s housed inside Wildland with a separate back entrance. The fine dining meal includes a 12-course, coastal-inspired tasting menu with optional beverage pairings. While still new to Carlsbad’s dining scene, Lilo earned a Michelin star within six weeks of opening.
A steakhouse concept from celebrity chef Richard Blais, Ember & Rye overlooks the 18th hole at Park Hyatt Aviara’s golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Helmed by executive chef Jonathan Bautista, the restaurant leans heavily into steak and seafood, but some must-order items include garlic croissants and a Smoking Ember mezcal cocktail.
7447 Batiquitos Drive
Vinaka Cafe
Homey, Fijian-themed coffee shop Vinaka Cafe is a favorite among locals for coffee, tea, espresso, and breakfast sandwiches. Once you’ve finished your latte, head back to the counter for a scoop of locally made Niederfrank’s ice cream.
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 211
Seasons Restaurant
It’s not just hotel guests that flock to Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara. Offering high-end meat, seafood, and pasta dishes at dinnertime, Seasons Restaurant has a beautiful, light-filled dining room and patio that’s open for all day family dining.
7210 Blue Heron Place
Himalayan Sherpa Cuisine
Get a taste of Himalayan, Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian flavors at Himalayan Sherpa Cuisine, a no-frills eatery that should be on your takeout rotation. Classic dishes like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken are on the menu, but other favorites worth trying include Himalayan biryani, salmon tandoori, and Badami naan.
795 Carlsbad Village Drive
Pelly’s Fish Market
Family-owned seafood market and counter-service cafe Pelly’s Fish Market has been serving up tacos, burritos, sandwiches, salads, and combo plates for more than 35 years. After polishing off grilled fish tacos, order from its fresh seafood counter to take home sushi-grade ahi tuna, scallops, shrimp, or other seasonal fish to cook later.
7110 Avenida Encinas, Suite 101
Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining
When you’re camping at South Carlsbad State Beach and can’t fathom the idea of yet another hibachi burger over the portable stove, head to Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining instead. Housed inside Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach hotel with views of the Pacific, Chandler’s has a seafood-focused menu with dishes like macadamia-crusted calamari, crab cakes, and cioppino.
1 Ponto Road
Harbor Fish Cafe
A local institution for more than 40 years, Harbor Fish Cafe is a casual seafood restaurant slinging fish tacos, clam chowder, and their fan favorite fish & chips within steps of Carlsbad State Beach. Score discounts with its weekday specials.
3179 Carlsbad Blvd.
Dini’s by the Sea
Get incredible sunset views with an oversized plate of crab legs or oysters at Dini’s by the Sea. This casual American bar and grill inside Tamarack Beach Resort has ocean views, an extensive weekday happy hour menu, and late-night drink specials.
3290 Carlsbad Blvd.
264 Fresco
Sit on the sidewalk patio or head upstairs to the rooftop deck (ages 21+) at 264 Fresco for woodfired pizzas, pasta, meat, and seafood dishes. This sizable Italian restaurant is especially good for large groups and private parties—just make sure someone at your table orders the lasagna to share.
264 Carlsbad Village Drive
Photo Credit: Marcie Gonzalez
Things to Do in Carlsbad, CA
The Flower Fields
Frolic among 55 colorful acres of Giant Tecolote ranunculus flowers, in bloom each year from March until May at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Take a tractor wagon ride, wander through a maze of sweet peas, and let the little ones explore Santa’s Playground. The photo ops are endless.
Performing arts theater New Village Arts hosts full seasons of plays and musicals that draw more than 30,000 people annually to its 100-seat community theater. The nonprofit is known for its education and outreach programs with local schools, and hosting special events to unite the local arts community.
2787 State St.
State Street Farmers Market
Every Wednesday from 2:30-7 p.m. (6 p.m. during winter), State Street Farmers Market comes alive in Carlsbad Village with more than 50 vendors selling fresh produce, meat and seafood, artisan packaged foods, and prepared meals. Find street parking and expect to encounter some busker performances while you shop at this small farmers market.
2907 State St.
Museum of Making Music
Don’t worry about being able to carry a tune, read music, or play an instrument to have a good time at the Museum of Making Music. This small museum explores how instruments are made, used, and sold via exhibits and hands-on experiences—there’s even a children’s area.
