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Where to shop, dine, and explore in this coastal beach town
The small, coastal community of Solana Beach just north of Del Mar is best known for its arts scene with the Cedros Design District along with local boutiques, beautiful art galleries, and beachside restaurants all sitting along 1.7 miles of coastline. The walkable neighborhood is filled with plenty to do whether you’re interested in spending all day surfing at Fletcher Cove or are hitting up Pizza Port before a show at The Belly Up.
Here’s our guide to the best restaurants, shops, activities, and experiences in Solana Beach.
Restaurants | Things to Do | Shops

Once a chef to high-profile celebs, chef Jeffrey Strauss has been cooking up French-inspired meat and seafood dishes at Pamplemousse Grille for nearly 30 years. Located across from Del Mar Racetrack, its dining room is adorned with touches of the French countryside, where guests savor entrees like lobster ravioli and juicy steaks.
Address: 514 Via De La Valle, Suite 100
Hours: Closed Monday; Tuesday–Friday, 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 5 p.m.–9 p.m
Phone: (858) 792-9090
Part butcher shop, part specialty grocery store, and part counter-service restaurant, Ranch 45 is the perfect spot to order a breakfast burrito and grab some steaks and wine to enjoy at home later that night. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this casual eatery is all about the meat, with specialties like burgers, steaks, hot dogs, pastrami, carne asada, and tri-tip on the menu.
Address: 512 Via De La Valle, Suite 102
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday–Wednesday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m
Phone: (858) 461-0092
Get your fix of California burritos, street tacos, and other Mexican staples at family-owned joint. Rudy’s Taco Shop also recently remodeled its dining area which includes a full bar for tequila and mezcal cocktails and a self-serve salsa bar.
Address: 524 Stevens Ave., Suite 1
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Phone: (858) 755-0788
No-frills homestyle restaurant T’s Cafe has been a Solana Beach fixture since 1978, known for its many egg benedict options and housemade bloody mary’s. Occasional live music draws a crowd in the evenings, where dinner is served in the form of patty melts, Reubens, and chicken & waffles.
Address: 271 S. Coast Hwy 101
Hours: Monday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Tuesday closed; Wednesday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Phone: (858) 755-7642
The newest addition to Solana Beach’s dining scene, Lana has a neighborhood restaurant feel with upscale California cuisine. The region’s bounty is on full display here with locally sourced produce and proteins found in dishes like its seabass agua chile, blue mussels, and wild mushroom pasta and pizza (cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven). Lana’s recently launched brunch service has favorites like huevos rancheros, steak & eggs, and French toast.
Address: 437 S. Highway 101
Hours: Wednesday–Friday, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Monday–Tuesday closed.
Phone: (858) 286-1211
Choose healthy California cuisine for breakfast and lunch at The Naked Cafe, where coconut French toast and breakfast burritos star alongside draft kombucha and turmeric lattes. Salads, bowls, tacos, and wraps dominate the lunch menu, and vegetarian options are always plentiful.
Address: 106 S. Sierra Ave.
Hours: Daily, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Phone: (858) 259-7866
Seafood restaurant The Fish Market offers sandwiches, pasta dishes, fish & chips, chilled seafood, and seasonal fresh catch plates. The menu changes according to availability, but its clam chowders—both Manhattan (red) and New England (white) styles—remain best-sellers year-round. Stop by the retail counter to buy fresh seafood to go.
Address: 640 Via De La Valle
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Sunday, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 755-2277
Helmed by chef Brad Wise, modern steakhouse Rare Society’s menu features shareable meat boards with a selection of cuts like Wagyu and dry-aged steaks that are cooked on a wood-fired grill. Other specialties include oysters Rockefeller, seafood towers, and parker house rolls.
Address: 330 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Thursday & Sunday, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Tuesday closed.
Phone: (858) 771-0181
Find American comfort food and cocktails in a buzzy scene at Rustic Root, reminiscent of its sister restaurant in the Gaslamp. Happy hour and other weekday deals bring upbeat energy to the bar and lounge and guests are also drawn to its patio overlooking Highway 101. Lobster pappardelle and aged ribeye are two of its signature dishes but you should definitely save room for ice cream and gelato sundaes from its roving sundae cart.
