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About Us

Meet the team behind The Finest

What is TheFinestSD? 

TheFinestSD is your home for all the activities that make San Diego America’s Finest.

From arts and film, outdoors to museums, concerts to books, food to festivals, stories and trends - we are your guide to all things San Diego. Brought to you by your trusted friends at KPBS.

Who is KPBS? We are San Diego’s NPR and PBS station and, more importantly, we are San Diego's storyteller. For over 65 years we have been right here in San Diego as your neighbors, providing locally and nationally-produced news, entertainment, educational, and arts and culture programming for all ages on television, radio, and digital media, as well as events and resources that help San Diegans build strong communities.

Back in the spring of 2025, KPBS proudly launched "The Finest" podcast. "The Finest" highlights the emerging voices and dynamic forces driving change. Through personal stories and critical perspectives, each episode brings forward the artists, advocates and ideas pushing boundaries in the region's cultural landscape and deepening our understanding of why we are America's Finest.

The success of "The Finest" podcast has shown us San Diegans crave these stories. And there is so much more happening in San Diego that really highlights why this is such a vibrant region rich with events celebrating arts, culture and the outdoors. This led us to create TheFinestSD and showcase these happenings digitally and give you the menu to choose from. We wanted to create a comprehensive gateway - of sorts - to all the things that make San Diego, well...San Diego!

Meet TheFinestSD.

Take a look around, let us know what you think. Stay connected so we can engage with you and invite you to events, and get your feedback and input as we continue to grow this public service.

Meet the Arts Team
  • Arts & Culture Reporter and Host, The Finest
    Julia Dixon Evans hosts KPBS’ arts and culture podcast, The Finest, writes the Newsletter, produces and edits the KPBS/Arts Calendar and works with the KPBS team to cover San Diego's diverse arts scene.
  • Arts & Culture Reporter
    I cover arts and culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from pop entertainment to fine art, from zombies to Shakespeare. I am interested in going behind the scenes to explore the creative process; seeing how pop culture reflects social issues; and providing a context for art and entertainment.
  • Producer, The Finest
    Anthony Wallace is the producer of The Finest, a documentary and interview style podcast that covers the people, stories and art that are redefining culture in San Diego.
  • Arts & Culture Reporter
    Audy McAfee is an arts and culture reporter at KPBS and a 2025 California Local News fellow. She covers topics ranging from the history of drag to incarcerated peoples rights.
  • Producer, Port of Entry
    At KPBS, Julio C. Ortiz-Franco produces the podcast "Port of Entry," focusing on cross-border life. A U.C. Berkeley philosophy graduate, Julio is a writer, producer, filmmaker and educator from the San Diego/Tijuana border region.
  • Host, Port of Entry and Spanish Web Producer
    Natalie Gonzalez is the co-host of ‘’Port of Entry” — a KPBS podcast. The podcast covers stories about cross-border people whose lives have been shaped by Tijuana and San Diego. Natalie is also a theater actress from Tijuana Hace Teatro. She studied at Universidad Iberoamericana in Tijuana where she graduated from Communications and Media School.
  • Host, Port of Entry
    Alan Lilienthal is a musician and the co-host of “Port of Entry,” a KPBS podcast about cross-border culture and the people who shape it. His life’s mission is to melt borders and celebrate our shared humanity through art.
  • Arts & Culture Editor
    Chrissy Nguyen leads the KPBS Arts & Cultures team, overseeing multimedia arts coverage across digital, audio and video platforms. She manages projects like the weekly arts newsletter and KPBS' arts and culture podcast The Finest, working to celebrate and amplify San Diego's creative community.
Like to be in the loop?
Let us help! Stay ahead of what’s happening in the San Diego region. Join our mailing list and we will send you a weekly arts newsletter, tips, recommendations and the latest stories from the local scene right to your inbox. Sign up!
Check out can't-miss local events

Boo Bash Escondido: San Diego’s New 100,000-Square-Foot Pumpkin Patch

Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Ongoing until November 1, 2026
Mershops North County Mall
$5

