Little ones can practice bug collecting, insect-themed arts and crafts, and even taste cooked mealworm larva (eww!) at the San Diego Botanic Garden’s two-day fest. July 12–13, free for members; free with admission for non-members, sdbgarden.org
San Diego Zoo Summer Camps
Everyone from kindergarteners to high school seniors can take a walk on the wild side in a variety of five-day camps that dig into animal behavior, behind-the-scenes zoo secrets, scavenger hunts, and more. June 23–August 22, $212+, sandiegozoo.org
Tiger Trail
Cats aren’t known for swimming, but at the new Safari Park exhibit, watch as the endangered Sumatran tigers show off their hydrophilic skills, and learn how the fierce animal lives in Indonesia’s diverse island conditions. $36+ (admission), sdzsafaripark.org
Flow Camp
It’s every kid’s dream to play at an amusement park for a whole week. In this camp, they’ll finesse their flowboarding skills with Belmont Park’s signature FlowRider, and have access to park rides, laser tag, rock climbing, mini golf, and more. June 16–August 15, $299, belmontpark.com
LEGOLAND Chima Water Park
The Carlsbad resort recently gave its water park a refresh with a new theme pegged to the Chima LEGO TV series. Cool down in the wave pool, water slides, build-a-boat stations, and a lush tropical forest. $82+ (admission), legoland.com
Sea Days at Birch Aquarium
This monthly exploratory event teaches kids about the wild, wacky, and wonderful world of oceanography, with hands-on activities and chats with Scripps scientists. May 17–August 16, $11+ (admission), aquarium.ucsd.edu
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s creative program invites six-to-12-year-olds to channel their inner Picassos at their weeklong workshops led by contemporary artists. This year’s themes include mixed media and sculpture. July 28–August 15, $90-$390, mcasd.org
Theatre Arts School of San Diego
Thespian kids will thrive as they learn proper theatrical techniques in a non-competitive environment. Prices range from $195–$397, theatreartssd.org
Lux Art Institute
This popular six-week Summer Art Camp for kids is back to help your mini artists hone their creative skills. Each week has a different discipline, like drawing, book arts, mixed media, and sculpture. Prices start at $170, luxartinstitute.org
iD Tech
Calling all future Steve Jobs! These summer programs at UC San Diego and CSU San Marcos are perfect for programmer-wannabes.Code.org’s Hour of Code includes one-on-one instruction and an emphasis on 21st-century skills like problem-solving and creativity, as students program games, animations, and more. Prices vary, idtech.com
Despite June gloom, it’s finally time to drag out your grills and start prepping your kitchen for a summer full of the finest grilled meats. There’s nothing quite like three uninterrupted months dedicated solely to hot charcoal, a full gas tank, and unhealthy amounts of barbecue sauce. Sure, there are tons of grilling guides out there (not that you, a grill master, would need one), but what about a guide on where to find the types of meats that deserve to be grilled?
San Diego’s butcher shops offer something for every meat lover, from premium Wagyu to sustainable, locally sourced meats. It’s your time to impress your friends and family with your knowledge of meat cuts and to argue about the best way to smoke these premium proteins. Plus, it’s never too early to start preparing for that unspoken Fourth of July BBQ competition that you must win this year.
So, whether you’re a meat connoisseur who never misses a cook out or just a casual carnivore like me, we’ve got you covered with eight of the best butcher shops in San Diego.
Courtesy of the Wise Ox
The Wise Ox
With two locations in North Park and La Costa, The Wise Ox offers a unique butcher experience. You can sign up for a class to practice your knife skills and learn breakdown techniques on a heritage breed pig, then treat yourself to a generous Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Chef Brad Wise (Rare Society, Fort Oak) and his team have also curated the Ox Box, a monthly meat subscription featuring around 10 pounds of premium proteins, all vacuum-sealed for easy storage. The box even includes recipes and tricks for dishes like Shawarma Whole Chicken and Mojo Pork Loin.
