Vanguard Culture

Art Scene West
2025-04-25 - 2025-04-26
We are excited to announce the inaugural Art Scene West Film Festival, a showcase of independent short films (under 25 minutes) from around the country. We are partnering with local San Diego businesses that focus on art and creativity to make this event possible. Some of those partners include ArtReach, Rock & Roll San Diego, and Vanguard Culture. Part of the proceeds will be donated to ArtReach to contribute to their mission of providing art education to San Diego County with the guiding principles of cultivating artistic community and equitable access to art for all.
Taking place on April 25th and 26th, this festival promises to be a unique outdoor cinematic experience, blending art, culture, and community in the heart of San Diego at the beautiful Seaport Village. Screening starts at 7:30pm, with music and activities preceding it from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.
The Seaport Village is known for its charming cobblestone walkways, vibrant shops, and incredible dining options. The festival will take place in the Lighthouse District and festival goers will experience picturesque views of the harbor and city skyline. The clear skies, open-air and warm San Diego weather is perfect for this outdoor event.
Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from out of town, this Film Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of San Diego’s waterfront while celebrating art, music, community, culture, and independent films.
803 West Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101

SD Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
2025-04-25 - 2025-05-01
A weeklong celebration of bold, independent storytelling from Asia and the Asian diaspora, the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) Spring Showcase is one of Pacific Arts Movement’s (Pac Arts) signature year-round programs. While SDAFF in the fall highlights cutting-edge and emerging voices, Spring Showcase brings a mix of festival favorites, cinematic classics, and some of the most celebrated and popular films from Asia, offering audiences a chance to experience the hits and breakthrough documentaries that captivate international audiences.

C-Note Art Show
2025-04-25 10:00 - 2025-04-27 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Calling all art collectors!

Join Vanguard Culture at SD Art Advisory in Mission Hills for a special 2-day art show featuring works by local, national, and international artists for just $100.

Stop by anytime from 10am-10pm on Sat. & Sun April 26-27 for access to hundreds of amazing works of art for under a C-Note. Meet the artists throughout the day and start building and/or continue growing your art collection.

The $10 ticket fee supports Vanguard Culture, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advancing San Diego’s creative workforce.

100% of the art sales go back to the artists!
Want exclusive access?

Join us on Friday, April 25th for our VIP Preview Night. ($100 suggested donation.)
Your VIP Preview ticket provides first access to hundreds of works of art, 2 drink tickets, and gourmet appetizers. Guests will also enjoy a brief panel discussion with Vanguard Culture Founder Susanna Peredo Swap & Board President Shaun Cassidy about the future of the creative sector; and an immersive art installation by Ramiro Martinez Jr. on the 2nd Level of the gallery.

SD Art Advisory 3977 Falcon StreetSan Diego, CA 92103

Adams Avenue Unplugged
2025-04-26 12:00 - 2025-04-27 00:00
On April 26, 2025, AABA will host the free musical walkabout, Adams Avenue Unplugged. This event features 80 live musical performances inside restaurants, bars, and coffee houses along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue from University Heights on the West, through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington to the East. It also has performances outdoors at various patio locations, including the Smitty’s Food Court and Lestat’s Coffeehouse. The AABA hopes to treat musical aficionados and foodies to the rich neighborhood culture.
Adams Avenue Unplugged is free and open to the general public. This year’s headliner is Terry Reid! The historic Normal Heights United Church hosts the Main Stage and the Community Beer Garden where you can take advantage of the VIP Food & Drink Deal for $25.
Parking is limited to residential neighborhood streets and can get congested. MTS bus routes 2 and 11 services the neighborhoods. Wear comfortable walking shoes and plan on getting your exercise while exploring all the avenue has to offer.

