What’s new in San Diego this winter

Attractions & Events

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s fall Bing Crosby Season kicks off on November 10 and runs through December 3, featuring a lineup of exciting races and events. The fall meet will feature 15 stakes races in 13 days and the lineup of trackside events includes Uncorked Derby Days Wine Festival, Thanksgiving Brunch, Beer & Wine Fest and more.

The internationally acclaimed Lightscape show will illuminate the San Diego Botanic Garden from November 17 – January 1. The after-dark, illuminated trail spans one mile and features over one million twinkling lights. Visitors will enjoy eye-catching artistic installations from international artists that come alive at night.

Annual holiday cocktail pop-ups Miracle and Sippin’ Santa  return. They offer holiday-themed drinks and decorations from November 20-December 31. The Miracle cocktail list includes Christmapolitan made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary and absinthe mist.  The Snowball Old-Fashioned with rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic and wormwood bitters and orange essence. This year, Miracle will be at Draft Belmont Park, while Sippin’ Santa will be at The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach.

New Hotels & Renovations

Opened in September 2023 on the sand in Pacific Beach, the rebranded Wayfarer San Diego features 126 beachy accommodations, an oceanfront pool deck with a heated pool and outdoor firepit, and the new Zephyr Café.

A multi-million-dollar renovation is nearly complete for Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton, a landmark 50-year-old property. The project is slated for completion in November 2023. It includes a revamp of each of the property’s 110 guestrooms and suites, 1,600 square feet of events space, and 11^th Floor, which will include the opening of Sea & Sky, a penthouse-level fine dining restaurant.

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina’s multimillion-dollar renovation to the Marina Tower will launch in early 2024. The redesign of the Marina Tower focuses on the hotel’s public spaces, guest rooms and suites. The resort will also welcome four new concepts: Rumorosa, a Cali-Baja-inspired dining outlet, the first San Diego Brewery X location, Sunglow harborside bar and cabana club, and Strada, a casual grab-and-go eatery.

Arts and Culture
 
Interpretations 2023 is featured at Visions Museum of Textile Art  through December 30. This biennial juried exhibition showcases some of the most innovative art quilts today. Of the 377 entries received from 13 countries, jurors invited only 37 artists to the exhibit. In its fifth year, this exhibition celebrates their collective creative spirit.

Until December 31, Beyond the Elements at New Americans Museum pays tribute to the vibrant and creative energy of San Diego’s hip-hop subculture during the mid-80s to early 90s. Guests can explore the fusion of cultures that defined this iconic era, celebrating graffiti, DJs, MCs, underground parties, and dance crews.

 
Restaurants and Bars
 
An all-in-one destination for Japanese food is an ambitious enterprise from the team behind Beshock Ramen. The largest storefront belongs to Asa Bakery, a sidewalk-facing cafe offering coffee, espresso drinks, matcha and hojicha lattes. The in-house bakery turns out a wide range of Japanese bread and pastries. Behind a secret door hidden in the right wall of the bakery is Bar Kamon, a speakeasy that transports guests back to Japan in the 1920s. A door in the back of the bakery leads to Sushi Gaga, a cozy 10-seat, omakase-only sushi bar.

In November, Open Gym restaurateur/chef Phillip Esteban will open his latest restaurant concept in Barracks 19 at Liberty Station. Inspired by a cafe of the same name in the Philippines, Wildflour will be an all-day restaurant/delicatessen incorporating elements of a bakery, coffeehouse and bar. The menu will deliver fresh Southern California vibes, centering around seafood.