Grab the sunscreen, San Diego, we’ve got a busy weekend ahead. It’s still Pride Week, with plenty of music, art, celebrations, and rooftop pool parties. We’re also heading to a watermelon festival, whacking some glowing golf balls, and, of course, drinking beer. Here is everything you can eat, drink, and do in San Diego this weekend:
Show off your San Diego Pride
Friday, July 9–Sunday, July 18
Various locations
Pride Week continues with dozens of virtual and in-person events, made all the sweeter knowing that last year, almost none of this was possible. On Thursday, the San Diego Women’s Chorus presents Closer to Fine, their (hopefully) final virtual performance. They’ll be presenting five new pieces, and a performance with the San Diego Gay Mens Chorus, plus spoken, solo, and duet performances on their YouTube with a repeat showing on Sunday via Facebook. The performances are free and will be ASL interpreted.
Friday’s events include the Pride Run 5K: Front Runners and Walkers virtual run/walk fundraiser, the Pride of Hillcrest Block Party, a two-day festival returns for its tenth year with a beer garden and gigantic cocktail bar, food trucks, go-go dancers, a DJ dance party, a drag brunch and extravaganza, and a giant ferris wheel. The Spirit of Stonewall Rally will be held in conjunction with the block party on Friday night with both in-person and streaming online. Other options include GLSEN Roller Skating Night, UNITE! Music Festival, a Pride Weekend Kickoff Barbecue and numerous rooftop disco and pool parties.
Saturday’s featured events start bright and early with San Diego Pride Live hosted by Jai Rodriguez and local celebrity Amber St. James via Facebook; the Diversionary Theatre presents Dear ONE by Josh Gershick, featuring Diversionary’s teen acting program, Teen-Versionary and the San Diego Queer Youth Chorus; the North County LGBT Center Film Screening is showing the award-winning short Mermaid, plus an artists’ reception at The Studio Door, and a slew of other parties and get togethers.
Close out Pride Weekend on Sunday with a Pride Family Gathering, Pride at Deja Brew, and of course, more pool parties! Check out all the weekend’s events here.
Cost: Varies.
Take a whack at glow ball golf
Friday, July 16
Liberty Station
Start your weekend with beer and a round of night golf at The Loma Club’s popular Glow Ball golf event! A welcome glass of Pizza Port and Societe Brewing Company’s collaboration brew awaits you at check in, followed by more tastings scattered throughout the course to improve your mood and your game. Register online; check in begins at 7 pm, with a shotgun start at 8 pm. 21+ only.
Cost: $40
Celebrate a beer-versary
Friday, July 16–Sunday, July 18
Carlsbad
Head up to Pure Project to toast the first anniversary of their Carlsbad tasting room! They’ll be tapping their 1st Anniversary Phantom Undertow, a bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Steady State Coffee, cocoa, and sea salt and a special slushie—Dream Street, an icy combo of Tropical Mist, misty citrus blonde ale, fresh squeezed orange juice, and Handel’s Orange Dream Cream Ice Cream, available all weekend, plus an Instagram photo contest and raffles. Join them on Sunday for a beach cleanup with Surfrider Foundation from 9–11 am and get $1 off pints all day!
Cost: Varies
“Wine” down for the weekend
Ongoing on weekends beginning Saturday, July 17
Little Italy
Ristorante Illando, an intimate Tuscan trattoria located above Landini’s Pizzeria in Little Italy, will host “Weekend Wine Down” every Saturday and Sunday starting this weekend. The bottomless wine special features Cellaro Lumà Grillo, a dry white from Terre Siciliane, Italy, that boasts crisp acidity with balanced floral and citrus notes and is priced at $15 with the purchase of an entrée. It’s especially delicious paired with pappardelle al granchio, house-made pasta, Alaskan king crab and a light cream sauce or spaghetti vongole e veraci, white wine sauce, Manila clams, and garlic over pasta. Reservations can be made online via OpenTable, and walk-ins will be accepted if seating is available.
Cost: Varies
Get yourself into a pickle
Saturday, July 17
North Park
Learn to make your own pickles with the San Diego Fermenters Club and San Diego Fermentation Community at their well-spaced outdoor patio venue. You’ll learn how simple it is to make fermented foods at home, the ins and outs of pickling veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and carrots and taste several fermented pickle styles. After that, you’ll make your own jar of pickles to take home with you. While you work, you’ll have the chance to sip some Babe Kombucha in regular and high-alcohol (21+ only) versions, another fermented beverage that’s full of healthy probiotics.
Cost: $45, save $5 each by bringing a friend.
Shop til you drop
Saturday, July 17
Miramar
As if spending an afternoon at Duck Foot Brewing Company couldn’t get any more fun, they’re hosting their first ever Vintage and Makers Market, featuring curated, handmade, and vintage goods, including unique clothing, handmade silver goods, and sustainable fashion textiles, plus plenty of beer to sip while you support small businesses! Vendors include @cacklingcapscollective, @canshedigit, @notforgottonclothes, @silvershineodyssey, @purple_panther_vintage, and @mar_y_lana.
Cost: Varies
Eat your weight in watermelon
Saturday, July 17–Sunday, July 18
Oceanside
We can’t think of a better way to beat the heat than by diving face-first into slices of juicy red watermelon. Head to Mellano Farm Stand in Oceanside this weekend for their Watermelon Festival, with delicious food from the Cali Food truck and FallbrkEats, live music, vendors, crafts, tractor rides & strawberry and sunflower u-pick, and of course, plenty of watermelon treats.
Cost: Free to attend, other costs vary.
Drop your pandemic pounds
Sunday, July 18
Downtown
You’ve been meaning to get back into your regular exercise routine, so jumpstart your program with a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon road race. The San Diego Half Marathon starts at 5th and Harbor, winds along the Embarcadero and Harbor Drive, through Liberty Station and up to Hillcrest before traversing 6th Avenue for an epic finish under the Gaslamp Quarter sign. Participants get bragging rights, a race t-shirt, a cool finisher’s medal, real-time tracking, and special deals at participating Gaslamp businesses afterwards. Register online.
Cost: $75-125.
Check out a new sushi spot
Beginning Monday, July 19
Convoy District
Bringing a little happiness to your Monday, Mikami Bar & Revolving Sushi lands in the historic Convoy District this week! Offering more than 70 types of sushi, the 6,000 square foot, kaiten-zushi style restaurant is California’s largest revolving sushi venue. Head Chef Aiden KT Lee’s menu includes a mix of innovative sushi dishes, popular rolls, appetizers, sides, and entrées that glide by diners on color-coded plates that range from $3.20-7.50. In addition to the sushi options, booths are equipped with touchscreen tablets so guests can order appetizers, ramen, udon, yakisoba, fried rice, and additional entrees, domestic, and international wine, and a wide selection of beer from local breweries. Mikami will open for extended lunch hours to start, with dinner hours planned for the future.
Cost: Varies.