Address: 343 S. Highway 101, Suite 100
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Friday, 4 p.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–10 p.m.; Tuesday, 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
Phone: (858) 381-4800
Charming cafe and bakery Claire’s on Cedros is a favorite among locals for breakfast and lunch, serving up French toast, pancakes, egg benedicts, omelets, sandwiches, and salads. Be sure to join its waitlist online ahead of time to score a table faster.
Address: 246 N. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Phone: (858) 259-8597
What started as Fidel Montanez’s barber shop serving tacos in the 1960s is now one of North County’s busiest Mexican restaurants, Fidel’s Little Mexico. This indoor/outdoor, multi-level eatery has a sizable menu of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas and other specialties, but you’ll find the best value from its weekday lunch special.
Address: 607 Valley Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 755-5292
Following his WWII military service in 1946, Tony Gonzales and wife Catalina opened Mexican restaurant Tony’s Jacal inside his parents’ home. The building has since been expanded but Tony’s continues to serve the same turkey tacos, chile rellenos, and other staples that keep longtime patrons returning time and again.
Address: 621 Valley Ave.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4:30–9:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon–8:30 p.m.; Tuesday closed.
Phone: (858) 755-2274
Order New York-style pizza by the slice or full pie at Bongiorno’s New York Pizzeria, plus stromboli, calzones, hero sandwiches, pasta, and salad. They deliver within Solana Beach, Cardiff, and Del Mar, but guests can also place carryout orders or dine in to enjoy its thin, foldable slices.
Address: 524 Stevens Ave.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Phone: (858) 755-2646
Previously a North County outpost of Uncle Biff’s California Killer Cookies, Solana Sumptuous Cookies is a gourmet sweets shop with premium cookie mix-ins like fresh raspberries, toffee almonds, and roasted marshmallows. With more than 18 cookie flavors, guests can pair any treat with ice cream or an over-the-top hot chocolate drink for an even sweeter afternoon.
Address: 150 Solana Hills Drive
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wednesday & Tuesday, 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Thursday–Friday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Phone: (858) 925-6300
Flavorful curries, noodles, and rice dishes are at the heart of Thai restaurant Bangkok Bay. Family-owned and operated for more than 20 years, Bangkok Bay has great weekday lunch specials that include rice and soup. Go-to dishes include pad thai, drunken noodles, panang curry, and summer rolls.
Address: 731 S. Highway 101, Suite 1B1
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon–3 p.m. and 5–9:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 792-2427
Vegan-friendly cafe serving breakfast and lunch, Sunny Side Solana is marked by bright yellow umbrellas that feel apropos for its name. While there’s plenty of traditional breakfast fare to choose from (vegan egg substitutes available), guests especially love anything with short rib here, including eggs benedict, mac and cheese, and breakfast hash. Don’t skip the bottomless mimosas.
Address: 159 S. Highway 101
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Phone: (858) 345-1670
Catch a buzz at Seven Seas Roasting Co., a small-batch coffee roaster that sources beans from micro farms around the globe. Flavored lattes like the mango coconut, banana split, or lavender honey are prepared with housemade syrups and double espresso shots.
Address: 312 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tuesday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Phone: (619) 800-7931
Ready your chopsticks for Hawaiian-style sushi rolls named after local beaches at Kai Ola Sushi. The Moonlight, Beacons, and Stone Steps rolls are solid choices, but you may also want to save room for a poke bowl, ramen noodles, and kombucha on tap.
Address: 112 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Sunday, noon–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, noon–10 p.m.; Tuesday, noon–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 345-1973
Solana Beach is home to the original Pizza Port location, where pizza and craft beer reign supreme in a casual, family-friendly setting. Build your own pizza or opt for one of its specialty pies like the BBQ chicken or pizza Solana, which pair well with Pizza Port’s well-loved Swami’s IPA.