Revelations
2025-04-29 19:00 - 20:00
In partnership with Mingei International Museum, Art of Elan presents a colorful musical program that takes inspiration from the Fashioning an Icon exhibit featuring incredible handmade work by Mexican textile artists. With music composed by Gabriela Ortiz, José Elizondo, and Nico Muhly, as well as “In Memoriam” by Arnold Bax for English Horn, Harp and String Quartet, this highly imaginative program encourages reflection and a greater appreciation for the beauty that is all around us.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
7:00 PM 8:00 PM
Mingei International Museum
1439 El Prado
San Diego, CA, 92101

34th annual San Diego Music Awards
2025-04-29 19:00 - 22:00
34th annual San Diego Music Awards takes place on April 29, 2025 at Humphreys by the Bay. The event honors San Diego music and musicians, and benefits the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools program. The San Diego Music Awards started in 1991, as a way to recognize the achievements of our diverse local music community. Now in its 33rd year, the San Diego Music Awards presents awards in multiple categories, recognizing many different genres of music including Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, Americana and World Music. Past performers include Jewel, Jason Mraz, Switchfoot, P.O.D., Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek). The San Diego Music Awards is the primary fundraising vehicle for the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools Program.
Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
2241 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

3rd Annual AAPI Show
2025-05-02
Join Thumbprint Gallery for the closing reception of their annual AAPI Heritage Month group exhibition, a powerful showcase of identity, creativity, and resilience. Featuring work by over a dozen local and national Asian American Pacific Islander artists, the exhibition spans painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Each piece reflects personal and cultural narratives, honoring AAPI heritage through bold artistic expression. Don’t miss this final chance to experience the show and support the vibrant talent on display.
Thumbprint Gallery
920 Kline Street
La Jolla, CA, 92037
On view now through closing reception:
May 31, 2025
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Carmen
2025-05-03 - 2025-05-04
City Ballet of San Diego – Carmen
City Ballet of San Diego’s 32nd season closes with two spectacular one-act ballets, with live music performed by the City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting. This visually spectacular one-act production of Carmen, set in southern Spain, follows the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the wiles of the fiery Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties yet loses Carmen’s love to the glamorous torero Escamillo.
Concert Hall
California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Space 4 Art: Open Studios
2025-05-03 17:00 - 19:30
Open Studios is an opportunity for our resident artists to showcase their latest work and creative practices with friends and community— and a rare opportunity for the community to get an intimate view of the creative process.
Come mingle with fellow art lovers, artists, and community members. Expect food, drinks, and musical performances by:

Jazz Pianist, Tobin Chodos

The Killer Trees Band

Drummers Without Borders

Entry is always free, but bring cash, credit, or use Venmo to make purchases at our concession table. We’ll offer samosas, laddoos, beer, wine, and other NA drinks options!
Check back here closer to May 3 for the final performance schedule and other details.

Space 4 Art Inc.
340 16th Street
San Diego, CA, 92101

G Love Art & Music
2025-05-03 19:00 - 23:00
Internationally acclaimed musician G. Love steps into his role as a visual artist, showcasing his original paintings alongside a powerful collection of gallery works curated by Monty Montgomery. This is not your average art show—this is a cultural experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
Live Art Installations – Watch top artists create new works in real time.
Curated Art Gallery – Discover and purchase original pieces from renowned artists.
Drink Specials – Sip on handcrafted cocktails and local brews.
Local Food Vendors – Enjoy delicious bites from San Diego’s best—wood-fired pizza, elevated tacos, and fresh, seasonal dishes. G. Love Acoustic Set – Close out the night with an intimate, soulful performance by G. Love.
Sat May 3 2025
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM)
The Soap Factory
2995 Commercial St
San Diego, CA 92113

The Avant Garde Ball
2025-05-03 20:00 - 23:00
Chaired by Anna Haudenschild Meier, Jennifer Nelson, and Alex High, The Avant Garde Ball invites you to celebrate the fusion of art, music, and fashion in a way that San Diego has never experienced before.
Grab your friends and experience the next big thing at MCASD. The Avant Garde Ball is where contemporary art meets boundary-pushing couture. Let the Museum guide your creativity.
This one-of-a-kind party will bring together the next generation of creatives for an unforgettable night out featuring:

