With summer in full swing and a high 70s in the forecast for this weekend, there is no better time to be outside, especially with the return of marquee events like the Over The Line World Championships, Beethoven by the Bay and the University of San Diego Wine Classic. Outdoor activities also include Marine Band San Diego’s annual show in Little Italy and the start of the Friday night concert series at Point Loma Park. But if you need a break from the heat, there’s plenty to do inside, too, like catching a retro film screening at Balboa Theatre or stopping by Thumbprint Gallery’s Cats & Castles exhibition, an artistic tribute to Studio Ghibli. Here are the best things to do this weekend in San Diego:
Come on Barbie, let’s go party! The newest location of the traveling Malibu Barbie Cafe will open its doors at Bayside Kitchen and Bar this Friday, inviting all to revel in the hot pink paradise of Barbie’s world. Features include photo-ops and exclusive Barbie merchandise, a menu crafted by chef Becky Brown and a skate rink with a $1 donation to skate (all proceeds will go to Girls Inc.). Tickets, starting at $25, come with 90-minute seating, a $10 food credit and a $5 merch credit; children ages 2 and under don’t need a ticket. Reserve your spot here.
Jitters Coffee Pub has recently undergone a facelift, with renovations, a new investor in local resident Jason Mraz and a revamped plant-based menu from Felix Alcaide of One Kitchen Collaborative. Now, Oceanside’s oldest coffee shop is planning on hosting more community events, including live music, comedy nights and Taco Tuesdays. To cement this new chapter, Jitters is hosting a free Summer Bash this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. with live music, vegan fish tacos, and local vendors.
510 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
University of San Diego Wine Classic
July 12
There will be plenty of cork-popping at the University of San Diego Wine Classic, with over 20 wineries from California and around the globe pouring this Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Held in USD’s scenic Garden of the Sea, adjacent to the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, the event will fundraise for the school’s Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund. Attendees can enjoy unlimited drink tastings and gourmet food, plus live musical entertainment, auction items, a commemorative wine glass and free parking. Tickets are $145 and $165 the day of the event.
5998 Alcala Park, Morena
Courtesy of SeaWorld
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Point Loma Summer Concerts
Fridays from July 11 – August 8
The Point Loma Summer Concerts series is celebrating a quarter century of summertime performances with a lineup of free Friday night shows at Point Loma Park beginning this week. The first of five installments in this year’s series will be headlined by the George Harrison tribute band By George (6:30 p.m.) and feature Against the Grain on the junior stage (5:30 p.m.) as well as a patriotic performance from Anna & Rice. Pull up to the park for this community concert and enjoy catering from the Point Loma Farmers Market.
SeaWorld San Diego is welcoming Soulja Boy and Bow Wow for the next installment of its Summer Spectacular Concert Series this Saturday at 6 p.m. Soulja Boy is a digital rap pioneer with an iconic dance and an influential catalog to boot, while Bow Wow has amassed several classic songs throughout a career that first began in his early teens. All performances in the concert series at Bayside Amphitheater are included with park admission, but parkgoers can upgrade by purchasing reserved ($70) or VIP ($95) seating.
500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay
Marine Band San Diego Summer Concert
July 12
This year marks 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps, and the 35-piece Marine Band San Diego will mark the occasion with a free performance in the Piazza della Famiglia this Saturday at 7 p.m. This annual summertime concert highlights the musical talents of the armed forces, with the 2025 program focusing on illustrious American composers such as John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore, John Williams and George Gershwin.
Beethoven by the Bay has become a seasonal tradition at the Rady Shell, with each summer showcase exploring the works of an incomparable composer. During Sunday’s performance (7:30 p.m.), the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marie Jacquot, will begin with Beethoven’s Overture to Coriolan and conclude with his Symphony No. 6. In between the two Beethoven compositions, violinist Clara-Jumi Kang will play the Violin Concerto of Beethoven’s German compatriot Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets range from $54 to $130 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Courtesy of Moonlight Amphitheatre
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Anastasia at Moonlight Amphitheatre
July 9-26
As with the 1997 animated film of the same name, the musical Anastasiastems from the myth of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna escaping her family’s execution by the Bolsheviks. In this historical fantasy, a young amnesiac woman named Anya teams up with a pair of con men in the hope of reconnecting with her remaining family. Though the story of what happened in real life is much less enchanting, Anastasia posits this tall tale as a romantic story with an uplifting soundtrack. Tickets range from $45 to $67 for this production at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.
A young prince in the Middle Ages searches far and wide to fulfill his life’s purpose, and maybe even find happiness, through acts of lust, power and desperation during Pippin. The Star Theatre Company’s upcoming production will be based on its 2013 Broadway revival and feature acrobatic choreography, a live orchestra, and—as with any performance of Pippin—plenty of fourth wall breaks. Tickets range from $22 to $32, with shows this Friday (7:30 p.m.), Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) at the Star Theatre.
402 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
Cats & Castles: A Studio Ghibli Fan Art Show at Thumbprint Gallery
July 11-26
The films of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio behind My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and many more gems, depict mythical and magical worlds packed with wonderfully beautiful scenery and emotionally expansive stories. Through its newest exhibition, Cats & Castles: A Studio Ghibli Fan Art Show, Thumbprint Gallery is showcasing the nostalgic works of 10 artists inspired by the bountiful creations of the Studio Ghibli universe. Cats & Castles will have a free opening reception this Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
920 Kline Street, La Jolla
Conversations in Art: Dignity at the Museum of Photographic Arts
July 11 – Jan. 4, 2026
Through this installment of the Conversations in Art initiative, four local artists have drawn from pieces in the San Diego Museum of Art’s collection to thoroughly explore the theme of “dignity.” This exhibition will feature new works from Hugo Crosthwaite, Anthony Sigala, Cat Chiu Phillips and The Aja Project co-founder Shinpei Takeda. The AjA Project’s Back Alley Poets Club will perform and read poetry this Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the exhibition’s opening at the Museum of Photographic Arts; RSVP for free here.
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
Hiding in Plain Site: Retrospective of an Unknown Artist at Union Hall Gallery
July 12 – August 10
Hiding in Plain Site unveils over 30 years of private artwork crafted by Joseph A. Henseler, with 88 original works and limited edition prints on public display for the first time. This exhibition is a diverse spread of artistic mediums and includes skills Henseler learned under the tutelage of the legendary James Hubbell. Hiding in Plain Site will have a free opening night party this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Union Hall Gallery with live music, refreshments and a Q&A with the artist.
2323 Broadway, Golden Hill
Jean Lowe, Abraham Razo and Kim MacConnel: Down with the Hierarchy! At Best Practice
July 12 – August 16
In Down with the Hierarchy! Encinitas-based artist Jean Lowe and Mexicali-based graffiti artist Abraham Razo, plus a furniture element from Kim MacConnel, muddy the traditional definitions of highbrow and lowbrow by combining French period decoration, Persian carpet design and street art. This collaborative installation at Best Practice Gallery will include displays of graffiti, florals and furniture interacting with paintings and sculpture. Down with the Hierarchy! will have a free opening reception with the featured artists this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
1955 Julian Avenue, Logan Heights
Courtesy of Old Mission Beach Athletic Club
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
The Basement Yard Experience at the Balboa Theatre
July 10 & 11
The Basement Yard Podcast co-hosts and longtime besties Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez are bringing their wonderfully chaotic bickering to the Balboa Theatre with a pair of live shows. During The Basement Yard Experience, fans can enjoy absurdly funny debates, amusing personal stories and plenty of audience participation—with some fans potentially being invited onstage. Tickets are $64 for the The Basement Yard Experience, happening Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.
Over the Line World Championships at Fiesta Island Park
July 12-20
Stop by Fiesta Island Park this weekend and next for a glimpse at the greatest show on sand during the 72nd annual Over the Line World Championships. Through this yearly tournament, Old Mission Beach Athletic Club keeps the local tradition alive with a series of high-stakes matchups between men’s and women’s teams across different age groups and skill levels. Spectators are free to come watch and cheer on their favorite teams, plus it’s still not too late to register for a spot (starting at $56).
