Celebrate Black History Month by learning about the historic milestones of San Diego’s Black community. The San Diego History Center officially launched an exhibit in honor of Black History Month that features an extensive timeline of local Black accomplishments dating back to 1798.
San Diego History Center is offering a virtual lesson on our city’s favorite park, showing how what began as wild scrubland has evolved into the cultural center we love today. From the colorful botany to the 17 museums, the famed park has made a name for itself ever since it came to life in 1868. This presentation by Barry Goldlust covers the park’s must-see attractions and its lesser-known charms.
Musicians of the LA Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony join together to perform for this drive-in concert. Tune in to the orchestra by radio as they dedicate the show to the work of Bach and Mozart. Concertgoers can bring their own lawn chairs and coolers to set up the ideal viewing experience at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Discover all the craft beer California has to offer through this collaboration among local and statewide breweries. AleSmith, Belching Beaver, Second Chance, and Societe are just a few of the local names participating in the 10-day fest, which will feature contests, competitions, and take-home beer packages. The kickoff event will also include special releases from your favorite brewers.
Learn more about the birds in your backyard through webinars and online exhibits, as well as socially distanced field trips where attendees can meet on-site for live bird viewings. All proceeds of the event will support the conversion and sanctuary programs of the San Diego Audubon Society.
SDMA’s Art of Elan explores photography and abstractions throughout the 20th century. The streamed exhibit will feature iconic work from acclaimed photographers paired with a live performance from clarinetist Joshua Rubin. The display will be streamed on SDMA’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m.
The symphony’s upcoming Elegy and Serenades show is the second of their digital season. This month, the performance will feature the work of Carlos Simon, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. Music director Rafael Payare will lead the orchestra in this show, which is dedicated to the lives lost to police brutality. Tune in to the live stream starting at 7 p.m.
Fall is here and the smell of beer is in the air. While flights to Munich are a bit pricey and will set you back 12 hours, San Diego’s Oktoberfest celebrations offer a much cheaper alternative—minus the jetlag. If you needed an excuse to drink beer, listen to live music, and dig your lederhosen and dirndls out of your closet, now’s the time. Here are seven ways to enjoy San Diego Oktoberfest events this year. Prost!
Courtesy of La Mesa Oktoberfest
La Mesa Oktoberfest
October 3-5
San Diego’s largest Oktoberfest gathering returns to the cozy downtown of La Mesa for its 50th year. The event features three unique beer gardens, authentic German food, live music, a ferris wheel, carnival games, and more. To make the most of it, consider buying one of its VIP ticket bundles, which grants you access to all the beer gardens and a private VIP bar, and includes a commemorative stein, an alpine hat or flower crown, and more festive goodies.
Price: Free for all ages; beer garden entry is $8; VIP tickets start at $15
Get ready for one of San Diego’s liveliest Oktoberfest celebrations in Ocean Beach this year. The 21+ event has doubled its beachfront space, taking over the Ocean Beach Pier parking lot. It features two live music stages with performances from Off the Record’s Band of Gringos, BoomBox, Spacehall Sound Machine, and various DJ sets. Besides the live entertainment and beer garden, there will be a Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest competition, including brat eating and stein holding challenges. Show up early for two-for-one beers until 5:30 p.m. on Friday and until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Price: General admission is $15; VIP tickets pricing TBD
The coastal town of Encinitas celebrates its 29th annual Oktoberfest with family-friendly fun and festivities. This North County celebration features live German music, dance troupes, and food vendors, including Tarantino’s and Taste of Poland. There’s also a dog costume contest and an artisan market with over 130 local vendors. If you plan on drinking, you can catch a free shuttle from Flora Elementary or a bike valet from Wandering Road.
Price: Free admission
Time: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Address: Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road & Rambling Road
Courtesy of Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Sept. 26-28 & Oct. 3-5
Hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego, the El Cajon gathering is the most authentic Oktoberfest in the county. The two-weekend celebration features music from German band Guggenbach-Buam from the Baden-Württemberg region, folk dancing, German food (including bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, sauerkraut, and German pastries), a market, and an opening day parade. The festival offers a dedicated kids’ zone with plenty of games as well as a raffle for two plane tickets to Germany. It’s a true taste of Munich without leaving America’s Finest City.
