🏟️ BIG NEWS
San Diego OKs the $4.2B Midway Rising project
It's official! On Monday, the San Diego City Council approved Midway Rising, the $4.2 billion plan to replace the aging Sports Arena (home of Pechanga Arena) in the Midway District.
The plan includes a brand new 16,000 seat arena, 4,224 homes with 2,000 of them affordable, a 15 acre park, and 130,000 square feet of shops and restaurants. Next up, the city works on a financing district to help cover about $460 million in roads and infrastructure. Big things are coming to the Midway!
Things to Do in San Diego This Week: Nov 10 to 15, 2026
Looking for things to do in San Diego this week? Here are our picks for Nov 10 to 15: the Veterans Day Parade downtown, SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration opening, SDSU football's last home game, Teddy Swims and Los Tigres Del Norte at Pechanga Arena, Jo Koy at the Civic Theatre, and the Clairemont taco stand we can't stop talking about.
Every event links to its official page for tickets, and the rest of our November calendar is below, from holiday ice rinks at the Hotel del Coronado and Liberty Station to the Thanksgiving Day 5K in Balboa Park.
Jump to:
🗓️ THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND
🇺🇸 The one thing not to miss
San Diego Veterans Day Parade. This year's parade marks 35 years since Desert Storm, with Desert Storm veterans leading the way as Grand Marshals. It rolls along Harbor Drive on the downtown waterfront, starting in front of the County Administration Building. Bring a flag, grab a spot early, and say thank you! Wed, Nov 11, 10 to 11:30am. Details
🎭 All week
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Balboa Park. The Old Globe's holiday tradition is back on the Shiley Stage, perfect for the kids (and the kids at heart). Playing all week and through Dec 31. Tickets
🏒 Midweek
San Diego Gulls vs. San Jose Barracuda, Midway District. Military Appreciation Night on Veterans Day, with the Gulls in specialty jerseys. Wed, Nov 11, 7pm at Pechanga Arena. Tickets
Simply Ina: An Evening Conversation with Ina Garten, Downtown. The Barefoot Contessa herself, live on stage, presented by ArtPower at UC San Diego. Thu, Nov 12, 7:30pm at Jacobs Music Center. Tickets
🎄 Friday
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration opens, Mission Bay. Over a million lights, the giant Skytower Tree, nightly snowfall, and Santa. Opens Fri, Nov 13 and runs daily through Jan 3, included with park admission. Tickets
Teddy Swims: UGLY Tour, Midway District. With Natasha Bedingfield and MARCLO. Fri, Nov 13, 7pm at Pechanga Arena. Tickets
🏈 Saturday
SDSU vs. Utah State, Mission Valley. Military Appreciation Night and the Aztecs' last regular season home game, so let's pack it! The River Park Block Party tailgate opens 5 hours before kickoff. Sat, Nov 14, 6:30pm at Snapdragon Stadium. Tickets
Los Tigres Del Norte: Los Tigres Del Mundo, Midway District. The legends of norteño, live. Sat, Nov 14, 8pm at Pechanga Arena. Tickets
Uncorked Derby Days Wine Festival, Del Mar. Over 100 wines at the Seaside Cabana while the horses run, 21+. Sat, Nov 14, 1 to 4pm at Del Mar Racetrack. Tickets
Yokohama Festival, Balboa Park. Taiko drumming, Bon Odori dancing, Japanese food, and shopping to celebrate 70 years of San Diego's sister city bond with Yokohama. Sat, Nov 14, main stage from 11am. Details
San Diego Asian Film Festival: Closing Night, Mission Valley. The 27th festival wraps with "Ba's Book." Sat, Nov 14, 7:30pm at UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley. Tickets
😂 Sunday
Jo Koy: Koy Meets World Tour, Downtown. One of the funniest guys in stand up, live at the Civic. Sun, Nov 15, 7:30pm at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Tickets
🍜 BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
The Red Canopy Taco Stand, Clairemont
If you've driven down Balboa Ave near Genesee, you've probably seen the red canopy. Pull over! This little taco stand makes some seriously delicious tacos, and the hot sauce is the best you can find, period. Here's what to order:
The tacos. Delicious, every single time.
The hot sauce. The best you can find. Don't skip it!
An agua fresca. Our favorite is La Fresa.
Missed my Instagram post? Click below to see the video!
📍 Off Balboa Ave and Genesee Ave, Clairemont
✨ NEW AND OPENING
🎄 Coming soon: Mariah Carey Holiday Bar
It's tiiime! Mariah Carey's holiday pop-up is coming to the Gaslamp, taking over 207 Bar at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego with themed cocktails, life-sized photo ops, holiday merch, and nonstop Mariah Christmas hits. There's even a weekend Holiday Brunch with a welcome mimosa. Opens Thu, Nov 19 and runs through Dec 27. Details
📍 207 Bar at Hard Rock Hotel, 207 5th Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
📅 NOVEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR
San Diego Events in November 2026
Our full November events calendar is on Instagram. Here's everything still coming up, with ticket links, so screenshot this and plan the rest of your month!
🎭 Theater and comedy
Nov 20: Seth Meyers: Live, San Diego Civic Theatre, 7pm. Tickets
🍷 Food and drink
🌏 Community and culture
Nov 5 to 14: San Diego Asian Film Festival, theaters around the county. Tickets
Nov 11: San Diego Veterans Day Parade, Harbor Drive downtown, 10 to 11:30am. Details
Nov 14: Yokohama Festival, Balboa Park, from 11am. Details
Nov 21: Tezukuri-ichi Holiday Market, Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park, 10am to 4pm. Details
Nov 26: Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K, Balboa Park, 7:15am. Register
🏈 Sports
🎄 Holiday and family
From Nov 13: SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, SeaWorld San Diego, daily through Jan 3. Included with park admission. Tickets
From Nov 19: Rady Children's Ice Rink, Liberty Station, through Jan 3. Details
From Nov 20: Skating by the Sea, Hotel del Coronado, through Jan 3. Tickets
From Nov 28: Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Trolley Tour, departs Old Town, through Jan 3. Tickets
From Nov 28: Wild Holidays, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, select nights through Jan 3. Included with admission. Details
Hosting something in San Diego? Send it in by Tuesday to be considered for next week's issue.
P.S. If you own a San Diego business and need content, this newsletter is made by my agency, Launch Social. We film at your business, then plan, edit, and post 10 to 20 short-form videos a month for you. See our work.
📣 Want to reach 830 San Diego readers?
San Diego CA Living is written by Danny Quesada and produced by Launch Social.
Interested in advertising? Get in touch.
Want the daily version? Follow on Instagram.
Know someone who would like this? Send them your link.
Forwarded this email? Join the list.