Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend: Feb. 28–Mar. 3
Raise money for local music students in Pacific Beach, headbang to EDM hitmakers at CRSSD and eat your way through the city during San Diego Restaurant Week
Connecting en la Cocina: Empowerment, Resistance & Wisdom-Keeping Opening
March 2
This Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Centro Cultural de la Raza will host a night of art and live music with the opening of two new exhibitions and a fundraiser to remodel the Centro kitchen. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the event will feature the opening of the Connecting en la Cocina and Because We Eat exhibitions and a women’s market as well as several local artists, musicians and food vendors. RSVPs are not required to attend, but they are encouraged.
2004 Park Boulevard, Balboa Park
San Diego Restaurant Week
March 3–10
San Diego Restaurant Week begins this Sunday stretching along the coast from Oceanside down to Imperial Beach. Participating SDRW locations will be offering multi-course menus for lunch and dinner beginning at $20 through March 10. There will be food to try all over the city and plenty of unique options, with over 100 SDRW locations, whether you’re searching for a new brunch spot or a swanky steak dinner. Reservations are recommended. Check out the full list of participating restaurants and price ranges.
Citywide
Lakehouse 3rd Annual Food & Wine Festival
March 3
Lakehouse Resort will host a day on the lake with 40 participating food, beer and wine vendors, live music from Perry O’Neal and as much food and drinks as attendees can handle. Guests will vote for their favorite food and drink and can check out the Brandt Beef experience which includes a beef tallow candle making station, a butcher case display and five chefs pairing Brandt Beef items with local spirits. Ticket options include $95 general admission tickets, $125 early entry tickets which come with an extra hour beginning 11 a.m. and $185 VIP passes which feature access via a luxury cruise to the island in Lake San Marcos for selections from exclusive vendors.
1105 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos
Courtesy of CRSSD Festival
Concerts & Theatre in San Diego
Mission Bay High School Preservationists Jazz Band Fundraiser
February 28
Community members can help raise money for Mission Bay High School’s Preservationists Jazz Band to visit New Orleans and explore the city’s jazz heritage by attending this event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m this Sunday at Soledad Club. Guests will be able bid on silent auction items to to help students reach their goal of $20K for their annual trip. Tickets to the fundraiser dinner cost $30 per person, $40 for preferred seating, and donations can be made here.
5050 Soledad Road, Pacific Beach
Sitting on Stacy With Saint Luna & Band of Gringos at Music Box
February 29
Three rockin’ bands in the San Diego music scene will receive the spotlight during this Leap Day concert at Music Box headlined by Sitting on Stacy, a trio of childhood friends and San Diego State alums who’ve gone from playing on campus to touring with the Jonas Brothers. Sitting on Stacy will be joined by Pacific Beach’s own Saint Luna, who are fresh off the release of their debut album, and eclectic Ocean Beach-based group Band of Gringos. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22.
1337 India Street, Downtown
San Diego Theatre Month
March 1–31
San Diegans can support a handful of local theatre productions during this month-long promotion of the city’s wide-ranging performing arts community. San Diego Theatre Month, the San Diego Performing Arts League’s annual program, highlights the many performing arts happenings throughout the county during March with discounted tickets sold at $15, $30 and $45 intervals.
With sounds of violin, guitar and lovely vocals, the Spanish quartet Las Migas play world-class flamenco and Mediterranean music with each member of the group representing a unique region of the country and bringing a distinct style to their music. The group’s songs feature beautiful and complex rhythms with strong Latin influences and their concert at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater will take audiences on a journey through their musical evolution. Tickets for Saturday’s performance range from $28-$33.
9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
Chris Stapleton at Petco Park
March 2
Lace on your boots and put on your cowboy hats for a concert from country superstar Chris Stapleton. Stapleton is a magnetic presence on stage, combining his country origins, tenor vocal range and soul music inspirations for a resoundingly powerful Nashville sound. Known for songs like “Tennessee Whiskey” and “White Horse,” and for all-timer performances at the Grammys and Austin City Limits, Stapleton will serenade a San Diego crowd of more than 40,000 at Petco Park this Saturday night. Tickets are sold out, but there are still resale tickets available (though you are now at the mercy of Ticketmaster).
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
CRSSD Festival Spring 2024
March 2–3
Over 35 electronic music artists will take over Waterfront Park (rain or shine) for two packed days of live music with three stages playing house, techno and EDM. The lineup for CRSSD’s annual spring edition is headlined by artists like house music aficionado Armand Van Helden, Detroit techno legend Jeff Mills, and Dutch DJ Joris Voorn. CRSSD After Dark will also make its return with a series of after parties held at clubs in downtown, Hillcrest, Five Points and more to keep the party going all night. Two-day tickets are still available ($239-$249) as well as single-day passes for Saturday or Sunday ($130-$140).
1600 Pacific Highway, Embarcadero
San Diego Symphony’s 3rd Annual Picnic at the Park
March 3
Enjoy an afternoon at Jacobs Park with live music by musicians from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Rebecca Jade plus Jeff Berkley and The Band. Activities include a San Diego Padres fast-pitch station, an autograph signing session from Richard Blais for his new healthy recipe cookbook Plant Forward with wife Jazmin, plus plenty of giveaways. Guests are welcome to bring picnics, blankets, chairs. Rady Shell vendors Biga Pizza, Lola 55, Urban Kitchen and Cali Creamery will also have food for purchase. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP here for more details; gates will open for the Picnic at the Park at 10:30 a.m. and RSVPs do not guarantee admission to the event.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
Courtesy of The Moving Castle
Festivals and Art Exhibits in San Diego
San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
March 2
STEAM enthusiasts of all ages, from esports players to mechanical engineering professors, are invited to Snapdragon Stadium from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday for the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering. There will be over 100 interactive activities from a variety of academia, community, and government organizations designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and foster the search for innovation. The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering is free for all with no prior registration necessary.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
San Diego Scenes Artist Reception
March 2
Gallery 21 is celebrating San Diego Scenes, a new exhibition from San Diego-based landscape artist Kevin Inman which highlights his San Diego-centric paintings made over the course of 15 years, with an opening reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday. On display daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 11, San Diego Scenes depicts Inman’s love for the city, its community, geography and energy through colors and brushstrokes.
Though the rain refuses to go away for good, springtime is just around the corner in San Diego; and there is no better seasonal sight than the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Through May 12, visitors can witness the colorful and vivid ranunculus flowers as they evolve into full bloom, plus enjoy a variety of activities including themed gardens and displays, tractor wagon tours, picnics and more across the two months of floral celebration. Tickets are now on sale for the whole season, with $18 single-day adult tickets and $54 seasonal passes available for purchase.
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.
Is there any food more quintessentially San Diegan than the California burrito? That was a rhetorical question since the French fry-stuffed, flour tortilla-wrapped torpedo of carne asada bliss came into being in the 80s (either invented by Lolita’s or Santana’s, depending on who you ask). But now, Vietnamese-Mexican pop-up Một Bánh Mì may be giving the longtime champ a run for its money.
Một Bánh Mì’s original California banh mi takes cues from both cultures, using traditional Vietnamese baguettes from Paris Bakery filled with carne asada and garnished with cilantro-jalapeno crema, Vietnamese mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, cilantro, cucumber, jalapenos, and of course, French fries.
“It’s so San Diego—it’s so us,” says Desmond Bui, pop-up founder and owner with partner Marisol Santiago. “It really encapsulates the Vietnamese-American and Mexican-American journey and identity here.”
Both grew up in San Diego. Bui is Vietnamese. Santiago is Mexican-American. The sandwich makes utter personal sense.
Neither of them cooked professionally before launching Một Bánh Mì earlier this year, when they popped up for the first time at Convoy Rising for Lunar New Year. But after seeing the rise of the local Vietnamese coffee scene with shops like Saigon Coffee, Chance’s Coffee, and Em Coffee House, Bui knew there was an opportunity for a new generation to put a fresh spin on Vietnamese food in San Diego.
While there are plenty of places to grab a banh mi around town (K Sandwiches, Ba Le French Sandwich Shop, Lee’s Sandwiches, and so on), we’ve yet to hear of a California banh mi. Firsts are being firsted.
“Banh mi is regarded by top chefs as the best sandwich in the world,” says Bui. (Side note: I concur.) And after discovering overlap between Mexican and Vietnamese cuisines through common ingredients like cilantro, lime, jalapeno, white onion, and pickled vegetables, they began planning a menu.
