Father’s Day is an oft forgotten sequel to Mother’s Day celebrations known for lavish bouquets, decadent brunches, and bottomless mimosas. But what do dads get? A “best dad” mug, a shaving kit, or maybe a bottle of imported whiskey if you’re lucky. Let’s mix it up this year, and celebrate Dad in style this Father’s Day.
Whether your dad is the type to savor his favorite brew and the game or is a patron of the arts, we’ve got you covered. Make it a memorable one for dad with these San Diego events and ideas for Father’s Day.
Courtesy of Belmont Park
Father’s Day Events in San Diego
Father’s Day Car Show at Belmont Park
Head to the free Father’s Day Car Show at Belmont Park this year to marvel at vintage rides like classy 1960s Camaros, sleek 1950s Bel Airs, and plenty of souped-up lowriders. Got a hot rod worth showing off? Vintage car owners can display their chariot for $35 per vehicle. Afterward, take a stroll on the Mission Beach boardwalk, dodge SloMo as he glides with grace, and hit the rides at Belmont Park—just like old times.
Visit Elmo, Ernie, and the gang at Sesame Place in Chula Vista with the family at this kid-friendly amusement park. Guests can enjoy a Father’s Day-themed storytime, a fun art session, and spend time exploring the park’s many attractions alongside beloved muppets.
Price: $95 per person; free for children under 35 months Address: 2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $25 per adult ($20 in advance); $22 for seniors 62+ ($17 in advance); $22 for kids 6-12 ($17 in advance); free for kids 5 and under Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Courtesy of Belly Up Presents
Don McLean at the Belly Up
Take your dad to see classic rock legend Don McLean at the Belly Up this year. Sing and dance along to classic dad anthems like “American Pie, “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air” at this iconic North County venue. Tickets start at $95.
Address: 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach Time: 7 p.m.
All’s Well That Ends Well and One of the Good Ones at The Old Globe Theatre
Take your old man to the Old Globe this year for one of two comedy productions. The first is One of the Good Ones from Emmy-winning writer Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day at a Time), which follows a Latino family navigating their daughter’s unexpected new boyfriend. The second is a production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy All’s Well That Ends Well about the lengths we go for love.
Price: Tickets start at $46 Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park Time: One of the Good Ones – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. | All’s Well That Ends Well – 8:00 p.m.
Harney Street Market in Old Town
Take a stroll with Dad down to Old Town and explore the Harney Street Market. At this weekly gathering, you can browse handmade goods, sip on local coffee, and indulge in authentic Mexican street food. Old Town, the first European settlement in modern day California, is the perfect place to spend a day with your history-buff dad on Father’s Day.
Address: 3998 Harney St, Old Town Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Courtesy of City Experiences
Father’s Day Brunch Cruise Around San Diego Bay
Cruise the bay in style this year with an upscale take on seafaring in the San Diego Bay. This Father’s Day brunch offered by City Cruises features a decadent brunch buffet paired with bottomless mimosas, beers, or champagne while you take in views of the city skyline. Don’t miss the boat, reserve your seat today on this cruise the whole family can enjoy.
Price: $105 per adult; $85 for kids (ages 4–12); free for kids 3 and under Address: 1800 North Harbor Drive, Downtown Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jeff Dye Comedy Show at the La Jolla Comedy Store
Laugh the night away with NBC’s Better Late Than Never star and Bigfoot enthusiast Jeff Dye at the La Jolla Comedy Store. A two-drink minimum applies so be sure to buy your dad the first round.
Price: $29 per person Address: 916 Pearl St, La Jolla Time: 7 p.m.
The Mountaintop at Carlsbad New Village Arts Theater
If your Dad is a theater aficionado, take him to this captivating production of The Mountaintop at the Carlsbad New Village Arts Theater. The show depicts Martin Luther King Jr.’s final days and an especially introspective discussion with a hotel worker about civil rights, his legacy, and our inner struggles.
Price: $50 per person Address: 2787 State St, Carlsbad Time: 2 p.m.
Father’s Day Brunch at Rancho Valencia
Spoil dad with a courtyard brunch at Rancho Valencia this Father’s Day. The resort’s brunch will feature a steak carving station, baked potato bar, and other breakfast fare plus all the craft beer, tequila, and mezcal he could want for his breakfast of champions. After brunch, enjoy games on the lawn with your kids, hit the Padel courts, or give pops some space to watch the final round of the U.S. Open.
Price: A la carte Address: 921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Courtesy of San Diego Zoo
Things to Do on Father’s Day in San Diego
Pedal Around Mission Bay with Dad
Whether you wear spandex race suits or rainbow sandals and a hoodie, Mission Bay is a biker’s paradise. Work on your time trials through 12 miles of smooth bayside paths or take in the sights with a tandem bike from Ray’s Rentals on Mission Blvd. Mission Bay is one of the most fun places in San Diego to explore on two wheels (or one if your dad rolls that way).
Father’s Day Fishing Charter Out of Shelter Island
Skip an outing on your dad’s old dinghy and opt for a more capable vessel for an angling excursion. This Father’s Day, take Dad on a fishing charter from H&M Landing for a chance to hook a yellowtail, bonito, or rockfish. H&M offers two half-day charters departing from Shelter Island and cruising around the kelp beds of Point Loma this year.
Price: Half-day charter starting at $80 Address: 2803 Emerson St, Point Loma Time: 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Torrey Pines Golf Course
Father’s Day Tee Time at Torrey Pines
The most iconic way to spend a Father’s Day in San Diego is a tee time at Torrey Pines. Typically the most sought after golf outing in the city, a day at the South course will definitely leave a lasting memory and potentially shed a few strokes from your handicap. Hit the 19th hole at A.R. Valentien at The Lodge to review the scorecard and toast to your Dad for shooting a course record 62 (minus a handful of unrecorded mulligans).
Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla RestaurantHours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Catch the Padres vs. Diamondbacks at a Local Sports Bar
Take dad to a local sports bar to watch the Padres take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. There are plenty of great spots to watch the game, but our pick is Novo Brazil’s Mission Valley location. Opened in January of 2023, Novo is the ultimate sports bar to cheer on the Friars with its 100 feet of TV screens, spacious outdoor patio, and surround sound system to hear every crack of the bat.
Address: 1640 Camino Del Rio N suite 341, Mission Valley Time: Padres vs Diamondbacks at 1:10 p.m.
Barber Shop Shave with Dad
There’s nothing like a clean shave, so start the day with a couple for you and pops at Barber Craft in Cortez Hill. A classic straight razor shave starts at $35 add another $35 for a haircut and trim combo or opt for a hot lather head shave for our bald-headed brethren. Once you’re trimmed and feeling like a million bucks, walk down the hill to the Gaslamp Quarter to continue the festivities.
Address: 1633 Sixth Ave, Cortez Hill Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Courtesy of The Whiskey House
Sample the Largest Collection of Whiskey in the World
Take your Dad on a flavorful journey through samples of the best whiskey from across the globe at the Whiskey House this year. Order a flight of your choice sourced anywhere from the Scottish highlands to the casks of Japan. With over 4,000 unique varieties from around the globe, we think you and Dad will be quite busy this Father’s Day.
Address: 420 Third Ave, Gaslamp Quarter Time: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Cinema Club on Father’s Day
Get comfy for a Father’s Day movie marathon at the Rooftop Cinema Club downtown. The lineup for Father’s Day includes Finding Nemo at 12:30 p.m., Big Daddy at 3:00 p.m, Interstellar at 5:45 p.m., and Goodfellas at 9:30 p.m. to wrap things up. Thinking about bringing in your own food? Forget about it and order popcorn, candy, or a cocktail from the bar instead.
Whether your dad’s a veteran or not, the Midway Museum at Navy Pier is one of San Diego’s most impressive museums. This piece of history is home to more than 60 exhibits and 29 restored planes, offering an inside look at life on board one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers. For a small price, you can get your dad reminiscing about that time he was almost accepted into the Top Gun program.
Price: $39 for adults, $26 for kids (ages 4-12), and $26 for veterans (with ID) Address: 910 N Harbor Dr, Downtown Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Courtesy of Mark’s Guitar Exchange
Father’s Day Guitar Shopping at Mark’s Guitar Exchange
Maybe it’s too late for Dad to buy a flying V like Hendrix used to play, but there’s always time to rediscover your dad’s love of music at a local guitar shop. Consider buying your dad’s first acoustic guitar at Mark’s Guitar Exchange or enroll in private lessons together to get him back into the swing of things. Nothing like jamming out with your dad, like it’s 1979 all over again.
