📝 Stories

• 5 cool retro diners | From Rudford’s to Crest Café, San Diegans sure love their cute, colorful, old school diners.
• 50 great brunch restaurants | Y’all like to brunch, too — we feel seen.
• 8 plants that naturally grow in San Diego | We appreciate that locals have a growth mindset.
• 8 beautiful local beaches | Of course you gravitated toward the shoreline; expect another round of beachy goodness like this in 2023.
• Vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based restaurants | Your palate deserves it all.

Photo via @kay_schnizz

• 10 of SD’s coolest ice cream shops | OK, we’re seeing a pattern — San Diegans like to eat.
• Adoptable pets | You wanted to know about local animal shelters and we think that’s absolutely purrfect.
• San Diego County Fair guide | You were ready for the games, concerts, and fried fare at the Del Mar summer tradition — the 2023 edition returns with a camping theme Wednesday, June 7-Tuesday, July 4.
• 10 pumpkin patches to visit | But when the season turned, you were more than ready to pick your perfect pumpkin.
• Day passes at 8 cool hotel pools | Sunbathing poolside? We’re not surprised you wanted to make the most of sunny San Diego days at these great spots.
• 40 local volunteer opportunities | San Diegans are so kind, and it shows.

• Peppa Pig’s Adventure | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 5 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $29.50-$62.50 | Peppa Pig, George, and their friends — we see you, Pedro Pony — go on a camping trip in the winter woods in this one-hour live musical experience.
• Elf Trivia | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego | Free | If you know the Will Ferrell holiday comedy, then you know — “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
• 1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas | Through Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad | $28 | A celebration of culture and family — with a dash of Christmas drama.

• Comedy Night in Little Italy at Pali Wine Co. | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Pali Wine Co. Winery Tasting Room, 2130 India St., San Diego | Free | What a combo — wine and laughs.
• Abbey Road’s Christmas with the Beatles | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 8-10 p.m. | Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach | $20-$35 | A tribute to some of the Beatles’ top hits, along with holiday tunes.

• LeAnn Rimes | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 8 p.m. | Pala Casino Spa Resort, 11154 CA-76, Pala | $35-$55 | The country singer performs “Joy: The Holiday Tour.”
• A Big Band Christmas | Thursday, Dec. 22 + Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido | $35-$80 | A swingin’ jazz show featuring vocalists, dancers, and new arrangements of Christmas classics by Duane Benjamin.
• Golden State Ballet Presents The Nutcracker | Thursday, Dec. 22-Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego | $25-$109 | Acclaimed dancers perform the holiday ballet accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.

• 64º | Partly sunny | 3% chance of rain
• Dreaming of a white Christmas in San Diego? Keep dreaming. Temperatures in the county are expected to warm up by 5º to 10º tomorrow and could hit the 70s for the holiday weekend. Some inland areas may approach the low 80s on Christmas Day. 🌡️ (National Weather Service + Times of San Diego)

• Rise: 6:46 a.m.
• Set: 4:45 p.m.

• Low: 1:32 p.m.
• High: 6:24 a.m. + 7:48 p.m.
• Water Temperature: 57º

• La Mesa is preparing to welcome over a dozen new businesses that will occupy vacant storefronts using COVID-19 relief funding. The new stores will launch thanks to the La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program that provides new business owners up to $20,000 in grants from the American Rescue Plan Act. 🏪 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Feliz Navidad. The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center is hosting ornament-making events today through Friday, 2-7 p.m. — and kids get in free. Find the new museum in the heart of Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, at 1960 National Ave. 🖌️

• One Paseo will host its menorah lighting ceremony this Thursday, 6-8 p.m., led by the Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe and Rabbi Levi Raskin. The Hanukkah celebration will include live music and kosher bites. 🕎

• Mama’s Kitchen delivered its 11 millionth meal last week. Mayor Todd Gloria joined the nonprofit — dedicated to feeding San Diegans at risk of malnutrition due to chronic illness — to acknowledge the milestone and celebrate the organization’s service to the community. 🍱

• Every dog has its day. Three pooches from San Diego are in the paw-dorable lineup for Puppy Bowl XIX, airing Sunday, Feb. 12, on Animal Planet. Carlos and Crocket hail (Mary pass) from the Helen Woodward Animal Center, while Erin is from the San Diego Humane Society. 🐶 (NBC 7)

• Next time you’re admiring the art at the Mingei Museum, pop in your earbuds and enjoy this playlist curated by the staff. “Museum Meandering” features nine songs, including Led Zeppelin’s “Down by the Seaside,” and “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean. The Mingei opens daily at 10 a.m. 🎧

• Not a traditional eggnog person? Try a coquito — a creamy, coconut and rum-based alternative from Puerto Rico — found at Coco Maya in Little Italy and Miss B’s Coconut Club in Mission Beach. Oh, and tomorrow happens to be National Coquito Day, so no time like the present. 🥥

• You know how to order coffee at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. But can you order coffee in Italian? Babbel can help SDtoday readers learn how to order coffee (and other beverages) in Italian, so they’ll be ready for their next trip to Italy. Want to try it out? For a limited time, snag 55% off your subscription. ☕ *

• 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. 🌉*