5790 Armada Dr.
Courtesy of Legoland California Resort
Legoland California Resort
Act like a kid—with or without kids in tow—at Legoland California Resort, where “everything is awesome” thanks to more than 60 rides, shows, Lego build-and-play areas, and character meet & greets. For the full experience, stay in one of the new Lego Duplo-themed rooms at Legoland Hotel, make a splash at Legoland Water Park, and explore Sea Life Aquarium. Those who live for spooky season will love its annual Brick-or-Treat monster party with Halloween-themed attractions.
One Legoland Drive
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
This 400-acre destination hotel has it all: an incredible spa, two golf courses, eight swimming pools, restaurants, water slides and splash pad, tennis and pickleball courts, a kids’ club, event spaces with fun programming, and gorgeous Spanish Mission-style architecture throughout. Whether you’re staying overnight in one of Omni La Costa’s newly remodeled guestrooms or just spending an afternoon relaxing at the indoor/outdoor spa, chances are you’ll never want to leave.
2100 Costa Del Mar Road
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Get your hands a little dirty at Carlsbad Strawberry Company where you can pick your own strawberries (typically March through July) and wander through sunflower fields. During fall, the fields become a pumpkin patch (September through November), complete with a corn maze and tractor rides through the farm.
1050 Cannon Road
Batiquitos Lagoon Trail
This flat, easy hike through an ecological preserve takes about an hour to complete. Batiquitos Lagoon Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back route with views of the tranquil lagoon, birds, plants, and other wildlife that feel like worlds away from the nearby Interstate 5.
7380 Gabbiano Lane
South Ponto Beach
One of the county’s widest swaths of beach, South Ponto is adjacent to Batiquitos Lagoon, giving it a more secluded feel than other area beaches. Surfing is popular here, and beachcombers enjoy collecting smooth stones during the winter months.
Coast Highway and La Costa Ave.
Tamarack Beach
Carlsbad State Beach, known as Tamarack Beach by locals, is great for families, surf sessions, and walking—either on the sand or a paved path that runs along the seawall. It’s easily accessible, with plenty of space to spread out, stretching from Tamarack Avenue up toward Carlsbad Village.
Carlsbad Blvd. and Tamarack Ave.
Courtesy of Swirl Boutique
Carlsbad Shops & Boutiques
Swirl Boutique
Shop for the latest trends in women’s clothing, accessories, and home & beauty products at Swirl Boutique. The well-curated shop carries designer brands like ASTR the Label, Cleobella, Aloha Collection, and LSpace.
Do some name-brand shopping with a discount at Carlsbad Premium Outlets, an outdoor center with more than 84 stores including Coach, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and many more. There’s also a handful of dining options like Blaze Pizza and Ruby’s Diner when you need to make a pit stop.
5620 Paseo Del Norte
The Forum Carlsbad
The closest thing to a mall in town, The Forum Carlsbad has about 30 shops from well-known brands like Lululemon, Vuori, Apple, Yeti, and Ulta Beauty. The shopping center is anchored by Jimbo’s grocery store and a slew of eateries such as Casa de Bandini, The Henry, and Parakeet Café.
1923 Calle Barcelona
Courtesy of Bloom Boutique
Bloom Boutique
Score new work clothes, going out attire, jeans, and shoes at this women’s retail shop, along with accessories to match. Bloom Boutique stocks brands like Free People, Lovestich, and Risen Jeans at each of its two Carlsbad locations.
7720 El Camino Real; 653 Gateway Road, Suite 102
Village Faire
A main hub of Carlsbad Village, Village Faire shopping and dining center is a centralized, accessible meeting point for friends and family. Here you can browse souvenir shops, grab a bite to eat, catch a sports game at the bar, or just let the kids run around their courtyard fountain.
300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Jayden P Boutique
What began as a small retail corner inside Jayden Presleigh Salon is now a dedicated shop selling women’s clothes, hats, bags, shoes, jewelry, beauty products, and gifts. Selling brands like DIFF Eyewear, Daze Denim, and Pixie Mood, Jayden P Boutique offers different styles ranging from coastal cowgirl and festival wear to date night outfits and streetwear.
2946 State St.
Uptown Cheapskate
Get thrifty at Uptown Cheapskate resale shop that carries secondhand name-brand attire for those on a budget. Fashionistas can also sell their clothes that are in season and on-trend here for cash or store credit.
