Events

KSON CountryFest

March 22. Grab your cowboy boots and head to Petco Park’s Gallagher Square for an evening of live country music—presented by local country music radio station, KSON 103.7. The lineup of musicians includes Justin Moore (pictured), best known for his hit singles “Small Town USA,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” and “Til My Last Day”; along with Nate Smith, Warren Zeiders and the Morgan Leigh Band; plus food and beverage vendors. All ages are welcome. 5:30-11:30 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m. See website for details and ticket pricing. 899 J St., East Village. Details 

Liquid Sunshine Hard Rock Pool Party

March 22. Let the sun shine at this “industry preview” of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s signature pool party, Liquid Sunshine—where the mantra is “dance, splash, drink, repeat,” presented by Eventvibe. The fun includes tunes—including house, deep house, tech house and remixes—by DJs Myron Eugene and Ryy; plus a full bar featuring giant slushie margaritas and other cocktails; and cabana/daybed rentals and poolside bottle service available for separate purchase. Swimwear/pool party attire encouraged; early arrival strongly suggested. Noon-5 p.m. See website for tickets (21+). 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. More Info

Springtime Tours with Triton Charters 

Ongoing. Test your sea legs along San Diego Bay aboard the city’s largest catamaran, which accommodates 100-plus passengers. The 75-foot, luxurious Triton was built to party—outfitted with a 13-seat wraparound bar, comfy seating for up to 60 people, an advanced sound system and water toys such as wave runners and kayaks. There’s even a large dance floor, a built-in waterslide and a trampoline! Private charters come complete with a Coast Guard-certified captain and crew members; as well as full catering and bar packages. 2700 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 858.330.1011. triton-charters.com

Food + Drink

“Taste of Third” in Chula Vista

March 20. Chula Vista’s culinary scene keeps getting more delicious by the year. Head to Memorial Park in the heart of the city for this 29th annual event—a self-guided tour featuring live music along with bites and sips from more than two dozen local restaurants and bars. Your “Taste of Third Passport” grants you access to offerings from the likes of Chula Vista Brewery, Lime in the Coconut, TG Cafe, 3 Punk Ales and many more. 4-8 p.m. $55 per person. Check in at corner of Third Avenue and Park Way, Chula Vista. Details

Leu Leu

Now Open. Chef Claudette Zepeda take us on her latest culinary adventure: Leu Leu. Billed as “a cosmic cocinita, patio and lounge for lovers of wonder, wine and the weirdness of space and time,” the intimate lounge pays homage to Zepeda’s roots and travels, spanning flavors of Mexico, Morocco, Asia and the Mediterranean. Feast on Baja yellowtail crudo; duck confit with curry mole, whipped black beans and tamal cakes; Baja sea bass shawarma; and pibil lamb shank; plus global wines and “Super Sexy Sundaes” for dessert. W-Su 5-10 p.m. 466 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Suite 1, Leucadia. More Info

Refreshed Menu at PRK 101

Now Available. PRK 101—the multilevel Carlsbad hangout, event venue and “elevated beach smokehouse” with a country-western vibe—has refreshed its food menu with several new offerings. Among them: the Onion Tumbleweed (pictured); the BBQ Chicken Salad Wrap with fried barbecued chicken; the Tri Tip x Arugula Wrap; and The Big Pastrami, with hot pastrami and melted Swiss cheese, loaded into a toasted hoagie and served with fries. To wash it all down, choose from one of the largest beer selections in North County. See website for hours. 3040 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, 619.738.6892. More Info

Arts + Culture

New Village Arts: La Havana Madrid

March 21-April 27. Written by Sandra Delgado and directed by Richard Trujillo, La Havana Madrid sees its San Diego premiere at New Village Arts theater—featuring original music by Cristian Amigo. In it, we travel back to 1960s Chicago, where the legendary nightclub La Havana Madrid is a hub for newly arrived Cuban, Puerto Rican and Colombian immigrants—who gather to find community, dine and dance to the rhythms of mambo and salsa music. Bring your dancing shoes for this electric production. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2787 State St., Carlsbad, 760.433.3245. newvillagearts.org

San Diego Opera: Salome

March 21-23. A night at the opera is always a good idea, and San Diego Opera delivers with Salome at the Civic Theatre. Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name, Salome—with music by Richard Strauss and libretto by Hedwig Lachmann—tells the biblical story of John the Baptist, a prisoner under King Herod, whose stepdaughter, Princess Salome, attempts to seduce Jochanaan (John). The opera is sung in German with translations in English and Spanish. Jose Maria Condemi directs; Yves Abel conducts. See website for times and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.533.7000. sdopera.org

La Jolla Playhouse: 3 Summers of Lincoln

Extended to April 6. “Change the conversation. Change the world.” With a book by Joe DiPietro and directed by Christopher Ashley, La Jolla Playhouse delivers the world-premiere musical, 3 Summers of Lincoln, extended (yet again!) by popular demand through April 6. The story centers on the last three summers of Abraham Lincon’s presidency—during which he met with abolitionist Frederick Douglass in conversations that shaped his position on ending slavery and uniting the country after the Civil War. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

SDMA: American Minimal Exhibit

On View Through June 1. Paying homage to the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) presents the landmark exhibition, American Minimal. Curated by Anita Feldman, in collaboration with Jennifer Findley and John Digesare, the installation celebrates works by the likes of Minimalist artist Frank Stella, namely his 1970 painting “Flin Flon VIII” (pictured), part of his Protractor Series, featuring colorful geometric shapes; as well as a range of work from diverse media. See website for hours and admission info. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org

Photo credits: La Jolla Playhouse by Rich Soublet II. SDMA image is © 2025 Frank Stella / Artists Rights Society, New York. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.