Poolside Jazz, Kesha, Wonderspaces and more fun things to do are on tap this month. Here are the top 30+ San Diego things to do in June.
Edited by Jordan Fraser.
San Diego County Fair
All Month. There’s no place like the fair! Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, this year’s theme is truly “Ozsome”. San Diego’s largest annual event features car shows, animals, games, carnival rides, arts and crafts, exhibits, food and much more. See website for performane and event schedule. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Padres Baseball
June 1-9, 17-19, 28-30. Catch a San Diego Padres home game at Petco Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals throughout the month. Check the website for special park promotions, giveaways and events. 100 Park Blvd., East Village. mlb.com
Freddy Cole Centennial Tribute to Nat King Cole
June 2. To honor 100 years since his late brother was born, Freddy Cole will pay tribute to Nat King Cole with an elegant outdoor concert. Enjoy the Freddy Cole Quartet’s unforgettable jazz standards and Nat King Cole classics along with complimentary wine. A menu of gourmet bites prepared by The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s top-flight culinary team will also be available. 3-6 p.m. $65 GA; $100 VIP meet-and-greet experience. 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe. Tickets
Put Your House In Order
June 2-30. Equal parts romantic comedy and old-school thriller, this new play from one of Chicago’s hottest playwrights, Ike Holter, explores new beginnings and learning to trust at the end of the world. See website for show times and ticket prices. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Sip’n Savor
June 2. Sample food from local restaurants; sip unlimited beer, cider and Boochcraft tasters; and listen to music from local bands while raising awareness and funds for the American Liver Foundation. Each ticket includes eight food samples and unlimited beer tastings. VIP tickets include an extra hour of sampling, as well as cocktail and spirit tastings. Noon-4 p.m. $45 GA; $75 VIP; $25 designated driver. Barracks 17, 2710 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station. alfevents.org
Brews with Buckets
June 6. Snap a photo with San Diego’s own Instagram star Buckets the Frenchie and pick up a pint in support of It’s the Pits Rescue at this homegrown fundraiser. Mix, mingle, play Bingo and enter the raffle for a chance to win prizes from beloved San Diego hotspots like Better Buzz Coffee, Eppig Brewing and Volatire Beach House. 5-8 p.m. Free. Eppig Point Loma Waterfront Biergarten, 2817 Dickens St., Point Loma, 619.756.6825. eppigbrewing.com
San Diego International Boat Show
June 6-9. From entry-level family cruisers to luxury yachts to sailboats, more than 150 boats will be on display to browse, board and buy at this premier boat show. Attendees can also browse the on-land expo to view and test the latest marine accessories, services and electronics. Additional highlights include workshops and seminars, food trucks, a floating tiki bar, beer garden and live entertainment. Th-F noon-7 p.m.; Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 adults, free children ages 12 and under. Spanish Landing Park East, 3900 N. Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island. sandiegointernationalboatshow.com
Sunset Poolside Jazz
Starts June 6. Local jazz celebrity Gilbert Castellanos has gathered the best jazz musicians San Diego has to offer for this weekly jazz series on Thursday nights. Artists include Joshua White Trio, Dennis Gittens, Robert Dove Trio, Irving Flores, Curtis Taylor and more. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free with $25 food and beverage minimum. The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., downtown, 619.238.1818. westgatehotel.com
Film and Float: The Wizard of Oz
June 7. Follow the yellow brick road to the pool deck of the Lafayette Hotel for an outdoor screening of the classic Judy Garland film. Sip Ruby Red cocktails, enjoy wicked appetizer specials and test your courage with poolside games for a chance to win prizes inspired by the Emerald City. Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Free. 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. lafayettehotelsd.com
First Friday Amplified Concert and Market
June 7. San Diego’s biggest monthly art walk gets amplified at this kick-off to summer. Activities include a free concert, craft beer garden, pop-up market and much more. Meet working artists, enjoy dance, theater and music performances, visit museums and galleries and explore the growing Arts District. Come for the art, but stay for country artist New Reveille’s headline set. 5-9 p.m. Free. Liberty Station North Promenade, 2848 Dewey Road, Point Loma, 619.756.7992. libertystation.com
