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Things to Do OCTOBER 2, 2019

Rafael Payare’s San Diego Symphony Debut

The San Diego Symphony's new music director officially takes the stage October 5

Rafael Payare’s San Diego Symphony Debut

It’s time to pass the baton to Rafael Payare. The new music director of the San Diego Symphony officially takes the podium October 5 at Jacobs Music Center downtown, when he’ll kick off the 2019–20 season with Mahler: Symphony No. 5 and Mason Bates: Alternative Energy.

“Every piece I’ve chosen for this season is close to my heart, whether that’s Mahler or Mozart or Schumann or Debussy or Beethoven or Shostakovich,” Payare says. The maestro’s led dozens of orchestras around the globe, from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and also won first prize at Denmark’s 2012 Malko Conducting Competition. He’ll be the 13th music director of our symphony.

Of his inaugural season, he says, “I thought of this musical journey as a long train ride, where the audience can stop off at stations along the way and discover other things, like Strauss, French music, a special production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

And if that weren’t enough music to our ears, the symphony just broke ground on its new waterfront venue downtown, Bayside Performance Park, slated to open in summer 2020. All aboard, this train’s leaving the station!

San Diego Symphony Opening Weekend

October 5–6

Jacobs Music Center, Downtown sandiegosymphony

Rafael Payare’s San Diego Symphony Debut

San Diego Symphony

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Things to Do FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Things to Do in San Diego at a Distance in February

The can’t-miss virtual and socially distanced events to attend throughout the month

Things to Do in San Diego at a Distance in February
Shutterstock

Now–February 28


Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month by learning about the historic milestones of San Diego’s Black community. The San Diego History Center officially launched an exhibit in honor of Black History Month that features an extensive timeline of local Black accomplishments dating back to 1798.

 

February 9


History of Balboa Park

San Diego History Center is offering a virtual lesson on our city’s favorite park, showing how what began as wild scrubland has evolved into the cultural center we love today. From the colorful botany to the 17 museums, the famed park has made a name for itself ever since it came to life in 1868. This presentation by Barry Goldlust covers the park’s must-see attractions and its lesser-known charms.

 

February 10


2021 Festival of Orchestras Drive-in

Musicians of the LA Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony join together to perform for this drive-in concert. Tune in to the orchestra by radio as they dedicate the show to the work of Bach and Mozart. Concertgoers can bring their own lawn chairs and coolers to set up the ideal viewing experience at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

 

February 12–21


CA Craft Beer Week

Discover all the craft beer California has to offer through this collaboration among local and statewide breweries. AleSmith, Belching Beaver, Second Chance, and Societe are just a few of the local names participating in the 10-day fest, which will feature contests, competitions, and take-home beer packages. The kickoff event will also include special releases from your favorite brewers.

 

February 17–21


February Things to Do / San Diego Bird Festival

San Diego Bird Festival

Candie Reasoner

San Diego Bird Festival

Learn more about the birds in your backyard through webinars and online exhibits, as well as socially distanced field trips where attendees can meet on-site for live bird viewings. All proceeds of the event will support the conversion and sanctuary programs of the San Diego Audubon Society.

 

February 19


San Diego Museum of Art Virtual Display & Performance

SDMA’s Art of Elan explores photography and abstractions throughout the 20th century. The streamed exhibit will feature iconic work from acclaimed photographers paired with a live performance from clarinetist Joshua Rubin. The display will be streamed on SDMA’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m.

 

February 26


San Diego Symphony

The symphony’s upcoming Elegy and Serenades show is the second of their digital season. This month, the performance will feature the work of Carlos Simon, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. Music director Rafael Payare will lead the orchestra in this show, which is dedicated to the lives lost to police brutality. Tune in to the live stream starting at 7 p.m.

