San Diego’s Top AANHPI Cultural Experiences
Experience the culture, history and traditions of San Diego’s AANHPI communities by visiting businesses in distinctive neighborhoods, dedicated museums and cultural institutions, and joining in on the fun at various festivals, block parties and celebrations throughout the year. Here are 10 things you need to know.
1. The Convoy District
About 15 minutes north of Downtown San Diego in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood, the Convoy District is the city’s hub of Asian restaurants, grocers, markets and shops. Named after Convoy Street, which runs north-south, the neighborhood was once a military training ground and later developed into an industrial area — for years, locals mainly ventured here to purchase a car at one of the numerous dealerships lining the street. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, enterprising Asian immigrants opened businesses in the community, turning it into one of the city’s culinary destinations.
Today, the Convoy District is an official Pan-Asian Cultural District, and in 2024 the community debuted a 30-foot vertical sign that lights the gateway to the district. The general boundaries for the Convoy District sit south of state Route 52, and between Interstate 805 (east) and state Route 163 (west). Here, the flavors of East Asia and Southeast Asia converge in dozens of restaurants scattered throughout the district, with cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai.
One way to experience the neighborhood is by attending Convoy Nights, a celebration in May where vendors sell Asian-inspired street food and goods, while live bands, DJs, traditional and modern dancers and a car show entertain the crowd. For a more in-depth guide to the eateries in the Convoy District, click here.
2. National City
San Diego County’s second-oldest city is home to one of the largest Filipino American populations in the nation. The first Filipino immigrants arrived in San Diego in the early 1900s, and over the years many Filipino Americans settled in this South Bay city after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II — the homeport of the Pacific Fleet and the second-largest surface naval base in the world is situated here.
Today, National City’s streets are chock full of restaurants, casual eateries, bakeries and gift shops that serve the local community. Chain restaurants with headquarters in the Philippines — such as Jollibee — have even opened up shop here. On East Plaza Boulevard, a main artery that runs west to east and bisects National City, the city recently unveiled Filipino Plaza, an art installation etched with the words mabuhay (welcome), pamana (legacy) and bayanihan (community), welcoming commuters to the city.
Tita’s Kitchenette is one of the most popular Filipino eateries in the neighborhood, where takeout of boxes are filled to the brim with pancit (stir-fried noodles) or rice, and diners point to the entrees they want included, which can range from pork adobo to sisig, barbecue skewers and a comforting afritada (tomato-based stew with meat, peas, potatoes and bell peppers). There’s always a line here, but don’t worry, it moves fast. If you have room for dessert, head next door to Valerio’s Bakeshop for ube crinkle cookies, bibingka (coconut rice cakes) and turon (fried banana spring rolls). For a colorful and refreshing dessert, head east to Kujo Eats for halo-halo, a layered shaved ice topped with condensed milk, ice cream and various sweet toppings.
New businesses have been popping up on East Eighth Street near National City Boulevard. At the Market on 8th food hall, which has a dozen vendors, a bar and cafe under one roof, you can find Japanese street eats at Donburi Rice Bowls and phad Thai, egg rolls and more at Ping Yang Thai. The Shops on B on the ground floor of the Parco apartment complex houses the popular 8th & B Poke, and nearby is the new Nandri Indian Cafe, which serves paratha (flaky flatbread) and South Indian curries, coconut rice and samosas. Friends of Friends is a new community space where one can hang out while sipping a palo santo latte or draft beer, and enjoy a Japan-inspired listening bar in the evenings.
3. Little Saigon
Nestled within San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood — the most diverse in the county, where more than 45 different languages are spoken — Little Saigon is an enclave of small, family-run stores, grocers and restaurants founded by immigrants who arrived here after the Vietnam War. In 1975, more than 50,000 people arrived at and moved through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and many of these families settled in San Diego.
By the 1980s, the stretch of El Cajon Boulevard between Highland and Euclid avenues became the heart of the region’s Vietnamese community, according to the Little Saigon Foundation. In recent years, a revitalization effort by community members led to Little Saigon’s formal recognition by the city as a cultural and commercial district in 2013.
Today, a colorful mural, freeway sign, and distinctive red and yellow lampposts mark the neighborhood — you know you’ve arrived in Little Saigon when you see them lining the boulevard. Start exploring the neighborhood with a Vietnamese iced coffee, egg rolls and bánh mì at Á Châu, then stop by one of the established eateries for a heartier meal.
Hoài Huế Restaurant has been in the neighborhood for over 30 years and specializes in the cuisine of Central Vietnam — try the spicy bún bò huế and bánh bèo chén, rice cakes topped with ground shrimp and crispy pork rinds. For a savory bowl of phở, Phở Hòa is a busy, no-frills spot that has more than 20 versions of the beef noodle soup, and nothing else — no spring rolls or entrees, just soup and beverages. For Vietnamese-Cantonese dishes such as house-made won ton, chow fun and roasted duck, head to local favorite Minh Ky Restaurant. For a sweet treat, nearby Huy Ky Bakery is popular for their bánh bía and mooncakes, and they have a robust wholesale business, as their desserts are shipped to 30 states.
