San Diego, CA
Celebrate San Diego at These Can't-Miss Events
There are many ways to approach a visit to San Diego. You could organize your trip by neighborhoods, attempting to try the best foods in each corner of the city. Or you could get even more specific, sampling only the best, say, rooftop bars or wellness activities. But these itineraries risk missing out on some of the best year-round events, festivals, and celebrations that the city has to offer. Since temps rarely go below 60 degrees, that means the city can stay happening all year long. Check out these options to get you started:
Plane geeks, history buffs, and anyone who can appreciate some aeronautical acrobatics flock to Miramar for this performance — a show-off of some of the best flying in the world. Everything from WWII-era P-51 planes to the uber-futuristic, vertical-landing F-35Bs are highlighted at this show, plus plenty of stunt flying from the Blue Angels and Red Bull’s Air Wing teams. Visitors can even tour the inside of several planes, including massive cargo haulers flown by the Marines Corps. It’s a great chance to see some of the most awe-inspiring technology the military is allowed to disclose to the public.
CRSSD — September 28-29, 2024
Hosted alongside the lush fountains of Waterfront Park, CRSSD (you can pronounce it “Crossed,” if you’d like) is San Diego’s largest electronic music festival, bringing dozens of big names in house and techno to three stages. This year’s lineup includes well-known draws like Disclosure and Four Tet as headliners, but even the undercard has some heavy hitters on it: Nora En Pure, Neil Frances, and Quest, among many others. CRSSD also has the perk of being less swampy than your typical rave, thanks to breezes off the San Diego Bay that make it easy to maintain your stamina all night long.
October is the best month to be a kid in San Diego thanks to Kids Free, a program that opens up over 50 city museums and attractions to kids, free of admission. The variety to choose from is enormous, ranging from pop culture exhibits like the Comic-Con Museum or LEGOLAND California to historic and scientific museums like the Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Zoo, and the Birch Aquarium. It’s an amazing opportunity for the family to explore all that San Diego has to offer — including local history hotspots like the California Surf Museum or Maritime Museum of San Diego.
San Diego’s hottest chefs — plus others flying in across the country — show off their stuff during this seaside enclave’s food festival. The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival hosts six days of specially-crafted dinners across San Diego, harvest celebrations, and ingredient-themed events, culminating in The Grand Tasting on the former polo grounds at Surf Sports Park in Del Mar. The individual events are jam-packed with celebrity guests and chefs — including a pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees — but don’t think it’s all just for fun. The event also aims to raise $25,000 for hunger relief group Feeding San Diego, so your ticket price goes towards a good cause.
If you want to see the city all dressed up, look no further than the Breeders’ Cup World Championship (i.e., the end of international horse racing’s season). Hosted at the spectacular Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the event puts on several races of different age groups in a weekend-long celebration of luxury. It’s a chance to see the Del Mar at its most elegant, which is saying something for an already-glamorous European-style beach town. The racing events themselves are thundering and adrenaline-inducing, with over $31 million on the line, but the event is worth a visit just to explore the race grounds alone.
Wave FC is San Diego’s beloved women’s fútbol club who call the new Snapdragon Stadium their home. Despite having only been around for a few years (2022 was their debut season), the team has an impressive win record, taking home the NWSL Shield for best regular season record in 2023 and winning the NWSL Challenge Cup this year. As of this writing, they’re in contention for the Champions Cup. Games will be played throughout the fall, with a final home game scheduled for November 3, but be sure to check out Snapdragon’s other offerings: they host the San Diego State Aztecs, the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby, and are the home of the Holiday Bowl.
This expansive series of food-focused events celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, and will feature over 300 chefs, wineries, farmers, artists, and brands over the course of the week. The events include documentary screenings, vineyard tastings, and neighborhood-specific tours of San Diego’s best culinary scenes. This series culminates in a Grand Tasting as well as a Grand Fiesta (including a taco taste-off), both held right on the scenic waterfront of San Diego Bay, just steps from downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter.
The NCAA season starts to heat up in November, and the best place to watch some of the biggest teams in college basketball is at LionTree Arena on the UCSD campus. This year, teams from Ole Miss, NC State, Purdue, and BYU will be among those facing off in the Thanksgiving tournament, which benefits Rady Children’s Hospital.
The earliest events of the PGA Tour naturally seek out warmer weather, and the Farmers Insurance Open is one of these, held at the public Torrey Pines golf course. A cliffside course with views of the Pacific, Torrey Pines gives city dwellers the chance to play a world-class round of golf for only $25. (Playing the course also then enables you to backseat the pros during the Open, opining on how you would’ve done things differently.) The Farmers Insurance Open sets the tone for the longer PGA season, and has historically been the launching point of many of golf’s biggest stars.
