Events
Triton Catamaran Wine Cruise
Nov. 7. Take to the seas for an afternoon of fresh air, San Diego Bay breezes, skyline views and wine tasting—courtesy of 1849 Wine Company. The experience includes a seat aboard Triton Charters’ luxurious, 75-foot catamaran—outfitted with a 13-seat wraparound bar, comfy seating for up to 60 people, an advanced sound system, a dance floor and more. Guests will receive two glasses of wine and a charcuterie box of gourmet cheeses and artisanal cured meats. Masks required while boarding. 2:30-5 p.m. Tickets start at $60. 2700 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 844.587.4866. More Info
Lane Field Park Market
Nov. 8. This popular weekly market by the waterfront (across from Broadway Pier) offers live music, tasty street food, artwork, handmade jewelry, crafts and more. Sample cuisine from 15 vendors, including waffles, crepes, empanadas, burgers, Mexican dishes, Indian fare, smoothies and craft coffee by Nostalgia Coffee Roasters. Music entertainment (which starts at noon) ranges from jazz to reggae to folk to indie. Bring your own blanket (and sunscreen) for a picnic on the grass. Lawn umbrellas are provided for shade. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. 1009 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. More Info
The Nativity School Christmas Boutique
Nov. 8. This quaint outdoor event organized by The Nativity School in Rancho Santa Fe is giving us all the festive feels. Get your holiday shopping done early with retail offerings from 50 local vendors—including Be Boutique, Leah Jessica Jewelry, Chic Mommy Candles & Gifts, and Sweetpea Del Mar. Offerings include candles, bath products, jewelry and more; along with refreshments, kids activities and a student art show. Proceeds benefit enrichment programs for Nativity students. Masks are required, and safety protocols will be enforced (see website). 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.6763. More Info
Food + Drink
Spoiled Vegans Cafe
Now Open. Find vegan fare that even carnivores (like us!) will love. Focusing on the first meal of the day, this weekend pop-up cafe (located inside Red Hat Coffee) offers exclusively plant-based breakfast sandwiches, its already-famous “waffle dogs,” coffee, kombucha and more. Be sure to try the Let Go of My Diego—vegan sausage wrapped in a waffle—with a side of crispy hash browns; and the Buffalo Chik’n breakfast sandwich. (Oh, and order a side of the vegan bacon; it’s a game changer.) F-Su 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 440 16th St., East Village, 619.320.8366. spoiledveganscafe.com
Happy Hour at Pho Ca Dao
Ongoing. It’s pretty much happy hour most of the time here. Try the traditional happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.; plus daily specials such as $2 off all specialty cocktails, $1 off all draft beers and $4 glasses of wine. Start the week right on Monday with happy hour pricing from 3 p.m. to close; $6 margaritas all day long on Tuesday; zero corkage fees on Wednesday; and all-day discounts on mules on Thursday. Happy hour even extends to Sunday with $3 sparkling wines and $4 bloody marys all day. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 2647 Fenton Pkwy., Mission Valley, 619.684.5129. phocadaogrill.com
Happy Hour at La Puerta
Ongoing. In early 2020 (read: pre-pandemic), this beloved Gaslamp staple was voted the city’s “Best Happy Hour” by San Diego Reader. And at last, it’s back! La Puerta offers happy hour Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) from 3 to 5 p.m.—when the entire bar/cocktail menu is half off, including all drinks and its Sinaloan-inspired appetizers and quesadillas. Featuring a vast tequila menu and fresh-squeezed margaritas, it’s hard to pick a libation. We suggest the Nowhere Fast cocktail, made with Corralijo reposado tequila, apricot, peach and lime. 560 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.696.3466. lapuertasd.com
New Menu at Craft & Commerce
Ongoing. Dinner is served—complete with a new menu—at this cozy hunting-lodge-meets-library-meets-gastropub. There’s bone marrow with fresno-chili relish and toasted milk bread; confit duck leg tacos with queso fresco; fire-roasted, lemon-garlic chicken with Chinese sausage and frites; and sides such as wood-fired-grilled oysters and warm corn madeleines. Be sure to thank new executive chef Kyle Pierce for these refined, comfort-food delights. To wash it all down, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a must. M-F 4-10 p.m.; Sa-Su 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 675 W. Beech St., Little Italy, 619.269.2202. craft-commerce.com
New Menu at Ranch 45
Ongoing. The new fall dinner menu at this quaint cafe and butcher shop looks good enough to eat. Hearty offerings include Campbell River salmon with black lentils and beef-bacon-mustard vinaigrette; and roasted butternut squash with burrata, basil, olive oil and grilled sourdough bread. (Added bonus: All dishes are made with locally sourced produce, responsibly raised poultry and beef from Brandt Beef.) Save room for fall-inspired desserts such as the buttermilk-waffle sundae and apple crisp. B, L daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; D Th-Sa 5-8:30 p.m. 512 Via de la Valle, Suite 102, Solana Beach, 858.461.0092. ranch45.com
Arts + Culture
ArtWalk @ Liberty Station
Nov. 7-8. Great news: Guests can attend this annual fine art show in person! Peruse works by fine artists from both San Diego and Mexico—ranging from paintings to sculptures to fine jewelry and more. The fun also includes the ArtReach Guitar Auction, for which a donor gifted 31 brand-new electric guitars for artists to transform into playable pieces of art (pictured: “Heart Strings” by Jen Duran). Proceeds support visual arts education programs for San Diego County schools. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. North Promenade, 2848 Dewey Road, Liberty Station, 619.615.1090. artwalklibertystation.org
Spreckels Organ Webcast Concert
Nov. 8. Did you know the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park—comprising more than 5,000 individual pipes—is the largest, open-air musical instrument in the world? It’s also more than 100 years old, originally built in 1914. And now, thanks to the Spreckels Organ Society, you can experience its exhilarating music from home. Enjoy a one-hour concert via webcast by Spanish organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, one of the world’s leading international concert artists. As the Organ Society’s artistic director, Prieto Ramírez has performed across the globe and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among other prestigious outfits. 2 p.m. Free. balboaparkconcerts.org
Photo credits: Pho Ca Dao by John Dole. La Puerta by Brogen Jessup Photography. Spreckels Organ by Robert Lang. All other images are courtesy of the businesses featured.
