San Diego is gearing up for a spectacular fall season, brimming with exciting events, captivating art exhibitions, and an invigorated culinary landscape. From the return of beloved giant pandas to a revitalized hotel scene, the city is set to dazzle visitors and locals alike.
A Season of Spectacle
The San Diego Zoo welcomes back the giant pandas Xin Bao and Yun Chaun, marking their return since 2019. Until later this year, the zoo will be the only place in the U.S. to witness these enchanting creatures. October brings back the 13th Annual “Kids Free San Diego,” offering a month of exciting savings and activities. Children aged 12 and under can enjoy free admission and meals at various attractions and museums across the city.
SeaWorld San Diego celebrates its 60th anniversary with the return of Humboldt Penguins at the newly designed Penguin Point. After four decades, these fascinating creatures are back to enrich visitor experiences. Sesame Place San Diego introduces “Dine with Elmo” at the new Sunny Day Café. This delightful dining experience features singing, dancing, and photo opportunities with Sesame Street characters, creating unforgettable memories for guests.
The USS Midway Museum launches dual exhibits, “Midway’s Engineers: Service, Sacrifice, and Everyday Life” and “Fire! Fire! Fire! Experience,” blending historical insights with immersive sensory effects to recreate a naval shipboard fire scenario. Little Italy’s Trick or Treat on India Street is scheduled for October 27. Costumed children and adults can collect treats and enjoy Halloween festivities, transforming the Piazza della Famiglia into a scene from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Dia de Los Muertos will be celebrated in Downtown Chula Vista on November 12. This colorful event features a community altar, live performances, and family-friendly activities, paying homage to loved ones who have passed. The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns on September 28-29, showcasing an impressive lineup of artists, culinary delights, and a diverse wine and beer garden. This festival not only celebrates art but also supports community education programs.
Del Mar’s Wine and Food Festival, taking place from October 2-7, is set to highlight San Diego’s influential women. The festival will include tastings from over 100 top chefs and 200 wine and spirits producers, alongside celebrity appearances. The 20th anniversary of the San Diego Food and Wine Festival, a nationally recognized culinary spectacle, runs from November 2-10. This event celebrates the rich cultural fusion at the U.S.-Mexico border, featuring acclaimed chefs and exclusive culinary creations.
Del Mar Racetrack spices up its Bing Crosby Fall Racing Season with multiple events. Highlights include Family Fun Day on September 1 and free admission for college students on September 7. The season concludes with the Breeders’ Cup World Championship, featuring gastronomy by Michelin-starred Chef Curtis Stone.
Refreshed Retreats and Culinary Delights
Hotel La Jolla has undergone a multi-million-dollar makeover, unveiling a new penthouse restaurant, Sea & Sky. Overseen by James Beard Award 2022 semifinalist, Executive Chef Anthony Wells, this dining venue on the 11th floor boasts retractable windows that open up to the ocean breeze. A transparent show kitchen provides guests a direct view into the culinary artistry at play.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina continues its extensive over $100 million renovation. The latest updates include a revamped lobby and the launch of three new dining venues. Rumorosa offers Cali-Baja cuisine with picturesque marina views, while Brewery X Harbor Island introduces playful dish names in its first San Diego outpost. The property’s trio of pools now features the Sunglow Cabana Bar, serving chilled beverages for all ages.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has unveiled two fresh dining spots following a $26 million renovation. The Palma Bar & Grill, situated on the pool deck, serves cocktails and light fare, while The Trading Post Café & Bar presents a refined outdoor dining experience with locally sourced ingredients. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Omni San Diego Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter proudly announces a comprehensive renovation. The upgrade encompasses new culinary venues, a refreshed pool area, modernized meeting spaces, and a redesigned lobby and guest rooms.
Arts & Culture Vibrance
PST ART by the Getty Foundation returns this September with a focus on the intersection of art and science. Exhibitions across San Diego will explore themes from ancient cosmologies to artificial intelligence, aiming to spark community conversations on pressing global issues.
The San Diego Museum of Art will feature ‘Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World’ from early September to January, showcasing Islamic art and scientific advancements through historical and contemporary works. Oceanside Museum of Art, in collaboration with regional partners, presents ‘Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean,’ exploring the pressing challenges of the Pacific ecosystems through the lens of contemporary artists, from September to January.
Mingei International Museum delves into the intricate world of indigo in ‘Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo,’ highlighting its cultural significance and complex history, starting mid-September. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) opens ‘For Dear Life: Art, Medicine, and Disability,’ a groundbreaking survey of art’s response to health, from late September to early February. La Jolla Historical Society and various venues across San Diego showcase ‘Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work,’ focusing on ecological art projects in California from the late 1960s onward, beginning in late September.