History of Balboa Park

Shutterstock

Things to Do JANUARY 6, 2021

Things to Do in San Diego at a Distance in January

The can’t-miss virtual and socially distanced events of the month

Things to Do in San Diego at a Distance in January

January 7–28


Manny Farber On Display at QuintONE Gallery

Quint Gallery’s newest exhibit features a 18-foot panel by local artistic legend Manny Farber. Farber was a respected film critic and painter who created a new art theory: termite art. The term is used to describe works where artists put their heads down and metaphorically chew through whatever is right in front of them without thought for the destination. To keep in line with QuintONE’s “slow art” concept, the 1985 painting on display, which has never been shown to the public before, is the only piece in the gallery and can be viewed by making an appointment for an hourlong visit.

 

January 8


Arts District Liberty Station’s Virtual Second Friday

Liberty Station’s monthly “First Friday” has gone virtual for the first time this month. On January 8, from 4 to 8 p.m., log on to catch the latest from the arts world, starting with Leah Schaperow of Milk Oolong Studio for a clay coil presentation. The rest of the evening will include demonstrations, talks, and performances from other local artists, including Hakkai Aquascape Design Gallery, Lauren LeVieux Art Studio, and San Diego Dance Theater.

 

January 8–10


January Things to Do / Jurassic Quest Drive Thru

Jurassic Quest Drive Thru

Jurassic Quest Drive Thru

The Del Mar Fairgrounds has gone to the dinos! At the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru, you can make your way through an interactive course with over 70 lifelike moving dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, including an 80-foot-long Spinosaurus and a 50-foot-long Megalodon. Since its launch last summer, this national touring experience has hosted 250,000 cars and nearly one million visitors.

 

January 14–17


Falling by Unscripted Learning

Falling, by Drama Desk Award nominee Deanna Jent, is making its way to the virtual world through a Zoom reading presented by Unscripted Learning. Featuring five performers and directed by Jacole Kitchen, local casting director for La Jolla Playhouse, this story explores the multilayered dynamics of the family of a young autisic man. All proceeds from the event will benefit Unscripted Learning, a nonprofit collaboration with National Comedy Theatre, to help kids and teens on the autism spectrum develop social skills through improvisational theater techniques.

 

January 18–23


MLK Week at UC San Diego

UC San Diego is hosting a weeklong series of free virtual events celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Kicking off the celebration is a virtual community-building circle led by student dialogue ambassadors that will discuss MLK’s philosophies on racial justice and healing. Later, join the Carrefour Companions workshop to write letters to elderly San Diegans in isolation, or hear local business owner Maya Madsen lead a panel on Black veganism, social entrepreneurship, and how San Diego can support Black-owned businesses.

 

Multiple Dates


San Diego Symphony Stream

While the symphony has put a pause on in-person shows, you can still tune in to classical performances through their streaming services. Beginning this month and running through May, the San Diego Symphony will be releasing monthly virtual orchestral concerts led by music director Rafael Payare. In between the monthly shows, the symphony will also be regularly uploading interviews and performances on their website.

Manny Farber at QuintONE Gallery

Everything SD SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

Special Activations at the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Fest’s Grand Tasting

Chef collaborations, cooking demonstrations, DJs, games, photo ops, and plenty of reasons to keep wandering on Oct 3 and Oct 4

Special Activations at the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Fest’s Grand Tasting
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, the walk between food tents can take a while. You might stop to watch a chef competition, get pulled toward the DJ, or find yourself playing mini golf before you remember which bite you were after.

Across the Del Mar Polo Fields, there’s also line dancing, a 1961 red Beetle ready for photos, and an aviation-themed pop-up with Reno Tahoe chefs and mixologists. Need a slower stretch? Check out the wellness stops or browse the shops. Here’s what to look for as you make your way through the festival’s zones:

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

VIP First Bites & First Sips

VIP ticket holders get a head start, with the VIP Reception running from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serving first bites, first sips, and a few surprises before the Grand Tasting officially gets going. Champagne Telmont will make the festival’s first pour, while Cohn Restaurant Group brings carajillos alongside pours from Karl Strauss, Licor 43, Tap Truck San Diego, Bebemos Tequila, and Devil’s Grin Gin.