Open bar with crafted cocktails, beer, and wine
House music
In-gallery DJ listening rooms
Live music
Immersive artist installations
Exclusive photo ops
Late night bites
VIP experience upgrades: professional photography session, limited-edition gift, and first access to shop Re:claimed…

Announcing Re:claimed—a vintage pop-up offering a curated selection of pre-loved and sustainably sourced designer accessories and goods! All purchases directly support MCASD.
Please note: The Avant Garde Ball is a 21+ event.

San Diego French Film Festival
2025-05-04 - 2025-05-07
Join us for the 5th edition of the San Diego French Film Festival, presented by the Alliance Française San Diego. From May 4-7, 2025, explore the theme of “Love in All Its Forms”, celebrating romance, friendships, and the power of connection through an exceptional lineup of francophone films, at THE LOT La Jolla, one of San Diego’s most elegant venues. ​​​
The festival kicks off on Sunday, May 4, with a red-carpet Opening Gala, featuring the a feature film and a short film (titles to be announced). Guests will enjoy an elegant soirée with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, desserts, champagne, and live entertainment, including a DJ-curated dance party.
From Monday, May 5, through Wednesday, May 7, the festival will present a curated selection of short and feature films. ​On May 5, save the date for a special panel featuring filmmakers, actors, and industry experts.

Gator By The Bay
2025-05-08 - 2025-05-11
Gator By The Bay is San Diego’s largest and most authentic Louisiana-themed festival, held annually around Mother’s Day weekend. Presented by the Bon Temps Social Club, this four-day, family-friendly event features over 100 musical acts across seven stages, southern cuisine (including 10,000 pounds of crawfish!), live music, dancing, and more. Located at Spanish Landing Park on San Diego Bay, this festival has been bringing the spirit of Louisiana to San Diego since 2001.
May 8-11
Gator By the Bay, Spanish Landing Park
3900 N Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101

INTIKA: Men in Textiles
2025-05-10 - 2025-10-04
Image: Genaro Morena

The INTIKA exhibition highlights the rich and evolving tradition of male textile artists, from the master weavers of Taquile, Peru, to contemporary creators redefining the medium. On view are diverse works that incorporate unconventional materials, sculpture, and installation art. The show explores the role of textiles in storytelling, healing, politics, and gender identity across cultures. Recognized by UNESCO, Taquile’s textile legacy anchors the exhibit’s historical context. Curated by Armando Garcia-Orso and Natalie Gonzalez.
Curated by Armando Garcia-Orso, VMOTA Curatorial and Education Manager
in collaboration with Natalie Gonzalez of Oceanside Museum of Art
May 10 – October 4, 2025
Visions Museum of Textile Art
2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92106

PARK OPERA
2025-05-10 16:00 - 19:00
Project [BLANK] continues its tradition as San Diego’s most innovative producer of opera, with a new production that busts open the operatic form and scatters its pieces throughout a public park. PARK OPERA is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary arts experience, free and open to the public. Staged outdoors in a public park, audiences receive a map and follow a wandering course through a landscape filled with music, art, and movement. Listeners of all ages will discover unexpected delights as they explore the park, igniting the imagination, activating the senses, and encouraging us to become “all ears”. In the process, we all can gain a deeper appreciation for our urban natural spaces, and consider the impact our presence leaves on our beautiful landscape.
PARK OPERA was conceived by composer Wojtek Blecharz, and has been performed in public parks in Poland, Germany, and Austria. Project [BLANK] is excited to bring this new work to San Diego for its US Premiere.
MAY 10, 2025, 4:00 – 7:00 PM → BALBOA PARK

