Arts

Balboa Park
Play
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
SD Creative City arts and cultural planning process 2023
City
Creative City: help plan San Diego’s creative future
The city says its new initiative aims to help guide investments in arts and culture across local neighborhoods — and local voices are a big part of the plan.
June 15, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Comic book field in Logan Heights, San Diego
Arts
Logan Heights field transformed into comic-inspired baseball diamond
The pop art-inspired design was commissioned as part of MLB’s “Play Ball” series of events for little league-aged baseball players.
June 12, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD James Hubbell Home
Culture
Tour artist and architect James Hubbell’s famous compound in Santa Ysabel
The Ilan-Lael Foundation is offering private tours on select days through Saturday, June 17, at the family home of James and Anne Hubbell.
June 5, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
San Diego's Rady Shell concert venue in summer of 2022.
Culture
The Rady Shell’s summer 2023 concert season
The Beach Boys, Gipsy Kings, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle are among the icons set to light up the venue on San Diego Bay. 🎶
May 30, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Summer Movies in the Park 2023
Culture
Summer Movies in the Park 2023 returns across San Diego County
The free, outdoor movie series kicks off Memorial Day weekend and runs through late October.
May 24, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Fern grizzly bear atop the San Diego Automotive Museum
History
Two California grizzly bears added to the top of the San Diego Automotive Museum
The two statues are named Red and Fern and have eyes to match.
May 23, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD North Park Music Fest
Culture
Now Playing: North Park Music Fest 2023
The 2nd annual event goes down at the North Park Mini Park on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28.
May 22, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD SD Art Advisory Mission Hills
Arts
New fine art gallery debuting in Mission Hills
SD Art Advisory is spearheaded by curators Alexander Salazar and Darcy Kempton, with an eye on local and global masterpieces.
May 16, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
The mural of Ellen Ochoa at Parkway Sports and Health Science Academy
Culture
Ellen Ochoa honored in La Mesa and at San Diego State University
The La Mesa resident is depicted in a mural and is the namesake of a pavilion.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD Gator by the Bay festival
Festivals
Gator by the Bay returns to Spanish Landing Park
The beloved Louisiana-themed music fest is Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14.
May 10, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Load More
The Buy

Shop The Buy
Latest News
More from SDtoday
The interior of a Sonic the Hedgehog-themed pop-up cafe in San Diego; the walls are painted bright blue and feature characters from the Sonic video games. There's a fake palm tree in the middle of the room and gold rings hanging from the ceiling. A line of customers are waiting to order food.
Food
Gotta go fast: Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe returns to downtown San Diego
The cute pop-up eatery inspired by SEGA’s beloved video game character will stick around through Sunday, Nov. 3 — so get your Tails there, fans.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A fake skeleton decoration pops out from behind a dark bar at the Black Lagoon Halloween-themed pop-up bar. In the background, neon green, purple, and orange lights add to the scary vibes.
Bars
Enter if you dare: Halloween-themed Black Lagoon Pop-up bar coming to San Diego
The spine-tingling pop-up will take over Seven Grand in North Park from Friday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 3.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Scattered Purple Sand Verbena flowers bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park agains the brown, earthy backdrop of the desert in east San Diego County. The mountains are in the background, against the blue sky sprinkled with clouds. There are a few yellow flowers peeking out of the purple patches, too.
Travel and Outdoors
Where the wildflowers are: The annual Desert Bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
After a rainy winter, the Borrego Springs desert region east of San Diego is expected to bloom quite nicely with vibrant desert wildflowers in spring 2024.
February 29, 2024
 · 
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
Glowing blue water at Torrey Pines Natural State Reserve washing onto the rocks from bioluminescence.
Travel and Outdoors
What is bioluminescence and how can you see it?
The naturally occurring phenomenon tends to produce a blue glow at night, but results from a sensation called “red tides.”
February 27, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Waves in Ocean Beach as kids play on the beach.
City
What is the ‘Coastal Resilience Master Plan?’
The effort aims to find natural ways to address searise, protect communities, and preserve natural habitats.
February 27, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Rudford's Restaurant San Diego
Food
6 cool retro diners in San Diego
Vintage never goes out of style, right?
February 26, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A bracket with the text "Pizza Bracket" and two grids with space for four nominees.
Food
Vote in SDtoday’s pizza shop bracket
We want to know: Where is the best pizza in San Diego? Vote for your favorite to help determine a champion.
February 23, 2024
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
Players for the San Diego Mojo women's professional volleyball team are playing on a court. They're wearing navy blue uniforms, and some have their hands in the air.
Sports
It’s time: Women’s pro volleyball team San Diego Mojo makes home debut
The team is owned by Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings and features a 15-player roster with serious pro experience.
February 22, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske