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.
San Diego Spirits Festival
All done
Treat Yourself to 60+ Spirits Brands Above the La Jolla Coast
  • Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
San Diego Spirits Festival will be held at the newly-renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.
Oceanside Museum of Art Changing Terrain: Regional Artists Interpret Our Landscape
See Southern California and Baja Through 60 Artists’ Eyes in Oceanside
Experience the Changing Terrain exhibition featuring diverse voices from regional artists discussing the evolution of our landscape.
Comedy After Dark Pendry San Diego
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Catch Laura Peek, Dan Donohue, and Dean Delray at Comedy After Dark
  • Pendry San Diego
Camden Hall at Pendry San Diego is pulling off something very fun: a proper comedy night with a lineup that actually delivers. Laura Peek, Dan...
Upcoming
Wander the Island One Bite at a Time at Taste of Coronado
  • Coronado Ferry Landing
  • Coronado Island
The Coronado Junior Woman’s Club is bringing back the 17th Annual A Taste of Coronado, and this year, it’s about a lot more than just...
Oceanside Shock hockey team
Cheer on the Oceanside Shock at Frontwave Arena This Fall
North County is getting a pro hockey team, and their mascot is a jellyfish. An extremely determined jellyfish. Gripping a hockey stick. Frontwave Arena just...
San Diego Symphony performing Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert
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Hear Zimmer’s Pirates Score Live on the Bay
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra is bringing Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to the big screen while performing Klaus Badelt...
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Watch Tchaikovsky’s Greatest Hits Come to Life at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
An audience favorite is back at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and this time it’s going all in on one composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky,...
Toad the Wet Sprocket at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
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Spend a Sunday Night With Toad the Wet Sprocket at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
  • Humphreys Concerts by the bay
See Toad the Wet Sprocket at Humphreys as they blend their past with present, delivering heartfelt songs about life's challenges.
Harry Potter Film Concert Series
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Head Back to Hogwarts With the San Diego Symphony at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Join the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert. Enjoy a cinematic experience like no other.
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Experience Filipino Culture Up Close at SamaFest 2026
  • Balboa Park
Samahan Arts is bringing back its 39th Annual Philippine Cultural Arts Festival, and this year it’s going big: a full two days of Filipino food,...
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean sharing the stage together
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Watch Two Country Legends Share the Stage at Petco Park
  • PETCO Park
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are bringing their co-headlining Double Down Tour 2026 to Petco Park, and this is the kind of lineup that doesn’t...
Rooftop brunch experience at The Nat
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Make Your Museum Day a Brunch Day at The Nat
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
The Nat just leveled up your Sunday plans. Between the galleries and a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views, this is quickly becoming the...
JEFF GOLDBLUM & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra The Night Blooms World Tour!
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Swing Into a Sunday Night With Jeff Goldblum at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Experience the charm of Jeff Goldblum The Rady Shell. Delve into his 30 years of jazz performance and diverse acting roles.
Bird's Eye View of Mission Bayfest
Upcoming
Mission Bayfest Returns to Mariner’s Point Park With Rebelution, Kolohe Kai & The Offspring
  • Mariners Point
Mission Bayfest is heading back to the waterfront this fall, bringing three days of reggae, rock, and SoCal vibes to Mariner’s Point Park along the...
Mt. Joy World Tour 2026
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Celebrate 10 Years of Mt. Joy on the Bay at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Do not miss the Mt. Joy World Tour 2026. Celebrate a decade of music with electrifying performances and beloved hits.
Noah Kahan: The Great Divide Tour With Special Guest Gigi Perez
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Sing Your Heart Out With Noah Kahan at Petco Park
  • PETCO Park
Celebrate music and connection at Noah Kahan's The Great Divide Tour. His heartfelt songs will fill Petco Park with energy.
University Heights Summer Mixer at Park & Rec
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Come Hang Out at the University Heights Summer Mixer
  • Park & Rec
University Heights is getting together for its annual Summer Mixer, and honestly, there’s no better excuse to trade the couch for a night out with...
Corkfire restaurant at Temecula Creek Inn
Get a Taste of Wine Country’s New Live-Fire Menu at Temecula Creek Inn
Temecula Creek Inn just opened a new chapter in wine country dining, and it’s the kind of update that makes you want to clear your...
San Diego Sake Festival
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Enjoy 100 Sakes at the 10th Annual San Diego Sake Festival
  • Julep Venue
Experience the San Diego Sake Festival with more than 100 top sakes, food options, and knowledgeable brewers to guide your tasting.
new restaurants San Diego 2026
New Restaurants Opening in San Diego in 2026
San Diego is having a year. 2026 is tracking toward 90+ restaurant and bar openings across the county – from nationally recognized names planting flags...
Upcoming
Celebrate Día de los Muertos With Unlimited Tacos at SDMA’s Taco Party
  • San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art is throwing a taco party in its sculpture garden, and honestly, it’s one of the most fun things on...
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Hunt for Rare Finds at the Inaugural Frontwave Arena Collectibles Expo
If you’re a collector of pretty much anything – sports cards, Pokémon, TCG, memorabilia – this is a big one. Frontwave Arena is hosting the...
Wild Tide
Meet Wild Tide, the Hard Ginger Beer Making Waves in San Diego
If you’ve been reaching for hard seltzers out of habit but wishing they tasted like something, Wild Tide might be exactly what you’ve been looking...
lemon festival chula vista
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Celebrate Chula Vista’s Lemon Heritage at the 29th Annual Lemon Festival
  • Downtown Chula Vista
  • Third Avenue Village
Downtown Chula Vista has a fun one coming up. The 29th Annual Lemon Festival takes over Third Avenue for a full day of lemon-inspired food...
Upcoming Events
A festive afternoon at Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Festival
Taste Your Way Through Oishii Japanese Food & Sake Fest
October 4, 2026
12:00 pm
  • 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...
Local shops lit up for South Park Walkabout
Stroll Into Fall at South Park’s Walkabout
October 3, 2026
5:00 pm
  • South Park
South Park is throwing open its doors for a Fall Walkabout, a free community event where local shops, restaurants, and pubs stay open late for...
Catch Live Country, BBQ, and Chain Stitching at The Loma Club
October 3, 2026
5:00 pm
  • The Loma Club
Discover the unique blend of country music and golf at the Loma Club Country Fest. Enjoy free live entertainment and great food.
North Park Book Fair
Browse Rare Books and Enter a Costume Contest at the North Park Book Fair
October 3, 2026
10:00 am
  • North Park
Experience the vibrant North Park Book Fair with vendors, a costume contest, and endless bookish delights. Admission is free!
A moment of remembrance at Wings Over Big Bear
Celebrate Jackie’s Legacy at Wings Over Big Bear
October 3, 2026
10:00 am
Following the loss of Jackie, the bald eagle whose Big Bear nest captivated millions of viewers worldwide, the Big Bear community is coming together to...