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Looking for a new restaurant, bar or café to try this summer? We've got you covered.

Dig in: These neighborhood spots opened in June around San Diego and are now serving up brunch, ice cream, local beer, sandwiches and more. 

Plus, we say goodbye to a few restaurants that closed this month.

🍔 Global Fork food hall is now offering burgers, pizza, Thai dishes, lobster rolls, salads and Handel's ice cream at the Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy.

🍳 MAKE Cafe is serving farm-to-table breakfast, brunch and lunch in Normal Heights.

🍦 Silver Hoof Creamery is swirling soft-serve into waffle cones, bowls and tacos in Old town.

🥪 Board and Brew's stellar sandwiches and beers are now available at the downtown waterfront.

🍻 Harland Brewing Co. opened The Clubhouse restaurant at San Diego's Mission Bay Golf Course.

The brewery opened its first full-service restaurant in 4S Ranch earlier this year.

🪷 Sunlife Organics is now serving fresh smoothies and acai bowls at the beach outside Hotel Del Coronado.

🍸 The new Encinitas speakeasy changed its name from Arcana to Anigma.

Meanwhile, a few local spots closed their doors:

🍽️ Hob Knob Hill, one of San Diego's oldest restaurants.

🍸Crafted Coupe's last call is Wednesday in North Park.

🍷 Vin De Syrah shut down its cocktail and wine bar and is now just an event venue downtown.

🥗 Loving Hut vegan restaurant in Mira Mesa is closing July 3.

What's next: We have our eye on these new restaurants set to open next month.

🥘 Telefèric Barcelona at Westfield UTC — think elevated Spanish tapas — will have a limited opening July 1 and will then open at full capacity July 14.

🍜 Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar, a Vietnamese restaurant and bar from the owners of Pho Ca Dao, is opening in Hillcrest.

🎸 Pop-punk bar Drink 182 is coming to Ocean Beach.

🌮 La Corriente will have a new location in Oceanside.

New San Diego restaurants, bars and cafés in June 2026

Get farm-to-table brunch, soft-serve ice cream, local beer and sandwiches at these new spots.

Illustration of social media icons in the shape of food

Looking for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/29/new-san-diego-restaurants-bars-coffee-brunch-brewery-may-2026" data-vars-content-id="17400392-0f94-4d9a-8bed-88504062fac6" data-vars-headline="New San Diego restaurants, bars and cafés in June 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/29/new-san-diego-restaurants-bars-coffee-brunch-brewery-may-2026" target="_self">new restaurant</a>, bar or café to try this summer? We&#x27;ve got you covered.Dig in: These neighborhood spots opened in June around San Diego and are now serving up brunch, ice cream, local beer, sandwiches and more. <ul><li>Plus, we say goodbye to a few restaurants that closed this month.</li></ul>

Food and Drink

It's going to be a sniffly summer: San Diego now ranks as one of the worst places for pollen allergies, a recent report shows.

Why it matters: More pollen is sticking around town, floating in the air, coating our cars and making many of our lives miserable.

Stunning stat: We're now considered a top allergy capital, soaring from No. 97 to No. 2 among U.S. cities in the 2026 report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Winter and early spring rainstorms last year and warmer temperatures are to blame for the extended allergy season and higher pollen amounts, per the report.

How it works: In San Diego, the peak grass pollen season spreads throughout the summer rather than an intense two-week burst like in other cities, Scripps allergist Ronald Simon told Axios.

Seasons are shorter and more drastic in places like New York, Chicago and Denver, so the pollen comes out all at once. With the relatively warm weather here, people can have pollen allergy symptoms year-round.

Our rise in the rankings is due to a larger total number of high pollen days, but the "high" levels aren't as extreme as other cities, Simon said.

In other words, "It is getting worse, but not that dramatically," he said. "And it's getting worse everywhere."

Plus, San Diego's June gloom seems to be getting weaker, and that strong sea breeze isn't clearing out the pollen like it used to, Simon said.

