MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in San Diego, CA

Gas prices in California have had a history of being higher than in many other areas of the US, but recently they have risen to well over $6 and even $7 a gallon in some parts.

This far exceeds the current national average of $3.96, per Y-Charts.

The gas price hike has caused many California residents to make hard choices, sometimes having to choose between filling up their tank or buying lunch.

San Diego residents at a local 7-Eleven spoke to FOX News Digital about how rising gas prices, have been affecting their lives.

“Filling this thing up, [it’s] like $130,” said one resident, who explained his full gas typically only lasts him about a week. Another resident, who explained how gas for the roofing company trucks is a “lot of money,” described how he pays between $100-$150 to fill up his gas tank.

Many of the residents who talked to FOX News Digital admitted they have to make conscious choices between paying for gas or spending money on other necessities.

One resident even described having to “sometimes” make the choice between filling his tank or “lunch.”

“I am fortunate to be a travel nurse at this moment, but I am thinking of staying staff in San Diego, and it would be very hard to stay as staff unless the wages went up,” explained Devon, a travel nurse currently in San Diego. She said a travel nurse’s salary has helped with making the cost of living in the city manageable, but on a staff wage it would be “really difficult.”

“Especially like living on your own, paying one rent by yourself. So hopefully, gas prices go down,” Devon said.

What do you think? Post a comment.

Another resident, Rocco, a local automotive technician, explained that while his pay has fluctuated, his wages have not kept pace with the rising price of gas or the general cost of living in San Diego.

“It’s not equivalent, you know, like it doesn’t make up for how high gas prices are in comparison to what I make,” he said. “You know, groceries, bills, phone bill, rent, everything. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, I can’t go out this week. I can’t do this.’ It’s kind of hard.”

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The San Diego Padres have internally discussed the possibility of asking shortstop Xander Bogaerts to change positions and play either first or second base ahead of next season, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Bogaerts' relocation to the right side of the infield would be part of an effort on San Diego's part to achieve the optimal defensive arrangement.

Manager Bob Melvin's most-used infield this season saw Bogaerts at shortstop with Jake Cronenworth at first, Ha-Seong Kim at second, and Manny Machado at third. Machado isn't moving, but the Padres would prefer to have Kim and Cronenworth forming their double-play combination. That leaves Bogaerts, who ranked in the 82nd percentile in Outs Above Average, over at first base.

Here's a look at how the Padres' infielders graded in that metric in 2023:

The 31-year-old Bogaerts signed an 11-year pact worth $280 million with the Padres last winter. At the time, Padres boss A.J. Preller conceded Bogaerts would likely shift down the defensive spectrum in the future -- though Preller suggested it wouldn't become a talking point for several years. Per Lin, Bogaerts prefers second base if he's asked to move. Bogaerts also told Lin he has "no idea" if the Padres will approach him this winter with a request to take up a new spot.

Bogaerts has appeared at shortstop in 1,338 of his 1,391 big-league games. In 21 others, he appeared as his team's designated hitter. Bogaerts has appeared in 53 games as a third baseman. He's never manned first or second base as a professional, however, suggesting there would be a learning curve at play.

Bogaerts hit .285/.350/.440 (120 OPS+) with 19 home runs, 31 doubles, and 19 stolen bases on 21 tries in 2023. His contributions were worth an estimated 4.4 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference's calculations.

When the San Diego Padres signed Xander Bogaerts to the seventh-largest free-agent contract in baseball history, they offered at least one positional assurance: Bogaerts would spend the 2023 season where he had spent almost his entire career. There was an understanding, meanwhile, that the shortstop would someday move to another spot in the infield.

“Is it five years down the road? It is 10 years down the road? Is it three years down the road?” president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said in December. “It’s competition, and I think our guys understand that. We’ve got a lot of talented players, and I think we’ll do what’s best for our team and have the conversation with the players as we go through it, but he’ll start the year at shortstop.”

Nine months later, on his 31st birthday, Bogaerts finished the first season of an 11-year, $280 million deal at shortstop. The same day, the Padres finished far below lofty preseason projections that had risen further with another nine-figure signing.

