San Diego Wave FC is excited to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month this May.
The Wave will proudly recognize the culture and impact of the San Diego AAPI community on Sunday, May 4, during the Club’s annual AAPI Night, featuring performances from Taiko drummers and Lao dancers, along with specialty coffee drinks from Mostra Coffee, the presenting sponsor of Sunday’s match.
We’ve compiled a guide of local events and organizations for our San Diego community to explore and support throughout AAPI Heritage Month. If there are additional resources you’d like us to highlight, please email [email protected].
Our Club is dedicated to promoting inclusivity, equity, and positivity and we encourage fans to join us in taking this opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage with the rich history and contributions made within our San Diego community.
San Diego AAPI Organizations
Asian Business Association of San Diego – Advocates for the economic growth and success of Asian-owned businesses in San Diego through networking, educational programs, and resources that strengthen the local business community.
Website: https://www.abasd.org
Pacific Arts Movement – One of the largest media arts organizations in North America focusing on Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander stories through film festivals, youth programs, and community screenings.
Website: https://pacarts.org
Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) – Provides health, mental health, and human services to underserved and culturally diverse populations in San Diego, with a focus on improving the overall well-being of Asian, Pacific Islander, and other ethnically diverse communities.
Website: https://www.upacsd.com
Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions (APICA) – Engages in civic participation, community organizing, and policy advocacy to amplify AAPI voices and advance social justice in the San Diego region.
Website: https://www.apicasd.org
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of San Diego (CCBA) – Founded in 1911, the CCBA preserves and promotes Chinese culture and heritage and offers support to Chinese immigrants and residents through a variety of community services.
Website: http://www.ccbasd.org
Filipino American National Historical Society – San Diego Chapter (FANHS-SD) – Dedicated to documenting and preserving Filipino American history and heritage in the San Diego region through educational programs, exhibitions, and community outreach.
Website: https://fanhs-sandiego.org
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, San Diego Chapter – A non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, educational, and political well-being of Asian American Pacific Islanders through civic engagement, policy advocacy, and coalition building. ocasdchapter.org+1apacsd.org+1
National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) – San Diego Chapter – A non-profit organization focused on developing and advancing the careers of Asian leaders, cultivating professional excellence, and engaging members in community service. sd.naaap.org
Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) – A community-based, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate civic engagement to forward the voices of San Diego’s Asian Pacific American community.
San Diego-Based AAPI Businesses
Mostra Coffee – Born in San Diego and rooted in Filipino heritage, Mostra is the official coffee partner of Wave FC and a nationally recognized coffee roaster redefining specialty coffee culture. Visit one of their four locations across San Diego—Carmel Mountain, Mira Mesa, 4S Ranch, and East Village. Plus, visit on a Wave FC match day in your Wave gear and receive a discount!
Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant & Market – A Filipino-owned family business operating in Mira Mesa since 1988, serving traditional meals and Filipino grocery items.
Pop Pie Co. – Founded by a Thai-American entrepreneur, Pop Pie Co. offers globally inspired savory and sweet pies at its five locations across San Diego, from University Heights to Carlsbad.
Pho Hoa Hiep & Grill – A Vietnamese-owned restaurant in Linda Vista known for its authentic cuisine and long-standing presence in the community.
MNGO Cafe – A Filipino-owned dessert café with locations in Mira Mesa and National City, serving traditional Filipino desserts including halo-halo and mango floats.
Tajima Ramen – A Japanese-owned ramen restaurant with multiple locations across San Diego, originally established in the Convoy District.
Chaba Thai Kitchen – A beloved family-run restaurant in North Park offering authentic Thai dishes.
Kamayan Gusto – A Filipino-owned pop-up and catering business specializing in kamayan-style feasts and modern Filipino cuisine.
Hán Coffee Roasters – A Vietnamese American-owned specialty coffee shop and roastery in South Park, offering a modern take on Vietnamese coffee traditions.
Leehwa Wedding & Hanbok – A Korean hanbok studio that has transformed traditional garments into modern fashion pieces. Notably, they designed custom hanbok for the San Diego Padres’ game in Seoul.
Spicy Lao Kitchen – A family-run Lao restaurant in Kearny Mesa, recognized as Eater San Diego’s 2024 Best Neighborhood Restaurant. They offer authentic Lao cuisine, including homemade sausages and fish laab.
San Diego’s AAPI Month Events
Asian Pacific Cultural Festival – Taking place on Saturday, May 24, at the International Cottages, House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park, the 12th Annual Asian Pacific Cultural Festival of San Diego kicks off at 11 a.m. PT and features cultural, traditional, and contemporary performances. The event is family-friendly and free for everyone.
Convoy Nights – The Convoy District is celebrating AAPI Month on Saturday, May 3, from 4–9 p.m. PT, highlighting an amazing array of local vendors. Open to the public, pet-friendly, and free to attend for all ages, the event features food offerings, artisan vendors, multi-cultural activities and entertainment, a curated car exhibition, and a lineup of Kilowatt Anniversary brews, smoothies, and cocktails (available for guests 21+).
Community Mondays, San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition – Join the SD API Coalition to kick off AANHPI Month at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park on May 5 from 6–8 p.m. PT. The event features local organizations and leaders driving change in San Diego’s AAPI community, with live cultural entertainment, music, food, and drinks.
William Heath Davis Jr. Monument Unveiling – The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and the Kanaka Davis Trust Group will honor the life of William Heath Davis, also known as Kanaka Davis, who journeyed from his native Hawaii in the early 1840s and rose to become a successful entrepreneur and civic leader. In celebration of the founding of New Town in 1850, the public is invited to the unveiling of the Kanaka Davis Monument on Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. PT at Pantoja Park in Downtown San Diego.
The Muse: AAPI Heritage Month Celebration – The Muse is celebrating San Diego’s AAPI community of creators, musicians, artists, and storytellers with an archival series highlighting current fashion, art, and music. Free and open to all ages, The Muse will host a special event on Thursday, May 8, from 6–9 p.m. PT at the Quartyard in San Diego, featuring various activities and performances to be announced soon.
San Diego Dragon Boat Festival – The 18th Annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival will take place on Saturday, May 17, at Tecolote Shores Park in Mission Bay from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. The event will feature dragon boat races with youth, women’s, mixed, and community teams, along with Asian cultural performances and food vendors throughout the day.
San Diego Public Library AAPI Heritage Month Celebrations – The library system offers various events, including children’s crafts and cultural celebrations, to honor AAPI Heritage Month.
Asian Pacific Islander Leaders of Influence Event – The San Diego Business Journal will honor influential Asian Pacific Islander leaders who have made significant contributions to the San Diego business community. The event takes place on Thursday, May 22, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. PT at the University Club in Downtown San Diego.
