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.
Margaritaville halloween rooftop party
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Nautical Nightmares Brings a Pirate-Themed Halloween Party to Margaritaville’s Rooftop
Halloween night usually means choosing between bar-hopping downtown or hitting up a house party, but Margaritaville Hotel San Diego is offering a third option that’s...
The Forum Carlsbad Halloween Spectacular
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The Forum Carlsbad’s Halloween Spooktacular Brings the Tricks and Treats
  • The Forum Carlsbad
If you’re still mapping out your Halloween weekend plans, The Forum Carlsbad just made the decision easier. Their annual Halloween Spooktacular is coming back this...
Plaza Paseo Real's Halloween Spooktacular
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Plaza Paseo Real’s Halloween Spooktacular Is Back for Some Family-Friendly Fun
Halloween season is officially here, and Plaza Paseo Real in Carlsbad is pulling out all the stops with their annual Halloween Spooktacular. Whether you’ve got...
pumpkins
Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s October Events Blend Spooky Fun With Sophisticated Sips
Fairmont Grand Del Mar is packing October with events that run the full spectrum from agave education to kid-friendly Halloween chaos. The lineup includes Study...
San Diego Opera: Opera Uncorked
San Diego Opera’s Opera Uncorked Makes Opera Actually Approachable
San Diego Opera is bringing back Opera Uncorked, their casual series that breaks down what you’re about to see without making you feel like you...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Wine Bar san diego
Wine Girl Brings Its Instagram-Ready Wine Bar Concept to the Gaslamp
Wine Girl is finally making its way to San Diego after building a solid following in Scottsdale and Napa Valley, opening in the Gaslamp in...
Nerissa Sounds Jazz Brunch Cruise
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Nerissa Sounds Brings Jazz Brunch to San Diego Bay
There’s something about September in San Diego that makes dining outdoors feel essential, and the husband-and-wife team behind Zolna Yachts gets it. Shari and Amos...
Grass Skirt Annual Tiki Luau
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The Grass Skirt’s Tiki Luau Returns With All-Inclusive Island Vibes
  • The Grass Skirt
The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach is bringing back their signature summer send-off with an all-inclusive tropical celebration that’s become a local tradition. This eighth...
Aldea La Jolla
Guide to the Best Restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy Neighborhood
In this guide, we share the best restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood for every occasion—whether you want to grab a quick coffee and...
Upcoming Events
Festival Atmosphere at the Field of Dreamz Festival in Petco Park
Get Ready for the Inaugural Field of Dreamz Festival at Petco Park
June 13, 2026
3:30 pm
  • Petco Park – Padres Stadium
San Diego’s own Slightly Stoopid is bringing their inaugural Field of Dreamz Festival to Petco Park, and the lineup they’ve put together for their hometown...
Arts District Liberty Station’s Summer Arts Festival is Back and It’s Free
June 13, 2026
2:00 pm
  • North Promenade
If you’re looking for a way to kick off summer in San Diego, this is a pretty good one. The Summer Arts Festival returns to...
North Park Neighborhood Bar Crawl
Grab Your Hawaiian Shirt and Hit the North Park Bar Crawl
June 13, 2026
12:00 pm
  • North Park
North Park is going tiki for a day, and the itinerary is straightforward: three neighborhood bars, one themed drink and snack at each stop, and...
Families celebrating the start of summer at San Diego Model Railroad Museum Balboa Park
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is Kicking Off Summer With a Family Day
June 13, 2026
11:00 am
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is celebrating the start of summer with a full day of family-friendly activities – and everything is included with...
firefighter challenge league san diego
US Police & Fire Championships Return to San Diego for 59th Season
June 13, 2026
8:00 am
San Diego has always had a deep connection to the men and women who serve in public safety, and every June, that connection gets a...