Locals Only San Diego: The Insider's Guide https://sandiegohumor.com/local-insights/ San Diego Blog, Clothes, and Accessories Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:37:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Top Things To Do This Weekend in San Diego: May 1 to May 3 https://sandiegohumor.com/things-to-do-this-weekend-san-diego-may-1-3-2026/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:37:45 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=46988 San Diego is wasting zero time getting into May. This weekend has food festivals, Padres baseball, live orchestra Star Wars, zoo drinks, soccer at Snapdragon, Riverdance, and a street fair ...

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San Diego is wasting zero time getting into May. This weekend has food festivals, Padres baseball, live orchestra Star Wars, zoo drinks, soccer at Snapdragon, Riverdance, and a street fair big enough to make your parking karma matter.

Basically, if your only plan was “maybe grab a drink somewhere,” San Diego rejected the proposal and handed you a full itinerary. Here are the top things to do in San Diego this weekend, May 1 to May 3.

FoodieLand San Diego

Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 | Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 to 10 p.m.

FoodieLand is the move if your weekend personality is “one more bite” followed by immediate regret and zero lessons learned. Del Mar Fairgrounds gets packed with global street food, sweets, shopping vendors, games, and enough snack options to turn a casual lap into a full financial event.

Expect a little bit of everything, from takoyaki and Japanese hot dogs to raspados, desserts, fried things, sauced things, and those “we should split this” orders that nobody actually splits. If this makes you want to keep eating around town after the weekend, we already have a guide to the best tacos in San Diego waiting for your next bad decision.

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar

HPR Ethnic Food Fair

Saturday, May 2 to Sunday, May 3

Balboa Park’s International Cottages turn into a mini world tour for the HPR Ethnic Food Fair, with cultural food booths, music, dancing, and performances from the groups that make the park’s international lawn one of the city’s most underrated gems.

It’s free to attend, family-friendly, and a strong daytime plan if you want something more interesting than wandering around saying, “Should we get coffee?” For more park ideas while you’re there, link this up with our Balboa Park guide.

2191 Pan American W Rd, Balboa Park

Padres vs. Chicago White Sox

Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 | Various game times

The Padres are home against the White Sox all weekend, which means downtown gets its usual mix of jerseys, optimism, nachos, and people explaining bullpen strategy like they’re applying for the front office.

Friday brings Out at the Park energy, Saturday has Faith and Family Night, and the whole weekend is a good excuse to turn a baseball game into a Gaslamp crawl. If you’re watching before or after first pitch, our guide to the best sports bars in San Diego is the natural companion piece.

100 Park Blvd, Downtown San Diego

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Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m.

The Rady Shell is putting Star Wars on the big screen while the San Diego Symphony performs John Williams’ score live. That’s the kind of nerdy and classy overlap San Diego should lean into more often.

You get the waterfront setting, the opening crawl, the Death Star, the full orchestra, and a crowd full of adults pretending they didn’t once try to move objects with their mind. Bring a layer, because the bay likes to remind everyone who is actually in charge after sunset.

222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero

San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew

Saturday, May 2

San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew is a 21+ tasting fundraiser where you can sip, snack, catch live entertainment, and wander the zoo after hours without having to pretend the kids are the reason you wanted to see the animals.

The event is all-inclusive, with food, wine, beer, and wildlife-focused programming supporting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. It’s not the cheapest night out, but it is one of the more San Diego ways to spend a Saturday. For families doing the zoo another weekend, we’ve got more things to do with kids in San Diego.

2920 Zoo Dr, Balboa Park

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Riverdance

Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 | Multiple performances

Riverdance hits the San Diego Civic Theatre for its anniversary tour, bringing the kind of footwork that makes your knees file a formal complaint just watching it.

There are multiple performances across the weekend, so this is an easy downtown theater pick if you want something polished, high-energy, and not built around standing in a beer line. Respectfully, these people have calves made of rebar.

1100 Third Ave, Downtown San Diego

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San Diego FC vs. LAFC

Saturday, May 2 | 6:30 p.m.

San Diego FC gets a big Saturday night test against LAFC at Snapdragon Stadium, and Mission Valley should have that new-club buzz that still feels fresh around here.

It’s also Korean Heritage Night, so expect a little extra atmosphere around the match. If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to finally get to Snapdragon, this is it. Waiting forever is not a personality, heh heh.

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

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San Diego Wave FC vs. Bay FC

Sunday, May 3 | 4 p.m.

San Diego Wave keeps the soccer weekend going Sunday afternoon against Bay FC at Snapdragon Stadium. It’s a cleaner family move than pretending everyone wants to walk around a crowded brunch district for two hours.

The early start makes it easy to pair with lunch, make the match, and still be home before the Sunday scaries fully clock in. Snapdragon weekends are becoming their own San Diego rhythm now.

2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley

Atsuko Okatsuka: The Big Bowl Tour

Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 | Multiple performances

Atsuko Okatsuka brings The Big Bowl Tour to the Balboa Theatre for four shows across the weekend. She’s sharp, strange, very funny, and proof that a haircut can become part of the brand if the jokes are strong enough.

This is the right pick for the group chat that keeps defaulting to “drinks?” every weekend and then acting surprised when nothing memorable happens. The Balboa Theatre is downtown, so dinner before or after is easy.

868 Fourth Ave, Gaslamp

Carlsbad Village Street Faire

Sunday, May 3 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire returns Sunday with hundreds of vendors, food options, live entertainment, kids’ activities, and a beer garden spread across downtown Carlsbad.

It’s free, it’s huge, and parking will absolutely test your spiritual development. Take the shuttle, bike, or use the Coaster if you can. If you’re making a North County day of it, our guide to things to do in Carlsbad fits right in.

Grand Ave from Carlsbad Blvd to Jefferson St, Carlsbad Village

San Diego French Film Festival

Sunday, May 3 to Thursday, May 7

The San Diego French Film Festival opens Sunday at The Lot La Jolla, launching five days of francophone films, cultural programming, and the kind of Sunday plan that makes you sound like you have your life together.

Opening night is the weekend anchor, with screenings continuing into the week. It’s a strong La Jolla pick if you want something calmer after a food festival, baseball game, or general May chaos. Pair it with our things to do in La Jolla guide if you’re building the whole day.