The bites are just as good. Celebrity chef Beau MacMillan will serve a first bite, while Warung RieRie is bringing one of its highly coveted dishes. Yes, this is the restaurant that currently has an eight-month waitlist. You’ll also find bites from The Shellfish Affair, The Waverly, Wolf in the Woods, Dora Ristorante, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, An’s Gelato, Pacific 333, Vintana, and more.

And because every good first act needs a soundtrack, there will be live painting and music, with Courtney Govan bringing live jazz to the reception. It’s the perfect opening act before the main event.

Live Cooking & Culinary Moments

During the VIP Reception, chefs Tommy Gomes and Jeff Roberto will conduct a live ahi cutting. Plant Paradise brings another culinary angle, with celebrity chef Zuliya Khawaja joining the plant-based lineup. The area combines chef talent with plant-forward restaurants and brands, giving guests a chance to see just how creative plant-based cooking can get.

Throughout the weekend, The Stage keeps the cooking demonstrations coming, with celebrities and chefs sharing techniques, recipes, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who plans to actually cook something when they get home. Before you know it, you’re watching a chef demo, casting your awards vote, and sipping mezcal on the grass with friends you just met in line.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

DJs, Music, & The Party

At the Grand Tasting, dancing just sort of… happens. A DJ drops the right song. Someone’s holding a taco in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The country zone breaks into a two-step. Friends convince friends. Strangers become temporary dance partners. By the end of the day, everyone’s forgotten they were ever worried about looking cool.

DJ TENAX will be spinning in Plant Paradise, bringing house, techno, and UKG to an open-air dance floor that’s hard to leave. Chris Cantore, a veteran San Diego broadcaster, takes over the VIP Tent, while BootScootin Line Dance and PVO Events bring country-style line dancing to the Polo Fields, so you can work off your tasting itinerary one two-step at a time.

Then a live guitar hum in the distance leads you to a fuchsia boa over at the Pride Zone, where you’ll find yourself covered in sequins and having the lawn party of a lifetime.

Sports, Tailgates, & Games

Not every activity at the festival requires a tasting glass (although it’s certainly encouraged).

The Matchday Experience brings San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC into the Grand Tasting, complete with interactive tents and plenty of game-day energy. Athletic Brewing is also sharing activation space with San Diego Wave FC, bringing a fun nonalcoholic option into the mix.

For golf fans, the Los Angeles Golf Club is bringing a Dryve Box golf simulator to the festival. And if your competitive streak is less fairway and more miniature windmill, SD Pop Up Mini Golf has you covered.

The Beach Zone gets in on the action, too, with surfing-inspired elements and Playavole paddle courts. Hemlock Hats and other California brands add to the coastal atmosphere, but the real draw is having somewhere to actually play. And don’t worry, you can cool down in COOLA’s turquoise beach chairs, too, and when your bestie suggests reapplying sunscreen, obviously you do. Basically, there are plenty of ways to work up an appetite between tastings.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

Photo Ops & Instagram Moments

You’re going to want to take photos, and the festival has made that extremely easy.

A Timeless Day is bringing multiple photo moments to the Grand Tasting, including a 1961 red Beetle at The Italian Getaway and a teal VW bus in The Beach Zone. For something a little more polished than the standard group selfie, head to the Locals Zone for Pixster Photo Booth and San Diego’s version of a Glam-Bot, complete with a grass red carpet.

Bebemos Tequila is also bringing back its festival-favorite hidden speakeasy. If there’s ever a time for a photo, it’s here. Otherwise, people might not believe you. The speakeasy serves bone marrow shots straight from the bone, with candlelight, a lounge area that makes it hard to believe you’re in a tent outside, and little orange shot glasses. This is “first slide of your festival photo dump” material.

