The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink – Week of May 18, 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.
San Diego French Film Festival
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The San Diego French Film Festival Celebrates Love Through Cinema
  • THE LOT La Jolla
The San Diego French Film Festival is back for its fifth edition, bringing the best of French and francophone cinema to THE LOT La Jolla....
La Valencia's Spring Tea
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La Valencia Hotel’s Award-Winning Spring Tea Returns
  • La Valencia Hotel
The arrival of spring means the return of La Valencia’s Spring Tea, an elegant seasonal tradition set against the stunning Pacific Ocean views of the...
El Chingon’s Foolish Feast
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El Chingon’s Foolish Feast: An April Fools’ Day Challenge Like No Other
  • El Chingon
Think you have what it takes to conquer El Chingon’s Foolish Feast? San Diego’s “Bad Ass Mexican” hotspot is serving up an outrageous platter of...
Write Out Loud The Valley of Shadows
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Step Into the Past With The Valley of Shadows at Villa Montezuma
Experience history, literature, and music come to life inside Villa Montezuma, San Diego’s grand Victorian “Palace of the Arts.” Write Out Loud presents The Valley...
Wellness Weekend at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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Wellness Weekend at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
  • The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa
Escape the noise and reconnect with yourself at Wellness Weekend, a transformative retreat at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Designed to nurture the mind,...
Camino Books
Camino Books Finds a New Home at Del Mar Plaza
Exciting news for book lovers—Camino Books, a beloved independent bookstore in Del Mar, is moving to a brand-new home at Del Mar Plaza. Known for...
Starlite San Diego
Starlite Returns: A Reimagined Icon in San Diego
After nearly two decades as an iconic bar and restaurant in San Diego, Starlite is back with a refreshed design, expanded kitchen, and the same...
The Bower Coronado
The Bower Brings a New Era of Luxury to Coronado Island
Now open, The Bower Coronado is a refined boutique retreat in San Diego County, offering an intimate 39-room escape where wabi-sabi minimalism meets California coastal...
native plants on San Diego’s ecosystems
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Join The Nat’s Spring Planting Party and Support Local Ecosystems
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
Join The Nat’s Spring Planting Party and be part of a hands-on effort to restore native plants in San Diego’s ecosystems. This community event invites...
Mission Trails Regional Park expansion
Mission Trails Regional Park Expands With 53-Acre Land Donation
Mission Trails Regional Park is growing once again! Thanks to a major land donation from the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation, the park has...
Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Birch Aquarium Joins the Fight to Save the Endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Birch Aquarium is taking a leap forward in frog conservation, working to protect the endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, a species with fewer than 200 adults...
Reasons to Visit Liberty Station
17 Things to Explore at Liberty Station
Ah, don’t you just love it when the #perfectday itinerary falls right into your lap? Whether you’re with your ride-or-die, going solo, or with kids...
Veranda at Hotel del Coronado
Veranda at Hotel del Coronado Brings a Fresh Take on Oceanfront Dining
Hotel del Coronado is introducing a stunning new oceanfront dining experience with Veranda, set to open in April 2025. Taking over the space formerly known...
The Kitchen at MCASD in La Jolla
Urban Kitchen Group Introduces New Chefs and Seasonal Dinner at The Kitchen at MCASD
The Kitchen at MCASD in La Jolla is ushering in a fresh chapter with the addition of two powerhouse chefs and the return of its...
Tavolo Tasting Tour
Tavolo Tasting Tours Return for an Exclusive Culinary Journey
Tavolo Tasting Tours are back for a limited time this spring, offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes experience at Little Italy’s Busalacchi Restaurants. Led by Joe Busalacchi...
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival 2025
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Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival Returns to San Diego
The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival is gearing up to take over the San Diego waterfront with a three-day celebration of music, art, and culture....
Yappy Hour at Town and Country Resort
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Yappy Hour at Town and Country Resort: A National Puppy Day Celebration
  • Town and Country San Diego
Celebrate National Puppy Day in the best way possible—Yappy Hour at Town and Country Resort! Bring your pup and enjoy a fun-filled evening at Monkey...
2025 Mustache Bash San Diego
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The Mustache Bash Brings Funk and Disco to San Diego
Get ready to groove—The Mustache Bash, America’s largest ‘70s-themed disco festival, is back in San Diego and it’s bigger and funkier than ever. After four...
Vintage Spring Market Oceanside
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Vintage Spring Market Brings a Must-Visit Outdoor Market to Oceanside
Roll up your sleeves for a day of treasure hunting at the Vintage Spring Market, a vibrant outdoor market in Oceanside hosted by Oceanside Antiques...
2025 Forging Futures Gala
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Support Veteran Career Training at the Forging Futures Gala
  • USS Midway Museum
The Forging Futures Gala returns, bringing together community leaders, military supporters, and industry professionals for an unforgettable evening aboard the USS Midway Museum. Hosted by...
University Avenue Business Relief Fund
City Heights Businesses Need Your Support During Construction Delays
Local businesses along University Avenue are struggling due to ongoing construction delays, but the University Avenue Business Relief Fund and Shop Local Passport Program are...
House Of Ireland Lawn Program
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Celebrate Irish Culture at the House of Ireland Lawn Program
Get ready for a lively day of Irish culture, music, and delicious bites at the House of Ireland Lawn Program in Balboa Park! This annual...
Transmigration by La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
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Experience “Transmigration” – A Journey Through American History Through Music
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is bringing history to life through sound with “Transmigration,” a moving concert at Mandeville Auditorium. Led by guest conductor...
Lana Solana Beach
Lana in Solana Beach Brings Coastal Elegance to Highway 101
A new dining gem is coming to Highway 101 as Lana in Solana Beach prepares to open in late spring 2025. Founded by industry veterans...
Upcoming Events
Doggie Street Festival Takes Over Liberty Station
November 22, 2025
10:00 am
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...
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Brings 40 Years of Holiday Tradition to San Diego
November 21, 2025
7:30 pm
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...
lions tigers and bears
Lions Tigers & Bears Hosts Winter Livestream Fundraiser
November 20, 2025
10:00 am
  • 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...
Floating Sound Bath by the Marina 
Float Into Harmony With a Sound Bath at Sheraton San Diego Resort
November 15, 2025
4:00 pm
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE EXPECTED WEATHER. Sheraton San Diego Resort is offering something that goes beyond your typical hotel wellness class...
USA Pickleball National Championships
USA Pickleball National Championships Take Over Barnes Tennis Center
November 15, 2025
4:00 pm
USA Pickleball is bringing its National Championships to Barnes Tennis Center for nine days of elite competition, and if you’ve been watching pickleball’s meteoric rise...