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
The inland North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is often associated with wealth. It’s one of San Diego’s most expensive residential markets and is consistently ranked one of the highest-income zip codes in California and the U.S. Rancho Santa Fe is known for its large equestrian community including riding facilities and horse trails, as well as its country club lifestyle and associated golf courses.
At the center of this luxury master-planned community is a small, walkable downtown area referred to as the “village,” with The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe acting as both a landmark and social hub. Much of the community, including the historic Inn, was designed by acclaimed architect Lilian Rice, one of California’s earliest female architects. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture she brought to the village is still one of its defining characteristics today.
Whether you’re coming to Rancho Santa Fe for golf, horseback riding, or pampering at a resort spa, be sure to start with a short walk around the village to take in the neighborhood’s charm. Plan your next visit here with our neighborhood guide to the area’s best restaurants, things to do, and shopping.
Rancho Santa Fe Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops
The Pony Room
Families congregate at The Pony Room for elevated California ranch-style cuisine. Lamb lollipops, carne asada tacos, burgers, and weekly dinner specials are offered here, alongside an extensive collection of wine and spirits (especially tequila) and sizeable kids menus. As the signature restaurant of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, this all-day eatery is a lively centerpiece of the local social scene.
5921 Valencia Circle
Mille Fleurs
The piano bar at Mille Fleurs is the buzziest spot to be on Friday and Saturday nights in Rancho Santa Fe. French classics like escargot, lobster bisque, duck confit, and steak frites are the main dinner attractions at this local institution that has been around for more than 40 years. Spring for the four-course prix fixe menu before nabbing a coveted bar seat near the piano entertainer.
6009 Paseo Delicias
Nick & G’s Restaurant
Nick & G’s is one of the most prominent restaurants in the village, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the main thoroughfare. Enjoy modern Italian food, steaks, and seafood dishes here, including homemade pasta, pizza, wagyu beef, and oysters. Be sure to check their live music schedule and events calendar for the latest happenings.
6106 Paseo Delicias
Lilian’s
Named after renowned architect and planner Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s flagship restaurant. Their upscale menus feature sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, local produce, and even sushi rolls during dinner. Outdoor seating provides a bird’s-eye view of the village and an elegant backdrop for weekend brunch. Stop by Bing’s Bar (a nod to Bing Crosby) for craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites in a refined setting.
5951 Linea Del Cielo
Thyme in the Ranch
Quaint cafe and bakery Thyme in the Ranch serves a small selection of breakfast and lunch items (don’t miss the tarragon chicken salad), but is perhaps best known for its pastries and baked goods. Cakes, pies, muffins, scones, and cookies fly off the shelves here, where locals come for special occasions, parties, and group catering orders.
16905 Avenida De Acacias
Paseo RSF
Located inside a historic building once home to Rancho Santa Fe’s original schoolhouse, Paseo RSF is one of the village’s newest dining options. The charming American bistro has pasta, salads, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, plus a thoughtfully selected California wine list and new sushi and omakase program. Kids and dogs are both welcome here.
6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C
Rancho Roasters
Grab a quick coffee to go from this walk-up window in the same shopping center as the post office. Cinnamon roll lattes, cold brew, spiced chai, smoothies, protein bowls, and more can be found at Rancho Roasters, where they brew beans from Dark Horse Coffee.
16950 Via De Santa Fe
Goli Pizza
Casual pizzeria and martini bar Goli is a popular spot for catching the latest sports games. Order one of their unique specialty pizzas like the Casbah with hummus and veggies, build your own pizza or burger, or go with one of their hearty wraps that’s made with an extra thin version of pizza dough.
18021 Calle Ambiente, Suite 403
Cocina del Rancho
Find generous portions of Mexican food at Cocina del Rancho, run by the same owners as Carlsbad’s Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Village Kabob. Get classic dishes like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, plus their specialty items including pulpo, carne asada, and fajitas with lobster tail. Don’t skip the margaritas.
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
It’s happening, San Diego. The pre–Comic-Con excitement jitters begin to creep in as soon as July hits the calendar. But for those who forgot to set an alarm on registration day, whose batteries died or whose luck ran out in the virtual waiting room, or who simply prefer to soak up the fandom frenzy from the outside, we’ve got the best ways to experience Comic-Con weekend—no badge required.
