Campfire’s octopus, chorizo, and celery-root entrée.
Gage Forster
San Diego, CA
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Dec. 5-7
Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7.
Friday
Ups-N-Downtown Roller Rink: During the holiday season, Escondido opens a roller rink downtown. 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Open Thursdays through Sunday through Jan. 3. 155 W. Grand Ave., Escondido. $5 admission; $10 for skates rental and admission; $35 for a family pack for four. downtownescondido.com/event-details/ups-and-downtown-roller-rink-2025-12-07-12-00
Holiday Market on the Plaza: In addition to the Ups-N-Downtown roller rink, downtown Escondido is throwing a holiday shopping event taking place over three weekends. A market place set up at Maple Street Plaza will feature holiday shopping and live music. 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays; noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Weekend Dec. 5-21. Maple Street Plaza. downtownescondido.com/holidays-downtown-escondido
December Nights: One of San Diego’s largest community events, December Nights offers live entertainment, food and drinks from around the world, and late-night access to museums. 3 to 11 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Balboa Park. Free. sandiego.gov/december-nights
First Friday: On the first Friday of every month, Liberty Station’s ARTS DISTRICT offers special activities and open studios. This Friday, Addison Designs is hosting a free ornament workshop from 4 to 8 p.m with supplies provided and music and refreshments. See the full First Friday lineup here: libertystation.com/events/calendar
Alpine tree lighting: The annual tree lighting event will include an artisan marketplace, food trucks, snow area for kids, inflatables, an ugly sweater contest and visit from Santa to light the tree. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. In the parking lot of Bethel Christian Assembly at 1929 Arnold Way. alpinebethel.org.
Tree Lighting Celebration in Carlsbad: The Forum Carlsbad holds its 23rd Annual Tree Lighting Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with live performances, holiday characters, Santa visits and Christmas Tree Wonderlights show continuing until Christmas. The La Costa Canyon High School Marching Band performs at 6 p.m. followed by Santa’s arrival, tree lighting and a snowfall finale. Festivities continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6–7, 13–14, and 20–21. A pet adoption event on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 Dec. 6 to 25. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com/news/the-forum-carlsbad-a-festive-holiday-season-2025.
Coronado Holiday: The Holiday Parade takes off at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 featuring local organizations, clubs and businesses with lights and costumes from t8th Street down Orange Avenue to Adella Avenue. The tree-lighting ceremony is after the parade and festivities continue to 9 p.m. with live music and holiday sing-alongs. coronadochamber.com
Escondido Christmas parade: The parade, themed, “A Merry Citrus Christmas.” takes off at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, from Juniper and Grand Avenue to Orange and Grand Avenue. https://escondidojaycees.org/christmas-parade-info
Holiday Lights: The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum’s annual Holiday Lights event transforms the historic museum grounds into a winter wonderland with light display. Bring the whole family to enjoy thousands of twinkling lights, animals, festive hay rides, warm drinks, delicious food and a visit with Santa. 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20. 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. Admission is $10, in advance online; $12 at gate; free for kids 3 and younger. agsem.org/holiday-lights-2025
Petco Park Holiday Wonderland: The annual Holiday Wonderland is sliding back to Gallagher Square at Petco Park. The holiday installation features Christmas lighting displays, Santa Claus, a Christmas train, holiday craft-making, a carousel and an opportunity to sled down a hill made of real snow. There will also be a 40-foot Christmas tree, live entertainment, local vendors, food and drinks for sale. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday through Dec. 7. Dec. 10-16, 18-23. 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. $18-$25. padres.com/holidaywonderland.