You can also grab your squad and head to LaCroix’s bright and ridiculously cute setup, or swing by San Diego Magazine’s area, where you might stop for a photo in front of the larger-than-life SD Magazine sign and find yourself watching a painting come to life.

But really, you’re in Del Mar. The ocean is essentially your backdrop, and every zone gives you an excuse to stop for the obligatory “totally candid” photo. And yes, the best strategy is to get the group shot before everyone has been sampling wine for three hours.

Shop, Browse, & Take Something Home

The Grand Tasting also doubles as a little shopping excursion, with local makers, fashion, vintage finds, jewelry, and lifestyle brands scattered throughout the grounds. Smoke Revival Vintage Vault brings the thrill of vintage treasure hunting, while Nortte Hats and Hemlock Hat Company make a pretty good case for leaving with a new accessory.

Keep an eye out for jewelry and creative vendors, too, including Iris Studio Jewelry and New Nightfall Jewelry, plus local artists and makers featured throughout the festival. 

You can come for an all day food and wine festival, but still leave with something shiny you definitely did not plan to buy.

Wellness & Reset Moments

We know, at some point, even the most dedicated grazer has to come up for air. The Novo Dia Wellness Zone is designed for exactly that, bringing together mocktails, coffee, hydration, wellness brands, and even bites from Parakeet Cafe.

Step away from the food and drink frenzy for a few minutes, relax in the shade, try some skincare, stretch with prAna, and maybe grab some Instant Hydration Electrolytes before round three.

There’s also nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses at Green Air Botanicals while devouring a dairy-free cheese dip. It’s less about disappearing from the party and more about making sure you have enough energy to keep going.

The zones give you somewhere to wander, and the activities give you a reason to keep going. So grab your tasting glass, check the schedule, and leave a little room in your afternoon for something you didn’t plan on doing. At Del Mar Wine & Food, that’s usually where things get interesting.

Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.

Studio S SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

Vi at La Jolla Village – Senior Living in the Heart of Everything

At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.

Vi at La Jolla Village – Senior Living in the Heart of Everything
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.

All-access pass to good living.

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.

Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.

The harmony of mind, body and community.

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”

Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.

Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.

While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.

“Location, location, location”

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.

“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.

With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.

The best of all worlds.

Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village

At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.

This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.

To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.

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Everything SD SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

Experiential Zones at the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Fest

Some problems are worth having—like too many things to eat, sip, and do in one afternoon

Experiential Zones at the 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Fest
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, everyone has their own goals for the day. One friend wants oysters and Champagne. Another heard there’s line dancing. Someone disappeared into Taco Alley. The food person is making a beeline for every chef demo, the golf friend has found the simulator, and someone else is already settled into a beach chair with a mezcal cocktail and has announced they’re “never leaving.”

Consider yourself zoned in.

This year, the Grand Tasting turns the Del Mar Polo Fields into a full-blown foodie wonderland, with chef showdowns, wellness escapes, art installations, lawn games, music, and plenty of magazine-worthy plates. But the zones are where everyone gets to play their own way. You might sip your way through the SLO Zone, accidentally spend the afternoon behind the DJ booth in Plant Paradise, or live out your best beach day in The Beach Zone.

With 100-plus chefs and restaurants, 150-plus wineries, breweries, distilleries, and drink makers, plus a whole lot more happening in between, there’s no shortage of ways to spend the weekend. And with the Grand Tasting taking place October 3 and 4, there’s actually time to explore.

Because the problem with bringing your favorite people to an adult playground is that everyone wants to play differently. Luckily, you get two days to figure it out. Here’s where to start:

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

The Beef Experience

The Beef Experience, presented by Brandt Beef – One World Beef, is for the people who believe a food festival is a perfectly reasonable excuse to build an entire afternoon around meat. Brandt Beef brings its signature fare to the Polo Fields alongside a seriously stacked lineup of local favorites, from Tanner’s Prime Burgers and Ranch 45 to Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Order Fire Barbecue, Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen, The Pit BBQ, Aloha Rib Shack, and more.