Ready Party One: The Final Level 2026 SDCC Kickoff Party
Ain’t no party like an after-hours party, and XLE Productions’ Ready Party One is definitely one for comic book fans. Kick-start your convention weekend at Parq Nightclub and enjoy music by fan-favorite ’80s tribute band The Flux Capacitors, along with enough fandom fun, cosplay, retro gaming and pop-culture nostalgia to satisfy your inner geek. At least for the night.
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 8 p.m. Location: Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Tickets start at $34
Interactive Zone at Petco Park and Gallagher Square Events
With more than a dozen activities and brand activations, Petco Park’s Interactive Zone is a badgeless fan’s playground, bringing together brands, games, celebrity appearances and immersive experiences all in one place. On Friday, July 24, Funko’s beloved annual party, hosted by Funko founder Mike Becker, returns to Gallagher Square. This year’s “Quest for the Grail” event will take guests on a journey to the sunken city of Atlantis. Expect themed décor, food, drinks, games and special guest appearances.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26 (times TBD) Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park Price: Free; Funko Funday event is ticketed
Cartoon and art lovers can celebrate the work of Chuck Jones, creator of some of animation’s most iconic characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Pepé Le Pew, at Seaport Village’s Chuck Jones Gallery. During Comic-Con weekend, the showroom will also host meet-and-greets with talented artists including Disney artist and seascape painter Steve Barton, The Simpsons animator Stephen Reis, and licensed Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and Disney fine artist Ben Olson.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25, 2026 (times TBD) Location: Chuck Jones Gallery, 809 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA Price: Free
PAWmicon Pet Cosplay
Get your pup’s—and your own—cosplay game ready because Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PAWmicon is back. Enjoy a Comic-Con-themed outing with the whole family while raising awareness for orphaned pets in San Diego. Divided into three categories—Flying Solo, Dynamic Duos & Trios & More, and Fantastic Floats—the event is a paw-fect way to jump-start the festivities.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 4:30–7 p.m. Location: Presidents Way Lawn at Balboa Park Price: Free
Comic-Con-Themed Bar Crawl
Why leave all the fun, mischief and mayhem to badge holders when you can join more than 300 partygoers and crawl through some of downtown San Diego’s top bars and nightclubs? Whether you’re called to save the universe or have an allegiance to the dark side, the annual Comic-Con Bar Crawl gives attendees exclusive access to more than 20 venues throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, with free welcome shots, exclusive drink discounts and complimentary entry along the way. This event for ages 21 and older is a fun way to celebrate your fandom outside the convention center.
Date & Time: Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26, 2026, 8 p.m.–2 a.m. Location: Check-in at Toro, 672 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, from 8–9 p.m. Price: $13–$30
Her Universe Fashion Show
Geek out over couture at the annual Her Universe Fashion Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hosted by founder and Star Wars: The Clone Wars actress Ashley Eckstein and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, this year’s show will feature a selection of designers showcasing one-of-a-kind DC-inspired creations as they compete for a $2,000 cash prize.
Note: Wristbands are traditionally distributed the morning of the event on a first-come, first-served basis, but official details have not yet been announced.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m. Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Free
Comic-Con Museum
A destination for all things fandom, Balboa Park’s Comic-Con Museum brings world-premiere and exclusive exhibits and events to the heart of San Diego, giving fans a place to geek out all year long. The museum is currently featuring the U.S. debut of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, showcasing 17 of the Doctor’s most iconic costumes, a full-size TARDIS and a collection of original sonic screwdrivers used on-screen. Visitors can also explore Sangre, Sudor y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre, featuring rare collectibles and authentic masks and costumes worn by legendary luchadores.
Date & Time: Open Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wednesdays), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: $15–$30; free for children younger than 6
Comic-Con Art Show
Browse an extensive collection of original drawings, paintings, jewelry and other whimsical creations from more than 100 professional and amateur artists at the Comic-Con Art Show. Many pieces will be available for purchase through the silent auction or Quick Sale, giving fans the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind Comic-Con souvenir while supporting talented artists.
Dates & Times:
Thursday, July 23: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, July 24: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall CD, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Free
Looking for a supercute way to fuel your Comic-Con adventures? Swing by the Hello Kitty Café Truck. This traveling pink café on wheels will be parked at Petco Park’s Interactive Zone, serving up tasty treats and exclusive merchandise. From limited-edition tote bags and hats to mugs and T-shirts, it’s the perfect stop to grab a snack and a little extra kawaii cuteness.
