10 Normal-ish Things We're Looking Forward to in San Diego in 2021

America's Finest City still has so much to offer.

By Mary Beth Abate

Published on 05/01/2021 at 06:47 PM

Now that we’ve kicked 2020 to the curb, we’ve been daydreaming about what we’re going to do once COVID-19 is under control and safer-at-home orders are lifted. Of course, there’s a lot of work to be done before that happens, like continuing our routine of hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing, but with two new vaccines rolling out, there’s definitely a feeling of hope in the air. After nearly a year of lockdowns, we’re all ready to bust loose and groove to the hottest bands, chomp the spiciest tacos, and guzzle the hoppiest IPAs on the planet. Here are ten things we just can’t wait to do again in San Diego.

Checking out the latest restaurant openings

After a year of seeing COVID-19 lay waste to our restaurant community, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon with the coming launch of several new venues. Chef Claudette Zepeda of Top Chef fame is developing VAGA Restaurant and Bar at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas, award-winning chef Phillip Esteban is gearing up to launch White Rice, his first-ever concept within Liberty Public Market, and Top Chef All Stars winner Richard Blais has an as-yet unnamed project slated for the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad. Meanwhile, a Point Loma favorite, Cesarina, is expanding to include a bakery and retail pasta shop across the street from their restaurant, another Fig Tree Cafe is landing in the East Village, and acclaimed chef Travis Swikard is hoping for an early 2021 opening of his on-again, off-again solo venture, Callie. While we eagerly await their debuts, we’ll continue to enjoy our favorites from these San Diego’s icons.

Sitting at a bar, any bar

Of all the things we took for granted in the pre-COVID-19 days, none are so sweet, and so sorely missed, as the simple act of sitting down at a bar and ordering a stiff drink or a craft beer. We’re still getting boozy slushies to go from Fernside, picking up high octane milkshakes from Metl, and ordering growlers, crowlers, and bottles from Modern Times and Alesmith, of course; while we look forward to the post-COVID-19 reopenings of Sycamore Den and Starlite; and the “sometime in 2021” openings of Kingfisher’s anticipated craft cocktail program in Golden Hill, Mabel’s Gone Fishing, a gin and oyster house in North Park, and a new tasting room from Pure Project, also in North Park.

Grabbing the brass ring at Balboa Park

There’s so much we miss about Balboa Park, from the museums and galleries to climbing the California Tower to get a bird’s eye view of San Diego and beyond, but we secretly love the old timey Balboa Park Carousel situated near Spanish Village the best. While current conditions have brought it to a temporary standstill, Friends of Balboa Park seized the opportunity to push forward with a $3 million, privately funded effort to overhaul the more than 100 year old attraction. The restoration includes repainting several animals (all but two are originals) and rewiring the entire electrical system to include safer LED lighting, which also allows them to bring back several lighting fixtures that were retired due to safety concerns. The carousel is a menagerie model, meaning there are animals other than horses to ride, including a camel, cats, dogs, frogs, a dragon, a couple of giraffes, and more than a dozen others, as well as being one of the few in the country to still offer the brass ring game. We don’t know when Balboa Park will fully reopen, but when it does, the carousel will be waiting, and we’re calling dibs on the tiger.

Table hopping during San Diego Restaurant Week

Oh, how we’ve missed San Diego Restaurant Week, those eight glorious days when more than 180 destinations all over the county, from casual to special occasion, offer delicious prix fixe meals at rock bottom prices. Mark your calendars and keep your fingers crossed for an April 11-18 relaunch, and in the meantime, help keep our local restaurants afloat by ordering takeout or delivery, and of course, tipping as generously as you are able.

Partying with the nerd universe

There’s that one weekend where San Diego suddenly becomes the epicenter of insanity known as Comic Con. It’s weird, it’s fun, and we’ll admit that seeing Deadpool buying flaming hot Cheetos and a six-pack in Vons is the sort of absurdity that makes life worth living right about now. Comic Con 2021 is currently scheduled for a reasonably realistic July 21-25 time frame, so until then, we’ll eagerly await news of the Comic Con Museum in Balboa Park, also slated to open in Summer 2021.

Catching a sunset cocktail hour

With more than 70 miles of coastline and beaches that range from wide, powdery expanses to small enclaves surrounded by dunes, you’re never further than a stone’s throw from a beach bar and a cocktail, preferably when the sun dips to the horizon and the ocean takes on the glow of molten gold. Although we can’t visit temporarily shuttered favorites like Wonderland Ocean Pub or Bub’s at the Beach right now, there are still plenty of sand-and-sun watering holes that are serving to-go and delivery, from swanky spots like JRDN in Pacific Beach and Duke’s La Jolla to laid-back venues such as Cannonball and Miss B’s Coconut Club.

