Grape expectations 🍇

Let’s wine down: 5 urban wineries in San Diego

The Liberty Station location is in Barracks 17 — and the patio is super spacious. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

We know San Diego isn’t California Wine Country, but in recent years, urban wineries have made a space for themselves in our communities — no rolling hills required. 🍷

Let’s raise a glass to five of these spots where the wine and good times flow.

Pali Wine Co.

📍 2130 India St., Little Italy
The family-run winery prides itself on bringing the diversity of California Central Coast to SoCal neighborhoods, including the heart of Little Italy. The wine selection is robust, but Pali is known for its pinot noir and chardonnay.

💡 Pro tip: Tasting flights start at $24 but if you buy two or three bottles to take home, the flight fee is waived.

Carruth Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Room

📍 2710 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station
Carruth is crushing the wine game with its newest location in Liberty Station joining tasting rooms in Little Italy, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. The brand’s coastal wine production takes place in Oceanside, with fruit sourced from all over the West Coast.

💡 Pro tip: A portion of proceeds from the winery’s line of “Pay It Forward” bottles is donated to charitable causes.

Record Family Wines

📍 1035 University Ave., Hillcrest
The Record Family is the backbone of this woman-owned winery that produces its bounty on the Paso de Record Vineyard in San Miguel, California, and brings the taste to San Diego.

💡 Pro tip: Peep the tasting room’s events for deals and fun happenings like Paint & Vino nights.

UNCORK 2 MORE

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Wednesday, Dec. 14

Winter Wonder | Through Sunday, Jan. 1 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego | Free | The beachfront landmark goes festive with holiday sculptures, elf face painting, special entertainment, seasonal treats, a hot cocoa bar and one million holiday lights.
Holiday Nights | Wednesday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 5-9 p.m. | Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego | Free | The winery village twinkles with lights, carolers + holiday vendors.
San Diego Gulls vs. Abbotsford Canucks | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $18-$103 | Make your mid-week cooler with a little hockey at home.

Thursday, Dec. 15

Carnitas’ Snack Shack Holiday Market | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 5-8 p.m. | Carnitas’ Snack Shack, 1004 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego | Free | The first-ever festive market at the outdoor waterfront restaurant highlighting local vendors and makers — with a DJ spinning, of course.
Disney Junior Concerts | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6 p.m. | Magnolia Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $44-$75 | Disney Junior favorites and Marvel superheroes unite for this show filled with singing, dancing + acrobatics.
It’s A Wonderful Vida | Through Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 8 p.m. | OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista | $25 | Playwright Herbert Siguenza gives the classic holiday story a Chula Vista spin.

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

TOAST TO LOCAL FUN

A recap of first-time home buying in 2022

Young family sits at kitchen table to eat pizza.

Despite the time, emotional energy + effort it takes, the dream of home ownership hasn’t waned for newcomers. | Photo provided by Opendoor

Before we ring in 2023, we’re taking a look back at how 2022 shaped up for first-time home buyers, by the numbers:

The average first-time home buyer toured 24 homes in person or virtually (up from 15 in 2021).
Half of first-time buyers said they made offers on five or more homes before winning one (respondents averaged 12 offers apiece).
69% say they are confident they found the best home for them in the market.
58% said the home search was “much more time-consuming than expected."*

LESSONS LEARNED

Weather

61º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
That was a solid storm. The National Weather Service tracked local rainfall totals over Sunday and Monday, and noteworthy stats included 1.26 inches in Ramona, 1.15 inches in Miramar, and 1.10 inches in Kearny Mesa. As far as snowfall, Mount Laguna saw 8 inches, Palomar Mountain 4.5 inches, and Julian 4 inches. ☔ (National Weather Service)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:43 a.m.
Set: 4:44 p.m.

