When the San Diego Zoo planned the renovation of Panda Ridge—the home for the newest generation of giant pandas arriving in 2024—it wasn’t just a matter of cleaning up the previous panda habitat, planting some bamboo and calling it a day. Instead, the zoo wanted to upgrade the space to reflect the r

There’s something about a photo booth that just hits different. Maybe it’s the flash, the grain, or the split-second moment you decide: pose or no pose? Whether it’s a first date or a reason to celebrate something small, these little boxes of nostalgia let you be the star—no velvet rope, just the oc

Planning a visit to the charming coastal city of Encinitas? You've chosen one of San Diego County's most enchanting destinations, where stunning beaches meet vibrant community culture. Whether you're seeking a romantic weekend retreat, a family vacation, or a solo adventure along California's coast,

When the Mexico City–inspired cocktail bar Roma Norte opened last July, it aimed to be a game-changer in San Diego’s drinks space. And for its time, it was, landing a semifinalist slot at the 2025 James Beard Awards for Best Bar and a spot as our critic’s pick for Best Bar, to boot. But Roma Norte d

From sun-soaked beaches to towering stacks of books, San Diego offers no shortage of places to get wonderfully lost. While card catalogs and call numbers may be a thing of the past, the city’s libraries remain true gems—welcoming spaces to escape, explore, and discover something new, all for free. H

The dog days of summer have technically passed, but with plenty of toasty days on the way, consider spending some time outside this weekend. Bike the Bay offers a morning cycle around the San Diego Bay and over the Coronado Bridge, and the Padres will take on the Dodgers in a three-game grudge match

A cheap, hearty meal can be hard to come by these days—yet the nostalgic greasy spoon stands as a reliable source of low-cost bites and salty fries for generations of San Diegans. Sadly, the past year bore witness to the loss of two beloved spots: Lucky’s Golden Phenix in North Park and Perry’s Cafe

When the filmmaker Cameron Crowe needed a stadium to look like it was from the 1970s for his 2000 movie Almost Famous, he turned to his hometown. He filmed the scene in which protagonist William Miller meets the rock band Stillwater for the first time at Sports Arena Stadium (now called Pechanga Are

In vino veritas translates to “in wine, there is truth.” Basically, “If I’m drinking, I’m going to say what’s on my mind,” and yes, it’s just one line delivered by Doc Holliday in the endlessly quotable 1993 classic Western film Tombstone.  Unless you want to be irritated by my enthusiasm for reciti

When 11-year-old metal guitarist Russell Watson starts holding bandmate auditions, there are going to be some ground rules. “I don’t want an old teenager with a beard who is just trying to get a job,” he says. “I’m a single dude who does single music. I don’t have a band yet, but I really want to fi

Finding forever friends can be a lot like dating—if not harder, since there are few platonic equivalents for “I think you’re a hottie; can I take you out sometime?” You’re looking for a person who just gets you, who makes you feel safe to be yourself. Someone you can laugh and dream and travel and e

It may be Liza Tsolirides and Brooke Saunders’ first time as restaurant owners, but it’s hardly a new gig for the space they’re taking over. J-K’s Greek Cafe first opened in La Mesa about 40 years ago, offering standard Greek dishes like gyros, salads, and the like. But since closing its doors in 20

Women’s sports are having a moment across the nation. Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese are dominating the WNBA, the US women’s Olympic gymnastics team earned 10 medals at last year’s Paris Games, and American swimmer Katie Ledecky continues to smash records

I’m on all fours in a dark room, throat tight, body heaving, panting like an animal. My hair sticks to my sweat-soaked face, covering my eyes. All around me, like a scene from some ancient pagan ritual, women howl, curse, bawl, their bodies shaking in feral agitation. This is RAGEher, and we’re only

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:30 PM, changemakers from across San Diego will gather to celebrate women’s strength, resilience, and progress at Empowered WE Rise, the annual, signature fundraiser for Women’s Empowerment International (WE). This afternoon event will take place at Joya

We did it. We made it to summer. After a seemingly indefinite hiatus, the sun has made like Blink-182 and returned to rocking. Later, seasonal depression! And hello, boat rides and base tans. Now that June Gloom is in the rearview mirror, it’s time visit your favorite rooftop bar and grab a cold one

Slip into the moment: You’re strolling through Surf Sports Park in the fall outfit you’ve been dying to wear, maybe even snagging some handmade jewelry with rare natural gemstones from Timka Jewelry while sipping locally made hard kombucha and snacking on Michelin-starred must-try meals from San Die

The small, coastal community of Solana Beach just north of Del Mar is best known for its arts scene with the Cedros Design District along with local boutiques, beautiful art galleries, and beachside restaurants all sitting along 1.7 miles of coastline. The walkable neighborhood is filled with plenty

This weekend’s slate of events includes enchanting concerts, championship sports tournaments, and lots and lots of lemons. Live music fans can catch the mesmerizing spectacle of Auraforms (Friday), the culinary-minded concerto of Tasting Notes (Thursday), and the spellbinding sounds of Cynthia Erivo

When the sky catches fire with oranges, yellows, and deep purples, there’s no better place to end your day than the deck behind Dean and Monica Meredith’s Del Mar home. As the sun dips into the sea, with a green flash if you’re lucky, you can cast your gaze from the Del Mar Fairgrounds to the edge o