Courtesy of Một Bánh Mì
Một Bánh Mì also serves Bánh Mì Đặc Biệt (Vietnamese cold cuts), Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (grilled lemongrass pork banh mi), and Bánh Mì carnitas de hongos (mushroom pâté banh mi), along with some specials like Thịt Nướng tacos (grilled lemongrass pork) and hopefully soon, al pastor trompo banh mi (marinated pork shaved off a spit) and charcoal-grilled adobada.
Other banh mi shops Americanize names for English-speaking audiences—for example, listing “grilled chicken sandwich” instead of Bánh Mì Gà Nướng. Not Một Bánh Mì. If you’re not sure how to pronounce something, Bui says they’re happy to help. It’s an educational opportunity, he explains, as well as a chance for them to be “unapologetically Vietnamese and Mexican.”
Part of the immersive experience is playing Vietnamese tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“When you think of universal languages, what are ways when you travel or meet a different group of people that you can still find common ground and connect and feel like we’re a lot more alike than we are different?” Bui asks. “Food and music.”
The musical element is part of Một Bánh Mì’s greater vision. They’d like to evolve into a lifestyle brand and media company, with merch, jars of pickled vegetables, you name it. Eventually, they’d like to open a brick-and-mortar somewhere in Mid-City. In the meantime, they’ll continue to pop up at places like Mixed Grounds and Chance’s Coffee, or wherever they can. (Bui called Provecho Coffee their “dream collab,” hint hint.)
San Diego bartenders have been making serious waves over the past few years, and it looks like 2026 is carrying on that momentum. Dominique Muñoz, bar lead at Polite Provisions, just nabbed a top spot on Punch’s Best New Bartenders 2026 list. She’s hardly new to the game, having been behind the stick for nearly a decade and founding the Sirens and Spirits collective to elevate women and nonbinary bartenders in the industry, but it’s fabulous to see some (well-deserved) San Diego representation on the short list. Congrats to Muñoz—we can’t wait to see what you do next.
Speaking of awards, Tribute Pizza just earned a prize of its own. The North Park pizza palace hit #38 on the 50 Top Pizza list this year (for the fourth year) right before its 10th anniversary on June 2. Here’s to another decade of delightful pies, ridiculously good Caesar salads, and the weird-to-have, but delicious-to-eat Sichuan spicy noodles.
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. San Diego’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant Addison by William Bradley (which is freshly re-open after a thorough renovation) just made San Diego history by being the first restaurant in the city to make it on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list at #31. Considering there are something around 70,000 restaurants in North America (if not more)—I’d say landing in the top 50 is pretty monumental.
San Diego has one of the highest concentrations of people in the African diaspora, including one of the nation’s largest East African populations behind Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. To celebrate the huge diversity of cuisines from countries like Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and beyond, head to the annual San Diego Soul Food Fest on August 1 at the North Park Mini Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Soul food’s roots come from the American South, where generations of enslaved people made do with what resources they had; today, it’s a celebration of culture, cooking, and community. I, for one, am salivating at the thought of getting some legit collard greens and fried catfish.
In lieu of catfish, I just might pop over to Bica in Normal Heights on June 20 for the Tuna Takedown, where chefs from Kingfisher, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, Ironside, À L’ouest, Fish Guts (plus a few more) will go full nose-to-tail on a 150-pound bluefin tuna. That’s about as fresh as it gets, and with beer, wine, and a DJ on top of that, I’m hard-pressed to make any other plans that night.
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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.
Just as seasons for the Clippers and Sockers come to a close with Fan Appreciation Nights, a new set of 162 games will begin for the Padres on Opening Day. The return of Padres baseball also means the Friar faithful can check out Margaritaville Hotel’s Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party and the celebratory East Village Block Party. Those who prefer an outing at the theater over a day at the ballpark can see local productions of The Lehman Trilogy and Matt & Ben or the debut of works by women+ playwrights at the Lamoise New Works Festival. Plus, fans of live music can see Lang Lang, Digable Planets and fifteen San Diego County choirs in concert this week.
Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party at 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar
March 26
A few blocks from the Padres’ home opener at Petco Park, fans can say cheers to the new season during the free Padres’ Kickoff Rooftop Party at Margaritaville Hotel. This Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at the hotel’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, patrons can catch a set from DJ Chino of iHeart Radio Channel 93.3, plus enjoy photo ops, lawn games, mini golf and Padres merch for sale from The Finnish Long Drink. There will also be a themed game day menu, featuring items like the Grand Slam Philly Fries and the dragon fruit-infused Ballpark Paloma. RSVP here.
