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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The exterior of the Kensington Cafe in San Diego; there are several customers sitting on the patio, which is adorned with hanging plants.
Small Business
Small Business Week in SD: Spotlight on Kensington Cafe
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.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SAC Salsa Sazona small business
Small Business Week in Sacramento: Spotlight on Salsa Sazona
Small businesses are the heart of our community — let’s take a closer look at a handmade salsa business with a whole lot of heart in the City of Trees.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Gaylord Pacific Resort opens
Tourism and Hospitality
Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center opens in Chula Vista
Here’s what you need to know about the new 1,600-room resort spanning 36 acres along the Chula Vista waterfront debuting on May 15, 2025.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Edinburgh Bum the Dog sister cities
History
Now, that’s a good boy: Visiting San Diego’s Bum the Dog statue in Edinburgh, Scotland
In the cutest sister cities connection, a little piece of San Diego sits (like a good boy) at The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland — sweet smile and all.
May 12, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Singer Sierra Ferrell performs on stage at Channel 24 in midtown Sacramento. The venue's stage is covered in plants and mushrooms, and Ferrell is wearing a bright yellow dress, a hat, and boots.
Music
Channel 24: Sacramento’s newest live music venue
Midtown’s new 2,150-capacity concert hall appears to already be a hit with local music fans and has a jam-packed schedule this summer.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD sister cities sign
City
San Diego’s Sister Cities, one by one
From cities in Mexico, to Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, America’s Finest City has a big extended family.
May 8, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Kansas City Barbeque
Play
‘Top Gun’ 101: San Diego locations where the movie was filmed
The 1986 Tom Cruise classic has deep roots in America’s Finest City — “show me the way home, honey.”
May 8, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A bright blue tablecloth with flowers covers a table at a restaurant; two plates with tacos sit on the table alongside a draft beer and margarita.
Live
Lunch break: A guide to lunch deals under $15 in Sacramento
Lunch near Sacramento shouldn’t break the bank. From sandwiches to tacos, we’ve got the best lunch spots that everyone can agree on.
May 8, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SJ 111 Bakery banh mi lunch deals CG
Live
Lunch break: A guide to $15 lunch deals in San Jose
Lunch near San Jose shouldn’t break the bank. From sandwiches to tacos, we’ve got the best lunch spots that everyone can agree on.
May 8, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Charleston County water parks
Parks and Recreation
Makin’ a splash: Charleston County water parks are ready for summer
With summer around the corner, here are three ways to cool off around the Holy City.
May 6, 2025
 · 
Tatum Jacaruso
A wooden display rack at a small retailer in San Diego is holding three West Coast-themed candles and a wooden sculpture.
Small Business
Small Business Week in SD: Spotlight on La Galleria San Diego
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.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A small business owner in Sacramento holds up a big, leafy, green plant at her farmers market booth for her Sacramento-based plant business, Hella Leaf.
Small Business
Small Business Week in Sacramento: Spotlight on Hella Leaf
Small businesses are the heart of our community — let’s take a closer look at a local plant business in the City of Trees.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Green and gold streamers fly through the air at a commencement ceremony at Sacramento State; a large group of clapping students wearing black caps and gowns sit and stand around their chairs as a crowd in the stands surrounding them also claps.
Education
Sacramento State memories from SACtoday readers
It’s graduation season — the perfect time to revisit those sweet college memories.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
The exterior of Hills Training at dusk, a fitness and training center in San Jose. Through the window, you can see people working out.
Small Business
Small Business Week in San Jose: Spotlight on Hills Training
Small businesses are the heart of our community — let’s take a closer look at a fitness and kickboxing training facility in the great 408. This oughta pump you up.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A singer and her band perform on stage at Levitt Pavilion San Jose at St. James Park. The singer's arms are stretched out toward the audience and she has a big smile on her face.
Music
Hear, hear: The Levitt Pavilion San Jose 2025 concert series lineup
Eight free, family-friendly concerts will rock St. James Park this summer starting on May 25 and organizers say the lineup is “a love letter to San Jose’s rich musical soul.”
May 2, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A mural of a woman with purple lips and green flowing hair is painted onto a red brick building.
Play
Painting the town: 12 marvelous murals around Sacramento
There’s art to be found everywhere in Sacramento, from murals in hidden corners to major artworks sprawling buildings. Here’s our guide to the ones that make our city unique.
April 25, 2025
 · 
Madeline Ewing
Gray skies pacific beach
Live
What’s May Gray and June Gloom in San Diego?
Locals know it’s not always sunny in San Diego — especially in May and June.
April 24, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
The grandstand stage at the San Diego County Fair with the ferris wheel and other rides in the background.
Music
This tracks: Big concerts coming to 2025 San Diego County Fair
From Maxwell and Zedd to 2 Chainz + Lil’ Jon, the Toyota Summer Concert Series is going to rock the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
April 22, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A line of vintage + lowrider cars driving down a street.
Festivals
Rev up for the 2025 San Jose Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The parade + festival is coming to East San Jose on Sunday, May 4 — here’s what to know before you go.
April 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
FTW-honeysuckle-vintage-clothing
Live
Happy Hauling: 20+ flea markets, vintage, antique, and resale shops
Here’s the deal — the flea markets and vintage shopping scene is stellar in Cowtown.
April 7, 2025
 · 
Kate Mazade
A rendering of a museum studio space filled with children and adults painting and enjoying art activities.
Arts
New Children’s Museums expands with ‘Artopia’ studio and more programming
The renovated spaces debut on the museum’s third level on Saturday, April 12.
April 4, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
A rendering of a swimming pool and rooftop deck atop a new, 16-story hotel with mountain views in San Diego County.
Tourism and Hospitality
High-tech hotel tower to debut at Jamul Casino Resort in May 2025
Alexa, do all the things.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
The entrance of the California State Fair in Sacramento — there are huge standing letters that spell "CALIFORNIA."
Music
Sound on: Concerts coming to the 2025 California State Fair in Sacramento
From Ludacris to O.A.R., the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage is gonna rock in July 2025.
March 28, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
LogOff Brewing beer shown on its outdoor patio.
Small Business
Hop to it: Sacramento Beer Week 2025 is coming
The annual celebration of our region’s craft beer scene is from Friday, April 25 to Saturday, May 3.
March 25, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Two women pose in a tent filled with pieces of art.
Events
SJ, we love you: Celebrate our city at San Jose Day 2025
Head to Emma Prusch Farm Park on Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., to rejoice in all of the things that make our great 408 so special.
March 24, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Bayside Trail Point Loma
Play
Take a hike: A guide to trails around San Diego
Looking for the perfect hike? This curated guide highlights tried-and-true trails in the area — plus everything you should know about them, from difficulty level to accessibility and beyond.
March 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
TD Garden and Zakim bridge at nighttime
Sports
Boston Celtics mega sale: What could we buy as Celtics fans for $6.1 billion?
From game day packages and suites to renewing major contracts, let’s break down what that record amount of cash could buy us at the Garden.
March 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
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