Oceanside’s Frontwave Arena opens its doors to the public for the first time on Monday, September 16, ushering in a new era in San Diego County. It’s a smaller-type arena, with big plans.
Nestled in the Rancho Del Oro area, Fronwave boasts a seating capacity of 7,500 and features all the amenities expected of a brand-new, $85 million multi-purpose venue: 16 premium suites, three VIP viewing decks, and a lineup of food and beverage vendors being billed as “A Taste of North County.”
With no upper seating level and just 16 rows in each section, attendees will be close to the action—most of which will be sports.
“The original goal was to build an arena for San Diego Sockers (the Major Arena Soccer League team), and that came together six or seven years ago,” said Joshua Elias, who shares ownership of Frontwave Arena with Sockers’ owner and coach Phil Salvagio and real estate developer Colton Sudberry.
The Sockers are one of the most successful professional soccer teams in the country, having won 16 league championships since 1982, but empty seats are common at Midway District’s cavernous, 16,000-seat Pechanga Arena, which the Sockers have called home since 2012. But minor league teams in major league venues is a problem throughout the industry.
Courtesy of Frontwave Arena
With Frontwave Arena, Elias and his partners want to turn that business model on its head. “We understand that we’re smaller, but we want to own that,” Elias said. “Typically, people want a big team to anchor an arena, but we are going to own this minor league size, as well as that middle size entertainment. That’s what makes us unique.” That approach is already paying dividends.
The crowning achievement so far is landing the NBA G League’s San Diego Clippers, the minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. “Getting the stamp of approval from the NBA is a huge feat,” Elias said. Fans at Frontwave Arena will get to see “truly the best players, guys who are hungry to compete and make it at the highest level.”
In fact, more than 50 percent of players on current NBA rosters have G League experience, according to the NBA. The G League plays a 50-game schedule, from November to February, with the San Diego Clippers scheduled for 24 home games this season. And Elias expects to announce soon another team relocating from Pechanga Arena to Frontwave Arena.
Courtesy of Frontwave Arena
In the meantime, visitors to Frontwave will have plenty to eat. Cardiff’s Seaside Market is offering their famous “Cardiff Crack” tri-tip nachos, one of the most popular food items at Petco Park. Gelati & Picatti, which has locations in Encinitas, North Park, and inside Petco Park, is serving up Roman-style pizza by the slice and artisanal gelato. And rounding out the lineup are Tanner’s Prime Burgers, a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Brandon Rogers and Brandt Beef’s Eric Brandt; and Baja Tacos, a new concept by Brandt that started as a pop-up at the Del Mar Racetrack in 2022.
Frontwave Arena’s leadership recruited Scott Marshall, Liquid Sports group CEO and former chief hospitality officer at Petco Park, to bring these food options under one roof. “We are incredibly excited to […] introduce an absolute world-class culinary program,” Marshall said in a statement.
Courtesy of Frontwave Arena
Kicking things off for Frontwave’s opening is the Gold Over America Tour, a two-night showcase (Sept. 16 and 17) featuring Simone Biles and other premier gymnastics talent. It’s an event worthy of a grand opening, considering Biles is now one of the greatest American athletes of all time after winning three gold medals at this summer’s Paris Olympics. On October 5, the veteran rock group Cake stages the inaugural concert co-produced by Belly Up Presents, the promotional arm of the legendary Solana Beach venue.
Frontwave Arena’s event schedule is already packed, but there is even more programming planned for outside the venue. One of the arena’s unique features is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Plaza, a hybrid, outdoor event space, planned to be utilized on both event and non-event days.
“What we’ve built is unique and special,” Elias said. “We took an inside-out approach, focusing on North County first, but we’re seeing a lot of interest from folks throughout the county. It’s exciting to see and the fact that it resonates speaks to us being local people building something for the community.”
Courtesy of Frontwave Arena
Frontwave Arena Schedule of Events
Sept. 16 & 17: “Gold Over America Tour” starring Simone Biles and America’s best gymnasts. Event starts at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5: Cake – Frontwave Arena Grand Opening Concert. Event starts at 8 p.m.
Oct. 8: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Brooklyn Nets preseason game. Event starts at 7 p.m.
Oct. 12: Rocktoberfest, with Seether, Giovannie & The Hired Guns, The Warning, and Tim Montana. Event starts at 7 p.m.
Oct. 19: Association of Volleyball Professionals. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Oct. 20: Association of Volleyball Professionals. Event starts at 1 p.m.
Oct. 26: Monsters of Hip-Hop, featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Too $hort, MC Magic and more. Event starts at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 27: USA vs. Mexico International FANCLB Cup. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Nov. 2: Freestyle Explosion, featuring Steve B, Lisa Lisa, Exposé, Shannon, Connie, Lime, Will to Power, Pretty Poison, and Nocera. Event starts at 7:30 pm.
Dec. 7: Country Christmas featuring Megan Moroney, Tucker Wetmore, Tyler Braden, and more. Event starts at 7 p.m.
Watch theater productions with meta commentary, participate in (or spectate) local sports and take advantage of unique dining options this weekend in San Diego. See a play within a play during The Play That Goes Wrong at Lamb’s Players Theatre and the nostalgic Broadway musical The Drowsy Chaperone at Coronado Playhouse. Enjoy new and old sports traditions in North County, with the 40th anniversary of the Carlsbad 5000 race and the debut of Oceanside‘s new arena football team, the Bombers. Plus, reserve a spot at scenic eating experiences (if weather permits), such as the Taste of Hillcrest, Estancia La Jolla’s annual Garden Party and Smoke on the Vine at The Flower Fields.
Dine outdoors in The Flower Fields during Smoke on the Vine this Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Patrons will eat four courses arranged by Napatini Wine Bar Executive Chef Joshua Holt, each paired with specialty pours from Rombauer Vineyards. As they feast on ribeye cap steak and smoky Hokkaido scallops with citrus flavors, guests will learn more about the evening’s selections from the chefs and winery partners. Reservations are $150 per person and come with admission to The Flower Fields. Another Smoke on the Vine dinner will take place April 17.
Craving pizza, tacos, ramen AND cookies? Fortunately, you can sample all of those foods and much more during the annual Taste of Hillcrest this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. This all-ages event—with a few 21+ only locations included—is a chance to stroll the neighborhood for an afternoon of diverse bites and sips. After checking in at Next Step Treasures or Crest Taco, attendees can follow the white and orange balloons to explore 38 Hillcrest eateries. Tickets are $51, and come with one sample at each participating location.
Hillcrest
Garden Party at Estancia La Jolla
April 12
Gather in the greenery of Estancia La Jolla during the hotel’s annual Garden Party this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Dine on earthy cocktails and botanically-inspired fare while taking in the natural ambiance of spring in all its blooming wonder. This sophisticated soiree will include a curated selection of local artisan vendors to peruse and shop from, plus a floral dress theme. Admission is $82 for the Garden Party and comes with a welcome beverage and two cocktails.
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Courtesy of the San Marcos Spring Fling Festival
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane at Balboa Theatre
April 9
One hundred years ago, jazz pioneers Miles Davis and John Coltrane were born, and today, their music continues to mesmerize. To celebrate this dual milestone, La Jolla Music Society is hosting a Jazz Mini Festival (April 6-12), including a tribute concert headlined by trumpeter Terence Blanchard and saxophonist John Coltrane. This Thursday (7:30 p.m.) at Balboa Theatre, the two jazz luminaries will be joined by guitarist Charles Altura, pianist Eden Ladin, bassist David Ginyard Jr. and drummer Oscar Seaton. Plus, concertgoers can enjoy a pre-show interview featuring Blanchard and Coltrane at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $71 to $119 for this concert.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
FKA Twigs at The Sound
April 9
FKA Twigs is a pop star operating at the absolute peak of her powers. Her 2025 was seismic, with a pair of exciting new electronic-infused albums: January’s Eusexua and November’s Eusexua Afterglow, each adding to her penchant for world building. Though her international Body High Tour includes stops at sizable venues like Madison Square Garden and The O2 Arena, local listeners can catch Twigs, plus multi-hyphenate artist Izzy Spears, in a more intimate space this Thursday at 8 p.m. at The Sound. Tickets start at $112.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Boots in the Park
April 11
Nancy Sinatra said these boots are made for walkin’, but at Boots in the Park, these boots are made for rockin’. This Saturday at 1 p.m., the traveling festival will ride back to Waterfront Park with a spirited lineup of country music musicians like Miranda Lambert, Jordan Davis, Mackenzie Carpenter and Dylan Scott. In addition to the tunes, attendees can check out experiences such as themed bars, mechanical bull riding, line dancing lessons and photo-op worthy art installations. Ticket options include general admission ($124), GA+ ($219) and VIP passes ($299).