"It just hovers over most of the county these days, so clearly people's allergy symptoms are worse," he said.

The big picture: West Coast cities have historically avoided the worst allergy rankings, which have often been dominated by the Southeast, but not this year.

The annual list ranks the most challenging places to live with allergies, and several cities in the West jumped into the top 20 due to climate change-fueled weather patterns.

Pro tips: Check pollen forecasts before going outside, shower after you come back in, wipe off your furry pets, and start allergy medications before symptoms become severe, per the allergy foundation.

To minimize symptoms, Simon also suggests:

Closing windows during high pollen days and hours;

Using an allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers;

Getting a HEPA air purifier and cleaning air conditioning filters;

Using nasal sprays, sinus rinses and non-drowsy antihistamines.

The bottom line: Your summer allergies aren't necessarily going to be horrible, but there's a reason you might be feeling like they're worse than usual.

Why San Diego's allergy season is getting worse

More high-pollen days and weaker coastal winds are keeping allergens in the air longer.

Illustration of tiny toy people climbing up a mountain of pollen with a large flower growing from the middle

It&#x27;s going to be a sniffly summer: San Diego now ranks as one of the worst places for pollen allergies, a recent report shows.Why it matters: More pollen is sticking around town, floating in the air, coating our cars and making many of our lives miserable.

News

Environment

San Diego's black trash bins are officially out. The new gray bins are now the only ones that will be picked up starting Wednesday.

Catch up quick: The city recently finished rolling out new trash bins of different sizes with RFID chips that track if the bin has been picked up.

They're part of the new trash fee that went into effect last year. 

After backlash, the city reduced those fees starting next year. People can apply for financial assistance for the upcoming fees. 

Zoom in: Nearly all local residents already have their new bins, but homeowners can change their service online and save $6 a month by switching to a smaller size.

If you still have a black bin, schedule a pickup, call 858-694-7000 or contact your landlord.

What's next: More than half of the blue recycling bins have been replaced with a light blue version, according to the city.

That rollout should be complete by September.

Fun fact: The more than 750,000 old bins are being recycled into new plastic products.

New gray trash bins are now required for pickup

Gray is the new black when it comes to curbside trash collection.

A garbage truck with a mechanical arm lifts a light blue bin on a street. Two wheeled trash cans, gray and green, sit on the curb beside the sidewalk, with palm trees and houses in the background.

