San Diego, CA
The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 16-20
Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 16 to Friday, Dec. 20.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
Skating by the Sea: Hotel Del Coronado: Locals can enjoy views of Coronado Beach and the Pacific Ocean while ice skating at the Hotel Del Coronado. An outdoor temporary ice rink on the hotel’s Windsor Lawn will be open to the public through Jan. 5. General admission is $40 and $35 for hotel guests, military members and first responders. There are also $35 “value skate days” on Dec. 16 and 17. Admission covers rentals and ice skating sessions can last up to 90 minutes. There is also lounge seating around the ice rink available by reservation. Open and closing times differ each day. Check the Hotel Del Coronado’s website for the full schedule. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/skating-by-the-sea
“In the Christmas Mood”: The Glenn Miller Orchestra will play holiday classics. More than 18 singers and other musicians are featured in this show. 7 p.m. Monday. Balboa Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., B Street, San Diego. $72. sandiegotheatres.org/event/2024/12/christmas-mood-glenn-miller-orchestra
Ice skating at Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Glide on an “eco-friendly Glice skating rink” at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar this holiday season. The resort will use a synthetic ice product from Glice, a company headquartered in Switzerland, that functions “without electricity or water,” according to the company. Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Glice rink will be available from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. Rink hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 3 to 7 p.m. Sundays. There will be special hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It will cost $40 for adults and $20 for children, with skate rentals included. Skating passes will be available for $150 per person. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego. 858-314-2000, granddelmar.com/holidays
Rady Children’s Ice Rink: The annual Rady Children’s Ice Rink returns to Liberty Station, benefiting cancer patients. This will be the 28th year Rady Children’s Hospital will host its ice rink. “Net proceeds from the rink” go to the Thriving After Cancer Program and over the years and more than $2 million has been raised, according to Rady Children’s Ice Rink organizers. This year, the outdoor ice rink will be open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 5, with special holiday hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. It will cost $20 per adult and $15 per child, military member and Rady Children’s staff. Skate rental is covered with admission. 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego. 619-221-1970, rchicerink.org
‘All That Jazz’ at Hotel del Coronado: The Norfolk Island Pines on the Hotel del Coronado’s Founders Lawn are the centerpiece of the “All That Jazz” light show. From 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 to Jan. 5., the Hotel del Coronado gives the public a free holiday light show that is synchronized with jazz music. There will also be a hotel duplicate 12-foot-tall red turret with holiday lights, a bar and lounge seating. The free light show is 10 minutes long and occurs every 30 minutes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/at-first-light-lightshow-spectacular
Lights at the Lakes: The Santee Lakes Campground will turn into a holiday light show Dec. 1-31 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Lights at the Lakes is a free event that allows registered campground guests to walk or drive their golf court to see the light displays. 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. 619-596-3141, santeelakes.com/event/lights-at-the-lakes-campground-edition
Jingle Terrace Live: The Brengle Terrace Park at Moonlight Amphitheatre will present a holiday light show through Dec. 21. Jungle Terrace Live will feature live entertainment, holiday displays, seasonal activities, photo opportunities and light shows. This all-ages event is free to attend.1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com/events-tickets/jingle-terrace-live
Jungle Bells: The San Diego Zoo will once again celebrate the holiday season with its Jungle Bells seasonal event. Through Jan. 5, the park will offer three holiday light trails: celebration, discovery and symphony from 5 to 8 p.m. These paths allow guests to venture into the zoo and explore exhibits such as the cactus garden and the tiger trail. Jungle Bells also brings holiday musical acts and performances. It is free with paid admission to the zoo or a membership. Parking is available for free. 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego. zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells
Tuesday
‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays’ The Old Globe presents Tony-winning actor and UC San Diego graduate Jefferson Mays in a new adaptation of his acclaimed solo show where he plays more than 50 characters in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Old Globe artistic director Barry Edelstein directs. Through Dec. 22. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $64-$96. 619-234-5623. theoldglobe.org
A Nat “King” Cole Christmas Tribute: Leonard Patton and Friends will play a Christmas tribute concert for Nat King Cole. 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Tickets start at $40. thejazzlounge.live/
Wednesday
‘A Christmas Carol’: Cygnet Theatre will present its annual production of Dickens’ redemptive holiday tale, once again starring Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray as the miserly Victorian money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge. It was adapted for the stage and directed by Murray, with lyrics by Murray and original music by Billy Thompson. It features sing-along Christmas carols, puppetry, humor, dancing and special effects. The 2024 staging will feature an expanded storyline, fresh original music and a revitalized script. Runs through Dec. 24. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Cygnet’s Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $73. (619) 337-1525. cygnettheatre.com
Winter Fest: On Dec. 18, the Fallbrook Library will host its annual Winter Fest. There will be a photo booth and face painting for all ages and holiday music by the Mountain Dulcimer Club. The Bottom Shelf bookstore will also reopen starting Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will host its annual Christmas Boutique through Dec. 31, featuring art books, coffee table books, collector’s items and children’s books. 2:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Visit 124 S. Mission Road. Visit fallbrooklibraryfriends.org.
