In this edition, you’ll find our gigantic Best of San Diego feature, where we’re shouting out more than 100 of the coolest things happening around town. Our picks include the teams turning San Diego into a sports powerhouse, a famous theater turning triple digits, and a legendary dive’s fancy new sibling— plus a human claw machine, rez radio, and a tiny Taco Bell.

We’ve also got some of the best places for a cold beer, the best bodegas serving sandos, the best places to snag vintage scores, the best bibliophile haunts, and the best protein powerhouses, and—after years of hunting—I finally crown the best chocolate chip cookie in town. All that and your reader’s picks, too. These pages are packed—you might want to grab a backup issue in case yours gets “borrowed.” Or, better yet, gift a subscription to your sticky-fingered friends.

And there’s so much more.

On the cover is 19-year-old San Diego Wave FC phenom Jaedyn Shaw, decked out in a custom jacket from local design shop Sew Loka and hanging out at perhaps the best place in all of SD to catch a weekday vibe: Winyl Club, a DJ-session-slash-kickback in Balboa Park. Shaw has had a hell of year playing for the Wave and the USWNT, so editor Nicolle Monico caught up with

her, along with number six-ranked surfer in the world Jake Marshall and Olympic skater Bryce Wettstein, to learn what it took for these local athletes to become elite at a young age.

And the fun continues. I’ve long wanted to let our readers pick the restaurant where we send our food critic, Troy Johnson. So, after much cajoling and haranguing, Troy agreed that we could buy the ticket and he would take the ride. If it were up to me, he’d have headed to the Denny’s on Rosecrans. Instead, though, we asked our social media followers where they would like him to go. Troy ended up meditating on arguably the most classic burger in town. If you’re not hungry, you will be after reading his review.

Is that not enough? We’re celebrating 50 fabulous years of SD Pride, and we’re opening love letters from people who found their soulmates in San Diego. Get your tissues ready—we all cried working on that one.

So, bring on that cosmic campfire. Bring on summer. You’ve got our guide to some of the best spots in town to explore during the best time of the year. Hope you enjoy.

The post Editor’s Note: Joyously Roasting Under the Cosmic Campfire appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

If you’d like to join in on this year’s festivities, here is everything you need to know about the 2024 San Diego Pride Festival.

When is the 2024 San Diego Pride Festival?

The San Diego Pride Festival 2024 will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 21, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where is the San Diego Pride Festival?

The festival will be held at Marston Point in Balboa Park, located at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street, San Diego, CA, 92101.

How much are San Diego Pride Festival tickets?

San Diego Pride Festival 2024 tickets are available for purchase online. VIP tickets cost $219 plus service fees and include two-day access, better stage views, four free drinks, and an exclusive entrance, restrooms, and lounge (with free food). Two-day general admission tickets are $38 plus service fees until July 19. 

If you buy tickets at the box office during Pride weekend, expect prices to increase ($239 for VIP and $42 for GA). High-school-aged youth and younger and volunteers who have completed a five-hour shift get in free (though children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult), while seniors aged 65 and up can get $15 passes at the box office.

What to expect at the festival?

The San Diego Pride Festival is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the LGBTQ community. The festival features five stages of live entertainment, including music, dance, and drag performances. Hundreds of vendors will be at the event, selling food, apparel, and other products. There are also community resources and booths, where you can learn more about local LGBTQ organizations, services, and support.

How can I get involved?

If you’re interested in volunteering at the San Diego Pride Festival 2024, you can sign up on the San Diego Pride website. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles—you might serve as a member of the stage crew or security team or work as an information booth attendant. If you can’t attend or volunteer, donations are accepted here.

Where is the San Diego Pride Parade?

The San Diego Pride Parade starts west along University Avenue at Normal Street. The 1.5-mile course turns south onto Sixth Avenue and continues left onto Balboa Drive, ending at Quince Drive.

Who is featured on the 2024 San Diego Pride Festival lineup?

• Todrick Hall
• Rico Nasty
• Sheila E.
• Slayyyter
• J. Worra
• Tommy Genesis
• Kaleena Zanders
• Nymphia Wind
• For the Girls ft. Lady Camden, Bosco & Daya Betty

See full lineup here

What are pride donations used for?

Donations help provide virtual youth programming (including Pride’s Youth Leadership Academy) to more than 4,000 LGBTQ children and young adults. They also support groups like the QAPIMEDA Coalition, Black LGBTQ Coalition, and Latinx Coalition, as well as more than 30 LGBTQ programs and events throughout the year.

What items are prohibited at the San Diego Pride Festival?

• Alcohol (though alcoholic drinks are available for purchase onsite)
• Bicycles, skates, scooters, or skateboards (though the festival provides free bike storage)
• Drones or remote-control aircraft, cars, or toys
• Illegal drugs
• Laser pointers
• Outside food & beverages (excepting unopened disposable water bottles & empty reusable water bottles)
• Weapons

See full list here

The post San Diego Pride Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on San Diego Magazine.