Listening to the San Diego Symphony Orchestra by the bay

We’ve been watching The Shell, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s brand new outdoor venue on Embarcadero Marina Park South, sit idle since COVID-19 put its July 2020 debut on hiatus until this summer. With 13,000 square feet of performance and backstage area, the new digs will be able to accommodate more elaborate productions, while the enhanced levels of seating give nearly every spot a clear view of the stage. Finest City Eats, the expanded culinary program, features local faves like Lola 55, Bread & Cie, Urban Kitchen, Biga and Blais by the Bay, an upscale pre-order dinner menu available in select sections. While we wait, we’ll have to satisfy ourselves with watching glorious sunsets from the park while streaming one of the symphony’s audio broadcasts, videos, or podcasts.

Rocking out at a live concert

Sweating it out at The Casbah, the tiny, 200-person capacity music venue in Little Italy, is a rite of passage for San Diegans, who are completely spoiled by the quality and diversity of the acts that pass through our city because of the good will and national reputation built by three guys who took a chance on creating a music venue out of an old Kettner Street beer bar called The Pink Panther back in 1986. In addition, The Casbah also produces shows in larger locations like Belly Up Tavern, House of Blues, Music Box Theatre, Spreckels Theatre and a dozen or so others. They’re optimistically booking live shows for early February, but until then we’ll tune into past concerts on their YouTube Channel and rock out in our jammies.

Eating our weight in tacos

Second only to the beer festivals that happen nearly every weekend in San Diego, we miss stuffing ourselves with dozens of tortillas filled with our favorite birrias, barbacoas, and pastors at our city’s frequent taco festivals. So far, 2021 has three of the best on the horizon, Reader Tacotopia and SoCal Taco Fest 2021 are slated for May, and the San Diego Taco and Beer Festival 2021 is booked for July, but we’re optimistic that we’ll be able to fill our bellies up with plenty of our favorites while we wait for summer to arrive.

Immersing ourselves in art

The Mission Federal Art Walk, currently scheduled for April 24-25, 2021, is one of Little Italy’s most popular events, attracting more than 300 fine artists from all over the world as well as tens of thousands of art lovers from San Diego County and beyond. Covering sixteen square blocks, artists in nearly every media type and style show and sell their works, from miniature sculptures and glass art to enormous, wall-sized paintings. It’s a perfect opportunity to purchase affordable, one-of-a-kind art while supporting local artists. We’ll prep for it by tuning into the San Diego Museum of Art’s virtual gallery experience.Sign up here for our daily San Diego email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.

Mary Beth Abate is a San Diego-based freelance writer by way of Chicago and Los Angeles. Her hobbies include yoga, pickling and fermenting stuff, reading cookbooks and drinking fabulous gin. Keep up with her experiments @MaryBeth_Abate.

San Diego

How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in San Diego

Check out female-led dance programs, pop up markets, beer dinners, and more events this March.

By michelle harris

Published on 03/03/2023 at 09:48

Photo by Bianca Quirino Photography l Courtesy of Simplemente Chingona

Women have played a huge part shaping San Diego into the city it is today. In celebration of Women’s History Month, there are a variety of events across the city that commemorate women’s contributions to our community and culture. Home to the Women’s Museum of California, which hosts events throughout the year, be sure to check out all the ways to support and honor women this month. From art exhibits to dance performances, pop-up markets and yoga, check out the best events to celebrate Women’s History Month in San Diego:

Photo courtesy of The San Diego Museum of Art

Discover works from overlooked women artists

Ongoing through November 7, 2023
Balboa Park
The San Diego Museum of Art currently has 20 modern and contemporary works of art on display from women who unjustly didn’t receive the same amount of fame as their male contemporaries. The museum’s Modern Women exhibit is your chance to see work from artists like Elaine de Kooning and Lee Krasner, who were overshadowed by artist husbands Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock but whose work has long deserved its own moment in the spotlight. The collection showcases pieces that range from acrylic paintings to photography, inviting us into an untapped artistic sphere.
Cost: $20

Practice Sun Salutations while supporting a good cause

Saturday, March 4, 10 am to 11 am
Pacific Beach
Make a difference in the lives of teen girls of colour while taking a yoga class at Kate Sessions Park. Organized by local nonprofit One Love Movement, all donations for the event go towards college scholarships for girls of the DETOUR F.A.N.C.Y. Expo & Leadership Academy, a mentorship program that promotes equity and inclusion in higher education for girls of colour. All while enjoying stunning views of Mission Bay.
Cost: Donation-based

Shop local women-owned businesses

Sunday, March 5, 1 pm to 5 pm
Middletown
What better way to celebrate the women in your community than by supporting their local businesses? The Women’s History Month Market, located in the FEMX Quarters venue, is a pop up market you don’t want to miss. The market will feature over 35 vendors from women artisans and you’ll find uniquely crafted sunglasses, jewellery, clothing, and more. The family-friendly (and pet-friendly) event will also include food and music.
Cost: Free

Drink beer crafted by female brewers on International Women’s Day

Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Escondido
Women were the original brewers of ale, after all, so it only makes sense to honour our past and present beer connoisseurs with dinner and brews. Located at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Stone International Women’s Day Beer Dinner features three courses, each paired with a tasty beer specially brewed by a team of women at Stone Brewery. The event is part of a larger global celebration for International Women’s Day, where brewers all over the world brew a speciality beer that supports The Pink Boots Society, a non profit that empowers women and non-binary people in the beer industry through scholarships and education. Grab your tickets while you can! 21+
Cost: $50-$70

