September 14, 2023

Today’s Forecast

🌊 You’ve gotta sea these trails

Don’t miss the viewing deck at Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

San Diego’s hiking options are endless, and the treks along our coastline truly take our breath away. These picturesque paths rock — check them out in our ultimate local hiking guide.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

La Jolla Coast Walk Trail, Begins at The Cave Store

Difficulty: Easy = 🥾
Length: 0.6 miles, out and back
Pet-friendly: No

This historic, gorgeous trail along La Jolla’s bluffs can be accessed near the Cave Store and Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave at Coast Boulevard or off Torrey Pines Road north of Prospect Street. The short trek is breathtaking, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, kayakers, and local wildlife (be sure to check out the deck). There’s not a lot of shade, so wear sunscreen and a hat.

Coastal Trail, Cabrillo National Monument

Difficulty: Moderate = 🥾🥾
Length: 1 mile, out and back
Pet-friendly: Yes

Located on the west side of the Point Loma Peninsula, this trail leads to tidepool access and is popular with families. There are some steep slopes, but the amazing views are your reward. Keep an eye out for interesting native vegetation that thrives in the coastal environment — like rare, yellow Sea Dahlia.

Fees: $20 per vehicle to enter the national monument, or $10 per person to enter by foot (kids 15 and under get in free).

SD Blacks Beach Trailhead — The Black’s Beach Trailhead, with sunset on the horizon.
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Photo via @felipe_oranch

Black’s Beach Trailhead, La Jolla Farms + Blackgold roads

Difficulty: Moderate = 🥾 🥾
Length: 1.1 miles, out and back
Pet-friendly: Yes, leashed — hours restricted to before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

This partially paved trail starts downhill, leading to Black’s Beach — San Diego’s nude beach. Surfers take this trek to get to the notoriously gnarly waves at this shoreline.

25 more hikes in SD

Asked

What is most important to you when choosing a hike?

A. Level of difficulty
B. Time to complete/number of miles
C. Unmatched views
D. It’s all about the hiking location

Trek talk

Events

Thursday, Sept. 14

“Dragon Mama” | Through Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego | $20-$40 | It’s opening night of this one-woman production written and performed by Sara Porkalob featuring queer love in a barren land and a 1990s R&B soundtrack.

Friday, Sept. 15

Reggaetonlandia | Friday, Sept. 15 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Beach House, 3125 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach | $20 | Party to the sounds of reggaeton classics and Latin EDM.
Kolohe Ka with Special Guests J Boog + Mike Love | Friday, Sept. 15 | 7 p.m. | Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego | $115+ | The Hawaiian reggae pop group and friends bring big island vibes to Gallagher Square.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Trolley Dances™ | Saturday, Sept. 16 + Sunday, Sept. 17 | 10:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. | Old Town Transit Center, 4009 Taylor St., Old Town | $20-$35 | This longtime event features 50+ community and company dancers performing choreography around the Trolley’s Blue Line — “taking art to the people.”
FanCon | Saturday, Sept. 16 + Sunday, Sept. 17 | Times vary | Parkway Plaza, 415 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon | $5-$20 | Enjoy gaming, cosplay, trading cards, anime, streaming, comics, and an “Iron Man” DJ dance party at this first ever con at the East County mall.
Amps & Ales | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1-4 p.m. | 373 Park Way, Chula Vista | $35-$45 | This hoppy annual event showcases 30+ local and international breweries, distilleries, and wineries, plus food vendors and live music.
San Diego Latine Pride | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 1-7 p.m. | Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego | Free | Enjoy music, food, community resources, vendors, and performances.
South Park Fall Walkabout | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 6-10 p.m. | Fern Street, San Diego | Free | Browse, shop, and eat local as you check out the unique small businesses that make South Park a special neighborhood.

Sunday, Sept. 17

Sunday Yoga Reset | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 10-11 a.m. | Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego | Free | Wolf & Lion founder Elyssa Swann leads this all-levels flow class for the community — bring your own mat, towel, and water.
Sip & Style | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The Original 40 Brewing Company, 3117 University Ave., San Diego | $55-$65 | Browse secondhand styles at this curated clothing market where your ticket includes a bag of threads and a beer.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to advance San Diego’s Childcare Blueprint with funding to grow local childcare centers in hopes of making services more affordable. The funds will help providers with licensing and infrastructure needs, and give county workers up to three paid days off for emergency childcare. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Announced

What year is it? The San Diego County Fair announced its 2024 theme, “Let’s Go Retro,” a nod to the nostalgia of yesteryear. Attendees can expect to relive the 1950s-1990s — including disco nights, big hair, and floppy drives. The fair returns to Del Mar June 12-July 7, 2024.

