Lights, cameras, relaxin’ 🎬

5 luxury movie theaters in San Diego

The Liberty Station viewing experience. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Shorter days are here, but the silver screen always shines bright. In San Diego, a trip to the movies can be taken to the next level at luxury cinemas that offer food, drinks + high-end comforts. So, sit back, relax, and preview these five theaters for a truly blockbuster viewing experience.

📽️ The Lot

These hospitality-focused cinemas will treat you like a star. Both the Liberty Station + La Jolla locations have full menus, and you’ll feel like you’re home in a reclining chair. You can reserve your spot before showing up, and Marvel fans, it’s not too early to get your tickets to “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

📽️ Cinépolis

This chain has three locations in San Diego County — one in Del Mar + two in Carlsbad. There’s a full food menu, and most viewings serve alcohol. So, all you have to do is put your feet up and enjoy.

Pro tip: Want a luxury experience without the luxury price? Check out Happy Hour + Half Price Tuesdays.

📽️ Theatre Box

Watching a movie in the Gaslamp Quarter can bring you a taste of Hollywood glamor at TCL Chinese Theatre’s first luxury cinema. This experience is about more than a movie with a menu of food, drinks, and desserts from Sugar Factory American Brasserie.

📽️ Angelika Film Center

This Carmel Mountain cinema is the perfect place to relax and watch a popular movie — but it’s also noted for its indie + artistic film selection. Showtime is also chow time with a full menu designed by Chef Santos Loo.

Pro tip: Get a taste of the holidays during a “Four Weeks of Christmas” screening.

📽️ AMC Dine-In Poway

Dinner and a movie? The classic combo is fused into one experience at this AMC location. You can eliminate stress with mobile food ordering + in-seat meal delivery, giving you more time to recline and enjoy the previews.

Looking for a different viewing experience? Check out local drive-ins + outdoor theaters.

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Nov. 3

American Stories @ Mingei | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Mingei International, 1439 El Prado, San Diego | $15-$40 | A live concert by Art of Elan inspired by the museum’s “This Is Our Story” exhibit.
Marc Rebillet | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 6 p.m. | Gallagher Square, 100 Park Blvd, San Diego | $50-$60 | The French-American electronic performer spins into Petco Park.
Rachel Bradley | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $20 | The energetic and edgy comedian brings her live stand-up to the Kearny Mesa venue.

Friday, Nov. 4

Clay Happy Hour | Friday, Nov. 4 | 5-6:30 p.m. | San Diego Craft Collective, 2590 Truxtun Rd Studio 106, San Diego | $25 | Play with clay and bring home a new creation — materials included.
Dead Poet Society | Friday, Nov. 4 | 6 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $17 | The indie band performs with guests Crooked Teeth + BRKN Love.

Saturday, Nov. 5

AgeWell Craft Sale | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Balboa Park Casa del Prado, 1650 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Shop for items from 50+ booths to support our senior population — with live entertainment and a Kids’ Corner.
University of San Diego Toreros vs. Butler University Bulldogs | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 1 p.m. | USD Torero Stadium, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego | $5-$25 | Touchdown for some college football.

Sunday, Nov. 6

FitFest 2022 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 10 a.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego | Free | Let’s get physical at this celebration of fitness, health + wellness.
Music in the Park | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 3-6 p.m. | Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista | Free | An evening of recreational activities and music by Rachel Aldous and The Road Home.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

KEEP THE EVENTS COMING

Weather

61º | Cloudy morning + windy | 24% chance of rain
Hold onto your hats — the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory through 6 p.m. today. San Diego County can expect west winds from 10-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Mountains + desert regions have a separate advisory in effect through 11 a.m. today for winds up to 30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph. 🍃 (National Weather Service)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:08 a.m.
Set: 5:55 p.m.

Tide

Low: 12:06 a.m. + 12:56 p.m.
High: 7:08 a.m. + 6:41 p.m.
Water Temperature: 66º

Civic

President Joe Biden will visit San Diego today. With Election Day around the corner, the POTUS is in America’s Finest City to support incumbent Rep. Mike Levin as he campaigns for the 49th Congressional District race — though his exact itinerary is unclear. 🇺🇸 (NBC 7)
San Diego City Council declared housing a human right after finding more San Diegans are losing their homes than being rehoused. At their meeting, the council held a workshop to discuss tenant protections that will allow residents to remain sheltered while facing financial hardship. 🏘️ (KPBS)

Environment

Don’t be surprised to see more street sweepers brush past you. Downtown San Diego implemented a temporary program to clean up areas with additional needs. Portions of East Village will have no-parking orders for cleanings, with 48-hour advance notice so locals can plan accordingly. 🧹
Vallecitos Water District — serving areas in San Marcos, Carlsbad, Escondido, and Vista — is limiting the frequency customers can water their lawns to two times per week. Residents can pick their own schedules, but the decision serves to address worsening drought conditions in California. 💧

Closing

Great Maple announced it will be closing its Westfield UTC location by the end of the year. The eatery — known for its brunch — notified employees of the closure, citing ongoing, nearby construction as a concern. The restaurant plans to scramble its last eggs on Thursday, Dec. 22. 🍁 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ranked

It was a strong year for the Padres, and five Friars have been included in Bleacher Report’s list of the MLB’s top 100 players of the 2022 season. Joe Musgrove, Ha-Seong Kim, Juan Soto + Yu Darvish all make appearances in the lower half, but Manny Machado scored the highest placement at No. 4. ⚾ (Bleacher Report)

Outdoors

Cuyamaca College’s newest employees are chomping at the bit to get to work. A herd of ~200 brush goats have been hired by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District to help clear dried plants + debris that pose a wildfire risk. The assignment is scheduled to last 6-8 weeks. 🐐 (NBC 7)

Shop

Have you started holiday shopping yet? This West Coast Etsy seller makes the perfect early present: a candle advent calendar. It comes with 25 tealight candles, each with a unique scent and festive name. Bonus: You can get it gift wrapped.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

An investment in creativity

The New Children’s Museum receives funding from U.S. Bank

Relaxing in the sensory-friendly “Breathing Room.” | Photo via The New Children’s Museum

U.S. Bank is helping young San Diegans experience the arts by awarding a 3-year, $105,000 grant to The New Children’s Museum. This will make trips to the museum more accessible, so financial resources won’t be a barrier to creativity.

With some imaginative uses of the funding, the museum is able to support initiatives like:

Scholarship opportunities, so residents from low-income backgrounds can attend summer camp.
The Museums 4 All program, which reduces entry fees for families receiving federal assistance.
Accessibility Mornings, which offers free entry for children who benefit from sensory-friendly exhibits, like “Breathing Room” by Oceanside-based artist Michelle Montjoy.
Discover & Go — a program allowing free museum access to San Diego Public Library card holders.

The New Children’s Museum is located downtown, and continuously adds new exhibits. Recently, it began hosting “Los Trompos” in Museum Park — a free, public art display created by Héctor Esrawe + Ignacio Cadena that leaves visitors spinning. It will be open through January 2023 + features six life-size pieces inspired by tops, woven in traditional Mexican artisan style.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. Call me old fashioned, but when I think of going to the movies, I crave popcorn. When I can’t make it to a luxury theater + I watch a film at home, I like to spice up the classic snack. I recommend heading to Wicked Popcorn & Puffs at Liberty Station to dress up your kernels with fun flavors. Pumpkin pie popcorn? Sign me up.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? San Diego Beer Week + Guild Fest return.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Allie Wetteland | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY