Plus, a James Beard Award finalist and more Merrill Madness.
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📱 Technically speaking

A rendering of a swimming pool and rooftop deck atop a new, 16-story hotel with mountain views in San Diego County.
The hotel tower will feature an 11,000-sqft rooftop pool deck. | Rendering via JCJ Architecture
Jamul Casino, now known as Jamul Casino Resort, will open its 16-story hotel tower equipped with “world-class technology” next month.

No need to ask Alexa — today, we’ll break down the new East County hotel’s power moves for you.

Alexa, make the room cooler

  • The hotel will boast 200 rooms, including 52 suites, with gorgeous mountain views.
  • The resort says each room will be equipped with a DigiValet control system that includes Alexa voice command with support in several languages. Guests can use the tech to manage the lighting and temperature in their room and request services.
  • AI-powered messaging tech will connect guests to hotel staff via text messaging.
  • In-room LUCI Systems tech will help guests manage their entertainment options and access property-wide content.
  • The hotel will boast high-speed connectivity by way of “10G backbone infrastructure” from Cox Business.
More fancy features

Asked

When I stay at a hotel, the amenity I most appreciate is...

A. The swimming pool
B. A comfy room + bed
C. The restaurants + bars
D. The fitness center
Pick your perk

Events

Thursday, April 3

“Regency Girls” | Through Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | The Old Globe | $45+ | Make haste and catch the world premiere of this musical comedy set in 19th century England about Elinor Benton, an unmarried pregnant woman who gathers her friends and sets off on a road trip.

Corinne Bailey Rae | 7:30 p.m. | Epstein Family Amphitheater, La Jolla | $25+ | The British singer best known for her 2006 single, “Put Your Records On,” performs songs from her “Black Rainbows” album.

Friday, April 4

Wanda Sykes | 7:30 p.m. | Civic Theatre | $52+ | The actress and stand-up comic performs her “Please & Thank You” tour with special guest Keith Robinson; this is a phone-free event.

Saturday, April 5

North Park Festival of Beers | 12-4 p.m. | In front of the Lafayette Hotel | $50 | Sip on suds from 50+ local craft breweries as local band Buck-O-Nine performs — we’ve never really gotten “My Town” out of our heads.

Spring Art & Wine Walk | 3-6 p.m. | The Forum Carlsbad | Free | Explore paintings, ceramics, photography, and mixed media displayed in participating local businesses while enjoying curated wine tastings and live music.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Diego FC | 7:30 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium | $44+ | What’s that sound? The sound of victory on our home turf, we believe.

Sunday, April 6

2025 San Marcos Spring Fling Festival | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | North City, San Marcos | Free | Head to North County for this community fest that includes 250+ vendors, street food, craft beer, kid-friendly activities, and live music from local artists.

Estancia’s Annual Garden Party | 12-4 p.m. | La Jolla | $82 | This afternoon at the hotel’s garden will usher in spring with floral-themed activities, botanical-inspired cocktails + bites, and local vendors; wear your finest florals.

Tuesday, April 8

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Seaport Village | Free | I scream, you scream, we all scream for free ice cream — grab a free treat at the shop located at the bayfront landmark.

Atlanta Vibe vs. San Diego Mojo | 7:05 p.m. | San Diego State University | $23+ | It’s Regrettable Tattoo Night — show off your most regrettable ink for a chance to win a free removal; if you’re in the audience, you’ll get to vote for the winner.
There's plenty more to do
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News Notes

Civic

You might have to drop green to go green. The city’s Environmental Services Department (ESD) is proposing a fee for trash + recycling collection services to help recover the costs for providing service to 200,000+ residential properties. ESD will present its revised proposal to city council on Monday, April 14.
Merrill Madness is here to stay. Jackson Merrill and the Padres agreed to a nine-year, $135 million extension that will keep the standout center fielder in SD until at least 2034. Merrill — who turns 22 this month — made his historic mark as a rookie in 2024, gaining a big Friar Faithful following. (MLB.com)

Award

Yes, chef. Animae Executive Chef Tara Monsod is among five finalists up for the James Beard Foundation’s award for Best Chef: California. This marks the local chef’s second consecutive year making it this far in “the Oscars of the restaurant industry.” The winner will be announced on Monday, June 16. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Opening

Westfield UTC will debut several new tenants soon, including California lifestyle + beach apparel brand LSPACE opening on Saturday, April 5. Home cleaning tech brand Dreame (think: robotic vacuums and high-speed hair dryers) opens on Saturday, April 26, and The Escape Game debuts on Thursday, May 1.