Take a gastronomic trek around France with Little Frenchie this Sunday at 6 p.m. during the Tour de France Wine Dinner. This four-course prix fixe meal will feature complimentary wine pairings and emphasize the unique culinary strengths of four French regions: Lyon, Provence, Burgundy and Normandy. Guests will be guided through the significance and history of the evening’s pairings by Rafael Peterson of H. Mercer Imports. Reservations are $150 per person.
1166 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Lang Lang at Jacobs Music Center
March 26
Chinese pianist Lang Lang is among the world’s most well-known classical musicians, with his talents taking him everywhere from the Grammy Awards, to private shows for heads of state, to multiple Olympic opening ceremonies. His mastery of the keys, done with wonderful enthusiasm and dexterity, leaves no awe-inspiring detail behind. This Thursday (7:30 p.m.), Lang Lang will play a selection of recognizable pieces from Mozart, Liszt and Beethoven in concert at Jacobs Music Center. Tickets start at $95 for this concert.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Digable Planets at Belly Up
March 27 & 28
The melding of jazz and hip-hop has rarely sounded sweeter than on Digable Planets’ second album Blowout Comb. Though it proved to be their final project, it eternally cemented the group as one of the forebears of jazz rap, alongside acts from the Native Tongues movement like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. In celebration of Blowout Comb’s 30th anniversary, Digable Planets will perform back-to-back nights at Belly Up, where they’ll be joined by San Diego artists Ric Scales (Friday) and Blame One (Saturday). Tickets start at $60 for both concerts.
143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
San Diego Writers Festival
March 28
Aspiring writers and readers ranging from casual to voracious can enjoy a day of literary panels, workshops and readings this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the 7th annual San Diego Writers Festival. Held at the Coronado Public Library and Coronado Performing Arts Center, this year’s event will feature best-selling and emerging writers of romance, mystery, historical fiction and more. The lineup includes talks covering trauma, spirituality, and artistry in the age of AI, and a keynote discussion with novelist Jodi Picoult. RSVP for the free festival here.
640 Orange Avenue & 650 D Avenue, Coronado
San Diego Sings! Festival at The Conrad
March 28
Fifteen San Diego County choirs will fill The Conrad with vocal harmony during this Saturday’s San Diego Sings! Festival. Organized by the Choral Consortium of San Diego, audiences can catch performances by the San Diego Women’s Chorus, Encore Vocal Ensemble and the San Diego Children’s Choir. The performers will be split into three concert performances (11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.) inside Baker-Baum Concert Hall. Tickets are $23 for each of the three concerts.
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.
San Diegans can take advantage of this weekend’s mid-70s forecast by spending time outdoors, attending new plays and exploring cultural events. Admire the beauty of mother nature during the five-day San Diego Bird Festival and the seasonal opening of The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Watch new productions of contemporary and classic theatrical stories, including Beetlejuice at Civic Theatre and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Scripps Ranch Theatre. Plus, celebrate international food, cinema, and culture with Artifact at Mingei’s United by Grains dinner, the Oceanside International Film Festival and San Diego Chinese New Year Fair.
Why settle for one cuisine when you can dine on a world of earthly treasures? For its next themed dinner, Artifact at Mingei has drawn inspiration from the museum’s new Farm to Craft exhibition to cultivate a menu with vast international influence. Artifact at Night: United by Grains will consist of a five-course dinner, with optional beverage pairings, featuring global essentials like North African freekeh, Eastern European oat kvass and Mexican red corn tamales. Reservations are $80 for Mingei members and $89 for non-members; seatings can be reserved online for this Friday between 5-8:30 p.m., with seven dining slots still available.
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
Calienté Latin Music and Spirits Fest
February 28
Spend your afternoon dancing to salsa tunes and trying top-shelf spirits during the biannual Calienté Latin Music and Spirits Fest, returning to The Sinclair on G Street this Saturday from 2-5:30 p.m. Hear banda, bachata, merengue and more, with performances by local Latin artists, while sampling a lineup of bites, mixed beverages and premium brands of tequila, mezcal, vodka and beer during this 21+ event. General admission is $39 and includes spirits sampling.