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.
As the clock wound down on August 23, 2025, San Diego FC had one thing on their mind: clinching the postseason for their new hometown. It wasn’t a night of dramatic late goals or last-second strikes—it was a steady, controlled run against the Portland Timbers. Snapdragon Stadium roared with the hopes of 35,000 locals, who’d spent years waiting for a championship team to call their own.
When the referee blew the whistle at the end of the game, the scoreboard remained at a draw, 0-0. But history had been made nonetheless—SDFC became the first team in the league to lock up a 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth, securing their place with six matches still to play in their inaugural season.
A month later, after nabbing a Wild Card spot, the Padres punched their ticket to the postseason with catcher Freddy Fermin delivering an RBI single in the 11th inning. The 5–4 walk-off win over the Milwaukee Brewers marked the team’s fourth postseason appearance in six seasons (and the second straight season that San Diego reached October baseball). This was a new team, the kind the franchise hadn’t seen in decades.
Finally, in October, the Wave FC reminded us why it only took them a matter of months to build a record-breaking NSWL fanbase. In the first 18 minutes of the game, the team struck three goals (the fastest trio of goals in club history) and continued the momentum throughout the game against the Chicago Stars. Their 6–1 victory that night landed them in the postseason.
If last year’s playoffs run didn’t convince you that San Diego is a sports town once again, you weren’t paying close enough attention. Now, with the 2026 baseball and soccer seasons kicking off, we break down what to expect from the Padres, San Diego FC, and the Wave FC this year and ask their coaches to give us an insider’s sneak peek.
Courtesy of San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
Freddy Fermin nearly did it. Down to the last out of the wildcard playoff series—the last chance for the Padres’ 2025 season—he put a charge into a fly ball that made all of Wrigley Field hold its breath. Of course, the potential game winner fell into the glove of the Cubs’ center fielder. Season over. So close. Less than two weeks later, manager Mike Shildt announced the stress was getting to him and retired.
To many fans, Fermin’s flyball felt like a metaphor. The late Peter Seidler had put a charge into the franchise, investing in the team like no Padres owner ever had. The Padres’ lease agreement with Petco Park runs through 2033. But every season, the team falls just short. With a 2027 lockout looming, was 2025 the final year of the Padres’ window to finally bring a World Series championship to the city? Or does it remain open for 2026?
There’s still massive, all-star talent on the team—Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatís Jr., Mason Miller, Michael King, Joe Musgrove, Adrian Morejon, Nick Pivetta (who surprised everyone by becoming a legitimate ace last year). After a few down years, Xander Bogaerts showed flashes of the elite talent that inspired his hefty contract.
Courtesy of San Diego Padres
Everyone knows general manager AJ Preller is a maverick who loves to make blockbuster moves. But to fill the managerial role, he only had to make a call down to the bullpen to Craig Stammen—a former Padres relief pitcher who’d been working as a special assistant, mentoring players.
“If I said it was going to be easy, I’d be lying to myself,” Stammen admits. “My whole life there have been different things that prepared me for what I’m about to do. Obviously playing gave me a lot of experience, and the special assistant role gave me a lot of knowledge of what it’s like behind the curtain—what the front office is thinking about, what the coaches are all trying to accomplish during the season. I feel like I got a taste of a little bit of everything.”
As manager, Stammen is going to be leading guys who used to be his teammates. Much like when a colleague gets promoted above you at work, there’s uncertainty around how team dynamics will shift. But Stammen believes it’s going to be a positive.
“At this point, I haven’t had to make very many tough decisions with those guys, but there may come a time during the season where that may happen,” he says. “If it does, I just have to be very up front and honest and be the same person I’ve always been. We’ll do our best to keep our friendship [what it is] and use that to our advantage as much as we can.”
