Events

Opening Day at Del Mar Racetrack

Nov. 10. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club launches its fall Bing Crosby Season with Opening Day on Friday—when thousands will head back to Del Mar Racetrack for an afternoon of “bettin’ on the ponies.” Racing season runs through Dec. 3 and features special events such as the Uncorked Derby Days Wine Festival on Nov. 18; Taste of the Turf Club every Sunday; and much more. Gates open at 11 a.m. on Opening Day (first race at 12:30 p.m.). See website for tickets; free admission to Diamond Club members. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com

PAWS4Thought Party at Barrio Star

Nov. 11. Interested in making a sweet pup in need of a forever home your new best friend? Head to Mexican soul food eatery Barrio Star on Saturday, when PAWS4Thought animal rescue will host a community adoption event. The Fallbrook-based nonprofit primarily rescues dogs from shelters that are at-risk of being euthanized; as well as abused, abandoned and stray dogs from Tijuana and Rosarito. Get a chance to meet dogs up for adoption; and afterward, grab brunch or lunch at Barrio Star. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free entry. 2706 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill. More Info

San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

Through Nov. 12. As the West Coast’s largest wine and culinary event, the festival returns for its 19th weeklong celebration. Festivities include the Grand Decant on Friday and Grand Fiesta on Sunday. But the biggest is the much-anticipated Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Marina Park North on Saturday—when foodies and oenophiles can sample from dozens of wine, beer and food stations. The festival features myriad local, regional and Baja wineries, breweries and spirit purveyors; 60-plus top San Diego’s restaurants; and the region’s best chefs. See website for all events, locations and tickets. More Info

Food + Drink

“Sails & Ales” Beer Fest at Kona Kai

Nov. 10. Enjoy local brews, sunset and bay views, food, cocktails and live entertainment at Kona Kai Resort & Spa’s third annual beer festival. Guests can enjoy pours from more than 35 breweries, including Ballast Point, Eppig, Mike Hess, Karl Strauss, Kona Brewing Company and more. Pair with bites such as barbecue pork skewers; Asian-style spicy chicken wings; brisket sliders with grilled onion and apple mustard; salted soft pretzels with herb-garlic sauce; and stout brownies with cream cheese and peanuts. 5:30-10 p.m. $59 per person. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.452.3138. resortkonakai.com

“Texas Night” Dinner at Black Radish

Nov. 12. North Park’s “casual fine dining” outpost presents a special “Texas Night” dinner on Sunday. Curated by chef Itze Behar, in collaboration with John Welsh, the evening celebrates the flavors of Texas across five courses; along with cocktail pairings by the city’s top mixologists. The menu includes deviled duck eggs, citrus salad, smoked wagyu ribeye, pork shoulder, and peach cobbler with vanilla-bean ice cream and whiskey-butter sauce for dessert. Reservations must be booked online in advance. See website for available time slots. $99 per person. 2591 University Ave., North Park, 619.269.1980. More Info

Santa Gula

Now Open. Karina’s Group debuts a new venue in the Gaslamp. Welcome to Santa Gula—an art deco-inspired culinary and entertainment destination serving inventive cocktails, fine wines and a shareable menu of global bites and dishes. Think: Kaluga caviar, crispy oxtail dumplings, pork belly chicharron and dry-aged New York steak. The intimate-glam, 3,500-square-foot space features plush lounge seating, vintage lighting, artwork by fashion photographer Greg Lotus, a stage hosting DJs and live jazz, and outdoor dining. See website for hours. 554 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.373.8319. santagulasd.com

Arts + Culture

Weekend Concerts at The Rady Shell

Nov. 10-11. Maestro Rafael Payare leads the San Diego Symphony orchestra in two special concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The miniseries is titled “The Ring Without Words,” comprising a new, Symphony-commissioned piece by Grammy-nominated composer and activist Carlos Simon (pictured): Wake Up: A Concerto for Orchestra; as well as German composer Richard Wagner’s The Ring Without Words. The concerts are part of the Symphony’s Jacobs Masterworks series at The Shell. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. South Embarcadero Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. theshell.org

Broadway Musical Mamma Mia!

Through Nov. 12. Broadway’s hit musical arrives at the Civic Theatre. The family-friendly production created by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus combines Swedish music group ABBA’s greatest hits—including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “The Winner Takes it All” and “Take A Chance on Me”—with a tale of love, laughter and friendship. Set in a beach resort in the Mediterranean, Mamma Mia! portrays bride-to-be Sophie, who wishes for her absent father to walk her down the aisle. San Diego local Alisa Melendez (pictured) portrays the role of Sophie. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

The Grinch at The Old Globe

Through Dec. 31. Who better to get us into the holiday spirit than the big, hairy, grumpy green guy? The Old Globe presents the beloved, family-friendly musical, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, based on the classic Dr. Seuss book—with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. Audience favorite Andrew Polec (pictured) returns to star in the title role of The Grinch; along with Steve Gunderson as “Old Max”; and an endearing ensemble cast. See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

Korea in Color Exhibit at SDMA

Now On View. Exploring the use of color in Korean painting—known as polychrome painting—and its role in Korean art and culture, Korea in Color: A Legacy of Auspicious Images has opened at The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA). This special exhibit comprises 50 artworks—spanning paintings, videos, installations and other media forms—from contemporary works to masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. (Pictured: Beyond Time and Space, 2021, an eight-channel HD video by Kim Hyekyung.) See website for museum hours and admission info. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org

Photo credits: San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival by James Tran. The Grinch / The Old Globe by Rich Soublet II. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.