Wonderspaces
Opens June 7. The interactive art show returns for a third year, with a new theme on empathy. Thirteen works include an immersive installation where visitors see themselves illustrated as constellations and a virtual reality experience in which participants can listen to stories, hopes, and secrets shared by previous participants as well as add their own. $15-$27. B Street Pier, 1140 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. wonderspaces.com
Avolution Fest
June 8. Celebrate all things avocado at this outdoor festival featuring live performances by St. Lucia, Lost Kings and Tim Legend; avocado-inspired art installations; an avocado-centric menu created by San Diego food trucks; and immersive art installations. $20-$25 GA; food and drink additional. Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. Tickets
Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner
June 8. Discover the high-elevation, terroir-driven wines of Cakebread Cellars Vineyard during this four-course dinner from Avant Chef de Cuisine Chris Gentile. Menu highlights include kampachi with grapefruit, avocado, agave and sea bacon; American Wagyu with chef’s garden squash and huitlacoche; various decedent appetizers and more. 6 p.m. $125. Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo, 858.675.8551. ranchobernardoinn.com
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
June 12, 15, 20-22, 26, 28. As the weather starts warming up, it’s perfect timing for Humphreys outdoor summer concert series on the bay. This season includes an all-star lineup with performances from Johnnyswim, Rob Thomas, Alanis Morisette, America, Indigo Girls, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies and more. See website for times and prices. 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. humphreysconcerts.com
Pat Green
June 14. Acclaimed country singer and Grammy nominee Pat Green is best known for hits like “Wave on Wave” and “Let Me,” and has toured with legends such as Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. Headlining at Moonshine Flats, this show serves as the local debut for Green’s new album. 8 p.m. $25. 344 Seventh Ave., downtown, 619.255.7625. moonshineflats.com
Taste of Gaslamp
June 15. Taste your way through the historic Gaslamp Quarter at this 25th annual tour featuring bites from dozens of downtown’s best chefs. More than 35 venues are participating this year, including El Chingon, Meze Greek Fusion, The Morning After, Tin Roof and Tocaya Organica. Upgrade to VIP tickets for exclusive offerings from six additional restaurants, a goody bag and an exclusive reception held at a secret rooftop location. 1-4 p.m. $35 GA, $45 day-of; $65 VIP, $75 day-of. Check in at Gaslamp Square, 538 L St., Gaslamp Quarter. gaslamp.org
WhistlePig Whiskey Dinner
June 15. Limited to 14 seats in the Marina Kitchen Restaurant and Bar’s 330-square-foot walk-in cellar, this pairing dinner features WhistlePig whiskies with each course. 7-10 p.m. $125. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.234.1500. Tickets
Cruise to Belmont Father’s Day Fest & Car Show
June 16. Cruise on down to Belmont Park for this seventh annual Father’s Day festival and car show with nearly 200 classic and modern cars on display. Plus, enjoy live music, Father’s Day brunch, a cornhole tournament, crafts for the kids and raffles with giveaways. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. belmontpark.com
Summer Shakespeare Festival
Opens June 16. Experience the finest of Shakespeare’s work performed in repertory outdoors under the stars in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. This year includes As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet. See website for dates and show times. $30+. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Green Flash Concert Series: Wild Child
June 19. Now in its 14th season of mixing concerts with panoramic ocean views, Green Flash Concert Series this month welcomes Wild Child, a Los Angeles-based tribute to The Doors. The show includes the band’s classic rock hits “Break on Through (to the Other Side),” “Light My Fire,” “L.A. Woman,” “Love Her Madly” and “Riders of the Storm.” 21+. 5:30-9 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Birch Aquarium Tide Pool Plaza, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. Tickets
Taste of Little Italy
June 19. Tour one of San Diego’s top culinary neighborhoods at this 11th annual event. Taste of Little Italy features two routes (north and south) and bites from more than 40 restaurants, including Ballast Point, Ironside, Nolita Hall, Shake Shack, Born & Raised, Bencotto, Filippi’s, Not Not Tacos and many more. Ticket holders will receive a Taste Passport to guide them through the evening. 5-9 p.m. $45 advance, $50 at the door. Check in at the Piazza della Famigila on the corner of India and W. Date St. littleitalysd.com
Del Mar Summer Solstice
June 20. Experience culinary creations from Del Mar’s best restaurants and sip on selections of some of California’s best wine, beer, cider, mead and distilled spirits to celebrate the summer solstice. Plus enjoy live music, front-row sunset views and balmy beach-town breezes. 21+. 5-8 p.m. $90. Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd., Del Mar. visitdelmarvillage.com
Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival
June 22.. This 40th annual festival features four stages of live music and entertainment, visual art, carnival rides, games, food and vendor booths, Hodad’s Burger-Eating Competition, a beachside beer garden and more. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Street fair free; Chili Cook-Off samples $2 each or master ticket for $20. 4800-5000 blocks of Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. oceanbeachsandiego.com
South Park Walkabout
June 22. Explore the charming neighborhood of South Park at this quarterly evening where businesses and restaurants stay open late with complimentary treats, live entertainment and special offers. 6-10 p.m. Free. 30th Street between Kalmia and Beech streets. southparksd.com
A Walk in the Woods
Through June 23. Set in the Cold War, U.S. and Soviet negotiators agree to meet informally, and their conversations explore uncharted and unexpected territory. For those yearning for a more enlightened world, this play gives us much to think about. See website for show times and ticket prices. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
Mainly Mozart Festival
Through June 23. For over 30 years, the Mainly Mozart Festival has been gathering the greatest collection of orchestral players in North America. Musical director Michael Francis leads a month of concerts featuring masterpieces such as Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Op. 68 in F Major. See website for dates and showtimes. $27+. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. mainlymozart.org
Sip into Summer Wine Series
June 26. Put the wine into Wine Wednesday at Tower 23’s annual summer wine series. Each week features a different vineyard or wine professional to share their latest varietals for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience. Pairs perfectly with a Pacific Beach sunset. Featured wineries include Golden Eye Winery, Robert Keenan Winery, Vinisterra Winery and Peay Vineyards. 6 p.m. $25-$30. 723 Felspar St., Pacific Beach. Tickets
Kesha
June 27. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kesha is back on tour and sharing her strength with San Diego audiences. Her latest album Rainbow has been called, “an artistic feat” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best music of her career” by Rolling Stone. 18+. 8 p.m. $47. The Events Center at Harrah’s Resort SoCal, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. harrahssocal.com
Star Spangled Pops
June 28-29. The San Diego Symphony kicks off its annual Bayside Summer Nights concert series with a patriotic celebration of tunes from familiar films and Broadway blockbusters. Broadway’s Ross Lekites performs as a guest vocalist with the San Diego Master Chorale alongside the San Diego Symphony and Orchestra led by conductor Todd Ellison. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego Embarcadero, 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org
Forging Territories
Opens June 29. The San Diego Art Institute exhibition explores and highlights conversations around talented but underrepresented African-American and Latinx artists who identify as LGBTQ. Tu-Sa noon-5 p.m. $5 GA. 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. sandiego-art.org
Taste of Adams Avenue
June 30. Sample eats from 48 restaurants along Adams Avenue, serving everything from Thai to Mexican to dessert. In addition to this adventurous tasting tour, attendees can also experience the neighborhood’s many distinctive shops. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $35 advance, $40 day of. Adams Avenue, Normal Heights. adamsavenuebusiness.com
Photos: Freddy Cole Centennial Tribute to Nat King Cole by Clay Walker. Wonderspaces courtesy Wonderspaces. Brews with Buckets courtesy Taryn Crowder. Cakebread Cellars Dinner and Kesha courtesy J Public Relations. Sip Into Summer Wine Series courtesy Chemistry PR.
