arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage in San Diego

A spotlight on top Hispanic change-makers here

From our cultural and culinary communities to our sports scene, San Diego’s history and heritage are deeply intertwined with the influences and achievements of Hispanic artists, athletes and other standouts. And these important figures have enriched our community immensely over the decades.

In recognition of those great contributions, here’s a look at present-day Hispanic luminaries in a variety of realms who continue to make waves here in America’s Brightest City.

Rafael Payare San Diego Symphony

Rafael Payare

Music Director, San Diego Symphony

The Venezuelan-born Payare is an internationally renowned conductor who is now in his fourth season as the San Diego Symphony’s Music Director. Among his many career milestones, Payare presided over the opening of the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, the symphony’s stunning outdoor venue on San Diego Bay. And under his leadership, the symphony will make its first-ever concert appearance in Tijuana, Mexico, in November 2023.

Roxana Velásquez

Roxana Velásquez

Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO, San Diego Museum of Art

Since she took over leadership of this venerable Balboa Park museum, the Mexican-born Velásquez has played a key role in the institution’s rise to prominence as one of the top art museums on the West Coast. She has brought in high-profile exhibitions as well as led the acquisition of nearly 1,000 artworks, significantly increasing the size and range of San Diego Museum of Art’s collections.

Bread and Salt Mural Panca

Paola Villaseñor (aka Panca)

Muralist

Hailing from San Diego’s South Bay and now dividing her time between the U.S. and Mexico, Panca — born to an immigrant family — is known for her colorful murals that frequently feature fantastical faces and whimsical, eye-catching elements. Among her most notable works in San Diego are “SMILE,” a 48-foot mural highlighted by playful facial features and spanning an interior bridge at the New Children’s Museum; and the towering painting of a melting ice cream cone (complete with distressed-looking face) that graces the side of Bread & Salt in Barrio Logan.

Melanie Barcenas SD Wave FC

Melanie Barcenas

Forward, San Diego Wave FC

A San Diego native and soccer prodigy, Barcenas made history at age 15 when she took the field for the San Diego Wave, becoming the youngest-ever player to see action in the National Women’s Soccer League. It was just the latest groundbreaking moment for the Mexican-American athlete, who also was the first high-school player to sign a “name, image and likeness” (NIL) deal, and appeared on the cover of Time magazine at age 9. In 2023, Barcenas’ team is also embracing Hispanic heritage with a new line of Wave merchandise inspired by the city’s Latino community and showcasing the artwork of Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, the San Diego’s oldest Mexican-American neighborhood.

The Wave’s home venue, Snapdragon Stadium, also celebrates Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month with special September events.

Petco Park Padres Hispanic Event

San Diego Padres

The Padres, San Diego’s MLB team since 1969, have a rich history of fielding Hispanic talent both from the U.S. and other countries, and three of the team’s biggest present-day stars — Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. — are all of Dominican heritage. The team celebrates its multicultural makeup with its colorful City Connect uniforms, which pay homage in part to the vibrant colors of Baja California. The Padres also celebrate Hispanic heritage during the month of September with multiple events.

Ricardo Breceda

Ricardo Breceda

Sculptor

Ricardo Breceda’s arresting, larger-than-life sculptures of horses, sea serpents and more are a vibrant sight near San Diego County’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where the Mexican-born artist maintains an outdoor studio that’s open to the public. Over the past 25 years, he has created some 130 of the metal sculptures, many of them depicting mythical or fanciful creatures. His most well-known work is a 350-foot-long sculpture of a serpent, which is layered with more than 1,000 metal scales.

Mario Torero

Mario Torero

Muralist

A legendary local muralist who pairs activism with art, Mario Torero has been painting and creating since the early 1960s. Torero, who is of Peruvian heritage, is a founding member of Centro Cultural de la Raza and of Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, and was deeply involved in the struggle to preserve what is now a celebrated home for murals. Torero’s art has in turn been preserved by the Library of Congress, which purchased 20 of his works for its collection of Chicano art.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

Breakfast for Two

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Valid: Aug 9 - ongoing

No matter how you plan to spend your time in San Diego make the most of every day with a hearty meal to kick-start your mornings. It’s breakfast on us, for each night you stay. Rumorosa...

Tours & Sightseeing

Save 20% on an Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Amazing Scavenger Hunts by Urban Adventure Quest
Valid: Feb 2, 2024 - ongoing

Turn San Diego's Old Town or Balboa Park into a giant game board with this fun Scavenger Hunt Adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour. Guided from any smart...

Galleries & Museums

Residents Free Tuesdays

Museum of Us
Valid: Jul 22, 2024 - ongoing

The Museum is thrilled to offer free admission on the fourth Tuesday of the month to residents of the City and County of San Diego, and to active military personnel and their dependents. To enjoy free...

Events to check out

Event

Farmers Insurance Open

Farmers Insurance Open
Jan 22 - Jan 25, 2025

The PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open is played annually at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 & 2021 U.S. Open. Mark your calendars now, because one of San...

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

Event

Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise

Flagship Cruises & Events
Dec 24, 2024

Light up your Christmas Eve with a special dining cruise on San Diego Bay. On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, join us aboard a decorated yacht adorned with lights and holiday decor. While you cruise past...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish