Andra Young, Author at Secret San Diego

Writer at Secret San Diego, always looking for what's to do, and where to be. Originally from Transylvania, I spent years in Amsterdam and lived in a couple of countries across the world. I love reporting on the best food and the coolest spots you may not know of.

Culture Things To Do

Balboa Park is hosting a massive free cultural event this May — from savory Korean specialties to action-packed Polynesian dancing

Get ready for another wonderful celebration of diversity in San Diego! Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Asian Pacific Cultural Festival, taking place on May 16, 2026. Set in beautiful Balboa Park near the Int...

Food & Drink

You don’t have to cross the border for Mexico’s best tacos — this Michelin-recognized Tijuana hotspot just opened in San Diego

More amazing tacos in San Diego? Yep! Our own Gaslamp Quarter has just spiced up its culinary scene with the highly anticipated opening of Tacos El Franc. And this spot isn’t just crazy famous in Tijuana; it&#...

Culture Food & Drink Things To Do

This historic SoCal city was known as the ‘unofficial strawberry capital of the world’ — and its free annual festival returns with themed runs, craft beers, and endless treats

San Diego’s sweetest tradition, the annual Vista Strawberry Festival, returns to downtown Vista this May! Celebrating the city’s rich agricultural roots, this family-friendly event is free to the public...

Food & Drink Things To Do

The Nation’s Largest Food Festival Is Hitting The Del Mar Fairgrounds—Featuring Over 250 Vendors, Viral Bites, And Live Music

San Diego food lovers – big weekend ahead! FoodieLand returns to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, bringing one of the largest traveling food events in the country right to our beautiful coast. Come hungry, leave happ...

Things To Do

Celebrate Mom In Full Bloom With The Ultimate Mother’s Day Experience At The Flower Fields

Mother’s Day is right around the corner (Sunday, May 10), and let’s be real: the moms and mother figures in our lives deserve more than a phone call or a last-minute card. They deserve an unforgettable e...

Food & Drink

One Of The World’s Most Exclusive Luxury Japanese Restaurant Is Taking Over A Historic San Diego Hotel—Here’s A Sneak Peek

Foodies, are we ready for some exciting news? San Diego’s culinary scene is about to get a massive upgrade. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the kind of ultra-chic dining usually reserved for Dubai, L...

Escapes Wellness & Nature

Experts In 1869 Called This California Peak “Perfectly Inaccessible;” Today, It’s One Of Nat Geo’s 100 Hikes Of A Lifetime

Earlier this year, National Geographic came up with an epic list: 100 hikes of a lifetime in the U.S.A. And I’m sure it won’t come as a shock to anyone…California scored a couple of spots on this l...

The 2026 ‘State of the Air’ Report Just Dropped, And San Diego Ranked As The 5th Most Polluted County Nationwide

Bad news, San Diego. While we may top charts when it comes to quality of life, happiness, and other topics…it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Recent findings have revealed a severe decline in air qua...

Culture Food & Drink Things To Do

This Massive Mardi Gras Festival Is Taking Over San Diego; Featuring 10,000 Pounds Of Crawfish, New Orleans Funk, And Free Entry For Kids

If you’re looking for a little slice of the Louisiana bayou right in here in SoCal, Gator By The Bay is the place to be. Often described as “Mardi Gras in May,” this 4-day festival is the largest...

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Just Welcomed A Newborn Pudu — Meet The Pint-Sized Deer Taking The Internet By Storm

San Diego: get ready for an extreme dose of cuteness. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park just welcomed one of the tiniest, most adorable additions to its wildlife family: a baby pudu! A baby what? If you haven’...