San Diego Blog: Local Food, Events & Humor | SanDiegoHumor https://sandiegohumor.com/san-diego/ 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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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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]]> Best Ramen in San Diego https://sandiegohumor.com/best-ramen-in-san-diego/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:30:40 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=7572 From Michelin-recognized Menya Ultra to the smoky depths of Nishiki's Smoke Bomb Black, here are the 10 best ramen shops in San Diego.

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]]> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Top things to do this weekend in San Diego - April 17 to April 19", "description": "Cypress Hill with Tech N9ne and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at Petco Park, Chris D'Elia, The Notebook, Mae Martin, Seals lacrosse, and Gulls hockey this weekend in San Diego.", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": {"@type": "MusicEvent", "name": "Cypress Hill: High & Outside - Above the Zone", "startDate": "2026-04-18", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Petco Park", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/cypress-hill-high-outside-above-the-san-diego-california-04-18-2026/event/0A006427AA3F44D5", "description": "Cypress Hill headlines Petco Park with Tech N9ne and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on Saturday night."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": {"@type": "ComedyEvent", "name": "Chris D'Elia: Go For It!", "startDate": "2026-04-18", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Balboa Theatre", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/chris-delia-go-for-it-san-diego-california-04-18-2026/event/0A00642FD2C85080", "description": "Chris D'Elia brings his Go For It! tour to Balboa Theatre Saturday at 7pm."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": {"@type": "TheaterEvent", "name": "The Notebook (Touring)", "startDate": "2026-04-17", "endDate": "2026-04-19", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "San Diego Civic Theatre", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-notebook-touring-san-diego-california-04-17-2026/event/0A006318B0AA4A9A", "description": "The Broadway touring production of The Notebook runs multiple shows at San Diego Civic Theatre this weekend."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": {"@type": "ComedyEvent", "name": "Mae Martin: The Possum", "startDate": "2026-04-17", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Balboa Theatre", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/mae-martin-the-possum-san-diego-california-04-17-2026/event/0A0062D996814C3F", "description": "Mae Martin performs The Possum at Balboa Theatre on Friday night."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": {"@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "San Diego Seals vs. Las Vegas Desert Dogs", "startDate": "2026-04-17", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Pechanga Arena San Diego", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7jY8z", "description": "The San Diego Seals host Las Vegas at Pechanga Arena Friday night."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": {"@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "San Diego Gulls vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds", "startDate": "2026-04-18", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Pechanga Arena San Diego", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7_buY", "description": "The Gulls take on Coachella Valley Saturday evening at Pechanga Arena."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": {"@type": "SportsEvent", "name": "SD Fight Night", "startDate": "2026-04-18", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "Frontwave Arena", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Oceanside", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.axs.com/events/1331254/sd-fight-night-tickets", "description": "SD Fight Night brings a full boxing card to Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday."}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": {"@type": "MusicEvent", "name": "R&B ONLY LIVE", "startDate": "2026-04-18", "location": {"@type": "Place", "name": "House of Blues San Diego", "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "San Diego", "addressRegion": "CA"}}, "url": "https://www.universe.com/events/r-b-only-live-san-diego-ca-tickets-X2LG7Q", "description": "R&B ONLY LIVE brings the singalong party to House of Blues on Saturday night."}} ] }

If your ideal San Diego weekend involves choosing between Cypress Hill at Petco Park, a Broadway tearjerker, stand-up at the Balboa, lacrosse, hockey, or a full R&B singalong, congratulations, this is your week. The Padres are out of the way, which means Petco is hosting a full-on hip hop event instead. Honestly, not a bad trade. Here’s what looks worth leaving the house for from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19.

Concerts

Cypress Hill: High & Outside – Above the Zone

Saturday, April 18 at 6pm, Petco Park

Cypress Hill at Petco Park is already enough to headline the weekend, then they went and added Tech N9ne and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. That’s basically a festival lineup disguised as one concert. Outdoor hip hop at Petco should be a pretty great use of the stadium, especially with the skyline doing free production design in the background.