Amid the team’s confounding overall performance, Bogaerts was among the players who appeared to pull their weight. He led all qualifying Padres in batting average (.285) and hits (170). He was second on the club in FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement (4.4). He exemplified San Diego’s debilitating struggles with runners in scoring position — Bogaerts hit .192 in his share of those at-bats — even as his career numbers indicated this was an outlier year. The two shortstops Bogaerts displaced, Ha-Seong Kim and Fernando Tatis Jr., are now finalists for what would be their first Gold Glove awards.

Bogaerts, for his part, graded out as slightly to moderately above average at a premium position.

“I think I’ve played all right,” Bogaerts said last month when asked to assess his defense. “I could have definitely played much better.”

Whether he will get many more chances in his usual spot remains to be determined.

The Padres, as they wade into an uncertain offseason, must better optimize an expensive roster. Ownership has committed to a plan to return to compliance with the league’s debt-service rules, which helps explain early indications that payroll could drop to the $200 million range. Preller, even if he doesn’t want to, may be forced to explore trading Juan Soto ahead of the outfielder’s final season before a potentially record-setting free agency. And, among other considerations, Bogaerts could be nudged to entertain a move off of his natural position.

His arrival has influenced the defensive trajectories of a few other careers. Kim, who is under club control through 2024, continues to be viewed as the Padres’ best defensive shortstop after excelling this year as their starting second baseman. Jake Cronenworth, who will soon enter the first year of a seven-year, $80 million extension, is a better fit at second base than at first base, where he just had the worst season of his career. Tatis made a wildly successful transition to becoming a full-time right fielder. Yet, like Kim, he hopes to eventually return to shortstop.

“I would like to,” said Tatis, who is signed through 2034. “I see myself just as a good baseball player and I can do the toughest jobs.”

“I still think shortstop’s my best position and the position I can provide the best performance,” Kim said through interpreter Leo Bae.

Bogaerts, who has played shortstop exclusively since 2014, would say the same. He has never played second base or first base, even in the minors. (Bogaerts has 50 career starts at third base but none since 2014.) He spoke this spring of attempting to stick at his natural position for multiple years.

But team officials have talked among themselves about the possibility of asking Bogaerts to move to the right side of the infield — an eventual scenario that was discussed as early as last offseason, when the Padres were still courting the four-time All-Star. His debut in San Diego included mixed metrics; Bogaerts tallied three outs above average but also minus-four defensive runs saved. Statcast rated his arm strength among shortstops in the bottom 24th percentile.

In evaluating his own play, Bogaerts was quick to point out an uncharacteristic stretch of sloppy defense. Between Aug. 22 and Sept. 18, he committed four of his eight total errors. Three of the four were of the non-throwing variety.

“It’s a lot more, I would say, mental — mental errors,” Bogaerts said. “Just trying to rush something that’s not there. Instead of just getting a sure out, I was trying to be quick, get a double play, and the ball comes out. So I would say very solid taking care of the ball (overall), but I had some mistakes where I tried to do a little too much.”

Bogaerts acknowledged it had been a more grueling season than most. Although he did not mention it, the top-heavy nature of the roster likely contributed to some second-half fatigue. Bogaerts started each of the Padres’ first 31 games before receiving his first full game off; his previous high to begin a season was 17 consecutive starts, in 2014. He finished the season with his most innings in the field since 2019.

But, days before turning 31, Bogaerts suggested he had plenty left to give as a starting shortstop. What if the Padres wanted him to switch positions in the not so distant future? Bogaerts said he had “no idea” if a conversation with the team was forthcoming.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” he said.

“I mean, I’m an athlete,” Bogaerts later added. “I’ve tried to take the best care of my body as possible. I try to stay in shape, so I think that those things alone will help me be able to do that (switch positions).”

A number of factors could influence how the Padres proceed next season. Kim, at least early on, might be needed at third base. Manny Machado this week began his rehab from elbow extensor tendon repair surgery, a procedure that might sideline him into late March, when the Padres open their campaign with a two-game series in South Korea. An unconventional infield could become even more jumbled next summer, with prospects such as shortstop Jackson Merrill and third baseman-second baseman Graham Pauley getting closer to their big-league debuts.