Venice – ‘The Venice Christmas Show’: Jackson Browne, Roger Waters and the late David Crosby are just some of the notable artists the veteran Los Angeles band Venice has collaborated with over he years. The group’s harmonious vocal blend is a treat in any setting. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Belly Up, 143 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $26-$46. Ages 21 and up only. 858-481-8140, bellyup.com
Lightscape: San Diego Botanic Garden will host its light show for the third time, opening on Nov. 15 and running through Jan. 5. Lightscape is a one-mile trail filled with flowers and trees covered in lights, illuminated tunnels, suspended lights and artistic installations from international artists. Holiday drinks and treats will be available on the trail. Ticket prices range from $13-31, based on age and time of day. The parking fee is $10-$25. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape
Thursday
Voctave – ‘It Feels Like Christmas’: San Diego Symphony presents this 11-member a cappella vocal ensemble performing songs from its just-released holiday album on a North American tour. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $39-$93. purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org/9537
Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum is marking the season with its second annual Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration. The museum will be decorated with 750,000 festive lights, and themed events will take place on certain nights, including a dog night, Christmas pajama party, ugly sweater night and Christmas carol karaoke. Plus, ticketed guests can take a photo with Santa Claus. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday. 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. $18-$30. 619-544-9600, midway.org
Friday
Coastal Christmas Del Mar: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts a Coastal Holiday Festival with holiday lights attractions. Highlights include a walk-through display of more than 1 million lights, “glice” skating, holiday market, Frosty’s Fun Zone, holiday wine walk and Santa and Friends. Igloos and fireside lounges can be reserved for cozying with some hot cocoa. S’mores kits, festive food, and drinks will be sold. Tickets are $19.95 and $12.95 for children ages 4-12. Admission is free for 3 and under. Holiday Wine Walk is $49.99. Promotional nights include military, first responders and teachers. 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 26 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Visit delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2024/coastal-christmas
Holiday Lights: The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum will put on its annual Holiday Lights event, which transforms the historic museum grounds into a winter wonderland with light display. Highlights include wagon rides through holiday lights, Santa photos, food and drinks, crafts, model trains, steam engine and tractor displays, s’mores, holiday movies, local vendors and Christmas tree raffle. 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20-21. Admission is $10, in advance online; $12 at gate; free for kids 6 and younger. agsem.org/holiday-light-2024
City Ballet of San Diego’s “The Nutcracker”: John Nettles directs the City Ballet orchestra for this production which won the Tommy Award for Best Nutcracker in San Diego. The pre-ballet show features holiday carolers in the lobby. The Victorian-era story is traditional with Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and Tchaikovsky’s famous 1892 ballet score. The choreography was created by Elizabeth Wistrich after Rudolf Nureyev and other masters. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Monday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $39-$119. 800-988-4253, cityballet.org
Golden State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: The lavish downtown production choreographed by Raul Salamanca includes professional dancers and 90 talented students from the award-winning academy. The Tchaikovsky score is performed by a live orchestra from the San Diego Symphony. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Runs 20 hours, 10 minutes, with intermission. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $35-$129. goldenstateballet.org
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Danika Pramik-Holdaway directs the annual production featuring students of the Balboa Park-based company. The ballet follows the traditional story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince, the battle of the toy solders and mice and the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. 7 p.m. Friday 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Casa del Prado Theatre, Balboa Park $27. 619-259-0220, sdcyb.org
Originally Published:
A 26-year-old man was mauled to death by his pet dogs in a horror attack that left another victim seriously injured.