7750 El Camino Real Suite P, La Costa and 2855 El Cajon Blvd #1, North Park
Iowa Meat Farms Siesel’s Meat
Since 1968, Siesel’s Old Fashioned Meats and its sister shop, Iowa Meat Farms, have been San Diego’s best-kept secrets, catering to home-cooking enthusiasts and local foodies alike. Known for their friendly environment and butchers who know regulars by name, these shops offer an impressive array of more than 300 cuts of beef, Berkshire pork, free-range poultry, and even exotic meats like alligator and ostrich. Beyond meat, their vast retail spaces are stocked with top-notch produce, artisanal cheeses, gourmet condiments, and specialty items from near and far. Who knows, maybe alligator is the flare you didn’t know your grilling needed.
6041 Mission Gorge Rd, Grantville and 4131 Ashton Street, Bay Park
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions is a beloved neighborhood butcher shop in Golden Hill, known for its warm customer service and tasty meats. With interesting offerings like fresh quail and a mass selection of sausages, it’s a must-visit for meat lovers. It’s no surprise that locals eagerly anticipate their daily chalkboard updates showcasing the latest sausage selections. I think it’s time to break up with the grocery store (and move to Golden Hill).
1220 28th St, Golden Hill
Courtesy of The Butchery Quality Meats
The Butchery
The Butchery, with its latest location in Del Mar, is a great spot for high-quality meats, artisan cheeses, craft beer, and wine. This isn’t just a typical butcher shop; it’s an all-in-one gourmet grocery store and meat-dedicated restaurant with a hand-cut meat selection ready for you to take home. Dubbed “Best Butcher Shop in San Diego” in 2019, it offers a selection ranging from dry-aged and wet-aged steaks to an extensive list of pre-marinated meats and even more obscure options.
3720 Caminito Ct #200, Del Mar
Ranch 45
Who doesn’t love their meals with a side of community spirit and a dash of dry-aged goodness? Just across from the Del Mar race track, Ranch 45 is Solana Beach’s hidden gem for those who appreciate quality eats and meats. Whether you’re stopping by for beef tallow fries, steak tasting or picking up some dry aged cuts from their small butcher shop, it’s clear they take their farm-to-table mission seriously. With all-natural meats and a commitment to no-hormone, no-antibiotics products, it’s the kind of place that feels as welcoming as it does delicious.
512 Via De La Valle #102, Solana Beach
Courtesy of The Meatery
The Meatery
If you are not a world traveler, don’t worry, your meats still can be. Founded during the pandemic, The Meatery provides restaurant-quality proteins to consumers, with special Meatery box deals and specials. They specialize in Japanese A5 Wagyu, Australian Wagyu, and American Wagyu, along with other first-rate meats. For the ultimate Wagyu experience, head to Mission Gorge, where their entire Wagyu inventory awaits, alongside prime beef, veal, fish, premium pork and lamb from New Zealand.
6160 Fairmount Avenue, Grantville
Tip Top Meats
At Tip Top Meats, it really is “all about the meats.” This butcher shop has been a carnivore’s dream since 1967, with owner John Haedrich emphasizing, “there is no substitute for quality.” Not only do they offer delectable dishes at their Eatery and a European market full of specialty items, but they’re also one of Southern California’s last hanging meat buyers, guaranteeing freshness and flavor. From their hand-cut Angus Beef steaks and praised service to custom orders and whole-roasted specialties, they’re ready to turn any office party into a delicious soiree.
Temporarily closed; new location coming soon. Follow their Instagram for updates.
Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher
Craving a woodfired elk rack chop? Thought so. Cowboy Star serves up this dish in their rustic, cowboy-themed restaurant (complete with exposed beam ceilings). Open Monday to Thursday 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.-9 p.m., they feature prime cuts like New York Strip, 21-day aged Prime Ribeye, and Hokkaido A5 Wagyu NY Strip flown in from Japan. Best of all, you can embark on a complete culinary adventure and indulge in to-go favorites like macaroni and cheese and chocolate chip bread pudding.