Bogaerts, if he must move to the right side of the infield, would prefer second base over first base. But some in the organization believe the best defensive setup would have Machado at third, Kim at shortstop, Cronenworth at second and Bogaerts at first.

It already is a complicated situation. As the Padres try to build a more balanced roster under certain financial constraints, they could consider dealing away Kim or Cronenworth. But the former is one of the team’s most productive and popular players, and the trade value of the latter is at a career low.

It’s possible that, when Machado returns to playing the field, each starter will be back at the position he primarily played in 2023. The Padres, after all, had defensive success this way. The team finished fourth in outs above average and fifth in defensive runs saved.

Would the infield’s best defender this year be OK with spending another season at second base?

“Absolutely. No problem,” said Kim, who still played enough third base and shortstop to be named a Gold Glove finalist at both second base and the utility spot. “Xander is our shortstop, and I respect that. He’s our starting shortstop and I’m our starting second baseman, and I’m confident with a year of chemistry under our belts, next year we’re going to be a tighter defense. It’s going to be way better.”

Based on the Padres’ needs and his Gold Glove-caliber play, Tatis is expected to remain in the outfield for at least another season. He led all National League outfielders in defensive runs saved, and he could start again in right field or shift to center field since acquiring a competent corner outfielder likely would be cheaper than finding a competent center fielder. Starting center fielder Trent Grisham is a candidate to be traded or non-tendered after hitting below .200 for a second consecutive season.

“I like right field more than center,” said Tatis, who has spoken in the past about wanting to test himself in center field. “I feel like right field at Petco Park is way bigger than center field. … I get more chances to get more balls, and I feel like my speed is just gonna play a lot out there.”

Preferences, of course, can continue to evolve over time. But for now, there is no confusion about where the club’s incumbent shortstop would like to play. That’s to be expected from Bogaerts, who has spent the vast majority of his accomplished career at one position. Meanwhile, the Padres must re-evaluate how they arrange their roster after collectively failing to meet expectations.

(Top photo of Xander Bogaerts: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)

MESA, Ariz. -- A couple of weeks ago, Jakob Marsee showed off his power in the Arizona Fall League. Now he's displaying a much more familiar skill set.

The Padres' No. 12 prospect paced the organization with 46 swiped bags on 55 attempts this season, a number that jumps off the page considering his average run tool (50 on the 20-to-80 prospect scale). But the large quantity of successes shouldn't overshadow the quality of the attempts.

And, as a result, his keen instincts and precision on the bases have carried over to the Arizona Fall League.

The 22-year-old showed off his wheels on Thursday night, swiping three bags in Peoria's 8-3 loss to Mesa to take over the AFL lead with 10 stolen bases. Through 12 games this fall, Marsee has yet to be caught, and he only swiped three bags once during the regular season on Aug. 10 for High-A Fort Wayne.

"We talk a lot as a team, and we can see what the pitcher is doing throughout the game," he said. "So I just try to take advantage and get on base, capitalize on the things that we see and get good jumps."

After leading off the evening with a five-pitch walk, Marsee took second base with ease off Astros prospect Tyler Guilfoil without drawing a throw from Connor Pavolony (Orioles) behind the plate. Moments later, Marsee snagged third on a headfirst slide.

He reached once again in the fifth on a walk before darting into second and again easily beating the throw. That proved beneficial, as he took third on a groundout and scored later in the frame on a sacrifice fly by the Guardians' Chase DeLauter (MLB No. 85). His final steal put him ahead of Scottsdale speedsters Victor Scott II (STL No. 4) and Oliver Dunn (Phillies) atop the circuit leaderboard.

Only three players in Fall League history have stolen 20 bases in a single season: Rick Holifield (1994, 24), Desi Relaford (1994, 21) and Eric Young Jr. (2008, 20). With 10 steals just before the halfway point of the campaign, Marsee is on pace to join that list.

"I'm always trying to take advantage and trying to get closer to scoring and helping my teammates out," he said. "Any chance I can do that, I'm going to try to do it."