Attend an exhibition celebrating female and non-binary artists

Saturday, March 11, 5:00 pm
Barrio Logan
Head over to the entertainment and community venue Corazon del Barrio and show your support to female and non-binary artists, whose art and music will be featured in the Diosa Art Show. Around 40 artists are on the bill at this all-ages event.
Cost: Free

Drink some pints for the pups

Saturday, March 11, 12 pm to 4 pm
Carmel Mountain
If you need another excuse to down some brews, Second Chance Beer Company is hosting its first ever Ladies & Pups Market for Women’s History Month. The brewery, which holds various events throughout the year, donates a percentage of its sales to animal rescue organizations in California and Arizona. The dog-friendly market will include pop ups from women-owned businesses such as Bold Bouquet, Wet Nose Pottery, and No, You Sit! Treats. For the occasion, Second Chance will serve Fistful of Gummies – Berry Edition, a rendition of their fruited sour beer created in collaboration with Pink Boots Society, an organization that supports women and non-binary individuals in the beer industry.
Cost: Free

Photo courtesy of Women's Museum of California — Photo courtesy of Women’s Museum of California

Attend a ceremony at the Women’s Museum of California

Saturday, March 18, 11 am to 1 pm
Rolando
Perhaps San Diego’s largest Women’s History Month event, the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes local women for their achievements in the community. The annual event, which takes place at Joan B. Kroc Theatre, is a project of the Women’s Museum of California, a museum dedicated to educating the public about women’s contributions through history with exhibits, programs, and events. Over 100 women have been inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame since the program was founded in 2001, and this year’s class includes notable women like activist Norma Chávez-Peterson and Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. The event includes a VIP brunch followed by the Induction Ceremony. Be sure to purchase tickets early to secure your spot.
Cost: $20-$150

Join a community of local women and get inspired

Monday, March 20, 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Miramar
The Women’s Speaker Series at Alesmith Brewing Company is a monthly community gathering where local women come together to support one another in achieving professional and personal goals. The event includes a social hour followed by a selected speaker. For this month, the Women’s Speaker Series features career coach and small business owner Laura Bashore, who will share her insight on how you can advance your career or business. Make sure to reserve your spot before attending!
Cost: Free

Come hear about the roles San Diego women played during World War II

Tuesday, March 21, 1 pm to 3 pm
Mission Valley
In the early 20th century, many women were not allowed or expected to be the breadwinners for their households, but things suddenly changed with the United States’ entry into World War II. Here’s your chance to learn about the real experiences of women who lived through WWll and how they navigated through it all. Presented by Oasis San Diego, head over to Mission Valley Library to attend this in-person event.
Cost: Free

Photo by Carly Topazio l Courtesy of The Rosin Box Project

Attend a ballet program choreographed entirely by women

Thursday, March 23 – Saturday, March 25 & Monday, March 27, 7:30 pm
Liberty Station
Experience not one but three world premiere ballet performances at The Rosin Box Project, a contemporary ballet company that works to redefine the concept of dance and how it’s experienced for both artists and audiences. To coincide with Women’s History Month, TRBP is kicking off its 2023 season with Empower, a female-led ballet program choreographed by TRBO Residents Lauren Flower, Bethany Green, and Carly Topazio. The program, which takes place at Light Box Theater, offers a fresh take on dance by pushing the boundaries of traditional ballet. Your ticket includes a post-show reception.
Cost: $45

Hear music by a little-known female early 20th-century composer

Friday, March 24, 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
Balboa Park
While you may not be familiar with composer Alice Barnett Stevenson, she played an integral part in San Diego’s music scene during the early 1900s. Stevenson was an active member of various music organizations at the time, and she composed art songs for voice and piano and performed at schools all over the country. Her home became a hub for local recitals from visiting musicians, and was also where the San Diego Symphony was founded. This month, you can hear her compositions performed live for the first time in nearly 100 years at the San Diego History Center. Selected works by Stevenson will be performed by musical scholar Katina Mitchell and pianist Yewon Lee. Be sure to reserve tickets ahead of time.
Cost: $25-$40

Listen to Black San Diego women discuss important community issues

Saturday, March 25, 12 pm to 4 pm
Valencia Park
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Friends of Malcolm X Library are hosting Ain’t I a Woman, an event featuring Black women who will be speaking about their professions and discussing the challenges faced within the workplace and the community while offering suggestions on how to further enhance and embrace equality. The event includes a Q&A panel discussion, door prizes, free raffles, as well as music, poetry, and dance. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your spot early.
Cost: Free event. Lunch purchase is $15.

Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here.

Michelle Harris is an Editorial Assistant at Thrillist. Over the years her writing has also appeared in Atlas Obscura, Mental Floss, and Audubon Magazine. When she’s not busy typing, she enjoys hiking, road trips, and cooking vegan food.