Embrace the holiday giving season with this guide that’s got something for everyone, including local finds. | Graphic by 6AM City
Season’s greetings, San Diego. Holiday shopping time is upon us — look no further than these 90+ gift ideas, including unique local treasures and the season’s hottest items.
Gifts for parents
Local pick:Callie gift card | $5-$500 | Mom and dad deserve a night out — treat them to dinner at Chef Travis Swikard’s renowned hot spot.
Ceneda large cooler bag | $24.99 | This insulated, leak-proof tote is perfect for family road trips, beach trips, and everything in between.
Car backseat organizers | $34.99 | Speaking of road trips, these backseat car organizers are every parent’s best friend + come complete with a tablet holder.
200 Kids Conversation Cards | $38.95 | Transform family dinners with a conversation-starting card game that asks kids and adults fun and meaningful questions.
Local pick:San Diego Zoo membership | $129+ | So they can join the panda-monium and discover everything the zoo has to offer — plus, the membership contributes to wildlife conservation.
Local pick:San Diego Wave FC woven scarf | $34.99 | San Diego may not have scarf weather, but we definitely have a NWSL team worth showing off.
Gifts for foodies
Local pick:Venissimo Cheese colossal gift box | $140 | This includes everything they’ll need for the perfect charcuterie board — available for shipping or pick up at one of the three San Diego stores.
Almond Cow Nut Milk Maker | $249.95 | The ultimate gift for your dairy-free friend, this nut milk maker can turn their favorite nut or seed into milk at the touch of a button.
Stuffed burger press | $19.95 | Foodie friends can make burgers stuffed with cheese, bacon, onions, jalapenos, or whatever they dream up with this grill accessory.
Punk in the Park | 12 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium | $110+ | Let’s rock — this day of music + craft beer tasting at the stadium will feature performances by The Offspring, Pennywise, Streetlight Manifesto, and more.
World Naan Festival 2024 | 12-4 p.m. | Encore Event Center | $25+ | Taste all kinds of naan, watch a naan competition featuring chefs + home cooks, and enjoy dance performances at this fun fest.
San Diego Gulls vs. Bakersfield Condors | 6 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego | $34+ | It’s Military Appreciation Night at the arena with a Navy-themed hat giveaway while supplies last.
Sunday, Nov. 17
Cars and Coffee | 7:30-9 a.m. | San Diego Automotive Museum | Free | Check out cars of all years, makes, models, and styles while the museum provides donuts and coffee.
Spreckels Organ Sunday Concerts | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Spreckels Organ Pavilion | Free | It’s Family Discovery Day at the weekly concert series — with a focus on strings — with performances by violinist Hanah Stuart and musicians on the viola + cello.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
“Snow Queen” | 7 p.m. | Civic Theatre | $50+ | This ballet tells a classic fairytale of love and friendship — and the spell of a wicked Queen.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Cyndi Lauper | 7 p.m. | Viejas Arena | $55+ | “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” so it’s OK to show your “True Colors” while watching the icon take the stage in her farewell tour.
Thursday, Nov. 21
San Diego Ramen Festival 2024 | 6-9 p.m. | Handlery Hotel | $45 | This is a hot ticket — enjoy ramen tastings, sake, a beer garden, and live entertainment; your ticket includes three 12-ounce servings of ramen.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Doggie Street Festival + Adopt-A-Thon | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | NTC Park at Liberty Station | Free | This celebration of furry friends will feature vendors selling pet products and services, food, music, auction prizes, and adoption opportunities.
The Padres are renovating Petco Park’s Western Metal Supply Co. Building, working to have it ready by Opening Day 2025. The project will expand the New Era Team Store by ~1,000-sqft and makeover the fifth floor Budweiser Loft. A new “grand staircase” will connect the loft to the upgraded rooftop. (MLB.com)
Weather
King Tides will continue to roll through local beaches this weekend — the highest tides are expected to hit between 7.42 and 7.61 feet today and tomorrow. You can document the tides via the California King Tides Project or join observation events across SD, many presented by Surfrider San Diego County.