Tide

Low: 6:23 a.m. + 7:59 p.m.
High: 2:44 a.m. + 12:09 p.m.
Water Temperature: 57º

Civic

The City of San Diego says new council district boundaries have officially gone into effect. The city goes through a redistricting process every 10 years after the federal census — check out the map to see where your neighborhood stands. 🗺️
The City of Escondido will swear in its newly-elected leaders at its City Council Installation Ceremony today at 5 p.m. in the council chambers. Dane M. White will take over as mayor, while councilmembers Consuelo Martinez and Joe Garcia lead districts 1 and 2, respectively. ✋

Pets

Local animal enthusiast Randy Spicer donated $10,000 to the San Diego Humane Society and the agency is using that money to waive adoption fees for adult dogs (age 7+ months) through Saturday, Dec. 31. There are 280+ adoptable dogs available — find your cozy companion. 🐩

Drink

East Village Brewing Company got super crafty, partnering with San Diego International Airport to brew two beers — Hoppy Travels IPA and Preflight Pilsner — from 800 gallons of purified AC condensate water collected from jet bridges at SAN. Try them at the brewery’s taproom, and soon at Terminal 2. 🍻

Announced

The San Diego Brewers Guild says our city will host Homebrew Con 2023 — the renowned educational homebrew competition — on Thursday, June 22-Saturday, June 24, at Town and Country Resort. The convention is exclusively for American Homebrewers Association members to enhance their brewing, mead, cider, and fermentation knowledge. 🍻

History

And we thought it was cold this week. On Dec. 13, 1967, a powerful storm brought snow to downtown San Diego for the first time since 1949. The Evening Tribune’s headline read, “Most Unusual Day in San Diego; Snow Falls; Some Schools Shut,” and the article detailed the “bizarre” storms. ❄️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Shifting the spotlight to a little seaside spookiness. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse — rumored to house a spirit or two — was named among the “haunted lighthouses” in California that are worth a visit. You can see it at Cabrillo National Monument daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 🔦 (The Star)

Plan Ahead

Del Mar Highlands Town Center will host its Hanukkah Menorah Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m. Head to the upper plaza near Cinépolis to join Congregation Beth Am in the free holiday celebration, plus a few songs. 🕎

Health

Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in California this season. Find a flu vaccine site near you — there may even be a needleless option. 🏥 (Verywell Health)

Shop

What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Monica is ready to rock this San Diego Americana tank top, and City Editor Michael is eyeing this SDtoday quarter sleeve t-shirt. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️

Travel

How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

Real Estate

Cash is king when buying a home. Learn how you can make your real estate dreams a reality when you remove the contingencies sellers dislike and make an all-cash offer. 🏡 *

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

A local’s star is rising 💫

North County native featured on Lizzo’s ‘Someday at Christmas’ cover

North County native David Spitzfaden truly rocks. | Photo via Mark D Photos

Grammy Award-winning hitmaker Lizzo is topping the charts with her cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” — thanks, in part, to a rising local musician. 🎸

Mission Vista High School alum David Spitzfaden — currently a songwriting major at the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) — plays guitar on the festive tune.

David’s cameo was orchestrated by LACM faculty member, Jameel “Jproof” Roberts, who worked with Lizzo and asked David to join the party.

“That was the first person I thought up to bring in,” Jameel told the college.

David specializes in guitar, singing, and acting, but is also well-versed in drums, bass, and piano. He’s inspired by artists like John Mayer, Kenny Loggins, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

David still plays gigs around San Diego County. His next local show is Friday, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. at 1st Street Bar in Encinitas.

Oh, and the ditty? You can stream it on Amazon Music. 🎶

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Monica.

Editor’s pick: I returned to my happy place Sunday night — The Rady Shell — for the local holiday tradition, “Noel Noel.” Despite the rainy day, it cleared up just in time for the concert, and that truly felt like a miracle.

The show was packed with festive classics interpreted by the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Children’s Choir, and conductor Christopher Dragon. I especially loved the heartfelt message about the special traditions in our city that make this time of year so magical. I hope you’re enjoying the season so far. ✨

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared a few local gift ideas that we can’t live without. 🎁

Connect with us.

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

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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