The first weekend of 2026 arrives with classic San Diego energy - dramatic King Tides along the coast, a packed sports calendar, great food finds, and no shortage of live music from North County to the South Bay. Whether you’re easing into the new year with a scenic hike, catching a big event downtown, or planning your nights around local stages, there’s plenty happening across the county to kick things off right.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

PS - This weekly update goes out to folks who registered through our Facebook promotion for local events. If these messages are no longer a fit, there’s a simple opt-out link in the footer—one tap and delivery stops right away. Thanks for giving us a look!

🍽️ Fonda del Barrio
Bold, modern Mexican cooking rooted in regional tradition, with handmade tortillas, rich moles, and seasonal ingredients in a stylish Barrio Logan setting.
👉 https://fondadelbarrio.com/

🧁 The Cakery
A San Diego favorite for creative cupcakes and custom cakes, known for rotating flavors, vegan options, and celebratory treats done right.
👉 https://www.thecakerysd.com/

📍 Start at Torrey Pines Gliderport
🎯 Destination: Black's Beach

This steep coastal trail delivers one of San Diego’s most dramatic hikes, descending from the Torrey Pines Gliderport past soaring paragliders and jaw-dropping ocean views all the way down to Black’s Beach. Winter air brings extra clarity, making this a standout New Year hike for locals looking to kick off 2026 with something memorable.

Distance: ~1.5–2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (short but steep)
Best time: Morning or late afternoon for light and wind
⚠️ Heads up: The trail can be sandy, narrow, and slippery after rain — good shoes are a must.

Mission Bay!

Fri 1/2
High 67° / Low 55° • 🌥️ 24%

Sat 1/3
High 66° / Low 56° • ☁️ 24%

Sun 1/4
High 66° / Low 53° • 🌧️ 64%

Cloud cover sticks around Friday and Saturday, with rain chances rising Sunday as showers move in to close out the weekend.

The Roxy Encinitas – Danny DiCarlo – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Duke's La Jolla – DevvLov – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Jehua – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – First Friday Jazz Jam – Mission Bay – 4-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Shay Sylar – Escondido – 4-6pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Zavala Soul – Point Loma – 5-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Freddie Walton – Escondido – 5-8pm
Pour House – West Of 5 – Oceanside – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Christian Taylor – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Nikki Green – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Grand Ole BBQ – MohaviSoul – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Ripple Effect – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Orion Song – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – Jackson Wagner – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – David Shyde – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill – Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Haywire – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Blaise Guld – Oceanside – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Jonny Tarr – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – TJ Moss – Core-Columbia – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – The Heart – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Open Mic with Michael E. – Ramona – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Cassidy Paige – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Jeff, Eric, James & Courtney – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Colour – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Renegade Bar – Lefty Martin & his Right Hand Band – El Cajon – 6:30pm-12:30am
Négociant Winery – Friday’s with Don L. – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Fast Times – Ristband – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Rising Star – National City – 7-10pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Israel Maldonado – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – 3 Car Garage – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Jason Graham – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Winstons OB – Crimson Coil – Ocean Beach – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – WiseGuyz – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – FreeMartini – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company – 1st Floor – West End Boys & Synth Wave Icons – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Wildside – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Mike Myrdal – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – David Cultura – University Heights – 8pm
McP’s Irish Pub – Baywolf – Coronado – 8pm-12am
The Roxy Encinitas – Mojo Strut – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Daytripper – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
The Kraken – Radio 80s – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pour House – The Reflectors – Oceanside – 9pm-12am
Mission Ave Bar & Grill – Boone & Kiel – Oceanside – 9:30-11:30pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – David Cultura – University Heights – 10pm

710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryaoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
Winstons OB – Karaoke w/ Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 9pm-12am
Wong's Dragon Room – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Rolando – 9pm-1am