1590 E Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay
Retro Rewind at the Balboa Theatre
July 13
This Sunday as part of its Retro Rewind series, the Balboa Theatre will host a double feature of essential ‘80s cinema with The Gooniesat 1 p.m. and The Lost Boysat 6 p.m. These throwback films will be paired with old school concessions to take in the adventurous stories on the big screen. Plus, the theater’s second floor bar will be serving specialty cocktails for each screening, with the lemon-lime and vodka mixture of The Goonie Glow and David’s Blood, a red rum and citrus fusion. Tickets range from $18 to $36 for The Gooniesand The Lost Boys.
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.
Before, during, and after the Fourth of July, San Diegans can commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with an abundance of stars, stripes and local celebrations. America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell and Lamb’s Players Theatre’s revival of American Rhythm will look back at the many songs which define our country. Liberty Station’s Anchored in Freedom celebration and the Independence Day Carnival offer community-centered fun and loads of family-friendly activities. And who can possibly forget the Big Bay Boom, which will resume its reign over San Diego Bay as the state’s biggest fireworks show. Outside of the holiday festivities, this week brings the yearly return of Little Italy’s Summer Sera and the Athenaeum Summer Festival, as well as a slate of championship matches for All Elite Wrestling.
Sip on refreshing beverages and savor a panoramic rooftop view this Friday from 6-8 p.m. during the 21-plus Sunset & Spritz at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. There will be a live DJ (until 9 p.m.), appetizers, pool and cabana access, a photo booth, and a cash bar (until 11 p.m.). To accentuate the summer theme, guests are invited to dress in white, pink, and orange attire. Tickets are $29 and come with a welcome aperol spritz.
616 J Street, Gaslamp
The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya
July 3 & 4
Bring a patriotic palette to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar for The 250 Grand Tasting Menu at Amaya this Friday and Saturday from 5-8:30 p.m. Patrons will be treated to a five-course tasting menu, curated to exhibit a selection of standout regional flavors and culinary concepts that have shaped our country’s distinct food heritage. The meal will also include beverage pairings with each course, such as wine, cocktails, and artisanal drinks. Reservations are $330 per person (with tax and 20% gratuity) on OpenTable.
Don Toliver thrives at being the life of the party (and the “After Party”). His fifth album Octane, released in February, is indicative of his thrill-seeking nature. As with his earlier releases, Octane sees Toliver operating in the space between hip-hop and R&B, with warbling vocals and blaring beats that are best heard at a high volume. This Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Toliver will play at Pechanga Arena, with rappers SoFaygo, Chase B and SahBabii—who had a guest verse on Octane standout “K9”—as special guests. Tickets start at $156 for this concert.
What makes musicals like Wicked, Cats, Chicago, and Jersey Boys so timeless is the legion of excellent songs that makes fans out of those who’ve never even watched the show. This Friday at 7:30 p.m. during Blockbuster Broadway! at The Rady Shell, conductor Evan Roider, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and veteran vocalists Alex Getlin, Jessica Hendy, Scott Coulter, and John Boswell (also on piano) will perform an all-star theater soundtrack. In addition to the shows named above, audiences can expect songs from A Chorus Line, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie,and more. Tickets range from $57 to $129 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
America The Beautiful: 250 at The Rady Shell
July 4
One night after recognizing the brilliance of Broadway, The Rady Shell will ring in the United States’ landmark anniversary with America The Beautiful: 250 this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Conductor Byron Stripling, joined by a five-performer ensemble and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, will lead a night of ballads that best resemble the red, white, and blue, including songs sourced from the Great American Songbook. After the show, concertgoers are invited to watch the nearby Big Bay Boom from their seats. Tickets range from $71 to $139 for this concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Athenaeum Summer Festival at Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
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.
Summer has officially kicked off, and San Diego is celebrating the sunny season with a myriad of fun events. From San Diego Pride week and a fairytale performance at Civic Theatre to a Santigold concert and Comic-Con, there are dozens of opportunities to make memories worth adding to your scrapbook. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this July:
Divine inspirations, operatic ballads, and symphonic pop production elevate Rosalía’s Lux to heavenly levels. Hear angelic vocals ascend—in up to 13 languages—during her performance at Pechanga Arena.