Nothing beats spending some quality outdoors time with Dad on Father’s Day. This year, head 30-minutes east of downtown San Diego to the Sunset Highway, a gorgeous destination full of mountain biking trails and outdoor bliss. The Meadow Loop at Mount Laguna is the perfect place to take in nature and get the wind in your hair while you pedal through winding trails. End your day outside with s’mores by the campfire, a visit to the Laguna observatory, or stargazing by Lake Cuyamaca.
Address: Sunrise Hwy, Mt Laguna
Take Dad on a Safari
Give your dad a break from his public park bird-watching endeavors, and treat him to a day at the San Diego Safari Park. The out-of-this world park is home to more than 3,000 animals across the spacious 1,800-acre facility. Level up your visit with a Wildlife Safari tour, starting at $95, for an up-close and personal experience with wildlife aboard an open air safari truck. The adventure offers ample opportunities for creature-themed dad jokes (see the above improv workshop), but I would be lion if I said I didn’t appreciate them.
Price: $95 per person; kids must be 3 years and older Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Courtesy of Brewing Tours San Diego
Father’s Day Beer, Food, or Tequila Safari
The Scavengers Beer Tour Safari is easily the most fun you can have on six wheels this Father’s Day. Choose between a beer, food, or tequila-based trek through San Diego’s best bars and restaurants. Hop aboard the Swiss Pinzgauer, with up to 12 of your closest friends or family members, and taste various libations while you’re escorted through the city (yes, you can drink in the vehicle).
Price: North County Beer Safari – starting at $92 per person | Downtown Tequila Tour – starting at $77 per person Address: 241 14th St, Downtown Time: Private Safari of Your Choice – 12:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | Downtown Tequila Tour – 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Father’s Day Treatment at Spa Pendry
Who said a spa day is only for Mother’s Day? Give your pops the royal treatment with a day of relaxation at Spa Pendry in the heart of the Gaslamp. Reserve your spot for a hydrafacial, a renewing body scrub or their Urban Green Coffee & Lime Detox paired with a green tea detoxifying mud to offset your Dad’s non-existent skincare routine.
Price: Massages starting at $114 Address: 550 J St, Gaslamp Quarter Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kayak with Dad at La Jolla Cove
Your dad has always kept you afloat, so show your appreciation with an outdoor adventure at La Jolla Cove. Rent kayaks from La Jolla Kayak on Avenida De La Playa, starting at $55 or join their guided kayak and snorkel tours for a more immersive experience for $129 per single kayak or $182 for a tandem. As you explore the depths, you’ll have the chance to spot leopard sharks, seals, sea lions, garibaldis, eels, yellowfin tuna, and sea turtles.
Address: 2199 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla Hours: 9 a.m. – Sunset
Photo Credit: Cole Novak
Surf Old Man’s With Your Old Man
Take your dad for a nostalgic longboard session at Tourmaline Surf Park, where he can relive his ‘70s dawn patrol days. Before heading out, check the conditions by calling the San Diego Lifeguard surf report at 619-221-8824. Arrive at daybreak to avoid the crowds (and kooks) to score some quality wave time together.
Take Dad for a trolley tour of San Diego’s breweries and learn a bit about brewing along the way. The Beer Train Trolley Tour is five and a half hours and covers four breweries. For $126 per person, beer lovers can enjoy a crafted flight of four brews at each stop and learn about the behind-the-scenes brewing process. Guests must be at least 18-years old and 21 years and up to partake in the tasting.
Price: $126 per person
Father’s Day Gondola Ride
Take a Father’s Day Gondola and take a tour of the Coronado Cays. For $239, four passengers can embark on a 50-minute cruise while enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks like Ballast Point beer, Father’s Day heart-shaped meat from Manly Man Co., chocolates, and more.
Price: $239 for four people Address: 503 Grand Caribe Causeway Suite C, Coronado Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Mission Bay Sportscenter
Sail Through Mission Bay
Start practicing your nautical knots and tacking before you embark on a day of sailing at Mission Bay. Sailors can get behind the wheel of a 16-foot Catalina sailboat from Mission Bay Sports Center for $35 per hour. If your sailing skills aren’t up to par, consider an afternoon on paddleboards, kayaks or pedal boats and save on the dramamine.
Address: 1010 Santa Clara Pl., Mission Beach Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See a Broadway Play at the Civic Theatre
If your father’s a live theater buff, the San Diego Civic Theatre is performing Broadway musicals year-round. This Father’s Day the theater will be presenting The Book of Mormon, the bitingly hilarious comedy from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to get yours early.