Always WNDR With The Homies
2025-05-10 19:00 - 22:00
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, art, and purpose at WNDR Museum San Diego, as they team up with Always Check On The Homies for an electrifying evening that blends community, connection, and creativity. Founded by mental health advocate William Doerr, Always Check On The Homies is more than just a brand—it’s a movement rooted in care, vulnerability, and checking in with the people we love. With a focus on promoting mental wellness through authentic expression and shared experiences, William has cultivated a powerful platform that uses art, storytelling, and curated gatherings to dismantle stigma and spark conversation. This one-night-only takeover of WNDR’s immersive spaces will be soundtracked by a stacked lineup of DJs bringing nothing but pure vibes. Come move through the museum’s interactive installations as each corner of the exhibit transports you to a space full of creativity and wonder—connecting your senses, your community, and your intentions.
Tickets are $60 — space is limited. Don’t miss out.

Saturday May 10, 7-10 PM
WNDR San Diego
422 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101

The Harlem Gospel Travelers
2025-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
The Harlem Gospel Travelers are not from Harlem. They came to Harlem, however, from far-flung corners of the five boroughs of New York City, and it was in Harlem, that legendary center of African-American culture, that they found their voices. Since its conception, they have focused on creating music that uplifts, inspires, and spreads the message of love.
May 22, 2025
8:00 p.m.

San Diego International Fringe Festival
2025-05-15 - 2025-05-25
The San Diego International Fringe Festival returns for its 13th bold and beautiful year, celebrating creativity without boundaries and performances that push the edge. This year, we’re proud to showcase over 45 shows from an extraordinary range of artists representing Nepal, Australia, Mexico, the UK, and across the U.S.—including Los Angeles, Nevada, New York, and right here in San Diego. Whether you’re a longtime Fringer or new to the movement, San Diego International Fringe is all about bringing artists together from across the globe to share their stories, amplify their voices, and build community through the power of performance.
May 15-25, 2025

PechaKucha Night Volume 52: Missed Connections
2025-05-15 18:00 - 21:00
Whether it’s a glance, a moment, or a spark; explore how thoughtfully designed spaces can spark new connections, provide second chances, fuel creativity, and shape our communities for the future.
PechaKucha Night Volume 52
Thursday, May 15, 2025
TOPIC: Missed Connections
Where missed connections meet inspired spaces!
Attendance is FREE but registration is required.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Presentations start at 7:00 p.m.

Acoustic Evenings at the Athenaeum
2025-05-16 - 2025-06-06
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present the 2025 spring season of the Acoustic Evenings concert series, beginning May 16. The Acoustic Evenings series at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Multiple acts fill each program, and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. San Diego Music Hall of Fame founder Jefferson Jay organizes and hosts the series. The project advances the Athenaeum’s commitment to support diverse San Diego talent. Acoustic Evenings is an unforgettable and personal experience for San Diego music lovers. The series, continuing through June 6, is set in the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room.
May 16 – June 6, 2025 @ 7:30 p.m.
JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS MUSIC ROOM
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037

Romeo & Juliet
2025-05-17
Lovely and lyrical. Compelling and heartbreaking. SDB’s production’s of Romeo et Juliet has been moving San Diego audiences for the past decade. A rapturous evening devoted to young love and to those who remember its triumphs and tragedies. Artistic Director Javier Velasco’s re-staging of Shakespeare’s masterpiece is a lush, yet intimate rumination that focuses on the inner desires of the most famous star-crossed lovers of all time.

May 17, 2025 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Balboa Theatre 868 Fourth AveSan Diego 92101

LUCHA FEST
2025-05-17 12:00 - 18:00
Get ready for an electrifying celebration of Lucha Libre, art, and culture on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Lucha Fest happening at The Soap Factory-a dynamic, family-friendly event bringing together the best of wrestling, art, music, food, and community!
In collaboration with the Comic-Con Museum, Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, Museo de Lucha Libre Tijuana Mexicana, the Office of the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego,USA, and Global Lucha, this special event marks the official unveiling of a large-scale mural honoring legendary luchadores.
Experience the Excitement:
🎭 Mural Unveiling – Celebrate the launch of a stunning tribute to Lucha Libre’s legacy.
🔥 Live Lucha Libre Matches – Witness high-flying action from top luchadores from Global Lucha!
🎶 Dj & Music – Feel the rhythm with beats that keep the energy high.
🌮 Local Food & Craft Bar – Savor authentic flavors from Wet Tacos and Suncoast Pizza while enjoying the festivities.
👧Family Friendly Activities – Fun-filled activities for kids.
📸 Lucha Photo Booth Fun – Snap pics and strike a pose with Lucha-inspired props and backdrops.
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: The Soap Factory
Address: 2995 Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92113
Tickets: This is a FREE EVENT
Ages: This is an ALL AGES event with a family friendly atmosphere

Cameron Carpenter: Metropolis
2025-05-17 19:30 - 21:30
Immerse yourself in the dystopian universe of Metropolis—Fritz Lang’s 1927 science fiction classic. Pioneering organist and composer Cameron Carpenter performs his original score for solo organ as the film is projected on a big screen.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
7:30 PM
St. James by the Sea

LOUIS: A Silent Film with Live Musical Performance by WYNTON MARSALIS and CECILE LICAD
2025-05-18 19:00 - 21:00
Superstar jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will be joined by renowned classical pianist Cecile Licad and an 11-piece jazz ensemble conducted by Andy Faber for a unique live musical performance to accompany the presentation of LOUIS – A Silent Film. LOUIS was written and directed by Dan Pritzker and shot by Oscar®-winning cinematographer the late Vilmos Zsigmond and pays homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, and the birth of jazz. The film, set in 1907 New Orleans, tells the story of a young boy (Louis) born into poverty, who dreams of playing the trumpet. Marsalis was brought on board to oversee the music for the film and immediately became an integral part of Pritzker’s vision. This live touring show will treat audiences to a modern version of an original immersive-style experience, blending a live musical performance with the captivating story-telling and classic visuals captured in Dan Pritzker’s LOUIS to provide a (not so) silent film experience.
WYNTON MARSALIS: THE LOUIS PROJECT
Sunday, May 18, 2025 • 7 PM
Balboa Theatre
Jazz Series

Latin History for Morons
2025-05-23 - 2025-06-08
Latin History for Morons is a hilarious and insightful exploration inspired by the glaring absence of Latinos in American history textbooks. In this uproarious show, Rick Najera embarks on a frenetic quest to uncover a Latin hero for his son’s school project. With his comedic flair, he delivers a whirlwind recap of the Aztec Empire and shines a light on the unsung Latin patriots of the Revolutionary War and beyond, distilling 3,000 years of history—from the Mayans to Pitbull—into 110 irreverent and uncensored minutes that are both entertaining and enlightening.
May 23- June 8, 2025
Oceanside Theatre Company
217 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054

VIP Arts & Culture Baja Tour - VISUAL ARTS
2025-05-23 09:00 - 17:00
Discover Baja’s Vibrant Art and Culture: A VIP Experience
Immerse yourself in the rich creative landscape of Baja California with an expertly curated cultural tour of Tijuana’s Visual Arts scene by Art Scene Baja. The VIP experience includes round-trip transportation from the border, a gourmet lunch, and wine tasting featuring Baja’s finest vintages.
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The Vanguard Culture team will meet you on the U.S. side of the border and we will walk across together. The Art Scene Baja bus will pick us up immediately on the other side. Guests will be returned to the San Ysidro border and will walk across with the Vanguard Culture team.
Friday, May 23rd, 9am-5pm: Visual Arts Tour

Explore the latest exhibitions at renowned cultural institutions.
Meet talented local artists in their studios and witness their creative process.
Enjoy a private wine-tasting experience showcasing premium Baja wines.
Indulge in a gourmet lunch featuring Mexican or fusion cuisine.
Discover exquisite ceramic art and contemporary designs.
Return transportation to the Tijuana border crossing.