Gray is the new black. Photo: City of San Diego

San Diego&#x27;s black trash bins are officially out. The new gray bins are now the only ones that will be picked up starting Wednesday.Catch up quick: The city recently finished rolling out new trash bins of different sizes with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RFID chips" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://link.axios.com/click/44745632.34489/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua3Bicy5vcmcvbmV3cy9lbnZpcm9ubWVudC8yMDI1LzEwLzEzL2RlbGl2ZXJ5LW9mLXNhbi1kaWVnb3MtbmV3LWhpZ2gtdGVjaC10cmFzaC1iaW5zLWhhcy1iZWd1bj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3NhbmRpZWdvJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/69656478b56c8961c10c80e4B1a2c5902__;!!OBed2aHXvKmHymw!z8TfhqoCTU2xB1ex29ixYvCoa3YIZEpLfKK8jKySDrm6-XzSJEuOcgS4Y8i9HdxFBJIV4AclNplcmxsqKjtV$" data-vars-content-id="4fa12357-0130-4dc7-a181-c79660c80ee4" data-vars-headline="New gray trash bins are now required for pickup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://link.axios.com/click/44745632.34489/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua3Bicy5vcmcvbmV3cy9lbnZpcm9ubWVudC8yMDI1LzEwLzEzL2RlbGl2ZXJ5LW9mLXNhbi1kaWVnb3MtbmV3LWhpZ2gtdGVjaC10cmFzaC1iaW5zLWhhcy1iZWd1bj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3NhbmRpZWdvJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/69656478b56c8961c10c80e4B1a2c5902__;!!OBed2aHXvKmHymw!z8TfhqoCTU2xB1ex29ixYvCoa3YIZEpLfKK8jKySDrm6-XzSJEuOcgS4Y8i9HdxFBJIV4AclNplcmxsqKjtV$" target="_self">RFID chips</a> that track if the bin has been picked up.<ul><li>They&#x27;re part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new trash fee" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://link.axios.com/click/44745632.34489/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3Nhbi1kaWVnby8yMDI1LzA0LzA5L3Nhbi1kaWVnby1vZmZpY2lhbHMtdG8tdm90ZS1vbi1sb3dlci10cmFzaC1waWNrdXAtZmVlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfc2FuZGllZ28mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/69656478b56c8961c10c80e4Bb3d73fa2__;!!OBed2aHXvKmHymw!z8TfhqoCTU2xB1ex29ixYvCoa3YIZEpLfKK8jKySDrm6-XzSJEuOcgS4Y8i9HdxFBJIV4AclNplcm5iKSm2U$" data-vars-content-id="4fa12357-0130-4dc7-a181-c79660c80ee4" data-vars-headline="New gray trash bins are now required for pickup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://link.axios.com/click/44745632.34489/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3Nhbi1kaWVnby8yMDI1LzA0LzA5L3Nhbi1kaWVnby1vZmZpY2lhbHMtdG8tdm90ZS1vbi1sb3dlci10cmFzaC1waWNrdXAtZmVlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfc2FuZGllZ28mc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/69656478b56c8961c10c80e4Bb3d73fa2__;!!OBed2aHXvKmHymw!z8TfhqoCTU2xB1ex29ixYvCoa3YIZEpLfKK8jKySDrm6-XzSJEuOcgS4Y8i9HdxFBJIV4AclNplcm5iKSm2U$" target="_self">new trash fee</a> that went into effect last year. </li></ul>

More drones are lighting up the night sky this July Fourth and throughout the summer across San Diego, from SeaWorld to La Jolla to Oceanside.

We're taking a closer look at how these synchronized substitutes for traditional fireworks shows are designed and flown.

Why it matters: Drone shows have been taking off over the last few years at local venues as event organizers face pressure to scale back fireworks and replace explosives with drones due to wildfire, water pollution and wildlife concerns.

Fireworks are flashy, stimulating and celebratory, and drone productions are, too, telling stories with "3D-animation in the sky," Jeff Stein, founder of San Diego-based Drone Studios, told Axios.

Stein's company has produced the annual July Fourth La Jolla Sky Show since it transitioned to drones four years ago.

July Fourth is a particularly "high-pressure show," and pulling it off takes more preparation than any other event during the year, he said.

Night view of a giant LED-lit astronaut figure hovering over a coastal town. Blue-white outline with red accents, arm raised; a dotted US flag extends to the right, city lights and water below.

July Fourth is one of the busiest nights of the year for drone shows. Photo: Courtesy of Drone Studios

How it works: Designing the show starts three or four months before the event.

The company builds a storyboard with the client, then the animation team produces a video simulation of the full show.

The team runs simulations through software to make sure it works and that the drone's height, speed and positioning are within safety parameters.

Drone Studios hosts a training camp for the pilots a week before the event, with refresher courses and rehearsals at their 18-acre property in Jamul.

They also calibrate and run maintenance on their 10-inch quadcopter drone fleet.

Wide view of a tennis court at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, filled with rows of black trays holding purple-lit items. Left: people by a building; center: tree with lights; right: striped canopy and palms.

This fleet of drones is ready for take off in La Jolla. Photo: Courtesy of Drone Studios

On the big day, the operators lay out the drones in a grid based on how the show is programmed.

They do a final maintenance check before the launch and swap out any drones that show errors.

There's no manual control of the drone fleet. The operators upload the programmed flight path to each drone with GPS-specific positioning, color schemes and brightness levels.

And when it's showtime, they hit the launch button.