Price: Fridays & Saturdays are $15 for adults; Sundays are $5 for adults; Free for guests under 21 and active military
Liberty Public Market celebrates Oktoberfest for 10 days of daily deals from local breweries and festivities. Notable highlights include a Mini Beer Fest, featuring sample pours from some of San Diego’s hottest breweries; a Beer Bingo + Pint Night, with samples from Coronado Brewing; and Vinyl at the Market, featuring a DJ and a record market.
Price: Free admission
Time: Mini Beer Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 5-8 p.m.; Beer Bingo + Pint Night on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6-7 p.m.; and Vinyl at the Market on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Address: 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma
Courtesy of Oktoberfest at One Paseo
Oktoberfest at One Paseo
September 27
Celebrate Bavarian-style in a SoCal setting at One Paseo’s Oktoberfest, where the lawn transforms into a festive beer garden featuring local breweries, including Harland Brewing. Admission includes a beer tasting flight of local brews and a German-inspired lunch. The 21+ festival also features live music, beer hall games, and an Oktoberfest costume contest.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Move over summer beers, it’s time to embrace the flavors of fall.
There are no strict seasonal guidelines when it comes to beer styles, but certain recipes just taste better during different times of the year. Light, crisp, refreshing lagers hit all the hot spots during summer—both literally and figuratively—while rich, full-bodied, malt-forward brews tend to warm us up during the chilly winter months. But autumn remains an especially unique season for beers, thanks in large part to Oktoberfest celebrations that usually start in late September and run through October.
Lots of places that celebrate Oktoberfest tend to offer the classic trio of fall beers—Oktoberfests, Marzens, and Festbiers. Don’t get me wrong—all of these are deservedly iconic styles that are some of my favorites to drink. But there are many, many more fall-centric beers out there to discover. Here are a few options from around San Diego that may expand your mind and please your palate this fall season.
Courtesy of Kilowatt Brewing
Smoked Maibock
Kilowatt Brewing
This 7.0 percent ABV beer has already earned both gold and silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival, and for good reason. It’s complex and crisp, highlighting both a malty backbone and balanced smokiness from beechwood smoked malts and a hint of Vermont maple syrup. Ironically, the word maibock actually translates to “May beer” and is typically brewed at the start of spring, but this smoky take on the seasonal style makes it an ideal option for the increasingly shorter San Diego days.
Courtesy of Societe Brewing Company
The Debutante Amber Ale
Societe Brewing Company
Yes, their Festbier is an excellent pick for the season. But once you’ve had your Festbier fill, take a chance on Societe’s amber ale, The Debutante. While the style has largely fallen out of fashion over the past decade, amber ales are some of the most balanced brews out there (if you can even find one in cans or on draft nowadays) and Societe is wise to include one in their portfolio. It’s delicious, too—and at 6.5 percent ABV, it hits all the high notes without going too far.
Courtesy of Eppig Brewing
Meister Northern German Wheat Ale
Eppig Brewing
Wheat beers are another criminally underrepresented (and often very misunderstood) style that deserve much more of a spotlight. Eppig knows exactly how to handle their lagers, and with a beautifully round mouthfeel, clean finish, and pleasantly restrained 5.3 percent ABV, Meister goes down smoothly and tastes great the whole time. Try it with a salted Bavarian soft pretzel to contrast against the light sweetness, and please—don’t ask for an orange slice on the rim.
The name Extra Special Bitter can seem off-putting to those unfamiliar with the traditionally English style. Hop bitterness is held in check against a malt personality that’s full of biscuit and toast—a quintessential British brew. Deft’s founder Mo Nuspl is an expert in brewing traditional styles and often includes a rotating portfolio of uncommon brews like kellerbiers, altbiers, and dark milds. Even the most rabid hazebois will find something to salivate over. (Pro tip: if it’s available during your visit, try the ESB on cask for an ultra smooth and creamy pour.)
Courtesy of South O Brewing Company
Roll It Rauch Helles-Style
South O Brewing Company
Bamberg, Germany is the world capital of rauchbier (“smoked beer”) and this Bamberg-style helles lager is a true European-style crossover with all the smoky delight of a rauchbier and all the crispness of a helles lager. With smoked malts giving intense aromatics and Noble hops providing the Old World hop flavor, rauchbiers can be a bit of an acquired taste. However, if you’re at all interested in walking on the smoky side, this is a great place to start.
Baesic Batch Pumpkin Ale
Helix Brewing
If you don’t like pumpkin beers, don’t drink them. But if you do, head to Helix Brewing’s La Mesa taproom and beer garden for their seasonal fall release, a 6.0 percent ABV easy-drinking ale packed with pumpkin spice flavor. It’s a fun, if not somewhat obvious, elixir that celebrates the changing of seasons, and I’m all for it. If you’re still on the fence, just know their beer garden is very dog- and kid-friendly, and you can count on food trucks, live music, trivia, or some combination of those three virtually every day it’s open.
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
Who says San Diego isn’t a sports city? The Padres have become a real contender in the MLB; the new MLS team, San Diego FC, will arrive at Snapdragon next year; and SDSU’s basketball program has established itself as a recurring presence in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the San Diego Clippers are returning as a G-league team in Oceanside for their LA counterparts, and the San Diego Wave fútbol club led the NWSL last year. With tons of great teams to watch and ticket prices on the rise, San Diego’s sports bars are the next best locale to enjoy each game day with fellow fans.
Courtesy of the Gaslamp Quarter
Sports Bars in Downtown & Little Italy San Diego
Time Out Sports Tavern
Going out in the Gaslamp often requires a certain tolerance for purgatory-like lines and $20 well drinks, but this locally owned sports bar is an unabashedly divey antidote home to 29 rotating beer taps, a late-night menu for when the game goes into overtime, and a couple of pool tables (plus deals on mimosas for those daytime matches).
Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. | Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. Happy Hour Specials: 3–6:30 p.m. | $5 Michelob Ultra, wells & beer of the day | $6 house wine | $8 Tito’s & Tullamore Dew | $2 off select food options Address: 634 Broadway, Gaslamp Quarter
Located less than a block from Petco Park, Bub’s is the ultimate afterparty for Padres home games during the season. Friar faithful file in after a W to celebrate with a round of beer and remarkably unathletic feats of athleticism in the bar’s novelty basketball court. Bub’s gets packed on game day and is known for screening every Padres away game. For pigskin fans, the bar offers generous NFL and college football game-day drink deals.
An upscale watering hole located in the Gaslamp’s swanky Pendry hotel, this retrofitted space dating to the 1900s is a great place to cheer on the Padres and feast on game-day specials like a $9 Wagyu hot dog. This must be the only spot in SD where you can chow down on $40 caviar while watching the Chargers play.
San Diego is increasingly staking its claim as a destination for soccer, but many local sports bars are lacking a dedicated space for fútbol fanatics. When FIFA rolls around, Shakespeare Pub in Little Italy is the place to be. Opened by a pair of British expats in 1990, this second-story bar on India Street tunes its TVs to Europe’s Premier League and offers the eats to match (think a full English breakfast or a plate of fish and chips).
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m. | Friday, 10:30 a.m.–12 a.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m.–12 a.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m–10 p.m. Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–6 p.m. | $1 off draft pints | $5 house wine | $1 off all bottled beer | $5.50 well liquor Address: 3701 India Street, Little Italy
Sports Bars in Pacific Beach
The Duck Dive
While sports are the main attraction at this PB hot spot, the food and drinks hold their own, especially when early weekend games draw fans for brunch and $19 bottomless mimosas. University of Nebraska alumni (all two of you) will be happy to hear that this is a certified Nebraska Husker bar, so enjoy hogging the TVs all season long.
