Events
Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
Nov. 18-Jan. 9. Skate into the season with the return of the Rady Children’s Hospital ice rink, located on the central promenade at the Arts District Liberty Station. All net proceeds from ice-rink admission will benefit the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s. Tickets include helmet and skate rentals (see website for safety protocols). Open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day). $15 adults; $13 kids; $10 Rady Children’s staff and military. 2875 Dewey Road, Liberty Station. More Info
Randall King at Moonshine Beach
Nov. 18. Country music lovers, this is your chance to kick up your cowboy boots! Country musician Randall King performs live at Moonshine Beach, debuting his new album Record High. Channeling the vocal style of George Strait and Alan Jackson, the Texas native is known for his hits “Hey, Cowgirl,” “Around Forever” and “Takin’ Me a Heartbreak.” Offering plenty of room to dance, Moonshine Beach boasts two bars, Tex-Mex fare and a new outdoor patio. 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.) $15. 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.999.0158. moonshinebeachsd.com
Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado
Upcoming | Nov. 22-Jan. 2. This celebrated holiday tradition at the historical Hotel del Coronado is back this year. Skating by the Sea is a one-of-kind San Diego experience—a beachfront ice rink on the resort’s lawn, offering views of world-famous Coronado Beach and the Pacific. Guests can also reserve a spot at Frostbite—a private rink-side lounge offering holiday-themed cocktails, bites, a firepit and cozy seating. Ice-rink proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego. See website for hours, safety guidelines and to reserve tickets. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
Food + Drink
PARU Tea Bar
Now Open. Specializing in garden-direct, loose-leaf teas from East Asia and Southeast Asia, owners Amy Truong and Lani Gobaleza (pictured L-R) have opened their second location of PARU in La Jolla. The 1,200-square-foot shop is double the size of the original Point Loma location, featuring separate areas for tea selections, tea ware and other merchandise—including 1502 Candle Co. tea-light candles, Deux Cranes tea-infused chocolates and Maek ceramic cups. A tasting bar offers house-milled matcha, the popular Blue Chamomile blend and more. W-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 7441 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.750.3888. paruteabar.com
Baked Cafe
Open. Find all things freshly baked and delicious at this urban cafe, beginning with bagels—cinnamon-raisin, sesame, poppy, jalapeño and more. We suggest The Chosen One bagel with lox, cream cheese, red onions, capers and tomatoes. Or build your own bagel, bialy or bowl; or choose from specialties such as the “bunz” sandwiches, filled with goodies such as chicken-andouille sausage, eggs, cheese and spinach. To drink: house-brewed coffee and specialty teas. Order to-go or dine outside on one of two patios. Tu-Su 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 1000 Island Ave., East Village, 619.310.6628. orderbaked.com
Birria El Rey
Open. Drive too quickly past its unassuming outpost in Golden Hill, and you might miss the magic that is Birria El Rey. With a simple walkup window and a few outside tables, the eatery is small in frills but huge in heart and flavors. A recently expanded menu offers authentic, Tijuana-style birria that is loaded into burritos, tacos and tortas; plus specialties such as the “Birriamen” with shredded-beef birria and ramen noodles, and the cheesy “Quesabirria.” Another favorite: the consommé. It’s flavor-packed liquid comfort; slurp it or dip the “Quesataco” in it for comfort-food bliss. Tu-Su 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 1015 25th St., Golden Hill, 619.230.5990. More Info
“Sippin’ Santa” Holiday Pop-Up
Upcoming | Nov. 23-Dec. 31. Have you met “Sippin’ Santa”? He’s a swell guy who doubles as a tiki-themed holiday pop-up bar! One of just 28 participating bars across the U.S., The Grass Skirt is hosting the only pop-up in San Diego. Enter an over-the-top oasis decked out in holly, garlands, ribbons, kitschy tchotchkes and lights—complete with holiday music in the background. A special tiki-themed menu offers cocktails such as the White Russian Christmas, Azul Navidad and Yule Log Grog. Tu-Su beginning at 5 p.m. 910 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.412.5237. thegrassskirt.com
Arts + Culture
Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show at The Old Globe
Nov. 19-Dec. 26. “Bah! Humbug!” Ebenezer Scrooge comes to town in this fast-paced, funny reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen and directed by Greenberg, the comedic play is staged at The Old Globe’s intimate White Theatre, which offers 360-degree stage views. We meet the usual suspects, among them: Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. (Keep an eye out for some “wintery” San Diego weather.) See website for times and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
San Diego Museum of Art Photography Exhibit
Opens Nov. 20. Comprising 100-plus photographs spanning different movements and subjects, Masters of Photography: The Garner Collection spotlights works by some of the most influential photographers in history. (The exhibit was first installed in November 2020 but forced to close due to the pandemic.) Peruse incredible imagery—collected by Cam and Wanda Garner—by artists such as Ansel Adams, Berenice Abbott, Margaret Bourke-White, Frank Eugene and Henri Cartier-Bresson. The exhibit is on view through Feb. 21, 2022. See website for hours and admission. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org
San Diego Opera: Michelle Bradley in Concert
Nov. 20-21. If you attended San Diego Opera’s hybrid opera-concert presentation of Aida in 2019, you’ll no doubt remember Michelle Bradley, who sang the title role to perfection. The stage-commanding soprano performs two intimate concerts at Baker-Baum Recital Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center this weekend, as part of the Opera’s intimate fall concert series. Accompanied on piano by Brian Zeger, the program comprises songs that celebrate great American composers. Sa 7:30 p.m.; Su 4 p.m. Tickets start at $50. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. sdopera.org
Photo credits: PARU Tea Bar by Studio Luniste. Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show by Jim Cox / courtesy The Old Globe. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