7611 Fay Ave, La Jolla

Snail Mail at The Observatory North Park

Saturday, May 2 | 6:30 p.m.

Snail Mail headlines The Observatory North Park on Saturday with Armlock and Sharp Pins, giving North Park an indie rock night that pairs nicely with dinner, drinks, and pretending you are not too tired to stand for a whole show.

The Observatory remains one of the city’s best rooms for this kind of show. For pre-show planning, our North Park guide has the neighborhood assist.

2891 University Ave, North Park

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Avant Garde Ball: Larger Than Life

Saturday, May 2 | 8 p.m. to midnight

MCASD’s Avant Garde Ball returns Saturday night with a Larger Than Life theme, open bars, Barrio Logan bites, live music, performance art, and a museum-wide party built for people who want their Saturday to feel like an actual event.

It’s 21+, dressier than your average night out, and very La Jolla in the sense that you may briefly consider becoming a person who says “activation” with confidence. Proceeds support MCASD programming and exhibitions.

700 Prospect St, La Jolla

City Ballet of San Diego: The Firebird

Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.

City Ballet of San Diego closes its season in Escondido with The Firebird, performed with the City Ballet Orchestra at California Center for the Arts.

You get a Saturday night performance and a Sunday matinee, which gives both date-night people and responsible Sunday people a lane. It’s a good North County arts pick if your weekend needs more culture and fewer paper food trays.

340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido

That’s the weekend. Pick your lane, food coma, soccer chaos, museum party, orchestra nerd night, or pretending you went to Carlsbad “just to browse.” San Diego gave us options. Use them wisely.

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – April 24 to April 26 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-april-24-to-april-26-2026/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:43:09 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=46972 If this weekend in San Diego had a personality, it would be the friend who says, “Let’s keep it chill,” then somehow drags you to flowers in Balboa Park, live ...

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If this weekend in San Diego had a personality, it would be the friend who says, “Let’s keep it chill,” then somehow drags you to flowers in Balboa Park, live music on Adams Avenue, a car show in La Jolla, and dumplings at Waterfront Park before Sunday even hits. April 24 through April 26 is stacked.

You can go full culture mode, lean into food, post up at a free festival, or bounce between neighborhoods and make a whole day out of it. If you want extra inspiration while planning your route, our guides to the best things to do in Balboa Park, things to do in Little Italy, and things to do in La Jolla are all worth having in your back pocket.

Art Alive: Balboa Park Looking Extra Fancy

Art Alive is back at the San Diego Museum of Art from April 23 through April 26, and this is one of those weekends when Balboa Park feels like it is showing off on purpose. Floral designers reinterpret pieces from the museum collection, which means you get actual art plus giant spring arrangements plus an excuse to wander one of the prettiest parts of the city. If you already like spending a Saturday in the park, this is an easy add-on to a bigger Balboa Park day.

Timed exhibition tickets are listed at $45, with Friday hours running noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday hours running 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you want the dressed-up version of this weekend, Bloom Bash also kicks off Friday night.

1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance: Ocean Views and Ridiculous Cars

The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance runs April 24 through April 26 and is basically what happens when very expensive cars get the best possible backdrop. The official event site is calling this the 20th annual edition, and it is set along La Jolla Cove, which means even people who do not care that much about cars can still appreciate the scenery. If you have out-of-town friends in town, pairing this with a bigger La Jolla day is a strong move.

Expect world-class automobiles, champagne-garden energy, and a crowd that definitely did not roll out of bed and throw on flip-flops. This is one of the more polished weekend options on the board.

Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Adams Avenue Unplugged: The Free Live Music Cheat Code

Adams Avenue Unplugged lands on Saturday, April 25, and it is still one of the best answers to “what should we do that does not feel overly planned?” The event runs noon to midnight and spreads across Adams Avenue through Normal Heights, Kensington, and University Heights. Most of it is free, which immediately earns points, and the 2026 event page says there will be 90 live performances tucked into restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other neighborhood spots.

If your ideal Saturday involves wandering until you hear something good, this is your lane. It also plays nicely with our guide to the best live music in San Diego, because this whole thing feels like a one-day sampler platter of why local music nights hit so hard here.

Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116

WOW Festival: Weird Theater in the Best Way

La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW Festival runs April 23 through April 26 at UC San Diego, and if you have one friend who is always pitching the most random-sounding event of the weekend, this is probably what they mean. The festival features more than 20 works, with both free and paid options, and the whole point is seeing performance pieces that do not feel like the usual sit-down-and-clap theater setup.

This is a good pick if you want something memorable, a little left-field, and way more interesting than defaulting to the same brewery loop. Bonus points because a lot of the programming is free, so it also belongs on any smart list of free things to do in San Diego.

UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093

Mission Fed ArtWalk: Little Italy at Full Weekend Power

Mission Fed ArtWalk takes over Little Italy on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, with more than 250 artists along India Street. This one is easy to recommend because even if you do not buy a single thing, you still get a really good neighborhood walk, live music, food nearby, and plenty to look at. That is a pretty solid San Diego formula.

Saturday runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to stretch the outing, roll it into dinner, drinks, or dessert with our Little Italy guide. This is also the kind of event that works whether you are entertaining visitors or just trying to avoid wasting another perfect-weather weekend.

India Street from Beech to Grape, San Diego, CA 92101

Panda Fest: Waterfront Park Going Full Street-Food Mode

Panda Fest hits Waterfront Park on April 25 and 26, and this is probably the move if your group chat is split between “I want an event” and “I mostly want snacks.” The official fest page bills it as a big outdoor celebration of Asian cuisine, with food vendors, market energy, and cultural programming packed into the weekend. That is already enough to get San Diego people out of the house.

It is right by the bay, easy to pair with a bigger downtown roam, and one of the more food-forward picks on this list. If you are doing a full day downtown, our guides to things to do in Downtown San Diego and things to do when friends or family are visiting can help round out the plan.

Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101

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San Diego EarthFest: Free, Outdoors, and Actually Worth It

San Diego EarthFest is back on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park, and it is one of the better free daytime options this weekend. Expect more than 100 eco-friendly exhibitors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. These kinds of events can sometimes feel a little too “grab a brochure and keep moving,” but EarthFest usually has enough going on to make it feel like a real hang.

