Monica Garske headshot

Monica Garske

Senior Content Strategist

Monica is based in San Diego, California. She was previously a senior digital media producer and podcast host at NBC 7 San Diego + The Scene, and has been in the news biz since 2005. She loves hiking, the beach, and family days with her husband and two kids.

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Drapes and construction signs cover the new Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in Liberty Station; signs wrapped around the site show renderings of the vision for the venue.
Development
It’s showtime: New performing arts center coming to Arts District Liberty Station in 2025
The landmark’s historic Naval Building 178 will become the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center — the future permanent home of Cygnet Theatre.
February 12, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A group arranging colorful flowers inside pots and planters at Ana Galena Floral Studio in San Diego.
Entertainment
Try This: Fun, unique Valentine’s Day activities in San Diego
From a dance party to a cider pairing, you’re going to love these ideas.
February 8, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
King Tides crash against the Windansea Beach Surf Shack in La Jolla as a rainbow shines over the beach.
Weather
February 2024 King Tides coming to San Diego’s coastline
Expect big surf along parts of SD’s coastline the morning of Feb. 9, 2024.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Two people wearing ponchos and carrying an umbrella walk across a rainy street in San Diego during the February 2024 winter storms.
Weather
San Diego’s winter 2024 storm impacts: Rainfall stats, warnings, and what’s next
According to the National Weather Service, another storm system could move through San Diego County Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD UCSD Sojourner Truth statue
History
Honoring Black history in San Diego
From murals and public artworks to museums and cultural centers, local Black history is all around us.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Actor Robert De Niro and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa stand side by side laughing at a Nobu Restaurants event.
Robert De Niro-backed Nobu restaurant set to open at Hotel del Coronado in 2025
This is the global brand’s second restaurant in the San Diego area — the other is in the Gaslamp Quarter’s Hard Rock Hotel.
February 2, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Signs that read "SUBJECT TO FLOODING" and "ROAD CLOSED" lines a wet street in San Diego during a storm.
City
List: San Diego’s emergency resources
From storm, wildfire, and earthquake preparedness to road closures and public safety, here are some resources San Diegans should have at the ready in case of an emergency.
January 31, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A rendering of the new Torrey View by Breakthrough life sciences campus coming to Del Mar in summer 2024, which will feature two new restaurants.
Restaurants
New restaurants coming to Del Mar’s Torrey View life sciences campus
The Kitchen opens in late February 2024 and The Clubhouse in March 2024 — each featuring dishes by Executive Chef Ryan Bullock.
January 31, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A dark room at the WNDR Museum San Diego displays the "INSIDEOUT" exhibition featuring structure surrounded by glowing lights.
Arts
San Diego Museum Month returns — here’s what’s new
The 35th annual celebration of SD’s arts and culture scene will offer half-off admission at 70+ participating cultural attractions Feb. 1-Feb. 29, 2024.
January 29, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Graphics from SDtoday featuring a photo of Erik Fowler, executive director of San Diego Brewers Guild.
Small Business
Capital of Craft: 11 questions with Erik Fowler, executive director of the San Diego Brewers Guild
We tap into how SD’s craft brewing scene has grown — and where it’s headed as the mature, experienced, and renowned beer mecca.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A crew of city workers cleans up a flooded street scattered with debris in the aftermath of the devastating storm in San Diego in January 2024.
City
Storm aftermath: How to Help San Diegans
Here are ways to help fellow San Diegans impacted by the devastation of the storm on Jan. 22, 2024.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Yellow building in Austin, Texas featuring Tequila 512's logo and branding.
Work
Made in Austin: 20 things created in the Capital City
From brands to bands, Austin’s business scene is truly inspired.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
The tan exterior of Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego with it Spanish Colonial style architecture and people walking in the foreground.
Arts
Downtown San Diego’s Balboa Theatre turns 100 in 2024
The historic venue on Fourth Avenue debuted in March 1924 as a vaudeville and movie theater.
