Today’s Forecast

🧀 Say cheese, SD

Grate cheese shops in San Diego, California

A thing of beauty. | Photo via Venissimo Cheese

Queso. Fromage. Cheese. Any way you slice it, you’d better brie-lieve we love a gouda neighborhood cheese shop. We’ve rounded up a few grate spots — happy snacking, SD.

Venissimo Cheese | Mission Hills, North Park, Del Mar

Owner Gina Freize opened her flagship store in Mission Hills in January 2004 with only 50 cheeses and a hearty appetite to create local buzz for the world of cheese. Today, the brand stocks 2,000+ varieties across its three locations, and Freize runs the Academy of Cheese, classes and events spotlighting “the goodness and glory of cheese.” Pro tip: Try the Full House Plate for picnics, with the Burrata Bowl.

Cheese Shop | La Jolla Shores

John and Dorothy Schutz opened this seaside staple in 1972 with imported cheeses from all over the world. Today, the cheese is still the bee’s knees, but the family-owned shop is also beloved for its famous Flourless Oatmeal Almond Cookies and super-stacked sandwiches. Pro tip: Grab lunch here after a walk on the shoreline; try the Beachcomber with imported Swiss.

SD Wine Garden Cheese Shop — A cheese plate at the shop inside Carruth Cellars’ urban winery at Liberty Station.
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Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Wine Garden Cheese Shop | Liberty Station

You can find this gem inside Carruth Cellars’ newest urban winery at Liberty Station, filled with gorgeous, rotating cheeses available by the ounce. We love ordering a mini charcuterie board while sipping on a glass of wine on the patio and browsing through the shop’s selections of crackers, pickles, and olives. Pro tip: Join the Cheese Club to explore a new cheese every month.

Le Charcuterie Bar | Downtown San Diego

This shop has everything you need to build the ultimate charcuterie board — artisanal cheeses, cured meats, olive oils, and other tasty trimmings. Pro tip: The YOLO Combo Board is perfect for casual sharing, but if you’re hosting a fromage feast, pre-order an event tray.

Asked

A proper charcuterie board is nothing without…

A. A variety of cheeses — creamy to bold
B. Nuts — almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
C. Meats, all the meats
D. Fruit — grapes, apples, pears, etc.
E. Crackers — the cheese needs a friend

Food for thought

Events

Wednesday, April 19

San Diego Padres vs. Atlanta Braves | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 1:10 p.m. | Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego | $27-$106 | It’s the last game in the series against the Braves.
Patchwork Presents: Macrame Moon Craft Workshop | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mike Hess Brewing, 4893 Voltaire St., San Diego | $45 | Create an out-of-this-world wall hanging — all supplies included.
San Diego Wave FC vs. Portland Thorns | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $14-$131 | Let’s go, Wave FC, let’s go.
Every Avenue | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., San Diego | $20 | The pop punk band headlines this 21+ show with guests.

Thursday, April 20

Fashion Redux 2023: Glam 80’s | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-7:45 p.m. | San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado, Ste. #3, San Diego | $10-$15 | The finale party celebrating the creations of students in the Fashion Program at San Diego Mesa College.
4:20 With Zack Miller | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 8 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $18 | The comic — who likes to call himself a “dope dad” — performs his “cannacentric” stand-up show.

Friday, April 21

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance | Friday, Apr. 21 | 6-10 p.m. | Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd., San Diego | $95-$725 | This premier automotive show features 150+ cars, live music, and entertainment.
Queen Nation | Friday, Apr. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $15-$35 | This tribute act celebrates the music of the “Bohemian Rhapsody” band.

Saturday, April 22

21st Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Locations vary, San Diego | Free | This countywide cleanup event takes place at 100+ sites.
Chicano Park Day 2023 | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chicano Park, Logan Avenue, San Diego | Free | Celebrate the 53rd annual Chicano Park Day with live performances, art, lowriders, and vendors in the heart of Barrio Logan.

Local events aplenty

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News Notes

Civic

Starting Friday, May 12, RVs, vans, and oversized vehicles can park at the Port of San Diego’s waterfront lots during the day, but they can’t camp overnight. That’s the latest change to the Port’s parking regulations, aimed at improving public access, preserving cleanliness, and protecting views of San Diego Bay.