Address: 135 N. Highway 101
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Tuesday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 481-7332
Sip vino made from Sonoma grapes at urban winery Carruth Cellars’ tasting room. Order sauvignon blanc and its popular Unicorn blend by the glass or bottle, or opt for a flight of five pours to choose your new favorite. Visit during weekday happy hour when a handful of wines are 30 percent off.
Address: 118 S. Cedros Ave., Suite C
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 1–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, noon–10 p.m.; Sunday, noon–8 p.m.; Tuesday, 1–9 p.m.
Phone: (858) 847-9463

Intimate local music venue and longtime Solana Beach icon Belly Up Tavern has played host to up-and-coming new artists as well as established groups like Black Eyed Peas, Mumford & Sons, No Doubt, The Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Belly Up has maintained its reputation as North County’s most beloved live music venue since it opened in 1974. Today it holds up to 600 guests and is also used as an event space for private shows.
Address: 143 S. Cedros Ave.
Phone: (858) 481-8140
Contemporary artwork from around the world is showcased at Madison Gallery, where it focuses on internationally recognized artists in a variety of media. The gallery has rotating exhibitions throughout the year and offers free admission for all guests.
Address: 320 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 200
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
Phone: (858) 523-9155
Be prepared to ooh and ahh at fine art photos by world-renowned ocean and surf photographer (and local resident) Aaron Chang. His incredible photographic prints line the walls of Aaron Chang Ocean Art Gallery alongside surfboard sculptures for an up-close look at surf, sand, and sea.
Address: 415 South Cedros Ave., Suite 110
Hours: Monday–Tuesday, noon–5 p.m.; Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Phone: (858) 345-1880
Theatrical performances come to life at North Coast Repertory Theatre, where classic and contemporary works are performed in an intimate setting with just under 200 seats. The nonprofit community theater features seven plays throughout its regular season, and is often lauded for its diverse selections.
Address: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D
Phone: (858) 481-1055

Browse from 60 vendors at the Solana Beach Farmers Market, held every Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. in the Design District. Find organic produce, prepared food and drinks, handmade gifts, fresh florals, and more—all while jamming to live music.
Address: 444 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Sunday, 12 p.m–4 p.m.
Nicknamed “Pillbox” by locals, Fletcher Cove Beach Park has it all: a playground, picnic tables, basketball courts, restrooms, outdoor showers, and some grassy areas. Flanked between sea cliffs, this tucked away cove is a great place for little ones to play in the surf, even if the sandy beach area is on the smaller side.
Address: 111 S. Sierra Ave.
Just north of Fletcher Cove, Tide Beach Park is accessed by a large staircase between sea cliffs that extends down to where smooth stones and large, flat sandstone rocks dot the landscape. Thanks to a nearby reef, tide pools fill with sea creatures that can be spotted during low tide, making for a fun place to splash around.
Address: 302 Solana Vista Drive
An alternative route to Annie’s Canyon trailhead in Cardiff, the Solana Hills trailhead lets you access this photo-worthy slot canyon from Solana Beach. It takes about an hour to complete the popular 2.3-mile loop, and the hike includes some narrow passageways and ladders.
Address: 450 Solana Hills Drive

For all gifting needs, look no further than SoLo—a collective of several shops under one roof with merchandise that’s carefully curated by eight women. Here you’ll discover new and antique furniture, books, jewelry, home decor, stationery, and other unique finds.
Address: 309 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: (858) 794-9016
Upscale women’s boutique Pink Lagoon sells designer clothing from brands like Citizens of Humanity, The Upside, and Perfect White Tee, alongside fine jewelry, shoes, and beauty products. The shop also offers personalized wardrobe design and styling services for those who appreciate a discerning eye for fashion.
Address: 143 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: (858) 792-0882
Shop from luxury designers at Tucci Boutique where women’s clothes, shoes, jewelry, bags, and other accessories all have a sophisticated SoCal style. Find clothing brands such as Apiece Apart, Mother, and Sablyn, plus a collection of home fragrances in the form of candles, room sprays, and oil diffusers.
Address: 130 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Tuesday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5 p.m.