4. San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
This small but compelling museum is one of the last remaining vestiges of what was once San Diego’s Chinatown, and marks the entrance to the city's Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District. Housed in a former church, it celebrates the contributions of Chinese Americans to San Diego and features an impressive collection of artwork and artifacts, including an ornate alcove bed that once belonged to a warlord from the early Republic of China.
Interpretive exhibits trace the history of more than 100 Chinese-owned businesses that once thrived in downtown San Diego and the role Chinese laborers played in building local landmarks such as the Hotel del Coronado and the California Southern Railroad along Mission Bay. The exhibit notes how the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 significantly affected the community and led to the displacement of many businesses.
The museum, which has unveiled a street mural to greet visitors, stands as a testament to the community’s resilience and regularly hosts cultural celebrations such as the annual Lunar New Year festival.
5. Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum
Located in the center of Balboa Park, this lush 12-acre garden and museum houses a serene garden with koi ponds, walking paths and structures modeled after traditional Japanese design. Acclaimed landscape architect Takeo Uesugi — who designed the Japanese gardens at the Huntington Library and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles — led the garden’s expansion, which included the building of the current exhibit hall and activity center.
A highlight of the garden is the grove of more than 200 sakura (cherry blossom) trees that bloom every March, transforming the gardens into a cotton candy-pink canyon. The gardens and museum host a variety of cultural and educational events, ranging from exhibitions of contemporary Japanese art to celebrations such as Children’s Day and the Toro Nagashi Festival, a ceremony where floating paper lanterns are released into a river or other body of water to honor the memories of loved ones who have passed. At the Tea Pavilion, find light bites such as rice bowls, soba noodles and more than 40 varieties of hot tea.
6. Pacific Islander Festival
The largest festival in the United States celebrating the island nations and cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia doesn’t happen in Honolulu — it’s right here in San Diego. The Pacific Islander Festival Association’s annual event in September has been taking place for more than 30 years, and over two days it transforms Mission Bay’s Ski Beach into an energetic hub of traditional song and dance, educational villages, and a marketplace with dozens of vendors and delicious food.
Experience traditional dance performances by troupes from around the country showcasing the Native Hawaiian hula, lively Tahitian ʻōteʻa accompanied by rhythmic drumming, the pageantry of siva Samoa, Chamorro folk dancing and more. The festival culminates in the announcement of the year’s winner of the title Miss Pacific Islander San Diego.
7. San Diego Asian Film Festival
A multi-day festival held in both the spring and fall, this event celebrates the achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander talent in cinema while amplifying the voices and stories of emerging directors and screenwriters. The festival also hosts exclusive world premieres of films from Asia, and has featured notable titles such as the award-winning “Drive My Car” and HBO Asia’s “Folklore.” Past honorees include director Vicky Du for her documentary “Light of the Setting Sun,” which aired on PBS earlier this year, and filmmaker Wayne Wang. During the festival, attendees can sample dishes from a dozen of San Diego’s top AAPI chefs at the popular Chew the Scene event in October, and experience the glamorous red-carpet awards gala in November.
8. I Love Poke Festival
This annual celebration of Hawai‘i’s beloved raw fish delicacy happens every May at the landmark Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island, a local tiki culture institution that’s been serving its famous mai tai for more than 70 years. Attendees can sample both traditional and unique styles of poke from more than 20 chefs, all of whom are competing for the title of best poke in San Diego. The long-running festival is now in its 15th year and has attracted notable chefs, musicians and surfers from Hawai‘i as judges. On top of all the poke selections, you can eat your way through more than a dozen vendor booths offering Hawai‘i-style foods ranging from Spam musubi to coconut desserts, while enjoying the live island music. The event sells out every year; visit Bali Hai’s website for details.
9. Lunar New Year Celebrations
Every winter, the city lights up with multiple Lunar New Year festivals, where lion dances, music, fireworks displays and traditional foods mark the beginning of the new year in multiple Asian countries and cultures. The celebrations range from smaller community events to large, multiday fetes at SeaWorld San Diego and Balboa Park, and even the San Diego Zoo gets in on the fun with a special event at their Asian Rainforest exhibit. Whether it’s the three-day Tết Festival in Liberty Station in Point Loma, the block party fronting the Chinese Historical Museum, or the Khmer New Year in April at Colina del Sol Park, there’s multiple ways to honor this annual tradition and welcome good fortune for the coming year. For a roundup of Lunar New Year events across the county, click here.
10.Diwali Festival of Lights
Diwali is observed by more than 1 billion people across the globe every year. While the five-day celebration has origins in Hindu tradition, it’s honored by people of all faiths and is considered the most important festival in India. Every October, the San Diego Indian American Association hosts the Diwali Festival of Lights in Balboa Park, where the Organ Pavilion becomes a stage showcasing traditional dance performances and music. Throughout the park are displays of ancient lamps, as well as vendors serving tasty Indian food and selling colorful crafts and clothing.