After that, 500 drones take off from La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club courts, running their course and then flying back to home base and landing in their boxes.

Meanwhile, operators watch for errors popping up in the software, and they can press a button to bring back a faulty drone.

If an error occurs or a drone fails to take off, spare drones can fill in those gaps.

The show runs 15 minutes because of battery capacity, Stein said.

Zoom in: This year, the La Jolla Sky Show drones will make a grand entrance by creating an animated eagle flying across the sky to center stage over the water in La Jolla Cove.

The aerial display is choreographed to music and will feature marine life and patriotic visuals highlighting America's 250th anniversary.

Lining up the soundtrack across speaker systems at the beach, golf course and on the YouTube livestream is one of bigger challenges, project manager Jim McInerney told Axios.

You can watch the spectacle around La Jolla Shores Beach and Kellogg Park, the bluffs above the sea caves, private homes with an ocean view, Mt. Soledad and some spots in Del Mar.

Some locals watch from the water in kayaks and paddle boards.

Follow the money: Drone Studios charges about $150-$200 per drone, plus designer or graphic artist fees, so the cost depends on size and complexity. The Fourth of July also comes at a premium.

La Jolla Sky Show organizers raise money to pay for the show's $60,000 price tag, McInerney said.

The big picture: Nationwide, cities are ditching pyrotechnics, companies are embracing skyvertising and major events like the World Cup have drones entertaining fans.

The Padres, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld, Rady Shell, USS Midway, SDSU football and local music festivals have also tapped into drone entertainment

While some might question whether drone shows are as exciting as fireworks, SeaWorld San Diego park president Tyler Carter says people are fascinated by the technology, and drones create a uniquely immersive experience.

Nighttime San Diego city skyline along a harbor with boats; a large blue dotted drone light sculpture of a baseball player hitting a ball above the buildings and lit up Rady Shell music venue.

Drones are lighting up San Diego's sky all summer. Photo: Courtesy of Drone Studios

How San Diego's drone shows come to life

From months of planning to launch night, here's how hundreds of drones light up San Diego skies.

Night aerial view of a coastal city with warm shoreline lights; blue drone-light formation in the sky shapes a manta ray, with a glowing trail over the water.

Stingray made of drones takes flight. GIF: Courtesy of Drone Studios

More drones are lighting up the night sky this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July Fourth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/01/july-fourth-fireworks-san-diego-2025" data-vars-content-id="77c67855-ca3a-42dc-956f-1705a5d3ebe2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego&#x27;s drone shows come to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/01/july-fourth-fireworks-san-diego-2025" target="_self">July Fourth</a> and throughout the summer across San Diego, from SeaWorld to La Jolla to Oceanside.<ul><li>We&#x27;re taking a closer look at how these synchronized substitutes for traditional fireworks shows are designed and flown.</li></ul>Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drone shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/01/fireworks-drones-july-4th-independence-day" data-vars-content-id="77c67855-ca3a-42dc-956f-1705a5d3ebe2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego&#x27;s drone shows come to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/01/fireworks-drones-july-4th-independence-day" target="_self">Drone shows</a> have been taking off over the last few years at local venues as event organizers face pressure to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scale back fireworks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/06/pressure-builds-from-coastal-commission-to-trim-san-diegos-big-bay-boom-fireworks/" data-vars-content-id="77c67855-ca3a-42dc-956f-1705a5d3ebe2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego&#x27;s drone shows come to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/06/pressure-builds-from-coastal-commission-to-trim-san-diegos-big-bay-boom-fireworks/" target="_blank">scale back fireworks</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replace explosives with drones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/05/18/seaworld-agrees-to-settle-suit-over-its-fireworks-shows/" data-vars-content-id="77c67855-ca3a-42dc-956f-1705a5d3ebe2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego&#x27;s drone shows come to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/05/18/seaworld-agrees-to-settle-suit-over-its-fireworks-shows/" target="_blank">replace explosives with drones</a> due to wildfire, water pollution and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildlife concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/why-lake-murray-wont-have-a-fireworks-show-this-year" data-vars-content-id="77c67855-ca3a-42dc-956f-1705a5d3ebe2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego&#x27;s drone shows come to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/why-lake-murray-wont-have-a-fireworks-show-this-year" target="_blank">wildlife concerns</a>.

