Events
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
Sept. 10-14. The festival returns for its third year, showcasing chefs, vintners, celebs and pro athletes via events across five days. Highlights: a celebrity pickleball tournament hosted by Drew Brees; exclusive pairing dinners by renowned chefs; the two-day Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park, hosted by Guy Fieri on Saturday and Rob Machado on Sunday—featuring more than 100 premier chefs and restaurants, and 150 wine, spirits and beverage producers; and “CluckFest” (a fried chicken afterparty). See website for full schedule, locations and tickets. Details
“Legends of Science and Surfing” Events
Sept. 12-13. Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health has partnered with the community to “surf for a cure” for more than three decades. On Friday, Sept. 12, learn more about cutting-edge cancer research at the inaugural Legends of Science Oncology Symposium. On Saturday, Sept. 13, bring your beach gear to La Jolla Shores for the Legends of Surfing Invitational at Scripps Pier, featuring famous surfers from across the globe; followed by an evening celebration at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. See website for times and more details. Details
S.D. Fire Dept. Pickleball Tournament
Upcoming | Sept. 15. Mavericks Beach Club hosts the second annual “Mustache Madness” Pickleball Tournament. The event raises funds for the San Diego Fire Relief Association and Firefighter Aid, which provides charitable assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need, and promotes awareness of firefighter health and safety issues. Cost to play is a $50 tax-deductible donation per team, with 100% of proceeds going to support Firefighter Aid. See website to register (21+). Doors open at 11 a.m.; noon game time. 860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. Details
Food + Drink
Cardiff Farmers Market Kids Day
Sept. 13. A ‘Best of North County” winner and “Best of San Diego” finalist by San Diego Reader, Cardiff-by-the Sea’s weekly certified farmers market offers locally sourced produce and meats; plus fresh flowers, artisanal foods (from gyros to avocado toast), crafts, jewelry and more. Sept. 13 is Kids Day: face painting, exploring with Little Buds Nature Club, and a special visit from Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital transport ambulance. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ample free parking; leashed dogs welcome. Mira Costa College – San 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Details
North Park Vegan Market Pop-Up
Sept. 13. Make tasty discoveries at the city’s biggest vegan food market, which pops up on Saturday at North Park Mini Park. Explore plant-based culinary delights from 60-plus vendors from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles—including pastries and doughnuts, salads and produce, juices, teas, vegan sushi, pizza, pastas and other noodles, Mexican fare and more. Plus: cooking demos, food and drink samples, wellness classes and non-food vendors. Noon-4 p.m. Free entry and parking (kids and dogs welcome). 3812 29th St., North Park. Details
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sept. 14-21. San Diego’s most delicious week of the year returns. Taste your way through town during San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW), when more than 100 restaurants countywide will offer discounted, multicourse menus for lunch and dinner—starting as low as $30. Some of our favorite participating restaurants include French bistro Bleu Bohème in Kensington; The Prado at Balboa Park; Rumorosa on Harbor Island; Café Sevilla in the Gaslamp Quarter; and Bali Hai Restaurant (pictured) on Shelter Island. See website for all participating restaurants, menus and pricing. Details
Arts + Culture
Alley Cat Art Walk
Sept. 12. The 14th annual Alley Cat Art Walk is a family-friendly celebration of the city’s vibrant arts community, connecting local businesses, galleries and studios. Peruse fine art and crafts by local artisanal vendors; along with a juried art show, live music, giftware, beers on tap and other refreshments; and learn more about programs such as Sophie’s Gallery, which benefits adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through art sales. Event entry is free. 4-8 p.m. Along Main Street and Rea Avenue, downtown El Cajon. Details
City Ballet of San Diego: Sinatra
Sept. 12-13. City Ballet of San Diego presents Sinatra: The Best is Yet to Come at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater. Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich stages The Seasons to Alexander Glazunov’s enchanting score; and Resident Choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez reprises Summer Wind, showcasing iconic songs sung by Frank Sinatra—with City Ballet’s talented dancers capturing the mood and emotions of each. 8 p.m. $39-$79 (free meet-and-greets with the dance artists afterward). 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla, 858.272.8663. cityballet.org
The Old Globe: Huzzah!
Opens Sept. 13. The Old Globe stages the world-premiere musical, Huzzah!, Sept. 13-Oct. 19. The comedy—with book, music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe, and directed by Annie Tippe—invites you to grab a turkey leg and cinch thy corset for “a midsummer night’s screamingly funny musical.” The story centers on two sisters, who stop fighting long enough to hire the greatest swordsman (allegedly), in order to save their father’s Renaissance Faire from financial ruin. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
New Photography Exhibit at SDMA
Now On View. The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) presents John Gutmann & Max Yavno: California Photographers, on view through Jan. 11, 2026. The exhibit spotlights the works of John Gutmann and Max Yavno, two influential photographers who chronicled mid-20th-century California. Gutmann brought a unique European perspective to his dynamic portrayals of urban life. In contrast, Yavno’s sociologically driven observations captured the prevailing spirit of American photography. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931. sdmart.org
SDMA image is by Max Yavno: “Cable Car, San Francisco,” 1947 / © Center for Creative Photography, The University of Arizona Foundation. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
