The Best Things to Do in San Diego This Month: Dec. 2024
Just like that, another year is in the books. Before the New Year arrives, get into the festive spirit at these events happening throughout San Diego this December. From holiday concerts and food festivals to art exhibits and outdoor celebrations, here are some great ways to close out 2024 in style.Photo Credit: James TranThe Laundry PubFood & Drink Events in San Diego This MonthDel Mar Village’s Winter Taste and SipDecember 8Del Mar Village’s Winter Taste and Sip gives attendees the chance to sample seasonal treats from local eateries, jam to live music, and celebrate the season with an awe-inspiring tree lighting.October 25, 20242024 Holiday Gift Guide: 35 San Diego Goods & Local FindsRELATED ARTICLERockin New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Del CoronadoDecember 31Count down to midnight at The Laundry Pub, the Del’s Rockin New Year’s Eve hot spot. End 2024 with rock n’ roll, an open bar, and the cherry on top: a dessert bar.Photo Credit: Matt Christine PhotographyMannheim SteamrollerConcerts & Festivals in San Diego This MonthMannheim Steamroller at California Center for the Arts, EscondidoDecember 2 Chip Davis leads the 15 musicians of iconic neoclassical ensemble Mannheim Steamroller—known best for their multiplatinum Christmas albums—in a yuletide show at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.Jingle Terrace Live at Moonlight AmphitheatreDecember 8-23Take photos with Santa Claus, meet real-life reindeer, purchase last-minute presents, and more at Moonlight Amphitheatre’s seasonal shindig Jingle Terrace Live in Vista.2 Pianos 4 Hands at North Coast Repertory TheatreDecember 12–29 Musicians Jefferson McDonald and Matthew McGloin will play hit songs and share amusing anecdotes when 2 Pianos 4 Hands returns to the North Coast Repertory Theatre.Courtesy of Broadway San DiegoThe IllusionistsTheater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This MonthJewels of the Season at Timken Museum of ArtDecember 1-31Admire the shimmering sight of more than 1,000 locally handcrafted baubles at the Timken Museum of Art. The Balboa Park institution’s annual Jewels of the Season showcase also includes an accompanying ornament-making workshop on Dec. 2. John Waters at Lou Lou’s Jungle RoomDecember 8-9Filmmaker, actor, author, and iconoclastic auteur John Waters stops by Lou Lou’s Jungle Room at the LaFayette Hotel for a deliciously filthy one-man Christmas special perfect for those who are proudly on the naughty list.Project [BLANK]’s Fates, Boots and BobDecember 20Project [BLANK]’s Salty Series gets in the festive spirit with Fates, Boots and Bob: A Hijacked Hootenanny Holiday Hullabaloo, involving crowd participation, extraterrestrials, and wild storytelling.The Illusionists at the Civic TheatreDecember 26-27Though they won’t reveal their secrets, The Illusionists will share the “Magic of the Holidays” with a sleight-of-hand show at the Civic Theatre.Courtesy of San Diego Running CoMore Fun Things to Do in San Diego This MonthLittle Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas VillageDecember 7Little Italy’s annual Tree Lighting & Christmas Village turns the seaside neighborhood into the North Pole with a pair of massive Christmas trees, a seasonal night market, and the sweet sound of carols. San Diego Santa Run in Pacific BeachDecember 14Don your sneakers and a jolly red jumpsuit for the San Diego Santa Run—an annual tradition that sees thousands of Kris Kringles racing 3.1 miles through Pacific Beach.The post The Best Things to Do in San Diego This Month: Dec. 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
Q&A With Boutique Store Owner Andrea Van De Vort
Since her early days in Tempe, AZ, Andrea Van De Vort has had a passion for fashion—as illustrated in her fifth grade journal blueprinting her outfits months in advance—from the purse down to the shoes. Reminiscing on her childhood alongside 22 cousins, her fondest memories include going shopping with her female family members. What started out as a hobby eventually transformed into a dream career.We all know San Diego is top-tier in countless categories: cuisine, location, beaches, you name it, yet one area that we tend to lack in is fashion. Van De Vort saw the perfect opportunity to change this. After a massive pivot from a bio-chem major to business, the fashion entrepreneur made her way from Arizona to Los Angeles, and finally to San Diego to open her first fashion boutique store, Van De Vort, in 2013. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHOP VAN DE VORT (@shopvandevort)Van De Vort’s most recent expansion, and third brick-and-mortar shop at The Forum Carlsbad, is set to inspire even more fashion lovers through accessible and statement-making clothes and accessories, inspired by cutting-edge trends from Australian brands. Following the Carlsbad grand opening on November 15, we chatted with Van De Vort to learn more about the growth of her business, balancing CEO and family life, and her personal style and advice. February 16, 2024From Fashion Valley to Fashion IconRELATED ARTICLESan Diego Magazine (SDM): Can you share more about the essence of Van De Vort stores and what kind of experience you want customers to have when they walk in?Andrea Van De Vort (AVDV): We specialize in a very personalized, neighborhood company. We bring people of all walks and all phases of life into one location and bond over our love