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cypresshill (@cypresshill) • Instagram photos and videos

R&B ONLY LIVE

Saturday, April 18 at 8pm, House of Blues San Diego

This is for the people who want a full night of songs everyone knows without the DJ suddenly deciding it’s time for house remixes nobody asked for. R&B ONLY LIVE is built for singing along badly with confidence, which is honestly the correct way to do it.

Comedy

Mae Martin: The Possum

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

Mae Martin is one of those comics who can be thoughtful and weird without losing the room. If you liked Feel Good, you already know the vibe. Friday night at the Balboa is a very solid start to the weekend.

Chris D’Elia: Go For It!

Saturday, April 18 at 7pm, Balboa Theatre

Chris D’Elia is at the Balboa on Saturday, which means you have a direct scheduling conflict with Cypress Hill if you’re especially ambitious. Different energies, same night. If stand-up is more your speed, this is a big-room comedy pick with an audience that will absolutely show up ready.

Arts and culture

The Notebook (Broadway Tour)

Friday to Sunday, April 17 to 19, San Diego Civic Theatre

Yes, The Notebook is a Broadway musical now, and yes, people who have seen it keep saying it actually lands. If you’re in the mood for something more dramatic than a concert or game, this is the polished downtown theater option for the weekend.

Sports

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 moves fast, the crowd gets loud, and Pechanga is a good venue when the building actually has juice. Friday against Vegas should be fun.

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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 and Firebirds is a nice little Southern California hockey setup, and Saturday at 6 is a convenient slot if you want sports without giving up your entire night. Also, hockey is still the best option when you want to feel cold and yell productively.

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sdgullsahl (@sdgullsahl) • Instagram photos and videos

SD Fight Night

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

If you don’t mind heading north, Frontwave Arena has SD Fight Night on Saturday. Combat sports crowds tend to bring their own atmosphere, and Oceanside keeps finding ways to become more of an event stop than people expect.

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]]> Top things to do this weekend in San Diego – April 10 to April 12 https://sandiegohumor.com/top-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-san-diego-april-10-to-april-12/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:21:44 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=44962 The Padres are back home against Colorado this weekend, which is always a good time at Petco Park (the Rockies tend to bring out the offense). But the real story ...

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The Padres are back home against Colorado this weekend, which is always a good time at Petco Park (the Rockies tend to bring out the offense). But the real story might be Friday night when Black Coffee plays the Rady Shell and Ralph Barbosa fills the Civic Theatre on the same evening. Saturday has Colin Hay and KT Tunstall at the Balboa, and Disney On Ice runs all weekend at Pechanga. Saturday is stacked: San Diego FC hosts Minnesota United at Snapdragon, Akaash Singh does comedy at The Magnolia, Reik brings their Latin pop tour, and the Mojo play volleyball at Viejas. There’s something for everyone this time around.

Sports

San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies

Friday-Sunday, April 10-12 – Petco Park

Three-game home series against Colorado. Friday is Party in the Park with a 6:40pm first pitch, Saturday is at 5:40pm. The Rockies are one of those opponents where the games tend to be high-scoring and entertaining, which makes for good ballpark nights. The early season energy at Petco is still there — the park hasn’t hit that mid-summer lull yet.

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San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United FC

Saturday, April 11 at 7:30pm – Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego FC hosts Minnesota United at Snapdragon. Saturday night MLS at Snapdragon has become one of the better game-day experiences in San Diego — the supporter section is loud, the stadium is purpose-built for soccer, and the atmosphere keeps getting better.

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San Diego Mojo vs. Orlando Valkyries

Saturday, April 11 at 6pm – Viejas Arena

Pro volleyball at Viejas Arena. The Mojo play in the PVF and the games are fast, loud, and surprisingly fun live even if volleyball isn’t usually your thing.

