After a heat wave kept us all languishing in our houses (or begging for a breeze on the beach), we’re all itching to get out there and explore all the fun events San Diego has to offer. In the coming days, cheer on the competitors at the SurferGirl Surf Pro, run a 5K through Mission Beach, or check out 13 other things to do in San Diego this weekend.
See what’s cookin’ by the beach at the Heart of PB Restaurant Walk. Snacks, dinner, and dessert will be on the menu from 4 to 9 p.m. this Thursday. While munching on bites like falafel, pasta, seafood, macarons, and ice cream, listen to live music from San Diego artists and explore art installations along Garnet Avenue and pop-up tattoos, piercings, and merch. Tickets are $35 online now and $40 the day of.
Garnet Avenue between Dawes and Lamont Streets, Pacific Beach
San Diego Restaurant Week
September 22–29
San Diego Restaurant Week is back for the fall, so it’s the perfect time to get great deals at your favorite local spots or venture out to the new must-try eateries popping up on your Instagram feed. Beginning this Sunday, there will be special menus, starting at $20, for dinner, brunch, lunch, and cocktails at over 100 restaurants. Though no prior RSVP is required, reservations are encouraged.
Citywide
Courtesy of Adams Avenue Business Association
Concerts & Festivals This Weekend in San Diego
Solento Surf Festival
September 19–21
The Solento Surf Festival brings a lineup of short and feature surfing films to La Paloma Theatre. There will also be panels, raffles, and live music performances. Tickets are $35 plus fees for each day. Raffle and drink sales from the festival will go to the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation.
471 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Pacific Islander Festival San Diego
September 21–22
Shop accessories, clothing, and décor from various local vendors and taste island flavors, from doughy malasadas to savory barbecue, at PIFA San Diego. This free annual weekend festival at Ski Beach celebrates Pacific Islander cultures with food, activities, and live entertainment, including several dance performances on the main stage.
1600 Vacation Road, Mission Bay
Adams Avenue Street Fair
September 21–22
Live music is the main event at the free Adams Avenue Street Fair, with over 75 musicians and bands playing on seven stages spread over 10 blocks, but don’t forget the carnival rides, craft food, and 300 onsite vendors, either. The street fair also features a trio of beer gardens, and attendees can take full advantage of the brews by purchasing VIP beer presale tickets, which are $21 and come with four beers.
34th Street and Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
Samara Joy at California Center for the Arts, Escondido
September 22
Despite her youth, 24-year-old Samara Joy has a classic sound, as proven on her lovely debut “Can’t Get Out of This Mood.” Now, on the heels of her sophomore album Portrait, Joy will perform an evening concert at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Tickets for Sunday’s performance range from $42 to $102.
340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido
Reyna Tropical at Soda Bar
September 22
Reyna Tropical’s Malegria is one of the year’s best album releases, a powerful Latin American cultural fusion blending cumbia, folk music, and generational wisdom. The band will give an intimate performance this Sunday at Soda Bar. Tickets are $24.21.
615 El Cajon Boulevard, City Heights
Courtesy of ICA San Diego
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
For Dear Life: Art, Medicine, and Disability at MCASD La Jolla
Opens September 19
For Dear Life, on display through February 2, 2025, fills seven galleries at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Starting in the 1960s, the exhibition traces the history of disability activism and its intersection with other social movements, celebrating the work of more than 80 artists in the process.
700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
Palatable Gay Robot at Diversionary Theater
September 21
Veteran stage performer Stephen Browser will give two performances of his comedic one-man show, Palatable Gay Robot, at the Diversionary Theater in University Heights this Saturday, challenging the expectations placed on gay artists through song, stand-up, and dance. There will be shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and tickets are $23 for each performance.
4545 Park Boulevard, University Heights
ArtWalk Carlsbad
September 21 & 22
Explore the work of more than 150 regional and international artists near one of San Diego’s most scenic settings, the Carlsbad Flower Fields. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, ArtWalk Carlsbad will include live music, food trucks, and plenty of art to admire for free.
Armada Drive, Carlsbad
Nathalie Miebach: Restless Waters at ICA Central
September 21 – January 26, 2025
Data is much more than numbers on a sheet for Boston-based artist Nathalie Miebach, who incorporates analytics into her art. Restless Waters, her new sculpture exhibition at ICA Central, uses weather data to turn California’s extreme climate events into complex installations. In collaboration with San Diego’s Project BLANK, a musical score based on Restless Waters will be performed live in November at the museum.
San Diego Padres vs. Chicago White Sox at Petco Park
September 20–22
The Padres will close out their last homestand of the regular season with three games against the Chicago White Sox, who are on pace for the worst record in modern baseball history. Though the Friars are now the NL Wild Card leaders, a sweep could make the division race really interesting when the Pads head to LA for their final matchup against the Dodgers. Tickets start at $31.05 for this weekend’s series.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Super Girl Surf Pro at Oceanside Pier
September 20–22
Explore a festival village, esports competitions, and women’s surfing showdowns at the free Super Girl Surf Pro. Encinitas native Alyssa Spencer, winner of the 2023 tournament, will look to defend her title against several of the world’s best women surfers. SuperGirl will also include 15 concerts at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater, with artists like Ceelo Green, Beach Weather, and Lovelytheband performing throughout the weekend.
Oceanside Pier, Oceanside
Harvest for Hope Fundraiser at Coasterra
September 22
The Emilio Nares Foundation will host its annual gala fundraiser this Sunday afternoon at Coasterra from 2 to 5 p.m. Attendees can purchase ENF co-founder Diane Nares’ memoir, bid on silent auction items, and enjoy food from over 25 San Diego and Baja eateries. Proceeds from Harvest for Hope will go towards the nonprofit’s services for cancer patients. General admission is $250.
880 Harbor Island Drive, Shelter Island
Belmont Park Community 5K
September 22
This Sunday, Belmont Park will host their second annual Community 5K. There will be the classic 3.1 mile route as well as a kid’s loop, and runners will benefit from the ocean breeze and sights of Mission Beach down the coast. All who take part in the 5K will raise funds for Team Parker For Life’s cancer awareness and research, and as a reward for their morning exercise, receive a Ride & Play wristband for post-race fun at Belmont Park. Registration for the 5K is $55.13.
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.
