Events
“Daycation Celebration” at Seaport Village
June 7. Seaport Village hosts its third annual “Daycation Celebration” along the waterfront. The family-friendly extravaganza comprises an afternoon of festivities—including free carousel rides, a classic car showcase, live music and a DJ dance party, shopping perks and promos, a bubble fun zone, a balloon artist, a caricature artist, face painting, commemorative photo ops and more. Guests can also learn to draw their favorite Looney Tunes characters at the Chuck Jones Gallery; including a fun trivia game with a chance to win prizes. 3-7 p.m. 849 W. Harbor Drive, downtown. seaportvillage.com
East Village Blues Festival
June 7. They’ll be singin’ the blues at this fourth annual event in which acclaimed blues musicians will converge for an electric evening. Presented by Electric Playground and Quartyard, the festival hosts the “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” Sue Palmer (pictured), and her Motel Swing Orchestra; Len Rainey & The Midnight Players; The Stoney B. Blues Band; and Zavala Sol & The Tighten Ups. Guests can also enjoy a full bar and food from El Comal. See website for more details. 4-9 p.m. See website for ticket pricing (21+). Quartyard, 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info
North Park Music Fest
June 7. Enjoy 40 live music acts performing across multiple North Park venues—including The Office Bar, Seven Grand, Bivouac, Queen B’s, The Garden at Art Produce and Pretzels & Pints—at this “walkable, multi-genre music takeover” of one of the city’s most creative ‘hoods. This year the fun also includes The Creator Fair, hosted by Verbatim Books x Visual Art Supply (Ray Street and North Park Way, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)—with 40-plus booths featuring ‘zines, handmade books, original art, interactive demos and more. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $25 per person (21+). North Park. Details
Pupapalooza 2025
June 7. Billed as the “ulti-mutt” dog-friendly festival—presented The Animal Pad—this annual “pawty” has it all. Bring your (well-behaved and on-leash) canine bestie to Eppig Brewing for an afternoon of pet adoptions; pop-up shopping from myriad local vendors; beer from Eppig, Dogleg Brewing, Mason Aleworks and Second Chance; and a golf-inspired picnic setup by Puppy Picnic Co.; plus food trucks, live DJ music, photo ops and giveaways. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Animal Pad. 2-6 p.m. Free entry. 1347 Keystone Way, Suite C, Vista. theanimalpad.org
San Diego County Fair
Upcoming | June 11-July 6. “Summer Pet-tacular” is the theme for the 2025 San Diego County Fair at Del Mar Fairgrounds, and it promises to be a doggone good time. From themed exhibits and concerts, to games, special performances, rides, animals and treats in deep-fried form, the fair will also offer pet adoptions in partnership with the San Diego Humane Society this year. (Fairgoers are not permitted to bring their own pets to the grounds.) The fair also encompasses the Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Corona Grand Stand Stage. See website for all details. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. sdfair.com
Food + Drink
Culinary Dropout Del Mar
Now Open. Del Mar Highlands Town Center welcomes the first California location of Arizona-based Culinary Dropout. The new restaurant and sports bar offers live music, indoor/outdoor dining and a British-style gastropub vibe. Dine on comfort food dishes such as the popular soft pretzels with sea salt, dipped in provolone fondue; hearty sandwiches like the turkey pastrami with Swiss cheese on a pretzel roll; and entrees including fried chicken, steak frites, and beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips. Plus: craft cocktails and weekend brunch. See website for hours. 12875 El Camino Real, Del Mar Heights, 858.437.6191. culinarydropout.com
Sammy’s and Roppongi at Pier South Resort
Now Open. Pier South Resort in Imperial Beach welcomes two separate new dining outposts: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Roppongi Asian Bistro—both boasting sweeping ocean views. At Sammy’s, feast on the chain’s famous wood-fired specialty pizzas; plus entrees like lamb chops and oak-roasted sea bass; and an array of salads, tacos and starters. At Roppongi, enjoy fusion dishes inspired by flavors of Japan, China and Thailand; think: dumplings, soups, noodle and rice dishes, sushi, entrees and Asian tapas like the Polynesian Crab Stack (pictured). See website for hours. 800 Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach. More Info
Arts + Culture
Artivál Festival in El Cajon
June 7. East San Diego County debuts its first-ever arts festival: Artivál, presented by the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners. Head out to El Cajon on Saturday, when the city transforms into an artsy, community-oriented celebration. An Art Walk will feature more than 50 artists and makers and their creations and art exhibitions; plus live music, including performances by Cassie B and Kimba Light; a ticketed wine and beer garden experience; and local food trucks. Free general admission. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, downtown El Cajon. artivalsandiego.com
Documentary Screenings at Maritime Museum
June 7-8. Celebrate World Oceans Day at Maritime Museum of San Diego, which offers complimentary showings of the newly released documentary, OCEAN with David Attenborough, on Saturday and Sunday. In it, Attenborough explores the planet’s underseas habitats—centering on the ocean’s vital importance, problems and opportunities for marine life recovery. The documentary will be shown aboard Maritime’s Victorian-era steam ferryboat Berkeley twice daily: 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Screenings are included with general admission. 1492 N. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.234.9153. sdmaritime.org
Fleet Science Center: Survival of the Slowest
Now Open. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park invites you to explore its newest exhibit: Survival of the Slowest, now open through Sept. 1. From Maple the sloth to Casper the albino iguana to Aphrodite the boa constrictor—plus 19 other live animals—the exhibit reveals the secret superpowers of how the slowest, smallest and weakest members of nature survive and thrive. Highlights include 19 habitats housing frogs to hedgehogs; interactive presentations led by wildlife educators; and meet-and-greets with the animals. Open daily 10 a.m.5 p.m. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619.238.1233. fleetscience.org
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