Enjoy a night of feel-good indie rock and sing-along anthems at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre courtesy of Young the Giant and special guest Cold War Kids.
29
Santigold collects genres like gold stars: musical accouterments that brighten her uniquely alternative sound. See her live in concert with dancehall producer Troy Baker Sound at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.
Two male government workers pursue a secret romance amid the Lavender Scare in the San Diego Opera’s production of “Fellow Travelers” at the Balboa Theatre.
Audrey Hepburn. Marlon Brando. Salvador Dalí. What do these icons have in common? Each was the enigmatic focus of a Cecil Beaton portrait. Step inside Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World, an alluring showcase of 20th-century style at San Diego Museum of Art.
Courtesy of San Diego Pride
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
1
The Little Italy Mercato will trade morning rays for golden-hour glow through its free Summer Sera, an expansion of the neighborhood’s farmers market with live music, artisanal finds, and a fetching amount of pet activities.
11–19
San Diego Pride week starts with a Dyke March and ends with the two-day “Pride Shines On” festival. The days in between? Run a 5K, march in the parade, visit the rainbow-lit St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, and more.
19
Dress up for a Mediterranean-themed tea time at the Estancia La Jolla, a laid-back yet refined afternoon planned for the resort’s monthly Tea in the Garden series.
23–26
Nerd culture’s biggest gathering returns to the Convention Center. San Diego Comic-Con welcomes fans of everything from comic book cinema to ultra-rare collectibles for panels, exhibits, sneak peeks, and much more.
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.
That's the question at the center of a new collaborative arts initiative launching this September, celebrating the artists, performers, designers, and makers shaping the region
You may not know his name, but if you were one of the millions of people who traveled in and out of Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport in 2024, you’ve seen his work. David Mont Virgen was born and raised in Tijuana. He earned a degree in international business and studied interior design in Madrid. In early 2020 during the global pandemic, he made one of life’s impactful pivots and decided to pursue art full time.
David works between San Diego and Tijuana, in the cross-border corridor that is, depending on who you ask, either one of the most complicated places to build a life or one of the most generative creative regions in the country. He makes minimalist work—paintings, sculpture, objects. To do minimalism well, you have to be very good, because there is nowhere to hide. That airport piece? It’s officially entered the permanent collection of the San Diego Museum of Art. David is very good.
While his work was gaining real traction in San Diego, his marriage ended. When that relationship dissolved, the legal and physical ground beneath his feet shook: The future of his citizenship was now in limbo. David looked at his options and chose yet another life pivot.
An accomplished working artist with a piece in a museum’s permanent collection enlisted in the U.S. Army, at a time when this country is at war. David describes this period of his life with grace, as “…an opportunity to choose myself and move forward with greater clarity and intention. For the love of self.”
That phrase, “For the Love of Self,” became the title of his show, which opened at the Guild Hotel in January 2026 with support from Oram Hotels and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego. Jennifer Findley of JFin Collective led the curation. Within weeks of the show’s debut, David shipped off to train with the army. It would be easy to read his enlistment as purely practical, and citizenship was part of his calculus, but he is precise about his reasons: He wants to continue building a future in this country and building a future for this country. Because service, he says, feels connected to art. “Both are rooted in the belief that we are responsible for contributing something larger than ourselves.”
David is one creator out of many whose story hasn’t yet been told, but whose path reflects the world we live in. The truth he represents is that the artists in this city are creating under increasingly challenging constraints even as their work actively shapes the world we move through—the places we gather, the neighborhoods we love and live in—whether we know their names or not.
It’s time their stories are told.
This fall, we’ll be publishing an ambitious arts and culture issue made possible by the support of two organizations who are underwriting an expanded freelance budget with one question at its center: Who makes San Diego, San Diego?
The Art & Design District—a Prebys-supported initiative to develop and shape a dedicated area of the city for creative work, led by Jonathan Glus—has joined as co-publisher of our September issue. SDFC Playmakers led by Sebastian Morúa, the MLS team’s program dedicated to showcasing San Diego’s creative community, has also joined as digital co-publisher for the next six months.