And then there’s the tent you might almost miss.

Tucked into Brandt Beef Alley, Bebemos Tequila has set up what looks, from the outside, like a fairly unassuming tent. Walk inside, though, and you’ll find a full little speakeasy lounge, complete with a bar and one very dramatic tequila trick. The team lights the shots right in front of you before pouring them straight into guests’ mouths. Candlelight, fire, tequila, barbecue. Suddenly, your casual afternoon tasting has taken a turn.

Grab a plate of Brandt Beef tallow fries, chase it with a pour from Bebemos Tequila or Tap Truck San Diego, and maybe browse Nortte Hats while you recover. The rules are simple: follow the smoke, trust the grill, and maybe don’t make dinner plans afterward.

The Beach Zone

For the friend who thinks every good afternoon should involve a little sunshine, a cold drink, and nowhere to be, there’s The Beach Zone. Presented by Reef Lifestyle, this laid-back corner brings the San Diego summer fantasy to the Polo Fields, complete with coastal bites, beach-inspired brands, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.

Grab bites from Duke’s La Jolla, Jake’s Del Mar, Lofty Coffee Co., Dang Brother Pizza Co., and Coral Del Mar, then cool off with Summer Club, Volley, Surfside Iced Tea and Lemonade + Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mezo Mezoritas, Roseade Wine Spritzer, Pinkys, and more. Hemlock Hat Co., Coola, Sambazon, Playavole, Shibumi Shade, Spritz del Conte, and Out of the Woods add a little retail therapy to the mix, because the Grand Tasting obviously needs shopping, too.

And yes, there’s a photo op. Find the teal VW bus from A Timeless Day, gather your favorite people, and pretend you’ve spent the afternoon cruising the California coast instead of wandering around a wine and food festival.

It’s an area filled with surf-inspired games, your next favorite beach accessory, and a drink in hand. Basically, San Diego summer, condensed into one very convenient patch of grass.

Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival

Pride Zone

Neon boas, glitter-filled drinks, and enough food to make choosing a single dinner impossible. The Pride Zone presented by San Diego Pride is bringing the energy, gathering some of San Diego’s favorite restaurants, bars, breweries, and sweet spots in one very colorful corner of the Polo Fields. Expect bites and beverages from Cary Q Wines, Gossip Grill, Rootdown & Es Okay, T’Maro Brands, and more.

Plant Paradise

Plant Paradise is your green oasis, but don’t expect it to be particularly peaceful. DJ Tenax returns with house, techno, UKG, and the kind of set that can turn a quick stop into an hour on the open-air dance floor. As Green Air Botanicals sets the mood, grab a cocktail from Mission Craft Cocktails, Makku, or San Hagen Tequila, and a bite from the sprawling lineup of plant-based bites and snacks from some of San Diego’s vegan favorites.

Kindred, Nourish Eats, The Plot, Maya’s Cookies and more. There’s also a full lineup of brands to snack your way through, including Aficio 22, Bücha Hard Kombucha, Nichols Farms, Nuts For Cheese.

Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.

Music SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: September 23-27

Witness Erykah Badu in concert, see the Padres’ regular season finale, and toast to the San Diego Spirits Festival

15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: September 23-27
Courtesy of College Area Business District

It may be a bit too warm still for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice drinks, but beginning this week, locals and visitors can experience some of what San Diego has in store for fall. Fans of neo-soul grooves and R&B jams can catch concerts from Kehlani at Viejas Arena and Erykah Badu, along with The Alchemist, at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Oktoberfest is back in full swing, and local beer-laden celebrations include an all-day festival and artisan faire in Encinitas and the two weekend-long Oktoberfest in El Cajon. And if brews aren’t your preferred alcoholic beverage, the San Diego Sake Festival and the San Diego Spirits Festival are prime opportunities to sample a plethora of premium spirits.