San Diego FC Season Kickoff — February 2025
San Diego FC, San Diego’s first men’s Major League Soccer team, kicks off its inaugural season in 2025. Also hosted in Snapdragon Stadium, the team is composed of an international roster of elite players, so new fans will have an easy time connecting with their favorites coming in from other leagues. As with the recently-formed San Diego Wave FC, this season represents a one-time opportunity to get on board with fandom before anyone else. The team’s culture and identity will be shaped by their inauguration and early games, so you won’t want to miss any of the season openers.
SoCal means classic cars, and America’s Finest City shines during the La Jolla Concours D’elegance where where 150+ cars are displayed along the pristine Pacific Ocean. This car show is the biggest all year, bringing in everything from early-automobile classics to more modern fan favorites. The categories range from “British Royalty” to “Japanese, 1967–1998” so there is something for all auto buffs to appreciate. For a taste of the gleaming chrome you can expect to see, take a peek at last year’s winners.
Although many San Diego festivals take advantage of the waterfront access that the city offers, few make as much of the space as Wonderfront. Boat flotilla parties and sunset cruises are part of the weekend, paired with huge names performing on stages across the bay. Although the lineup for 2025 hasn’t been announced yet, 2024’s headliners spanned several genres, including Weezer, T-Pain, and Beck, so you’ll be able to find something to like.
FUNDED IN PART WITH CITY OF SAN DIEGO TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT ASSESSMENT FUNDS.
Fact: Think X is not a Pink Floyd tribute band.
“We’re not trying to be,” said the group’s sax player and driving force, Scott Page. “We want to do an exploration of Pink Floyd. We try to mash things up, create some entertaining ways of presenting the music.”
The title of the band’s show, which comes to San Diego for the first time on Sunday at the Music Box in Little Italy, is “An Exploration of the Music of Pink Floyd with Original Electronica Transitions.”
Speaking about Think X’s approach to the familiar canon of Pink Floyd, Page said “We play it heavier and we let our people solo and blow over it.”
Besides Page, who has backed up the David Gilmour-led Pink Floyd in concert, the group includes guitarist Kenny Olson, best known for working with Kid Rock (“He’s got this Hendrix-y, crazy vibe” touts Page); bassist Norwood Fisher (co-founder of Fishbone); drummer Stephen Perkins, whose resume includes Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros; young guitarist Derek Day (“One of our secret weapons”); keyboardist Will Champlin; and vocalist Roberta Freeman, who Page says knocks the Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky” out of the park.
Page says he learned much about music and his craft from working with Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.
“He is the master of melody,” said Page. “He can kill you with one note. He changed my way of thinking. Sax players play all this crazy stuff, and he made me realize melody, how I can sing with my instrument.”
If you want to hear what Page is talking about, revisit for example Gilmour’s bluesy guitar solos on Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” from the “Wish You Were Here” album. Timeless. For tickets, visit musicboxsd.com.
Comedy
Like me, comedian Kathleen Madigan went to college and earned a B.A. in journalism. Unlike me, she must have decided that standup comedy was more rewarding.
It’s certainly been rewarding for Madigan. She’s been doing it since the ‘90s and has starred in comedy specials on both Netflix (“Kathleen Madigan: Bothering Jesus”) and Amazon Prime Video (“Kathleen Madigan: Hunting Bigfoot”). Both are still streamable.
But you can catch her act in person Friday when she comes to the Magnolia Theater in El Cajon. Her show’s titled “The Potluck Party.” Does that mean somebody’s supposed to bring the potato salad?
Theater
Here come the holiday shows. Previews are under way at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad of its production of “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play.” Adapted by Lance Arthur Smith and with original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz, this festive show was previously produced at San Diego Musical Theatre in its former Gaslamp Quarter location.
I remember enjoying it there and finding the nod to the days of Lux Radio Theater much preferable to a straight retelling of the “Miracle on 34th Street” story that’s been filmed a couple of times.
Opening night, incidentally, is Nov. 30, so here’s something to do over the Thanksgiving weekend.
More music
For many years, music fans have mused about a “club” of artists that nobody wants to belong to.
It’s the 27 Club, named for the famous musicians who died at the peak of their fame at age 27, for reasons that include drug and alcohol overdoses, suicide or other causes. They include 1930s blues artist Robert Johnson; ‘60s rockers Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison; ‘90s grunge-rocker Kurt Cobain; and British singer Amy Winehouse, who died in 2011.
San Diego’s own Six String Society is paying tribute to all six of those gone-too-soon artists next week in Escondido with the return of their thematic concert “27 Club.” The concert imagines all six of these artists gathered together in a mythic Greenwich Village apartment circa 1969, and each takes their turn performing. The performers will include Whitney Shay (as Winehouse), Lauren Leigh Martin (as Joplin), Trevor James (as Hendrix), Tony Suraci (as Morrison), Austin David (as Cobain) and Robin Henkel (as the spirit of Johnson).
Since Six String debuted “27 Club” at the Belly Up concert hall in Solana Beach in 2016, it has sold out virtually everywhere it goes. At this point, the 7 p.m. show on Nov. 29 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the 2 p.m. show that afternoon. Visit artcenter.org/event/six-string-society-presents-27-club.
