Arts

Balboa Park
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15+ of the top free things to do in San Diego
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in San Diego, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
September 19, 2025 06:44 PM
 · 
Monica Garske
A photo of a little girl in a green dress taken by artist Lisa Ross for an art exhibition in San Diego.
Arts
What’s on at the San Diego Museum of Art?
These three exhibitions span contemporary photo and visual arts — and mark some firsts for the artists.
December 9, 2022
 · 
Monica Garske
"Aurora" in Red and Green
Arts
Details on Little Italy’s ‘Aurora’ Christmas display.
Joshua Hubert’s seasonal piece returns to Piazza Basilone.
December 6, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Liberty Station postcard mural
Arts
Liberty Station adds new postcard mural
Look behind the “Greetings from US Naval Training Station” mural.
November 18, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Lightscape SD 2022
Arts
Lightscape 2022 debuts at San Diego Botanic Garden
One million lights line a 1-mile trail, twinkling to holiday tunes along the way.
November 17, 2022
 · 
Monica Garske
Helen Woodward Fall Camp SD
Culture
Thanksgiving Break camps for the kids
These daytime outings on Monday, Nov. 21-Wednesday, Nov. 23, will keep your little critters busy while they’re out of school.
November 11, 2022
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Monica Garske
Chloe Becky's art for the Southeastern Live Well Center
Arts
Southeastern Live Well Center previews its local art display
14 artists have been selected to contribute to the new facility
November 10, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Andrew Polec as The Grinch + Tommy Martinez as Young Max in "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!," 2021
Arts
Live plays + performances in San Diego for the 2022 holiday season
We’re giving you the gift of live entertainment.
November 10, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Breathing Room New Children's Museum
Arts
The New Children’s Museum receives funding from U.S. Bank
The three-year grant will support access to the museum.
November 2, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Outside of The Lot Theater
Arts
5 luxury movie theaters in San Diego
Get treated like a star while watching the stars.
November 2, 2022
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Pinatas exhibition Mingei Museum San Diego
Arts
Mingei Museum to unveil new exhibition all about piñatas
The display features 80+ works made by Latinx artists
October 24, 2022
 · 
Monica Garske
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Photo of the San Diego skyline at sunset with San Diego Bay in front.
Real Estate
2024 San Diego real estate market predictions
Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst for Realtor.com, helps us understand why the local housing market remains so hot.
January 26, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Graphics from SDtoday featuring a photo of Erik Fowler, executive director of San Diego Brewers Guild.
Small Business
Capital of Craft: 11 questions with Erik Fowler, executive director of the San Diego Brewers Guild
We tap into how SD’s craft brewing scene has grown — and where it’s headed as the mature, experienced, and renowned beer mecca.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A crew of city workers cleans up a flooded street scattered with debris in the aftermath of the devastating storm in San Diego in January 2024.
City
Storm aftermath: How to Help San Diegans
Here are ways to help fellow San Diegans impacted by the devastation of the storm on Jan. 22, 2024.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Parked cars on a rainy San Diego street by a traffic light. Water is rising in a bank next to the street.
Weather
San Diego’s State of Emergency explained
What does this mean for locals and why are the emergencies issued after the storms have passed?
January 24, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
A graphic with cartoon candy hearts that have different gift categories written inside, like "Home Goods" and "Books."
Retail
The best Valentine’s Day gifts for 2024
Shop Valentine’s Day chocolates, couple’s games, cookware, candles, and fuzzy socks to spread the love.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Vagney Hampshire
Roman Wolves pastas.jpg
Play
New and coming-soon restaurants in San Diego
Dining in San Diego is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
January 23, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
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
Asand transportation pipeline and orange mesh fencing on Solana Beach.
Development
Solana Beach and Encinitas begin 50-year beach replenishment project
The $32 million initiative aims to repair storm damage and address erosion that could lead to bluffs collapsing.
January 22, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Hiking at Mission Trails in San Diego
Culture
Walking trends in San Diego
Average daily walking trips dropped by 36% in the US between 2019 and 2022 — see how San Diego compares.
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