Phone: (858) 259-8589

Woodworking shop Indigenous by La Rue creates custom wood slab tables and other furniture, with a specialization in made-to-order river tables and live edge furniture. At its Design District showroom, woodworking is complemented by home goods that were handmade by indigenous people around the globe.
Address: 107 S. Cedros Ave.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday–Tuesday, closed.
Phone: (858) 333-2665
Luxury showroom Kern & Co. is a one-stop-shop for high-end furniture, along with home décor and accessories including lighting, rugs, artwork, and bedding. Inquire about residential interior design services from owner Susan Spath who can transform homes to look as perfectly styled as her showroom.
Address: 130 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 100
Hours: Monday–Thursday & Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: (858) 779-0779
Family-owned men’s and women’s clothing boutique The Lomas Brand has comfy loungewear and other casual pieces that match San Diego’s beachy lifestyle. This is the spot to go for buttery-soft tees, sweats, and outerwear that’s all designed locally.
Address: 205 N. Highway 101
Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sunday–Tuesday, closed.
Phone: (760) 639-9645
Local artisans sell their work at eclectic little shop Neiki Solana Beach, where owner Neiki Pawling carries jewelry (some made by her), clothing, home goods, and spiritual items. Browse for handmade souvenirs and gifts that show off Solana Beach’s artsy side.
Address: 301 N. Highway 101
Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, closed.
Phone: (760) 845-1269
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
Some problems are worth having—like too many things to eat, sip, and do in one afternoon
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:

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.
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.

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 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.
Live Nation is turning the historic Wonder Bread Building into a 4,000-capacity concert hall designed to bring more touring acts to the city
Imagine being the song continuously getting skipped on the playlist. Not because no one wants to hear you, but because you never quite fit the moment. For years, San Diego has been that song on the touring circuit. Artists who have outgrown intimate clubs but aren’t yet filling arenas and stadiums have often passed us by, heading north to venues better suited to the size of their show. San Diego wasn’t missing the audience, it was missing the room.
That’s all about to change.
On August 17, Live Nation Entertainment announced plans to transform the historic Wonder Bread Building, which it purchased in June for $16.8 million, into a 4,000-capacity indoor venue slated to open in fall 2028. The new space will host music acts as well as private, corporate, and community events.
Currently, San Diego’s concert landscape jumps quickly from intimate clubs like the Casbah, Winston’s, and Belly Up to larger theaters, amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums. What’s largely missing—particularly downtown—is a modern indoor room built specifically for roughly 4,000 concertgoers. This leaves a gap in mid-size venues for touring acts that land stages like the Hollywood Palladium or Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
“We are filling a void in the market,” says John Schalk, Live Nation’s Vice President, San Diego Market. “There are other venues in town, but this […] building is just something that doesn’t currently exist.” Although SDSU’s Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater serves the 4,000-capacity range, its outdoor, fixed-seating arrangement isn’t as versatile as the proposed Live Nation project.
Located at 171 14th Street, just a six-minute walk from Petco Park, the building carries a century of history. Architect Eugene Hoffman designed it in 1924, a year after completing the Barcelona Apartment Hotel in Bankers Hill. The landmark brick building served as a bakery and warehouse for the Southern California Baking Company before Continental Baking Company, producers of Wonder Bread, took over in the 1950s and operated there through 1988 continued at the site until 2007.
In the early 2000s, Bob and Gay Sinclair, the couple behind a portfolio of East Village properties, purchased the building. After Bob—the founder of Pannikin Coffee & Tea—died in 2011, Gay sold much of their real estate portfolio but held onto the Wonder Bread Building. Mission Brewing eventually took over the space, where it operated for more than a decade before announcing its 2026 departure.
Now, the building is preparing for another reinvention. Live Nation plans to preserve the historic bakery’s four exterior walls, red brick façade, grain silo, barrel-vaulted trusses, and skylights as part of its next chapter.
Live Nation isn’t looking to erase its history but to celebrate it, allowing the building’s past to give the new venue some soul. “It’s really important for us that we maintain the integrity and the history of that building,” Schalk says. “There will be new construction and design elements as we go through the process to create the concert venue, but we’re working really hard to preserve it.”
Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group, and Gensler, the architecture firm behind San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 and Snapdragon Stadium, will be heading the project. The plan is to design the ground-floor space as an open, general-admission area with a premium level above with 600-plus fixed seats, in addition to box and suite sections. There will also be an additional structure built on top of the historical portion of the building (the four original walls that house the lobby) called the Vinyl Room—a Japanese-inspired hi-fi listening VIP lounge serving elevated food options.
One of the most reassuring aspects of the project is the focus on the concertgoer’s experience—specifically the “pet peeves” we all know too well: long bathroom lines, cramped exits, obstructed views. According to Schalk, one of the best things about building upon the existing structure is having the ability to consider potential obstacles and tackle them before construction begins. “I’d say we are ‘purpose building’ the entirety of the project for a music venue,” says Gensler lead project architect Garrett van Leeuwen. “As part of our design process, we do an in-depth sightline analysis to make sure that sightlines are optimized from every point and seat within the venue.”
Circulation design is also being implemented to ease traffic flow, alongside acoustic optimization and a transformative outdoor beautification effort. According to van Leeuwen, this “public realm space” will grow the existing 14-foot sidewalk to a 32-foot sidewalk complete with plazas and landscaping.
“This venue is for the fans. For the music lovers,” Schalk explains. The vision is intimate: “I want a fan to walk up to that building, see that red brick facade, grab their ticket from the box office, go into the lobby and see some of the history that will present itself… and feel like you entered a home.” Schalk also expressed a “keen interest in making sure that we work with the local artists, the local bands, the local musicians in town.” It’s a project that recognizes San Diego as a growing market that is hungry and ready to see a vibrant arts and culture community thrive.
According to an analysis by Oxford Economics analysis shared by Live Nation, the venue is projected to deliver a significant boost to the local economy, generating approximately $97 million in annual economic impact and supporting 660 jobs. This also includes welcoming 316,000 fans each year—with 126,000 traveling from outside the San Diego metro area—and driving $53 million in local spending at nearby restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments.
Considering its proximity to other major event spaces and overall busy urban areas, traffic and parking may be a concern, especially on nights of overlapping events. But in those cases, Schalk said they would work together on communication efforts; parking availability; and staggering start, end, and loading times; as well as providing easy access to designated rideshare areas. With transit stations nearby (the closest one being a 4-minute walk at 12th & Imperial), public transportation is another great option for enjoying your night out.
There are still two years of design, construction, and plenty of logistics between now and opening night. But the bigger promise of the Wonder Bread Building is simple: San Diego finally gets a venue built for the artists who have historically passed it by. After years of getting skipped on the touring playlist, the city may finally be getting its turn on repeat.
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
Explore restaurants, activities, and shops within this affluent North County community
The inland North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is often associated with wealth. It’s one of San Diego’s most expensive residential markets and is consistently ranked one of the highest-income zip codes in California and the U.S. Rancho Santa Fe is known for its large equestrian community including riding facilities and horse trails, as well as its country club lifestyle and associated golf courses.
At the center of this luxury master-planned community is a small, walkable downtown area referred to as the “village,” with The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe acting as both a landmark and social hub. Much of the community, including the historic Inn, was designed by acclaimed architect Lilian Rice, one of California’s earliest female architects. The Spanish Colonial-style architecture she brought to the village is still one of its defining characteristics today.
Whether you’re coming to Rancho Santa Fe for golf, horseback riding, or pampering at a resort spa, be sure to start with a short walk around the village to take in the neighborhood’s charm. Plan your next visit here with our neighborhood guide to the area’s best restaurants, things to do, and shopping.
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Families congregate at The Pony Room for elevated California ranch-style cuisine. Lamb lollipops, carne asada tacos, burgers, and weekly dinner specials are offered here, alongside an extensive collection of wine and spirits (especially tequila) and sizeable kids menus. As the signature restaurant of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, this all-day eatery is a lively centerpiece of the local social scene.