With their support, our freelance budget has tripled. In the spirit of radical transparency, and because our readers deserve to know how our work is funded, our typical monthly print freelance budget is about $6,000. That supports writing, photography, and design across more than 100 pages. Our monthly digital budget is $2,500.
With the support of our co-publishers, we’ve brought on Aaryn Belfer, one of San Diego’s most respected editorial voices, as the issue’s special editor. Alongside Troy Johnson, content chief; and Emma Veidt, editor; she is helping shape the editorial vision of the issue.
With an expanded team, we’ll soon bring on a digital producer and an additional art designer. We’ll produce an expansive portrait of the artists, makers, performers, and institutions defining this region’s creative life, commission original photography, and create a comprehensive fall arts and culture calendar. The issue will anchor a six-month editorial program that will extend across digital, social media, video, podcast, and newsletters through early next year.
We have been doing this for 78 years, and we have learned how to do it well with limited resources. But the conversation happening in San Diego right now—about the role arts and culture play in shaping a city and the role a city plays in shaping arts and culture—is one that demands more than what our standard monthly budget can produce. Until now.
This partnership model is new to us but the challenges that precede it are not new to media, particularly on the local level. And yet, this collaboration serves as real proof that civic organizations and local media can work together to document and preserve the story of a place and the people who make it, for the record.
David told me that San Diego gave him a sense of belonging. That he felt supported and encouraged to keep growing. Not because life got easier, but because he learned to trust himself through uncertainty.
Today, he’s somewhere in basic training. But he is still an artist and he will keep making work. The artists in this city are almost never just one thing. They are painters and soldiers, sculptors and teachers, dancers and mathematicians. David is a minimalist artist and a U.S. Army recruit. He is Tijuana and San Diego. He is, in the most literal sense, still becoming.
A great city knows its makers. I want San Diego to be that city.
San Diego summers can be brutal. But since the hottest period is typically late summer into early fall, San Diegans still have time to prepare. The pros at Mauzy Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical are standing by to help homeowners fortify their homes against the elements and ensure their air conditioning is as frosty as the penguins that serve as the company’s mascots.
Many homeowners underestimate the load their AC system faces, especially in the inland valleys where temperatures regularly top 100 degrees. San Diego regularly sees multi-day heatwaves each summer, and a system that struggles on the first day will likely fail by the third.Longer run times, unusual sounds or smells, and uneven cooling from room to room are all signs that your system may not survive the next hot spell.
Systems typically last 12 to 17 years, but there are exceptions. If a system is approaching that, or is already there, a professional evaluation is recommended before summer really heats up. A good rule of thumb: If you can’t remember when your system was last serviced, it’s due.
“As technology changes, systems become smarter and smarter,” says Sean O’Connor, an install manager at Mauzy with 42 years of experience. “There are a lot of people out there who will say a system’s only good for 10 years. I don’t buy that—these systems are built to last as long as they’re taken care of.”
There are also a few steps homeowners can take between services to extend the life of their system. Regularly changing a dirty filter—especially if you have kids or pets—and keeping an outdoor unit clean can help head off problems in the future, says O’Connor.
Also, be realistic about whether it’s time to replace a unit. O’Connor likens pouring money into salvaging a faulty unit with patchwork repairs and replacement parts to “tripping over a dollar to pick up a dime.” When one part fails, others are sure to follow, and newer parts may not be compatible with older units. Mauzy recommends homeowners use the 50% rule: If a repair costs more than 50% of the system’s replacement value, and the equipment is over 10 years old, replacement is usually the better long-term value. And don’t forget the ducting. An older house that was built with heat and later had air conditioning added may not have sufficient airflow, regardless of how good the system is.
Last but not least, homeowners should know who to trust when it comes to their homes. Built on three generations of professional integrity, Mauzy has grown into not just a leader for cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical services, but a leader in the community known for supporting local nonprofits across an array of causes. To ensure complete peace of mind, Mauzy stands behind a comprehensive 12-point guarantee that outlines its commitment to outstanding service, quality equipment, expert technicians who understand how the local microclimates affect HVAC performance, and no upsells or surprises on the bill.
“We go the extra mile. That’s what sets us apart,” O’Connor says. To get a free quote today, visit mauzy.com.