Cole Novak is an award-winning writer with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Matt Furman Photography
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Matt Furman Photography
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
All the clubs and companies bringing famous names and funny up-and-comers to town
Courtesy of Quartyard SD
By Ombretta Di Dio
On any given Friday night, a line forms across popular downtown corners, packed with people patiently waiting for a couple of hours of laughter and some relief from the monotony of their work week. Stand-up comedy—once only enjoyed locally at La Jolla’s Comedy Store, which opened its doors for the first time in 1977—is now everywhere in San Diego.
But, whether those remarks will actually give you belly laughs or leave you wondering why you even bothered abandoning the couch, depends on a number of variables that go from the night of the week and the lineup of the show, to who produces it. No matter what, however, I assure you that watching live comedy is a risk worth taking. I would know. In the almost 10 years I have been around it, both as a performer and as an audience member, I found nothing better to occupy my nights and my mind.
This guide will help you discover your next favorite spot to laugh and help you navigate the intricate and somewhat daunting map of shows that populate weekly and weekend nights all over town.
Courtesy of Mad House Comedy Club
Stand-Up Comedy in San Diego: The Signature Clubs
Mad House Comedy Club
The Mad House Comedy Club has been a staple among locals for over a decade, thanks to its signature open mic nights (currently on hold) and the comedy shows that, from Wednesday to Sunday, offer a platform to up-and-coming talent and out-of-towners. After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson graced the stage here before catapulting to celebrity status, and I might have stumbled on that same stage for open mics and shows alike once or twice, too, which basically puts me at the same level as the second-most famous Taylor in show business.
American Comedy Co.
Just a couple of blocks down the road is the American Comedy Co., with its weekly Tuesday-night open mic that attracts hundreds of audience members and dozens of young comics hungry for three minutes in the spotlight. Big Jay Oakerson, Natasha Leggero, and other big names from Los Angeles and New York regularly pay visits to the venue. Locals get to open the act, and if you particularly like any of them, you will find them working the door in between shows. Strike a conversation, and you will make their night.
Mic Drop Comedy
Downtown isn’t the only comedy hotspot! Out in Kearny Mesa, Mic Drop Comedy makes it a mission to feature diverse and unforgettable lineups, as well as themed shows where comedians draw from holidays, movies, and music to deliver side-splitting jokes (picture a Taylor Swift–inspired midday brunch show). Sip cocktails while you get lost in pop culture references or discover witty, new LGBTQ talent and brilliant women headliners.
Courtesy of Duck Foot Brewery
Stand-Up Comedy in San Diego: The Indie Shows
Comedy Heights
If you think comedy merely belongs to clubs, think again. San Diego’s best stand-up shows sometimes happen in bars, breweries, and even yards. Comedy Heights—which called the recently shuttered Twiggs Bakery Cafe home for 12 years—found a new permanent residence in Normal Heights at Lestat’s on Adams, hosting PG-13 comedians every Friday and Saturday. Make sure to grab a complimentary coffee next door and bring your own booze to enjoy the show!
Duck Foot Comedy Night
Comedy is serious business in Miramar, where you can savor an expansive comedy show experience at the familiar Duck Foot Brewery. This monthly event takes place right outside of the brewery and is consistently packed thanks to a good mix of local and nationally touring comics who are funny enough to grab the attention of a sea of people, despite—or maybe thanks to—the unusual location.
Going Dutch Comedy
If you are a fan of crowd work and want to join in the fun of creating comedy magic, head to Going Dutch Comedy’s monthly evening event. Participating comics pick prompts out of a bowl and riff on them then and there to deliver hilarious dating advice. The trick? Audience members get to come up with the prompts. Going Dutch Comedy recently partnered with Don’t Tell San Diego, the national franchise that brings Netflix-approved comedy faces to unexpected secret venues.
