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 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
A rendering of a retail store at San Jose Mineta International Airport offering travel essentials. The display cases hold travel neck pillows and pre-packaged food to go.
Airports and Transportation
New concessions and retail coming to San Jose Mineta International Airport
SJC’s additional will include 12 fresh retail concepts throughout Terminal A and Terminal B.
March 18, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Two black and white photos of philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps; the left one shows her holding a book, while the right photo is a close-up of her in her younger years.
History
6 amazing women who helped shape the San Diego Natural History Museum
The Nat’s 150-year-old foundation is solid — thanks in part to these women.
March 14, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD San Diego Padres Petco Park
Play
Your guide to sports teams in San Diego
From the San Diego Padres to the San Diego Gulls, we’re sharing details of San Diego’s sports teams.
March 7, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Soccer players from Bay FC kick around a soccer ball on lush green fields in San Jose during practice.
Sports
What fans need to know about Bay FC’s 2025 season in San Jose
Our city’s NWSL team returns for its second season at PayPal Park with their home opener on Saturday, March 22 and they are “Built for the Moment.”
March 3, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
The patio at Edmund's Oast Brewing Co. in Charleston — there are lots of tables and string lights in the dining area.
Restaurants
Let’s eat, kids: Family-friendly restaurants in Charleston
Skip the meal prep just this once and treat the little ones to an outing at one of these Charleston spots.
February 27, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
The California Theater stage lit up by Cinequest's main screen.
Festivals
Lights, camera, action: Cinequest returns to San Jose
The 2025 edition of Silicon Valley’s annual indie film fest is from Tuesday, March 11 to Sunday, March 23.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
BOS Dine Out Boston Winter 2025
Food
3 full weeks, 200 restaurants: Dine Out Boston’s grand return
The winter 2025 edition of the culinary program via Meet Boston and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism runs from Sunday, Feb. 23 to Saturday, March 15 — come hungry, Boston.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Flower Fields Carlsbad
Travel and Outdoors
What to expect this season at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
The 2025 season of beautiful blooms begins Saturday, March 1, and runs through Sunday, May 11.
February 21, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market in San Diego
Live
Hubs of grub: A guide to San Diego’s food halls
From Liberty Station to the North County, these hubs have it all.
February 14, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SAC Wally's Cafe 2025 Yelp Top 100
Food
Sacramento-area restaurants land on Yelp’s 2025 ‘Top 100 Places to Eat’
Sizzlin’ spots in Rocklin, Roseville, and Sac made the cut this year — come on, let’s eat.
February 12, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Shawarma Guys Yelp Top 100 2025
Food
9 San Diego-area restaurants land on Yelp’s 2025 ‘Top Places 100 to Eat’
Sizzlin’ spots in National City, La Mesa, Carlsbad, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach made the cut this year — come on SD, let’s eat
February 12, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
Bookshelved lined with colorful romance books at the new Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square
Small Business
Swoon: Check out Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square
The Cambridge bookstore is entirely dedicated to the romance genre and houses a cafe operated by George Howell Coffee. Seriously, what’s not to love?
February 10, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
SD Broadway San Diego Beauty and the Beast
Theater
Curtains, up: Broadway San Diego’s 48th season lineup
You’ll want to be their guest: The seven-show season at San Diego Civic Theatre includes “Beauty and the Beast” and “Hell’s Kitchen” from Alicia Keys.
February 10, 2025
 · 
Monica Garske
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