Kitchen essentials

• Autumn treats cake pan: Leaves, pumpkins, and acorns adorn this charming nonstick pan.
• Modern bar cart: Perfect for displaying your favorite bottle of 619 Spirits vodka, this bar on wheels can be easily moved.
• Bar tools set: While we’re talking special drinks, you’ll probably need this, too.
• Le Creuset baking dishes: Cook your favorite family recipe in style with this must-have trifecta.
• Chips and dips platter: Assemble your go-to game day snacks to cheer on the Padres in this sleek porcelain dish.

Dinner with a view

• Vintage-inspired globe chandelier: They say a new light fixture can transform a room, and this three-light pendant looks like it will do the trick (or treat).
• Upholstered dining chairs: Modern style meets supreme comfort with this set of ergonomically-designed seats.
• Stoneware pumpkin trio: Adorn your mantle with these harvest-hued decorations to add a bountiful burst of fall color to any room.
• Extendable dining table: Need more space? This solid wood table comes with a leaf to help accommodate extra guests and plenty of home-cooked dishes — or takeout from El Indio.

Outdoor entertaining

• Rockin’ skeleton door mat: Say “welcome” with a customized message.
• Fire pit table: Guests will be drawn to this versatile, modern, and oh so cozy gathering hub.
• Mid-century modern love seat: Add extra seating to your patio with this sofa featuring thick, cloud-like cushions.
• Animated black cat inflatable: The kids will love this 11-foot-tall Halloween statement piece.

• La Mesa Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | La Mesa Village, La Mesa | Free | Bust out the lederhosen: This long-running festival captures the spirit of Munich with live music, food, drinks, dancing, and lots of family-friendly activities.
• 8th Annual East Village Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 1-7 p.m. | Quartyard | $10+ | Prost! Raise a stein to craft beer, food, live polka and banda music, a vintage car showcase, and lots of games at this 21+ festival.
• SDSU Aztec Football vs. Hawaii Warriors | Saturday, Oct. 5 | 5 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium | $47+ | Time to sport that scarlet + black, San Diego — let’s go Aztecs.
• Fashion Week San Diego 2024 | Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $100 | The stylish local event returns with lots of activities this weekend — from a high fashion runway show to the Trunk Show.
• San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival | Sunday, Oct. 6 | 4-9 p.m. | Quartyard | Free | Celebrate our region’s bi-national jazz history — from Jelly Roll Morton to Carlos Santana — with live performances from groups from both sides of the border.

• “Kimberly Akimbo: A New Musical” | Tuesday, Oct. 8-Sunday, Oct. 13 | Times vary | Civic Theatre | $51+ | Broadway’s most Tony Award-winning show of the season begins its run in SD — fall in love with the story about growing up and growing old.
• Eric Clapton | Tuesday, Oct. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego | $87+ | The iconic rock and blues guitarist + singer known for hits like “Wonderful Tonight” and “Tears in Heaven” performs in SD.
• OB Oktoberfest 2024 | Friday, Oct. 11 | 4:30-11:30 p.m. | OB Pier Parking Lot | $65 | OB’s longtime, 21+ beachfront fest returns with two days of live music, contests, DJs, and drink specials.

• Phase two of a project to improve Mira Mesa Community Park is underway, slated to be completed in the summer of 2026. The $55 million project will add an aquatic complex with a 14-lane competition pool, activity pool, and splash pad, plus an “all wheels plaza,” children’s play areas, and sports courts.

• You glow, Convoy District. For the first time, city leaders lit a new, 30-ft gateway sign to celebrate the cultural district known for its vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses + restaurants. The sign is part of an ongoing, multi-year plan to revitalize the district along Convoy Street.

• Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked San Diego No. 2 among the best big cities in the US, touting our city’s hot hotel + food scenes. We know there’s a whole lot to love about America’s Finest City — check out our collection of local city guides.

• SDSU’s longtime $53 million project to build a bridge in Mission Valley across the San Diego River is now approved, paving the way for the university to seek state + federal permits and begin construction in 2026. The Fenton Parkway Bridge will be used by motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. (San Diego Union-Tribune + SDSU NewsCenter)

• The Port of San Diego kicked off its 2024-2025 cruise season this week — an industry that brings $125-$250 million to our region annually. The Port said ~265,000 passengers will sail in and out of SD via 28 cruises to destinations like the Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera. Plan your adventure.

• Talk about making the grade. The online publication Niche ranked San Dieguito Union High School District No. 13 among the Best School Districts in America. The district in Encinitas — which serves ~12,615 students in grades 7-12 — received high marks for its academics, teachers, clubs + activities, college prep, and administration.

• Mission, accomplished. The San Dieguito Lagoon project has restored 80+ acres of wetlands and salt marsh between Del Mar and Solana Beach near Interstate 5. The $87 million project — which removed enough soil to fill 333 Olympic-sized swimming pools — also created a new hiking trail parallel to El Camino Real. (KPBS)

• Rising singer-songwriter Teddy Swims — known for hits like “The Door” and “Lose Control” — will bring his “I Tried Everything But Therapy” tour to Gallagher Square at Petco Park on July 31, 2025. Tickets are on sale now.

• According to WalletHub, San Diego is No. 10 among the best foodie cities in America in 2024 based on metrics like affordability + accessibility of high quality restaurants and the number of food festivals per capita. Want to keep up with food news in our area? Read more on our website.

• Your San Diego Padres are heading to the NLDS and the Jackson Merrill mania continues. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padres with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) will participate in Pasadena’s Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2025 with a float inspired by the local panda-monium. SDZWA’s float will feature designs focused on Yun Chuan + Xia Bao — the giant pandas who now famously live at the San Diego Zoo.

• 67,761+. That’s how many locals you could be reaching through our self-service advertising portal. Take your business to the next level.*

• 33.3% of SDtoday readers enjoy attending seasonal festivals — we’re thinking La Mesa Oktoberfest and Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont Park might be up your alley.
• 25% of readers like to cozy up at a local coffee shop during this time of year — San Diego has lots of good ones.