Price:Tickets starting at $61 Address: 1100 Third Ave, Downtown Time: Showtimes at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Address: La Jolla Open Aire – 7335 Girard Ave, La Jolla | Hillcrest Farmers Market – 1795 University Ave, Hillcrest Hours: La Jolla Open Aire – 9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Hillcrest Farmers Market – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Expedia
Sip on Gin Cocktails at Kate Sessions Park
We love a good reason to have a picnic at Kate Sessions. Head to your favorite grocery store (we love local faves People’s Co-Op and Baron’s) for sandwiches, chips, and treats then grab a bottle of Eden Mills gin along with tonic to enjoy a refreshing and light summer cocktail with pops under the SD sun.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Big feelings hit us all. Younger populations—or those who haven’t yet developed their own language of expression—outsource angst through external means. That’s where homemade haircuts, studded belts, and musicians like The Cure, Elliott Smith, or Phoebe Bridgers come around. In San Diego, though, there’s a nonprofit that gives youth a way to feel not only heard, but also understood, through photography and digital storytelling.
Outside The Lens’ mission is to amplify the voices of systemically marginalized young people and help them develop the confidence (and artistry) to tell their stories and shape their communities. OTL just celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year with dual exhibitions of student work at San Diego Central Library and Museum of Contemporary of Art San Diego. Since 2001, more than 30,000 students have completed programs at OTL, getting their hands on industry-respected DSLR cameras (no shade to iPhone photographers), editing files and images with Adobe Creative Suite, and recording podcasts. Participants explore their worlds through the lens and on the mic.
“Our biggest opportunity, and what’s really needed, is to bridge the understanding between the youth and their communities and how people are seeing what youth are going through right now,” says OTL Executive Director Sarah Beckman.
OTL’s participants, Beckman explains, are young people navigating systems that never gave them access to the tools and mentorship that inspire creative expression, financial mobility, and civic engagement. The nonprofit offers support—in the form of meals, transportation, and healing-centered educators—and a creative outlet for exploring and coping with those challenges.
OTL’s in-school programs meet California core standards for arts and partners with at least 37 schools and community sites throughout San Diego, including the Monarch School in Barrio Logan, East County Community School in El Cajon, and Creative Performing and Media Arts School in Clairemont Mesa. The nonprofit doesn’t just work within the school system. Its Media Makers program invites young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to express their place and purpose in the world through film, photography, animation, design, and entrepreneurship.
“We’re always asking the question, and we’re engaging youth in our civic discussions [of], ‘How can we make this city somewhere youth want to be?’” Beckman says. “‘How can we make San Diego somewhere for young people to build a future?’”
This year OTL’s annual Voice Out celebration event spotlighted student work that hung on gallery walls beside “Giants,” the Dean Collection at MCASD. The Voice Out contest is open to all San Diego youth ages 8 to 25; all submissions are published in a catalogue and displayed in a public exhibition. These are some of the students’ works, and their words, from the past three years of Voice Out.
Lines and Light Within Structure
“I wonder how the architect decided to connect the beams [at Del Norte High School] by creating repetition. Without color [in the photo], the structure becomes the focus of the image.” –Monroe S., 15
The Quiet In Between
“Every day, time slips forward, whether we notice it or not, and life can feel overwhelming in its constant motion. In this long-exposure photograph, the blurred train rushes past, symbolizing the speed of life, while the still subject remains grounded and aware. It’s easy to become tangled in society’s expectations: what to wear, what grades to earn, what future to chase. In that rush, we forget to pause. The stillness in this image becomes a breath, a moment of reflection. Through it, I hope to show that wonder lives in slowing down, in watching the world blur while choosing, even briefly, to stand still.” –Leo N., 15
Enough
“Teenagers constantly wonder if they will ever be enough. I wrote words on the mirror that might represent what a teenager thinks about when it comes to being ‘enough’ for the people around them. They might wonder if they are pretty, smart, or good enough. I wanted to bring attention to what thoughts teenagers struggle with in everyday life.” –Illiana I., 16
Go Skate Day
“I took this picture during Go Skate Day in 2023 or 2024 I think … but who cares? It’s sick! Keep riding!” –Danny I., 18
Never Let Go
“This was taken at an all-women’s retreat in the mountains to heal inner trauma, at the end of the trip where we all hugged each other and healed. My mother is the one being hugged and one of her friends is embracing her. Place is somewhere you belong, somewhere you feel comfortable in, and somewhere you can be yourself. I believe womanhood and friendship is not only a place but home.” –Michelle G., 16
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.