Courtesy of San Diego Padres
Stammen has a reputation as a calm, supportive leader who can connect with players. And the move for an internal hire makes sense with such a turbulent offseason (they lost headlining players Dylan Cease, Luis Arráez, and Robert Suárez, and retirement rumors swirl around Yu Darvish). Bringing continuity, he’s somebody the Padres think can keep the clubhouse steady and focused. “There’s a trust level between AJ Preller, [Assistant General Manager] Josh Stein, and me,” he says. “They’ve seen my leadership qualities up close and personal.”
One of the biggest strengths of the team remains the pitching. “Great pitchers make a manager look really good,” Stammen says.
Then, there’s the fans. The Padres sold out 72 of 81 games last season, making them number-two in attendance behind only the Dodgers. Petco Park is a layer of hell for opposing teams. “When the fans show up to the ballpark,” Stammen says, “they’re helping our ball club win a baseball game. Without our homefield advantage, it would be very difficult to get to the playoffs and accomplish our goals.”
Those team goals? “To reach our potential,” Stammen confirms. “We obviously have a team we think can compete for a division championship and compete in the National League and have a chance to bring something to San Diego that’s never happened before. But you can’t think about that stuff right now. Right now, we’ve just got to be able to focus on reaching our potential.
Courtesy of SDFC
San Diego Fútbol Club
It’s hard to imagine a dreamier kickoff to the MLS era in San Diego. In their debut year, San Diego FC broke multiple league records for an expansion team—most points (63), most wins (19), fastest to clinch a playoff berth. They won the Western Conference and came one victory away from the MLS Cup.
Near perfection. Now, can they follow it up?
The biggest headline entering year two is the end of “Chuckymania.” Mexican national star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano was supposed to be the face of the franchise, but it didn’t pan out. After he experienced some injuries and well-documented internal conflicts with the coach and team, SDFC decided to part ways with their original headliner.
Courtesy of SDFC
Instead, the team invested in the vision of coach Mikey Varas, extending his contract by multiple years.
“They could see that the project was moving in the right direction,” Varas says. “When I was signed [last year], there had to be some question marks. I hadn’t been in this role before. Fortunately, everyone saw the alignment was 100 percent in sync. Our visions and values align. It’s where I’m supposed to be.” Any questions were answered when the franchise burst out of the gates winning.
In 2026, “it’s about asking ourselves individually and collectively: Now what?” Varas says. The answer shapes this year’s vision.
With their superstar departing and forward Marcus Ingvartsen coming off an injury-plagued season, the club wants people who have a point to prove—and, just as important, players and staff who push team chemistry. “We really do believe our collective is our superpower,” Varas adds. “That means having people who care about understanding how to play better with and for their teammates.”
Building off last year’s roster, the team snatched up versatile forward/ winger Lewis Morgan off waivers in December. The move will add front-line depth to supplement their other star forward Anders Dreyer, who was given a guaranteed contract extension through the 2028–2029 season—deservedly so, since he scored 19 goals and was named 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year. On a planet without Lionel Messi, Anders Dreyer would arguably be the reigning league MVP.
Courtesy of SDFC
“We’re also really excited about [developing] guys that started with us at ground zero and seeing what kind of steps they take,” Varas says. “The Luca Bombino who was playing for us last year can’t be the Luca Bombino who shows up this season. He’s got to be a better version of himself. There’s freshness coming from all different angles.” Bombino was also awarded a contract extension through the 2028–2029 season.
And now that the team isn’t surprising anybody with their pressing style of play, being overlooked by other clubs will no longer be an advantage going into this season. “That’s okay,” Varas says. “We like that kind of challenge.”
There’s already a resounding buzz coming from fans, supporters, staff, and players for 2026. When a team gets within striking distance of the MLS Cup (they lost 3-1 to Vancouver in the Western Conference final), the audience only gets hungrier to smell more Snapdragon fireworks.
Courtesy of Wave FC
Wave FC
In the final game of last year’s regular season, the San Diego Wave held their fate in their own hands: win or watch the playoffs from home. They responded, blowing away Chicago FC 6-0 and setting a club record for goals in a single game.