Pedro Luis Ortega was attacked by his three American bully dogs outside Ericson Elementary School in Mesa Viking Park, San Diego, at around midday Friday, San Diego police told NBC7.
A second unnamed adult stepped in to try to help Ortega, the Los Angeles Times reported, while other bystanders tried to fend off the dogs with shovels and a golf club.
Officers responded to the scene to find Ortega covered in bites from the 100-pound dogs. He was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.
The second adult also suffered “serious bite injuries,” authorities said, while a child present at the scene was left unharmed.
Officers deployed tasers on the dogs and quickly captured two of them while the third escaped. The school was plunged into a brief lockdown while authorities searched for the animal, before it was found at the owner’s home nearby.
Witness Steve Marto told KSWB/KUSI he initially thought police were trying to detain someone before realizing the commotion was due to a dog attack. “They were big, like XL bullies, just massive muscle,” he said.
Torn clothing and a shoe were seen at the scene.
San Diego Humane Society animal handlers euthanized the three dogs Saturday, spokesperson Nina Thompson told NBC7.
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s loved ones,” Thompson said.
The animal’s remains will now be tested for rabies, she added.
The Independent has contacted the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego County Department of the Medical Examiner, and the San Diego Humane Society for comment.
A pedestrian was struck by a train and killed Sunday afternoon in Oceanside, a sheriff’s lieutenant said.
It happened about 12:30 p.m. near where Mission Avenue crosses the train tracks between North Cleveland and North Myers streets, sheriff’s Lt. Josh Stone said. The area is approximately two blocks east of the beach and the city’s pier.
Information about the person who was killed was not immediately available.
Oceanside police said an Amtrak train was involved and there were some roadway closures in the area. Some rail traffic in the area, including the North County Transit District’s Coaster commuter train, was delayed about 40 minutes after the crash, according to the agency’s posts on social media.
City News Service contributed to this report.
On a star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers team featuring the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, few observers would have predicted that their postseason run to the 2024 World Series championship would be propelled by an under-the-radar midseason acquisition.
But when the Dodgers beat the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series, it was La Jolla Country Day School alumnus Tommy Edman who led them with a .407 batting average and matched a team record with 11 RBIs in six games. Edman was named Most Valuable Player of the NLCS.
In the World Series in late October against the New York Yankees, Edman went 5-for-17 (.294) with two doubles, three walks, a home run, two stolen bases and six runs scored.
After the Dodgers hoisted the World Series trophy with their victory in five games, Edman returned to his home in San Diego to enjoy some time off.
“Baseball is weird,” Edman said. “You have your ups and downs over the course of a season. Part of that (success) can be your swing feeling really good and getting a lot of good pitches to hit. You kind of have to have a couple things align for that to happen. I think both happened in those series.”
Part of his success could be attributed to the overall power of the Dodgers’ lineup.
“I think the great thing about playing in such a good lineup is that the pressure is on the pitcher at all times,” Edman said. “They put so much of their attention on Mookie, Freddie and Shohei that it’s tough to focus for an entire lineup. So it kind of frees up guys like myself to not be the center of an opponent’s gameplan.”
Edman said he experienced many games this season that he would consider among the best he’s been a part of. First was Ohtani’s walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 23 to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases on the season. And Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series set the tone for the rest of the series.
“The World Series was incredible,” Edman said. “Obviously, the first two series leading up to that — beating the Padres and beating the Mets — were great series in and of themselves. And the buildup to having the best team in the NL face the best team in the AL was really exciting.”
Another thing that helped set up Edman for his success on the big stage was his time playing winning baseball at La Jolla Country Day and then Stanford.
Edman was a Country Day Torrey from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and grew up watching his father, John, coach the high school baseball team. Edman played for his father from 2010-13.
“I learned about the game of baseball a lot when I was pretty young,” Edman said. “So I think that kind of helped me with my instincts and just understanding the game and what it takes to win.”
And win the Torreys did. In Edman’s sophomore year, LJCDS took home its first CIF baseball championship. His first-inning home run in the title game propelled the team to victory.
Edman still holds LJCD records for hits, runs, stolen bases, and ERA as a pitcher. He was a four-time All-Coastal League selection, a three-time All-CIF selection, the 2013 Coastal League MVP, a 2013 MaxPreps All-State selection, a 2013 Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American and a 2013 CIF San Diego Section Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Those accolades earned him a spot in Country Day’s Athletic Hall of Fame last year.
“I grew up around the school and I would go into the gym and they had all the plaques and banners for all the past athletes in the Hall of Fame,” Edman said. “I used to admire them. So now, to get to join their ranks, it feels very special.”
Edman played against the best players in San Diego, something he said was crucial to his development as a young ballplayer.
His baseball career further blossomed at Stanford, where he was named to the All-Pac-12 first team, All-Pac-12 Defensive Team and All-Pac-12 Academic Team and earned a degree in math and computational science.
The St. Louis Cardinals took him in the sixth round of the 2016 draft.
In St. Louis, Edman won several awards for his defensive prowess, including a 2021 Gold Glove and a 2022 Fielding Bible Award. His versatility and speed made him a key piece of a Cardinals team that typically was in the playoff mix.
Edman’s 2024 season had a sluggish start. He endured a longer-than-expected recovery from wrist surgery and suffered a sprained ankle on a rehabilitation assignment in June.
But the Dodgers saw value in Edman, who can play shortstop, second base and outfield. In the last week of July, they acquired Edman and hard-throwing reliever Michael Kopech in exchange for infielder Miguel Vargas and a pair of minor-leaguers.
Edman quickly immersed himself in the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture, showing his versatility not only in the positions he plays but also in how he can adjust to a new setting.
“When I went in there, I just wanted to learn as much as I could,” Edman said. “And I think that helped me get integrated pretty quickly. I think guys just saw I was excited to be a part of the team (and) excited to contribute and that I wanted to be the best player I could be.”
He made his Dodgers debut Aug. 19. Just over two months later, he had added NLCS MVP and World Series champion to his resumé.
And Edman will remain in Dodger blue for the foreseeable future. He signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension Nov. 29 that goes through the 2029 season, with a sixth-year club option valued at $13 million.
Beyond his MLB, college and high school teams, Edman played for the Korean team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
It marked his first time visiting the country, and he saw it as an opportunity to represent his family lineage. As of April, Asian players made up only 3.4% of MLB’s population, a slight increase over 2023’s 3.2%.
“There’s not too many players in MLB with an Asian-American background,” Edman said. “It’s definitely becoming more common … with Shohei and a lot of guys coming over from Japan and Korea. But I think it’s really cool to be an example, especially for Asian American kids who are growing up and see players in the big leagues who are having success who look like them.”
Following a weeklong vacation to Florida, Edman’s offseason focus is on his family. He and his wife, Kristen, welcomed their first child, Eli, in October last year.
“Spring training always comes really quickly,” Edman said, “so we gotta take advantage of this time off while we can.”
Lyons writes for the La Jolla Light.
Originally Published:
Supreme Court dismisses constitutional claim in California air pollution case
Max Christie makes his case to be Lakers' next stopper
Donald Trump says Turkey was behind Islamist groups that toppled Assad in Syria
France's Le Pen hails 'positive' meeting with new PM Bayrou
Drones, Vaccine Claims and Government Cuts: Fact-Checking Trump’s First Post-Election Press Conference
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
France's Le Pen hails 'positive' meeting with new PM Bayrou
Drones, Vaccine Claims and Government Cuts: Fact-Checking Trump’s First Post-Election Press Conference
Trump allies push for more White House control over Congress' purse strings
Bangladesh plans to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026
ABC News' $15M settlement with Trump. And, renewed hope for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire
-
Technology1 week agoStruggling to hear TV dialogue? Try these simple fixes
-
Business1 week agoOpenAI's controversial Sora is finally launching today. Will it truly disrupt Hollywood?
-
Politics3 days agoCanadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25782636/247422_ChatGPT_anniversary_CVirginia.jpg "Inside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT")
Technology4 days agoInside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789444/1258459915.jpg "OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change")
Technology3 days agoOpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change
-
Politics3 days agoU.S. Supreme Court will decide if oil industry may sue to block California's zero-emissions goal
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25546252/STK169_Mark_Zuckerburg_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg "Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit")
Technology3 days agoMeta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit
-
Politics4 days agoConservative group debuts major ad buy in key senators' states as 'soft appeal' for Hegseth, Gabbard, Patel