Events
Closing Weekend at Del Mar Racetrack
Sept. 4-7. Take your pick of weekend fun at Del Mar Racetrack. Highlights include “Turf Club Fridays,” an elevated happy hour experience with curated appetizers and cocktails; the trackside BBQ & Beer Festival, showcasing top pitmasters from local restaurants, on Saturday, Sept. 5; Family Fun Day on Sunday, Sept. 6, when the kiddos can enjoy bungee trampolines, rock-climbing walls, face painting, food and more; and Closing Day on Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day). See website for details and tickets. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
“Salsa Under the Stars” at Quartyard
Sept. 4. Calling all lovers of Latin music and food! Get your dancing shoes on for “Salsa Under the Stars,” featuring live music by The Manny Cepeda Orchestra Quartet, at alfresco venue Quartyard. Led by Puerto Rican composer and musician Manny Cepeda, the beloved band is known for its uplifting salsa, merengue, bachata, mambo, Cuban and Latin jazz music. Guests can also enjoy libations and food from onsite Mexican eatery El Comal. 5-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (all ages welcome). 1301 Market St., East Village. Details
Anime San Diego 2026
Sept. 5-6. Head to the San Diego Convention Center Anime San Diego 2026, a pop culture, cosplay and anime showcase. The jam-packed experience features 400 vendors and artists; 50-plus celebrity guests and cast panels; an anime lounge; stage performances; anime wrestling; the Dreamland Maid Café, among other food and drink vendors; an anime activity zone; an Itasha car show; the Four Empires Fantasy Experience; a trading card arena; giveaways; and more. See website for full schedule and ticket pricing. 111 Harbor Drive, downtown. Details
Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim
Sept. 7. Dive in if you dare! Hosted by the Oceanside Masters Swim Club, this 97th annual event returns. Started in 1929, the tradition entails a one-mile swim around the landmark Oceanside Pier—first built in 1888 and standing at 1,954 feet long—with swimmers racing toward the finish line in the sand. Register online in advance; open to all ages. Check-ins begin at 7 a.m; start times (which are staggered) begin at 8:30 a.m. $99 entry fee (includes a cap and T-shirt). See website for parking tips. The Strand, Oceanside. Details
Food + Drink
Labor Day Weekend Gaslamp Bar Crawl
Sept. 4-6. Maximize your Labor Day weekend with this massive bar crawl through the Gaslamp. Opt for a guided crawl; or use your all-access pass granting you no cover charge to pop in and out of more than 10 bars and nightclubs—including free welcome shots, dancing, drink discount coupons and swag. The party starts at Good Night John Boy and includes stops at Double Deuce, Side Bar, Whiskey Girl, Omerta and more. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. See website for ticket pricing (21+). 401 G St., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
Goop Kitchen
Now Open. Goop Kitchen has arrived at One Paseo. It marks the Kitchen’s first full-service, dine-in restaurant, known for its clean, nourishing dishes made without seed oils, gluten, corn, refined sugars or processed additives. Choose from an array of healthy bowls, salads, handhelds, soups, pizzas, pastas, rotisserie chicken and more. Menu highlights: the Pepperoni Potts pizza with basil and pomodoro sauce; the miso salmon bento box with organic brown rice, a soft-boiled egg, edamame and cucumbers; and the signature Goop Teriyaki Bowl. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar. goopkitchen.com
Anniversary Deals at The Smoking Gun
Starting Sept. 7. Popular Gaslamp restaurant and bar The Smoking Gun is celebrating its ninth anniversary with a fun series of different daily specials, through Sept 15. They include: $9 chicken wings or nuggets on Sept. 7; $9 game cards for the Arcade, Sept. 9; a 9-cent sundae with the purchase of a “Main Event” menu item, Sept. 11; $9 Frito pies, nachos or pretzel sticks, Sept. 12; $9 espresso martinis and other select cocktails, Sept. 13; and more. See website for hours. 529 Market St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.3836. thesmokinggunsd.com
Arts + Culture
Maritime Museum: “Pirates” Experience
Sept. 5-7. Pirates are taking over the waterfront in September … and you can be one of them! Maritime of Museum of San Diego presents “Pirates Take the Waterfront,” offering special pirate-themed deals and adventures Sept. 5-7 and Sept. 19-20. Dress up like a pirate and enjoy 25% off general admission; 25% off in the Museum Store; and Pirate Plinko, in which you get a chance to play and win pirate-themed prizes if you purchase a regularly priced Pilot Boat ticket. 1492 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. sdmaritime.org
The Rady Shell: Special Jazz Concert
Sept. 5. The Rady Shell hosts San Diego Symphony Jazz Curator and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos (pictured) and the 17-piece KSDS Jazz Orchestra for a special concert, celebrating the music of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie. Centered on the evolution of Latin jazz dating back to Gillespie’s monumental collaboration with Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo, the evening’s repertoire includes “A Night in Tunisia,” “Cubana Be, Cubana Bop,” “Manteca” and more. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
The Old Globe: Begin Again
Sept. 6-Oct. 11. An exciting new musical makes its world premiere at The Old Globe: Begin Again, based on the book by Jenna Clark Embrey and Molly Beach Murphy; and the film written and directed by John Carney. The touching story follows Gretta, a newly single (and heartbroken) singer-songwriter in NYC, who is discovered by Dan, a struggling record label executive. The production features music and lyrics by Pat Monahan and Grammy-winning pop-rock band Train. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