5921 Valencia Circle
The piano bar at Mille Fleurs is the buzziest spot to be on Friday and Saturday nights in Rancho Santa Fe. French classics like escargot, lobster bisque, duck confit, and steak frites are the main dinner attractions at this local institution that has been around for more than 40 years. Spring for the four-course prix fixe menu before nabbing a coveted bar seat near the piano entertainer.
6009 Paseo Delicias
Nick & G’s is one of the most prominent restaurants in the village, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the main thoroughfare. Enjoy modern Italian food, steaks, and seafood dishes here, including homemade pasta, pizza, wagyu beef, and oysters. Be sure to check their live music schedule and events calendar for the latest happenings.
6106 Paseo Delicias
Named after renowned architect and planner Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s flagship restaurant. Their upscale menus feature sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, local produce, and even sushi rolls during dinner. Outdoor seating provides a bird’s-eye view of the village and an elegant backdrop for weekend brunch. Stop by Bing’s Bar (a nod to Bing Crosby) for craft cocktails, beer, wine, and light bites in a refined setting.
5951 Linea Del Cielo
Quaint cafe and bakery Thyme in the Ranch serves a small selection of breakfast and lunch items (don’t miss the tarragon chicken salad), but is perhaps best known for its pastries and baked goods. Cakes, pies, muffins, scones, and cookies fly off the shelves here, where locals come for special occasions, parties, and group catering orders.
16905 Avenida De Acacias
Located inside a historic building once home to Rancho Santa Fe’s original schoolhouse, Paseo RSF is one of the village’s newest dining options. The charming American bistro has pasta, salads, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, plus a thoughtfully selected California wine list and new sushi and omakase program. Kids and dogs are both welcome here.
6024 Paseo Delicias, Suite C
Grab a quick coffee to go from this walk-up window in the same shopping center as the post office. Cinnamon roll lattes, cold brew, spiced chai, smoothies, protein bowls, and more can be found at Rancho Roasters, where they brew beans from Dark Horse Coffee.
16950 Via De Santa Fe
Casual pizzeria and martini bar Goli is a popular spot for catching the latest sports games. Order one of their unique specialty pizzas like the Casbah with hummus and veggies, build your own pizza or burger, or go with one of their hearty wraps that’s made with an extra thin version of pizza dough.
18021 Calle Ambiente, Suite 403
Find generous portions of Mexican food at Cocina del Rancho, run by the same owners as Carlsbad’s Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Village Kabob. Get classic dishes like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, plus their specialty items including pulpo, carne asada, and fajitas with lobster tail. Don’t skip the margaritas.
16089 San Dieguito Road
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
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.

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”

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.

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.
Free and low-cost options for getting in on the pop culture action outside of the convention center’s walls
It’s happening, San Diego. The pre–Comic-Con excitement jitters begin to creep in as soon as July hits the calendar. But for those who forgot to set an alarm on registration day, whose batteries died or whose luck ran out in the virtual waiting room, or who simply prefer to soak up the fandom frenzy from the outside, we’ve got the best ways to experience Comic-Con weekend—no badge required.
Ain’t no party like an after-hours party, and XLE Productions’ Ready Party One is definitely one for comic book fans. Kick-start your convention weekend at Parq Nightclub and enjoy music by fan-favorite ’80s tribute band The Flux Capacitors, along with enough fandom fun, cosplay, retro gaming and pop-culture nostalgia to satisfy your inner geek. At least for the night.
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 8 p.m.