Culture

Things to Do

We hope you like explosive nighttime displays, because San Diego is full of them this July Fourth weekend.

The big picture: Cities countywide are throwing parties to celebrate America's 250th birthday with fireworks and drone shows, parades and festivals.

🎆 San Diego's Big Bay Boom, billed as California's largest fireworks show, is the city's main event downtown.

The 18-minute spectacle starts at 9:15pm, and you can see from the waterfront, hotels, apartment balconies or from a boat.

Get your lawn chairs and blankets set up early to watch from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, Coronado Ferry Landing or the USS Midway.

Park at downtown lots or free meters, and MTS is running expanded train, trolley and bus services.

🎢 Watch the SeaWorld fireworks from the park, around Mission Bay or at Kate Sessions Park.

🎉 Coronado's festivities start with the annual parade, then live music and fireworks at the golf course.

🧨 Enjoy the fireworks fest at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.

🚁 Drones taking over La Jolla Shores, with views from the beach, bluff or the water in a kayak or paddle board.

🥳 Oceanside's party, with fireworks and drones, is Friday because July 3 is the city's birthday.

🎡 The County Fair puts on a spectacular show in Del Mar.

💥 In Carlsbad, Legoland's "Red, White and Boom!" is putting on a 3D show and resorts are throwing parties.

🇺🇸 Santee Salutes is one of East County's biggest Fourth of July celebrations with live music, food vendors, family activities and a fireworks show at Town Center Community Park.

🎇 Vista's Independence Day Celebration returns to Brengle Terrace Park with live entertainment, food, family fun and fireworks.

🎆 San Marcos' Fourth of July Celebration at Bradley Park features a DJ, community activities, food vendors and an evening fireworks display.

🎉 El Cajon at Kennedy Park is hosting a free Independence Day celebration with live music, games, food vendors and fireworks to cap off the night.

🚂 Old Poway Park's Fourth of July Celebration offers a classic small-town holiday with steam train rides, patriotic music, living history, crafts and family-friendly activities.

⛰️ Shhh, we didn't tell you this but you can get a sneaky good view of multiple shows from the top of Cowles Mountain.

🦈 If you don't like fireworks, consider seeing "Jaws" at La Paloma in Encinitas. They have afternoon and evening viewings.

And remember, consumer fireworks are illegal in both the city and county of San Diego, so let's leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.

Where to watch San Diego's Fourth of July celebrations

From Big Bay Boom to La Jolla's drone show, here's where to celebrate across San Diego County this weekend.

Night-time city skyline with illuminated buildings; pink-red fireworks burst above clouds in a purple-hued sky, lighting the urban landscape with colorful bursts.

Last year's Big Bay Boom. Photo: Claire Trageser/Axios

We hope you like explosive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nighttime displays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/01/drone-shows-july-4th-how-they-work-la-jolla-seaworld" data-vars-content-id="aaec5084-2c67-4ee5-bb15-332309fb746d" data-vars-headline="Where to watch San Diego&#x27;s Fourth of July celebrations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/01/drone-shows-july-4th-how-they-work-la-jolla-seaworld" target="_self">nighttime displays</a>, because San Diego is full of them this July Fourth weekend.The big picture: Cities countywide are throwing parties to celebrate America&#x27;s 250th birthday with fireworks and drone shows, parades and festivals.

Kate Murphy

Featured stories

Where to watch San Diego's Fourth of July celebrations

How San Diego's drone shows come to life

New gray trash bins are now required for pickup

New San Diego restaurants, bars and cafés in June 2026

Why San Diego's allergy season is getting worse