If you want something low-cost that still feels like you did something, this is a strong pick, especially if you are already planning a park day or trying to build a lineup of free things to do in San Diego. Bring sunscreen, because April sunshine in Balboa Park loves catching people off guard.

Presidents Way Lawn, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101

Uncorked San Diego: Marina Views and 150+ Wines

Uncorked San Diego goes down Saturday, April 25 at Embarcadero Marina Park North, and this is the obvious pick for anyone who wants their Saturday to feel a little more adult and a little less chaotic. The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m., and the event page says you are looking at more than 150 wines and bubblies, plus cocktails, food trucks, music, and marina views that do a lot of heavy lifting on their own.

General admission starts later than early entry, so if you are serious about tasting instead of standing in lines, paying up might be worth it. If you want to keep the day going after, this area connects nicely with a wider downtown plan and even some of our favorite rooftop bars in San Diego.

400 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Filipino Food Pop-Up at the San Diego History Center: Low-Key Great Sunday Move

If you want something a little more under-the-radar, the Filipino food pop-up at the San Diego History Center is happening Sunday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This one is tied to the exhibition Taste of San Diego: Filipino Culinary Journeys and features food from Gabina’s Cuisine. It is free, it is in Balboa Park, and it gives you a way to do something cultural without committing to a giant all-day event.

This is the kind of Sunday plan that works if you want real food, a good walk, and a lighter crowd than some of the bigger marquee events around town. Pair it with museums, gardens, or a lazy loop through the park and you have yourself a pretty elite San Diego Sunday.

1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Quick warning: this weekend is crowded enough that parking patience matters. Pick one neighborhood, do two or three things well, and call it a win. Trying to bounce from La Jolla to Balboa Park to Little Italy to the marina in one day is how you end up spending half your Saturday staring at brake lights and questioning your life choices.

Draft note: This test post was written using live weekend event research and filtered internal links that exclude satire and prior weekend roundup posts.

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]]> Best Things to Do for Cinco de Mayo in San Diego https://sandiegohumor.com/cinco-de-mayo-san-diego-2026/ Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:05:33 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=45074 How to do Cinco de Mayo in San Diego in 2026, from Fiesta Old Town and Barrio Logan to Gaslamp and Pacific Beach.

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Cinco de Mayo lands on a Tuesday in 2026, which changes the whole strategy. This is not one of those years where the city goes all-in on a Saturday street party and calls it a day. This year is split in two: the big weekend events happen before May 5, then the actual holiday turns into a citywide Taco Tuesday tequila sprint.

If you just want the short version, here it is. Go to Old Town for the big traditional celebration, Barrio Logan for the more local version, Gaslamp for late-night chaos, and Pacific Beach for beach-bar day drinking. Then save some energy for the actual Tuesday, because half the taco shops in San Diego are going to accidentally create the strongest Taco Tuesday of the year.

Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo

This is usually the main public event. Fiesta Old Town is usually the biggest public Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Diego and the most obvious answer if somebody asks where the city actually shows up for the holiday. Multiple stages, live bands, folklorico performances, lucha libre, lowriders, food vendors, and thousands of people wandering around with margaritas trying to figure out where the mariachi music is coming from. If you want the full-scale version, this is it.

The downside is exactly what you think it is. Parking becomes a psychological test. The lots fill up early. The traffic around Old Town gets ugly fast. The right move is to take the trolley, walk in, and commit to staying for a few hours.

4002 Wallace St, Old Town

Cafe Coyote in Old Town

Cafe Coyote is one of those places that tourists think they discovered and locals keep going to anyway because it still works. On Cinco de Mayo weekend, it turns into one of the centerpieces of Old Town. Fresh tortillas getting made out front, giant margaritas, packed patios, mariachi nearby, and a constant stream of people who look like they meant to stop in for one drink and have now been there since noon.

If you are already doing Old Town, this is the easiest way to make a whole afternoon out of it. Grab a table if you can. If you can’t, grab a drink and hover until the crowd shifts. It always does eventually.

2461 San Diego Ave, Old Town

Barrio Logan and Chicano Park

This is the move if you want something that feels more rooted in community than in party promotion. Barrio Logan always makes more sense for Cinco de Mayo than the “drink six margaritas on a rooftop” version of the holiday. Walk the murals at Chicano Park, eat somewhere nearby, hang out in the neighborhood, and treat it like an actual cultural day instead of a bar crawl with a sombrero problem.

It is also just a better daytime plan if you want to avoid the more chaotic crowds. The neighborhood has enough to do on foot that you can build your own version of the holiday without being trapped inside one event footprint.

1949 Logan Ave, Barrio Logan

Border X Brewing

Border X is still one of the better places to spend Cinco de Mayo in Barrio Logan because it gives you something different from the standard margarita rotation. Their beer lineup leans into Mexican flavors without making the whole thing feel gimmicky. You can actually sit, talk, listen to music, and not feel like you’re trapped in a tequila-branded marketing activation.

It also makes a great stop before or after walking Chicano Park. Start here, get a beer, then move through the neighborhood and turn it into a proper afternoon instead of one long wait for a table somewhere else.

2181 Logan Ave, Barrio Logan

El Chingon in the Gaslamp

If your version of Cinco de Mayo needs DJs, giant drinks, loud music, and a crowd that looks like it made bad decisions on purpose, go downtown. El Chingon is one of the easiest Gaslamp answers because it already knows how to do this kind of night. Big energy, oversized cocktails, packed room, and no confusion about what kind of evening you’re signing up for.

This is not the thoughtful cultural route. This is the “it is 11:45 PM and somebody just ordered tequila for the whole table” route. Which, to be fair, has its place.

560 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter

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PB Shore Club and the Pacific Beach Route

Pacific Beach is less about Cinco de Mayo specifically and more about turning any excuse into all-day drinking by the ocean. That still counts. PB Shore Club is the obvious anchor because it’s right on the boardwalk, the patio fills early, and the whole area around it gets busy fast on any holiday-adjacent weekend.