Location: Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Tickets start at $34
With more than a dozen activities and brand activations, Petco Park’s Interactive Zone is a badgeless fan’s playground, bringing together brands, games, celebrity appearances and immersive experiences all in one place. On Friday, July 24, Funko’s beloved annual party, hosted by Funko founder Mike Becker, returns to Gallagher Square. This year’s “Quest for the Grail” event will take guests on a journey to the sunken city of Atlantis. Expect themed décor, food, drinks, games and special guest appearances.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26 (times TBD)
Location: Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park
Price: Free; Funko Funday event is ticketed
Cartoon and art lovers can celebrate the work of Chuck Jones, creator of some of animation’s most iconic characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and Pepé Le Pew, at Seaport Village’s Chuck Jones Gallery. During Comic-Con weekend, the showroom will also host meet-and-greets with talented artists including Disney artist and seascape painter Steve Barton, The Simpsons animator Stephen Reis, and licensed Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and Disney fine artist Ben Olson.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23–Saturday, July 25, 2026 (times TBD)
Location: Chuck Jones Gallery, 809 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
Price: Free
Get your pup’s—and your own—cosplay game ready because Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PAWmicon is back. Enjoy a Comic-Con-themed outing with the whole family while raising awareness for orphaned pets in San Diego. Divided into three categories—Flying Solo, Dynamic Duos & Trios & More, and Fantastic Floats—the event is a paw-fect way to jump-start the festivities.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 4:30–7 p.m.
Location: Presidents Way Lawn at Balboa Park
Price: Free
Why leave all the fun, mischief and mayhem to badge holders when you can join more than 300 partygoers and crawl through some of downtown San Diego’s top bars and nightclubs? Whether you’re called to save the universe or have an allegiance to the dark side, the annual Comic-Con Bar Crawl gives attendees exclusive access to more than 20 venues throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, with free welcome shots, exclusive drink discounts and complimentary entry along the way. This event for ages 21 and older is a fun way to celebrate your fandom outside the convention center.
Date & Time: Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26, 2026, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
Location: Check-in at Toro, 672 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, from 8–9 p.m.
Price: $13–$30
Geek out over couture at the annual Her Universe Fashion Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hosted by founder and Star Wars: The Clone Wars actress Ashley Eckstein and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, this year’s show will feature a selection of designers showcasing one-of-a-kind DC-inspired creations as they compete for a $2,000 cash prize.
Note: Wristbands are traditionally distributed the morning of the event on a first-come, first-served basis, but official details have not yet been announced.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Free
A destination for all things fandom, Balboa Park’s Comic-Con Museum brings world-premiere and exclusive exhibits and events to the heart of San Diego, giving fans a place to geek out all year long. The museum is currently featuring the U.S. debut of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, showcasing 17 of the Doctor’s most iconic costumes, a full-size TARDIS and a collection of original sonic screwdrivers used on-screen. Visitors can also explore Sangre, Sudor y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre, featuring rare collectibles and authentic masks and costumes worn by legendary luchadores.
Date & Time: Open Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wednesdays), 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 2131 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: $15–$30; free for children younger than 6
Browse an extensive collection of original drawings, paintings, jewelry and other whimsical creations from more than 100 professional and amateur artists at the Comic-Con Art Show. Many pieces will be available for purchase through the silent auction or Quick Sale, giving fans the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind Comic-Con souvenir while supporting talented artists.
Dates & Times:
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall CD, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Free
Looking for a supercute way to fuel your Comic-Con adventures? Swing by the Hello Kitty Café Truck. This traveling pink café on wheels will be parked at Petco Park’s Interactive Zone, serving up tasty treats and exclusive merchandise. From limited-edition tote bags and hats to mugs and T-shirts, it’s the perfect stop to grab a snack and a little extra kawaii cuteness.
Date & Time:
Location: Petco Park Interactive Zone, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Price: Menu items vary
Get ready to fuel up and hype up. Whether you’re a plain-bagel purist or an everything-bagel fan, don’t miss your chance to grab breakfast or recharge at PopUp Bagels’ Volkswagen bus parked outside Pendry San Diego. Then satisfy your sweet tooth at Provisional with a rotating selection of character-themed doughnuts from Donut Bar. Both are available throughout the weekend beginning at 7 a.m. until sold out.
On July 24 and 25 from noon to 4 p.m., head to Nason’s Beer Hall for photo ops to celebrate Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Guests can sample Tom Holland’s nonalcoholic beer brand, BERO, served in limited-edition themed cans available exclusively during the event.
Camila Ibarra Gallego is a CaliBaja native pursuing a master's degree in culinary journalism at the Basque Culinary Center. Shaped by the culturally rich, bicultural megaregion, she's passionate about sniffing out stories that connect people, territory and culture through food. When she's not tumbling down internet rabbit holes, you can find her pretending to be a wine connoisseur at a local wine bar or nose-deep in a good book.