Concerts

Boots in the Park – San Diego

Saturday, April 11 at 1pm – Waterfront Park, downtown

Country music festival right on the waterfront downtown. Boots in the Park has been doing these across the Southwest and the San Diego edition at Waterfront Park is a good time — outdoor stage, boots and hats everywhere, and a solid lineup. Resale tickets starting around $159.

Black Coffee at The Rady Shell

Friday, April 10 at 3pm – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Black Coffee is one of the biggest DJs in the world — a Grammy-winning South African house producer who’s headlined festivals everywhere from Ibiza to Coachella. Getting him at the Rady Shell on a Friday afternoon is a pretty rare opportunity. Afternoon outdoor electronic music on the waterfront with that view? That’s a hard combination to beat.

Colin Hay with KT Tunstall

Saturday, April 11 at 7pm – Balboa Theatre

Colin Hay is the voice behind “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under” from Men at Work, and his solo acoustic stuff is genuinely great. KT Tunstall (“Suddenly I See,” “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”) co-headlines. Two singer-songwriters with recognizable catalogs sharing a stage at the Balboa is a quality Saturday night out.

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Lacuna Coil: Sleepless Empire Tour

Saturday, April 11 at 6:30pm – House of Blues

Italian gothic metal veterans Lacuna Coil bring the Sleepless Empire Tour to House of Blues with Escape the Fate and VOWWS supporting. Cristina Scabbia’s vocals are even better live than on record. If you’re into the heavier side of things, this is your Saturday pick.

Reik Tour 2026

Saturday, April 11 at 7:30pm – Downtown San Diego

Reik is one of the biggest Latin pop acts in the world — they’ve been filling arenas across Latin America for years and their catalog of romantic pop hits runs deep. If you’re into Latin music, this is a major get for San Diego.

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Comedy

Ralph Barbosa: The Red 40 Tour

Friday, April 10 at 7:30pm – San Diego Civic Theatre

Ralph Barbosa blew up on TikTok and YouTube and has turned that into selling out theaters across the country. The Civic Theatre is a big room for a comedian, and the fact that he’s filling it says something about where his career is right now. If you’ve seen his clips online, the live show hits different. The Red 40 Tour name is peak Gen Z energy.

Akaash Singh: Generational Triumph Tour

Saturday, April 11 at 7pm (doors 6pm) – The Magnolia, El Cajon

If you know the Flagrant podcast with Andrew Schulz, you know Akaash Singh. He’s been building a solo comedy career that’s gotten huge in its own right, and the Generational Triumph Tour is selling out rooms everywhere. The Magnolia is a good venue for comedy — intimate enough to feel connected but big enough to have real energy.

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Family

Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures

Friday-Sunday, April 10-12 – Pechanga Arena (multiple showtimes)

Disney On Ice is at Pechanga all weekend with multiple shows each day. Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 3pm, Sunday at 11am and 3pm. If you have kids between 3 and 10, this is pretty much a guaranteed win. The costumes and skating are legitimately impressive even if you’re the parent who’s just there because you had to be.

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Festivals

Afrodiaspora Celebration Day

Sunday, April 12 at 4pm – Quartyard, East Village

A celebration of music, dance, food, and culture from the African diaspora at Quartyard. The open-air venue works perfectly for this kind of festival — expect live performances, food vendors, and a community vibe that’s hard to replicate indoors.

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San Marcos Spring Fling Festival

Sunday, April 12 at 9am – North City, San Marcos

Free community spring festival up in San Marcos. If you’re in North County and want something low-key on a Sunday morning, this is an easy choice.

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]]> Best Acai Bowls in San Diego https://sandiegohumor.com/best-acai-bowls-san-diego/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:08:18 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=43142 9 acai bowl spots in San Diego, sorted by which ones actually use real acai and which ones switched to sorbet.

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The acai bowl situation in San Diego has a problem. Most places use sorbet as the base now. It’s cheaper, it’s easier to store, and it lets shops crank out bowls faster. The downside is it tastes like frozen sugar instead of acai. This frustrates people, and it comes up constantly in local food conversations. We went through every recommendation San Diegans consistently bring up and found the spots that still do it right.