Top of the Hyatt Presents: A Season of Masquerade

Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 4 PM
Ongoing until January 2, 2027
Top of the Hyatt, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Watch Football at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails

Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 4 PM
Ongoing until January 14, 2027
Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails

The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park 2026

Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Ongoing until November 1, 2026
The Haunted Trail Of Balboa Park
Timed General Admission Starting at $34.99

OB Oktoberfest 2026

Friday, October 9, 2026 at 4 PM
Ongoing until October 10, 2026
OB Pier Parking Lot
GA Tickets Available at the Door: $20 | VIP:$75

Oktoberfest at PB AleHouse

Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 12 PM to 6 PM
PB AleHouse

BlacktoberFest

Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 1 PM to 8 PM
S&S Friendly Ranch
General Admission: $45
Free for everyone
Little Saigon’s Night Market

Little Saigon’s Night Market

Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 6 PM to 10 PM
Sin Lee Food
Free

Lost Temple Tavern Pop-Up at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego

Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 7 AM
Ongoing until October 31, 2026
Landshark Bar and Grill
Free Entry

San Diego Coffee Festival

Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 9 AM
Ongoing until October 11, 2026
Broadway Pier
From $25.15; varies by session

Belmont Park's Annual Beachside Fall Fest

Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 11 AM
Ongoing until October 31, 2026
Belmont Park
Free for everyone
Trivia Night at The Crack Shack Pacific Beach

Trivia Night at The Crack Shack Pacific Beach

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Ongoing until December 29, 2026
The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach
Free

Taste of East Village

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 4 PM
Ongoing until October 15, 2026
East Village
Free for everyone
Sunset Savasana: Yoga on the Cliffs

Sunset Savasana: Yoga on the Cliffs

Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 6 PM
Ongoing until October 29, 2026
Osprey Point
Free

Mission Bayfest 2026

Friday, October 16, 2026 at 3 PM
Ongoing until October 18, 2026
Mariner's Point Park
Single Day Tickets From $140 | 3 Day Tickets From $280

Sammy Virji

Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 5 PM to 11 PM
Gallagher Square at Petco Park
$70-$75
Free for everyone
Treats in the Suites: Trick-or-Treating at Frontwave Arena

Treats in the Suites: Trick-or-Treating at Frontwave Arena

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Frontwave Arena
Free

One Small Step Experience

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 5 PM to 8 PM
KPBS Conrad Prebys Media Complex at Copley Center

Foster The People: 'Good Mourning Sunshine Tour'

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7 PM
PETCO Park
$74.35

Candlelight Open Air: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

Friday, October 23, 2026 at 8 PM
Ongoing until October 24, 2026
Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheatre
From: $55.00

13th Annual Howl-O-Ween Mutt Run/Walk

Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Road Runner Sports
$60 — 5K registration

Art After Dark: Costume Contest & Party

Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 7 PM to 11 PM
Oceanside Museum of Art
Free for everyone
Trick-or-Treat on India Street

Trick-or-Treat on India Street

Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Little Italy
Free

Doja Cat is Coming to San Diego with Latto!

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Viejas Arena
$125.00-$792.40

Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour at Monkeybar

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Monkeybar at Town and Country Resort
Menu items pricing varies

Lila Downs: Día de Muertos

Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Balboa Theatre
$70-$112

Haunted Manor at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 9 PM to 2 AM
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Free for everyone
Free Trivia Wednesday Nights at Le Charcuterie Bar

Free Trivia Wednesday Nights at Le Charcuterie Bar

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 7 PM
Ongoing until March 24, 2027
Le Charcuterie Bar
Free

PRAYERS – San Diego Music Box Show

Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Music Box

Em Beihold

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 8 PM
Music Box
$39.59-$117.61

San Diego Made Holiday Market

Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 10 AM
Ongoing until November 29, 2026
NTC Park at Liberty Station
$5

Jo Koy Is Coming To San Diego!

Thursday, December 10, 2026 at 8 PM
San Diego Civic Theatre
Like to be in the loop?
Let us help! Stay ahead of what’s happening in the San Diego region. Join our mailing list and we will send you a weekly arts newsletter, tips, recommendations and the latest stories from the local scene right to your inbox. Sign up!