Price per person: $300 USD

What to Bring:

Comfortable shoes and a light jacket (evening return).
Personal or business cards for networking opportunities.
Cash or cards for small purchases (Pesos, Dollars, and credit cards are accepted).
Passport and/or SENTRI card

Embark on a journey of inspiration and creativity. Reserve your spot today!

Sliding Glass Doors
2025-05-25 16:00 - 18:00
SACRA/PROFANA is super pleased to present Sliding Glass Doors, an immersive choral concert exploring the depth and legacy of Black American music through the personal lens of composer, arranger, and gospel scholar Dr. Brandon Waddles. The program features a compelling blend of gospel, spirituals, and musical theater, including works composed or arranged by Waddles, who currently serves as the Associate Music Director for the National Broadway Tour of The Wiz.
Artistic Director Juan Carlos Acosta calls Waddles “an artist, professional, and scholar of the highest caliber,” and this concert marks a major moment in the ensemble’s evolution.
Sunday, May 25, 2025
4:00 p.m.
Christ United Presbyterian Church San Diego
3025 Fir St, San Diego, CA 92102
(Christ United is the third-oldest Black Presbyterian Church in the nation)
Tickets run $15-$40

Unified Harmonies
2025-05-28 19:30 - 21:30
Art of Elan is thrilled to partner with San Diego’s premier contemporary ballet company, The Rosin Box Project, for two special performances of “Unified Harmonies,” a multidisciplinary production that features new choreography alongside the stunning string quartet works of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and Kian Ravaei, exploring the crucial role of artists as changemakers and emphasizing the importance of collaboration in today’s world.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
7:30 PM & 8:50 PM
The Baker-Baum Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Avenue San Diego, CA, 9203

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
2025-05-30 - 2025-06-12
Experience the charming French rom-com Jane Austen Wrecked My Life at San Diego’s Digital Gym Cinema. Follow Agathe’s journey from Paris to a Jane Austen Residency in England, where romance and self-discovery await. Agathe (Camille Rutherford) is a hopelessly clumsy yet charming young woman who works in the legendary Shakespeare & Co. bookshop in Paris, while she dreams of being a successful writer, and of experiencing love akin to a Jane Austen novel, she finds herself desperately single and plagued by writers block. When Agathe’s best friend (Pablo Pauly) gets her invited to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England, she finally has her Jane Austen moment…and is caught in a very unexpected romantic triangle. Agathe must let go of her insecurities to decide what she really wants for herself, and to achieve her romantic and professional dreams.

Showtimes:
Friday, May 30, 2025 – Thursday, June 12, 2025
Ticket Prices: $13 Regular / $11 Students & Seniors / $9 Members
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLm4GvLQuk&ab_channel=SonyPicturesClassics

Behind the Music: Voices of our City
2025-05-31 16:30 - 21:00
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join us for creativity as self-care. Voices of Our City Choir invites you to experience how music and art become lifelines—tools for mental wellness, community building, and hope. Through live performance, storytelling, and visual art, witness how our choir members reclaim joy, voice, and healing.
Come be moved. Come be inspired. Come and play!
You will get to experience Voices’ programming like:
• participating in a songwriting activity with Voices’ facilitators • meeting the producers of our podcast Sounds of the Sidewalk and share your own voice for a future episode • exploring a showcase of art created by members of Voices • individual and in-community art-making opportunities • participating in an improv workshop
Behind The Music culminates on a high note with a soul-stirring sing-along concert inside St. Paul’s Cathedral. This is more than a music event — it’s a celebration of resilience, community, and the healing power of song and art.
Tickets are $35 each. Children welcome — kids under 10 are free.100% of ticket sales go directly to the transformational programming of Voices of Our City.

May 31, 2025, 4:30 PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
2728 Sixth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