The offensive hangover came quick—they lost 1-0 in the first round to Portland. But our rose-tinted glasses are squarely on, so, as far as we’re concerned, just being back in the playoffs after missing out in 2024 was a good sign for a team that has been one of the country’s biggest stories in women’s sports since its inception four years ago.
“I think there were a lot of learnings during the season,” says head coach Jonas Eidevall, who is beginning his second year leading the Wave. “There were parts of last season that were really successful. I think we established an identity and a way of playing that was clear and a good fit for the club and the players: [We’re] creative. We want to express that on the pitch.”
During the offseason, December was a volatile month for the Wave. They started it off by capturing gold at the World Sevens tournament. On the tournament’s reduced-size pitch, they outscored the other teams 14-3. With midfielders playing forward early and burners playing wide, speed was the attacking tool that overwhelmed their opponents’ defenses.
Courtesy of Wave FC
More importantly, it allowed the team to step into an unknown together. Instead of 11 players per side, there were just seven. The format encourages a high-tempo style of play where every possession is threatening. “It helped us understand what we need to learn, change, and adapt [for regular-season play],” Eidevall says. “We did that well in the Sevens tournament, and that’s a mindset we can keep on going with in the season.”
Shortly following the team’s victory in Sevens, offseason moves started. Roster shakeups always cause some broken hearts—but fans were particularly shocked when the team abruptly announced in late December that goalkeeper and captain Kailen Sheridan’s contract would be terminated. (Along with Kristen McNabb, Sheridan was one of just two remaining players from the franchise’s original team.) As of press time, the Wave hasn’t announced who will take the captain’s reins from Sheridan.
Courtesy of Wave FC
With the team’s esteemed back-line leader out, the Wave signed goalkeeper Leah Freeman to a one-year contract. Last year, Freeman spent her rookie season with Bay FC after a decorated collegiate career playing for both University of Oregon and Duke. While at Oregon, she earned Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2022. At Duke, she nabbed the same Atlantic Coast Conference honor in 2024.
Among returning members, “one player who was making a good impact for us already with limited time with the team was Dudinha,” Eidevall says. “I’m really excited to see what she can do in the league here with a full preseason.” The Brazilian forward netted five goals in just 12 games. In rare company with former Wave legends Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw, Dudinha matched a club record by scoring in three consecutive games last fall.
Even with the loss of a face of the franchise like Sheridan, “going into the season, both expectations and the know-how of what it takes to achieve what we want to achieve is much clearer,” Eidevall says. “We laid the foundation last season, which we now need to build upon. Players we’re bringing in can be picked to fit into that [creative] identity.”
Jake Peterson is a San Diego-based journalist and culture writer. His work explores the city’s music scene, sports, local characters, and the offbeat corners of San Diego’s subcultures.
Sports Illustrated Debuts First-Ever Women’s Games in San Diego
Taking place October 28 to November 2 at Frontwave Arena, the event spotlights elite female athletes and celebrates the rapid rise of women’s sports nationally
Women’s sports are having a moment across the nation. Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese are dominating the WNBA, the US women’s Olympic gymnastics team earned 10 medals at last year’s Paris Games, and American swimmer Katie Ledecky continues to smash records—and that momentum is coming to San Diego this fall with the first-ever Sports Illustrated Women’s Games.
The event, taking place from Tuesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 2, 2025, marks the publication’s debut women’s sporting event, spotlighting elite female athletes and celebrating the rapid rise of women’s sports across the nation. Held at Oceanside’s Frontwave Arena, the inaugural affair will feature more than 120 athletes competing in events ranging from judo to basketball and tennis.
Courtesy of Sports Illustrated
“I’m so excited to be a part of this special initiative and see how the inaugural Sports Illustrated Women’s Games will bring together some of the most talented female athletes in the world,” said Grand Slam Champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Sloane Stephens in a press release.
Stephens has made her mark on and off the court, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 3 in 2018 and recently receiving the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for the impact she’s made through her foundation. She joins hundreds of other accomplished athletes, including Dearica Hamby (two-time WNBA All-Star), Jordyn Poulter (two-time Olympic medalist), Jade Carey (Paris Olympics bronze medalist), Helen Maroulis (three-time Olympic medalist), and many others.
