Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Jan. 13 to Friday, Jan 17.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Hike of the Week: Goodan Ranch features an expansive trail network — and an expansive history
Monday
Swing dancing: Learn the art of swing dancing at an introductory lesson under the dome of the Central Library. 6 to 7:45 p.m. Monday. Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/swing-dance-under-dome-407074
Free Ballet Folklorico class: All ages are welcome, from beginner to experienced dancers, to try out Ballet Folklorico with El Tesoro Del Folklo. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. San Diego Public Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/free-ballet-folkorico-classes-el-tesoro-del-folklor-424773
Tuesday
Cowles Mountain hike: Try a guided, 90-minute hike up the back of Cowles Mountain with the Santee Teen Center staff. Participants can explore the scenic route and connect with nature. Bring water and wear hiking shoes. Open to all ages; children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Starting at the Santee Teen Center at Big Rock Park, 8125 Arlette St. Free. Advance registration is required at cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/trail-mixer–cowles-mountain-hike/45671.
“Back to the Future: The Musical”: Broadway San Diego presents the first national touring production of this Olivier Award-winning 2022 musical inspired by the 1985 film about a 1980s California teen who travels back in time to find his parents before they met and fell in love. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $56 to $240. broadwaysd.com
Wednesday
John Sayles author event: Author, film director, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and actor John Sayles will discuss and sign his new book, “To Save the Man.” 7 p.m. Wednesday. Coronado Public Library640 Orange Ave., Coronado. Free. Reserved seats available for $29.99. warwicks.com/event/sayles-2025
Thursday
Robert Crais: Bestselling author Robert Crais will sign and discuss the new book, “The Big Empty (An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel).” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. Reserved seats available for $30. warwicks.com/event/crais-2025
Friday
Godfrey: You may have seen Godfrey on Comedy Central, BET, VH1 and films, including “Zoolander” and “Johnson Family Vacation.” Now you can see him do stand-up comedy live in La Jolla. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 7 p.m. Sunday. Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St., La Jolla. thecomedystore.com/la-jolla
Jurassic Quest coming to Fairgrounds: Locals can go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth as the traveling show Jurassic Quest lands at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The four-day event brings animatronic dinosaurs, fossils, arts and crafts areas, statues, photo opportunities and bounce houses. 1 to 6 p.m. Friday. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $26.85-$40.85. jurassicquest.com
San Diego Symphony: The Symphony, led by Brazilian conductor Eduardo Strausser, with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes, will present Anna Clyne’s “Color Field,” Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. 11 a.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., downtown. $39-$120. 1245 Seventh Ave., downtown. 619-235-0804, sandiegosymphony.org
“The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/ Latinx/Latine Vote”: TuYo Theatre presents this new play by Bernardo Cubría about Paola, a university professor in debt after years of fertility treatments. She finds herself at a crossroads when the political party offers her a job to gain the Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine vote. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bayfront Charter High School, 830 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista. $20-$25. tuyotheatre.org