Transit

BABS (Balboa and Beach Shuttle). The Beach Bug. BEES (Beach Electric Energy Shuttle). The Beach Bolt. One of those names will be chosen for the new Pacific Beach Shuttle coming to the beachfront community this summer. The City of San Diego and SANDAG are narrowing down potential route stops, too. (NBC 7)

Watch

The Port of San Diego’s Rafael Castellanos, local Chef JoJo Ruiz, and Sunken Seaweed founder Torre Polizzi were recently featured on “TODAY,” highlighting aquafarms as a sustainable way to raise seafood and plants — and combat overfishing. Ruiz prepared a meal made entirely of fresh, local, aquaculture cuisine for Al Roker. (TODAY.com)

Sports

This week’s forecast: El Niño. After an 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Fernando Tatís Jr. is returning to the field with the Padres. He’s been working out with the team at Petco Park this week and his suspension is set to end tomorrow, when the Padres play the Diamondbacks in Arizona. (MLB.com)

Announced

It’s a miracle: Boy George and Culture Club will bring “The Letting It Go Show” featuring Howard Jones and Berlin to North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, Aug. 19. Presale tickets are available tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the code “VINYL,” and general sales begin this Friday, same time.

Outdoors

How’s that Desert Bloom coming along at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park? With the weather warming up, the California Department of Parks and Recreation says a few “small pockets” of blooms remain, but the season is winding down. You can still find some wildflowers at Hellhole Canyon and the Visitor Center.

Drink

Cutwater Spirits — made in San Diego — has been nominated by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2023 among the best canned cocktail companies in the country. Vote for the homegrown brand through Monday, May 15, 9 a.m.; the winner will be announced on Friday, May 26.

Feel Good

The San Diego Humane Society and Cal Fire recently rescued Dobby — an 8-year-old horse that fell 100 ft down a hill while on a ride with his owner in Jamul. Emergency crews hiked down to reach Dobby and after several hours, were able to walk him up the rocky terrain. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Fun Fact

In case you missed it, there’s still a chance to win $500 by taking our brief survey. Your feedback is important to us, and we want to ensure the content we deliver to you is relevant. Take the survey.

Finance

Many Americans worry they’re not saving enough for retirement — and rightfully so. Find out if your savings meet the recommended amount by age, and how a financial advisor could help.*

Number

33.7+ million. That’s how many bottles of Champagne the US consumed in 2022. Keep the bubbly flowing with our favorite vacuum insulated Champagne + wine chiller from S’well, plus the easiest Champagne stopper you’ll ever use.

Seasonal

🐎 Racing toward Del Mar

Details of Del Mar’s 2023 summer horse racing season

And away they go... Del Mar summer racing returns on Friday, July 21. | Photo via Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Cue the trumpets — where the turf meets the surf, down at old Del Mar.

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has released details of its upcoming 2023 summer racing season and you can bet it’s going to be a jam-packed affair for the seaside track that’s been around since 1937.

Here are some highlights:

Opening Day is Friday, July 21, and will feature the iconic Opening Day Hats Contest, plus 10 horse races.
Record purses will exceed $800,000+ per day.
This year’s trackside events include Taste of New Orleans on Saturday, Aug. 5, the Uncorked Wine Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19, and Tacos + Tequila on Saturday, Aug. 26.
Family Fun Day — with kid-friendly activities — is set for Sunday, Sept. 3.
Tickets for the summer season go on sale on Friday, May 12, at 10 a.m., and the season runs through Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Bonjour, San Diego. My family recently traveled to France and while we had a terrific time, it’s très bon to be home. I brought a little bit of San Diego to Paris — check out our SDtoday sticker casually hanging out at the Eiffel Tower.

SDtoday in France — Photo via Monica Garske

Also, while a stroll along the Seine River is magical, I missed our beautiful beaches. I learned that each summer, the banks along the Seine are turned into “Paris Plages” — an area with lounge chairs and umbrellas where locals can bask in the sunshine, as though they’re at the beach. I respect that.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? A quick look at San Diego’s 2024 fiscal year budget proposal.

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