The six-day event showcases women’s sports that fans have long craved but rarely experienced on such a large stage. Following a Ryder Cup-style format, athletes will compete for “Team Americas” and “Team World.” Prize money will be awarded based on competition results, adding an extra layer of excitement to the week’s lineup of team and individual contests.
San Diego—with its rich sports heritage and passionate fan base—is the perfect stage for this momentous occasion. Against the backdrop of the city’s thriving sports culture—San Diego FC’s inaugural season, the San Diego Wave in the hunt for the NWSL championship, and the Padres topping their division—the SI Women’s Games arrive at the right time.
Courtesy of Sports Illustrated Nancy Nguyen
SI Women’s Games 2025 Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. PST — Flag football: Three-game series between Team Americas and Team World.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. PST — Combat sports: 12 matches total, including six judo matches and six wrestling matches by weight class.
Thursday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. PST — Volleyball: One best-of-five sets match, Team Americas vs. Team World.
Friday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. PST — Gymnastics: Artistic (floor, beam, uneven bars), rhythmic (team and individual), and trampoline (individual and synchronized) events.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m. PST — Basketball: One full-length game with 20-minute halves, Team Americas vs. Team World.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2 p.m. PST — Tennis and awards ceremony: Three matches, each an eight-game pro set—Americas 1 vs. World 1 (singles), Americas 2 vs. World 2 (singles), and Americas vs. World (doubles).
Courtesy of Pink Media Productions
Where to Buy SI Women’s Games Tickets
Tickets are available at Axs.com starting August 17. Discounts apply to kids under 12 (50 percent off), seniors (10 percent off), and military members (25 percent off).
Where to Watch the SI Women’s Games
Fans can catch the Sports Illustrated Women’s Games on ION and the Ion Fast channel. The events will also be streamed live via Amazon Fire TV and Prime Video in the US.
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.
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
The Padres were supposed to be a mess this year. But thanks to an unstoppable start, star power veterans, and some of the best young talent in the league, this has been a season to binge. When it comes to a World Series run, fans may still sometimes feel like cats in a room full of rocking chairs, but we’re glued to the show, and the Pads are packing Petco. It’s been a hell of a carnival.
After a 2024 season that crescendoed into the playoffs with the highest of high drama, only to end in a whimper, the team entered 2025 under a storm cloud. In the aftermath of beloved owner Peter Seidler’s death, the club’s front office had started to resemble a Succession spinoff. Lawsuits, power struggles, mysterious silence from the top—the vibes seemed cursed, unbefitting men of the cloth. 2025 appeared doomed to play out like a tedious hangover.
But, somehow, they kicked down the doors. The team opened this season 5–0, then hit 13–3, then went nuclear with a 11–0 home streak. Suddenly, this team that was supposed to be in a rebuilding phase became MLB trivia fodder: best start in franchise history, first team since the ’66 Indians with six shutouts in 16 games. And as of press time, the team leads the league in shutouts with 13.
Manny Machado has been Manny Machado. He smacked his 350th career homer, got his 2,000th hit, and was voted starting third basemen for the NL All-Star team. Elite. Jackson Merrill is building on his legendary rookie campaign and has committed his career to the Padres, signing on to a nine year, $135 million contract extension. Fernando Tatis Jr. started the season playing at an MVP level and was rewarded with a trip to his third All-Star game. Relievers Jason Adam and Robert Suárez are also headed to the Midsummer Classic.
And the city is showing up like it’s 1998 all over again. Petco is packed tighter than the 8 East at rush hour. It’s Mission Beach on the Fourth of July every home game—beach balls flying, swagger in the stands. SD is ranked third in the league for overall attendance this year. You’d think a fanbase that’s been through recurring heartbreak and an ownership system error might back off. Instead, they’re louder and more eager than ever.
This season shouldn’t be happening. But here we are, with a team worth celebrating. The Padres are chaotic, occasionally frustrating, and eminently watchable. SD didn’t merely get a solid baseball team this year. We got prestige programming. Now we just need that deep playoff run.