Acai Carioca

Brazilian-owned, and you can tell. The acai base here is the real deal, not sorbet, not a pre-made mix from a bag. They blend it fresh with actual acai and the texture is thick, creamy, and slightly tart in a way that sorbet bowls never are. The peanut butter bowl is the most popular order. Located inside Baked Thicc on Voltaire Street in Point Loma. It’s a small setup, easy to walk past, and that’s part of the charm. People who have tried the acai bowls at every shop in San Diego consistently rank this one at or near the top.

3772 Voltaire St, Point Loma

Senor Mango’s

On North Park Way near 30th and Adams. Senor Mango’s has been getting mentioned in acai bowl conversations for years, and the recommendation always comes with the same advice: get the extra granola and add mango. The base is fruity and less syrupy than the sorbet shops. Portions are solid. Prices are reasonable by San Diego standards. Open early (6:30 AM), which makes it a pre-work option if you’re in the neighborhood.

3042 North Park Way, North Park

Sambazon

The Encinitas location of the brand that basically brought acai to America. Sambazon has been growing and distributing acai since 2000, and their cafe is where they show off. The bowls are thick and well-made. There’s a caveat: some people point out the sugar content is high (52 grams in the standard bowl). It’s not the most “pure” option on this list, but the flavor is hard to argue with, and the Encinitas shop on San Elijo Ave has a North County beach town vibe that fits the experience.

2031 San Elijo Ave, Encinitas

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The American Acai Cafe

Brazilian-owned despite the name. On Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach. They use real acai in the base, not the sorbet shortcut. The bowls are well-portioned and the toppings are fresh. Locals who are particular about the sorbet issue consistently recommend this place alongside Acai Carioca as the two most authentic options in the city. Open 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily.

1001 Garnet Ave Suite 105, Pacific Beach

Surf Bowl Co.

Brand new. Opened February 2026 in the former Northside Shack space on Rosecrans in Point Loma. Run by the founder’s son, carrying the same approach to fresh acai bowls that made Northside Shack a local favorite before it closed. Still establishing itself, but early reports are positive and the lineage is strong. Worth checking out while it’s fresh and hungry.

1255 Rosecrans St, Point Loma

Juice Kaboose

Two locations: the original in La Jolla (Fay Ave, open since 1996) and the Pacific Beach spot on Garnet Ave. They buy produce daily and use zero added sugar in their bowls. The acai base seems to be legit blended fruit rather than a pre-made mix. Locals recommend eating it while staring at the ocean, and honestly that is solid advice for anything in La Jolla. Open 7:30 AM to 7 PM most days.

1826 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach / 7556 Fay Ave, La Jolla

OB Smoothie Bar

Small shop on Newport Ave in Ocean Beach. Acai bowls, smoothies, wraps, subs. The acai is blended (not scooped from a sorbet tub) and the toppings are fresh. OB Smoothie has been quietly doing its thing for years while flashier shops open and close around it. Nothing fancy. Consistently decent. Open 9 AM to 5 PM, which is early-close but that’s OB for you.

5001 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach

Roots Bowls

The Hillcrest location gets the most mentions. Roots does acai bowls, pitaya bowls, and smoothie bowls. The portions are good and the base is consistently smooth. Not the most “authentic Brazilian” experience on this list, but it’s reliable, the staff is fast, and the Hillcrest shop has a clean, bright setup that feels like what a San Diego acai shop should look like.

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Everbowl

Putting this here because Everbowl has a dozen locations across San Diego County and a lot of people go there. It used to be better. The original product was a freshly blended base with generous toppings. They’ve since switched to a scooped, hard-frozen base and raised prices while reducing portions. Locals noticed, and they’re vocal about it. Everbowl is still fine as a quick, accessible option, especially at locations near beaches and campuses. Just know that the people who were there before the change are still a little upset about it.