Saturday
Holiday Store Pop-Up: Fans of textile art and merchandise can visit a holiday pop-up market at the Visions Museum of Textile Art. Visitors can expect to find dolls, jewelry, flower pins, painted silk clothing and scarves, origami earrings and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 13. Visions Museum of Textile Art, 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100, San Diego. vmota.org/pop-up-events-in-our-vmota-museum-store/
Friends of the Library Holiday Craft & Book Sale: Book lovers can find a new read for friends and family (or for their own shelf) as well as crafts for sale and a silent auction. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside. oceansidepl.librarycalendar.com/event/friends-library-craft-and-book-sale-45286
Nitro Circus: Created by Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus brings action sports to TVs and live tours. Athletes will show off thrilling tricks and compete in motor sports. 7 p.m. Saturday. Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. Remaining tickets start at $87. axs.com/events/829750/nitro-circus-off-the-rails-tickets?skin=pasd
How Latinos Built San Diego: A Talk with Maria E. Garcia The author of “We Made San Diego” will share about her book and local Chicano and Latino history and contributions. A Q&A session will follow, as well as book signings for purchases. 11 a.m. Saturday. Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido. Free. escondido.libcal.com/event/15529199
Annual Holiday Bookstore Sale: Books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, gift certificates and greeting cards will be on sale for half price at this holiday sale. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Alpine Library, 1752 Alpine Blvd., Alpine. sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/691e0263a18afa0c612b8254
Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Celebration: Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday with tea, a screening of “Emma” and Regency-themed crafts. 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. North Clairemont Library, 4616 Clairemont Drive, San Diego. Free. Registration required. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/jane-austens-250th-birthday-NC
Christmas show: The Masters of Harmony and Pacific Coast Harmony chorus will present a Christmas show, “Merry & Bright, Holidays in Harmony.” 3 p.m. Saturday. Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. $25. https://stsconstantinehelen.ludus.com
Chula Vista parade, tree lighting and festival: The Starlight Parade and Festival returns with a parade, holiday market, children’s holiday train ride, tree lighting, live entertainment and photos with Santa. The lighting of a 25-foot tree takes place at 5:45 p.m. on the plaza at the northeast corner of Memorial Park, 373 Park Way. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and goes from H Street to E Street, featuring marching bands, decorated floats, automobiles and dance teams, among other entries. 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Memorial Park and Park Way. Free. starlightparade.com.
Winter Wonderland at Wells Park: There will be a movie in park, train rides, bounce house photos with Santa, games, costumed characters, crafts and letters to Santa. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Ave. Free. elcajon.gov/your-government/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/winter-wonderland
Encinitas Holiday Parade: Encinitas’ annual holiday parade, themed “Peace by the Pacific,” will feature floats, marching bands and decorated cars along Coast Highway from D to J streets. The event kicks off with a tree lighting and brief appearance from Santa at 5 p.m. in The Lumberyard shops courtyard, between H and I streets, followed by the parade at 5:30 p.m. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. encinitasca.gov
Winter Festival: Winter Wonderland highlights include visits with Santa, Victorian carolers, storybook characters and winter crafting along with holiday market and face painting. Food and drink will be sold. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Free. artcenter.org
Fallbrook Christmas parade: Fallbrook’s 44th annual Christmas parade, themed “Candy Cane Lane,” is hosted by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. The parade features Santa, lighted floats, music, marching bands and dancers along with classic cars. 5 p.m. Saturday. Main Street in downtown Fallbrook. fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.
Ocean Beach parade: Ocean Beach holds its annual holiday parade. The event is hosted and organized by the Ocean Beach Community Foundation and Love Thy Neighborhood and supported by the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association. 5 p.m. Saturday. Along Newport Ave., San Diego. oceanbeachsandiego.com/resources/local-news/ob-holiday-parade
Little Italy Christmas: A Tree Lighting and Christmas Village will include live entertainment, a visit from Santa Claus, 10-foot-tall nutcrackers, holiday-themed bites and sips and Christmas Village with vendors along India Street. The traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Piazza della Famiglia, 523 W. Date St., San Diego. Free. littleitalysd.com/events/little-italy-tree-lighting
Reason for the Season light show: A free synchronized light and video show, “The Real Reason for the Season,” will run every half hour from 5 to 9 p.m. from Dec. 6 to Jan. 4 at Columbia and Date Streets in Little Italy, across the Street from the Piazza della Famiglia fountain. The light show synchronized to popular Christmas music presents a short history of the Nativity and why Christmas is celebrated.
67th annual Vista Christmas Parade: The Vista Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas parade is set Saturday. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around Vista–A Parade of Holiday Hits.” The grand marshal is Eric Weirather, longtime band director at Rancho Buena Vista HIgh School. There will be floats, music and marching bands, along with Santa. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Vista. To see the parade route, visit vistachamber.org/christmas.
Strong Ale Festival: Over 60 breweries will be part of the two-day 27th annual Strong Ale Festival. The event showcases more than 60 ale beers and food from Pizza Port. There will also be VIP sessions where guests can try exclusive barrel-aged beers. The festival will take place in the parking lot of the Pizza Port location in Carlsbad. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 571 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad. $50-$100. eventbrite.com/e/pizza-port-carlsbads-27th-annual-strong-ale-festival
El Cajon holiday benefit concert: The San Diego Rescue Mission and the city of El Cajon are teaming up on a holiday benefit concert at The Magnolia. The annual Christmas Jubilee Jam is a family-friendly event that helps raise money for the San Diego Rescue Mission to provide more beds and services for the unhoused. The show includes a cocktail hour reception and is headlined by the Bill Wells Band performing holiday classics and songs made popular by Motown artists. There will also be special appearances from the St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Choir and Santa Claus. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. 210 East Main St., El Cajon. sdrescue.org/jubilee-jam
Sunday
Singles in Sweaters: Combining stand-up and a singles meet-up, Singles in Sweaters is a special holiday comedy event. Expect a live dating game and an ugly sweater contest. This is for ages 21 and older. 1 p.m. Sunday. Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $25.50. micdropcomedysandiego.com/shows/338356
Kringle Mingle: The festivities hosted by Cardiff 101 Main Street include live music, children’s crafts and holiday treats, coffee and hot chocolate and vendor booths for holiday shopping in downtown Cardiff. Photos with Santa are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring a toy for the Toys for Tots drive for Camp Pendleton Marine families. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Aberdeen Drive. Free. cardiff101.com/events.
Del Mar Village Winter Taste & Sip: The Del Mar Village Winter Taste & Sip is part of the North Pole by the Sea day of family-friendly festivities from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Festivities include photos with Santa, carolers, live music, hot chocolate for kids and annual holiday tree lighting in the Jim Watkins Amphitheater at L’Auberge Del Mar at 5 p.m. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Del Mar. visitdelmarvillage.com/north-pole-by-the-sea
San Marcos holiday parade: The 28th annual Kiwanis San Marcos Holiday Parade will be themed “Light Up The Holidays.” There will be bands, floats, marching groups and Santa. 1 p.m. Sunday. The parade route is Comet Drive at Palomar College, east on Mission Road to the San Marcos Civic Center. Visit lsmkiwanis.org
Holiday market: The San Marcos Chamber Market is inviting the community to its Holly Jolly Holiday Market at North City. The public can shop for gifts from over 175 vendors with items such as skin care products, home decor accessories and handmade artwork. There will also be food vendors, live holiday music and an appearance from Santa Claus. Admission is free and parking is complimentary at North City. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 250 North City Drive, San Marcos. northcity.com/events/holiday-market
2026 vision board class: All the supplies needed to create a 2026 vision board will be provided at this workshop. Hot cider and cookies will also be provided. 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday. CoLabCrafts, 143 West Grand Avenue, Escondido. $39.19. eventbrite.com/e/2026-vision-board-class-tickets
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off: Music, chili and community are the pillars of the SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off, which is returning to North Park. This volunteer-led annual event brings together more than 30 restaurants and 20 breweries, two stages of music, an artisan market, ceramic bowl making, a children’s play area and a chili-tasting contest. The event is also a fundraiser for Spanish, dance and library programs at McKinley Elementary School, for which $90,000 was raised last year, according to event organizers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Corner of Thorn Street and 32nd Street in North Park. $25-$35. sonofestchilicookoff.com
San Diego, CA
Solans, Luna, Guilavogui help RSL beat slumping San Diego, extend unbeaten streak to 6 games :: WRALSportsFan.com
SANDY, Utah — SANDY, Utah (AP) — Sergi Solans had two goals and an assist, Diego Luna added a goal and two assists, and Real Salt Lake beat San Diego FC 4-2 on Saturday night to extend its unbeaten streak to six games.
Morgan Guilavogui scored his first goal in MLS and had an assist for Real Salt Lake (5-1-1). The 28-year-old designated player has five goal contributions in his first six career games.
RSL hasn’t lost since a 1-0 defeat at Vancouver in the season opener.
San Diego (3-3-2) has lost three in a row and is winless in five straight.
Luna opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he re-directed a misplayed pass by Duran Ferree, San Diego’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, into the net.
Moments later, Solans headed home a perfectly-placed cross played by Luna from outside the right corner of the 18-yard box to the back post to make it 2-0. Solans, a 23-year-old forward, flicked a header from the center of the area inside the right post and past the outstretched arm of Ferree to make it 3-1 in the 37th minute.
Guilavogui slammed home a first-touch shot to give RSL a three-goal lead in the 45th.
Marcus Ingvartsen scored a goal in the 14th minute and Anders Dreyer converted from the penalty spot in the 66th for San Diego.
Ingvartsen has five goals and an assist this season and has 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 16 career MLS appearances.
Rafael Cabral had three saves for RSL.
Ferree finished with five saves.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
When John Resnick opened Campfire on a quaint little street in Carlsbad, Calif., in 2016, some locals weren’t sure what to think. The coastal enclave wasn’t exactly awash in innovative, chef-driven establishments, so it was a shock to see the dining room consistently full. Early on, one woman wondered aloud to Resnick, “Where did all these people come from?”
It’s a moment he remembers vividly. “I was struck by her statement, because I think she was surprised that so many other people in Carlsbad were there,” Resnick says.