A left-handed hitting outfielder with above-average plate discipline, Marsee put himself on the map in his first full season of pro ball. In 129 games between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio, Marsee hit .274/.413/.428 with 16 homers and 46 RBIs. His 98 walks also led all Padres Minor Leaguers, while his .841 OPS ranked third in the system.

The 2022 sixth-round pick has flashed some power this fall as well, with nine of his 19 hits going for extra bases. His early surge led to him earn AFL Hitter of the Week honors, and he hasn't slowed down since.

"I feel really comfortable right now," Marsee said. "We have a really good hitting coach here [Pat O'Sullivan], he gives a good game plan every day. Whenever a pitcher comes in, just as a group we all communicate every time we go up to the plate and we all know what the pitcher's trying to do to us. All the communication is helping us big time.

"These are all top prospects and they are here for a reason, so if you're not locked in, it's going to show," Marsee added. "I'm really excited to be able to play against this competition and I'm really lucky to be here."

Though Marsee went hitless in three at-bats Thursday, he contributed a pair of walks on a night where three San Diego prospects combined to reach base five times. Graham Pauley, San Diego's Minor League Hitter of the Year and the organization's No. 11 prospect, tallied a pair of hits while Nathan Martorella (SD No. 10) added a walk.

Marsee has enjoyed building a rapport with his fellow Padres this fall, a group vying to be a vital cog in San Diego's future.

"It's been a lot of fun, we've all gotten really close. It's really cool to come up together and play together and learn from each other," he said. "Every day we work out together and do everything together. It's been a lot of fun being able to do that, and I think it's paying off."

With just over a week to go before Halloween, haunts are coming fast and furious now. Fall is in full effect this San Diego weekend and a bounty of boos (and beers) is up for grabs throughout the county.

(Note: for a full slate of Halloween goodness, see Halloween in San Diego: Chills & Thrills for 2023.)

The free Haunt Fest on Main takes over Main Street in El Cajon Friday, from Magnolia Avenue to where Avocado Avenue and Ballentyne Street meet. Dress up for the costume contest, pick the plumpest pumpkin, follow the candy trail and enjoy music on two stages, starting at 4 p.m.

Ovation Theatre and Heritage Ranch offer their annual family friendly Haunted Ghost Town at San Dieguito Heritage Museum in Encinitas beginning Friday. Visitors are transported to Bitter Gulch to confront the souls who have remained trapped there since the Gold Rush. There’s magicians, trick or treating and festival games too. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $12 for children. The production opens at 5 p.m. nightly and continues through Oct. 30.

Another Encinitas option: San Diego Botanic Garden hosts its annual Fall Festival Family Day at 10 a.m Saturday with a pumpkin display in Hamilton Children’s Garden, fall crafts, music from Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters and a boo-tanical costume parade. And slimy worms too. Garden admission starts at $18.

Decorated lowriders for Halloween? National City has ’em at Kimball Park for Trunk or Treat at noon Saturday. There’s free treats, a costume contest at 3 p.m. and prizes for the best decorated trunks.

The Rancho Beernardo Festival begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, with unlimited 2-ounce pours, local wines, food and music at Webb Park. More than 30 breweries are set for the fest, including Black Plague Brewing, California Wild Ales, Mason Ale Works and Cerveza Xteca. Tickets start at $65.

More beer? Head east for Santee Brews and Bites, starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Town Center Community Park. Tickets start at $35. There will be drinks from more than a dozen breweries, vineyards and more, and bites from more than 20 eateries. Proceeds benefit the Santee Teen Center, park projects and the Recreation Scholarship Program.

George Clinton brings Parliament/Funkadelic, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, to the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego at 8 p.m. Saturday. Fans can see the R&B/funk trailblazer while also celebrating the venue’s one-year anniversary. UCSD alum DJ Shammy Dee opens at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

Maraya Performing Arts in Chula Vista hosts an arts and culture summit, along with a blood drive, at its home studio in Eastlake, 11 a.m. Sunday. Enjoy Filipino food, children’s arts classes, and a preview of a dance theater tour, performed by Maraya’s professional company. Tickets for young participants start at $69, and for parents, $49.