This is the option for people who want beach energy first and Cinco de Mayo second. If Old Town feels too packed and Gaslamp feels too loud, PB is the middle ground. Show up early, order food immediately, and settle in before the line wraps around the block.

4343 Ocean Blvd, Pacific Beach

Use the actual holiday for Taco Tuesday

This is the part people are going to miss if they only think about the weekend. Cinco de Mayo is on a Tuesday. In San Diego. That means the real sleeper move is skipping the giant crowds and building your own taco-and-margarita route on May 5 itself. Most taco shops already run Tuesday specials. Most bars already push tequila on Tuesdays. This year the holiday is basically doing the marketing for them.

Pick a neighborhood and stay there. North Park, South Park, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, South Bay, wherever you trust the tacos. Trying to hit five neighborhoods in one day is how you spend Cinco de Mayo in traffic on the 5 and the 805, which is the least festive outcome possible.

If you need a cheap backup plan, our guide to cheap meals in San Diego under $10 has enough taco-shop-adjacent options to keep the day affordable.

Quick game plan

  • Best overall: Fiesta Old Town
  • Best food-first option: Barrio Logan
  • Best party option: El Chingon / Gaslamp
  • Best beach option: PB Shore Club
  • Best low-cost move: Build your own Taco Tuesday route on May 5

Five things that’ll save your day

  • Take the trolley to Old Town. Seriously.
  • Do not try to combine Old Town and Pacific Beach in the same afternoon unless you enjoy sitting in an Uber staring at Mission Bay traffic.
  • Eat before the second margarita, not after.
  • Barrio Logan works better in daylight. Gaslamp works better after dark.
  • If you wait until May 5 at 7 PM to decide where to go, your only real option may be whatever taco shop still has a parking spot.

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – April 17 to April 19 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-april-17-to-april-19-2026/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:35:59 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=44999 This weekend in San Diego is weird in a good way. Cypress Hill is turning Petco Park into a giant smoke-cloud rap show, The Notebook is making people cry downtown, ...

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This weekend in San Diego is weird in a good way. Cypress Hill is turning Petco Park into a giant smoke-cloud rap show, The Notebook is making people cry downtown, and Balboa Theatre somehow has both Mae Martin and Chris D’Elia on back-to-back nights. Add boxing in Oceanside, hockey at Pechanga, and The Format at SOMA, and you’ve got one of those weekends where the hardest part is choosing your lane.

Concerts

Cypress Hill: High & Outside – Above the Zone

Saturday, April 18 at 5:30pm, Petco Park

Cypress Hill at Petco Park is the headline event this weekend, and it isn’t close. Tech N9ne and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on the same bill make this feel bigger than a normal one-off concert, more like a mini rap festival dropped into downtown. If you want the loudest possible San Diego Saturday night, this is it.

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The Format

Sunday, April 19, doors at 6pm, SOMA San Diego

The Format at SOMA is a nice pull if you’re feeling nostalgic and want something that leans more indie-singalong than giant stadium spectacle. Phantom Planet and Limbeck are also on the bill, which is a very specific era of music fandom in one room. The official SOMA page also notes this one is sold out, so expect committed people only.

Comedy

Mae Martin: The Possum

Friday, April 17 at 7:30pm, Balboa Theatre

Mae Martin is one of the sharper stand-ups working right now, and Balboa Theatre is a really good room for this kind of show. If you like comedy that feels smart without trying too hard to prove it, this is probably your Friday move.

Chris D’Elia: Go For It!

Saturday, April 18 at 7pm, Balboa Theatre

Chris D’Elia brings the bigger, rowdier comedy-night energy on Saturday. If you want stand-up with a crowd that will absolutely show up ready, this is the pick. Also yes, this directly conflicts with Cypress Hill, which is rude to everyone involved.

Arts and culture

The Notebook

Through Sunday, April 19, San Diego Civic Theatre

Yes, The Notebook is a Broadway musical, and yes, people keep saying it actually works. If your ideal weekend involves a downtown dinner followed by emotional damage in a nice theater, here you go.

Sports

SD Fight Night

Saturday, April 18 at 5pm, Frontwave Arena in Oceanside

Frontwave Arena keeps trying to become a real stop on the regional event map, and a full boxing card helps. If you don’t mind driving north, this is a solid alternative to downtown Saturday plans.

San Diego Seals vs. Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Friday, April 17 at 7:30pm, Pechanga Arena San Diego

Seals games are still one of the more underrated live-sports nights in town. Box lacrosse is fast, chaotic, and way more fun in person than it sounds when you try to explain it to someone.

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sealslax (@sealslax) • Instagram photos and videos

San Diego Gulls vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds

Saturday, April 18 at 6pm, Pechanga Arena San Diego

The Gulls get the Saturday slot against Coachella Valley, which makes for an easy pre-night-out move if you want sports without turning the whole day into a project. Hockey remains the best excuse to yell indoors.

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sdgullsahl (@sdgullsahl) • Instagram photos and videos

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]]> Cheap Meals in San Diego Under $10 https://sandiegohumor.com/cheap-meals-san-diego-under-10/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:49:45 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=38568 12 places in San Diego where you can eat a real meal for $10 or less. Banh mi, gyros, pizza slices, carnitas, pupusas, and more.

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Ten dollar meals still exist in San Diego. You just have to know where to look. We went through every cheap eats recommendation locals consistently bring up and narrowed it down to 12 spots where you can get a real, filling meal for $10 or less. Not appetizers. Not kids’ menu hacks. Actual food that an adult human will feel satisfied eating.

Ba Le French Sandwich Shop

A banh mi for $4.25. In 2026. That’s not a typo. Ba Le has been in City Heights since the early ’90s and the prices have barely moved. The Dac Biet (#1 special) is the move: pork, pate, pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, jalapeño on a crispy baguette. Cash only. The inside looks like it hasn’t been updated since the Clinton administration, and nobody cares because the sandwiches are that good. Open 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

4879 University Ave, City Heights

Alexi’s Greek Cafe

Falafel wrap with fries and a drink for around $7. Gyro pita with the same deal for a dollar or two more. The lunch menu runs until 5 PM, which is generous. This is a tiny cash-register-and-a-few-tables setup on Fifth Ave in Hillcrest, and the gyro is legitimately great. Not “great for the price” great. Just great. Locals have been recommending this place for years and the prices somehow haven’t caught up. Park on the surrounding side streets and skip the paid lots.