Laugh Outside
Every month, Quartyard San Diego transforms into a comedy-filled garden where beer and laughter flow to the sound of seasoned comics and up-and-comers who have learned how to master a major stage. This outside show in the middle of the East Village is ideal for smart audiences who appreciate diverse humor that isn’t overly obscure or edgy.
If you’ve lived in San Diego long enough, you’ve likely found yourself four cocktails deep singing “Sweet Caroline” with a room full of strangers joining in as background vocalists at the Lamplighter in Mission Hills. It’s an iconic rite of passage here.
On Thursday, NVRL FT Hospitality Group and Lamplighter’s Frankie Sciuto will open Gaslamplighter, a cocktail-focused karaoke bar at 536 Market Street. Sciuto—a San Diego native, fourth generation bar owner, and owner of Side Bar—used the Lamplighter, his family’s karaoke bar, as a jumping-off point for the concept.
“The Lamplighter has been a staple in the San Diego community for decades, known as a place to come together and share good times,” said Sciuto in a recent press release. “I’m confident that Gaslamplighter will mirror its legacy.”
Arianne Virsunen, marketing director for the NVRL FT, explains that the Gaslamplighter team “wanted to bring 1920s mixed with a little bit of 1960s New York-style flair” to bring a sense of “timeless nostalgia” to the former Ciro’s Pizzeria space. “A lot of people know the location because that was people’s drunk slice,” she laughs.
Rendering courtesy of Gaslamplighter
But the 1,600-square-foot suite won’t be quite so recognizable now. GTC Design Studios, who most recently redesigned multiple Rare Society locations, did a complete overhaul, installing speakeasy-inspired accents as well as historical details and photographs provided by the Gaslamp Quarter Association that show what the corner of 6th and Market looked like in the early 20th century.
“We wanted to pay homage to the Lamplighter, but really create a contemporary iteration,” says Virsunen.
Other recognizable names include beverage director David Tye (Kingfisher, The Crab Hut, The Lion’s Share, Sycamore Den) and Stevie Latona, who Virsunen calls “a huge player in the industry for a long time,” adding that “David actually started his career at Side Bar, which is a very cool circle moment.”
If you’re the type of person who needs liquid courage to belt it out at karaoke, the cocktail menu promises to deliver. Virsunen says the focus is classic cocktails with a modern flair, “everything from a classic Manhattan with a little bit of a twist, to an amazing Martini that’s been taken to a new level with truffle and caviar.” There may or may not even be a Negroni topped with 24K gold. It’s a whole vibe.
Gaslamplighter will open to the public on Thursday and hours will run Thursday through Sunday, 6 pm to 2 am.
Courtesy of Monarch Ocean Pub
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and there are a ton of events to attend and reservations to make. (Seriously, if you haven’t made a reservation yet, time’s a-fleeting!) A few that I’m eyeballing include The Rose’s dinner for two with optional wine pairings (South Park), Monarch Ocean Pub’s “Bottle & Board” special (Del Mar), Bivouac’s cider and dessert pairing (North Park), and Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s prix fixe menu for two (with childcare available? Yes please!) in Carlsbad.
The best part of Super Bowl Sunday is the food (don’t @ me). Luckily for all of us, there are plenty of places to either watch the game or pick up some tasty snacks to impress. See our full list of places to catch the game or just eat some good grub here.
When former New Yorker and SDM managing editor Jackie Bryant vouches for pizza, you know it’s legit. Angry Pete’s Pizza just opened their latest spot at 5335 Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa, and you can’t miss it—the space’s history as a former Taco Bell is pretty obvious. (No shade, I’m always ready to eat más.)
I’ve never eaten better than when I was in Japan. When that craving hits, I head to Ichiban Sando for one of their sandos on the silky-soft milk bread I haven’t found anywhere else in San Diego.
More Millennial pink! The Sasan is coming soon to Mission Hills, and with it are two delicious-sounding concepts: Communion, a rooftop restaurant and bar, and Paradis, an outdoor sidewalk cafe. I’m definitely keeping my eye on the Nakhshab Development & Design Instagram page for updates (which I’ll share here, of course).
Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
San Diego is home to world-class aestheticians, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists who can help turn back the hands of time and revitalize tired, damaged skin. Enhancing your look is a spectrum. Treatments range from noninvasive procedures like lasers or injectables to the big guns, like a deep-plane facelift—many with better results and less downtime than ever thanks to advanced techniques and technology. Whether you’re a Botox beginner or an aesthetic medical care veteran, San Diego aestheticians and aesthetic medicine providers can help you look and feel like the best version of yourself.
Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa
Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa is San Diego’s premier destination for aesthetic surgery, led by world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Rossi. Celebrated for his artistry, precision, and natural-looking results, Dr. Rossi is known for creating customized Mommy Makeovers that help women restore confidence and reclaim their bodies after pregnancy. His expertise also extends to comprehensive post-weight loss body contouring, addressing excess skin and skin laxity with sophisticated surgical techniques tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals. From breast and body rejuvenation to deep plane facelifts and eyelid surgery, every treatment plan reflects Dr. Rossi’s commitment to surgical excellence, personalized care, and transformative results that look as beautiful as they feel.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, the board-certified, internationally acclaimed team has the power to erase 10+ years of aging in a single treatment. The center’s 60+ laser, light, and energy devices do it all—refining texture and tone, calming acne, minimizing pores, and erasing that ill-advised spring break tattoo of yesteryear. Their dermatologists take it further by stacking multiple devices in one session for synergistic results—the philosophy behind their signature Take5 and Take10 treatments, the latter capable of removing a decade-plus of aging in just one visit. Add a full suite of injectables, body sculpting, and vein treatments for every skin type and tone, and it’s no wonder the practice’s medical director was named the #1 cosmetic dermatologist in America by Newsweek two years running.
Cultivé Medical Aesthetic
If it’s subtle, lasting results you’re after, Cultivé Medical Aesthetics has you covered. Cultivé purposely combines aesthetics and wellness. The Bankers Hill practice offers a full menu of services designed to improve skin health and support the three pillars of aesthetic aging: skin tone and texture, volume loss, and laxity. Cultivé offers a wide range of aesthetic treatments, including collagen boosting powerhouse Morpheus8, biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse, PRP therapy, laser hair removal, VI peels, and regenerative skincare treatments. They also provide wellness-focused services such as hormone replacement therapy, IV therapy, and medical weight management programs.
Starlite Aesthetics and Wellness
Starlite Aesthetics and Wellness focuses on enhancing natural beauty through science-backed treatments tailored to each client’s goals. Michelle Langston, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, founded Starlite on the principle that aesthetic medicine should be precise, personal, and rooted in wellness. The boutique aesthetic practice in La Jolla combines modern medical aesthetics with holistic wellness principles for refined results personalized to each patient. Langston has spent more than a decade honing her skills in advanced injectables, regenerative therapies, and anti-aging care. Starlite offers regenerative therapies rooted in science, promoting skin rejuvenation using a multiple modality approach. Service offerings include RF microneedling, wrinkle relaxers, facial balancing and more.
The “It” List
In the rapidly advancing field of aesthetic medicine, it can be hard to tell what’s worth the hype. Here are some of the latest, most advanced, and most popular options out there.
Morpheus8: This combination of microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy activates your skin’s own collagen and elastin without the downtime associated with some laser treatments. It can be used to reduce wrinkles, tighten skin, improve skin tone, contour the jawline, and minimize acne scars.
Exosome Therapy: This cutting-edge treatment uses protein-packed nanoparticles to trigger repair and rejuvenation at the cellular level. Often used post-microneedling or lasers, exosomes penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate collagen production.
Post-GLP-1 Skin Removal: Rapid fat loss prompted by GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide, can leave users with sagging skin. Skilled surgeons can remove excess skin and reshape the figure.
Treatment Stacking: Sometimes it’s the more the merrier when it comes to aesthetic procedures. Combining multiple non-surgical treatments in a single session allows users to address several issues efficiently, with less downtime.
