The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of September 28, 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.
Tower 16 CoWork
Tower 16 CoWork Opens Flagship Location in Encinitas
Tower 16 CoWork just opened its flagship coworking space in Encinitas, and if you’re tired of working from coffee shops or your kitchen table but...
Birch Aquarium Meditation Ocean
Birch Aquarium Opens Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base
Birch Aquarium at Scripps just opened Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base, and if you’ve been looking for something that blends art, science, and actual meditation...
Gaslamp Pet Parade
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Santa Paws Brings the Gaslamp Pet Parade Back for the Holidays
If you’ve been waiting all year to dress your pet in a ridiculous holiday outfit and parade them through downtown San Diego, December 13 is...
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Third Avenue Transforms for the Annual Starlight Parade and Tree Lighting
The Starlight Parade is back for its 61st year, and it’s the kind of tradition that draws thousands for good reason. Third Avenue transforms into...
Feather Joe Welcomes You To Father Joe's 21st Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K!
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Run, Walk, or Trot for a Cause at Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving 5K
  • Balboa Park
Event to reunite San Diego community for a lively family and dog-friendly run and post-race festival
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Surfin’ Santa Swaps His Sleigh for a Surfboard at Seaport Village
Santa’s trading his sleigh for a surfboard again, and honestly, it makes way more sense for San Diego. Surfin’ Santa returns to Seaport Village, delivering...
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Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll Returns for Its 9th Year
The Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll is back and ready to kick off the holiday season the right way. This neighborhood tradition returns Saturday, November 29,...
Liberty Station Tree Lighting Ceremony at 2022 Salute The Season
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Liberty Station Kicks Off Salute the Season With the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Liberty Station
Mark your calendars for the kick-off of the holiday season at the 2025 Salute the Season main event, the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony! Gather your...
Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort
Lakehouse Resort Transforms Into North County’s Ultimate Winter Paradise
Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort is turning San Marcos into one of North County’s premier holiday destinations. From twinkling lights reflecting off Lake San Marcos...
Getting To December Nights Tips At Balboa Park
6 Tips to Help You Beat the Traffic at December Nights
It’s no secret that the holiday spectacular of December Nights at Balboa Park attracts huge crowds of merry seekers every year, and this year’s event,...
December Nights At Balboa Park Is Back For 2022!
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Kick Off the Holiday Season at December Nights in Balboa Park
  • Balboa Park
The City of San Diego’s annual holiday festival, December Nights, is just around the corner! There is no bigger or better way to fully immerse...
Sparks Gallery
Sparks Gallery Showcases Art Inspired by James Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael
Sparks Gallery is now showing Power of Place: Inspirations from Ilan-Lael, an exhibition featuring work from local artists who spent time at the home and...
San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
12 Things to Do for the Holidays That are Uniquely San Diego
While the holiday season in San Diego may not be your typical winter landscape, there’s plenty of festive fun to be had in our slice...
guide to Winter Getaway to Park City for San Diego travelers
Escapes: Your Guide to a Winter Getaway to Park City
When the snow starts to fall, few places can match the magic of Park City, Utah. With its world-class skiing, charming Main Street, and luxurious...
San Diego Road Trips - Idyllwild
Escapes: Your Guide to a Perfect Idyllwild Getaway
One of the best things about living in San Diego is the variety of amazing places to visit that are just a few hour road...
ski resorts near san diego
Hit the Slopes! 7 Ski Resorts an Easy Drive From San Diego
Ski season is here! That may come as a shock to those of you that would prefer to pretend that snow doesn’t exist, but for...
Winter in San Diego
7 Ways to Experience Winter in San Diego
Many people, particularly those who have never lived here, will say that San Diego doesn’t have a ‘winter.’ But it does! Winter in San Diego...
Parkway Plaza Holiday Programming
Parkway Plaza Kicks Off Holiday Season With Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival
Parkway Plaza is launching its holiday programming with a Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Arrival, and they’re going bigger than just flipping a switch and...
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Encinitas Holiday Street Fair Returns With 450+ Vendors
The Encinitas Holiday Street Fair takes over Coast Highway 101 this Sunday, and if you’re trying to knock out holiday shopping while avoiding the mall,...
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Doggie Street Festival Takes Over Liberty Station
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to spend Saturday with your dog doing something more exciting than the usual park loop, the Doggie Street...
Violent Femmes in Del Mar
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Violent Femmes Kick Off 45th Anniversary Tour in Del Mar
Violent Femmes are hitting the road to celebrate 45 years of making music that doesn’t fit neatly into any category, and the West Coast tour...
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Brings 40 Years of Holiday Tradition to San Diego
Some holiday traditions earn their place on the calendar year after year, and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas is one of them. For over 40 years, Grammy...
Europa Village holiday programming
Europa Village Brings European Holiday Magic to Temecula Wine Country
Europa Village is going all-in on holiday programming this year, and if you’re looking for an excuse to drive up to Temecula for something beyond...
lions tigers and bears
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Lions Tigers & Bears Hosts Winter Livestream Fundraiser
  • Virtual Event
Lions Tigers & Bears, Southern California‘s only accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, is hosting a Winter Livestream Fundraiser with a goal of raising $10,000...
Upcoming Events
Natsu Nights summer night market series at Japanese Friendship Garden
Spend a Summer Evening at the Japanese Friendship Garden During Natsu Nights
June 27, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum in Balboa Park is hosting Natsu Nights, a summer night market series that transforms the garden into something a...
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Open the Symphony Season Under the Stars at the Rady Shell
June 26, 2026
7:30 pm
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
The San Diego Symphony's summer season kicks off at The Rady Shell with a sweeping program lead by Rafael Payare.
An Exciting Opening Night at the Sawdust Art Festival
Celebrate 60 Years of Creativity at the Sawdust Art Festival This Summer
June 26, 2026
11:00 am
One of Southern California’s most enduring creative traditions is marking a major milestone this summer. The Sawdust Art Festival turns 60 in 2026, and if...
DJ Quik
DJ Quik Brings West Coast G-Funk to North Park
June 25, 2026
8:00 pm
  • The Observatory North Park
DJ Quik brings his live musicianship to The Observatory North Park. Discover his journey in hip-hop and G-funk music.
Watch Moulin Rouge on the Big Screen at the San Diego Museum of Art
June 25, 2026
7:00 pm
  • San Diego Museum of Art
The Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art is hosting a special film screening of John Huston’s classic 1952 film Moulin...