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 new multimillion-dollar, 12-acre park promises soak-happy fun with towering splash fountains in the middle of downtown. Free, co.san-diego.ca.us
Insect Festival
Little ones can practice bug collecting, insect-themed arts and crafts, and even taste cooked mealworm larva (eww!) at the San Diego Botanic Garden’s two-day fest. July 12–13, free for members; free with admission for non-members, sdbgarden.org
San Diego Zoo Summer Camps
Everyone from kindergarteners to high school seniors can take a walk on the wild side in a variety of five-day camps that dig into animal behavior, behind-the-scenes zoo secrets, scavenger hunts, and more. June 23–August 22, $212+, sandiegozoo.org
Tiger Trail
Cats aren’t known for swimming, but at the new Safari Park exhibit, watch as the endangered Sumatran tigers show off their hydrophilic skills, and learn how the fierce animal lives in Indonesia’s diverse island conditions. $36+ (admission), sdzsafaripark.org
Flow Camp
It’s every kid’s dream to play at an amusement park for a whole week. In this camp, they’ll finesse their flowboarding skills with Belmont Park’s signature FlowRider, and have access to park rides, laser tag, rock climbing, mini golf, and more. June 16–August 15, $299, belmontpark.com
LEGOLAND Chima Water Park
The Carlsbad resort recently gave its water park a refresh with a new theme pegged to the Chima LEGO TV series. Cool down in the wave pool, water slides, build-a-boat stations, and a lush tropical forest. $82+ (admission), legoland.com
Sea Days at Birch Aquarium
This monthly exploratory event teaches kids about the wild, wacky, and wonderful world of oceanography, with hands-on activities and chats with Scripps scientists. May 17–August 16, $11+ (admission), aquarium.ucsd.edu
Summer C.A.M.P
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s creative program invites six-to-12-year-olds to channel their inner Picassos at their weeklong workshops led by contemporary artists. This year’s themes include mixed media and sculpture. July 28–August 15, $90-$390, mcasd.org
Theatre Arts School of San Diego
Thespian kids will thrive as they learn proper theatrical techniques in a non-competitive environment. Prices range from $195–$397, theatreartssd.org
Lux Art Institute
This popular six-week Summer Art Camp for kids is back to help your mini artists hone their creative skills. Each week has a different discipline, like drawing, book arts, mixed media, and sculpture. Prices start at $170, luxartinstitute.org
iD Tech
Calling all future Steve Jobs! These summer programs at UC San Diego and CSU San Marcos are perfect for programmer-wannabes.Code.org’s Hour of Code includes one-on-one instruction and an emphasis on 21st-century skills like problem-solving and creativity, as students program games, animations, and more. Prices vary, idtech.com
Summer camp isn’t just for kids. At least not in Carmel, where the 500-acre Carmel Valley Ranch offers a lot more than just rest and relaxation. How about a workshop on pickling and canning, or a class taught by a regional artist? Also beginning this month, book a Honey & Lavender Harvest Weekend. Learn to make lavender soap using one of the property’s 7,500 lavender plants or harvest sweet stuff at the Ranch’s Italian honeybee farm. The resort chef uses both in his homemade lavender and honey ice creams. Come next year, they’ll be harvesting their own Pinot Noir grapes, to be released in 2016. And parents, take note: The Ranch offers kids’ camps with programming created by elementary school teachers. carmelvalleyranch.com
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
Films, concerts and an exorbitant amount of lemons comprise this week’s most entertaining events in San Diego. Those looking to beat the heat can find shelter and cinematic gold with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre at Digital Gym Cinema, or check out a cult classic at the Balboa Theatre’s 40th anniversary screening of Little Shop of Horrors. From South Bay to La Jolla, concertgoers can catch collaborative tours from the likes of Santana & the Doobie Brothers, Helado Negro & Reyna Tropical and Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan. This weekend also marks the return of the two-day San Diego Made Summer Market and the yearly Lemon Festival, both of which are ripe for shopping unique local vendors.