Trending

That bioluminescence, though. The surf at local beaches is glowing with bioluminescent plankton again — and everyone is trying to catch a glimpse. Though hard to predict, locals report seeing the neon blue hues at La Jolla Shores, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs, Encinitas, Oceanside, Tamarack Beach, Carlsbad, and Black’s Beach. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Watch

Grammy Award-winning San Diegan Jason Mraz is among the celebrities competing on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” The “I’m Yours” singer is paired up with dance pro Daniella Karagach; the series premieres Tuesday, Sept. 26, on ABC and Disney+.

Coming Soon

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island Drive is getting a multi-million dollar makeover. A PR rep tells SDtoday Rumorosa will debut in early 2024, a Cali-Baja fusion restaurant inspired by “the essence of both sides of the border.” A Brewery X pub is also coming to the property.

Traffic

The City of San Diego has started the asphalt overlay resurfacing of Convoy Street from state Route 52 to Kearny Mesa Road. The overnight work near SR-52 is currently taking place Monday-Friday, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. The city says the two-phase project should be completed by spring 2024.

Transit

Visit Carlsbad has rolled out Good Ride, a free transportation program powered by Circuit. Visitors can book electric car rides via Circuit’s app from local lodging properties to key spots like Carlsbad Village and LEGOLAND. The program runs Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., through March 31, 2024; it’ll operate daily April-August 2024.

Fun Fact

This Saturday is National Dance Day. Did you know? The Dorothea Laub Dance Place at Liberty Station is home to five prestigious local companies — Malashock Dance, San Diego Ballet, California Ballet School, San Diego Dance Theater, and The Rosin Box Project. Check out the Dance Place’s upcoming events.

Eat

San Diego Restaurant Week will return Sunday, Sept. 24-Sunday, Oct. 1, with 100+ local restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. We spy participating eateries from North Park and downtown San Diego to Chula Vista, Harbor Island, and La Mesa.

Travel

Germany, anyone? Lufthansa Airlines will increase its nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Munich, expanding to five days per week in April 2024 and daily service in June 2024. SAN says local travel to Europe is 12% higher than in 2019, and Munich is a top destination.

Plan Ahead

The first ever Chula Vista ArtFest is planned for Saturday, Sept. 30, 12-9 p.m., at City Hall on Fourth Avenue. The free, family-friendly community event will feature 60+ local art vendors, exhibits, live music, live painting, food trucks, and a screening of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

Community

🎉 Celebremos, SD

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15. | Photo via Monica Garske

Hispanic Heritage Month is Friday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Oct. 15, spotlighting the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

Sept. 15 is the date when five Latin American countries declared independence from Spain in 1821 — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, while Chile’s is Sept. 18.

Here are some local celebrations:

Old Town San Diego will host its Fiestas Patrias this Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The San Diego Public Library will showcase “Nuestra Cultura,” a series of free Hispanic Heritage Month events at branches across SD.
The Padres will host Hispanic Heritage Weekend at Petco Park Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Sept. 24.
The House of Spain at the International Cottages will host the Latino Lawn Program on Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Answered

We asked about your favorite local beaches and here’s what you said:

SD Solana Beach — Yep, Solana Beach is certainly a stunner.
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Photo via @visitsolana46

We always enjoy our beautiful beaches, especially with the summer crowds waning. We asked you to share your favorite beaches in San Diego County and, shore enough, you had some great tips.

From our readers:

Silvia R. loves Solana Beach: “It’s so pretty and I feel like only locals know about it.”
Michael F. likes Coronado Beach because it’s rich in history and stunning views: “Literally everything seems viewable — no obstructions.”
Bob F. opts for Del Mar South Beach at 15th Street: “It has everything — surfing, boogie boarding, volleyball, and good restaurants and breakfast places (and bars) nearby or on the beach.”

Be right back — grabbing our beach towels right now.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Although it’s still hot outside, I’m getting excited for more fall-like weather because autumn hiking is my absolute favorite.

If local hiking is up your alley, the county is hosting a Hike-A-Thon during October where you can log your miles and help raise funds for Nature Unplugged. There’s a kick-off event planned for Sunday, Oct. 1, at Los Peñasquitos Ranch House. Happy trails, friends.

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