Events
Opening Day at Del Mar Racetrack
July 18. The Del Mar Racetrack hosts its summer season of thoroughbred horseracing—presented by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club—beginning with Opening Day on July 18. (Bust out the seersucker suits and fancy hats!) Season highlights also include Turf Club Fridays; myriad beer, wine and tequila festivals; the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 30; and Closing Day on Sept. 7. (And save the dates for fall racing season, Oct. 30-Nov. 30, highlighted by the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Oct. 31-Nov. 1.) 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
L’Auberge Opening Day After Party
July 18. Dubbed as the “Original Opening Day After Party,” L’Auberge Del Mar returns with its seaside soiree, this year with an Italian summer twist. “La Dolce Vita by the Sea” comprises an evening of dancing, DJ sets, live music, “coastal bites” and libations under the stars—all amid an Italian Riveria-inspired backdrop. Unwind after a day at the track or get dolled up and head straight to the party. 5 p.m.-midnight. General admission is $275 online in advance ($300 same day). 1540 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.386.1336. Details
Rancho Valencia’s “After Pony Party”
July 18. The fun at Opening Day at the Del Mar Races continues at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa—host of the official 2025 after-party of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Glam it up for an evening of dancing, dining and drinks. Admission includes a welcome cocktail, an endless food buffet, a cash bar and tunes by DJ Murphi Kennedy. 6 p.m.-midnight. General admission begins at $335 per person. (Group discounts, VIP packages, cabanas and other add-ons are also available.) See website for all details. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.1123. Details
San Diego Pride Festival
July 19-20. Join thousands of people from San Diego and across the country in Balboa Park for the city’s largest two-day event: the 2025 San Diego Pride Festival. The all-day fun includes dancing, live music and entertainment across four stages; along with community education/resource booths, interactive exhibits, cultural presentations, food trucks and much more. See website for details, tickets, parking and transportation info, and talent/entertainment lineup. Festival hours: Sa noon.-10 p.m.; Su noon-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. Marston Point, Balboa Park. sdpride.org
San Diego Pride Parade
July 19. Among the largest Pride parades in the U.S., the annual San Diego Pride Parade draws more than 250,000 LGBTQ+ supporters. Don your rainbow attire and grab the sunscreen for a festive day of floats, performers, local dignitaries and marching bands. The parade route begins at the Hillcrest Pride flag at the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street; continues west along University; then turns south onto Sixth Avenue; then left onto Balboa Drive; and ending at Quince Street—near the entrance to the San Diego Pride Festival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Hillcrest. sdpride.org
Food + Drink
Communal Coffee Bankers Hill
Opens July 19. With locations in North Park, South Park and Oceanside, Communal Coffee opens its newest outpost in Bankers Hill. Known for its craft coffees, specialty lattes, matcha and teas, seasonal food dishes, fresh flowers and retail items—Communal is nestled inside the Brazilian-inspired lobby of the new Kaya mid-rise building. Saturday’s opening celebration includes goodie bags for the first 50 guests, a live DJ (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), cake by Lemon Bar Bakery, free balloons, stickers and flowers. Open at 6:30 a.m. 2710 Third Ave., Bankers Hill. communalcoffee.com
“Christmas in July” at Polite Provisions
Through July 31. Feeling like a Grinch even though it’s midsummer? Polite Provisions is here to cheer you up with “Christmas in July.” The cocktail bar is decked out with kitschy holiday decor, and serving up nostalgic craft cocktails with fun twists. Try the Kris Kringle Old Fashioned with Jamaican rum, rye whiskey, cacao and sweet vermouth; Let It Snow, Let It Snow with rum, espresso and bourbon cream; and On the Second Day of Christmas with sparkling rosé, tequila reposado and grapefruit sherbert. See website for hours. 4696 30th St., North Park. politeprovisions.com
Arts + Culture
“Nighttime Zoo” at San Diego Zoo
Through Aug. 10. San Diego Zoo is offering expanded summer hours and family-friendly festivities. Enjoy performances by Jambo Dunia! (pictured), featuring wildlife puppets, dancers and acrobats; The Chameleons brass ensemble; the Rock & Roar pop band; The Explorers acapella group; Bounce-a Roo Bonanza; the Amazing Acrobats of Tanzania; the interactive Zoolamoves to get the kiddos dancing; and more. Zoo hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. through Aug. 10; “Nighttime Zoo” entertainment begins at 3:30 p.m. daily. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park. Details
“Living Seas” at Birch Aquarium
Now Open. At the new “Living Seas” exhibition at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, explore interactive features such as the Giant Octopus habitat; a new Scripps Pier habitat that evokes an “under the pier” experience; an expanded Open Ocean habitat filled with schooling fish and a rescued Loggerhead sea turtle; an expansive Tropical Coral habitat, featuring a “step in” immersive viewing window; insights on the cutting-edge research of Scripps Oceanography; and the new Blue Waves Bistro. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474. aquarium.ucsd.edu
Museum of Illusions San Diego
Now Open. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Museum of Illusions San Diego is a mesmerizing mind-bender at every turn—housing immersive exhibits; “illusion rooms” that play tricks on your mind (the Tilted Room will have you questioning your balance!); installations that shock the senses; and images from mind-boggling holograms to optical illusions. They’re part science, part magic and all fun—collectively making the impossible seem possible. See website for details, hours and admission info. 665 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
Photo credits: Polite Provisions by James Tran. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