SeaWorld San Diego’s beer and barbeque party is back with a live music component and an extra ‘B’ in its name. Every Friday-Sunday (and Labor Day) through Sept. 7, the Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ festival will feature 60+ locally crafted beers and bites like pork belly tater tots, root beer baked beans and s’mores pie. SeaWorld visitors can also check out rock concerts featuring Saliva (Saturday), Uncle Kracker (Aug. 22) and Skillet (Aug. 29) in the Bayside Amphitheater. Park entry starts at $74 for Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ dates, and includes festival admission.
500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay
Lemon Festival
August 15
Seize the day, or squeeze the day—whichever your preference—at the Downtown Chula Vista Association’s free Lemon Festival. This annual event celebrates lemons in all their citrusy glory and ensures the city’s lemon legacy still bears fruit for years to come. This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy a lemony menu, two live music stages, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities at Memorial Park and photos with the festival’s mascot, Tarty the Lemon. And be sure to save room for the lemon pie eating contest, with registration still open to those ages 12-99.
Third Avenue, Chula Vista
Courtesy of Jason Aldean
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Santana & the Doobie Brothers at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 11
Few regions have birthed as many iconic bands as the Bay Area, with Santana (San Francisco) and the Doobie Brothers (San Jose) among the area’s most influential. Though they’ve mastered different variations of rock n’ roll—with Santana championing Latin rock and the Doobie Brothers masters of breezy yacht rock—both groups understand the importance of a good groove. This Tuesday (7 p.m.), the two bands will run through their greatest hits at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, and showcase their shared roots. Tickets start at $28 for this concert.
2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Helado Negro & Reyna Tropical at Esptein Family Ampitheater
August 12
One of the year’s best musical teamups—combining the talents of Roberto Carlos Lange (Helado Negro) and Fabi Reyna (Reyna Tropical)—produced Helado Tropical, a subtle yet audacious daliance with Latin pop and wavy soundscapes. This Wednesday (7 p.m.) at Epstein Family Amphitheater, Lange and Reyna will pull from their respective catalogs and play their collaborative album in full. Ticket options include youth admission for ages 2-18 ($25-$28) and adults ($35-$50).
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
An Evening with Goose at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
August 13
The defining quality that makes a jam band truly so is a willingness to improvise, keeping audiences, and even their most dedicated fans, waiting with bated breath for their next move. As with pioneers of the practice like the Grateful Dead, Connecticut rock group Goose treat concerts as a nightly display for their vast musical chemistry. When Goose performs this Thursday (7 p.m.) at Cal Coast Credit Union Theatre, don’t be surprised if a familiar track is extended by an extra five, ten or thirty minutes into a new cosmic space. Tickets start at $55 for this concert.
5500 Campanile Drive, College Area
Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan at Petco Park
August 16
Georgians Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan both began their rise to country music stardom in the 2000s, and have since become two of the genre’s revered elder statesmen. After a sold-out one-off show at the University of Georgia in April, the pair decided to take the Peach State experience nationwide with co-headlining stops in Missoula, Montana, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and San Diego’s Petco Park. This Sunday (4 p.m.), country fans can catch the two stars, as well as a slew of up-and-coming talent, with openers Gavin Adcock, Chase Matthew, Dee Jay Silver and DJ Rock. Tickets start at $74 for this concert.
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.
From celebrity pickleball tournaments to intimate dinner parties with your favorite Food Network chefs, here are all of the can’t-miss events going on Sept 30–Oct 4
Play is underrated. Somewhere along the way, someone decided it was something we should outgrow. That you A good song comes on, and they dance. A game appears, and they’re in. Someone hands them a melting ice cream cone, and somehow it’s the best part of the day.