of fashion. The best times are when random people are in the store, like a 60-year-old and a 20-year-old, and everyone ends up having just a fun bonding experience. It makes a big neighborhood feel small. Bringing all these brands to San Diego that you can only get from us and helping women push their limits, that’s always my favorite to do. Most people are a bit apprehensive to stand out in a crowd and always tend to go toward jeans and a t-shirt, but it’s our favorite thing when they walk out [of the store] with styles outside of their comfort zone. Courtesy of Van De VortSDM: The grand opening looked like a major success. What was the most rewarding part of that day?AVDV: Just being done with the construction. There’s so much that goes into building a store and there’s so many moving parts, so I do all of that. Just having it all done was a huge weight off my shoulders and it was a relief to get it open and move on with my life. And then just having my friends, my family, and people at the shop with us since day one when they’re there to celebrate. SDM: How would you describe your personal style and are there any specific designers, eras, or trends that have influenced your aesthetic over the years?AVDV: I would say it’s kind of all over the place. Some days I am mom-ing and I’m just wearing baggy jeans and sneakers, but I also love dressing up and having a reason to dress up. But you’ll never catch me without accessories—my layered necklace, six earrings on, my fingers full of rings. Even if I am in my sweats, I still have my jewelry on. Australian labels have definitely had an influence on my personal style. They are always one season ahead in fashion, so I think I have always been inspired by Australian style. It’s a bit more funky and not your everyday kind of vibe. Also my employees, they are 15 years younger and very “in the know” so I get inspired by them when they come into work and they’re dressed in something from the store. Courtesy of Andrea Van De VortSDM: How do you balance having three kids and a family with this very successful business? What do you do to make it all work?AVDV: It’s very hard. I have many panic attacks everyday. No, I’m just kidding. I have a lot of help. We have a really amazing nanny for the babies. And my employees, I have such a good team who are all young and excited and willing to pick up any kind of tasks that I might have to pass off to them. So it’s really just teamwork and taking each day at a time. I also want to give my husband a shout-out. He does help a lot. SDM: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the fashion industry?AVDV: Getting experience in all parts of the industry helps. My first job was working for a denim company. It was a really big corporate company, so I got to see all the different roles that go into making a brand work. Just getting experience and weighing out your options and seeing exactly what you like. And then of course reaching out to mentors or anyone in the community. I feel like most people, most entrepreneurs at least, are willing to offer up advice for people trying to get into it. SDM: What are your goals for Van De Vort as you enter the next year of your business?AVDV: I definitely want to open a couple more locations. We will most likely stay in San Diego, just because it’s easy to reach and traveling isn’t really an option for me right now. And then we are also launching our new in-house label next Spring. One of the private label designers from Revolve is helping us get that line developed, so that will be fun. The post Q&A With Boutique Store Owner Andrea Van De Vort appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
10 Young San Diego Athletes to Watch in 2025
Avocados, craft beer, and Taylor guitars are some of San Diego’s most notable exports, but the city has a less-touted gift: Our backyard is known for fostering some of the most elite athletic talent in the country.Every year, local athletes from the North County down to the South Bay fill the college ranks and are selected in professional drafts. Few areas in the US send as many athletes to the highest levels of sport, and it seems like San Diegans are only getting better and more prominent. Want proof? Akili Smith, a Lincoln High School alum who was third overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft, might not be the best athlete in his family—not if his son, featured below, has anything to say about it.June 26, 2024The Young Locals Leading the Wave of Next-Gen AthletesRELATED ARTICLEAs we approach 2025, we took a look at the talent coming out of our city to keep an eye on. Here are 10 young athletes that San Diego (and the country) will likely be talking a lot about in the coming years—if they aren’t already.Akili Smith Jr.Football | Senior, Lincoln High SchoolIt’s cliché to say a son stands in the shadow of his father, and anyway, in this case, it wouldn’t be true. The six-foot-five Akili Smith Jr. is taller than his famous dad—taller than almost everyone he lines up with or against—which is the kind of physical attribute that catches the attention of top college football programs. After throwing for nearly 7,000 yards and over 70 touchdowns in three years as Lincoln High’s starting quarterback, Smith Jr. will head to the University of Oregon next year, which is currently ranked as the best college team in the country. Courtesy of Drive, Pitch, and PuttZadie PosternackGolf | Sophomore, Patrick Henry High