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Q&A with Manny Machado
You’ve had an electric start this season—the best in team history. What changed?
I think it was kind of just a little bounce-back from last year. We had such a good year, but we fell short. So we really wanted to start this season on the right foot. That’s all we were talking about during spring training: “How can we be better than last year?” Once we got back to Petco and felt the energy of the fans and the city, we just hit the ground rolling.
Where do you like to eat around town?
I love pizza, so I go to Garage [Kitchen + Bar in the Gaslamp]. That’s one of my favorite spots. I keep it simple—pepperoni or cheese. Barbusa [in Little Italy] is another. The hospitality there is unreal. I’ve gone three times and haven’t even looked at a menu—they just send food out. Everything they bring is awesome. The Henry [in Coronado] is the same way—great people, great energy. I’ve always been that guy who sticks to a few good places.
What’s your pregame routine like? Any rituals?
I always listen to music. We’ve got a solid playlist in the clubhouse—Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, Rick Ross. That’s the rotation.
Do you have a go-to pregame meal?
Coffee. Always a latte. I make it at home. I’ve been working on my latte art. Sometimes it looks like a flower; sometimes it just looks like… something.
Do you have a guilty-pleasure snack?
It used to be Skittles, Goldfish, Cheez-Its. I’ve cut most of that out. But McDonald’s? That’s the one I can’t give up.
Have you ever had one of those surreal, slow-motion moments during a game?
Definitely. Big homers tend to do that. The walk-off we had here last year. A walk-off against the Giants. My three-homer game in Baltimore—my third was a grand slam. It’s like everything just slows down. You instantly know what’s going to happen. It’s kind of crazy.
If you could play catch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Roberto Clemente. Not just for what he did on the field, but to pick his brain about what he did for Puerto Rico and the community. What he did was special. He influenced so many of us.
Are ghosts real?
Yeah. I’ve seen one. It was actually my grandfather, at my house. Not haunted or anything—just him saying hello.
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Q&A with Jackson Merrill
You guys came out blazing this season. What made the start so strong?
Last year’s Olympics in Paris delivered plenty of unforgettable moments—a metal band performing alongside a headless Marie Antoinette in a 13th-century castle, breakdancing’s short-lived debut (sorry, Raygun), and even Snoop Dogg serving as a torchbearer. But some of the most memorable concerned our own hometown heroes.
Sixty San Diegans competed for Team USA, earning 25 medals across eight sports, with gold medalists including then-Wave FC players Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw, basketball star Kelsey Plum, and cyclist Jennifer Valente. Encinitas’ own Jagger Eaton hit the street park as one of only three Americans representing the country in men’s street skateboarding, nabbing a silver medal finish. And while TikTok-famous local “rave horse” Suppenkasper and his rider Steffen Peters, beloved for their EDM-fueled dressage routines, didn’t make it to the finals, the 17-year-old gelding had audiences eating out of the palm of his, uh, hoof from the very first beat drop.
The next Chucky Lozano might soon be honing his skills right down the road in El Cajon. San Diego FC kicked off its inaugural season in February and quickly proved itself a force within MLS (at press time, it sits at number one in the Western Conference). With it came the Right to Dream Academy, a scholarship-based academic and training facility where promising players as young as 11 will prepare for a bright future in the pro league under top-tier tutelage.
Best Triple Play
San Diego Padres
Picture it: Padres against the hated Dodgers in LA. With two runners on, the fate of the Padres’ 2024 postseason rests on one play. Bottom of the ninth inning. No outs. Padres closer Robert Suárez is looking to hang on to a 4–2 lead. Crack—a ground ball to Manny Machado. Machado tags third and fires to second. Jake Cronenworth turns it and beats the runner at first. Just like that, San Diego pulls off an unforgettable triple play and clinches their playoff berth. Easily the most cathartic moment in San Diego sports in the last year.
Best Next Step For a Fútbol Phenom
Alex Morgan
As one chapter ends, another kicks off. San Diego’s favorite WNSL icon, Alex Morgan, officially hung up her cleats (along with her number-13 jersey, which the team is retiring in her honor) for good in September 2024 after her final game with San Diego Wave FC against the North Carolina Courage. But before you get too emotional, she also dropped the much happier news that baby number two was on the way.