JUMP TO: Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Courtesy of San Diego Sake Club

Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend

San Diego VegFest 

September 26

San Diego VegFest advocates for sustainable living, starting with a delicious and eco-friendly diet. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park, check out global food options, plant-based vendors, community resources, live music, a kids zone, and educational speaker panels. This free event also offers microchipping services, cat adoptions, and complimentary wellness classes, including yoga, tai chi, and meditation. RSVP here.

Balboa Park Boulevard and Presidents Way Lawn, Balboa Park

San Diego Spirits Festival

September 26 & 27

No matter if you prefer your cocktails shaken or stirred, all visitors to the 17th annual San Diego Spirits Festival can readily get in the mix this weekend. This Saturday (2:30-6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1-5 p.m.) at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, receive unlimited sips of expertly crafted cocktails and top-shelf spirits, indulge in a selection of artisanal bites from local eateries, and take in an array of live entertainment, including local band Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Admission is $89 for Saturday and $68 for Sunday for guests 21 and older.

700 Prospect Street, La Jolla

Taste of College Area

September 27

The neighborhoods surrounding San Diego State University are rich with food options, and this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., all are welcome to sample the college-adjacent fare. During the third annual Taste of College Area, dishes like chicken wings, ramen, and frozen yogurt will be available to try from a lineup of over 20 nearby eateries. Attendees can stroll to each stop or hop aboard the free Old Town Trolley to canvass the complete menu. Tickets are $40 online and $45 the day of. 

El Cajon Boulevard between 55th Street & 73rd Street, College Area & Rolando

San Diego Sake Festival

September 27

Premium sake is the star of this libation celebration from the San Diego Sake Club, returning this Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The 10th annual San Diego Sake Festival will showcase more than 100 premium sake and shochu varieties from Japan and the US, and guests can also sample Japanese beer, enjoy live performances, and converse with local brewers and sommeliers. Ticket options include general admission ($93) and Nonbei admission ($114), which comes with early entry at 2:30 p.m. and a $10 food voucher.

1735 Hancock Street, Mission Hills

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend

Kehlani at Viejas Arena

September 23

Both a love letter to old-school R&B and a testament to her creative and personal maturation, Kehlani’s self-titled album, released in April, feels like a new height for an artist continually on the rise. Standout tracks like “Folded” and “No Such Thing” are tailor made additions to her enviable collection of great love songs, and the project’s throwback feeling is punctuated by appearances from the likes of Brandy, Missy Elliott, and Lil Jon. Hear Kehlani from the woman herself this Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) at Viejas Arena, with opening sets by Dixson, Durand Burnarr, Waseel, and TheARTI$T. Tickets start at $83 for this concert. 

5500 Canyon Crest Drive, College Area

Local Oktoberfests 

September 25-27

Fill up your steins and break out your Bavarian threads—it’s Oktoberfest time in El Cajon and Encinitas. The first weekend of the German American Societies’ annual festival in El Cajon kicks off with games, contests, folk dancing, and traditional German cuisine this Friday (4-10 p.m.), Saturday (noon to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (noon to 9 p.m.); daily admission is $5-$15 for adults and free for those under 21 and active military. Meanwhile, this Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), the free Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire will feature oompah bands, a selection of craft and German brews, and over 130 vendors to shop from.  

1017 South Mollison Avenue, El Cajon | Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, Encinitas

My Hero Academia in Concert at Jacobs Music Center

September 26

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.

Partner Content SEPTEMBER 5, 2026

NewBridge School

San Diego Magazine's Private School Guide 2026

NewBridge School
Jog-a-thon

NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!

Enrollment: 100

Grades: K – 8

Tuition: $30,000

Deadline: Rolling

Gender:  All-inclusive

Details  Nonsectarian

Open House  Tours by appointment


12285 Oak Knoll Road • Poway, California 92064
858-679-5744 • [email protected] • thenewbridgeschool.com

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