From San Diego’s coastline to Los Angeles stadium and fan zones across the region, here’s how to experience soccer’s biggest event
When three nations and 16 cities come together to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the scale stops feeling like a tournament and starts feeling like geography. A continent becomes the stage as borders soften into corridors. And Southern California—shaped by migration, sport, entertainment, and constant movement—sits inside that landscape with all eyes on it.
San Diego and Los Angeles have always felt connected. Hop on the Pacific Surfliner, and the trip unfolds in one continuous stretch of coastline, passing beach towns, neighborhoods, and city centers.
Traveling from San Diego, everything still feels slightly suspended as the Pacific Surfliner follows the coast north with ocean on one side and a slow suburban blur on the other. San Diego stays in exhale. Los Angeles is already building toward something louder.
This summer, Los Angeles will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, including the US Men’s National Team opener on June 11, while the region stretches into 39 days of programming across stadiums, parks, transit hubs, beaches, and neighborhoods. Instead of one massive fan hub, Los Angeles is embracing a citywide celebration, with fan zones spread across its entirety.
But this pattern has been rehearsed here for decades. In 1994, Southern California became one of the defining stages of the World Cup, when matches at the Rose Bowl placed global attention on the region and turned local stadiums into international landmarks, confirming its ability to hold the world at scale.
What distinguishes Southern California is not just infrastructure, but cultural permeability. Fashion, music, film, art, and sport constantly overlap here, creating an environment where identity is flexible and always in motion. From the Venice boardwalk, where skate culture shaped modern street style, to global soccer stars rubbing shoulders with Hollywood celebs, to authentic Spanish cuisine moving up and down the I-5 corridor, everything circulates.
The World Cup is not introducing anything new here, it’s showing up for the summer and showing out, revealing what this city has always known about itself. What follows is a look at the fan zones and how Los Angeles turns itself into a city-wide stage for the tournament, one neighborhood at a time.

As the heart of Los Angeles, Union Station is an official Fan Zone June 25-28 during the World Cup, but in practice it never really stops being one.
It is the city’s circulation point, its meeting ground, its pressure valve. Commuters, travelers, match-day crowds, and everyday Angelenos all move through the same space, and everything mixes, overlaps, and scales in real time. In a way, this is where the World Cup stops arriving in Los Angeles and starts moving through it.
The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to Los Angeles makes that shift feel almost too easy. No stress or gridlock anxiety, just a straight line up the coastline with ocean on one side and everything slowly becoming more built on the other. It’s one of the rare ways into LA that doesn’t feel like arrival as friction. You can sit with a laptop, watch the Pacific drift past, grab coffee from the café car, and let the city come to you in pieces.
That’s the beauty of arriving at Union Station. Instead of feeling like you’re on the edge of the city, you’re immediately surrounded by it. And, inside, the station already reads like a World Cup nerve center: banners, movement, multilingual energy, the sense that something global is about to funnel through this exact point. The Heart of the City Fan Zone only sharpens that feeling, with simultaneous match screens, DJ sets, meet and greets, and immersive activations built around marquee games like USA vs. Türkiye.
From there, the city splits outward.
ROW DTLA feels like the first exhale after arrival. A converted industrial campus turned creative district where restaurants, retail, and open-air courtyards form a self-contained ecosystem. If you’re looking for the perfect first meal in LA, make it lunch at Pizzeria Bianco. The thin-crust pizza is reason enough to go, but the space leaves just as much of an impression.
What I liked most about ROW DTLA is how quickly it resets you after the train. One minute you are stepping off at Union Station, and the next you are in a space that feels like its own version of LA, a city inside a city with some of the most curated shopping I’ve ever seen.
Bodega hides itself behind a convenience-store front, a sneaker and streetwear space disguised as something ordinary, like LA refusing to make anything feel too obvious. The whole campus moves like that, part retail, part gallery, part neighborhood you are only temporarily inside.
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.
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:
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.