True to form, she’s not slowing down anytime soon. She’s staying in the game as a minority investor in the Wave, continuing her mission to uplift women in sports and ensure the next generation has even more room to shine.
2024 was a big year for San Diego State alum and world-ranked number-three golfer Xander Schauffele. Following a near-perfect round of 62 at Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Club, tying the lowest round ever scored in a Major championship, he secured a narrow PGA Tour win over titan Bryson DeChambeau. Fast forward to July, and Schauffele brought his A-game to the Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Battling wind, rain, and the course’s punishing bunkers, Schauffele was one of only 17 golfers to break par throughout the tournament.
Courtesy of Lori Walton
Best Legend We’ll Miss
Bill Walton
We said goodbye to a local icon this year: 6’11 NCAA Hall of Famer Bill Walton. Born in La Mesa, Walton played basketball at Helix High with his brother Bruce (who later became an NFLer) before making his mark at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. He won three straight NCAA Player of the Year awards (’72–’74) and was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. Leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their only NBA championship in 1977, Walton became a beloved sports legend. A devoted Deadhead, he attended more than 800 Grateful Dead concerts and spent his later years deeply involved in community work, leaving a lasting legacy.
Best Record Breaker
Caitlin Simmers
Growing up in Oceanside, Caitlin Simmers had always gravitated toward the activities that make a California beach city what it is. She dabbled in BMX, dance, martial arts, and skateboarding, but found her calling in surfing at age 6. Now, at 19, she is in her third year of the World Surf League Champions Tour and part of the USA Olympic team. Last year, at Lower Trestles, only 20 miles from her hometown, she notched a pretty serious resume builder: She became the youngest woman winner of the World Surf League Final.
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs San Diego Padres
By Joyce A. Glazer
Sarah Farnsworth
Barney & Barney G.R.O.W. logo
geneenm
How did you make the leap from Washington, D.C., to the Padres in San Diego? Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Padres, asked me if I would consider working for a baseball team. I thought it was a joke. I didn’t know anything about baseball. After 19 years in D.C. I wanted the opportunity to become a part of a community, and that is what I saw in San Diego. It’s an opportunity for me to give back.
You are engaged to marry a retired Marine, and you have a young daughter. What role did they play in your decision to join the Padres? It was a family decision. We decided together. I was working in a job that really wasn’t a career. With the Padres I have a career where I can be challenged, and I am part of a civic asset. Since my fiancé is retired, he plays a big role in my daughter’s care when I have work demands.
How did you get involved in politics? I was living in New York when the Democratic National Convention was held there; 22 years old and just out of college, I volunteered at the convention. From there I was assigned to do advance for Hillary Clinton during Bill’s first run for president. That was 1992. When Bill won the presidency, I was asked to work on the inauguration in 1993. From there I went to work on the First Lady’s staff in the East Wing. I was responsible for planning all events in the Rose Garden, the South Lawn, and basically anything in the White House. And the Clintons were very active, with many events going on!
Tell me about your time in the White House. I worked seven and a half years and left to marry, but returned for the last six months at the end of the Clinton term. I celebrated my 30th birthday at the second Clinton inauguration.
Where did you work when you left the White House? I was chief of staff at the USO and traveled frequently to Afghanistan and Iraq. I was working in the world headquarters for then-General Jim Jones, who later became President Obama’s national security advisor. President Obama asked me to become senior advisor to the national security advisor, so that put me working in the West Wing of the White House. When General Jones resigned in 2010, I was asked to work in the Pentagon.
You spent so much time working for presidents in both wings of the White House. How did you keep your feet on the ground? I never thought of it as politics, but as being part of an historical institution. There was a plaque on the wall in the White House that I passed by every day. The bottom line was “one day you will be on the other side of the iron gate.” That puts it in perspective.
What challenges have you faced? After being to Iraq and Afghanistan, challenges take on a different meaning. As long as my family is healthy, I don’t have any bad days.
What adjustments did you have to make when you joined the Padres? I have had to earn trust and credibility in a whole new profession, I had to learn baseball, and I have had to earn trust in the community.
What is in your future? I’m here with the San Diego Padres as long as they will keep me.