Night Parade Brewing Company – Sunset Trivia – Scripps Ranch – 6-8pm
White Labs Brewing Co – San Diego – Trivia – Downtown – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds – Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Farmer & The Seahorse – Orion Song – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
La Valencia Hotel – Kevin Ryan – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Kai Kalama – Gaslamp Quarter – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Jah Olin – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Cloe Lou & Friends – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Sheila Songergard – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Jason Jenkins – Escondido – 2-4pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Jack & Diana – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 3-6pm
The Camp Store – Travel Agents – Carlsbad – 4-6:30pm
Winstons OB – Heathen God & Midjana – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Memphis Soul Revue – Point Loma – 5-7pm
Pour House – Kyle Brown – Oceanside – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Fridays Past – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – DJ Night – 60’s Decades Party – Escondido – 5-9pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Yarp – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Michael Dean – Ramona – 6-8pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Santana Soul – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – David Rosales – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – FastTrax – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Rachel Jay – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill – Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Billy Watson – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Kevin James O'Brien – La Jolla – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Mike Myrdal – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Jason Graham – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Richard Galigus – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Eric, James, Martha, Courtney & Dave – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
The Galley at the Marina – Paradygm – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Renegade Bar – Coyote Rebel – El Cajon – 6:30pm-12:30am
Négociant Winery – Andy Anderson & Nathan Fry – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Archie Thompson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Fast Times – The Pinchflats – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Rikacha – National City – 7-10pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Matt Heinecke – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Steel 94 – CC&E – Spring Valley – 7-10pm
Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Full Strength Band – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Travis Thomas – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – Boogie X press – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Joe Wood – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company – 1st Floor – Pocket Change • Helix Moon • Kogee Soul – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – The Tighten Ups – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Hank Easton – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Winstons OB – Decades of Ozz & Hollywood Crue – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – The Lao Tizer Band – University Heights – 8pm
McP’s Irish Pub – The Sophisticats – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Til-Two Club – The New Room • The Noir Dalis • The Faint Havens – Talmadge – 8pm-12:30am
The Roxy Encinitas – Projekt X – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Casey & Romy – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
710 Beach Club – Sunrise Company + Croon Dog – Pacific Beach – 9pm-1am
The Kraken – 7 Seconds to Vegas – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pour House – Hill Street Stranglers • Howlin' Roosters • The Thrill Killers – Oceanside – 9pm-12am

Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

Round Table Pizza – Poway – Trivia – Poway – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds – College Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Farmer & The Seahorse – Matt Heinecke – Torrey Pines – 10am-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Richard Galigus – Carlsbad – 10am-8pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Orion Song – Del Mar – 11am-8pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-8pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Joe Rathburn – Escondido – 12-3pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – High Noon Grateful Dead Set – Mission Bay – 12-5pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-8pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Wild Rumour – Coronado – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The New Brown Sugar – El Cajon – 1-4pm
Duke's La Jolla – Kai Kalama – La Jolla – 1-8pm
McP's Irish Pub Paddy-O – Pomerado Wolff Band – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Victor Santana – Escondido – 3-5pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – Music by Miles – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Lee Melton – Del Mar – 3-6pm
The Kraken – Thunderbird Mountain Band – Cardiff – 3-6pm
The Galley at the Marina – Geoff Corey 5 – Chula Vista – 3-7pm
The Camp Store – Dalton Gazette – Carlsbad – 4-6:30pm
Carruth Cellars – Liberty Station – Ruby G – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – Christy & Ed – Poway – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – Iris G – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Kekoa – La Jolla – 4-8pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Jason Graham – Escondido – 4-8pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – John Lowery – Encinitas – 4:30-7:30pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Sol Sacrifice – National City – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Saxual Vibrations – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Rebecca Jade – Point Loma – 6-8pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Burt Brion Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Dave, Jeff & Martha – Gaslamp Quarter – 7-8pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Electric Louie Land – University Heights – 7pm

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with TerryOke – La Mesa – 5-8pm
The Salty Frog – Karaoke – Imperial Beach – 7pm-2am
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
1st Street Bar – Karaoke – Encinitas – 9pm-1am
North Bar – Karaoke – Escondido – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm

*Some events may require tickets, reservations, cover charges, or be full/sold out, and typos or errors could happen but we try our best!! …

Answer: B)
Fun Fact: The San Diego Rowing Club’s New Year’s Day plunge began as a way to celebrate their new boathouse with a swim on January 1, 1900 — and by 1904 it was established enough to become an annual tradition!
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San Diego Meteor is published every Friday morning by Steve DeLong. Steve is an Escondido High Graduate and has lived in San Diego County since 1972.