3863 Fifth Ave, Hillcrest

Bronx Pizza

Two slices and a soda for about $9. NY-style, thin crust, properly foldable. The slices are big enough that two of them is a meal. Bronx has been in Hillcrest since 2000, and the line out the door on weekend nights proves the formula still works. Cash only. No frills. No table service. You order at the counter, grab your slices, and eat standing up or find a spot on the bench outside. That’s the experience and it’s perfect.

111 Washington St, Hillcrest

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

The deli counter at Mona Lisa in Little Italy puts out fresh-made Italian sandwiches (salami, capicola, provolone on a baguette) every morning, wrapped in plastic and stacked on the counter. They run about $2 each. Two of them is a full lunch. When they’re gone, they’re gone, and construction workers from the neighborhood buy them by the handful starting around 7 AM. The deli has been family-run since 1956. Three generations of the Brunetto family. The grocery side of the shop is worth browsing too.

2061 India St, Little Italy

Carnitas Uruapan

Dinner plate for one is about $11 (slightly over $10, but the portion makes up for it). This is a San Diego institution, open since 1986. They slow-roast whole pigs and serve the carnitas by the pound or on plates with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. The pork is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and seasoned in a way that makes you understand why people drive across town for it. The La Mesa location closed in 2025, but the original on El Cajon Blvd is still going.

7149 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego

Flavors of East Africa

The chicken meal is around $9 and will fill you up for most of the day. Kenyan-owned, serving East African dishes like jerk chicken, curries, oxtails, and sambusas. The Farmers Market Combos (rice, meat, and a veggie) are the best value on the menu. The El Cajon Blvd location in North Park is the original, and there’s a second spot on College Ave. This is one of those places where the food is so specific and well-made that it doesn’t need to compete on price, but it does anyway.

2322 El Cajon Blvd, North Park

Pupuserias (Multiple Locations)

Pupusas run $2 to $3 each. Two or three of them with curtido (the pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja is a full meal for under $8. El Salvador Pupuseria gets mentioned the most, but there are solid pupuserias scattered across City Heights, National City, and Chula Vista. The mixed pupusa (pork, cheese, beans) is the standard order. This is one of the most underrated cheap eats in San Diego, and most of the city doesn’t even know about it.

Sayulitas Mexican Food

The burritos here are absurd. A regular burrito is around $10, and it weighs enough that most people can’t finish it in one sitting. They run daily specials on their Instagram. Multiple locations across San Diego (City Heights, Mira Mesa, South Bay, and more). The portions are the point. You’re getting two meals for the price of one. The carne asada and al pastor are the most popular, and the salsa bar is solid.

4126 University Ave, City Heights (+ multiple locations)

The Kebab Shop

A chicken kebab plate with saffron rice and salad runs about $12, which is over the $10 mark. But the portion is big enough for two meals, which brings it back down. The chicken is cooked to order and tastes best within 15 minutes of pickup (delivery degrades it). Multiple locations around San Diego. This is a reliable, consistent option when you need something filling and reasonably healthy without spending much.

Lido’s Italian Foods

Lunch specials Monday through Friday for around $10. Classic Italian, family-run, been in Lemon Grove for decades. Marco’s marinara sauce is the thing people talk about. The portions are generous and the food tastes like someone’s Italian grandmother made it, which is basically the highest compliment you can give a place like this. Right off the 94 at Massachusetts. Easy to miss, hard to forget once you’ve been.

7252 Broadway, Lemon Grove

Pho Cow Cali

A big bowl of pho for about $7. Spring rolls for $3. That’s a filling meal for $10. Pho Cow Cali in Mira Mesa is the local favorite for cheap Vietnamese soup. The broth is rich, the portions are large, and the price has stayed remarkably low while everything else in Mira Mesa has gotten more expensive. Cash-friendly, quick service, and consistently good.

8860 Mira Mesa Blvd, Mira Mesa

Cotija’s Mexican Food

The super burritos run $12 to $15 and are genuinely large enough to split into two or three meals. A regular burrito or a couple of tacos keeps you well under $10. Cotija’s has locations all over San Diego County and the recipes have been consistent for years. Not the flashiest Mexican food in the city, but the kind of place where you know what you’re getting every time and it’s always a solid deal.

Taco Tuesday Deals

Worth mentioning: almost every taco shop in San Diego runs Taco Tuesday specials. $2 to $3 tacos are common. Three tacos for under $10 is a full meal. Some standouts:

  • Los Panchitos: fish tacos for $2 on Mondays, all tacos $2.35 on Tuesdays
  • Kotija Jr.: $2 to $3 tacos on Taco Tuesday
  • La Fachada, Barrio Logan: $2 to $3 tacos
  • Senior Taquito, Escondido: $1 street tacos every day

For more food recommendations (at any price), check out our guides to late-night food, ramen, and coffee shops around San Diego.

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – April 3 to April 5 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-april-3-to-april-5/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:12:45 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=38561 It’s Easter weekend, which means the Padres are out of town (at Boston), but San Diego still has plenty going on. The North Park Festival of Beers is the big ...

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It’s Easter weekend, which means the Padres are out of town (at Boston), but San Diego still has plenty going on. The North Park Festival of Beers is the big Saturday draw with 80+ craft beers and a Louis XIV reunion set. Carlos Ballarta is filling the Balboa Theatre, the Bunny Train is running out of Campo, and the San Diego Mojo have a home volleyball match on Easter Sunday. Friday kicks off with Gulls hockey and Led Zepagain at The Magnolia. Badfish and No Duh are doing a Sublime-meets-No Doubt night at the Belly Up, and Cygnet Theatre is running The Lehman Trilogy. Plus Easter brunch cruises on the bay if you want to do something different with the family.

Festivals

16th Annual North Park Festival of Beers

Saturday, April 4 from 1pm to 4pm (VIP at noon) – Lafayette Hotel, El Cajon Blvd

Over 80 craft beers from 40+ San Diego County breweries, plus ciders, kombucha, and hard seltzers. The live music lineup includes a Louis XIV reunion with The Film Company as special guests, which alone makes this worth showing up for. Food vendors and artisan booths round it out. It’s 21+ and proceeds benefit the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools program. VIP gets you in an hour early, which matters when you want first crack at the limited pours.