SchoolAs a freshman, Zadie Posternack qualified for the prestigious national Drive, Chip, & Putt competition played at Augusta National Golf Club. This year, as a sophomore, she became the first girls golfer at Patrick Henry High to qualify for the SoCal Regionals. It probably won’t be long before she’s on the WPGA. Posternack picked up golf just four years ago during the pandemic, and her raw talent has propelled her into an elite class of junior golfers.Courtesy of Sir AutrySir AutryFootball | Senior, Hoover High SchoolThe San Diego region has produced famed running backs in Marcus Allen, Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush, and Rashaan Salaam. It’s premature to put Hoover High’s Sir Autry in that class, but he already has a claim to fame: At over 5,400 yards, Autry has more high school career rushing yards than any of his legendary predecessors. A San Jose State commit, Autry will represent San Diego in the Bay Area next year. Courtesy of Ava SchrammAva SchrammField Hockey | Senior, Scripps Ranch High SchoolThe Scripps Ranch High field hockey program is a powerhouse—its students have won 12 CIF San Diego section titles, and this year, they emerged victorious from the prestigious Laurie Berger Invitational and reached the CIF Open Division semifinals. Driving that success in recent years has been Ava Schramm, who was named the Invitational’s Most Valuable Player and who has captained her team through her final campaign as a Falcon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patrick Henry Patriots Baseball (@phpatriotsbsbl)Cody CappellettiBaseball & Football | Senior, Patrick Henry High SchoolIn the spring, he threw a no-hitter. In the fall, he starred on the football team. Patrick Henry High’s Cody Cappelletti can seemingly do it all, but at the next level, he’ll be focusing on baseball. A St. Mary’s College commit, Cappelletti follows in the footsteps of former Gaels and current MLB pitchers Corbin Burnes, Tony Gonsolin, and Ky Bush. It won’t be any surprise if, in the coming years, Cappelletti is added to the long list of San Diegans selected in the MLB draft.Caity SimmersSurfing | OceansideAn Oceanside teenager is the world’s best woman surfer. That is not an opinion. In September, Caity Simmers became the youngest-ever world champion by winning the Lexus World Surf League Finals. Her victory at San Clemente’s Lower Trestles followed an appearance at this summer’s Paris Olympics for Team USA. Just 19 years old, Simmers has the potential to become one of the most legendary San Diego athletes of all time—not that she’s letting it get to her head. “I wake up everyday in disbelief of my position in life,” she wrote on Instagram after the WSL Finals. “I am thankful for everyone and everything and still don’t know how wave dancing has [taken] me here.”Brandon ArringtonTrack and Field & Football | Junior, Mt. Miguel High SchoolBrandon Arrington is probably the top high school athlete in San Diego right now. As a sophomore, he won a state championship in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Clocking times of 10.33 and 20.55, respectively, he is one of the fastest humans in the country. The six-foot-two, 180-pound junior is also one the most coveted football players in the nation. Name a top college program—Oklahoma, Alabama, USC, Texas A&M—and they’re recruiting him as a wideout or cornerback or a return specialist. They just want him on the team, and they’ll figure the rest out later. It’s not a matter of if he’ll be playing on national TV on Saturdays, but where. Courtesy of San Diego WaveMelanie BarcenasSoccer | San Diego Wave FCClairemont native Melanie Barcenas is arguably the most accomplished 17-year-old in San Diego. In 2022, she was the youngest player named to the United States Under-17 women’s national soccer team. In 2023, she became the youngest signee in NWSL history when she joined the hometown Wave at age 15. This year, she started every game at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, logging two goals and an assist. Growing up, Barcenas idolized former Wave teammate Alex Morgan. It won’t be long until Barcenas herself is an idol to many.Courtesy of XKreet MakiheleFootball | Junior, San Marcos High SchoolIf Brandon Arrington is the best high school athlete in San Diego, then Kreet Makihele might be the county’s best high school quarterback. In three years as San Marcos High’s starter, Makihele has thrown for 7,299 yards and 91 touchdowns, with a completion rate of 68.1 percent. These stats are almost without precedent. He’s on pace to exceed 9,000 high school career passing yards, something only two San Diegans have ever done, and it’s not impossible for him to break the region’s career passing touchdown record of 127. Courtesy of Cathedral Catholic High SchoolMae KordasVolleyball | Senior, Cathedral CatholicSan Diego is helping fuel indoor volleyball’s explosive growth, and one of the region’s brightest stars is Cathedral Catholic’s Mae Kordas. A six-foot-three outside hitter, Kordas has contributed to a team that has won four consecutive CIF Open Division championships and helped turn Cathedral Catholic’s into one of the best prep programs in the country. Her hard work and success earned her a seat at Yale, which I’ve heard produced a successful alum or two.The post 10 Young San Diego Athletes to Watch in 2025 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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