The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of October 5, 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.
Cowboy Junkies 40th Anniversary
All done
Take a Seat for Cowboy Junkies at Del Mar Fairgrounds
Cowboy Junkies bring their Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond tour to Del Mar. Experience their timeless sound live.
Same Same But Different Festival
All done
Spend Three Days at the Same Same But Different Festival on Lake Perris
Same Same But Different is back! Enjoy unforgettable music and local artists at this unique San Diego festival this weekend.
Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz Presented by Camarada, a Resident Company @ The Conrad
Upcoming
Sing Along to Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz at The Conrad
  • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
Discover a unique take on holiday music with Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz at The Conrad, showcasing jazz and seasonal favorites.
Amjad Ali Khan and sons performing together
Upcoming
Experience Confluence With La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
  • Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is opening its season in a big way, welcoming legendary sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Ayaan Ali...
Birdstock Music Festival
All done
Catch Five Free Stages, a Beer Garden, and a Dunk Tank at Birdstock in Bird Rock
Five stages. Free admission. A half-pipe with pro skaters and BMX riders. An Oktoberfest-themed beer garden. A dunk tank. The 5th Annual Birdstock Music Festival...
All done
Celebrate 30 Years of Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire
  • Mountain Vista Drive
Prost, Encinitas! The 30th Annual Encinitas Oktoberfest & Artisan Faire is back, hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce, and it’s bringing Bavarian spirit to...
Inside the dining room at Nick & G's
Get Ready for a New Era at Nick & G’s
Rancho Santa Fe institution Nick & G’s is getting a top-to-bottom renovation ahead of its 10th anniversary, and Chef/Partner Alex Carballo is leading the culinary...
USA vs. Mexico Continental Cup
All done
Catch USA vs. Mexico at the Continental Cup in Oceanside
Do not miss the excitement of the Continental Cup at Frontwave Arena, featuring USA versus Mexico in thrilling indoor soccer action.
Camarada Tango Quartet
Work Four Camarada Concerts Into Your Balboa Park Calendar
Delve into the world of the newly named SDMA Resident Artists, enriching the museum's collection through live music performances.
Swimmers taking on the challenge at Swim for SOF
All done
Cheer On Swimmers at the 6th Annual Swim for SOF
  • San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is about to host one of the city’s most inspiring athletic challenges. The Honor Foundation’s 6th Annual Swim for SOF brings together...
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Upcoming
Fly Into the Holidays With A Magical Cirque Christmas in Oceanside
Join us for a Magical Cirque Christmas oceanside, where stunning performances and holiday cheer create an unforgettable night.
North Park Book Fair
All done
Browse Rare Books and Enter a Costume Contest at the North Park Book Fair
  • North Park
Experience the vibrant North Park Book Fair with vendors, a costume contest, and endless bookish delights. Admission is free!
East Village Oktoberfest
All done
Grab a Seat and a Stein at the 10th Annual East Village Oktoberfest
  • Quartyard
Experience the 10th East Village Oktoberfest with a tight tap list and the best of Munich-style beer culture in San Diego.
A festive afternoon at Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Festival
All done
Taste Your Way Through Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
Spend the afternoon tasting your way through the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum at the Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest. From savory street food...
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...
Oktoberfest Party Cruise
Upcoming
Take Oktoberfest Out on the Water With the Mission Bay Party Cruise
  • Bahia Resort Hotel
Lederhosen is optional. A good attitude is not. The San Diego Oktoberfest Party Cruise is back for its fourth year, boarding the three-level William D....
Pirates of the Caribbean screening under the stars at Midway
Upcoming
Set Sail for Midway’s Fright Deck Halloween Party
  • USS Midway Museum
Calling all pirates, ghosts, ghouls, and creatures of the deep. This Halloween, gather your crew and step aboard the USS Midway Museum for Fright Deck:...
Live dating show chaos unfolding on stage at Love Isn't Blind San Diego
All done
Catch Love Isn’t Blind Live, Where the Men Can’t Say a Word
Tired of swiping? Check out Love Isn't Blind dating show for a hilarious night of competition and unexpected romance.
A stroll through Point Loma's new public art walk
All done
Take a Stroll Through Point Loma’s New Public Art
Point Loma Village is getting a fresh dose of color, and the whole community is invited to celebrate a bold new mural by acclaimed San...
The Dempsey's reimagined lodge exterior in Pine Hills
Meet The Dempsey, Your Stylish New Mountain Escape Near Julian
A century-old mountain lodge just outside Julian is about to feel brand new. The Dempsey opens this October in Pine Hills, transforming the historic 1912...
kids free in october
Bring the Kids to 60+ Museums Free This October – Tijuana Just Joined the Party
Sixteen years in, Kids Free in October just got its biggest upgrade yet. The San Diego Museum Council’s annual program gives kids 12 and under...
Sponsored
Justin Orr of Iron Orr Fitness
Iron Orr Fitness: The San Diego Training Philosophy Built Around Not Getting Injured
Iron Orr Fitness brings an injury-conscious approach to training, combining corrective exercise, individualized programming, and DGI philosophy to help clients make progress.
Jack White Live delivering a night of rock and roll
All done
See Jack White Bring Raw Rock Energy to The Sound
Jack White is hitting the road again, and Del Mar is getting a stop on the tour. Known for reinventing rock and roll on his...
San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival
Plan Your Four Days at the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival
Discover the magic of the San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival, where jazz bridges cultures in a vibrant four-day celebration.
Upcoming Events
Halloween at the Station
Get Your Costume Ready for Halloween at the Station
October 25, 2026
12:00 pm
  • Ingram Plaza
Liberty Station is throwing its annual Halloween bash, and it’s free, family-friendly, and packed with enough activities to fill your whole afternoon. Costumes are strongly...
Pirates of the Caribbean screening under the stars at Midway
Set Sail for Midway’s Fright Deck Halloween Party
October 24, 2026
6:00 pm
  • USS Midway Museum
Calling all pirates, ghosts, ghouls, and creatures of the deep. This Halloween, gather your crew and step aboard the USS Midway Museum for Fright Deck:...
Paddle Boarding SD Nightmare on the Bay
Paddle Mission Bay After Dark at Nightmare on the Bay
October 24, 2026
4:00 pm
  • Ski Beach
Dive into the Halloween spirit with Paddle Boarding SD's Nightmare on the Bay. Celebrate with costumed paddlers under the stars.
Amjad Ali Khan and sons performing together
Experience Confluence With La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
October 24, 2026
2:00 pm
  • Mandeville Auditorium, UC San Diego
La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is opening its season in a big way, welcoming legendary sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Ayaan Ali...
Lions Tigers & Bears celebrating fall with rescued animals
Celebrate Spooky Season With the Animals at Lions Tigers & Bears
October 23, 2026
3:00 pm
  • Lions Tigers & Bears
Alpine’s favorite exotic animal sanctuary is getting into the Halloween spirit with the return of its Spooky Campover and Pumpkin Bash. Back by popular demand,...