Eden San Diego Queer Lifestyle and Music Festival

Saturday, April 4 from 4pm to 9pm – Quartyard, East Village

Eden celebrates San Diego’s queer surf and skate culture with a signature half-pipe, DJs, live performances, and a full-scale festival stage. The open-air beer garden at Quartyard is a great setting for it. 21+ only.

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Comedy

Carlos Ballarta: Naco Ladino

Saturday, April 4 at 7pm – Balboa Theatre

Carlos Ballarta is one of the biggest comedians in Mexico and Latin America right now, and he’s doing his “Naco Ladino” show at the Balboa Theatre. If you or someone you know follows Spanish-language comedy, this is a big deal — the guy fills arenas across Mexico. The Balboa is going to be packed. Tickets start around $64.

Sports

San Diego Mojo vs. Dallas Pulse

Sunday, April 5 at 5pm – Viejas Arena

Pro volleyball on Easter Sunday. The San Diego Mojo play in the PVF (Pro Volleyball Federation) and home matches at Viejas Arena are fast-paced and surprisingly fun live. If you’re looking for something to do after Easter brunch that isn’t just sitting on the couch, this is a solid option.

San Diego Gulls vs. Bakersfield Condors

Friday, April 3 – Pechanga Arena

Friday night hockey to start the weekend. The Gulls are pushing for a playoff spot and games down the stretch get more intense. Pechanga is easy to get to and tickets are affordable.

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Concerts

Led Zepagain at The Magnolia

Friday, April 3 at 8pm (doors 7pm) – The Magnolia, El Cajon

If you like Led Zeppelin but missed them by a few decades, Led Zepagain is the next best thing. They’re considered one of the best tribute bands in the country and they take it seriously. Generation Idol (Billy Idol tribute) opens. Tickets from $19, which is absurd for a full evening of classic rock at The Magnolia.

Badfish w/ No Duh: Sublime Meets No Doubt

Friday, April 3 at 9pm – Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach

Badfish (Sublime tribute) and No Duh (No Doubt tribute) sharing a bill at the Belly Up is about as San Diego as it gets. Both bands are known for actually being good, not just playing the hits in costume. If you grew up on 90s SoCal music, this is your Friday night. Tickets are $32-$54.

Arts and culture

The Lehman Trilogy

Friday-Sunday – Cygnet Theatre, Old Town

The San Diego premiere of the 2022 Tony winner for Best Play. Three actors play over 70 roles across 150 years, tracing the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers. It’s 3 hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions, so settle in. This is a major production for Cygnet and it runs through April 26. Tickets from $73.

Family and Easter

Bunny Train at Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5 – Campo (departures at 10:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm)

This is one of those San Diego Easter traditions that people don’t know about until someone tells them. You ride a vintage train decorated for Easter, do an egg hunt in the museum’s exhibit building, and kids get to meet the Easter Bunny. The train runs through the backcountry near Campo, which is beautiful this time of year. First Class gets you a restored Santa Fe lounge car with a snack bar. Tickets are $21 to $65 depending on seating.

Easter Brunch Cruises on San Diego Bay

Sunday, April 5 – San Diego Bay (multiple operators)

Several companies run Easter brunch cruises on the bay — Flagship, City Cruises, and Triton Charters all have options. You get a buffet, bottomless mimosas or champagne, and views of the Coronado Bridge, USS Midway, and the downtown skyline. Some include an Easter Bunny appearance for the kids. It’s not cheap, but if you want to do something memorable for Easter Sunday, eating brunch on a boat in San Diego Bay is hard to beat.

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]]> Coffee Shops Open Late in San Diego https://sandiegohumor.com/coffee-shops-open-late-san-diego/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 01:50:13 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=32971 9 coffee shops in San Diego that stay open past 10 PM, including one that never closes.

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San Diego is not a late-night city. Anybody who&#8217

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – March 27 to March 29 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-march-27-to-march-29/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:05:08 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=7627 Baseball is back. The Padres open their home season against Detroit this weekend, and Petco Park on a Friday night in March is one of the best places to be ...

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]]> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Top things to do this weekend in San Diego - March 27 to March 29", "description": "Padres Opening Weekend, Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, Crew Classic, SD Opera's Carmen, Shawn Wayans, Digable Planets, and more this weekend in San Diego.", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "San Diego Padres Opening Weekend vs. Detroit Tigers", "startDate": "2026-03-27", "endDate": "2026-03-28", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Petco Park", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA" } }, "url": "https://www.mlb.com/padres/schedule", "description": "Padres continue their opening series against the Tigers. 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Blame One opens. 8pm, 21+." } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Event", "name": "Pet & Reptile Expo", "startDate": "2026-03-28", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Del Mar Fairgrounds", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Del Mar", "addressRegion": "CA" } }, "url": "https://cvrexpo.com/", "description": "Exotic reptiles, pets, cats, dogs, birds, and small animals from breeders, rescues, and vendors." } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "TheaterEvent", "name": "San Diego Opera: Carmen", "startDate": "2026-03-27", "endDate": "2026-03-29", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "San Diego Civic Theatre", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA" } }, "url": "https://www.sandiegotheatres.org/events/detail/carmen-2026", "description": "Bizet's Carmen at Civic Theatre. 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Baseball is back. The Padres open their home season against Detroit this weekend, and Petco Park on a Friday night in March is one of the best places to be in this city. But there’s a lot going on beyond the diamond: Ironman 70.3 takes over Oceanside, the Crew Classic descends on Mission Bay with 4,000 rowers, San Diego Opera is doing Carmen at the Civic Theatre, Shawn Wayans has four comedy shows at Mic Drop, and Digable Planets are celebrating 30 years of Blowout Comb at the Belly Up. Oh, and the Wave FC play under the lights at Snapdragon. Good luck picking just one thing.