Announced

NYC’s cult favorite PopUp Bagels will roll into SoCal later this year, including San Diego County, although further details have not been released. The brand is known for its bagels that don’t come with schmear — you order the cream cheese on the side and rip + dip your bagel.

Traffic

A stretch of University Avenue in City Heights that’s been closed for construction for months has reopened with upgrades to streets and sidewalks. However, local small businesses say they’ve been severely impacted by the construction and lack of traffic flow into the area, and bouncing back will be difficult. (CBS 8)

Concert

SoCal reggae + pop group Iration, known for hits like “Time Bomb” and “Fallin’,” will headline Gallagher Square at Petco Park on Sunday, July 20 with special guests Inner Circle. General public tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 4, at 10 a.m. — tick tock.

Arts

Traveling is poetic. San Diego International Airport’s spring performing arts resident, Poets Underground, are in the SAN terminals through Tuesday, April 29, inviting passengers to talk about travel-inspired themes like adventure, baggage, and connection. The stories they gather will be performed as poetry at the airport in early May.

Real Estate

The Lindley — a 37-story apartment building with 362 homes — is now open on Columbia Street in Little Italy. The luxury property features studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and penthouses, plus amenities like a “resort-style” pool and spa + a pet park. Rent for a studio starts around $3,000.

Festival

Cheers — Timbaland and B.o.B. will headline the Tequila & Taco Festival at the Del Mar Fairground on Saturday, April 26, 1-9 p.m. General admission starts at $45, but you can also splurge for $70 Tequila Experience tickets that include six top shelf samples.

Zoo

What’s in a name? A whole lot of meaning, that’s what. The public votes are tallied and the San Diego Zoo’s adorable sloth bear cubs now have names. The female cub is named Shehani — meaning magic, shining + regal — and her brother is named Kumar, meaning prince.

Sports

Oh, Doctor. The start of the 2025 season has been incredible for the San Diego Padres thanks to a sensational return from Kyle Hart and the emergence of Gavin Sheets. Go beyond the scoreboard with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

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    City Guide

    🍻 Don’t worry, beer happy

    SD Barrio Star Happy Hour Guide 2023
    A margarita flight at Barrio Star. | Photo via Barrio Star
    For our glass half full kinda people, happy hours in San Diego are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or get together to decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn that frown upside down.

    Keeping spirits up

    Rustic Root | Monday-Friday, 5-6:30 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 3-5 p.m. | Enjoy 50% off your choice of 20 craft cocktails, plus snacks like homestyle buttermilk biscuits for $6.

    Biggest bargains

    Barrio Star | Monday + Wednesday-Friday, 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 2-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. | We spy a margarita flight for $20 and tacos a la carte for $5 on the “Social Hour” menu.

    Hungry for meal deals

    Havana 1920 | Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. | Enjoy Cuban-inspired eats like $2 croquetas, $3 papa rellenas, and $4 empanadas alongside a mojito or daiquiri.
    30 more happy hour deals

    The Buy

    Chic drawstring denim pants. The roomy, straight-leg design keeps these jeans comfortable and casual, while the drawstring cinch ensures they fit snugly around your waist. Bonus: Shop this Madewell version.
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    The Wrap

    I hope you’re enjoying springtime in San Diego. Our friends at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch sent word this week that the fields are entering their peak bloom of the 2025 season, and the 55 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus are bursting with colors.

    The North County attraction is open daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., through Mother’s Day. Visit mid-week to avoid the crowds and get that springtime selfie.
    Wrap Monica Garske Purple
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