Events
Del Mar Gem Faire
Jan. 10-12. 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/exhibitor list and daily hours. $7 general admission. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 503.252.8300. gemfaire.com
Monster Jam Weekend II
Jan. 11-12. If you missed Monster Jam last weekend, don’t miss round two at Snapdragon Stadium. It’s a battle of speed and skill (while tearing up the dirt!) that pits 12,000-pound monster trucks against each other. Featured competitors include “Grave Digger” (Tyler Menninga), “Megalodon” (Kevin Crocker) and “Zombie” (Bari Musawwir). The fun includes the Monster Jam Trackside experience with the Pit Crew, giveaways and the Judges Zone Overview; and the Pit Party, where guests can see the monster trucks up close. See website for full schedule and tickets. 2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley. More Info
San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park
Jan. 10-12. Yeehaw! The San Diego Padres—in partnership with C5 Rodeo Co. and Outriders Presents—hosts this second annual, family-friendly rodeo at Petco Park. Don your western hats and boots to cheer on the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls, as they compete for more than $800,000 in prize money across a three-day competition. The fun also includes live entertainment—including concerts by country stars such as Elle King, Ryan Bingham and Colter Wall—food vendors, craft beer and other libations. See website for tickets (they’re selling out fast!). 100 Park Blvd., East Village. More Info
Yoga at The Rady Shell
Jan. 11. Breathe your way into the new year with this popular event by the bay. Presented by Fit Athletic, Yoga at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park has become a regular gathering—inviting yogis and novices alike for an hour-long “bootcamp yoga” session along the bayfront, led by seasoned instructor Viktoria Talbot. Behold the therapeutic powers of holding a Downward Dog pose while surrounded by sea breezes and views. And the best part? Admission is free. However, space is limited; register online in advance to reserve your space. And bring your own mat and sunscreen. 9:30 a.m. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. theshell.org
Winter Whale Watching
Ongoing. Spotting whales in San Diego waters year-round is common, but wintertime here is your best bet for spotting Gray Whales. Weighing up to 45 tons each, Gray Whales pass by California every year during the winter months as they migrate from Alaska to the warm lagoon waters of Mexico. San Diego Whale Watch is one of our favorite local companies, offering three-hour whale-watching tours, complete with a marine naturalist on board; as well as private charters. You’re likely to see other marine life on your tour as well, including sea lions and dolphins. 1617 Quivira Road, Mission Bay, 619.542.9931. sdwhalewatch.com
Food + Drink
North Park Vegan Market Pop-Up
Jan. 11. Make January your “Veganuary Kickstart” while making 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, Mexican fare and more. Plus: cooking demos, food and drink samples, wellness classes and other vendors. Noon-4 p.m. Free entry and parking (kids and dogs welcome). 3812 29th St., North Park. More Info
San Diego Brew Festival
Jan. 11. Calling all craft beer lovers! Head to Liberty Station’s NTC Park for a fun afternoon of suds and sunshine. The 14th annual event features more than 70 regional and local craft breweries and 200 beers; along with 10 food trucks, live music and lawn games. Participating brewers include Ballast Point, Fall Brewing Co., Alesmith, Julian Hard Cider, Societe Brewing Company, Sour Cellars, Mike Hess Brewing, Baja Brewing Co. and Latitude 33. Admission includes unlimited beer tastings. Noon-4 p.m. $50-$65; $20 designated drivers (free parking; no pets; 21+). 2455 Cushing Road, Liberty Station. sandiegobeerfest.com
Arts + Culture
North Coast Rep: The Heart Sellers
Jan. 8-Feb. 2. “Would you give up your heart to make a new home?” Making its anticipated San Diego premiere, North Coast Rep in Solana Beach brings us The Heart Sellers. Filled with heart and humor, this poignant play written by Lloyd Suh illuminates the Asian immigrant experience, exploring the paths we take to make a new home. Art Fuse hails it as “a moving homage to friendship.” (Pictured L-R: Jin Park and Marielle Young.) Kat Yen directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Suite D, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
Broadway S.D.: Back to the Future
Upcoming | Jan. 14-19. Great Scott! Broadway San Diego presents the San Diego premiere of Back to the Future: The Musical. The multi-award-winning show is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump); and directed by the Tony Award-winner John Rando; with original music by multi-Grammy winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Theatergoers can also expect hit songs from the movie, including “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel” and “Back in Time.” See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Chicano Park Tours
Ongoing. An often-overlooked (literally) cultural gem, Chicano Park sits beneath the Coronado Bridge overpass—an enclave for local artists and a proud community steeped in Mexican heritage. Founded in 1970, the park eventually housed 72 vibrant murals created by various artists throughout the 1970s and 1980s—making it the largest collection of outdoor murals in the U.S. A restoration project in 2011 returned 20 murals to their original glory. Take a virtual tour online to familiarize yourself with each mural; then take a self-guided tour onsite. Open daily. National Avenue and Evans Street, Barrio Logan. chicano-park.com
Photo credits: “The Heart Sellers” by Aaron Rumley. “Back to the Future” by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