Sports

San Diego Padres vs. Detroit Tigers (Opening Weekend)

Friday, March 27 at 6:40pm and Saturday, March 28 at 5:40pm – Petco Park

Opening Day was Thursday, but the real party is the weekend. Friday night is “Party in the Park” and Saturday is Hello Kitty Night with a postgame fireworks show. The Tigers are the opponent, which doesn’t matter nearly as much as the fact that it’s the first weekend of Padres baseball and the entire Gaslamp is going to feel different. If you haven’t been to Petco in a while, this is the weekend to go back. Get there early, walk around, eat too much, and stay for the fireworks.

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East Village Opening Weekend Block Party

Saturday, March 28 from 11am to 4:30pm – J Street (6th to 10th Ave), East Village

The 14th annual block party takes over J Street right in front of Petco Park. Three stages of live music, a multi-block classic car show, local vendors, food trucks, fitness demos, and a Dog Swag Contest where people dress their dogs in Padres gear. It’s free, all ages, and the perfect pregame for the Saturday night Padres game. If you’re coming to Petco anyway, show up early and start here.

Ironman 70.3 Oceanside

Saturday, March 28 – Oceanside Harbor and coast

The North American triathlon season opener. A 1.2-mile swim in Oceanside Harbor, a 56-mile bike through Camp Pendleton, and a half marathon along the coast finishing near the pier. Even if you’re not racing, it’s worth watching from the harbor or the finish line area. Just know that road closures around Oceanside will be significant, so plan accordingly if you’re heading to North County this weekend.

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Jiu Jitsu World League

Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29 – Del Mar Fairgrounds

The Jiu Jitsu World League brings competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to Del Mar with Adult and Youth divisions. Whether you train or just want to see what high-level grappling looks like in person, the tournament atmosphere is intense and the skill level is real. Save $4 on parking by buying online.

53rd San Diego Crew Classic

Friday-Sunday, March 27-29 starting at 7am – Crown Point Shores Park, Mission Bay

This one sneaks up on people every year. Over 4,000 athletes from colleges, clubs, and masters programs descend on Mission Bay for the premier spring rowing regatta in the country. The racing starts early and runs all day, but the real draw is the scene: food trucks, a beer garden, and one of the better people-watching spots in San Diego. Friday afternoon has free admission for everyone. Saturday and Sunday are free for students, military, and kids under 12. Free parking at Ski Beach with shuttles to the venue. New this year: beach sprint racing as an exhibition event.

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San Diego Wave FC vs. Chicago Stars FC

Saturday, March 28 at 5:45pm – Snapdragon Stadium

The Wave host Chicago Stars FC at Snapdragon on Saturday evening. NWSL soccer at Snapdragon has a good energy to it, and a 5:45 kickoff means you get the sunset during the second half if you’re sitting on the right side. Solid way to start a Saturday night before heading out.

Concerts

Digable Planets: Blowout Comb 30th Anniversary Tour

Saturday, March 28 at 9pm (doors 8pm) – Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach

Digable Planets playing Blowout Comb front to back at the Belly Up is the kind of show that doesn’t come around often. The album is a jazz-rap landmark from 1994, and hearing it live in a venue this intimate is going to be something. Blame One opens. Tickets are $49.50 advance, $55 day of. 21+ only.

Family

Pet and Reptile Expo

Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29 – Del Mar Fairgrounds

If you or your kids are into exotic animals, this is the spot. Reptiles, birds, small animals, dogs, and cats from breeders, rescue organizations, and specialty vendors. It’s part marketplace, part petting zoo, and the kind of event where someone inevitably goes home with a bearded dragon they didn’t plan on buying.

Arts and culture

San Diego Opera: Carmen

Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm – San Diego Civic Theatre

Bizet’s Carmen is probably the most famous opera ever written, and for good reason. It’s dramatic, the music is immediately recognizable even if you’ve never been to an opera, and the story moves fast. San Diego Opera is staging it at the Civic Theatre this weekend with three performances. If you’ve been opera-curious but never pulled the trigger, Carmen is the one to start with. Tickets start around $100.

Comedy

Shawn Wayans at Mic Drop Comedy

Friday and Saturday, March 27-28 at 7pm and 9:30pm – Mic Drop Comedy

Shawn Wayans doing stand-up at a smaller venue like Mic Drop is worth your attention. You know him from Scary Movie, White Chicks, and In Living Color, but his live stand-up is a different thing entirely. Four shows across two nights, 21+ only. The late shows tend to get wilder. No refunds or exchanges, so commit.

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – March 20 to March 22 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-march-20-to-march-22/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:52:42 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=7609 I don’t think San Diego has had a more stacked weekend all year. March Madness is at Viejas Arena with four first-round games (Arizona, Kansas, St. John’s, Villanova), the Savannah ...

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]]> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Top things to do this weekend in San Diego - March 20 to March 22", "description": "NCAA March Madness, Savannah Bananas, Foreigner with the SD Symphony, Tiffany Haddish, San Diego FC, and more this weekend in San Diego.", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": {"@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "NCAA March Madness - First & Second Rounds", "startDate": "2026-03-20", "endDate": "2026-03-22", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Viejas Arena", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://goaztecs.com/news/2026/02/3/2026-ncaa-mens-basketball-championship-at-viejas-arena", "description": "Four first-round games Friday featuring Arizona, Kansas, St. John's, and Villanova, plus second-round games Sunday."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": {"@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "Savannah Bananas at Petco Park", 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"https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/concert-series/", "description": "The Band Perry performs at 6pm as part of the Seven Seas Concert Series."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": {"@type": "Event", "name": "The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch", "startDate": "2026-03-20", "endDate": "2026-03-22", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Carlsbad", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.theflowerfields.com", "description": "55 acres of ranunculus in peak bloom."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": {"@type": "Event", "name": "Elephant Valley at SD Zoo Safari Park", "startDate": "2026-03-20", "endDate": "2026-03-22", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "San Diego Zoo Safari Park", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Escondido", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://sdzsafaripark.org/elephant-valley", "description": "The Zoo's newest and largest habitat for African elephants."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": {"@type": "Festival", "name": "The Mustache Bash", "startDate": "2026-03-21", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Mariner's Point Park", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://mustachebash.com/san-diego", "description": "Funk and disco festival at Mission Bay. 2pm-10pm, 21+. 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I don’t think San Diego has had a more stacked weekend all year. March Madness is at Viejas Arena with four first-round games (Arizona, Kansas, St. John’s, Villanova), the Savannah Bananas are doing their thing at Petco Park, Foreigner is playing with a 57-piece symphony at the Rady Shell, and Tiffany Haddish is at the Laugh Factory. The Mustache Bash is taking over Mission Bay with a disco funk festival, San Diego FC has a home match, the Seals have a charity game, the Gulls are playing, and there’s a half marathon through downtown. You’re going to have to make some hard choices this weekend.