As summertime inches closer to the shores of San Diego, there are plenty of reasons to be ecstatic. For one thing, there’s the impending arrival of the summer solstice (Sunday), and three days before that, Del Mar’s own Summer Solstice will return for its yearly golden hour. There are also plenty of local Juneteenth events, such as Kinfolk Fest, the Cooper Family Foundation’s Juneteenth Celebration, and The Freedom Table, a new, food-centered event from the originators of Juneteenth San Marcos. We’re also less than three weeks away from America’s 250th anniversary, and the celebrations range from the San Diego History Center’s America 250: San Diego 1776-2026 to NASCAR’s weekend of racing at Naval Base Coronado.
Cbar has planned a week’s worth of festivities to mark its first birthday, and everyone can get in on the fun. The 1-Year Anniversary Week celebrations continue with a special edition of the Sips & Shells craft series ($50) on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m., half-off pastries with any purchase of a barista drink (plus an anniversary summer wine flight) on Wednesday and a five-course winemaker dinner on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. ($130). Finally, the birthday bash will conclude with live music on Friday (Will Fedak) and Saturday (Cappo Kelley) from 6-9 p.m.
2917 State Street, Carlsbad
Taste of Little Italy
June 16 & 17
Little Italy’s annual food crawl has so many options that it warrants splitting into two evenings, each boasting a diverse lineup of 20 neighborhood vendors. During the Taste of Little Italy, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-8 p.m., attendees can make their way from the Piazza della Famiglia to nearby dining destinations for bites like esquites, sausage rolls, hot chicken tenders, and forkfuls of handmade pasta. Each night will also include live music and stops for drinks, desserts, and vegetarian items. Tickets are $71 per day.
As spring makes its golden transition into summer, welcome the new season with open arms and a big appetite during Del Mar Village’s marquee tasting event this Thursday from 5-8 p.m. With the Summer Solstice celebrating its 20th anniversary, this year’s iteration will include dozens of food and drink offerings from Del Mar Village vendors, soulful tunes from Christian Jules Taylor, live art by Sarah O’Connor, and wave-crashing views at Powerhouse Park. General admission (21+) is $157 and comes with unlimited tastings as well as a commemorative tasting glass, while VIP tickets are sold out; proceeds support the Del Mar Village Association.
1658 Coast Boulevard, Del Mar
The Freedom Table at TERI Campus of Life
June 19
After hosting the first-ever Juneteenth San Marcos festival in 2025, Lionel and Natalie Saulsberry have upped the ante with The Freedom Table, an elevated observance of community, culture, and the culinary arts. This Friday from 4-9 p.m. at TERI Campus of Life, guests can enjoy storytelling, art installations, live music, curated cocktails, and a chef-led dining experience, all in recognition of Juneteenth’s lasting importance. Ticket options include general admission ($261), plus two charitable ticket options: supporter ($313) and impact ($417), with a portion of sales going towards the youth nonprofit Achievement in Motion.
555 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos
Talladega Nights Father’s Day Brunch at ARLO
June 21
In honor of NASCAR’s Coronado debut and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, ARLO is throwing a Father’s Day brunch for the dads who want to go fast. This Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., patrons can order from ARLO’s regular brunch menu, as well as a trio of holiday specials: the Dad’s Day Steak and Fries ($64), the Fit For a King Muffuletta Sandwich ($29), and the Big Daddy Brookie ($14). This shake and bake-approved meal will also include a DJ, cigar rollings, whiskey tastings and a Ricky Bobby costume contest. Reservations can be made online.
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.
The initial project will be a landmark September edition of San Diego Magazine—fully dedicated to the people, ideas, and identities of the city’s creative community. After its release, those stories and more will extend across six months of integrated digital, social, and multi-platform coverage. Art & Design District and SDFC Playmakers will serve as co-publishers of the expanded editorial vision.
The Art & Design District is evolving into San Diego’s first home for the performing arts at iconic downtown venues like the Civic Theatre and Jacobs Music Center alongside research and development programs focused on artist live/work spaces, galleries, studios, and New School of Architecture & Design.
