I don’t know about you, but San Diego is feeling… aggressively populated.

Like yes, the weather is perfect. Yes, people want to be here. I get it. But also… why did my quick coffee run turn into a 90 min adventure? I love this city. Deeply. But lately it feels like the entire country also loves this city at the exact same time.

So if you’ve been feeling a little boxed in, consider this your sign to get out for a minute. Reset the brain. Miss San Diego a little, so it hits again when you’re back.

Which brings us to your desert escape plan:

Joshua Tree Music Festival is calling. Four days of music, art, and the kind of weird desert magic that makes you forget what day it is. May 14–17 at Joshua Tree Lake Campground.

Win a pair of 4-Day Festival Passes + Car Camping and go disappear for a bit.

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Father's Day plan upgrade: CountryFest is taking over Petco Park during NASCAR weekend, featuring Stephen Wilson Jr., Carter Faith, and Tim Dugger. 6/20. On sale Friday. Giddy up.

• Born To Be Tour hits The Observatory with The Bouncing Souls and The Suicide Machines. February 2027. Yes, you will be in a pit with people half your age… punk excludes nobody.

• Big, cinematic, borderline out-of-body jazz – Kamasi Washington lands at Music Box on 9/11. Don’t sleep on that. Tickets go live tomorrow!

• Psych-rock that actually feels psychedelic? Crazy concept. Lean into the master: Temples take over Casbah on 9/20. Expect your brain to drift a little.

• Plus, didn’t you hear???? Brett Dennen, Al Green, Kurt Vile & The Violators, The Black Angels, and more just-announced shows in San Diego shows!

WIN STUFF WEDNESDAY

If you’ve ever said “I never win anything” and then… didn’t enter, we need to talk.

We’ve got a running list of concerts and events all over San Diego where you can win your way in — and we’re adding more all the time. This is a “check back, keep entering” situation.

Don’t let someone else win just because you were too lazy to click a button. That’s not the energy.

In Faye’s World, we believe in manifestation and actually entering. Go get what’s yours.

WHENEVER

LOCALS ONLY

• ICYMI: it’s Dark Sky Week – aka your annual reminder that the sky actually does stuff at night. It’s a global push to cut light pollution and appreciate the stars, and San Diego’s got some solid stargazing spots. Go look up, it’s good for you.

• Need a new gig? Big Fish Tattoo is hiring two experienced artists — busy shop, solid commission, one block from the beach. Not a bad office. Hit up Dave at [email protected].

WIN STUFF

FEATURED