Adults tend to need a reason. Or maybe just the right setting.
That’s part of what makes the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival feel different. Yes, the week revolves around food and wine, with celebrated chefs, winemakers, and restaurants drawing crowds from across the region. But what lingers afterward is the conversations that stretch a little longer than expected, the strangers who become dinner companions, the live music that pulls people out of their seats, and the rare chance to spend a few hours simply enjoying yourself without much of an agenda.
The Grand Tasting is the festival’s centerpiece, bringing thousands of guests together over two days for hundreds of bites and pours. But some of the week’s most memorable experiences happen on a smaller scale. In the days leading up to the main event, intimate dinners, chef collaborations, and guided tastings create opportunities for guests to interact more closely with the people behind the food and wine and with each other.
Signature San Diego Opening Night Party at Monarch Ocean Pub
Start festival week the San Diego way: ocean views, Baja-inspired bites, and a drink in hand as the sun goes down. The Signature San Diego Opening Night Party at Monarch Ocean Pub sets the tone for the week ahead with a walk-around tasting experience celebrating the flavors that make this city impossible to replicate. It’s an evening of fresh coastal cuisine, bold Mexican flavors, Baja seafood, and plenty of local favorites—all served against one of Del Mar’s most iconic backdrops. Consider it your first official toast to the weekend ahead…
Celebrity Pickleball Tournament Presented by Justin Vineyards & Winery
Wine and competition make an unexpectedly perfect pair. You can join Drew Brees and celebrity players at Barnes Tennis Center for a pickleball tournament benefiting Feeding San Diego, where the sidelines are just as exciting as the court. Grab a paddle, cheer from the sidelines, or simply enjoy a glass of wine while the action unfolds. The day blends friendly competition with an all-inclusive tasting experience.
Since year one, Del Mar Wine & Food Festival has partnered with Feeding San Diego to raise $100,000 in support of the organization’s mission to fight hunger across the region. Every serve, sip, and bite helps give back to the community that makes this festival possible.
Remember that pickleball paddle you swore you’d use? Time to put it to work.
Barnes Tennis Center | 4490 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
This is essentially a passport to Spain with no airport required. Set among the lush grounds of Rancho Valencia, Rioja Uncorked celebrates one of Spain’s most iconic wine regions with an evening of exceptional pours and thoughtfully paired bites. Guests will sip their way through Rioja wines while enjoying a menu featuring everything from Hiramasa crudo and uni toast to duck rillette, birria mini tacos, Cardiff Crack tri-tip sandwiches, and a sweet finale from Karen Krasne of Extraordinary Desserts (date night plans, solved).
Rancho Valencia | 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
Justin Wine Dinner with Chefs Kaitlyn Weber, Buddha Lo & Jackson Kalb
Justin Wine Dinner sounds simple: three chefs, one unforgettable table. But chefs Kaitlyn Weber (Estancia La Jolla), Buddha Lo (Top Chef), and Jackson Kalb (Top Chef) are taking you on a one-night-only culinary ride where three styles collide over a multi-course menu paired with exceptional pours from Justin Vineyards & Winery. Set in Estancia’s coastal estate, the evening unfolds course by course with pairings from Justin wines as each chef brings their own style to a menu focused on craft, connection, and a bit of friendly culinary overlap. It’s the kind of culinary conversation that only happens when very, very talented people cook together.
Estancia – Olive Lawn | 9700 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California
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.
Chemotherapy and radiation have long been considered gold standards of cancer treatment, but they can cause severe side effects. A promising new approach called theranostics—a combination of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”—could offer patients with certain types of metastatic cancers new hope. It’s a two-step process that uses a drug that binds to specific receptors on cancer cells. Advanced imaging detects this radioisotope, allowing doctors to then use a second radioisotope that binds to the cancer cells and destroys them. Click here to learn more about how specialists at Scripps Cancer Center are using theranostics.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