Sports

NCAA March Madness – First and second rounds

Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22 – Viejas Arena

San Diego is a March Madness host city this year, and the matchups are solid. Friday’s first-round slate has No. 1 Arizona vs. LIU, No. 4 Kansas vs. California Baptist, No. 5 St. John’s vs. Northern Iowa, and No. 8 Villanova vs. Utah State. The winners come back Sunday for the second round. Viejas gets loud for basketball, the arena is the right size for tournament games, and if you’ve never been to March Madness in person, it’s a completely different experience than watching on TV. All-session passes are the move if you want to camp out all day.

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Savannah Bananas at Petco Park

Saturday, March 21 at 6:30pm and Sunday, March 22 at 2:30pm – Petco Park

If you somehow haven’t heard of the Savannah Bananas, they play “Banana Ball” which is basically baseball with TikTok energy: two-hour time limits, no stepping out of the batter’s box, no bunting, and choreographed celebrations between innings. It’s a show more than a game, and it sells out everywhere they go. Tickets on the secondary market are steep ($100+), but the vibe at Petco is going to be ridiculous. Gallagher Square opens at 2pm Saturday and 10am Sunday if you want to make a day of it.

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San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake

Sunday, March 22 at 4pm – Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego’s MLS team hosts Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon. The atmosphere at SDFC home games has been building all season, and Sunday afternoon matches have a particular energy when the weather cooperates (and it’s March in San Diego, so it will).

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San Diego Seals vs. Buffalo Bandits (Seals Mania)

Saturday, March 21 at 7pm – Pechanga Arena

The Seals’ annual Seals Mania game benefits Rady Children’s Health Foundation, which is reason enough to show up. Box lacrosse is fast, physical, and surprisingly fun to watch live even if you’ve never followed the sport. The Bandits are one of the NLL’s best teams, so this should be a good one.

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San Diego Gulls

Friday, March 20 at 7pm – Pechanga Arena

Friday night hockey at Pechanga to kick off the weekend. AHL games are cheap, the arena’s easy to get to, and you can probably get a last-minute ticket without much trouble.

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sdgullsahl (@sdgullsahl) • Instagram photos and videos

GOVX San Diego Half Marathon and 5K

Sunday, March 22 starting at 6:30am – downtown San Diego

The course runs along the waterfront and through downtown, finishing in the Gaslamp Quarter. The 5K kicks off at 6:30am, the half marathon at 6:50am. If you’re not running, just be aware that some downtown streets will be closed Sunday morning.

Concerts

Foreigner with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, March 20 at 7:30pm – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Foreigner’s 50th anniversary show, backed by 57 musicians from the San Diego Symphony. Stuart Chafetz conducts. “I Want to Know What Love Is” with a full orchestra at the Rady Shell sounds like the kind of thing that gives people chills whether they intended to care or not. The Rady Shell on a March evening is about as good as outdoor concert venues get.

The White Buffalo

Saturday, March 21 at 8pm – Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach

Jake Smith (aka The White Buffalo) has one of those voices that makes you stop what you’re doing. If you know him from Sons of Anarchy or his Americana records, you already know. If you don’t, the Belly Up is the ideal place to find out. Trouble In The Wind opens. Expect it to sell out.

The Band Perry at SeaWorld Seven Seas Concert Series

Saturday, March 21 at 6pm – Bayside Amphitheater, SeaWorld

The Band Perry performs at SeaWorld’s Bayside Amphitheater as part of the Seven Seas Concert Series. The concert is included with park admission, which means you get roller coasters, craft beer, international food, and a live show for one ticket. Not a bad deal.

Festivals

The Mustache Bash

Saturday, March 21 from 2pm to 10pm – Mariner’s Point Park, Mission Bay

The Mustache Bash started 18 years ago as a college house party and somehow turned into a 6,000-person funk and disco festival on the water. The whole deal is 70s-themed: there’s a disco roller rink, multiple stages, and the crowd goes hard on costumes. Last year they moved to Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay, which turned out to be a perfect fit. 21+ only. There’s also an after-party if eight hours of funk isn’t enough for you.

Comedy

Tiffany Haddish Live

Friday, March 20 at 8pm and 10pm – Laugh Factory San Diego

Tiffany Haddish at a venue as small as the Laugh Factory is kind of rare at this point. She’s done Netflix specials, hosted awards shows, and starred in a bunch of movies, but she still comes back to small club rooms like this. Two shows Friday night. The late show tends to be looser. Both are sold out as of this writing, but keep an eye on resale sites.

Family and outdoors

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

Open daily through May 10 – Carlsbad

We’re deep into peak bloom now. The ranunculus rows are filling in completely and the whole hillside is striped with color. Late March is honestly the sweet spot before Easter weekend crowds show up. Go on a weekday morning if you can swing it, but weekends still work if you get there early.

Elephant Valley at SD Zoo Safari Park

Now open – San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido

Elephant Valley has been open for a few weeks now and the initial rush is starting to settle. The elephants are getting more comfortable in the space, which means you’re more likely to see them moving around and interacting. The two-story Mkutano House restaurant overlooking the watering hole is worth the visit on its own.

Food and drink

SeaWorld Seven Seas Craft Beer and Food Festival

Ongoing through April 26 – SeaWorld San Diego

The food festival continues with 125+ options and The Band Perry performing Saturday evening. Included with park admission, running every weekend through late April.

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]]> Best Bagels in San Diego https://sandiegohumor.com/best-bagels-in-san-diego/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 03:59:39 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=7601 9 bagel shops in San Diego that are actually worth eating, from farmers market legends to 30-year veterans to a vegan deli that converts skeptics.

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San Diego has tacos. San Diego has burritos. San Diego does not, historically, have bagels. That&#8217

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