643 G Street, Gaslamp
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Oceanside International Film Festival at Star Theatre
February 25–February 28
Watch dozens of short films and a handful of independent features at the Star Theatre during the 15th annual Oceanside International Film Festival. The festivities begin Wednesday with a red carpet reception and screening of the documentary Desert Angel and conclude Saturday with an interview and Q&A featuring director Catherine Hardwicke, followed by the award show finale. Ticket options include single-day film screenings passes for Thursday-Saturday ($18 each), opening night ($25) and closing night ($30) admission, and the all-festival block pass ($86).
402 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
San Diego Bird Festival
February 25–March 1
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … oh wait, it is a bird! This Wednesday-Sunday, spread your wings and soar during the San Diego Bird Festival. Taking place primarily at Marina Village Conference Center, attendees can join field trips, take expert-led workshops, shop the Red Bird Bookstore, and bid on silent auction items to support the San Diego Bird Alliance. Register online to build your festival schedule, with 145+ activities—many of which are free or low-priced—to choose from. Plus, Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) will be free community days, with a host of family-friendly programs and activities open to the public.
1936 Quivira Way, Mission Valley
Brahms Festival at Jacobs Music Center
February 27–March 7
Conductor Rafael Payare and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra will dissect the brilliance of German composer Johannes Brahms through its Brahms Festival, beginning Friday at Jacobs Music Center. Over five concerts, audiences will hear several spellbinding pieces from this Romantic Era innovator, including A German Requiem (Friday at 7:30 p.m. & Sunday at 2 p.m.), plus Symphonies No. 1 & 2 (Saturday at 7:30 p.m.), No. 3 (March 7) and No. 4 (March 6). Each performance will be introduced through pre-concert talks led by the Symphony’s Creative Consultant Gerard McBurney. Tickets range from $42 to $125 for each concert.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Fido Fest
February 28
Dog parents, enthusiasts and prospective owners can spend their Saturday afternoon roaming Santee’s free annual Fido Fest at Town Center Community Park East. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be dog agility courses, pet costume contests, a wellness zone, a donation drive and a vendor village with an array of pet-friendly items, services, and most importantly, treats. Attendees can also observe demonstrations, enjoy arts and crafts, snap a photo with the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and peruse an adoption alley with over 20 local shelters.
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.
For Executive Chef Emily Brubaker, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa feels like home. She grew up just a mile-and-a-half away from the 400-acre property and fondly recalls walking the golf course perimeter as a kid. Though her ambitions led her away from San Diego for nearly two decades in which she honed her craft in some of the highest of high-profile Las Vegas restaurants—including triple Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand—they ultimately brought her back to North County.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Today, the classically French-trained chef, who’s fresh off a victory on NBC’s Yes, Chef!, judged by Martha Stewart and José Andrés, oversees Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s seven distinct dining concepts. Her goal is to elevate the resort’s culinary program with her creative, hyperlocal ingredient-driven approach while maintaining the Spanish- inspired flavors and fresh California coastal cuisine that are the bedrock of its culinary identity.
“The San Diego food scene is really growing, and in North County alone, it’s really exploded in the last five years,” Brubaker says. “There are Michelin stars, beautiful tasting menus, craft bakers, and all this food—when I was growing up in La Costa, it was fish tacos. Now there are really cool things popping up, and I’m so happy to be here to see where it’s going to go.”
Brubaker gives chefs de cuisine at each individual restaurant autonomy, however, her influence is evident across the resort.
For example, lobby restaurant Bar Traza serves as Omni La Costa’s culinary centerpiece and features bold Spanish flavors in a lively, social atmosphere. Brubaker overhauled the menu to be more consistent and centered on casual bites with that signature vibe. Think smoky paprika, vibrant citrus, and Spanish meats and cheeses.
At VUE, the focus is on seasonal offerings, California coastal cuisine, and Baja-inspired dishes. She and Chef de Cuisine Cameron Dixon change the menu biannually, which heading into summer, will highlight farm-fresh produce and hyperlocal ingredients—the resort even has its own herb garden and honeybee hives.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Poolside dining options are leaning into the country’s 250th this summer with a selection of classic American dishes with an Omni La Costa twist. And Bob’s Steak & Chop House (Brubaker is a trained butcher) offers a classic steakhouse experience with elevated service.
The chef and company also plan menus for special events at the resort where her creativity can really shine. For an upcoming National Ski Association dinner, the banquet hall will be transformed into an Alpine-themed winter wonderland complete with a snow machine, savory sausages, and melty, decadent raclette. A recent dinner was built around the Carlsbad Flower Fields and each course was matched to a color of ranunculus (Did you know pink dragonfruit are grown in North County? You do now.).
