The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of June 1, 2026

The Craving is ThereSanDiego's weekly guide to what's worth eating and drinking in San Diego right now. Every Tuesday, we surface new restaurant openings, standout happy hours, limited-time menu specials, and upcoming food events across the city - so you know what's happening before everyone else does.
Julian Farm & Orchard Harvest Fest
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Harvest Fest at Julian Farm and Orchard Brings Fall to the Backcountry
There’s something about driving up to Julian in the fall that immediately feels different from the rest of San Diego. The air changes, the landscape...
October Means Kids Are Free at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are making October way more affordable for families by offering free admission for kids 11 and younger...
Six Great Destinations for a Fall Road Trip From San Diego
The start of fall means it’s time for a road trip from San Diego to one of our amazing regional destinations where you can get...
HalGloween
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San Diego Zoo’s HalGLOween Returns for After-Dark Adventures
  • San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is transforming into a glowing wonderland every weekend in October with HalGLOween, their after-dark event that’s been a hit with families...
shopping booths along the boulevard
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Pacific Beachfest Celebrates 26 Years of Beach Town Vibes
  • Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is throwing its biggest party of the year, and after 26 years, they’ve pretty much perfected the formula for a beach festival that...
Taste of North Park 2023
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Taste of North Park Adds First-Ever After Party With Walkabout App Integration
  • North Park Mini Park
San Diego’s favorite neighborhood food crawl is getting some upgrades this year, and honestly, they’re kind of overdue. Taste of North Park has partnered with...
san diego zoo safari park autumn festival
San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Autumn Festival Brings Fall Vibes to the Valley
The Safari Park is leaning hard into autumn every Saturday and Sunday in October with their Autumn Festival, and honestly, it’s a smart move for...
Chef Alex Carballo
Grand Restaurant Group Partners With Chef Alex Carballo to Revitalize Alejandra’s Cantina
Grand Restaurant Group just made a move that could reshape their entire portfolio by bringing Chef Alex Carballo on as Chef Partner. This isn’t just...
Encinitas Oktoberfest
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Encinitas Oktoberfest Brings Bavarian Vibes to the Coast
  • Mountain Vista Drive
Encinitas Oktoberfest 2025 is happening this weekend and we’re already planning our Sunday around bratwurst, beer gardens, and dogs in lederhosen. This 29th annual celebration...
Ilan-Lael's new weekly tours
Ilan-Lael Foundation’s Expanded Tours Open James Hubbell’s World to Us
The Ilan-Lael Foundation just made it way easier to experience James Hubbell’s incredible compound near Julian. They’ve expanded their docent-led tours through the end of...
Music Director Inon Barnatan
La Jolla Music Society Locks in Inon Barnatan Through 2030
La Jolla Music Society just announced they’re keeping Inon Barnatan as SummerFest Music Director for another five years, and honestly? Best news we’ve heard all...
Bella Vita Fest Street Chalk Art in Little Italy
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Bella Vita Fest Brings Italian Culture to Little Italy’s Streets
  • Little Italy
Bella Vita Fest 2025 is taking over Little Italy, and we’re already planning our Saturday afternoon around wine tastings and pizza slice-offs. This free festival...
Father Joe's Villages' Golf Classic
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Father Joe’s Villages Golf Classic: Swinging for San Diego’s Veterans
Father Joe’s Villages’ 5th Annual Golf Classic is happening at Grand Golf Club in Del Mar, and this tournament goes way beyond just a good...
music festival
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Same Same But Different is the Lakeside Festival Escape We Need
Same Same But Different 2025 is happening at Lake Perris, and we’re already counting down the days. This isn’t your typical massive festival experience—they cap...
La Mesa Oktoberfest
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La Mesa Village Transforms Into Bavaria for San Diego’s Ultimate Oktoberfest
  • La Mesa Village
We’ve been waiting all year for this, and it’s finally here—La Mesa Village is about to become the epicenter of San Diego’s most authentic Oktoberfest...
College Area San Diego
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Taste of College Area Returns for Year Two With Trolley Rides Between Stops
  • College Area Business District
The College Area Business District is bringing back their Taste event for a second year, and they’ve kept the one element that made last year’s...
Dmitry Shishkin
La Jolla Music Society’s October Lineup Brings Jazz Legends to The Conrad
La Jolla Music Society’s October lineup is looking absolutely incredible this year. We’ve been keeping an eye on what’s happening at The Conrad, and honestly?...
Wellness Experience at MCASD
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Breathe, Move, and Be Inspired at the Wellness Experience at MCASD
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The Wellness Experience at MCASD is happening, and honestly, this is the perfect way to ease into your weekend. Picture doing yoga with the Pacific...
Chef Jose Cepeda
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: 3 SD Chefs Leading the Way
Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the perfect excuse to spotlight the culinary leaders who are bringing authentic regional Mexican flavors to San Diego, and the...
sunset scripps pier walk
Scripps Pier Opens Its Gates for Science and Sunsets
Birch Aquarium’s Sunset Scripps Pier Walks are back, and honestly, this new guest experience might be one of the coolest ways to see La Jolla’s...
A Beer Lover’s Ultimate Guide To La Mesa Oktoberfest
Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego
Dig the lederhosen and dirndl out of the closet and grab your best stein. It’s that time of year again for the most famous German...
Best Restaurants in Old Town San Diego - Tahona
Guide to the Best Restaurants in Old Town San Diego
In this guide, we share the best restaurants in Old Town San Diego for every occasion—whether you want giant margaritas and mariachi bands, more sophisticated...
The dance floor at Bloom - one of the best nightclubs in San Diego Gaslamp.
The Best Nightclubs in San Diego: Gaslamp and Downtown
In the bustling streets of Gaslamp and Downtown San Diego, your nights are limited only by your energy and curiosity. From sports bars to speakeasies...
10 of the Best Coffee Shops in San Diego Where You Can Actually Get Work Done
Hey there, San Diego! It’s time to celebrate our favorite legal stimulant because National Coffee Day is just around the corner on September 29. So...
Upcoming Events
James Hubbell Baja tour
Explore James Hubbell’s Hidden Baja Masterpieces on This Guided Art Tour
March 7, 2026
9:00 am
There’s something special about discovering art in unexpected places, and this March, San Diegans have the chance to do exactly that. The Ilan-Lael Foundation is...
Glow in the Dark Pickleball
Dink After Dark: Glow-in-the-Dark Pickleball is Coming to Mission Bay
March 7, 2026
6:00 pm
  • San Diego Mission Bay Resort
San Diego Mission Bay Resort is bringing something a little different to the courts this March – a glow-in-the-dark pickleball round robin that’s equal parts...
St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon
17th Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-Thon at Nason’s Beer Hall
March 7, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Pendry San Diego
Nason’s Beer Hall at Pendry San Diego is hosting the 17th Annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation Shave-a-Thon, a community event that raises funds and awareness for...
Necessity Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening in North City San Marcos
March 7, 2026
7:00 am
San Marcos is getting a new go-to coffee stop. Necessity Coffee is opening its newest location in North City, and they’re celebrating with a full...
MCASD art auction
MCASD’s Art Auction Returns With 60 Works From Emerging and Established Artists
March 6, 2026
6:00 pm
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is gearing up for its biennial Art Auction, and if you’ve been looking for a way to grow...