Arts

Two black and white photos of philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps; the left one shows her holding a book, while the right photo is a close-up of her in her younger years.
History
6 amazing women who helped shape the San Diego Natural History Museum
The Nat’s 150-year-old foundation is solid — thanks in part to these women.
March 01, 2024 06:53 PM
 · 
Monica Garske
A grassy green hill at Kate Sessions Park overlooking Mission Bay, with many people picnicking and sitting on the grass.
Culture
How to spend your 24 extra Leap Day hours in San Diego
Start your day off with good, local coffee, head to the beach, go on a hike, peruse the city’s marvelous murals — seize the Leap Day, SD.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Geisel Library UC San Diego
History
6 ways to see Dr. Seuss’ influence in San Diego
The iconic author lived in La Jolla from 1948 until his death in 1991 — but his local legacy lives on.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
The grandstand stage at the San Diego County Fair with the ferris wheel and other rides in the background.
Music
San Diego County Fair unveils Grandstand Stage lineup for summer 2024
The fair — which returns June 12-July 7 — will boast headliners like Ludacris, Jay Leno, Pepe Aguilar, and TLC.
February 21, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A view of the San Diego Air and Space Museum with an airplane flying above in Balboa Park
Play
Live and learn: Museums in San Diego
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or science fan, these 28 museums in San Diego have it all.
February 19, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Drapes and construction signs cover the new Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in Liberty Station; signs wrapped around the site show renderings of the vision for the venue.
Development
It’s showtime: New performing arts center coming to Arts District Liberty Station in 2025
The landmark’s historic Naval Building 178 will become the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center — the future permanent home of Cygnet Theatre.
February 12, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD UCSD Sojourner Truth statue
History
Honoring Black history in San Diego
From murals and public artworks to museums and cultural centers, local Black history is all around us.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A dark room at the WNDR Museum San Diego displays the "INSIDEOUT" exhibition featuring structure surrounded by glowing lights.
Arts
San Diego Museum Month returns — here’s what’s new
The 35th annual celebration of SD’s arts and culture scene will offer half-off admission at 70+ participating cultural attractions Feb. 1-Feb. 29, 2024.
January 29, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
High surf waves crashing on the Ocean Beach Pier, causing some damage to the pier's railing with the OB Pier Cafe in the background.
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
And the winner is...
January 22, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
The tan exterior of Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego with it Spanish Colonial style architecture and people walking in the foreground.
Arts
Downtown San Diego’s Balboa Theatre turns 100 in 2024
The historic venue on Fourth Avenue debuted in March 1924 as a vaudeville and movie theater.
January 19, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
ODESZA performs at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre with DJ tables and glowing blue lights.
Entertainment
24 San Diego concerts we’re excited to see in 2024
These shows prove that San Diego is a great city for live music, and they’re just a sample of the shows coming this year.
January 17, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
The OB Playhouse stage with red lighting set up for "The Rocky Horror Show."
Arts
The OB Playhouse will remain open after announcing its closure
The local theater signed a new, three-year lease thanks to community support, with a new production coming this month.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD San Diego Natural History Museum
Culture
Museum milestone: The Nat celebrates 150th anniversary in San Diego in 2024
The museum in Balboa Park will debut a new exhibit, plant garden, film, and special events to ring in the milestone throughout 2024.
January 11, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
MLK promenade in the Gaslamp Quarter.
City
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in San Diego
Where to remember the civil rights leader and event to observe MLK Day
January 9, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD You Can Do Almost Anything Andy Arkley WNDR Museum San Diego
Arts
Cool art exhibitions to explore in San Diego in 2024
The local art scene is drawing us in, that’s for sure.
January 5, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Twiggs Coffee SDtoday
Business
Longtime businesses that closed in 2023
These beloved businesses served San Diego for 10+ years but no longer exist in 2024.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Downtown San Diego Garske
Events
Save the Dates: Big events coming to San Diego in 2024
From soccer and baseball to the San Diego County Fair, Pride and superheroes, 2024 is shaping up to be a mighty eventful year in America’s Finest City.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Gaslamp quarter sign with cloudy sky in the background.
Culture
Try this: SDtoday’s Picture of the Year contest
We’re commemorating 2023 the best way we know how — highlighting local photos through our SDtoday Picture of the Year contest.
January 2, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
SD San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance capybara pups 2023
Culture
SDtoday’s most-clicked stories and Instagram posts of 2023
Fireworks. Hiking. Kid-friendly activities. Capybaras. Festive events. Dang, you’re dynamic, SD.
December 20, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
WorldBeat Cultural Center Mural and sign
Events
Kwanzaa 2023 celebrations and events
These local events study the seven principles of Kwanzaa and celebrate family, community, and history.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Queen Bee's Arts and Cultural Center North Park
Arts
Business Buzz: Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center in North Park celebrates 15th anniversary
The venue at 3925 Ohio St. hosts all kinds of art forms year-round — from live music and poetry to dance lessons and its beloved Beatles Fair.
December 8, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
San Diego Zoo entrance
Culture
10 local experiences you can give as holiday gifts
If you don’t want to give a thing, share your love of San Diego with fun, educational, and romantic experiences.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Zoo 2024 Rose Parade Float Rendering
Nonprofits
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance preps for 2024 Rose Parade
The organization will tell its story on a float with an ‘It Began With a Roar’ theme.
November 28, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Feeding San Diego volunteers
Play
45 volunteer opportunities in San Diego
This list includes everything from helping the hungry and mentoring local youth to helping animals and cleaning up local beaches.
November 27, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Mount Rushmore of San Diego celebrities
Culture
Mount Rushmore of San Diego celebrities: Winners
SDtoday readers voted on four familiar faces etched into San Diego’s collective memory.
November 24, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD December Nights San Diego Balboa Park
Festivals
Your guide to December Nights 2023 at Balboa Park
Balboa Park’s biggest event of the year returns Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, with merrymaking opportunities aplenty.
November 20, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Larry Raben as Grandpa Who, Bets Malone as Grandma Who, Katie Sapper as Mama Who, and Kevin Hafso Koppman as Papa Who in Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 2019. Photo by Jim Cox.
Events
Live plays and performances in San Diego for the 2023 holiday season
We’re giving you the gift of live entertainment — score tickets to plays, ballets, concerts, and more.
November 15, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Pacific Rim Walk Shelter Island
Culture
Pacific Rim Park Friendship Walk set to return to Shelter Island
The celebration of cultural diversity and community takes place this Sunday, Nov. 19, from Shoreline Park to Pearl of the Pacific Park.
November 14, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
A rendering of the new gateway sign in Point Loma
City
Point Loma reveals renderings of its new gateway sign
The instillation will welcome visitors at the intersection of Lytton and Rosecrans streets.
November 9, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD San Diego Made Holiday Market
Small Business
Preview: The return of San Diego Made Holiday Market
This year’s event features 120+ local makers uniting at Julep — just north of Little Italy — on Saturday, Nov. 18 + Sunday, Nov. 19.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Jungle Bells SD Zoo
Play
75+ festive, seasonal events happening in San Diego County in 2023
There’s a whole lot of jolly to be had — check out our guide to fun, festive events in San Diego this holiday and winter season.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
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