Siblings make better music. That’s the hot take, and there’s some logic and science behind it. The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Billie Eilish and Finneas, AC/DC, Van Halen, The Allman Brothers—heck, even the Hanson brothers, why not? Beyond just a shared sense of taste and nonverbal communication developed over decades of living and evolving together, there’s a thing called “blood harmony.” The genetically similar throat cavities, vocal cords, speech patterns, and resonant bone structures all blend each unique voice into a more homophonic sound than what comes out of two non-related singers.
Those throat cavities are working wonders for emerging San Diego band We the Commas—three brothers (from oldest to youngest) Lenny, Jordon, and Cam Comma.
Raised in Vista and Carlsbad, the family opted out of cable TV (video games got a pass). Without binge-watching to fill bored hours, the trio turned to music. Guitar Hero led to GarageBand and finally to live instruments—guitars for Lenny and Cam, drum set for Jordon. In their sound, the influence of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Who, and Dave Matthews Band is obvious, and so is surf culture, specifically that laid-back chill of North County surf culture.
“We’re like the Black Beach Boys,” Cam says. (Note: Three of the five founding members of the Beach Boys were siblings—the theory gets stronger.)
Their debut EP pretty clearly lays out how they see their sound—titled SARB, an acronym for Surf Alternative R&B. That resonates in the song “Sherry,” with its easy-listening, windows-down-on-the-101 vibe. It also works in the louder, surf-punkier “Pissed Off.” Despite some advances in reducing core stereotyping tendencies, people still tend to autofill Black musicians into rap and R&B. The Comma brothers immediately circumvent that by declaring themselves out the gates.
“SARB makes it so [listeners are] open to all of the things that we want to do,” Lenny says. “From there, you can put a label on whatever you think it sounds like.”
Courtesy of We the Commas
People—and musicians further up the stream—are taking note. In 2023, they co-wrote the song “I Keep Fallin’” with Eric Cannata, guitarist for multi-platinum SoCal band Young the Giant. In early 2024, they were tapped to open the national tour of Brooklyn’s jazz-pop heroes, Sammy Rae & The Friends. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias invited them to warm up his show at Pechanga a couple months later.
“We really believe genuinely, with our whole hearts, minds and souls, that this is going to work the way that we think it’s going to,” Cam says, grinning ear to ear.
Currently, the Commas live together in Vista, and the dream, wholeheartedly, is more alive than ever. They’ve put out two dozen singles and a trio of EPs: SARB (2020), Old School Love (2021), and Aeroplane (2024); this year alone brought the release of three new singles, including “Let Me,” a silky-smooth entry in their growing collection of love songs.
“We fully realized the magic is in all of us together,” Lenny says. “We know that this doesn’t happen without each person, and we have respect for each other because we need each other.”
As they grow as brothers and as a band, the Commas try to always remember what unified them in the first place.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
How Scrojo Became One of Rock’s Most Prolific Poster Artists
The San Diego designer has created more than 3,000 concert posters over nearly 40 years for artists including the Rolling Stones and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
When he was in high school, he and his friends were trying to come up with the perfect name for their punk band that would encapsulate all their personas. Nicaragua. The Freds.
One of his friends said he was going to go by Jimmy Stacks and called it “the perfect rock and roll name.” Their names changed so much that Haskett erupted: “Fine, I’m f—ing Scrotum Joe, the true defender of the Open West.”
Their response: Wow, that’s a great name.
As a teenager, he drew chalkboards for Del Mar’s Pannikin coffee shop and would design T-shirts for surf/skate brand Life’s a Beach. He signed the shirts with his moniker, but even in punk rebellion, who wants a shirt with the words Scrotum Joe on it? “They just cut out the ‘t-u-m,’ and the next thing you know, a client referred to me as that, and it stuck,” he says.
Courtesy of Scrojo
Scrojo could have been part of a band as iconic as The Misfits—had he been able to learn the famously cumbersome bassline to The Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie.” Becoming one of the most renowned concert poster designers—someone who quite literally designed the cover of Art of Modern Rock: The Poster Explosion—is a pretty good Plan B.
“To my knowledge, he’s done more rock posters than anybody else alive,” says Dennis King, whose D. King Gallery in Berkeley, California, serves as one of the largest private rock poster collections in the world. “He’s the hardest-working guy in the poster business.”