The Sorbet Problem, Explained

Real acai bowls use frozen acai pulp (or acai packets/cubes) blended with a little liquid into a thick, smooth base. It should taste slightly tart, earthy, and berry-like. Sorbet-based bowls use a pre-made frozen product that’s heavy on sugar and light on actual acai. The texture is icier, the flavor is sweeter, and it melts into a purple puddle faster.

Most locals who care about the distinction recommend Acai Carioca, American Acai Cafe, and Senor Mango’s as the best non-sorbet options. Sambazon is authentic but sweetened. The rest of the list falls somewhere in between. Every shop on this list is at least worth trying.

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]]> Best Fishing Spots in San Diego: Piers, Bays, Lakes & Offshore https://sandiegohumor.com/best-fishing-spots-san-diego-v3/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:19:46 +0000 https://sandiegohumor.com/?p=7604 12 fishing spots in San Diego, from license-free piers and South Bay bass fishing to trout-stocked mountain lakes and offshore tuna charters.

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Someone on a fishing forum once said San Diego might be the best fishing city in the country. Nobody argued with them. That’s because you can fish saltwater piers without a license, throw a line into the bay from a dozen different spots, drive an hour east and catch stocked trout in a mountain lake, or hop on a charter boat and fight a 200-pound bluefin tuna before lunch. All in the same county.

We put together 12 spots that cover every kind of fishing you can do here. Some are beginner-friendly and free. Some require a passport. All of them will put fish on the line if you show up at the right time with the right bait.

Pier Fishing (No License Required)

California doesn’t require a fishing license on public ocean piers. Bag and size limits still apply, but the cost of entry is basically zero. A rod, some squid from the bait shop, and you’re in business.

Shelter Island Pier

If someone asked me where to go fishing in San Diego for the first time, I’d say Shelter Island Pier without thinking about it. The bait and tackle shop is right there. The T-shaped end is almost 500 feet wide, so you have room. It’s open 24/7, though the parking lot closes at 10 PM, which is the city’s way of telling you to have a life.

Eelgrass beds around the pier structure hold spotted bay bass and halibut. Perch stack up along the pilings. When bonito run through, the whole outer edge gets busy. You can walk into the tackle shop having never held a rod before and they’ll sort you out with gear and tell you where to drop. They deal with beginners all day long and don’t make it weird.

There’s also Fathom Bistro at the end of the pier, so when the fish aren’t biting, at least there’s beer.

Spotted bay bass, halibut, bonito, mackerel, croaker, perch, opaleye. Fish the incoming tide.

Imperial Beach Pier

The southernmost pier in California. 1,491 feet long. And somehow, every time I’ve been there, quieter than it has any right to be. While Shelter Island gets the families and tourists, IB Pier gets the people who just want to fish without being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. Clear view of the Coronado Islands from the end. Open 6 AM to 10 PM.

Closer to shore: barred surfperch, corbina, yellowfin croaker on sand crabs or squid. Walk to the deeper water at the end for bonito and mackerel. A sabiki rig (the one with five hooks on a single line) is ridiculous here. People load up on mackerel without even using bait. I didn’t believe that until I saw it happen.

This is also a great pier if you have a kid who wants to go fishing. Restrooms, fish cleaning stations, low-stress atmosphere. They’ll catch something.

Crystal Pier

Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach is only 872 feet, which is short by San Diego standards. But the sandy bottom underneath it is exactly where halibut like to hang out, and the pier structure itself draws in kelp bass and sand bass. Then there are the cottages. Actual rental cottages, built on the pier, over the ocean. You fish next to them. It’s a strange and photogenic setup that only PB could get away with.

Bait shop and fish cleaning station on-site. Open 8 AM to 8 PM. One catch: those cottages make it a gray area for the “public pier” license exemption, and wardens have ticketed anglers here. Most people fish without a license and are fine, but a $21 one-day license eliminates the gamble.

Barred surfperch, halibut, sand bass, walleye surfperch, shovelnose guitarfish.

