Summer is so close — and it has us singing a happy tune. It also got us thinking about making a Spotify playlist to usher in the season, and then we thought: Let’s make it with songs that either mention San Diego or are about San Diego. We have fun.
Drumroll, please: Welcome to our sampling of tunes that find inspiration in our city — something we love to do every day. Sound up, San Diego. 🥁
Our city has gotten quite a few shout-outs in popular music. | Photo via Spotify
🎸 “San Diego”| blink-182
We can’t kick off a convo about San Diego-centric songs without a little something from blink-182, the band that famously got their start in Poway in 1992. “San Diego” from the group’s 2016 “California” album is a homage to their hometown (I’m not crying, you’re crying) and includes the lyrics: I can’t sleep ‘cause what if I dream / Of going back to San Diego?
Pro tip: For extra local feels, watch this performance of the song from December 2016 in San Diego. Mark Hoppus tells the audience, “This next song is for and about you. It’s about you guys, and me.”
“San Diego” is blink-182’s ode to their hometown. | Gif via Giphy.com
🕶️ “California Love” | Tupac Shakur, ft. Dr. Dre + Roger Troutman
2Pac’s beloved 1995 Death Row Records Cali anthem is avibe all on its own — and we could loop it all day. Produced by Dr. Dre, this track is a celebration of California’s hip hop culture and the West Coast rap scene.
Whereis San Diego in the lyrics? Listen closely around the 1:16 mark: It’s all good, from Diego to the Bay / Your city is the bomb if your city making pay.
We think the beauty of San Diego is enough to inspire. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday
🎤 “Wild, Wild West” | Adele
This ditty was a Target limited-edition bonus track on the Grammy Award-winning singer’s recent “30” album and gives a shout-out to the South Bay, too.
Listen around the 1:18 mark: I lost my mind in San Bernardino / Even Chula Vista and Modesto / I broke my heart in San Diego.
Salsa Under the Stars | Fri., June 17 | 6-9 p.m. | The Headquarters at Seaport (courtyard) | Free | Dance to live tunes by Manny Cepeda + his orchestra — no partner or experience necessary. 💃
Saturday
Switchfoot Bro AM Beach Fest | Sat., June 18 | 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Moonlight Beach, Encinitas | Free | Watch the next generation of surfers take on the waves — with live music + plenty of vendors. 🏄
San Diego International Beer Festival | Sat., June 18 | 1-4 p.m. + 4-7 p.m. | Del Mar Arena at the San Diego County Fair | $60 | Nearly 200 breweries from around the world showcase their suds — general admission gets you a souvenir tasting cup, unlimited samples + same-day admission into the fair. 🍺
Barks and Brews | Sat., June 18 | 1-6 p.m. | Waterfront Park | $20+ | Leash up your pup and enjoy brews, vendors, fun pet contests + more. 🐩
Musica de Corazón | Sat., June 18 | 7 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $50+ | Música en vivo en downtown San Diego: Los Terricolas, MC Magic, Jay Roxxx + DJ Kane. 🎶
Strike Force vs. Panthers | Sat., June 18 | 7:05 p.m. | Pechanga Arena | $10+ | Our professional indoor football team takes on their Bay Area rivals. 🏈
Sarah McLachlan | Sat., June 18 | 8 p.m. | Humphreys Concerts By the Bay | $111+ | The Grammy-winning Canadian singer performs a live show. 🎹
Sunday
Father’s Day Car Show | Sun., June 19 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Belmont Park | Free | Music, cars + more at the beachfront attraction. 🚗
La Mesa Juneteenth and Friends 2022 | Sun., June 19 | 12-4:30 p.m. | MacArthur Park | Free | Join community members, observe history, and celebrate culture at the city’s inaugural holiday event.
Ramón Ayala | Sun., June 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds | $25+ | The Mexican singer-songwriter brings his signature norteño sounds to the San Diego County Fair. 🎶
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
71º | Low clouds followed by sun | 0% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
Rise: 5:40 a.m.
Set: 7:59 p.m.
Tide
Low: 6:52 a.m. + 6:12 p.m.
High: 1:39 p.m.
Civic
The Juneteenth Flag will be raised for the first time in San Diego County’s history at a public ceremony today at 11:30 a.m. at the County Administration Center on Pacific Highway. The flag will fly through Mon., June 20, and the building will be illuminated in red + green to honor the holiday. 💚
Community
The Cooper Family Foundation will host its annual Juneteenth Healing the Community Festivaltomorrow from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at Memorial Park in Logan Heights. The free event will feature a history wall, educational programs, small business vendors, food trucks, and live gospel + jazz. 🎷
The Women’s Museum of California will host a Juneteenth celebrationtomorrow from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at its new Education Center at the
Jacobs Center on Euclid Avenue. The free event includes special guest performances + local vendors, and will help support Common Ground Theatre. 🎉
Open
StarBread — a Filipino bakery founded in NorCal in 1986 — opened its first San Diego location yesterday at 510 Broadway, Ste. 2, in Chula Vista. The brand is known for its “Señorita” Bread,” rolls of dough slathered in butter, sugar + crumbs. The menu also includes donuts, pastries, lumpia, and empanadas. 🍩
Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is hosting four free, weeklong summer programs for San Diego Unified School District students in grades 2-5. After the morning session of summer school, registered students are taken to Mission Trails Regional Park to learn about plants, animals, geology + more. Check out the details. 🥾
Lake Poway’sFamily Campouts return three times
next month — overnight adventures for novice campers that include a ranger-led night hike, a campfire with s’mores + a magic show. Prices range from $55-$66 per car; you can get more info on
page 36 of this brochure and register online or by calling (858) 668-4772. 🏕️
Arts
There’s a colorful new mural at the Artist Alley in Oceanside — and it covers a whole wall. The piece was created by @ter5eone and lets people know exactly where they are: The historic alley between Pier View Way + Mission Avenue in O’Side that hosts community events throughout the year. 🎨
Cause
It’s been a big month for Lions Tigers and Bears (LTB), the exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine. The facility recently rescued four big cats from a defunct roadside zoo in Oklahoma: Two tigers, one lion + a tiger hybrid. According to LTB, the zoo had ties to Joe Exotica from “Tiger King.” 🐯
Shop
San Diego’s looking so bright we need sunglasses — Vincero sunglasses, that is. Your weekend adventures + happy hours deserve a great pair of shades, and Vincero premium eyewear checks all the boxes: High-quality, ethically made, and (best of all) 20% off. 🕶️ *
Stat
46% of millennials feel strongly about the effects of external factors such asrising interest rates and inflation, according to Opendoor’s financial considerations survey in their 2022 Trends Report. 🏡 *
A pet message from our sponsor
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See thatdaredevil? That’s La Jolla native and two-time Downhill Skateboarding Jr. World Champ Nick Broms — the star of a documentarypremiering tonight at the Dances With Films Festival in Los Angeles at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. 🎬
According to the festival’s website, “Nick Broms: What’s the Rush?” follows the skater on a “thrilling journey along the coast of California in preparation of his most gnarly ride yet.” Along the way, the athlete proves anything is possible if you set your mind to it — even shredding 70 mph down steep highway roads.
Whew. Keep an eye on the documentary’s social feed for updates on how to see the flick post-premiere.
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Editor’s pick: Happy Friday, San Diego. This music chatter has me thinking about karaoke — though, it’s been a minute since this mom got on the mic. 🎤
My favorite local karaoke spot is The Lamplighter in Mission Hills, where the singing starts every night at 9 p.m. The vibe there is super laid back and the crowd loves to join in, so you’re never truly singing solo. Now, off to talk my pal Michael into a duet.
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