King not only co-authored the sequel to music historian Paul Grushkin’s The Art of Rock, but he also handles distribution and sales for all of Scrojo’s work. That’s more than 3,000 different posters over nearly 40 years. (That’s over one poster each week. For four decades straight.)
For anything from boxing matches to rodeos, posters have long been used as promotional items. Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous lithographs advertised Moulin Rouge in the late 1800s. Around the same time, Hatch Show Print in Nashville was making handbills for the Grand Ole Opry.
“I propose this: Cave paintings are the first poster art,” Scrojo says.
Courtesy of Scrojo
Rock and roll posters took off in the 1960s, when the hippie counterculture era replaced conformity and suburbia. Artists like Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead used their vibrant, psychedelic prints as a form of rebellion from the mainstream. Posters were promotional, commemorative, collectible, and especially expressive.
If the name Scrojo is any indication, he doesn’t shy away from imagery that toes the line of being too provocative. He focused more on what inspired him instead of trying to be offensive for the sake of getting attention.
“Didn’t want to show it to my grandmother, but my parents were fine with it,” Scrojo says with a laugh.
“We’ve had to ask him to put a Band-Aid over a nipple every now and then,” says Chris Goldsmith, president of Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, where Scrojo started out and hundreds of his posters currently line the walls.
Scrojo spent six weeks at Otis College of Art and Design for a summer semester before drugs, alcohol, and a self-described lack of discipline prevented him from enrolling full time. Still, he taught himself concepts like text hierarchy and later found his niche at the Belly Up and in the surfing and skating world, working with brands like Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Scorpion Bay, and DGK.
His first concert poster was for North County band Borracho y Loco, of which Goldsmith was bass guitarist. Scrojo drew an abstract version of the Belly Up’s iconic shark with colorful calypso and tiki themes.
Early on, he would craft using a pencil, pen, non-reproduction blue pencil, X-Acto knife, rubber knife, and proportion scale to create each poster, and the finished product could take a week or even longer.
Courtesy of Scrojo
“I recommend every artist coming up to do that for like six weeks,” Scrojo says. “It forces you to think about every design decision as you’re going along.”
He has since mastered vector imagery through Adobe Illustrator to the point where, depending on the level of detail needed, he could finish two projects in a day. Still, he fills sketchbook after sketchbook to blueprint.
“I liked his line in particular, and he knows how to draw, which a lot of people don’t really know how to do these days,” King says.
Scrojo would research what each musician’s merchandise looks like to get a feel for each artist’s tone and voice. Once he has his central image in mind, he focuses on what and where to place the text.
He doesn’t have one specific style, ranging his talents from art deco to psychedelic and everything in between (and outside the lines). Want a pop surrealist comic book cartoon devil with splattered paint textures, halftone dot patterns, and pure chaos? Red Hot Chili Peppers, February 1986. Want a minimalist graphic portrait with bold strokes and graffiti text? P!nk, October 2023. Want a carnival sideshow style piece with a tasteful caricature of Jeff Bridges? The Big Lebowski, August 2011.
Scrojo calls himself a jack of all trades because he can create posters for all music genres. King calls him a chameleon for his ability to adapt his voice to new eras.
Courtesy of Scrojo
“The variety of his skillset makes it possible for us to put 50 of his posters on a wall next to each other and have it look compelling, not just a bunch of the same thing over and over,” Goldsmith says.
Some of Scrojo’s favorite posters are when he feels a personal connection to the artist or the album. He has a vivid memory as a child of being trapped in a closet filled with marijuana leaves while playing hide and seek and staring at Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” LP. “For whatever reason, as a kid, that sparked a desire to do graphic design,” Scrojo says.
Fast forward to February 2012, Cliff is performing at Belly Up. Scrojo decided to modify Cliff’s original album cover from rainbow gradient fills to classic reggae psychedelia while preserving Cliff’s striped pants and bold hat. Cliff’s manager called him and said they wanted to use it for the rest of their tour.
“We always get artists requesting that he does their posters,” Goldsmith says. “A lot of artists don’t want venues to go all rogue because they want to control how they’re being presented. With him, they’re like, ‘Let him go nuts.’”
Matt Eisenberg is an award-winning writer and photographer based in San Diego. A former ESPN editor, his work has also been published by CNN, Bleacher Report and the New York Daily News.
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.
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.