“It’s my zen to be in the kitchen playing with food,” Brubaker says.
Omni La Costa’s culinary program is a key part of the resort experience. And with Brubaker’s leadership, it’s becoming a draw for visitors and locals alike.
“These aren’t just hotel restaurants, these are restaurants that you should go to. They’re destinations, and I’m really hoping for the future that’s where we’re going,” Brubaker says.
Courtesy of Omni La Costa
Brubaker is also channeling her experience on Yes, Chef! into the culture at Omni La Costa—more emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, empowering her staff to share constructive critiques, and embracing different perspectives. Alongside her leadership role, Brubaker has become an advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry, serving as chief ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Apex Culinary Program, where she mentors and develops future talent.
Despite some preemptive eulogizing, the latest Brewers Association statistics estimate that though craft beer’s national volume is down 5 percent, it’s still a $72.5 billion industry. It ain’t going anywhere; just normalizing.
In San Diego, it seems like the ones who are chugging mightily along are the ones who offer more than just beer. Craft Coast, for instance. The brewery and taco stand opened its first brewpub in Oceanside in August 2020 and its second in San Marcos in April 2024. Both locations feature their own beer and Baja-style tacos, mulitas, and bowls.
Blake Masoner, one of the three co-founders with Lars Erickson and Brian Gillen, says he and his partners built a business plan on the premise of caring equally about the quality of the beer as the tacos. Food is no longer an option for a fledgling brewery’s survival. It’s essential.
“The days of business park breweries are limited, I think,” he says, noting they intentionally keep it simple.“In-N-Out doesn’t give everything to everybody for a reason, because they’re good at what they’re good at.”
His time at Pizza Port’s brewery was inspiration—a business model that survived on craft beer and pizza since the ’80s.
Craft Coast has had a successful five years in North County, where all three founders are lifelong locals. After one failed attempt to snag a spot in Encinitas in 2021 (followed by a successful bid in late 2023), they’ll open its first spot in the neighborhood this summer at 476 S. Coast Highway 101 in the former Filiberto’s space where the owners spent many late nights filling up on tacos.
The roughly 3,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor space (located directly underneath the Encinitas arch) will open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with possible late-night hours on weekends. The dozen or so taps will include Craft Coast’s five core beers (Agua Baja Mexican lager, Shootz Mahalo hazy IPA, Old West American IPA, XPA extra pale ale, and Sunset Market prickly pear sour with a rotating fruit) along with other collaborations and seasonals, plus canned and bottled non-alcoholic options and a selection of recently released to-go cans.
Expect the same food menu as the first two locations, plus a fully built-in salsa bar (my literal dream) designed by Ralitsa Kombakis of Studio Rallou. If the name sounds familiar, she also designed the soon-to-open À L’ouest French brasserie by chef Brad Wise (Trust Restaurant Group) in North Park.
Masoner says while the team likes to grow slowly, they’re committed to prioritizing their home zone of North County. If (and when) they open another brewpub, this is where they hope to stay.
“We’ve spent a lot of time living in Encinitas,” he says. “We always said if this building ever comes up, we should get it and do something. Then we established Craft Coast and here we are, five-and-a-half years later.”
Craft Coast opens this summer at 476 S. Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas.
When Matteo (somewhat suddenly) closed in South Park in December, it already had a succession plan in place. Angela Catania, who owns nearby Carbon Angela’s Kitchen, took the keys and announced Bedda in January. Bedda, which means “beautiful” in Sicilian, will not be an Italian restaurant—so don’t expect pizza or pasta, but do expect all-day dining, plus a deli and market and nighttime bar with cocktails and wine. Personally, I’m always glad when an uber-visible corner restaurant doesn’t stay empty for too long. I’m already counting down to its opening in mid-February.
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.
An audial mashup of Beethoven and Beyoncé, the historical handcraft exhibition Staying Power and the annual Kook Run are just a few of the highlights in this weekend’s event roundup. Experience the filmography of Georges Méliès through a larger-than-life retrospective or take in the soothing vibraphone of Joel Ross during one of his Good Vibes concerts. See classic theater productions revolving around newly married couples, with Barefoot in the Park showcasing the humorous side of marital relations and Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler representing a tale of manipulation. Plus, sports fans will have chances to cheer for the Mojo, the Sockers and San Diego FC, who will host Pumas UNAM for their first 2026 match.
