Save the Date! OUR TOP FIVE SAN DIEGO SUMMER HAPPENINGS

entertainment, food vendors, cultural performances, community resources and interactive exhibits. sdpride.org

2) Del Mar

Races

1) San Diego Pride Parade & Festival

Among the larger Pride parades in the U.S., the annual San Diego Pride Parade on July 15 will draw 300,000 LGBTQ supporters locally and from across the U.S. Don your rainbow attire and grab the sunscreen for a festive day of floats, performers, local dignitaries and marching bands. The parade route begins at the Hillcrest Pride flag at the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street; then continues west along University; then turns south onto Sixth Avenue; and ends at Laurel Street, at the entrance to the San Diego Pride Festival. The city’s biggest celebration, the Pride Festival unfolds at Marston Point in Balboa Park, July 15-16—featuring live

“And … away they go!” The Del Mar Racetrack hosts the first leg of its 2023 dual season of thoroughbred horseracing, beginning with Opening Day on July 21. Tens of thousands will place their bets and dress to impress (complete with fancy hats). Season highlights include Taste of the Turf Club and Turf Club Fridays; myriad food, beer and wine festivals; the world-famous $1 million Pacific Classic on Sept. 2; and Closing Day on Sept. 10. (The second leg of the season launches in November.)

Giddy up! 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, dmtc.com

3) Summer Concerts at The Shell

Have you been to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park yet? The San Diego Symphony’s permanent outdoor home along the bayfront is truly a world-class concert venue and architectural marvel—boasting state-of-the-art acoustics, video screens and a rolled-steel, seashellshaped design. This summer, The Shell will host concerts by the likes of Diana Ross, John Legend, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cake, The Beach Boys, Counting Crows and many more. The Symphony’s official Conrad Prebys 2023 Summer Season kicks off on June 30 with its Opening Night, featuring conductor Rafael Payare and trumpeter Pacho Flores.

The Symphony’s summer lineup also includes a tribute to Aretha Franklin on July 2; “Beethoven by the Bay” on Aug. 4; and the popular Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 1—ending with Tchaikovsky’s epic, thundering 1812 Overture. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, theshell.org

4) Comic-Con International

The world’s largest comic book and popular arts convention returns to the San Diego Convention Center, July 20-23. Badges for the sold-out event are hard to come by (keep an eye out on social media for “badge auctions”). For those lucky enough to score one, expect four days filled with dynamic exhibits, anime, movie stars, film panels, an art show, an independent film festival and more. For those who didn’t nab a pass, grab a seat on the sidewalk patio of a restaurant downtown for some memorable people-watching and Comic-Conthemed cocktails. 111 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, comic-con.org/cci

5) San Diego County Fair

This annual over-the-top spectacle of rides, attractions, animals, entertainment and food returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, June 7-July 4. The fair’s 2023 theme is “Get Out There,” celebrating San Diego’s great outdoors. In addition to gut-busting fair food (including camping-inspired treats like s’mores), the festivities include art and photography exhibits; the “San Diego Grown” educational agriculture exhibition; adventurethemed games and rides; and the Toyota Summer Concert Series. The music lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boyz II Men, Alabama and Switchfoot. So, in keeping with the theme: Get out there! 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, sdfair.com

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER IN S.D. LIKE A LEISURELY BRUNCH WITH A SIDE OF SEA VIEWS

by SARAH DAOUST

Summertime in San Diego is best celebrated with lingering alfresco meals, mimosas and ocean panoramas as the backdrop. And once the weekend arrives here, brunch is no doubt the most important meal of the day. From Coronado to North County, here are some of our favorite spots for a memorable beachside brunch this summer.

Serea » Vibe: Hotel del Coronado’s flagship restaurant epitomizes alfresco summertime dining. The recently refreshed weekend brunch menu—created by executive chef JoJo Ruiz—spotlights new dishes like the caviar Benedict with blue lump crab cakes; and the cheese-and-spinach spanakotiropita (a savory Greek-style pie) with fermented hot honey. There’s plenty of old menu favorites, too—including the shakshuka, smoked tri-tip steak with fried eggs, chilled shellfish, whole fish preparations, brunch cocktails and bubbly. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. View: Serea looks out to the Windsor Lawn and famous Coronado Beach—consistently ranked among the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. by the Travel Channel. Reserve a table on the airy veranda or ample patio. Menu Must: The smoked polenta with grilled shrimp, poached eggs, peppadew peppers and cherry tomatoes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611

