Events
Del Mar Gem Faire
Jan. 12-14. Surround yourself by all that sparkles and shines at this unique expo (and bring your credit card). The Del Mar Gem Faire showcases fine jewelry, gold, silver, precious and semi-precious gemstones, costume jewelry, crystals, beads, minerals and more—available for purchase direct from manufacturers, importers and wholesalers. Bring your own jewelry to be repaired, cleaned or sized while you shop; and enter to win raffle prizes drawn every hour. See website for full dealer and exhibitor list and daily hours. $7 general admission. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 503.252.8300. gemfaire.com
San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park
Jan. 12-14. Yeehaw! The San Diego Padres—in partnership with C5 Rodeo Company Inc and Outriders Present—are bringing the first-ever rodeo to Petco Park this weekend. Don your western hats and boots to cheer on the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls, as they compete for more than $500,000 in prize money across a three-day competition. Participants include Stevi Hillman (pictured), Zeke Thurston, Ky Hamilton and more. The fun also includes live entertainment, food vendors, craft beer and other libations. See website for tickets (which are selling out fast!). 100 Park Blvd., East Village. More Info
Monster Jam at Snapdragon Stadium
Jan. 13-14. It’s a battle of speed and skill (while tearing up the dirt!) at this two-day competition that pits 12,000-pound monster trucks against each other. Featured competitors include “Grave Digger” (Adam Anderson), “Megalodon” (Cory Rummell) and “Zombie” (Bari Musawwir). The fun includes the Monster Jam Trackside experience, including a peek behind the scenes with the Pit Crew, giveaways and the Judges Zone Overview; the Pit Party, where guests can see the monster trucks up close; and a post-event driver meet-and-greet. See website for full schedule and tickets. 2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley. monsterjam.com
Onesie Downtown Bar Crawl & Ball
Jan. 13. Throw on your favorite onesie for the Levinson Group’s 5th Annual Onesie Downtown Bar Crawl & Ball. The party kicks off at American Junkie in the Gaslamp, where participants can choose their own adventure on this nonguided bar crawl—comprising stops at multiple bars (no cover charge), drink specials, giveaways, live entertainment and a costume contest. Guests will also receive foam glow sticks and have access to an LED craft table to make necklaces, glasses and other bling. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. See website for ticket pricing. 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info
Food + Drink
Flamenco Dinner Show at Cafe Sevilla
Jan 13. Spice up your Saturday night with dinner and flamenco dancing at this beloved Spanish eatery (a Gaslamp Quarter staple since 1987). Cafe Sevilla presents a two-part flamenco performance, featuring seasoned dancers who were trained in Spain; along with a three-course dinner featuring its award-winning Paella Valenciana. Add-ons include a tapas menu, wine and a full bar. Advance tickets are required and include entry to the restaurant’s nightclub. 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m., with communal-style seating assigned upon arrival.) $89.50 per person. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979. More Info
North Park Vegan Food Pop-Up
Jan. 13. Carnivores, herbivores and omnivores alike will make tasty discoveries at the city’s biggest vegan market, which pops up on Saturday at North Park Mini Park. Explore plant-based culinary delights from 60-plus vendors from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles—including pastries and doughnuts, salads and produce, juices, teas, vegan sushi, pizza, pastas and other noodles, and Mexican fare. Other vendors include A Way Home for Dogs, Compilations in Art, Samadhi CBD and Jamul Candle Co. Noon-4 p.m. Free entry and parking (kids and dogs welcome). 3812 29th St., North Park. More Info
Elvira
Now Open. The owners of Cesarina bring us Elvira—a Roman osteria and pizzeria now open in the former Bo-Beau Kitchen + Bar space. Named after the great-grandmother of co-owner Niccolò Angius—who operates both establishments along with chef Cesarina Mezzoni and business partner Giuseppe Capasso—the casual cucina offers classic Roman dishes, Italian cocktails and wines, pizzas, daily specials, and authentic desserts. Try the “pizzottelle” antipasti, the rigatoni alla carbonara, and the oven-baked cod entree. See website for hours. 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., Ocean Beach, 619.224.2884. ciaoelvira.com
Spill the Beans Mission Valley
Now Open. Who needs a caffeine fix? With outposts in the Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village, popular bagel and coffee shop Spill the Beans has opened its newest location in the heart of Mission Valley. Sip classic drip coffee, espresso drinks, cold brews, herbal teas, tea lattes, kombuchas and more. To eat: California-style bagels (try the bacon-white-cheddar bagel) with spreads such as white-truffle-Parmesan cream cheese; along with hearty gourmet breakfast sandwiches, bowls and oatmeal; plus indoor and outdoor seating. Open daily beginning at 6 a.m. 525 Camino de la Reina, Mission Valley. spillthebeanssd.com
Arts + Culture
BIG Salsa Festival San Diego
Jan. 12-15. Calling all lovers of salsa music, dance and culture! This four-day Latin extravaganza at the Marriott Mission Valley offers it all: dance performances by salsa’s biggest names, Latin dance parties, dance classes (from beginners to those looking to learn advanced dance moves), live band concerts, Latin food and more. Confirmed salsa dancers, musicians and artists include world champions IROKO, Benny & Ashley (pictured), Yamulee, Fausto Kingsman, Majesty in Motion and more. See website for full schedule each day, hotel room rates and pricing for passes. 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, Mission Valley. More Info
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 14. Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this annual waterfront parade along San Diego Bay. Coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. (the oldest African American fraternity in the U.S., founded in 1906), this 42nd annual parade is among the largest of its kind in the nation. Watch high school bands, floats, drill teams, colleges and universities, churches, peace and youth groups, and local dignitaries as they march along the Embarcadero on Harbor Drive. 10 a.m. 1355 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. More Info
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