Reports earlier this year suggested that the free-spending San Diego Padres were finally going to rein it in a little this offseason, maybe even needing to unload payroll at the behest of ownership. The reasoning could be a lot of things – disappointment in how things turned out this year at such a high price? Worries about the changing landscape in the league? The loss of full RSN money? Debt-service rules? A combination of it all?

The uncertainty about the precise reason(s) made it a little hard to be 100 PERCENT confident that the Padres were going to unload, which made speculation about a Juan Soto trade feel reasonable, but, well, speculative.

Well, I think it feels less speculative now (The Athletic):

“The Padres, as they wade into an uncertain offseason, must better optimize an expensive roster. Ownership has committed to a plan to return to compliance with the league’s debt-service rules, which helps explain early indications that payroll could drop to the $200 million range. Preller, even if he doesn’t want to, may be forced to explore trading Juan Soto ahead of the outfielder’s final season before a potentially record-setting free agency.”

If the real issue is getting into compliance with the league’s debt-service rules – it was previously suggested as a possible component, but not a specific “plan” – then there’s a hard line that the Padres are going to be trying to get below in 2024 payroll. It’ll mean that, rather than an amorphous desire to reduce costs, the Padres’ front office will be attempting to meet a very specific payroll threshold that can help get their overall finances into a specific place. And if that payroll threshold is $200 million, then it would be borderline impossible to pull it off while retaining Juan Soto at his estimated $33 million arbitration price tag. (The debt-service rules, generally speaking, hold that your debt cannot exceed eight times your annual earnings.)

Right now, with half the rotation missing and no back end of the bullpen, the Padres are projected at Spotrac to have a luxury tax payroll of almost $210 million. Sure, maybe they could deal Ha-Seong Kim and eat a bunch of money to move Jake Cronenworth’s deal and keep Soto, but that seems like a waste of a whole lot of trade value at the moment – you can capture that value while also achieving your payroll-cutting goal.

Throw in the fact that, if debt-service rules are the issue, then the Padres signing Soto to a $400+ million long-term deal after this season is out of the question. So if you know for sure he’s going to walk in free agency anyway, again, it seems OVERWHELMINGLY LIKELY that Soto is traded this offseason.

From there, the Cubs absolutely must be involved in those Juan Soto trade conversations, as we’ve discussed.

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Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Here's a look at the San Diego Padres.

2023 organization summary: Triple-A El Paso: 62-88 Double-A San Antonio: 70-68 High-A Fort Wayne: 69-63 Single-A Lake Elsinore: 63-66 ACL Padres: 30-26 DSL Padres Gold: 37-17 DSL Padres Brown: 16-38 Overall record: 347-366 (19th among MLB organizations) Midseason Farm System Rankings: 9

Padres 2023 Organization All-Stars

C: Ethan Salas (SD No. 1, MLB No. 5) A/A+/AA: .248/.331/.421, 66 G, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 30 BB, 5 SB Salas earned the Minor League Debut of the Year honor at the MiLB Awards Show. “Advanced” and “mature” are understated descriptions of the 17-year-old backstop. Salas hit another gear in July, batting .366 with 13 extra-base hits to be named California League Player of the Month. He played nine Double-A games before a knee injury ended his season in September. Assistant player development director Mike Daly provided a positive update on Salas’ rehab last week.

1B: Romeo Sanabria ROK/A: .341/.439/.573, 66 G, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 46 R, 42 BB, 4 SB The 2022 18th-rounder was named Arizona Complex League MVP after leading the circuit in RBIs (53) and OPS (1.060) in 50 games. Sanabria hit for the cycle on a three-RBI night in June and continued to handle the bat well following a promotion to the California League in August. Sanabria batted .283 with an .858 OPS with the Storm. The former backstop was a full-time first baseman this season.

2B: Marcos Castañon (SD No. 23) A+/AA: .284/.345/.468, 131 G, 17 HR, 84 RBI, 71 R, 47 BB, 1 SB Castañon was among the best hitters in the Midwest League, ranking second on the circuit in homers (13), RBIs (58) and hits (83) when he was promoted after the All-Star break. The 24-year-old didn’t produce the same power numbers in San Antonio. But he continued to hit for a higher average and was a key contributor for the Missions in the playoffs. Defensively, he played more second base than third in San Antonio.

