Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

🎁 Michael’s picks

• Bird Rock Coffee Roasters | As a coffee lover, this local shop is one of my favorites. I often get beans to take home, especially blends with local ties like “Little Italy Blend” and “Little Blue Penguin”
• San Diego Zoo membership | The zoo is massive, so I like taking dozens of small trips to give each exhibit the attention it deserves. The annual membership lets me do that, and it includes the Safari Park in Escondido.
• Vuori | This athleisure brand was founded in Encinitas, and the Kore Shorts are perfect for relaxing, being active, or taking a trip to the beach.
• Calicorn Popcorn | I take snacking very seriously, and this is one of my favorite treats. Plus, it’s stocked at local grocery stores like Ralphs + Vons, so it’s super easy to buy a few bags.
• “Anchorman” | In San Diego, Ron Burgundy is kind of a big deal. So, it’s important to have the movie so I understand all of the references I encounter — and for laughs.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

🎁 Monica’s picks

• Liberty Public Market | A visit to Paraná Empanadas or Bottlecraft is a must, and new vendor Kebab Craft, too. The best part: the market now offers e-gift cards that can be used across vendors.
• Daniel’s Coffee | This tiny cart in Spanish Village at Balboa Park serves a great cup of coffee. Sip while enjoying the colors of the village.
• Concert tickets to The Rady Shell | I went to many great shows at the waterfront venue in 2022, and now, I’m hooked. Counting down the days to buy 2023 tickets.
• Everyday California apparel | I mean, the logo is a bear carrying a surfboard. What more could you want? This La Jolla-based shop does San Diego style right.
• San Diego craft breweries | You don’t become the Capital of Craft without local love. Some of my go-to tap rooms to grab a pint, cans, or growler refills include AleSmith Brewing Company, Attitude Brewing, and North Park Beer Co.

• Fiesta de Reyes - Feliz Navidad | Through Sunday, Jan. 1 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Fiesta de Reyes, 2754 Calhoun St., San Diego | Free | The colorful marketplace in Old Town is all decked out for the holidays.
• Show Tunes Dinner Theatre Divas | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | MO’s Bar and Grill, 308 University Ave., San Diego | Free | Drag queens perform toe-tapping tunes — and there’s all-you-can-eat spaghetti on the menu, too.

• Plaid Tidings | Through Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7 p.m. | SDMT Stage, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego | $35-$65 | A special holiday edition of “Forever Plaid.”
• Comedy Night in Little Italy at Pali Wine Co. | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7-9 p.m. | Pali Wine Co. Winery Tasting Room, 2130 India St., San Diego | Grab some wine in Little Italy while listening to stand-up comedy — unless you want to take the mic.

• Oceanside Sunset Market | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Oceanside, Pier View Way, San Diego | Free | 200+ vendors span four city blocks for this weekly food and live music gathering in the North County.
• The Best of San Diego | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | The Comedy Store La Jolla, 916 Pearl St., La Jolla | $10 | Laugh with up-and-coming local comedians at this career-launching show.

• Lola Kristine | Friday, Dec. 16 + Saturday, Dec. 17 | 5 p.m. | Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego | $12-$20 | The SoCal singer performs at the ballpark’s Holiday Market.

• 58º | Partly cloudy | 6% chance of rain

• Rise: 6:42 a.m.
• Set: 4:43 p.m.

• Low: 5:03 a.m. + 7:11 p.m.
• High: 1:42 a.m. + 11:18 a.m.
• Water Temperature: 57º

• The City of Chula Vista will hold a swearing-in ceremony today at 5 p.m. for its new mayor and councilmembers. The newly-elected local leaders are Mayor John McCann and representatives Carolina Chavez for District 1 + Jose Preciado for District 2. ✋
• Four San Diego County cities have been awarded a total of $5.3 million to enhance services for individuals experiencing homelessness — the remainder of a $10 million fund. The grants will support projects in Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista + the City of San Diego working to expand shelter capacity, particularly for seniors. 💵 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Seven San Diego County COVID-19 testing sites are now offering influenza tests to help locals stay healthy. The no-cost tests are provided by the California Department of Public Health, and there will be at least one site open daily. 🩺

• Storm drains in Bird Rocks’ La Jolla Hermosa Park were repaired just in time for the rain. For years, blockages resulted in flooding that caused erosion to cliffs and bluffs. The project cleared the drainage system and fixed surfaces, so water flows into the ocean — and park access has been restored. 💧 (La Jolla Light)

• Superstar Janet Jackson announced her 2023 “Together Again” tour, and Chula Vista will be part of the rhythm nation. Ms. Jackson will perform at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 8 p.m. Ticket presales begin today at 11 a.m and general public sales start Friday at 11 a.m. 🎟️

• Dozens of second-generation Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Trolley cars built in the 1990s traveled 6,000 miles to Mendoza, Argentina — but will travel millions more. The city signed a declaration with MTS to give new life to the older vehicles, using them as part of its transit system and keeping their signature red coloring. 🚃 (KPBS)

• Actress Sandra Bullock’s Valley Center hideaway has been sold for $5.6 million. The 5,938-sqft, Mediterranean-style house includes 4 BD, 6 BA, a gated driveway, a pool, and a chicken coop. The property also features a 3 BD manufactured home for her A-list houseguests. 🏠 (NBC 7)

• Hungry for a great restaurant? Look no further than San Diego. Newsweek posted its list of the 100 best restaurants in the US, rated by diners using data from OpenTable, and three local eateries claimed spots: Born & Raised, Cesarina, and Herb & Wood. 🍽️ (Newsweek)

• Craving a trip? How about famously foggy mornings, boutique shopping, and Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco? We love this Presidio Heights two room + bath suite for its central location, cleanliness, and bay window breakfast nook. 🌉*

Photos via La Jolla Music Society

• Davina and The Vagabonds | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 6:30 + 8:30 p.m. | A jazz + blues act that’s been compared to the likes of Etta James, Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse.
• Joyce DiDonato’s EDEN | Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | The Grammy Award-winner performs a show fusing music + movement.
• Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | The festival celebrates its 65th year with Grammy Award-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater + Kurt Elling and instrumentalists Christian Sands, Lakecia Benjamin, Clarence Penn, Yasushi Nakamura.
• 123 Andrés | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10:00 + 11:30 a.m. | A bilingual performance for children ages 2-6.