The rest of the culinary world would take some time to catch up to what was happening. In 2019, when Michelin expanded to rate restaurants throughout all of California—not just the San Francisco area—Addison was the only one in San Diego to earn a star. But since emerging from the pandemic, the region’s food scene has grown dramatically. Driven by outstanding farms, ingredients, a bumper crop of talented chefs, and a G.D.P. approximately the size of New Zealand or Greece, San Diego County has become one of America’s most underrated dining destinations.
Perhaps no single restaurant is a better emblem for this shift than chef William Bradley’s Addison, which opened in 2006. After landing his first star, Bradley knew he wanted more. To get them, he transformed his French-leaning fare to serve what he calls California Gastronomy, which combines the cultures of SoCal with impeccable ingredients and wildly impressive techniques, prizing flavor over flair. Michelin responded, awarding Addison a second star in 2022, and making it the first Southern California three-star restaurant just a year later. The accolade has created a halo effect, attracting culinary tourists from around the world.
Berry beet tartlets at San Diego’s three-star stalwart Addison.
Eric Wolfinger
“Earning three stars forces the global dining community to pay attention to a place that may not have been on their radar before,” says chef Eric Bost, a partner in Resnick’s four Carlsbad establishments.
Resnick recruited Bost, who spent time at award-winning outposts of Restaurant Guy Savoy, to run Jeune et Jolie, which he led to a star in 2021. They’ve since taken over an old boogie-board factory down the street and converted it to an all-day restaurant and bakery, Wildland. The space also hosts an exquisite tasting-counter experience called Lilo, which was given a Michelin star mere months after opening in April 2025. And as Resnick and Bost grew their successful Carlsbad operation, chef Roberto Alcocer earned a Michelin star for his Mexican fine-dining spot Valle in nearby Oceanside.
The stylish tasting counter at Michelin one-star Lilo in Carlsbad.
Kimberly Motos
About 25 miles to the south, another affluent coastal community is going through its own culinary glow up. In La Jolla, chef Tara Monsod and the hospitality group Puffer Malarkey Collective opened the stylish French steakhouse Le Coq. Chef Erik Anderson, formerly of Michelin two-star Coi, is preparing to launch Roseacre. And last year, Per Se alums Elijah Arizmendi and Brian Hung left New York to open the elegant tasting-menu restaurant Lucien, lured by the ingredients they’d get to serve. “A major reason we chose San Diego is the quality and diversity of the produce,” Arizmendi explains. “San Diego County has more small farms than anywhere else in the U.S., and its many microclimates allow farmers to grow an incredible range of ingredients year-round.”
Wildland’s spicy Italian sandwich.
Gage Forster
Chef Travis Swikard has also been a tireless advocate for the region’s ingredients since he returned to San Diego, his hometown, and opened Mediterranean-influenced Callie in 2021. There’s no sophomore slump with his latest effort, the French Riviera–inspired Fleurette in La Jolla, where he’s serving his take on classics like leeks vinaigrette and his San Diego “Bouillabaisse” with local red sheepshead fish and spiny lobster. Its food is bright, produce-driven, and attentive in execution, while the dining room maintains a relaxed and unpretentious style of service. And Swikard sees that approach cohering into a regional style with a strong network of professionals behind it.
“It’s really nice that we are developing our own identity, not trying to be like L.A. or any other market, just highlighting what’s great about the San Diego lifestyle and ingredients,” he says. “Similar to New York, a chef community is starting to develop where chefs are supporting each other. There is a true sense of pride to be cooking here.”
Top: In La Jolla, Lucien serves ocean whitefish with tomatoes turned into concasse, sabayon, and other expressions.
Authors
Little Debbie is officially expanding its doughnut range.
On April 14, the brand announced a new sweet snack: Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts. The company says there was “massive consumer demand” for the original Big Pack Old Fashioned Donuts, which quickly became a top seller. Now, they’re just giving the people what they want.
The new snack is a chocolate old-fashioned cake doughnut finished with a sweet glaze and is launching in two formats:
- The Big Pack Carton: This box contains six doughnuts in a retro-inspired package that reflects the brand’s heritage.
- Single-serve doughnuts: There are also 3-ounce, individually wrapped Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts, which the brand suggests pairing with a morning coffee or eating on a midday break.
The original, which includes six individually wrapped cake-style doughnuts with a vanilla glaze, first hit stores in June 2025 and, according to the brand, has been “consistently selling out.”
“We saw an incredible response to the Old Fashioned Donut we introduced last year,” said Scott Brownlow, Little Debbie’s brand manager, in a press release. We’re doubling down on what works and giving both loyalists and new fans an irresistible reason to head back to the store.”
Little Debbie’s Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts are rolling out now to major retailers, grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide. As with the original Old Fashioned Donut, they become a permanent addition to the brand’s snack lineup.
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