3B: Graham Pauley (SD No. 11) A/A+/AA: .308/.393/.538, 127 G, 23 HR, 94 RBI, 98 R, 60 BB, 22 SB The 2022 13th-rounder was the only Padres prospect to have a 20-20 season, earning the organization’s Hitting Prospect of the Year honor while leading San Diego’s qualified Minor Leaguers in average, slugging, OPS (.931), hits (148) and extra-base hits (60). Daly made note of the 23-year-old’s swing decisions and ability to get the barrel on difficult pitches. The lefty-swinging Pauley had nearly identical splits against lefties and righties, and he saw time at four different defensive positions.

SS: Jackson Merrill (SD No. 2, MLB No. 9) A+/AA: .277/.326/.444, 114 G, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 76 R, 35 BB, 15 SB Merrill made the most of his Spring Training opportunities as the Padres were without three key infielders during the World Baseball Classic. Daly mentioned that the 20-year-old showed an advanced feel for the strike zone and tremendous bat-to-ball skills as he advanced to Double-A. But he suffered a hamstring injury and was shut down before the playoffs. Merrill is an above-average shortstop but saw limited time at first, second and left field this year.

OF: Jakob Marsee (SD No. 12) A+/AA: .274/.413/.428, 129 G, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 103 R, 98 BB, 46 SB Marsee led the system in free passes, runs and stolen bases and was the only Minor Leaguer with at least 15 homers, 40 steals and 90 walks this season. He compiled more walks than strikeouts overall and posted a higher average (.286) and OPS (.858) after being promoted to San Antonio. The 2022 sixth-rounder has carried that late-season momentum into a blistering start in the Arizona Fall League.

OF: Samuel Zavala (SD No. 5) A/A+: .243/.391/.406, 115 G, 14 HR, 77 RBI, 87 R, 94 BB, 21 SB The Midwest League was not kind to the 19-year-old, who went hitless in his first nine games after his promotion in August and finished with an .078 average for the TinCaps. Prior to that, Zavala was having a special season in Lake Elsinore. Zavala finished 15th among all Minor Leaguers in total walks. And he was one of only three players with at least 90 walks, 85 runs, 75 RBIs and 20 steals.

OF: Tirso Ornelas (SD No. 30) AA/AAA: .285/.371/.452, 127 G, 15 HR, 75 RBI, 72 R, 67 BB, 8 SB The 23-year-old earned his first promotion to El Paso after being named Texas League Player of the Month in June, when he batted .378 with six homers and 26 RBIs. He went back to San Antonio in early August just as he began a 21-game hitting streak, during which he hit .407 with five homers, eight doubles, 12 RBIs and 24 runs. Ornelas is currently continuing his season in the Mexican Pacific League.

LHP: Robby Snelling (SD No. 3, MLB No. 60) A/A+/AA: 11-3, 1.82 ERA, 103 ? IP, 118 K, 34 BB, .216 BAA, 1.12 WHIP Snelling was also rightfully nominated for Minor League Debut of the Year alongside Salas, who was his batterymate during a hitless performance on Aug. 31. The 19-year-old posted his best numbers – 1.56 ERA with a .190 BAA – at Double-A, and his overall ERA was the lowest among all MiLB pitchers to complete at least 70 frames this season. Daly was impressed by Snelling’s ability to throw strikes and relentlessly work within the zone.

RHP: Ryan Bergert (SD No. 16) A+/AA: 6-4, 2.73 ERA, 105 ? IP, 126 K, 46 BB, .204 BAA, 1.16 WHIP Now two years removed from Tommy John surgery, Bergert maintained consistency as he advanced to San Antonio. The 2021 sixth-rounder made nine scoreless appearances overall, including five of his first seven Double-A outings and a three-start stretch at the end of the regular season. Bergert managed to remain effective despite seeing a slight increase in his walk rate from last year.