Date & Time:
Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday, July 26: 10 a.m. (closing time TBD)
Location: Petco Park Interactive Zone, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 Price: Menu items vary
PopUp Bagels, Spider-Man and Donut Bar Activations at Pendry San Diego
Get ready to fuel up and hype up. Whether you’re a plain-bagel purist or an everything-bagel fan, don’t miss your chance to grab breakfast or recharge at PopUp Bagels’ Volkswagen bus parked outside Pendry San Diego. Then satisfy your sweet tooth at Provisional with a rotating selection of character-themed doughnuts from Donut Bar. Both are available throughout the weekend beginning at 7 a.m. until sold out.
On July 24 and 25 from noon to 4 p.m., head to Nason’s Beer Hall for photo ops to celebrate Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Guests can sample Tom Holland’s nonalcoholic beer brand, BERO, served in limited-edition themed cans available exclusively during the event.
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
When three nations and 16 cities come together to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the scale stops feeling like a tournament and starts feeling like geography. A continent becomes the stage as borders soften into corridors. And Southern California—shaped by migration, sport, entertainment, and constant movement—sits inside that landscape with all eyes on it.
San Diego and Los Angeles have always felt connected. Hop on the Pacific Surfliner, and the trip unfolds in one continuous stretch of coastline, passing beach towns, neighborhoods, and city centers.
Traveling from San Diego, everything still feels slightly suspended as the Pacific Surfliner follows the coast north with ocean on one side and a slow suburban blur on the other. San Diego stays in exhale. Los Angeles is already building toward something louder.
This summer, Los Angeles will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, including the US Men’s National Team opener on June 11, while the region stretches into 39 days of programming across stadiums, parks, transit hubs, beaches, and neighborhoods. Instead of one massive fan hub, Los Angeles is embracing a citywide celebration, with fan zones spread across its entirety.
But this pattern has been rehearsed here for decades. In 1994, Southern California became one of the defining stages of the World Cup, when matches at the Rose Bowl placed global attention on the region and turned local stadiums into international landmarks, confirming its ability to hold the world at scale.
What distinguishes Southern California is not just infrastructure, but cultural permeability. Fashion, music, film, art, and sport constantly overlap here, creating an environment where identity is flexible and always in motion. From the Venice boardwalk, where skate culture shaped modern street style, to global soccer stars rubbing shoulders with Hollywood celebs, to authentic Spanish cuisine moving up and down the I-5 corridor, everything circulates.
The World Cup is not introducing anything new here, it’s showing up for the summer and showing out, revealing what this city has always known about itself. What follows is a look at the fan zones and how Los Angeles turns itself into a city-wide stage for the tournament, one neighborhood at a time.
Courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Los Angeles Union Station
As the heart of Los Angeles, Union Station is an official Fan Zone June 25-28 during the World Cup, but in practice it never really stops being one.
It is the city’s circulation point, its meeting ground, its pressure valve. Commuters, travelers, match-day crowds, and everyday Angelenos all move through the same space, and everything mixes, overlaps, and scales in real time. In a way, this is where the World Cup stops arriving in Los Angeles and starts moving through it.
The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Los Angeles makes that shift feel almost too easy. No stress or gridlock anxiety, just a straight line up the coastline with ocean on one side and everything slowly becoming more built on the other. It’s one of the rare ways into LA that doesn’t feel like arrival as friction. You can sit with a laptop, watch the Pacific drift past, grab coffee from the café car, and let the city come to you in pieces.
That’s the beauty of arriving at Union Station. Instead of feeling like you’re on the edge of the city, you’re immediately surrounded by it. And, inside, the station already reads like a World Cup nerve center: banners, movement, multilingual energy, the sense that something global is about to funnel through this exact point. The Heart of the City Fan Zone only sharpens that feeling, with simultaneous match screens, DJ sets, meet and greets, and immersive activations built around marquee games like USA vs. Türkiye.
ROW DTLA feels like the first exhale after arrival. A converted industrial campus turned creative district where restaurants, retail, and open-air courtyards form a self-contained ecosystem. If you’re looking for the perfect first meal in LA, make it lunch at Pizzeria Bianco. The thin-crust pizza is reason enough to go, but the space leaves just as much of an impression.
