The kaleidoscope exhibit has us seeing multiples. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
This is not a mirage — Museum of Illusions San Diego (MoI) will open it’s first California location on Friday, May 23 at 665 Fifth Ave. in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. Here’s what you need to know about the latest addition to SD’s museums scene.
The global MoI brand is all about science-meets-illusions exhibits designed to teach visitors “that nothing is ever quite as it seems.”
Local visitors can expect the 9,000-sqft space to be brimming with 80+ immersive, mind-bending installations, “Illusion Rooms,” 3D holograms, and images that question perception vs. reality. Many of the displays incorporate light and physics, too.
The downtown museum will also feature exclusive installations inspired by San Diego’s coastal beauty and surf culture. We’ll check these out soon and report back.
Ready to take the trip? Museum of Illusions San Diego will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tickets will be available soon.
Events
Events
Thursday, May 8
Gator By The Bay | Through Sunday, May 11 | Times vary | Spanish Landing Park | $68+ | The lively, Louisiana-themed fest will feature 100+ musical acts across seven stages, 10,000 pounds of crawfish trucked in from Louisiana, and lots of local vendors.
Regale in the Ranch: Red, White and Bling | 6-10 p.m. | The Secret Garden, Rancho Santa Fe | $150+ | Wear your red, white, and blue and dance the night away at this fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego.
“Hamilton” | Through Sunday, May 18 | Times vary | Civic Theatre | $82+ | The revolutionary musical returns to the San Diego stage; don’t throw away your shot — be in “The Room Where It Happens.”
Friday, May 9
An Evening of Spirit with James Van Praagh | 7-9 p.m. | Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, Encinitas | $82+ | Connect with the renowned medium and TV personality known for his ability to deliver messages of hope + healing from the departed.
Elton John: 2025 Curebound Concert for Cures | 8-10 p.m. | Petco Park | $43+ | The music icon and humanitarian headlines this highly-anticipated show at the ballpark to raise awareness + funds for innovative cancer research.
Saturday, May 10
48th Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Fair | Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bernardo Winery | Free | Browse handmade goods from 125+ SoCal vendors selling everything from jewelry and clothing to pottery and paintings — vino in hand, of course.
Mom’s Day Wakeup Hike | 6 a.m. | Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, Poway | Free | Docent Celeste Larson leads this 5-mile loop through Blue Sky and around Lake Poway; grab a coffee from the new Lookout Cafe along the way.
Mother’s Day Beatles Brunch with Abbey Road | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Quartyard | $46 | Treat your maternal figure (because “She Loves You”) to this brunch experience featuring a Beatles tribute band — now, that’s “Something.”
Tuesday, May 13
Two Nights With They Might Be Giants | Tuesday, May 13-Wednesday, May 14 | 7 p.m. | The Observatory North Park | $62+ | The alt-rock group performs two sets with an eight-piece band.
Facing a $258 million budget deficit, ~400 city employees will move their offices from downtown San Diego to city-owned buildings in Kearny Mesa. Mayor Todd Gloria said this will save taxpayers $13 million over the next five years and help offset some city costs. (CBS 8)
Development
The Prebys Foundation, Downtown San Diego Partnership, and other local organizations are proposing a bold new vision for downtown’s aging Civic Center. The plan envisions new spaces for arts and education, 3,000+ housing units for teachers, students, and artists, and a vibrant Civic Plaza for year-round concerts and community events. (Times of San Diego)
Coming Soon
We’re tearing up — Tijuana’s iconic Tacos El Franc is opening its first US location later this month at Westfield Plaza Bonita. The Michelin-recognized taqueria’s National City location will feature the same recipes as its Tijuana staple; we can smell those adobada tacos now.
Announced
The city tapped Jeff Motch and Clea Hantman — co-owners of Blind Lady Ale House and Panama 66 — to take over the former Village Grill restaurant near Spanish Village in Balboa Park. The local restaurateurs will transform it into a fresh space to grab a bite at the landmark.
Biz
Grammy-winning singer and North County resident Jason Mraz is now an investment partner in Oceanside’s oldest coffee shop, Jitters Coffee Pub. Mraz began his career “strumming songs in the corner of a coffee shop” and added, “Oceanside deserves a space like this.” Jitters is unveiling fresh renovations and updating its menu. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
State
California love. According to the California Department of Finance, our state’s population increased by 108,000 people in 2024, and experts believe the so-called “exodus” is over. The Golden State is now just 9,000 residents shy of its record-high population of 39,529,101 recorded in April 2020. (The Mercury News)
Concert
Some people call me the space cowboy. The Steve Miller Band is coming to The Rady Shell on Tuesday, Nov. 4. If you’re a fan, fly like an eagle and snag your seat — general public tickets go on sale tomorrow, May 9 at 10 a.m.
Number
11.75% to 13.75%. That’s SD’s new hotel tax, the higher range being for properties closest to the Convention Center. The voter-approved increase bumped the transient occupancy tax up from 10.5%. The city believes it’ll generate $82 million in fiscal year 2026 and $1.04 billion in additional revenue over the next 10 years. (NBC 7)
Travel
Amsterdam, anyone?KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will launch its first nonstop flight from San Diego International Airport to Schiphol International Airport today. The new, direct service to the Netherlands will operate three flights weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
Job
The Port of San Diego will host its annual People of the Port Career Fair on Wednesday, May 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at B Street Pier. More than 25 businesses will be hiring for positions across industries like aquaculture, cruises, hospitality, maritime cargo, and tourism + entertainment.
Sports
Well, our Padres had quite the eventful series against the Yankees this week. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Stat
$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily,this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*
Show
Don’t miss “The Sleeping Beauty,” performed by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine at the Balboa Theatre, on Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. With breathtaking sets, hand-painted backdrops, and exquisite costumes, this two-act ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score will sweep you into a fairy tale. Reserve tix.*
Wellness
Struggling to shed pounds? Simple is a science-backed app that helps users lose weight with habit trackers, fasting schedules, and personal coaching. Join millions who’ve already lost weight without medication, sustainably. Take the quiz to start your journey and get 50% off.*
Shop
Shop
Feature your biz in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide
Put your business in front of thousands of daily readers. | Graphic by 6AM City
This month, we launched our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide to showcase gifts that say I appreciate you to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends.
While we’ve already filled all our slots ahead of Mother’s Day, we’ve opened up a few more for Father’s Day.
Whether your business offers a neat product, one-of-a-kind gift, or unique service that could be enjoyed by a father figure — we want to feature it. Secure your spot by Friday, May 23.
You’ll find lots of unique goodies from around the world at La Galleria San Diego at Liberty Station. | Photo via @lagalleriasandiego
Happy Small Business Week, San Diego. We know small businesses are the heart of our community, so earlier this year, we asked local small businesses to tell us about themselves. They delivered.
We’ll be shining the spotlight on a few of SD’s small businesses this month, starting with La Galleria San Diego, a boutique retail shop offering unique gifts, jewelry, and decor from around the world located in Barracks 16 at Liberty Station.
Q: Pass the mic. What other small business in town should everyone know about?
A: Wildflour Delicatessen Pro tip: SDtoday checked out Wildflour at its opening in March 2025 — see the space, also located at Liberty Station.
La Galleria San Diego is open daily starting at 10 a.m.
It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week and I want to shoutout all of the wonderful teachers who have helped my daughters grow over the years. You are such an important part of our community. Thank you.
If you’re looking for a teacher gift idea, shop art supplies or books from these local, small businesses. You can’t go wrong with a little creativity and a good story.
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