RP: Carter Loewen A/A+: 6-2, 2.20 ERA, 49 IP, 58 K, 18 BB, .210 BAA, 1.14 WHIP The University of Hawaii product, by way of Abbotsford, British Columbia, posted a .190 BAA in the hitter-friendly California League before being promoted. After the TinCaps were eliminated from the playoffs, Loewen actually made his Double-A debut in the postseason, where he retired the side with two strikeouts in his lone inning. The 25-year-old signed with the Padres in 2020 but underwent Tommy John surgery and did not make his professional debut until this year.

We go where the rhythm flows—and if that makes us groupies, then so be it. San Diego’s music scene welcomes newcomers, up-and-coming artists and famous talents to bars, restaurants and epic music venues every day across the city, featuring everything from contemporary and classical to pop and house beats. Many well-known acts got their start here much the same, such as pop-punk band Blink-182, Pearl Jam’s lead singer Eddie Vedder and the laid-back Jason Mraz. We’re giving Los Angeles a run for its money—catch performers before they’re big-time at these 13 live music venues in San Diego.

Strum into golden hour at Monarch Ocean Pub! Boasting one of the area’s best oceanfront views, relish in live music on the outdoor deck Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m, weather permitting. If you’re there on a weekday, stay just a little longer and catch their happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m, where you can take advantage of deals like the $6 flat top burger and $6 fish sandwich! Keep with the beach theme and pair your deals with a Club Kokomo Spirits canned cocktail, which will surely set your watch to island time.

Local Insight: Club Kokomo Spirits was founded in San Diego by Mike Love of The Beach Boys, in partnership with San Diego local and craft distillery guru Geoff Longenecker of Seven Caves Distillery!

Location: Del Mar

5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar

Credit: Briley Pizzelanti

Credit: Briley Pizzelanti

Credit: Briley Pizzelanti

Credit: Briley Pizzelanti

We know the lyrics, but we’ve actually been searching for somewhere that always has that 5 ’oClock feeling. And we found it at the Gaslamp Quarter’s brand-new Margaritaville Hotel, home to the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar! Order an easily transportable Club Kokomo Spirits canned cocktail and explore the grounds, then settle in for their poolside service, serving both lunch and dinner! The rooftop bar features live music every weekend, and there’s weekday tunes at the Landshark Bar & Grill right around the corner. You don’t even need to be a guest to take advantage—everyone is welcome to experience the tropical vibes of this downtown newcomer! Keep your eye on their events page for upcoming performances. Tastes like paradise, huh?

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

The Camp Store

Truly a one-stop shop, The Camp Store gives you everything at your fingertips for a perfect SoCal day. Perched on the sun-swept bluffs at South Carlsbad State Beach, this venue invites guests to sit outside and stay a while for some easy drinking—and listening! Neighborhood bands and local artists perform on the campgrounds every Wednesday through Sunday at 4:30 p.m, where you can hear everything from cover bands to solo guitarists and saxophonists. Get the whole scoop on their event calendar, complete with performer information so you’ll know exactly what you’re in for! Music to our ears.

Location: Carlsbad

Beach House

It’s about time somebody brought the beats to the beach. Formerly known as The Wave House, Beach House draws in concert-seeking locals left and right. Leaning heavily into the house music scene, catch acts, like Walker and Royce and Sidepiece, multiple times a week during the warmer months. Not into house music? Beach House is known to sprinkle in some variety: country performer Rodney Atkins and reggaeton Dread Mar-I just recently took the stage. Part sand, part porch deck-inspired flooring, the venue is casual and spacious, and the option of VIP tables gives you a chance for an elevated experience. The low-pressure atmosphere with top-notch acts makes it the perfect in-between!

Location: Mission Beach

Acid Vault

Following in the footsteps of underground music shows from back in the day, Acid Vault is a hidden gem of a venue located just beneath ModBom’s saloon-inspired restaurant. If you heard a little bass booming underneath your Southern comforts, you’re not hearing things. Head downstairs into the dimly lit psychedelic corridors and bask in the secrecy of what you’ve found. They host jazz nights, R&B and hip-hop artists, drag shows and more. Though it’s discreet, they do list their lineup online. Don’t be shy—open up the vault.