Development
The Imperial Beach Pier will temporarily close on Wednesday, Nov. 20-Friday, Nov. 22 and Monday, Nov. 25-Wednesday, Nov. 27 (partial closure) for maintenance and enhancements. The Port of San Diego is replacing two pilings + localized deck boards, and doing utility piping work. It’ll fully reopen on Thanksgiving Day.
Opening
Em Coffee House — a new Mira Mesa coffee shop specializing in Vietnamese-American drinks — will open Monday, Nov. 18. The menu features phin drip + espresso-based drinks that use Vietnamese-grown beans. It will be open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Announced
Boots in the Park will mosey into downtown’s Waterfront Park on April 5, 2025. The country music festival’s lineup includes Old Dominion, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard, Parmalee, Tayler Holder, Presley Tennant, and DJ Luwiss Luz. General admission starts at $105 — corral your tickets now.
Travel
Amsterdam, anyone? KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has joined San Diego International Airport as the seventh international airline to offer service from San Diego. The airline will operate three weekly flights to Amsterdam beginning May 8, 2025. We have our passport in hand.
Real Estate
According to a Redfin study, San Diego has one of the highest percentages of renters among the 75 largest metropolitan areas in the US — likely because renting is cheaper than owning a home right now in certain cities. Currently, 48% of local households are renters, up from 47.3% last year.
Watch
“Wild San Diego” — a documentary about the wonders of SD’s biodiverse urban landscape — will debut with a special screening at The Nat on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. After that, visitors can continue to catch the film at the museum’s Giant Screen Experience.
Seasonal
Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero at downtown’s Manchester Grand Hyatt rolled out its lineup of holiday movies for this season, which includes “Elf,” “Home Alone,” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The outdoor theater sits on the hotel’s fourth floor sports courts, so bundle up and prepare for beautiful skyline views.
Sports
Oh, doctor. The San Diego Padres netted three Silver Slugger Awards — Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar + Jackson Merrill. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Eat
Are you brave enough to dine with a group of strangers on Wednesday night? Trust us, it’s not scary — it’s actually fun and rewarding, thanks to Timeleft. Simply, download the app, book a seat, and make some new connections. You never know who you might meet over dinner. Reserve your spot.*
Pets
Furniture gets scratched, shoes get chewed, toys go missing. These are regular occurrences in life with pets. But a $10,000 emergency surgery? That’s a whole other ball game. Fetch Pet Insurance could help you offset some of these nightmare scenarios by providing comprehensive coverage and up to 90% reimbursement.*
Finance
High interest rates are a major concern, and paying down debt is a top priority for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Shop
Unwrap the season’s best audience exposure with us. Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is the perfect place for your product to be seen by potential shoppers looking for gifts. Secure your spot just in time for the season’s festivities.
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This colorful mural on the side of Artelexia on Ray Street in North Park shares the positive affirmation we needed: “You are radiant! Yes. You.” We love the vibrant flowers and motif on this one — it really matches the vibes of the shop.
Is there any better way to celebrate being in San Diego than with a big smile? Perhaps there is one way — by smiling in front of this giant, colorful mural on First Avenue in downtown San Diego.
This 2,535-sqft mural located between Barracks 14 + 15 at Liberty Station celebrates the city we call home with a collage of locally inspired images, including people, marine life, and flowers.
Sure, it might feel a tad early to start thinking about the dog days of summer, but throw us a bone. This week, the San Diego County Fair unveiled its 2025 theme. “Summer Pet-tacular” — a tribute to the bonds between humans and their pets — will take over the Del Mar Fairgrounds from June 11 to July 6, 2025.
As always, pets won’t be allowed at the fairgrounds for safety reasons, but guests can expect fun exhibits + decorations centered around the theme. I dunno, I’m thinking Snoop Dogg or Lil’ Bow Wow would make perfect headliners for the concert stage…
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