What I liked most about ROW DTLA is how quickly it resets you after the train. One minute you are stepping off at Union Station, and the next you are in a space that feels like its own version of LA, a city inside a city with some of the most curated shopping I’ve ever seen.
Bodega hides itself behind a convenience-store front, a sneaker and streetwear space disguised as something ordinary, like LA refusing to make anything feel too obvious. The whole campus moves like that, part retail, part gallery, part neighborhood you are only temporarily inside.
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.
Finding a gift that feels truly personal can be surprisingly difficult. In a sea of generic options — flowers, gift cards, candles, and the like — Xplosion Box offers something more lasting: a customized keepsake built around the photos, messages, and memories that matter most.
Founded by Southern California entrepreneur Jay Vijay, Xplosion Box LLC creates fully customized explosion gift boxes that arrive professionally designed, printed, assembled, and ready to gift. Each box opens layer by layer to reveal personal photos, heartfelt messages, pull-out albums, origami-style photo pockets, and hidden notes, turning a simple gift into an emotional reveal.
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Maybe it was when Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul drank mezcal with chefs from San Diego and Food Network on the cliffs over Blacks Beach. Or the dinner outside under lights with Alex Morgan, celebrating some of the country’s most badass women chefs. Or the celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees, where the star of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia made thwacking sounds with locals. Or when Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan commandeered (some say “stole”) a golf cart and delivered drinks and ice to chefs.
Whatever it is, Del Mar Wine & Food seems to have become the food and wine festival for people who don’t usually like food and wine festivals. The most San Diego thing.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Two years ago, Thrillist named it one of the best food festivals in the country. Last year, 10,000 people came out to experience it, including Guy Fieri. Afterward, the founders spent a couple days trying to put their finger on why it felt so special. They had to name it, lean into whatever that was.
“It all came back to play,” says one of those founders, SDM co-owner Troy Johnson, a longtime San Diego food writer and Food Network judge. “Making world-class bread is serious, but breaking bread shouldn’t be. We gather all these incredibly talented people who take their craft very, very seriously—work their butts off all year to make some of the best food and drink in the country—and then we all just kinda play in the grass. We believe it’s possible to create something of incredible value and make the experience of that thing a laidback, easygoing, unpretentious experience. That’s what this is, and who we are in San Diego. The whole reason we did this was to shine a national spotlight on the people who make our food and drink culture hum.”
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
The festival dropped its 2026 lineup today.
Headlining the fest are Food Network chefs Jet Tila, Maneet Chauhan, and Aarti Sequeira; Top Chef winner and Michelin-starred Buddha Lo; Iron Chef alum Beau MacMillan; MasterChef winner Kelsey Murphy; MasterChef Latinos winner Michelle Mathelin, chef and Guy’s Grocery Games judge Catherine McCord, chef and former Masterchef Mexico judge Benito Molina, Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman, Michelin-starred chef Javier Plascencia, James Beard award-winning chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, and James Beard-nominated chef Mawa McQueen.
The party kicks off on Wednesday, September 30 at Monarch Ocean Pub with Signature San Diego, a walk-around tasting of the city’s greatest bites, from Baja seafood to bold Mexican flavors. From there, the energy carries into a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees at Barnes Tennis Center on October 2, pairing friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience in support of Feeding San Diego.
The main event is the two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park on Oct. 3 and 4. The city’s top chefs, food people from TV lands, and local tastemakers gather on the weirdly perfect grass to serve up everything from juicy Wagyu burgers and beef tallow fries to yellowtail tuna tostadas and veggies dressed up in their Sunday best. Wine and cocktail pairings are designed to round out the whole experience, including activations from Aperol Spritz, Hendrick’s Gin, Tequila Ocho, Mezcal Vago, Rioja wines, and Temecula producers.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
A VIP lounge offers exclusive access to curated small plates from Michelin-level chefs and pour from some of SoCal and Napa’s finest wineries and drink makers. The Official After Party at Guesthouse La Valle on October 3, a spirited walk-around tasting just steps from the Grand Tasting, where cocktails take center stage through imaginative bites inspired by the smoky, citrus-forward, and bittersweet flavors of classic drinks.
Zones return with activations including the Big Queer Food Fest celebrating queer chefs and queer-owned businesses; the Wellness Zone led by Novo Dia offering a built-in reset with non-alcoholic mocktails, movement-driven activations, and wellness-forward moments. Coastal lifestyle and locally made brands are also integrated throughout the festival.