Location: East Village

Books & Records

For the record, this one’s not just books. It’s not even just books and records, either. Books & Records is actually a swanky bar and restaurant serving craft cocktails and American fare, and if that wasn’t already a sweet surprise, here’s another: They’ve got live music. Stop in on Friday or Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. to enjoy a jazzy mix of talented vocalists and instrumentalists. This vibrant newcomer is a hidden gem in the heart of Banker’s Hill—get the lowdown on their events page and stop in to see what you’ve been missing!

Location: Banker’s Hill

Observatory North Park

No matter what the act is, nothing sets the stage for a great performance quite like a theater. A favorite among locals, The Observatory houses up-and-coming performers in a uniquely restored theater in the heart of San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. Need a bite before the band? Do it all in one spot by popping in to the adjoining West Coast Tavern for a juicy Tavern burger or three cheese mac!

Location: North Park

Jazz Brunch at Pali Wine Co.

Our hands on a wine glass is the epitome of class. Jazz, you say? Would we be swirling this wine if we weren’t interested? Get your weekend started in the most relaxing way possible with a seat at Pali Wine Co.’s Jazz Brunch. Happening Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, Matt Hall and his accompaniment will be accompanying your beautiful brunch of eggs Benedict or shakshuka during prime bunching hours. Reserve a table early to lock in your spot for the snazziest Saturday scene in the city.

Location: Little Italy

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Home to the La Jolla Music Society, the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is a world-class facility hosting local art organizations and renowned musicians, from jazz to contemporary and classical. Created with the idea of inspiring those who enter, the interior is uniquely lit and features architecture that invigorates and excites performers and guests alike. Upcoming acts include Disney Pixar’s “Coco,” with an option in Spanish and English, several Mozart tributes, and a performance from the University of San Diego’s wind ensemble. Check their event calendar for a complete lineup!

Location: La Jolla

Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

You’re in for a shell of a time at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Not only is it a pretty sight, but the stunning architecture of the shell allows for acoustics like never before, properly showcasing the talent of the San Diego Symphony as they take on musical performances like the annual Beethoven by the Bay as well as musical adaptations of movies like “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars.” Individual artists come to shine at the shell as well—Earth, Wind and Fire and Charlie Puth took the stage this past summer, along with The Beach Boys! Order a Club Kokomo Spirits canned cocktail and enjoy a salty breeze as you soak in the tunes; check their schedule for upcoming performers.

Location: The Embarcadero

Soda Bar

Over the years, Soda bar remains one of the most talked about spots for performances in all of San Diego. A self-proclaimed unpretentious bar for live music, they’re all about the tunes. The venue is an intimate space specializing in the sounds of rock ‘n’ roll and indie bands, but you’ll find artists of every kind popping up here. Cold beer, mixed cocktails and music to your ears—what else would you come for? Upcoming performers include surf-punk band The Frights, indie-rock group Your Neighbors and pop-style band TV Girl.

Location: North Park

Fishtank

Swim among the locals at Fishtank, a brand-new bar in Mission Hills bringing the beats every weekend from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. They’ll be hosting DJs like Payday and Brokenbeat, as well as themed nights with extensive artist lineups, such as their ‘90s themed hip-hop dance hall nights. They’re livening up your weekdays, too—enjoy Techno Tuesdays with artists announced weekly on their website. Pro tip: Saturday happy hour has specials on shots from midnight to 2 a.m.—or you can keep it cool and collected with one of their Club Kokomo Spirits canned cocktails! Hint: try the Mystique flavor—a perfect blend of guava, lychee, lemon and jasmine tea-infused rum.

Location: Mission Hills

11/19

SOMA

Formerly home to the punk and alternative rock music scene, all-ages venue SOMA has since become a staple for acts drawing a bit more of a crowd. Though they’ve widened their horizons on genres from the early days, the vibe has stayed much the same. There’s no frills here—SOMA is all about the show. Grab yourself a drink and find a good spot to post up in the general-admission standing area of the mainstage, and you’re golden. Upcoming acts include Eric Nam and The Ghost Inside. Oh, and one more bonus: Parking is free!

Location: Midway