January 19, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A professional golfer swings on the bright green course at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, during the Farmers Insurance Open as spectators watch from the sidelines.
Sports
Tee Time at Torrey: 2024 Farmers Insurance Open returns to San Diego
The high-profile PGA Tour competition takes over the local links Wednesday, Jan. 24-Saturday, Jan. 27.
January 19, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A rendering of the new San Diego County Public Health Lab under construction in Kearny Mesa.
City
New San Diego County Public Health Lab set to open in spring 2025
The $93.3 million facility is under construction at the County Operations Center on Overland Avenue in Kearny Mesa.
January 17, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD White Rice Bodega San Diego
Restaurants
Michelin Guide trends: Indian and Filipino food, but make it San Diego
According to Michelin Guide inspectors, Indian restaurants and Filipino food are having a moment — here are some places to find those flavors in San Diego.
January 17, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Temecula Hit the Road City Guide San Diego
Play
Hit the Road: A wine and food adventure to Temecula, California
The city just north of San Diego County is brimming with fun things to do.
January 12, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD San Diego Natural History Museum
Culture
Museum milestone: The Nat celebrates 150th anniversary in San Diego in 2024
The museum in Balboa Park will debut a new exhibit, plant garden, film, and special events to ring in the milestone throughout 2024.
January 11, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD San Diego FC Chrome Ball
Sports
San Diego FC kicks off countywide ‘Chrome Ball Tour’
A chrome art installation of a giant soccer ball emblazoned with the names of the 18 cities that make up San Diego County will be traveling all over SD in 2024 — pass it on.
January 11, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
CBUStoday Friendship Flea
Play
The big haul: Shop, swap, and save at 20+ local resellers in Columbus
Here’s the deal — the vintage, resell, and flea market scene is stellar in Columbus, Ohio. Check out our local recommendations.
January 11, 2024
 · 
Mitch Hooper
SD Dry January Mocktails Paradisaea La Jolla San Diego
Restaurants
Dry January: Try these mocktails around San Diego
These 11 creative, alcohol-free concoctions are certainly worth a toast.
January 9, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD High Surf San Diego King Tides
Weather
First King Tides of 2024 will hit San Diego’s coastline this week
High Surf and Coastal Flood advisories are in effect for local beaches where waves could reach up to 11 ft on Thursday, Jan. 11-Friday, Jan. 12.
January 9, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD You Can Do Almost Anything Andy Arkley WNDR Museum San Diego
Arts
Cool art exhibitions to explore in San Diego in 2024
The local art scene is drawing us in, that’s for sure.
January 5, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Downtown San Diego Garske
Events
Save the Dates: Big events coming to San Diego in 2024
From soccer and baseball to the San Diego County Fair, Pride and superheroes, 2024 is shaping up to be a mighty eventful year in America’s Finest City.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Nova Easy Kombucha Novo Brazil Brewing Azteks Kombucha 2024
Small Business
Nova set to release Azteks Kombucha in support of SDSU student athletes
The brewer teamed up with SDSU Men’s Basketball players to concoct the raspberry lemonade hard kombucha flavor dropping this Friday, Jan. 5.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
Xmas tree Michael Beausoleil
City
How to dispose of Christmas trees and holiday decorations in San Diego
Undeck the halls with these recycling and trash pickup tips.
December 22, 2023
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
SD San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance capybara pups 2023
Culture
SDtoday’s most-clicked stories and Instagram posts of 2023
Fireworks. Hiking. Kid-friendly activities. Capybaras. Festive events. Dang, you’re dynamic, SD.
December 20, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Monte Carlo NYE Cruise 2023
3...2...1: New Year’s Eve celebrations in San Diego
There are so many fun ways to ring in 2024 in America’s Finest City — enjoy these 18 local celebrations, SD.
December 20, 2023
 · 
Monica Garske
Adobe
Work
Made in San Jose: 13 things created in the great 408
From fruit cocktails to floppy disks, San Jose’s business scene is truly inspired.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Alyson Chuyang
SD Google Year in Search 2023 San Diego
City
What San Diegans googled this year
2023’s Google Year in Search is out — check out what locals were searching most this year in America’s Finest City (it might surprise you).
December 18, 2023
 · 
Brianna Williams
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