Unique local searches

• Top trending TV shows | “The Last of Us” and “Beef” — the latter might also explain why SD ranked third in the US in top trending searches for “beef.”
• Top trending tours | “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” (next time, head south from LA to SD, Tay) and “Renaissance World Tour.”

Five top trending “near me” searches in the San Diego area

• “Pickleball courts near me” | Many of our local parks feature pickleball courts — and we hear temporary pickleball courts are planned for Gallagher Square’s renovation and Eucalyptus Park’s glow-up.
• “Pawn shop near me” | On a related note, check out our guide to swap meets, vintage, and resale shops in San Diego.
• “Optometrist near me” | New to SD and researching health care options? Don’t forget to check off these newcomer must-dos, too.
• “Pilates near me” | Love pilates? Then you might also enjoy these great places for yoga in SD.
• “Barbershop near me” | We hear great things about Goodfellas Barbershop in North Park and Pappy’s in the College Area.

• “A Christmas Carol” | Through Saturday, Dec. 30 | 7 p.m. | Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego | $39-$73 | Don’t be a Scrooge, check out the adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, now in its eighth season.
• Build-Your-Own Gingerbread House Night | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Duck Dive, 4650 Mission Blvd., San Diego | $15 | Let your imagination run wild at this homey craft session — gingerbread house kit and decorative candy included.
• San Diego State Aztecs vs. Saint Katherine Firebirds Men’s Basketball | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $10-$125 | Two San Diego County schools face off on the court.
• Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2023 | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $75-$125 | The jazz-based performer is joined by Jonathan Butler, Rebecca Jade, Marcus Anderson, and Justin-Lee Schultz.

• Kids Cookie Decorating Class | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 4-5:30 p.m. | The Coffee Corner, 235 Town Center Parkway, #Ste. A, Santee | $50 | This class, recommended for kids 6-16, lets them unleash their creativity with icing and sprinkles, and they’ll bring home a box of Christmas cookies.
• Holiday Nights | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 5-9 p.m. | Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego | Free | The winery village twinkles with lights, carolers, and holiday vendors.
• San Diego Gulls vs. Rockford IceHogs | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $21-$112 | The local AHL team faces their opponents from Illinois.

• Jingle Belle Family Cruise | Thursday, Dec. 21-Monday, Dec. 25 | Times vary | Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel, 998 W. Mission Bay Dr., San Diego | $45 | This festive, family-friendly cruise along Mission Bay features carolers, photos with Santa, and cookie decorating; a portion of proceeds benefits Mama’s Kitchen — SDtoday readers can use the code SD10 for $10 off.
• Gaslamp Holiday Market | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 4-9 p.m. | Gaslamp Quarter, Fifth and Island avenues, San Diego | Free | Shop 40+ holiday artisans, pick up festive treats, and take photos with Santa while enjoying live music.
• City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. | $35-$119 | City Ballet of San Diego performs the holiday classic, with choreography by Elizabeth Wistrich.

• Grab that umbrella — rain is coming. The National Weather Service says light showers are expected to trickle in today, followed by heavier rain tomorrow-Friday. The storms are likely to produce high surf, some flooding, and 1-3 inches of rainfall, potentially ending San Diego County’s recent dry spell. (National Weather Service + San Diego Union-Tribune)

• The community plan for Barrio Logan’s growth has finally been certified by the California Coastal Commission. This is the blueprint’s first update since 1978 and calls for adding more homes, eight new parks, and creating a 65-acre zone between housing and the area’s shipping industry, with focus on improving pollution. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• The restoration of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building is really coming together. The City of San Diego said crews have started installing the wood lath on the west end, giving the building its iconic shape once again. The project remains on track to be completed in 2024.

• San Diego International Airport is expecting 700,000+ travelers during the holiday week through New Year’s Day. The busiest days are likely to be this Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30. Check out our guide to navigating SAN and remember, New T1 construction is impacting the airport, so plan accordingly.

• A new bakery showcasing Asian flavors and ingredients has debuted at 4210 Kearny Mesa Rd., Ste. 116. Flour Atelier — owned by two friends and helped by a Kickstarter campaign — offers treats like ube and matcha cupcakes, pandan cakes, and black sesame mochi. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. (Eater San Diego)

• The Busalacchi family — owners of Barbusa, Nonna, and Café Zucchero — will open Lala early next year, a new eatery on India Street in Little Italy. The intimate space will offer seating for 50 guests and nightly dinner service; expect Italian classics and Mediterranean influences on the menu. (Times of San Diego)

• World Design Capital San Diego-Tijuana 2024 and the city have launched a grants program offering $550,000 for public activities and events that will align with the celebration’s goals. At least $250,000 will go toward activities benefiting children. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2024, 5 p.m.

• San Diego County’s Free4Me Program — which provides free menstrual products in 24 county-owned buildings — was awarded the 2023 California State Association of Counties Challenge Award recognizing creative programs across the state. The initiative aims to ease “period poverty,” and will expand to 300+ county facilities by May 2024.

• San Diego Wave FC’s 2024 roster is shaping up. The team reacquired Cardiff native Sierra Enge in exchange for midfielder Belle Briede, who was traded to the Houston Dash. Forward Elyse Bennett — a “young and dynamic player” from the OL Reign — has also joined the club.

• Lightscape will shine a little longer at the San Diego Botanic Garden this season. The attraction, which features 1+ million lights and glimmering art installations along the garden’s 1-mile trail, has added dates Jan. 4-Jan. 7, 2024. Get tickets.

• I pity the fool who doesn’t find this heartwarming. Cal Fire San Diego crews were trimming brush near Jamul when they spotted a 150-pound tortoise. Turns out, the tortoise — named Mr. T — was a family’s missing pet, and Cal Fire reunited him with his owners “after his slow-paced adventure.” (NBC 7)

• Deck the Halls | Nason’s Beer Hall | Hosted in partnership with Tipsy Elves apparel, this pop-up features lights aplenty, themed drinks and snacks, and Tipsy Trivia Nights on Tuesdays.
• Great Dickens | The Duck Dive | This Pacific Beach pop-up is inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and promises vibes that are “reminiscent of a Thomas Kinkade village.”
• A Cocktail Carol | Polite Provisions | The hip North Park bar describes its new pop-up as a “cacophony of Christmas décor, blown up in our humble bar, Griswold’s style.”
• Xmas Bar | 401 G St. | New to SD, this pop-up features holiday decorations and festive cocktails aplenty.