Monica Garske

San Diego, United States

Senior City Editor at SDtoday

Journalist. Give me ALL the words 📝Loves: Being a mom, digital storytelling, travel, sitcom reruns. Now: @theSDtoday + @6AMCity 🌇. Past: @nbcsandiego + more.

Articles

No kidding: 30+ awesome activities for kids and families in the San Diego, CA area

1 week ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

We’re not kiddin’ around when it comes to having fun around town. From major attractions like Belmont Park to museums and waterfront fun, there’s something in America’s Finest City for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 30+ kid-friendly activities around San Diego. The Comic-Con Museum is a great place for kids who love arts and pop culture.
‘Living Seas’ exhibition opens at Birch Aquarium on May 22

2 weeks ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

The immersive experience features new habitats that explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean; it’s the biggest capital improvement to the aquarium since 1992. A rendering of the Tropical Coral habitat inside “Living Seas” at Birch Aquarium. Rendering by Roto After months of construction, a new immersive exhibition will make a splash at Birch Aquarium at Scripps this week: “Living Seas” opens on Thursday, May 22.
Small Business Spotlight: Kensington Cafe in uptown San Diego, CA

3 weeks ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

Small businesses are the heart of our community — let’s take a closer look at Kensington Cafe, an uptown restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kensington Cafe on Adams Avenue — where everybody knows your name. We know small businesses are the heart of our community, so earlier this year, we asked local small businesses to tell us about themselves. They delivered.
Small Business Week in San Jose: Spotlight on Empire Seven Studios

3 weeks ago | sjtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

We know small businesses are the heart of our community, so earlier this year, we asked local small businesses to tell us about themselves. They delivered. We’ve been shining the spotlight on a few of SJ’s small businesses this month, and today it’s Empire Seven Studios’ turn. This contemporary fine art gallery — also known as E7S — is located at 525 N. 7th St., Ste. 10 and aims to create a safe space for creatives. Here’s a little more info, straight from the biz itself:Q: What year did you open?
Now, that’s a good boy: Visiting San Diego’s Bum the Dog statue in Edinburgh, Scotland

3 weeks ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

Monica Garske, 6AM City’s Senior Newsletter Editor, sits with the statue of Bum in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday As I walked past rows of tombstones in a historic churchyard on a crisp, gray day, I spotted him. His little bronze face — tongue wagging, with a sweet smirk at its edges — was instantly recognizable. It was a statue of Bum, San Diego’s famous beloved town dog. Only, I wasn’t in San Diego anymore.
Museum of Illusions opens first California location in San Diego, CA

1 month ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

The newest addition to SD’s robust museums scene will debut in late May 2025 in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. Nothing is ever quite as it seems here. This is not a mirage — Museum of Illusions San Diego (MoI) will open on Friday, May 23 at 665 Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter, making it the brand’s first California location. Here’s what you need to know about the latest addition to SD’s museums scene.
Small Business Week spotlight on Hills Training in San Jose, CA

1 month ago | sjtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

Happy Small Business Week, San Jose. We know small businesses are the heart of our community, so earlier this year, we asked local small businesses to tell us about themselves. They delivered. We’ll be shining the spotlight on a few of SJ’s small businesses this month, starting with Hills Training, a fitness + kickboxing facility at 783 Alum Rock Ave., Ste. 40, owned by Marica + Isaiah Hill.
Small Business Week in SD: Spotlight on La Galleria San Diego

1 month ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

Small businesses are the heart of our community — let’s take a closer look at La Galleria San Diego, a shop at Liberty Station that sells unique gifts made by artists around the world. You’ll find lots of unique goodies from around the world at La Galleria San Diego at Liberty Station. Happy Small Business Week, San Diego.
These Levitt Pavilion concerts are coming in summer 2025 to St. James Park in San Jose, CA

1 month ago | sjtoday.6amcity.com | Monica Garske

St. James Park is going to rock this summer. Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose (FLPSJ) — the nonprofit dedicated to creating a permanent, open-air space at St. James Park for 50 free community concerts year-round — has released its 2025 summer concert series lineup. Don’t miss a beat at these free shows:Celebrating Africa Day co-presented by AWO | Sunday, May 25 | The openers will be Anambra State Cultural Association of Nigeria and Chinyakare Ensemble, followed by headliner Riddim Exchange.
What’s May Gray and June Gloom in San Diego?

1 month ago | sdtoday.6amcity.com | Michael Beausoleil |Monica Garske

Us San Diegans are used to sunny skies + warm weather, but we’re heading into the mist of a darker season. Locals call this month and next “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” which means just that — expect dreary skies or occasional sprinkles. How dare you, SD. While we’re familiar with this annual weather pattern, we want to shed light on the science behind the phenomenon and look at ways to survive the grays without feeling too much gloom. Dark skies at Petco Park.