Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Endless wine in Little Italy, seltzer by the bay, three days of jazz, and more things to do in SD this weekend.
Say farewell to February this weekend with a three-day jazz festival, a walk to raise money for dogs, and a mezcal pairing dinner with a view. Plus, sip seltzer at Broadway Pier, check out the Black Nerd Expo, and pucker up with sour beer. Here’s everything you can eat, drink, and do in San Diego this weekend, but you can also relax at a gorgeous spa or check out our favorite watering holes.
Through Tuesday, February 28
Free-$$
Various locations
This is your last weekend to grab half-price tickets to participating museums. Head to any Macy’s or San Diego Public Library and pick up a free Museum Month Pass, which will grant you half-price admission at more than 40 museums during February. Each pass admits up to four people for half-price at participating venues, including the USS Midway, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the brand new Comic-Con Museum at Balboa Park.
Cost: Museum Month Pass is free, but museum entrance fees vary depending on the venue and exhibits.
Thursday, February 23
Encinitas
Alila Marea Beach Resort and VAGA host the first in the Agave Dinner Series, curated by certified Catador Chris Simmons and featuring Amarás mezcal, along with a five-course dinner by VAGA Chef de Cuisine Mark Enciso. You’ll be treated to welcome cocktails, dinner with mezcal pairings, and live music, all on the open-air Oceana Terrace overlooking the sparkling Pacific. Take-home bottles will be available for purchase. RSVP online.
Cost: $149
Friday, February 24 – Sunday, February 26
Del Mar
Groove to the coolest licks in town as the San Diego Jazz Party returns to the Del Mar Hilton for three full days of music featuring some of the country's best jazz singers and musicians. There are jazz sessions all weekend, a Friday cocktail party, and Saturday morning’s jazz breakfast. Tickets can be purchased for individual days or spring for a Patron Pass to access all three days of entertainment.
Cost: $85-$250 +fees.
Saturday, February 25
Escondido
Up in North County, the two-mile San Diego Humane Society’s Walk for Animals is happening at Kit Carson Park in Escondido on Saturday, February 25, weather permitting. Accompanying the walk is a goal to raise $125K to continue making a lifesaving difference for our animal friends who need a second chance. Participants will also enjoy live music, a vendor village, and lots of activities for pups and people. Register online.
Cost: $15-$40
Saturday, February 25 – Sunday, February 26
Little Italy
Ristorante Illando, an intimate Tuscan trattoria above Landini’s Pizzeria in Little Italy, hosts “Weekend Wine Down” each Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 pm. The bottomless wine special features Cantine Cellaro Lumà Grillo, a dry white from Terre Siciliane, Italy, that boasts crisp acidity with balanced floral and citrus notes and is priced at a mere $15 with the purchase of an entree. It’s especially delicious when paired with Fettuccine Gamberi e Pancetta, homemade pasta with shrimp and Italian bacon sauteed in vodka sauce, or Spaghetti Vongole e Veraci with white wine sauce, Manila clams, and garlic over pasta. You can make reservations online via Yelp or OpenTable, and walk-ins are accepted if seating is available.
Cost: $15 for bottomless wine; other costs vary.
Sunday, February 26
Various locations
Pucker up with Pure Project’s Sour Sunday at all five tasting rooms, where five new sours will be on tap. Must-tries include Madeline, an oak barrel-aged mixed fermentation saison; Electric Depths, a méthode traditionnelle with cherries and raspberries; and a collaboration with Fruition Brewing called Everything Gold May Stay, an oak barrel-aged golden Flanders-style ale with raspberries.
Cost: Varies
Saturday, February 25
Oceanside
Explore Black comics, pop culture, art, video games, content creation, science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) at Black Nerds Expo, hosted by MiraCosta College in Oceanside. You’ll meet Black artists, gamers, game creators, and comic book authors; enjoy presentations by Black leaders and creators; and learn about new releases in anime, manga, video games, media, and pop culture. There’ll also be contests in art, writing, and cosplay, and opportunities to create your own drawings. This event is free, and registration is not required.
Cost: Free
Saturday, February 25
Broadway Pier
Seltzerland starts its 2023 tour in America’s Finest City at Port Pavilion at the Broadway Pier. More than 100 flavors of hard seltzer will be available from White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer, Vizzy, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, Playamar, Sparkling Ice Spiked, and dozens more, plus tons of seltzer swag, games, live music, food, and photo ops. Tickets will be sold with a timed entry that you choose when you purchase. Spring for Premier Access and get early entry, a can of seltzer, a specialty cocktail, a gift bag, and a commemorative cup. Purchase tickets online.
Cost: $49 for general admission and $75 for Premier Access.
Saturday, February 25 – Sunday, February 26
Downtown
Grab your crew and head downtown to The Westgate Hotel for an extravagant Galentine’s Tea, available Saturday and Sunday in the Grand Lobby at 1 pm. Celebrate your friendship with a cupid-inspired twist on The Westgate's signature afternoon tea. This three-course experience includes a complimentary glass of champagne, delicious premium teas, sweet pastries, and desserts, accompanied by soothing sounds from a live harpist. To complete the celebration, take home a pretty gift of French macarons to enjoy. You can make reservations here.
Cost: $65 for adults, $30 for children 4-12 years old, and complimentary for children 3 and under (not including tax and gratuity).