You can get this unique bread at many Mexican bakeries throughout San Diego. It has hints of orange and anis, and its design resembles the shape of a skull and crossbones. Pan de Muerto is a special sweet bread baked only for this celebration. Nearby, Café Coyote has been a San Diego favorite for traditional dishes and hand-made tortillas for many years. This Oaxaca-inspired restaurant offers an innovative take on Mexican gastronomy paired with an impressive mezcal selection. Savor some of these dishes at Tahona Bar in Old Town. The most traditional dishes include mole, tacos and tamales. Popular Mexican meals are often prepared to feast with the departed. You can’t have a Day of the Dead celebration without food. Artelexia in North Park sells online and in-store many different sizes of papel picado.

During Día de Muertos, colorful papel picado represents wind and the fragility of life. Papel Picado or perforated paper is characteristic in many Mexican celebrations. The journey back to earth can be long, so a glass of water is important to quench the soul’s thirst. The candles also represent hope and help light the way. Fire is represented by candles strategically placed beside the photos. You can pick from stunning handcrafted wood, steel or ceramic crosses. Unique shops like Casa Xovi in Barrio Logan sell crosses imported from Mexico. They include religious images like saints and crosses. You can find these or similar incenses in holistic spaces like Barrio Logan’s Copal & Tierra or Mission Hills’ Saffron & Sage.Īfter the arrival of Europeans to Mexico, Christian elements made their way into the altars. Copal, a natural tree resin used as incense, purifies and blesses the air. Other important elements are salt and copal incense. Stop by the North Park Farmers Market, held 3:00 to 6:00 PM on Thursdays, or at the Little Italy Mercato, held 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays. You can get fresh marigolds from local farms at one of the numerous San Diego open-air farmer markets. It represents the passage between life and death. They are often utilized to create an arch placed atop the altar. Their bright color and aroma are believed to lure the souls back home. Marigolds are also an essential component. The most important item is a photograph of the deceased along with personal and favorite objects. Seven represents the number of obstacles souls must take to reach their final resting place, according to Aztec mythology. The most common levels are two, three and seven. The ofrendas can consist of different levels depending on space, preference or intent. In Barrio Logan, the community comes together to share intricate altars in Chicano Park, the cultural heart of the neighborhood. In the Sherman Heights neighborhood, locals proudly display their altars on their doorstep or front yard.

They can be part of an intimate ritual inside your home or shared with others on your front porch.

Altar SetupĪltars can honor one or more people who have passed away. Here’s what you need to build your own Día de Muertos altar and where to find them in San Diego. This year, you can partake in this colorful custom from home and set up your own altar. In the past, residents and visitors enjoyed colorful festivals in Barrio Logan, Oceanside and Old Town. Families and friends welcome their loved ones by gathering at cemeteries and setting up ofrendas (altars) to honor their lives.ĭay of the Dead comes to life in San Diego thanks to its rich Mexican heritage and history. Mexicans believe the gateway between life and Mictlán (the underworld) dissolves during Day of the Dead. The festivity acknowledges death as an inevitable part of life.

This tradition originated as an Aztec ritual several thousand years ago. Every year on November 1-2, Mexico celebrates Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), an ode to death through food, music and altars.

Items for dia de los muertos altar