Draft » Vibe: With more than 50 local beers on tap, Belmont Park’s casual sports bar and grill serves elevated American cuisine, including a special brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose from boozy brunch cocktails, house-crafted lattes, omelets, chilaquiles, pancakes, breakfast burritos, banana-bread French toast and more. View: Draft sits directly alongside the Mission Beach Boardwalk—perfect for some fun people-watching, namely rollerbladers and skateboarders— with the beach and surf just steps away. Menu Must: The Breakfast Grilled Cheese with scrambled eggs, sausage and cheddar cheese on toasted wheat bread; with a side of breakfast potatoes. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9305

Dreamy Coronado Beach and sea views from Serea; a spicy bloody mary at Draft. Opposite: an acai bowl with fresh berries and bananas at JRDN.

JRDN » Vibe: Known for its sleek, contemporary design and refined takes on seafood and California cuisine—courtesy of executive chef Stephen Gage—Tower23

Hotel’s main restaurant is a popular Pacific Beach gathering spot for both visitors and locals. Served Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the brunch menu boasts traditional morning fare such as buttermilk pancakes and scrambles; plus salads, sandwiches, sushi rolls and the signature T23 Bloody Mary with cilantro-jalapeño-infused vodka. View: JRDN’s glass-walled patio is nestled along the Pacific Beach Boardwalk— a stone’s throw from Crystal Pier and the seashore. Menu Must: The Steak & Eggs Ranchero with short-rib-and-mashed-potato rolled tacos. 723 Felspar St., Pacific Beach, 858.270.5736

The Shores » Vibe: This oceanfront outpost at La Jolla Shores Hotel features an alfresco patio and sustainably sourced California fare. Weekend brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., complete with bottomless mimosas, margarita pitchers, pastries, omelets, burgers, fish tacos and Bananas Foster French Toast. View: Diners can step straight from The Shores to the sandy stretches of postcard-perfect La Jolla Shores Beach.

Menu Must: The shareable Loaded Fries topped with eggs, skirt steak, Mexican cheeses and jalapeños. 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, 858.456.0600

Poseidon Restaurant » Vibe: Its relaxed, stylish ambiance and delicious coastal cuisine have made Poseidon a longtime locals’ favorite in North County. Gather with friends for brunch—served Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 10 a.m.—and choose from a selection of Benedicts, omelets, tacos, seafood entrees and more. View: Poseidon’s generous beachfront deck offers unrivaled views of Del Mar Beach and crashing waves. Menu Must: The cinnamon-brioche French toast with a macadamia-coconut crust, bananas, berries and whipped mascarpone cream. 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.9345

Chandler’s » Vibe: This coastal kitchen and bar at the Cape Rey Carlsbad resort emanates casual seaside elegance sans pretention, offering comforting New American dishes. Available Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brunch includes breakfast tacos and burritos, chilaquiles rojo, crab cake Benedict and more; with smoothies, craft coffee, mimosas and bloody marys to wash it all down. View: The shaded dining patio gives way to the resort’s luxury pool and serene blue views of the Pacific and adjacent Carlsbad State Beach.

Menu Must: The Chandler’s Lobster Hash with poached eggs, Yukon gold potatoes, hollandaise sauce, fresh dill, tarragon and chive. 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad, 760.683.5500

High/Low » Vibe: Pairing open-air dining with ocean views, this super-casual eatery—located at Mission Pacific Hotel and open daily beginning at 7:30 a.m.— serves locally sourced breakfast classics and remixes of brunch/lunch favorites. Offerings include brunch cocktails, locally roasted coffee, banana pancakes, tri-tip hash, huevos rancheros, avocado toast, breakfast quesadillas and pastries; plus sandwiches and salads (served after 11:30 a.m.); and fresh-pressed juices and to-go items to complement the area’s active lifestyle. View: Grab a seat on the beachfacing patio with views of Oceanside Pier just across the street. Menu Must: The Hawaiian Fried Rice with house-made “Spam,” fried eggs, pineapple, kimchi, sesame and scallions—the perfect blend of sweet and salty. 201 N. Myers St., Oceanside, 760.512.3329

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