“[The Art & Design District initiative] is a long-term investment in San Diego’s creative life and the creative workforce that powers our cultural experiences and creative industries here at home and across the world,” says Jonathan Glus, Prebys Senior Fellow for Art & Design in Residence at Downtown San Diego Partnership. “But infrastructure alone is not enough. The public needs to see, understand, and participate in what’s being built and why. Joining as co-publisher of this issue means helping ensure that the story of San Diego’s creative community—its artists, its institutions, its future—gets told at the level of ambition the moment requires.”
San Diego has entered a defining chapter in how the region invests in its creative community, with civic and philanthropic leaders working alongside artists, brands, institutions, and people to chart a new model of public-private support for arts and culture.
As digital co-publishers of San Diego Magazine‘s arts and culture coverage, SDFC’s Playmakers partnership will include a six-month integrated collaboration designed to sustain the visibility of San Diego’s creative community well beyond a single issue.
“The Playmakers program was built on the belief that the creative community is essential to what makes San Diego, San Diego,” says Sebastian, San Diego FC’s SVP of Brand and Innovation. “Investing in local media that tells those stories—and reaches the audiences who need to hear them—is one of the most direct ways we can support the artists, organizations, and cultural leaders shaping this city’s future. We’re proud to step in as digital co-publishers of San Diego Magazine‘s arts and culture coverage and the founding partner of this new editorial program.”
Under the partnerships:
The Art & Design District joins as Co-Publisher of the September 2026 Arts & Culture Issue, undwriting San Diego Magazine‘s most ambitious editorial event of the year.
SDFC Playmakers joins as Digital Co-Publisher of San Diego Magazine‘s arts and culture coverage, founding a six-month integrated partnership that includes co-publisher presence in the September issue.
The partnership represents a new model for regional media: civic and cultural institutions providing the resources required for sustained, ambitious, local editorial media focused on the neighborhoods it serves.
“For 78 years, the magazine has told the story of arts and culture here,” says Claire Johnson, CEO of San Diego Magazine. “But the fragmentation of traditional media has made it harder than ever to cover this community at the depth and scale it deserves. SDFC Playmakers and the Art & Design District have recognized something critical: Media is not separate from the civic conversation, it’s the stage for the conversation.”
San Diego Magazine retains full editorial control over all reporting, features, and original content produced under both partnerships.
“Our role in this ecosystem is to tell the story of San Diego’s culture and provide context for our readers.” says Johnson. “These partnerships give us the resources to do justice to that responsibility—and to extend that commitment well beyond a single issue. Our readers also deserve to know exactly how this work was funded. I’m grateful to our partners, and to the arts and culture community in San Diego for letting us tell this story.”
The September Arts & Culture Issue will be released early September 2026, with digital, social, video, and podcast coverage rolling out through early 2027.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE For 78 years, San Diego Magazine has been the region’s leading lifestyle and culture publication, reaching approximately 6 million readers monthly across print, digital, newsletter, and social platforms. Owned and operated locally, the magazine has been the connective tissue of San Diego’s cultural conversation since 1948.
ABOUT SDFC PLAYMAKERS The Playmakers program is an ongoing initiative that seeks to identify and showcase the talent of San Diego creatives who are contributing to the culture, substance, and flow of our community. We want to bring the San Diego community together by marrying football and creativity to provide a platform for these Playmakers who are positively impacting our culture by pushing the boundaries through innovative ideas. The goal is to create a program that consistently provides growth and exposure opportunities for San Diego creatives, while shaping an authentic direction for San Diego FC’s brand and community-building process. Through this program we hope to contribute to the creative fabric of our city by providing paid jobs, projects, collaborations, as well as networking opportunities for Playmakers.
ABOUT THE ART & DESIGN DISTRICT The Art & Design District is a Downtown San Diego Partnership initiative, supported by the Prebys Foundation, working to shape a connected, vibrant arts and design district in downtown San Diego. Led by Art and Culture Expert Fellow Jonathan Glus, the initiative convenes artists, cultural leaders, civic stakeholders, and residents in service of a downtown that reflects the creativity, identity, and diversity of the region. Learn more at downtownsandiego.org.
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.