UC San Diego Visual Arts invites visitors to ‘Embodied Pacific,’ an exhibition at Birch Aquarium and other locations, merging oceanographic science and Indigenous perspectives, starting late September. The vibrant ENVZN24: Urban Art Takeover reanimates Logan Heights with its second installment in mid-September, blending art and performance to create a dynamic urban festival.
La Jolla Playhouse’s fall season includes several premieres, ranging from the drag spectacular ‘Velour’ to the thought-provoking ‘Primary Trust,’ alongside a festive rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ San Diego Comic-Con Museum lines up autumn activities, including the ‘Border Blitz: Artistas del Cómic de Tijuana’ exhibition and the ‘Myth of Superheroes’ showcase, celebrating the transformation of mythical figures into modern superheroes.
The Jacobs Music Center reopens with a renewed venue and a promising symphony season beginning late September, highlighting the enhanced acoustics and artistic excellence of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. San Diego Maritime Museum’s new ‘Art of Navigation’ exhibit delves into the rich history of maritime exploration with an array of navigational instruments and maps from the era of the Scientific Revolution.
The San Diego Museum of Art hosts the Prix Pictet Human exhibition, a profound exploration of humanity’s responsibility towards sustainable stewardship, starting late September. The EXCHANGE Pavilion, as part of the World Design Capital 2024 initiatives, invites visitors in Balboa Park to engage with global design perspectives and community connections throughout the fall.
A Culinary Renaissance
In November, the eagerly anticipated release of “San Diego Cooks” will bring the city’s culinary diversity to the forefront. This cookbook, a collaboration between author Ligaya Malones and photographer Deanna Sandoval, showcases iconic recipes from local favorites such as TJ Oyster Bar, Kettner Exchange, and Extraordinary Desserts, celebrating the rich flavors of the region.
June marked the debut of Le Coq, a French steakhouse by James Beard Foundation finalist Chef Tara Monsod, alongside celebrity chefs Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer. Situated in downtown La Jolla, Le Coq pairs traditional French culinary precision with a refined atmosphere.
Cellar Hand, spearheaded by the Perr Family of Pali Wine Co., has opened its doors in Hillcrest. This establishment features a menu by Chef Logan Kendall that emphasizes local, farm-to-table offerings paired with a thoughtful selection of wines focused on sustainability and terroir.
Grain & Grit Collective and Chef Sam the Cooking Guy have launched BASTA! in Little Italy. This new dining spot blends traditional Italian flavors with unique twists and signature dishes from the beloved local chef.
Vessel Restaurant + Bar at Kona Kai San Diego has introduced a new menu crafted by Executive Chef Ethan Brown, featuring dishes made with organic ingredients from local farms, enhancing the dining experience with freshness and regional authenticity.
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on Hotel Indigo’s ninth floor offers a desert-inspired ambiance in the Gaslamp Quarter. This venue features a menu with seasonal ceviche and signature dishes, complemented by handcrafted cocktails, perfect for enjoying the panoramic views and cozy firepit gatherings.
The Grill at Torrey Pines is hosting “Playing With Fire,” a series of outdoor grilling events featuring local culinary talents and craft breweries. These sessions showcase the art of wood-fired cooking, providing a unique gourmet experience.
North Park’s newest addition, Leila, embraces the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East, curated by CH Projects. Executive Chef Wesley Remington Johnson leads the kitchen, creating a menu that traverses the flavors from Morocco to Iran, paired with an innovative cocktail program.
In Encinitas, Fox Point Farms integrates living and dining with a focus on organic, regenerative agriculture. This community includes residential spaces and dining venues like Haven Farm + Table and Fox Point Brewing Co., offering a sustainable dining and living experience. The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma has launched Ponyboy, a creative culinary venture by Ian Ward and Danny Romero, inspired by the innovative home cooking of the 1960s. This new concept promises a nostalgic yet fresh dining experience.
31THIRTYONE, Chef Drew Deckman’s first U.S. restaurant in North Park, centers on sustainable dining and supports regenerative farming in Southern California and northern Baja. The restaurant contributes to environmental sustainability by donating a portion of its revenue to carbon farming projects.
Awards & Accolades
The Outsiders, staged initially at The La Jolla Playhouse, won Best Musical at The Tony Awards, along with several other categories, highlighting its journey from local stage to Broadway fame. Architect Jennifer Luce was honored by the American Institute of Architects with the Honor Award for her transformative work at the Mingei International Museum, recognizing excellence in interior architecture.
San Diego’s hospitality sector shined in Smart Meetings Magazine’s 2024 Smart Stars awards, with several local hotels recognized for their exceptional facilities and services, spanning categories from Best Incentive Hotel to Best Outdoor Event Space.
Transportation Updates
San Diego has welcomed back international travelers from Beijing through the Tijuana International Airport, with Hainan Airlines resuming its route, enhancing global connectivity. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have streamlined public transit payments, introducing tap-to-pay options like Apple Pay, making commuting more accessible and efficient for residents and visitors alike.