“We are excited for the fourth edition of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival this fall, which has quickly become one of the largest food and wine experiences on the West Coast,” says co-founder Chris Finn. “As the festival continues to grow, we are constantly looking to add events, experiences, and partners that will resonate with our San Diego community, and embody the Southern California way of life.”
Returning as the festival’s partner is local nonprofit Feeding San Diego. To date, Del Mar Wine & Food has raised $100,000 to support their ongoing fight against hunger across the region.
Stay tuned for additional events hosted by festival partners including Rob Machado, San Diego Wave, San Diego FC, Town & Country, and San Diego Mojo.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Del Mar Wine & Food Fest: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
The 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival will take place September 30–October 4 throughout San Diego County.
Where is the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
The week culminates with the Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park (formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields) at 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar.
A wide variety of exclusive dinners, drink tastings, and other lifestyle events will be announced soon and available for purchase individually on Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s website. These festivities include chef-curated dining experiences across San Diego’s hottest restaurants, a celebrity pickleball tournament, wine tastings, and more.
When is the 2026 Grand Tasting?
The Grand Tasting takes place this year on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4.
How much are tickets?
General admission for the single-day Grand Tasting starts at $185. An Early Access option is also available at $235, which includes an extra four hours before general admission to meet, mingle, and feast. For a two-day pass, General Admission starts at $275, while Early Access is $375.
VIP tickets begin at $425 for a single day, offering access to pre-festival experiences, exclusive food vendors, a dedicated VIP area, and more. For the full weekend in VIP, passes are priced at $765.
Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival?
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.
Is there any food more quintessentially San Diegan than the California burrito? That was a rhetorical question since the French fry-stuffed, flour tortilla-wrapped torpedo of carne asada bliss came into being in the 80s (either invented by Lolita’s or Santana’s, depending on who you ask). But now, Vietnamese-Mexican pop-up Một Bánh Mì may be giving the longtime champ a run for its money.
Một Bánh Mì’s original California banh mi takes cues from both cultures, using traditional Vietnamese baguettes from Paris Bakery filled with carne asada and garnished with cilantro-jalapeno crema, Vietnamese mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, cilantro, cucumber, jalapenos, and of course, French fries.
“It’s so San Diego—it’s so us,” says Desmond Bui, pop-up founder and owner with partner Marisol Santiago. “It really encapsulates the Vietnamese-American and Mexican-American journey and identity here.”
Both grew up in San Diego. Bui is Vietnamese. Santiago is Mexican-American. The sandwich makes utter personal sense.
Neither of them cooked professionally before launching Một Bánh Mì earlier this year, when they popped up for the first time at Convoy Rising for Lunar New Year. But after seeing the rise of the local Vietnamese coffee scene with shops like Saigon Coffee, Chance’s Coffee, and Em Coffee House, Bui knew there was an opportunity for a new generation to put a fresh spin on Vietnamese food in San Diego.
While there are plenty of places to grab a banh mi around town (K Sandwiches, Ba Le French Sandwich Shop, Lee’s Sandwiches, and so on), we’ve yet to hear of a California banh mi. Firsts are being firsted.
“Banh mi is regarded by top chefs as the best sandwich in the world,” says Bui. (Side note: I concur.) And after discovering overlap between Mexican and Vietnamese cuisines through common ingredients like cilantro, lime, jalapeno, white onion, and pickled vegetables, they began planning a menu.
Courtesy of Một Bánh Mì
Một Bánh Mì also serves Bánh Mì Đặc Biệt (Vietnamese cold cuts), Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (grilled lemongrass pork banh mi), and Bánh Mì carnitas de hongos (mushroom pâté banh mi), along with some specials like Thịt Nướng tacos (grilled lemongrass pork) and hopefully soon, al pastor trompo banh mi (marinated pork shaved off a spit) and charcoal-grilled adobada.
Other banh mi shops Americanize names for English-speaking audiences—for example, listing “grilled chicken sandwich” instead of Bánh Mì Gà Nướng. Not Một Bánh Mì. If you’re not sure how to pronounce something, Bui says they’re happy to help. It’s an educational opportunity, he explains, as well as a chance for them to be “unapologetically Vietnamese and Mexican.”
