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.
Yokai Masquerade
Upcoming
Spend Halloween Night With the Yokai at Japanese Friendship Garden
  • Japanese Friendship Garden
Celebrate Halloween at the Yokai Masquerade. Dress as your favorite Yokai and enjoy a night of fun, performances, and folklore.
Lions Tigers & Bears celebrating fall with rescued animals
Upcoming
Celebrate Spooky Season With the Animals at Lions Tigers & Bears
  • 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,...
the skyline spin oceanside beach
All done
Send Off Summer at The Skyline Spin – a Free Beachside DJ Event in Oceanside
The Mushroom Cowboy has been throwing free daytime music gatherings across the country – good sound, good coffee, no cover charge. New York, New Orleans,...
nfl football specials san diego
The Best Bars and Restaurants to Watch NFL Football in San Diego
Whether your team is on the field or you’re just here for the nachos, San Diego has plenty of places to catch the game this...
Temecula Valley Barrel Art Trail
Explore Temecula Valley’s Barrel Art Trail, Where Wine Country Meets Public Art
Someone in Temecula looked at a pile of retired wine barrels and thought: art exhibit. And honestly? Correct. The Barrel Art Trail puts 42 one-of-a-kind...
goop kitchen del mar
Dine In at Goop Kitchen’s First Sit-Down Restaurant in Del Mar
Yes, that goop. Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand just opened its first-ever dine-in restaurant at One Paseo in Del Mar, and it’s a 92-seat space she personally...
Ales N' Rails bringing craft beer and trains together
Upcoming
Get Ready for a Night of Beer and Trains at Ales N’ Rails
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Craft beer and model trains are teaming up again for Ales N’ Rails, and tickets are officially on sale. This annual evening at the San...
hotel del holiday special
Experience Hotel del Coronado’s 2026 Holiday Season – Skating, Igloos, and a Skydiving Santa
Hotel del Coronado has been doing the holidays for over 135 years, and this season’s theme – “A Holiday Through Time” – leans into exactly...
Upcoming
Raise a Stein at OB Oktoberfest’s Y2K Weekend at the Beach
  • OB Pier Parking Lot
OB Oktoberfest has been going strong for over 20 years and somehow keeps getting more unhinged, in the best way. This year it’s leaning hard...
Sake Bar Gaga hosting its latest chef collaboration dinner
All done
Get a Taste of Kettner Exchange x Sake Bar Gaga’s Latest Collaboration
Sake Bar Gaga’s Chef Collaboration Series is back for round two, and this time it’s bringing together two very different culinary worlds under one roof....
San Diego Coffee Festival
Upcoming
Enjoy Endless Coffee at the SD Coffee Festival on Broadway Pier
  • Broadway Pier
Explore the best coffee at the San Diego Coffee Festival. Sample brews from renowned roasters at Broadway Pier this fall.
La Jolla Art and Wine Festival
Upcoming
Explore Art and Wine Along the Streets of La Jolla Village
  • Downtown La Jolla
  • Girard Avenue
Experience the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival with over 170 artists showcasing fine art in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Labor Day Weekend at Campland on the Bay
Camp, Play, and Party on Mission Bay this Labor Day
Summer’s last hurrah is here, and Campland on the Bay and Mission Bay RV Resort are throwing everything they’ve got at Labor Day weekend. Between...
Crowds soaking up the creativity at Alley Cat Art Fest
All done
Wander Downtown El Cajon’s Arts District at Alley Cat Art Fest
Get ready for a day filled with art, music, and creativity at Alley Cat Art Fest. This free, open-air festival brings together the best of...
Paddle Boarding San Diego
All done
Paddle Into a Floating DJ Set at A Burn On The Bay
  • Ski Beach
Explore the scenic beauty of Mission Bay during Playa Paddle. Enjoy paddling under the sunset with DJ music and a supportive community.
Otay Ranch Town Center's Hispanic Heritage Celebration in full swing
All done
Dance the Night Away at Otay Ranch Town Center’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration
  • Otay Ranch Town Center
Otay Ranch Town Center is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month in style with its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Held at the Food Pavilion in...
CRSSD Festival Fall 2024
All done
Catch 52 Acts on the Downtown Waterfront at CRSSD Festival Fall
  • Waterfront Park
Experience the vibrant CRSSD Festival Fall featuring an exciting mix of 52 acts over the weekend in beautiful Waterfront Park.
Sunset view from Rooftop Cinema Club
Catch a Movie Under the Stars at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing its A-game to September, and this lineup is stacked: a pet-friendly Moana screening, new 2026 releases, a Halloween-ready thriller series,...
Kilowatt Brewing Partners With Local Muralists To Enhance Partitioned Patio In OB
All done
Shop Local Art at Kilowatt Brewing’s Wednesday Night Art Market
  • Kilowatt Brewing Ocean Beach
Enjoy a fantastic Wednesday at the Kilowatt Brewery night market with craft beers and original art from talented local creators.
Sunset Scripps Pier Walk
Head Outside This Fall With Birch Aquarium’s Outdoor Adventures
Take part in Birch Aquarium outdoor adventures for a chance to walk the Scripps Pier and explore the beautiful La Jolla coast.
Old Town Fiestas Patrias
All done
Make Cascarones, Watch the Parade, and Judge the Guac’ Off at Old Town’s Free Fiestas Patrias
  • Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Fiestas Patrias is back at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and this year’s lineup makes a strong case for rearranging your Saturday. The...
California Wine Month
Sip Into California Wine Month in Temecula Valley
September is when Temecula stops being a day trip you keep meaning to take and starts being the point. Harvest is on, nearly 50 wineries...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Follow Ichabod, Meet Mr. Hyde, and Do the Time Warp at the Balboa Theatre
Uncover the balboa theatre haunted happenings and enjoy a thrilling night filled with classic films and ghostly ambiance.
Punjab-inspired imagery from Rupinder Kaloti The Gathering exhibition
Discover The Gathering by Rupinder Kaloti at OMA
Oceanside Museum of Art is hosting the museum debut of Punjabi-American artist Rupinder “Rupy” Kaloti, and The Gathering is exactly the kind of show that...
Upcoming Events
Ghost Light Masquerade The Nocturne Theatre
You’re Part of the Story at Ghost Light Masquerade
October 22, 2026
7:30 pm
Discover the magic of the Ghost Light Masquerade, where audiences move among the performance in a unique Halloween tradition.
Craft beer flowing at the Lions Tigers & Bears fundraiser
Raise a Pint for Lions Tigers & Bears at TapRoom
October 20, 2026
6:00 pm
Lions Tigers & Bears is kicking off the holiday giving season with a roaring good time, and TapRoom North Park is lending a helping hand....
Otay Ranch Town Center Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breathe, Stretch & Go Pink at Otay Ranch Town Center
October 20, 2026
5:00 pm
  • Otay Ranch Town Center
Unite for a cause at the Breathe & Believe breast cancer awareness event. Enjoy yoga and community this October evening.
Celebrate the Craft festival at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Taste Southern California’s Best at Celebrate the Craft
October 18, 2026
11:30 am
  • The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Celebrate the Craft is back for its 23rd year, and honestly, it just keeps getting better. This is The Lodge at Torrey Pines’ signature culinary...
Families enjoying Harvest on the Promenade Liberty Station
Wander Through The Glowing Hollow at Harvest on the Promenade
October 18, 2026
10:00 am
  • North Promenade
A new fall tradition is coming to Liberty Station’s North Promenade with Harvest on the Promenade, a two-day festival built around five immersive family experiences,...