Oceanside Pier

1,954 feet of wooden pier reaching into 50 feet of water. That depth is the whole point. Most San Diego piers cap out around 20 to 25 feet, but Oceanside gets you into water where sheephead, calico bass, and rockfish actually live. A 2024 fire took out the restaurant at the tip, so the far end is still closed off, but 90% of the pier is fishable. Bait shop and cleaning stations are running.

Worth the drive if you’re tired of catching mackerel and want something with more of a fight. The pilings hold opaleye and sheephead. The deeper sections produce rockfish and the occasional something that makes you wish you’d brought a heavier rod.

A note on the OB Pier: closed since 2023. Storm damage. The city chose to replace the entire thing instead of patching it. Construction won’t start until 2029 at the earliest. It’s gone for a while.

Embarcadero Park Pier

Small T-shaped pier behind the convention center. Not pretty. Not famous. Most people walk right past it. Which is exactly why the regulars who fish here don’t mind talking about it less than they probably should. An eelgrass bottom and a nearby artificial reef make it catch fish out of proportion to its size.

Live bait or gulp in the eelgrass for bass and halibut. Sabiki for mackerel and bonito. Five-minute walk from the Gaslamp when you’re done.

Bonito, mackerel, calico bass, sand bass, spotted bay bass, barracuda.

Shore and Bay Fishing

Once you step off the piers, you need a California sport fishing license. $64.54 a year for residents, $21.09 for one day. If you’re going to fish more than three times, just get the annual.

Mission Bay

27 miles of shoreline, protected water, fishable year-round. Mission Bay doesn’t get the respect it deserves as a fishing spot because people think of it as the jet ski and paddleboard place. But the eelgrass flats hold spotted bay bass everywhere, and halibut move into the shallows when it warms up.

Fiesta Island is where you want to go. The east side gets maybe ten people on a full day, and the water is calm and flat. The jetties at the mouth of the bay are better for experienced anglers chasing halibut and corvina in the current. A 3-inch swimbait worked slow along the bottom is the standard approach for bass here.

Spotted bay bass, halibut, corvina, croaker, perch.

San Diego Bay, South Bay Flats

Crown Cove. Glorietta Bay. The Coronado Cays. If you fish San Diego Bay long enough, you end up at the South Bay flats. Shallow warm water over sand and eelgrass, and the spotted bay bass are thick in there from May through October. Halibut sit along the rock piles and eelgrass edges waiting for something dumb to swim by.

Harbor Island is another spot worth knowing. You fish the rocks directly in front of the airport runway. Planes landing maybe 200 feet above your head while you’re trying to set a hook. It shouldn’t work but it does.

Other spots: Shelter Island shoreline, Seaport Village, Coronado Ferry Landing (the pier there doesn’t require a license), Pepper Park in National City. The bay is so large that the pressure spreads thin. You can usually find a stretch to yourself.

Spotted bay bass, halibut, yellowfin croaker, bonefish, rays.

Torrey Pines State Beach

Surf fishing under sandstone cliffs. The non-protected sandy beaches north of the reserve are open to anglers, and the surf zone holds croaker, perch, and halibut in the troughs between sandbars. Collect sand crabs directly on the beach (free bait, and the fish prefer them to anything you’d buy). Gulp worms and shallow-diving crankbaits also work.

Watch the marine protected area boundaries. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve has real fines and they will confiscate your gear. Not a warning, not a slap on the wrist. North of Scripps Pier is restricted to bait species only until you get up toward Blacks Beach. Know the lines before you cast.

Barred surfperch, corbina, yellowfin croaker, halibut.

Freshwater Lake Fishing

San Diego County has a dozen fishable lakes, and they’re a different world from the salt. Pine trees instead of palm trees. Trout, bass, catfish, crappie. You need a state fishing license plus a daily lake permit at the gate ($5 to $10, usually cash only).