Part of the immersive experience is playing Vietnamese tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“When you think of universal languages, what are ways when you travel or meet a different group of people that you can still find common ground and connect and feel like we’re a lot more alike than we are different?” Bui asks. “Food and music.”
The musical element is part of Một Bánh Mì’s greater vision. They’d like to evolve into a lifestyle brand and media company, with merch, jars of pickled vegetables, you name it. Eventually, they’d like to open a brick-and-mortar somewhere in Mid-City. In the meantime, they’ll continue to pop up at places like Mixed Grounds and Chance’s Coffee, or wherever they can. (Bui called Provecho Coffee their “dream collab,” hint hint.)
San Diego bartenders have been making serious waves over the past few years, and it looks like 2026 is carrying on that momentum. Dominique Muñoz, bar lead at Polite Provisions, just nabbed a top spot on Punch’s Best New Bartenders 2026 list. She’s hardly new to the game, having been behind the stick for nearly a decade and founding the Sirens and Spirits collective to elevate women and nonbinary bartenders in the industry, but it’s fabulous to see some (well-deserved) San Diego representation on the short list. Congrats to Muñoz—we can’t wait to see what you do next.
Speaking of awards, Tribute Pizza just earned a prize of its own. The North Park pizza palace hit #38 on the 50 Top Pizza list this year (for the fourth year) right before its 10th anniversary on June 2. Here’s to another decade of delightful pies, ridiculously good Caesar salads, and the weird-to-have, but delicious-to-eat Sichuan spicy noodles.
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. San Diego’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant Addison by William Bradley (which is freshly re-open after a thorough renovation) just made San Diego history by being the first restaurant in the city to make it on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list at #31. Considering there are something around 70,000 restaurants in North America (if not more)—I’d say landing in the top 50 is pretty monumental.
San Diego has one of the highest concentrations of people in the African diaspora, including one of the nation’s largest East African populations behind Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. To celebrate the huge diversity of cuisines from countries like Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and beyond, head to the annual San Diego Soul Food Fest on August 1 at the North Park Mini Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Soul food’s roots come from the American South, where generations of enslaved people made do with what resources they had; today, it’s a celebration of culture, cooking, and community. I, for one, am salivating at the thought of getting some legit collard greens and fried catfish.
In lieu of catfish, I just might pop over to Bica in Normal Heights on June 20 for the Tuna Takedown, where chefs from Kingfisher, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Ironside, À L’ouest, Fish Guts (plus a few more) will go full nose-to-tail on a 150-pound bluefin tuna. That’s about as fresh as it gets, and with beer, wine, and a DJ on top of that, I’m hard-pressed to make any other plans that night.
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Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
National Philanthropy Day, presented by PNC Bank, Celebrates the Best of Philanthropy in San Diego
The 53rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Takes Place on November 21. Join us from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center!
Once yearly, AFP San Diego joins with others worldwide to celebrate National Philanthropy Day (NPD), a special day set aside to recognize the great contributions of donors and nonprofits that enrich of our community and the world. San Diego’s NPD is one of the largest and most successful in the U.S., attracting nearly 900 participants, including philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, CEOs, board members, development professionals, and business, community, and civic leaders.
Sponsorship proceeds from National Philanthropy Day are reinvested in education, training, scholarships, career development, and the advancement of fundraising professionals throughout San Diego. These resources and training provide fundraising professionals with the tools necessary to support our region’s diverse array of nonprofit organizations, which rely on charitable giving for close to half of their annual revenues.
The National Philanthropy Day Honorees are selected by the NPD Honorary Committee, a group of highly respected, diverse nonprofit and business leaders. Our 2025 Honorees include:
Outstanding Development Emerging Leader – Taylor Thompson Self-Nominated
Outstanding Development Professional – Sharyn Goodson Nominated by: AJ Steinberg & Jeanne Schmelzer
Outstanding Organization for IDEA – Accessity Self-Nominated
Outstanding Philanthropic Institution – Life Science Cares San Diego Nominated by: Blair Search Partners
Outstanding Philanthropist – Dan & Phyllis Epstein Nominated by: CSU San Marcos & KPBS
Outstanding Student Volunteer – Camden Hall Nominated by: Curebound
National Philanthropy Day San Diego provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and to celebrate the selfless contributions of individuals and organizations across the region. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available. Please visit www.afpsd.org for more information.
