July is just around the corner, and San Diego is heating up—literally and figuratively! From barbecue smoke and fireworks to the occasional SpaceX rocket lighting up the sky, there’s no shortage of excitement. Before the Fourth of July frenzy and your family from out of town descends upon you, take advantage of this weekend’s relative calm. Check out our top picks for things to do in San Diego this weekend before the festivities begin.
Food & Drink | Festivals & Art | Concerts & Theater | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
An Evening With The Culinary Icons Of Baja at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
June 27
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is hosting a gourmet nod to the culinary giants of the Valle de Guadalupe this Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Beginning with an hour-long welcome reception where guests can munch on light bites, begin exploring the night’s wine selections and listen to a live performance from Tijuana-based musician Azzul Monraz, before feasting on a multi-course pairing dinner. Chefs David Castro Hussong and Maribel Aldaco of Fauna & Bruma Wine Garden, chef Alfredo Villanueva of Villa Torél, and winemaker Lulú Martinez of Bruma Winery will all take part in crafting the evening’s creations. Tickets are $425 per person and include food, beverage, tax and gratuity.
5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
Nat Diego Natural Wine Festival
June 28 & 29
Natural wine drinkers emphasize the importance of simplicity, with an organic taste free of chemicals. Amateur oenophiles can see if they taste the natural difference this Friday and Saturday during the 6th Annual Nat Diego Natural Wine Festival, kicking off with an opening reception at Mabel’s Gone Fishing Friday night ($50). Saturday’s festivities at Bread & Salt begin with a tasting session ($70) with winemakers and wine aficionados alike from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and conclude with a free party from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for Friday and Saturday can be purchased here.
3770 30th Street, North Park | 1955 Julian Avenue, Barrio Logan
Taste of Adams Avenue Food Festival
June 30
Take a gastronomic trek of Normal Heights during the 23rd Annual Taste of Adams Avenue. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday, 40 standout restaurants, bakeries, bars and more will be offering a compact but plentiful menu of bites and sips that show off the neighborhood’s culinary zeal. Tasters can walk the foodie route, bike from place to place or take a complimentary trolley ride along Adams Avenue to complete the culinary course. Tickets to Taste of Adams Avenue are $50 and can be purchased here.
3441 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
Festivals & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Anchored in Wellness Festival at Liberty Station
June 29
Those looking to activate their mind, body and spirit can take part in “A Day of Movement & Mindfulness” at Ingram Plaza in Liberty Station. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be an array of fitness and relaxation activities, with meditation, massages, yoga classes, HIIT, sound baths, cold plunges and pickleball. There will also be live music from DJ Mancat, food trucks, a beer garden courtesy of Liberty Public Market, and a wellness village with dozens of local vendors. Tickets to the Anchored in Wellness Festival are $30 and can be purchased here.
2640 Cushing Road, Point Loma
Julian Town Square Music Festival
June 29
This Saturday, several local bands will rock the Julian Town Square during this outdoor music festival in East County from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The third annual festival, put on by the Julian Chamber of Commerce, will have a genre-spanning lineup with six San Diego-based groups—including the hometown Bree Jones Band—performing throughout the day. There will also be several food and craft vendors; though attendance is free, donations and contributions will be accepted for the continued development of the town square.
2712 Washington Street, Julian
Garry Winogrand: Man of the Crowd at the San Diego Museum of Art
Opens June 29
Influential photographer Garry Winogrand and several of the most iconic shots taken through his Leica camera will be on display through January 12 at the San Diego Museum of Art. Expect photos depicting the launch of Apollo 11, the animal stars of the Bronx Zoo, counterculture era demonstrations and controversial perspectives of women among the many pictures on the wall. As demonstrated in this exhibition, no matter what scene or sight he was covering, Winogrand immersed himself in his surroundings, resulting in detailed snapshots that captured distinct moments in time.
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
CheFest 2024 at The Che Cafe
June 29 & 30
Hybrid resource center, vegan eatery and volunteer-run venue The Che Cafe is hosting a weekend music festival this Saturday and Sunday starting at 4 p.m. Open to all ages, seven performers will hit the stage each day, with several screamo and punk acts from SoCal in the mix. Weekend passes are already sold out but $15 single-day tickets still remain; tickets are $20 at the door. Proceeds from this two-day benefit show will go towards the Palestinian Youth Movement and further socially conscious programming at The Che Cafe.
1000 Scholars Drive South, La Jolla
Concerts & Theater in San Diego This Weekend
Rady Shell 2024 Summer Season Opening Weekend
June 28-30
With conductor Gemma New at the helm and pianist Olga Kern on the keys, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra will open the Rady Shell’s Summer 2024 Season Friday night. The following evening, the waterfront venue will host The Music of John Williams on Saturday night, led by conductor David Newman, lauding the composer of arguably the most recognizable cinematic scores. The opening weekend finale will be An Evening with Audra McDonald. Each show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature the San Diego Symphony Orchestra; tickets are still available for each concert, starting at $42.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
World Ballet Festival: Ballet Blockbusters at San Diego Civic Theatre
June 29
During its multi-city theater tour, the World Ballet Festival concocts an intriguing sampler of seductive ballet works aimed at initiating first-time ballet audiences and satisfying long-time theater devotees. This Saturday at the San Diego Civic Theatre, a talented mix of artists from local ballet institutes and big city performing arts troupes, including special guests Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia of the New York City Ballet, will provide a classical ballet entry point. Tickets for this performance are ranging from $35 to $95.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
Jazz on Tap: 2024 at Quartyard
June 29
The Water for People San Diego Committee, Avista and KSDS Jazz 88.3 are bringing a breezy afternoon of music, to raise money for the supply of clean drinking water worldwide, to the East Village this Saturday. The tunes will play throughout the afternoon at Quartyard, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with an outdoor festival lineup full of San Diego jazz luminaries, headlined by Gilbert Castellanos. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be a craft beer garden for the adults at the venue. Tickets are $35 when purchased in advance online and $45 at the door.
1301 Market Street, East Village
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
The Eric Andre Show Live! at the House of Blues
June 28
Notorious for his chaotic and surreal antics-driven comedy style, Eric Andre is taking his Adult Swim variety/talk show “The Eric Andre Show” to the House of Blues on Friday night. Doors will open at 8 p.m., with the show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets for Eric Andre Show Live! are available for $64.
1055 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
Oceanside Independence Day Parade
June 29
The 28th Annual Oceanside Independence Day Parade will celebrate the 4th of July with a theme of “Celebrating Our Heritage.” This year’s festivities will feature military members, first responders and more than 100 neighborhood organizations parading the streets via cars, floats and on foot. As a special piece of recognition, a trio of Oceanside community advocates will be highlighted as hometown heroes for their extensive volunteer work. The Parade begins at 10 a.m.
Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive, Oceanside
North Park Mini Book Fair
June 29
Whether you’re swimming in #BookTok recommendations or just looking for a new paperback to bring to the beach, the North Park Mini Book Fair is a bite-sized book fair for readers to shop local and find their next novel obsession. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., several San Diego independent bookstores and vendors will be selling books from a variety of authors, graphic artists and genres at North Park Mini Park. Expect appearances from Mysterious Galaxy, Joyride Bookshop and many more, with live music from Adam Gnade, interactive activities and more at this free extravaganza from Verbatim Books.
3812 29th Street, North Park
