San Diego

Weekend roundup

August 13-16

Events

Ferragosto 

Aug. 15. Dress in your summer best and head to Little Italy to celebrate “Feriae Augusti,” also known as Ferragosto—the national Italian holiday that traditionally is a time of honored rest after weeks of hard work in the agricultural sector. In San Diego, this means enjoying the bounty of summertime produce and fresh seasonal dishes at such restaurants as Barbusa, Civico 1845, Solunto and more. Our pick: Bencotto, for its daily cheese wheel selection in which fresh, hand-cut pasta is tossed in a 60-pound wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. 750 Fir St., Little Italy, 619.450.4786. lovebencotto.com | littleitalysd.com

Touring Old Town San Diego

Reopened. The city’s historical heart and California’s very first settlement (circa 1769), Old Town largely has reopened for business—including sightseeing, shopping and outdoor dining. Stroll its quaint streets; shop at Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo for authentic folk art, artisan jewelry, clothing and home decor; sip a margarita on the expansive patio at Cafe Coyote; and much more. See website for full list of open businesses, addresses and hours. San Diego Avenue (between Old Town Avenue and Taylor Street), Old Town. oldtownsandiego.org

Elevate Training Outdoors

Ongoing. Get your fitness on with a side of fresh ocean air at Elevate Training, which now offers daily outdoor classes on the second-floor Bayview Terrace of the waterfront InterContinental San Diego hotel. The studio specializes in the Lagree Method—a 40-minute, low-impact, high-intensity, full-body workout using megaformer machines. (Think: Pilates meets circuit training meets lots of sweating and muscle-quivering.) Not sure if it’s for you? Elevate’s introductory offer includes two weeks of unlimited classes for $59. The bay views are free. 901 Bayfront Court, downtown, 858.956.9500. elevatetraining.com

Food + Drink

City Tacos Belmont Park Pop-Up

Aug. 14-16. Let’s talk tacos. Local taqueria City Tacos has launched a weekend pop-up installation at Belmont Park’s Coast Terrace oceanfront rooftop. Enjoy the popular pollo asado and carne asada tacos, grilled shrimp enchiladas, chile relleno and other menu staples; along with specialty cocktails and a pop-up beer garden—all overlooking the ocean. Can’t make it this weekend? The pop-up is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. citytacossd.com

Born and Raised

Reopened. The rooftop dining terrace here just got even prettier and safer, complete with dividers and well-spaced seating. And of course, it’s all about the beef at this high-style steakhouse. Choose from classic cuts, dry-aged steaks, American and Japanese wagyu, and prime rib served with Yorkshire pudding; plus delicacies such as caviar, uni spaghetti and snails with bone marrow. To drink: classic cocktails and the city’s largest collection of scotch. D nightly. Reservations recommended. 1909 India St., Little Italy, 619.202.4577. bornandraisedsteak.com

Tex Mex Breakfast Club

Now Open. Now this is one club we’re excited to join. J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats and Negroni Warehouse (which gets our vote for longest but coolest business name!) has launched the Tex Mex Breakfast Club—a new brunch experience centered on Tex-Mex dishes and agave-infused cocktails. Sip cocktails dreamt up by Jedi-level bartender Andrew Cordero, such as the Sunrise Fluff made with mezcal, Campari and orange juice. To eat, try the Fancy AF breakfast burrito and the Tres Leches French Toast with brûléed banana. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. 631 Ninth Ave., East Village, 855.634.7664. prosciuttoboys.com

Waterbar San Diego

Now Open. Ocean-view patio alert! Located just steps from the sand along the boardwalk, Waterbar has opened its brand-new rooftop patio for outdoor dining. Take in views of the Pacific while savoring seafood delights such as the scallop ceviche (our favorite), coconut shrimp and daily fresh catches; plus burgers, salads and craft cocktails. And don’t miss the brioche French toast with eggs and applewood-smoked bacon on the weekend brunch menu. L, D daily; Br Sa-Su. (See website for hours.) 4325 Ocean Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.888.4343. waterbarsd.com

Arts + Culture

Oceanside Museum of Art Virtual Road Trip

Aug. 13. Virtual road trip, anyone? Impressions of California, presented by the Oceanside Museum of Art, takes you on an artsy, coastal road trip across Southern California. Guided by renowned art professor Robin Douglas, the donation-based, live-stream tour stops at top area museums. Learn more about the California Impressionists and their artistic contributions to the cultural fabric of the Golden State at each stop. They include the Laguna Art Museum, Irvine Art Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and more. 7-8:30 p.m. oma-online.org

“Chords & Cars” Drive-In Concert

Aug. 15. Find some family-friendly fun at this socially distant, live drive-in concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds—with performances by the Ryan Hiller Band and locally beloved blues singer Whitney Shay (a four-time San Diego Music Award winner). Keeping safety in mind, attendance is limited to 100 vehicles, complete with external speakers and a radio transmission that can be tuned into via your own car stereo—so your windows can be rolled up or down. Tickets start at $80 per vehicle (up to six people). 7 p.m. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Tickets

“Momentum” Creative Industry Symposium

Upcoming | Aug. 17. Get to know inspiring leaders in San Diego’s creative industries in this new virtual symposium presented by nonprofit Vanguard Culture. The first of two sessions (the second is slated for September 7), “Momentum” will feature a diverse group of local artistic leaders—spanning film, performing arts, architecture, culinary arts and more—who will share their stories. The lineup includes award-winning chef Flor Franco; David Bennett, managing director of the San Diego Opera (pictured: last season’s production of Hansel and Gretel); Bradley Tsalyuk, exhibit developer at the Natural History Museum; and more. Noon-2 p.m. $10. vanguardculture.com

Photo credits: Momentum/San Diego Opera by Tim Matheson Photography. All other images are courtesy of the venues and individuals featured.

Let's Stay In Touch

with weekly roundups

Sign up for FREE to receive our exclusive Weekend Roundup!

Get the best things to do in our favorite SoCal spots delivered to your inbox every week

Los Angeles

Orange County

San Diego