Events
Weekend Fun at Del Mar Racetrack
Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Take your pick of Labor Day Weekend fun at Del Mar Racetrack. Highlights include: “Turf Club Fridays,” when patrons can access the exclusive Turf Club without a membership, including two drink tickets and an appetizer buffet; the $1 million FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic on Saturday, with the race’s winner receiving an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup; and Family Fun Day on Sunday, when the kiddos can enjoy bungee trampolines, rock-climbing walls, face painting, food trucks and more. See website for details and tickets. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
“Pier Pressure” Mega Yacht Party
Sept. 1. Celebrate Labor Day Weekend aboard Hornblower’s $10 million “Inspiration” luxury yacht, which has hosted SoCal’s biggest yacht party for 13 years running. The celebration includes live entertainment across the 1,200-person-capacity vessel’s three decks and two areas of music—with performances by four DJs, including Scooter and Donald Glaude. Guests can take advantage of several fully stocked and staffed bars (with bottle service and VIP packages available); while dancing and taking in unparalleled San Diego Bay views. 5-8 p.m. (Boarding begins at 4 p.m.) $30-$250. 1800 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. More Info
Oceanside Pier Swim
Sept. 2. Dive in if you dare! Hosted by the Oceanside Masters Swim Club, this 95th annual event (aka the Labor Day Pier Swim) 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. $80 entry fee (includes a cap and T-shirt). See website for parking tips. The Strand, Oceanside. More Info
Roller Rink at Hotel del Coronado
Through Sept. 2. A retro-inspired roller skating rink at Hotel del Coronado? Yes, please! Located near the resort’s main entrance, the outdoor pop-up rink is open through Labor Day. The fun includes theme nights—such as Throwback Thursday, Saturday Disco Fever, and Rock Around the Rink on Monday. Skaters can enjoy cocktails, snacks and Dippin’ Dots rink-side. Skating sessions include roller-skate rentals and up to 90 minutes of skating per session. $30 general admission; $27 hotel guests. See website for hours and tickets. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
Food + Drink
“Bayside Brews & BBQ” at SeaWorld
Aug. 31-Sept. 2. “Take a bite into summer fun” this weekend at SeaWorld San Diego. The park’s “Bayside Brews & BBQ” experience spotlights more than 60 craft beers; along with savory dishes by executive chef Zuric Ramirez and his team. Sample Baja-style barbecue such as TJ Dogs, carne asada tortas and chile-lime-tequila chicken tacos; bourbon-style barbecue including loaded mac ‘n’ cheese with pulled pork (pictured), and peach-cobbler-churro fries; Texas-inspired tri-tip and brisket sandwiches; and more. See website for park hours and admission info. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732. seaworld.com
Slowly Restaurant & Lounge
Opens Aug. 29. Indulge in Baja-influenced Mediterranean cuisine at Slowly Restaurant & Lounge. The new restaurant and bar by Landini’s Restaurant Group (Scuderie Italia, Landini’s Pizzeria) features a locally sourced fare and craft cocktails. Entrees include sea bass and clams with tri-color quinoa, veggies, saffron sauce and house chili oil; grilled, marinated arrachera (skirt steak) with roasted chambray onions, chimichurri sauce and fries; and handmade ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta, accompanied by pistachio cream, peas and Parmesan. See website for hours. 1520 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.352.6080. slowlysd.com
Ponyboy at the Pearl Hotel
Now Open. Point Loma’s mid-century Pearl Hotel brings us a new retro-style restaurant and bar: Ponyboy. The brainchild of Service Animals—the hospitality outfit headed by seasoned cocktail ninja Ian Ward (Addison) and Danny Romero (Wormwood, Two Ducks)—is inspired by the character of the same name in the novel and film, The Outsiders. Feast on nostalgic 1960s fare like fondue, tuna casserole, navy beans and bone marrow, deviled eggs, grilled Oysters Rockefeller, barbacoa beef stroganoff, “T.V. dinners” (daily specials) and more. W-Su 4-10 p.m. 1410 Rosecrans St., Point Loma, 619.226.6100. theponyboy.com
Arts + Culture
S.D. Natural History Museum: “Nat at Night”
Aug. 30. Kick off your weekend with the last “Nat at Night” of the summer. The San Diego Natural History Museum (aka “The Nat”) is open on Friday until 10 p.m., offering half-price admission after 5 p.m. The museum’s rooftop patio, with views overlooking the park, is open to all visitors—serving beer, wine, signature cocktails and other beverages; plus small plates from Wolf in the Woods. It’s your chance to explore the museum after hours; plus partake in fun activities like trivia (7 p.m. in the museum’s atrium). 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.3821. sdnhm.org
Tchaikovsky Spectacular at The Rady Shell
Aug. 30. The San Diego Symphony presents one of its most popular annual concerts on Friday at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. It’s the Symphony’s last classical concert of its 2024 Summer Season. The repertoire includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Violin Concerto—closing out with the iconic 1812 Overture and a fireworks show. Music director Rafael Payare conducts. 7:30 p.m. (Arrive at 5:45 p.m. for a prelude performance by the 1st Marine Division Band.) See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, embarcadero, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
The Old Globe: Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson
Closes Sept. 1. Catch it before it closes! The Old Globe presents a fast-paced, witty murder-mystery that reimagines the world’s most iconic detective duo: playwright Kate Hamill’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B. In it, we meet steampunk hipster Shirley Holmes and her feisty new roommate Joan Watson. The two take on a series of crime cases that have the same supervillain, who is always one step ahead of them, in common. James Vásquez directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Photo credits: Slowly Restaurant & Lounge by Robert Reyes. Ponyboy by Kimberly Motos. “Nat at Night” by Eric Scire. The Old Globe by Jim Cox. The Rady Shell by Gary Payne. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
