Events
Oceanfront Yoga at Sunset Cliffs
Jan. 6. Start your Saturday with a little namaste, along with some sweet ocean views and breezes. Taught by Jessica Waala and open to all levels, the experience comprises a gentle vinyasa flow—a balance of stretching, strengthening and relaxing—as well as a sound healing class. The best part: the unparalleled ocean and coastline views from the iconic Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Bring your own mat, towel, water and sun protection. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Attendance is free but pre-registration is required (see website). Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Adair Street, Ocean Beach. More Info
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Extended Through Jan. 7. Go walking in a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland at San Diego Botanic Garden, which presents the acclaimed show Lightscape through Sunday. The experience comprises an illuminated, 1-mile walking trail around the 37-acre property, filled with light tunnels, lanterns, glowing California poppies and other immersive light installations that come to life with vibrant color and sound—plus treats and libations available for purchase along the trail. See website for hours and ticket pricing. (Wear comfy shoes!) 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036. sdbg.org
Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
Closes Jan. 7. Get in one last holiday season ice-skating session at the Rady Children’s Ice Rink, before it closes on Sunday. The outdoor rink is located on the central promenade at the Arts District Liberty Station. All net proceeds from ice-rink admission will benefit the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s. Tickets include helmet and skate rentals. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: $20 adults; $15 kids (ages 12 and under). 2875 Dewey Road, Liberty Station, 619.221.1970. rchicerink.org
Skating by the Sea at Hotel Del Coronado
Closes Jan. 7. Ice-skate your way into 2024! Skating by the Sea, a celebrated tradition at the Hotel del Coronado, wraps up its holiday season on Sunday. This one-of-kind San Diego experience comprises a beachfront ice rink on the resort’s lawn, offering views of world-famous Coronado Beach and the Pacific. Guests can also reserve a spot at Frostbite Lounge—a rink-side hangout offering cocktails, bites, a firepit and cozy seating. Ice-rink proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego. See website for hours and tickets. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
Paragliding Over La Jolla
Ongoing. Glide like a bird above the majestic bluffs overlooking Torrey Pines State Beach aboard a hang glider or parasail glider. The Torrey Pines Gliderport offers tandem rides by experienced instructors daily (weather permitting). The approximately 25-minute flights show off the coastal cliffs, Torrey Pines Golf Course and some of the region’s priciest real estate. (Should paragliding become a passion for you, the glider port offers a flight school where you can earn your own pilot wings to fly solo.) Tandem paragliding flights start at $175. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, 858.452.9858. flytorrey.com
Food + Drink
San Diego Brew Festival
Jan. 6. Calling all craft beer lovers! Head to Liberty Station’s NTC Park for a fun afternoon of suds and sunshine. The 13th annual event features more than 70 regional and local craft breweries; along with 10 food trucks, live music and lawn games. Participating brewers include Ballast Point, Fall Brewing Co., Alpine Beer Company, Julian Hard Cider, Societe Brewing Company, Sour Cellars, Mike Hess Brewing, Baja Brewing Co., and Boochcraft Organic Hard Kombucha. Admission includes unlimited beer tastings. Noon-4 p.m. $50-$65 (free parking; no pets; 21+). 2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station. sandiegobeerfest.com
Lane Field Park Market
Jan. 6-7. This popular weekend market by the waterfront across from Broadway Pier features live music, gourmet street food, artwork and pop-up installations, handmade jewelry, crafts, San Diego Bay views and more. Sample cuisine from a dozen vendors, including waffles, crepes, empanadas, burgers, Vietnamese bao, Thai food, wood-fired pizza, hot mini doughnuts and smoothies; along with Columbian craft coffee by Yipao Coffee San Diego. Bring your own blanket (and sunscreen) for a picnic on the grass. Lawn umbrellas are provided for shade. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry. 1009 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. More Info
Arts + Culture
James Balog Exhibit at MOPA@SDMA
On View Through March 10. Explore the works of photographer James Balog in the exhibit James Balog: Photographs from the Anthropocene, on view at MOPA@SDMA (formerly the Museum of Photographic Arts, now housed inside The San Diego Museum of Art). Balog studied ancient cultural assumptions about human nature relative to the rest of nature for 40 years; his series of photos capture the cyclical patterns of earth’s life forms and the impact of human activity. Pictured: Chimpanzee (with Curtain), 1993. See website for hours and admission info. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. mopa.org
Broadway San Diego’s The Wiz
Upcoming | Jan. 9-14. Come on and “Ease on Down the Road!” with the Broadway revival of The Wiz, which stops at the Civic Theatre on an all-new pre-Broadway tour. With an electric score of ‘70s funk, soul, gospel and rock music, the Tony Award-winning musical is a twist on The Wizard of Oz—centered on Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a modern world. Infused with ballet, jazz and modern pop, the updated show features dynamic staging, complete with a dazzling Emerald City. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Chicano Park Tours
Ongoing. Nestled beneath the Coronado Bridge overpass, Chicano Park is an enclave for local artists and a proud community steeped in Mexican heritage. Founded in 1970, the park eventually housed 72 vibrant murals created by various artists throughout the 1970s and 1980s—making it the largest collection of outdoor murals in the U.S. A comprehensive restoration of 20 murals is currently underway; the restored mural La Virgen de Guadalupe was unveiled in December 2023. See website for details and info on upcoming events. Open daily. National Avenue and Evans Street, Barrio Logan. chicano-park.com
Photo credits: James Balog photos are courtesy of the artist and MOPA@SDMA. The Wiz by Carol Rosegg. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.