With summer in full swing, it’s prime time for big fun in America’s Finest City. Some of SD’s biggest festivals + events go down in July — here are the highlights.
Del Mar Racing | Friday, July 18-Sunday, Sept. 7 | Del Mar Fairgrounds | Cue the trumpets and fancy hats. The annual horse racing season returns to “where the turf meets the surf” at the peak of summer. Get tickets.
San Diego Comic-Con International | Thursday, July 24-Sunday, July 27 | San Diego Convention Center | It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the biggest pop culture event of the year. The iconic Con descends on the streets of downtown San Diego, transforming both the convention center and the Gaslamp Quarter into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy.
San Diego County Fair | Through Sunday, July 6 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds | $13+ | The summertime staple is still going strong with rides, games, fried food, exhibits, and concerts galore — don’t miss it.
Shakira | 8:30 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium | $105+ | The global superstar performs her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour” — and she’s still hip, no lie.
Friday, June 27
Downtown Skate | Friday, June 27-Wednesday, July 9 | 12-8:30 p.m. | Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina | $20 | The downtown roller rink that debuted during the holidays last year returns as a summertime attraction — roll in and enjoy skating, snacks, cocktails, and bay views.
Agave Fest at Estancia La Jolla | 6-9 p.m. | La Jolla | $104 | Sip on a curated selection of Agave-based tequila + mezcal, munch on street tacos and ceviche, and listen to live music beneath the palm trees.
Saturday, June 28
Anchored in Wellness: A Day of Movement + Mindfulness | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Ingram Plaza | $33 | Celebrate self-care as yoga, pilates, dance, and meditation demos fill the plaza alongside a vendor marketplace and a wine + beer garden.
Ocean Beach Street Fair + Chili Cook-Off | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Ocean Beach | Free | The 45th annual OB festival returns with two stages of live music, community mural projects, an Artists’ Alley, food, merch, a family fun zone, and the best chili in SD.
Rhythm & Brews | 12-4 p.m. | Citrus & Broadway parking lot, Vista | $75+ | Hop to it — the San Diego Brewers Guild hosts this fest showcasing 30+ local breweries and live performances by Loom, Soulseller, and DJ Goldie.
Sunday, June 29
Afrodiaspora Festival 2025 | 2-9 p.m. | Waterfront Park | $24+ | Celebrate traditions of the African and Afro-Caribbean diaspora through live music, dance performances, food, vendors, and fun activities.
Wednesday, July 2
Summer of Loud 2025 | 2-10 p.m. | Gallagher Square | $30+ | Crank it up — the lineup for this music festival includes Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, I Prevail, and Beartooth.
After much debate, the City Council voted to override some of Mayor Todd Gloria’s line-item vetoes and pass the city’s $6 million 2025-2026 budget. This capped San Diego’s budget season — catch up on the latest updates. (CBS 8)
Biz
UC San Diego Health laid off ~230 employees across its hospitals and clinics due to mounting financial woes. The layoffs represent 1.5% of the health system’s workforce and include frontline providers like pharmacists, clinical social workers, and clinical lab scientists. (CBS 8)
Open
Brunch with an ocean view? Say less. La Jolla’s Destiny Coast is now open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with brunch, lunch, and stunning views. There’s more on the horizon — a Sunset Menu will debut on Wednesday, Aug. 6, available Wednesday-Sunday, 3:30-8 p.m.
Outdoors
A settlement with SeaWorld will fund nearly $8 million in upgrades to 11 city parks, including major renovations to the restrooms + playgrounds at Robb Field in Ocean Beach. The funding will also be used to improve the restrooms and basketball courts at South De Anza, where construction will begin next month.
Coming Soon
New restaurants are coming to the Gaslamp Quarter. The Michelin Guide-recognized Tacos El Franc will open on Fifth Avenue next month. Wine Girl San Diego will pop off about a block away, and Galata Turkish Ice Cream & Desserts will sweeten things up with its stretchy treats.
Shop
Fabletics will debut a store at Westfield UTC this Saturday, June 28, showcasing the brand’s fashionable active lifestyle products. The grand opening will be held at 10 a.m. — get there early to enjoy a DJ, discounts, and freebies for the first 100 customers.
San Diegan
We’re not crying, you’re crying. San Diego Wave FC will retire Alex Morgan’s No. 13 jersey at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7. Morgan is the club’s all-time leading scorer and led Wave FC until her retirement in 2024. “There will never be another 13,” the club said on Instagram.
List
Local food truck Mariscos Mi Gusto Es made it onto Yelp’s list of Top 100 Food Trucks 2025, coming it at No. 13. Follow the truck that specializes in birria via Instagram.
Pets
With those loud Fourth of July fireworks coming, San Diego Humane Society is offering free microchips for pets through Thursday, July 3. The organization will also waive reclaim fees through Tuesday, July 8 to help reunite local pets with their families faster after the holiday.
Try This
You’re gonna love this. “Love Island USA” is hosting a “Pop-Up Villa” audition experience this Saturday, June 28 on Felspar Street in Pacific Beach. Fans ages 18+ can register to check out the casting tour and enjoy photo opportunities and fun giveaways. (NBC 7)
Sports
Is a fire sale on the horizon for the Padres? What are some potential trade deadline strategies and the pros + cons of a full roster overhaul? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padreswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Wellness
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If you’re looking for safe ways to enjoy Fourth of July fireworks in San Diego County, leave the shows to the pros. Don’t miss these patriotic displays on Friday, July 4:
Big Bay Boom | SD’s biggest fireworks show will light up the skies from four barges across San Diego Bay. Make sure you snag a spot early at these prime viewing locations.
Fireworks Spectacular | Spend the day at the San Diego County Fair and stay for the beautiful fireworks show at the Corona Grandstand Stage.
Chula Vista Fourth Fest | Catch the dazzling fireworks display at the Chula Vista Elite Athletes Training Center; you can also see the action from Mountain Hawk Park.
The basics you need while they’re on sale. Amazon Basics just marked down tons of products in a sale exclusive for Prime members — time to restock the bathroom/office/supply closet shelves:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Icons live forever. Have you checked out Starlite on India Street lately?
After a revamp by CH Projects, Starlite reopened this spring with original GM Jack Reynolds, no less, and has been shining bright ever since. One of the new additions is this “Disco Cave,” a former storage area-turned-lounge that now features plushy booths and shiny, silver tiles lining the walls. The beloved bar is open “all the days,” 5 p.m.-2 a.m. — make reservations, grab a cocktail, and cozy up.
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