Jazz concert
If there was a Mount Rushmore of jazz singers, three of the four spaces should be taken by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Each unique. Each unforgettable.
On Saturday, the San Diego Symphony presents at the new Jacobs Music Center “A Tribute to Ella, Billie and Sarah.” The concert features vocal performances by one of jazz’s best contemporary vocalists, Jane Monheit, along with Sherry Williams and keyboardist/vocalist Champian Fulton. The band behind then includes the great Rickey Woodard on tenor sax.
Local jazz icon Gilbert Castellanos’ Young Lions Jazz Conservatory All Stars open Saturday’s show. For tickets, visit purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org
Rock music
A couple of veteran San Diego bands, Switchfoot and P.O.D., are on the bill Saturday at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square when Long Beach’s ska kings Sublime with Rome (formerly just Sublime) headlines what they’re billing as their “last California show ever.”
The farewell has to do with singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez, who will embark on a solo career once this tour is over.
This concert is scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m., which sounds like one of those odd Padres start times at Petco. For tickets, visit petcoparkevents.com.
U-T arts and dining stories you may have missed
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“A Conversation with Artist Jeff Koons”
Renowned artist Jeff Koons joins Kathryn Kanjo, director and CEO of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, for a conversation about his provocative and influential work. Known for his glossy, oversized sculptures of everyday objects like balloon animals and household items, Koons blends pop culture, consumerism, and art history to challenge traditional notions of art. In this discussion, he reflects on his artistic evolution — from early inflatable rabbits to iconic large-scale metal sculptures — and explores how his creations raise questions about cultural value, mass production and the line between high and low art. This program offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the most celebrated and controversial artists of our time.
“Greatest Anime Pioneer in Japan: The Osamu Tezuka Story”
Discover the legacy of Osamu Tezuka, often called the “God of Manga and “Father of Anime,” whose groundbreaking work set the stage for modern manga and anime. Tezuka was a visionary Japanese manga artist, animator, and founder of Mushi Production, one of Japan’s first anime studios. In 1963, he produced “Astro Boy,” the first Japanese TV anime series, which introduced limited animation techniques still widely used today. Rachel Costello, an anime enthusiast from UC San Diego’s Innovating for National Security Academic Program, presents a retrospective on Tezuka’s life and influence. Her dedication to anime and storytelling also inspired her role as executive producer of the U.S. Navy’s “Sea Strike 2041” comic project, merging her passions for art and national security.
“Movement and Strength Training to Improve Metabolic Health”
Learn how to build a strong foundation for lifelong health with Dr. Natalie Marshall, as she explores the crucial link between muscle mass, metabolic fitness, and chronic disease prevention. Aging often brings metabolic changes and muscle loss, raising the risk for many chronic conditions. Marshall emphasizes the importance of movement, strength training, and balanced body composition in maintaining metabolic health. With practical tips on how to get started, she shares strategies to help you ‘build muscle for life’ and boost overall well-being. This program offers valuable insights for anyone looking to take proactive steps toward healthier aging.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Nov. 22-24
Originally Published:
Spanish star and World Cup champion Juan Mata has joined the expansion San Diego FC’s ownership group, making him the first active international soccer player to hold an ownership stake in Major League Soccer.
Mata joins David Beckham as only the second international player to be involved in MLS ownership.
“Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth,” Mata said in a statement. He added that the commitment to the community by both the club and the Right to Dream Academy “aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”
He has been with the Western Sydney Wanderers of the Australian A-League since September.
Mata has been a big name in international soccer for years. He won club honors in England, Spain, Turkey and Japan, and was a key player in the golden era of the Spanish men’s national team which won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship.
A product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, Mata began his professional career with Real Madrid Castilla before transferring to Valencia CF in 2007, where he won the Copa del Rey the following year. Mata signed with Chelsea FC in 2011, where he was pivotal in helping the London club capture the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League titles, earning Chelsea’s Player of the Year honors twice in that span.
He joined Manchester United in 2014, winning the FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup in nine seasons. He joined Turkish side Galatasaray in 2022, where he celebrated his first league title, before signing with Japan’s Vissel Kobe in 2023, where he won the league again.
Mata founded the Common Goal initiative, pledging 1% of his salary to social causes.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
While no one won the $40 million jackpot in Saturday’s SuperLotto Plus drawing, someone in San Diego took home a ticket worth thousands.
A winning ticket matching all five numbers of Saturday’s numbers except the Mega number was sold at the Shell gas station at 6695 Mira Mesa Blvd, the California Lottery said. The ticket is worth $18, 534.
Saturday’s numbers were: 2, 11, 15, 25, 43 and Mega: 16.
The lottery did not disclose if someone has yet claimed the winning ticket.
The next drawing for the SuperLotto Plus is Wednesday. The current jackpot is estimated at $41 million.
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