Lake Cuyamaca

The only lake in San Diego County stocked with trout year-round. At 4,600 feet near Julian, the water stays cool enough even in summer. They put in over 44,000 pounds of fish a year. That number sounds fake. It is not. Trophy rainbows, lightning trout, plus largemouth bass, smallmouth, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and white sturgeon (catch and release).

Rowboat and motorboat rentals available, or fish from shore. Either works. The hour drive up through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is half the reason to go. Feels like you left Southern California entirely.

No catch and release on trout here. You keep what you hook, five per day. Bring a cooler.

Lake Jennings

Trout season runs November through early April with regular stocks. They dropped 1,500 pounds of rainbow trout in March 2026 alone. When trout season ends, catfish take over, and they run night fishing on Fridays and Saturdays through the summer until midnight.

Here’s what people sleep on: the bass. Sentry Cove and Half Moon Cove have drop-offs where pre-spawn largemouth hold, and they hit trout-patterned swimbaits and Senkos on drop shot rigs. The bigger bass figure out that stocking day means easy meals, so the week after a fresh stock is when you want to be out there. East County Bait and Tackle is on the drive in. Bag of shiners. You’ll catch something.

Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, red-ear sunfish. Open Fri through Sun, lake permit required.

Lake Poway

Two things make Lake Poway stand out. First, you don’t need a state fishing license. Just the daily lake permit. That removes a barrier that stops a lot of people from ever trying. Second, it’s a 20-minute drive from most of urban San Diego. No mountain roads, no hour-long commitment.

Trout stocked from late November through April. PowerBait, Mice Tails, orange jigs. Bass and catfish year-round, though bass goes catch-and-release in March and April for spawning. Boats available to rent. If your kid has been asking to go fishing and you want the highest odds of them actually catching something, this is where you go. Saturday after, take them to Old Poway Park for the train ride.

Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, sunfish.

Offshore Charter Fishing

San Diego has a commercial sport fishing fleet that people fly here specifically to use. Three main landings operate out of Point Loma and Mission Bay, running trips from half-day local runs to 10-day offshore expeditions down the Baja coast.

Start with a half-day ($50 to $80). They take you to the Point Loma kelp beds for calico bass, sand bass, rockfish, and sheephead. Everything you need is on the boat. If you want bigger fish, a full-day trip to the Coronado Islands ($150 to $250) gets into yellowtail, bonito, and barracuda. You need a valid passport for that one because you’re technically in Mexican waters.

Then there’s the tuna. Bluefin that go over 200 pounds, caught on 1.5 to 3-day trips. Peak season is June through August, but San Diego boats land tuna year-round because of the mild climate and proximity to offshore banks. One person on a fishing forum summed it up: “GO ON A 3 DAY TUNA TRIP OUTTA SAN DIEGO.” All caps. That person was not wrong.

The three landings:

  • H&M Landing, 2803 Emerson St, Point Loma. The oldest sportfishing operation on the West Coast. Half-day through multi-day.
  • Point Loma Sportfishing, 1403 Scott St, Point Loma. Home of the New Lo-An, which runs dedicated bluefin tuna trips.
  • Seaforth Sportfishing, 1717 Quivira Rd, Mission Bay. Biggest fleet. Half-day to 10-day trips. Also does whale watching if you bring someone who doesn’t fish.

Fishing License Quick Guide

  • Public ocean piers (Shelter Island, IB, Crystal, Oceanside, Embarcadero): no license needed
  • Shore, bay, surf fishing: state license required, $64.54/year resident, $21.09 one-day
  • Lakes: state license plus daily lake permit ($5 to $10). Lake Poway only needs the lake permit
  • Charter boats: license required, most sell them on board
  • Under 16: free everywhere
  • Buy at wildlife.ca.gov

For current reports on what’s biting, sdfish.com is the local forum. Active community, people answer questions without gatekeeping their spots (mostly), and there are enough trip reports to plan around. Check it before you go.

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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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quartyardsd (@quartyardsd) • Instagram photos and videos

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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sdgullsahl (@sdgullsahl) • Instagram photos and videos

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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