Enjoy a sophisticated tea time with your loved ones inside the Lobby Lounge at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, with Valentine’s-themed afternoon tea happening every weekend in February. Feel the sweetness of Saint Valentine with a curated menu of teas, pastries, petit fours and finger sandwiches. Reservations can be made from noon to 3:30 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $110 per person for adults, $65 for children and include a 20 percent gratuity.
5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar
Le Salon de Musiques Concert #5 at La Jolla Woman’s Club
February 8
La Jolla Woman’s Club will host the fifth concert of Le Salon de Musiques’ 2025-26 season this Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Following an introduction from musicologist Adam Gilbert, the Azura Trio—consisting of Duncan McDougall on violin, Yejin Hong on cello and Tony Bai on piano—will perform chamber music pieces by Rachmaninoff, Bortkiewicz, and Arensky. After the show, guests will get to converse about the music while dining on a high tea buffet and Champagne from De La Vin Catering. Tickets are $120 for the general public and $69 for students.
7791 Draper Avenue, La Jolla
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Joel Ross: Good Vibes at The JAI
February 5
Though it’s been decades since the likes of Thelonius Monk, Wayne Shorter and Grant Green were the ones making waves on Blue Note Records, the label remains a hotbed for jazz virtuosos. This Thursday, local jazz fans can catch one of Blue Note’s most ascendant acts, vibrationist Joel Ross, who will lead a six-piece band for two shows (5:30 & 8 p.m.) at The JAI. Ross’ fifth album as a bandleader, the biblically-inspired Gospel Music dropped Jan. 30, rich with luscious tracks like “Wisdom is Eternal (For Barry Harris),” an ode to bebop pioneer Barry Harris. Tickets range from $55-$62 for Good Vibes.
Steve Hackman’s Beethoven x Beyoncé at Jacobs Music Center
February 6
On paper, a 19th century composer and a 21st century popstar may not share many similarities, but Steve Hackman sees Ludwig van Beethoven and Beyoncé as a match made in musical heaven. During Beethoven x Beyoncé this Friday (7:30 p.m.) at Jacobs Music Center, Hackman will conduct a fusion of two era-defining musicians, combining 15 Beyoncé tracks with the orchestral movements of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. The musical ensemble will include the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, a live band and vocalists Kaylah Sharve, Malia Civetz and Brayla. Tickets range from $61 to $78 for this concert.
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Benise: 25 Years Of Passion! at Balboa Theatre
February 7
Spanish guitar aficionado Benise will celebrate a quarter century of romantic strumming this Saturday (7 p.m.) at Balboa Theatre during his 25 Years Of Passion! tour. Known for his widespread Nights of Fire! collaboration with PBS, Benise’s stage show is a beacon of world music, with drummers, dancers and the fiery rhythms of samba, flamenco, salsa and much more. Tickets start at $41, and VIP soundcheck packages, which include premier seats, a meet and greet with Benise and a private soundcheck experience, are also available.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Right in the Eye at Balboa Theatre
February 8
See a vivid homage to French filmmaker and cinematographer Georges Méliès this Sunday (2 p.m.) at Balboa Theatre. Created by Jean-François Alcoléa, Right in the Eye is a passionate tribute to one of cinema’s earliest pioneers expressed through live performance and glorious film footage. This concert pairs a dozen films from Méliès’ oeuvre—showcasing his mastery of special effects—with an expansive score that features instruments ranging from piano and percussion to the aquaphone and theremin. Tickets range from $26 to $69 for Right in the Eye.
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.
National Philanthropy Day, presented by PNC Bank, Celebrates the Best of Philanthropy in San Diego
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:
Outstanding Development Emerging Leader – Taylor Thompson Self-Nominated
Outstanding Development Professional – Sharyn Goodson Nominated by: AJ Steinberg & Jeanne Schmelzer
Outstanding Organization for IDEA – Accessity Self-Nominated
Outstanding Philanthropic Institution – Life Science Cares San Diego Nominated by: Blair Search Partners
Outstanding Philanthropist – Dan & Phyllis Epstein Nominated by: CSU San Marcos & KPBS
Outstanding Student Volunteer – Camden Hall Nominated by: Curebound
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.
