Welcome to the first weekend of fall in San Diego. The leaves are turning and there are plenty of ways to enjoy America’s Finest City, including community festivals, live music and delicious food as San Diego Restaurant Week returns. Pull up a chair and take a load off.
Thursday, Sept. 22
Things to Do This Weekend: Sep. 22-25
Beach Spin
7 a.m., Hotel Del Coronado
Get that morning workout in early while overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Paseo Lawn at the Hotel Del Coronado. This 50-minute Beach Spin class includes upbeat music and inspiring views. The class is $20 per person; $15 for San Diego residents. Reservations are required ahead of time; sometimes walk-ins are welcome, if there’s space in the class.
DeLIMITations: A Survey of the 1821 U.S.-Mexico Border
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., MCASD Downtown – Jacobs Building
Currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s (MCASD) downtown location, in the Jacobs Building, is “DeLIMITations,” an exhibition that traces the historical 1821 border between Mexico and the western territories of the United States. The photographs are compelling, and on display through Nov. 27.
Man Injured in University City Hit-and-Run
Culture & Cocktails: Venetian Views
6 p.m. The San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park presents another installment of “Culture & Cocktails” at sundown, this time focusing on the romantic, mysterious allure of Venice, Italy. The mixer will showcase “Venetian Views,” the museum’s collection of artwork featuring watercolor masterpieces of the city’s canals and views. As guests take in the art, they can sip on a cocktail from Old Harbor Distilling Co. and enjoy life-size board games, an Italian-themed photo booth and other activities, including decorating a Venetian mask. There will also be dancing. Tickets are $25 in advance; $35 at the door.
Friday, Sept. 23
UCSD Ranked Among Top Universities in World
MCAS Miramar Air Show
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Friday through Sunday), Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
The high-flying MCAS Air Show returns to San Diego's skies Friday through Sunday with incredible aerial performances from U.S. military aircraft, including the Navy's famous Blue Angels. The Golden Knights Parachute Team and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team will also take to the skies at 12:15 p.m. each day. General admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and set up their viewing spot on either end of the flightline.
Wine, Women & Wealth Expo
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sheraton Carlsbad
The 5th annual Wine, Women & Wealth Expo goes down Friday at the Sheraton Carlsbad hotel (5480 Grand Pacific Dr.) – an all-day event aimed at inspiring and empowering women in San Diego County via networking, education, fashion, fun, friendship and philanthropy. The expo includes exhibitors, speakers, activities, lunch, raffles and wine tasting. Tickets are $79.
27th Annual Fall Home & Garden Show
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Friday through Sunday), Del Mar Fairgrounds
Get inspiration for those home improvement projects at this three-day show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds featuring exhibitors, demos, seminars and special speakers. Admission is $6 if tickets are purchased online in advance, or $8 at the door. Kids 12 and under get in free; $1 tickets are available for seniors on Friday only. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, too.
The Opening Night
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., MCASD La Jolla
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla will host The Opening Night celebration to mark the debut of the new exhibition, “The Uses of Photography: Art, Politics and the Reinvention of a Medium” with a reception and panel discussion with the artists. The mixer reception starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the public opening of the exhibition at 7 p.m.
Musica En La Plaza
7 p.m., California Center for the Arts Escondido
Throw on your dancing shoes and head over to Lyric Court at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido for this free live music event featuring Los Montano, the Manny Cepeda Orchestra and Trio 3 Amigos Huapangueros. The evening also includes tacos and tequila. This music series returns every Friday this month – same time, same place.
Air Supply
7:30 p.m., Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
The soft rock duo, Air Supply (“All Out of Love”), hit the open-air Humphreys by the Bay venue on Shelter Island for this concert Friday night. Tickets start at around $60 per person.
Star Party
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., West Sycamore in Scripps Ranch
Enjoy the first stargazing session of the fall season at this gathering of the San Diego Astronomy Association at West Sycamore, located at the east end of Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch. Learn about the stars in our sky, weather permitting.
Burlesque Bingo
7 p.m. to 10 p.m., The Lafayette Hotel
Burlesque bombshells will host this bingo competition for the first time ever at The Lafayette (2223 El Cajon Blvd.) hotel. The 21+ event will include laughs, lots of prizes and lovely, pin-up inspired performers.
Sara Evans
8 p.m., Pala Casino Resort & Spa
Singer Sara Evans performs in the Starlight Theater at Pala Casino Resort & Spa at 8 p.m. This show is 21+; tickets start at $35.
The Producers
8 p.m., Spreckels Theatre
This Mel Brooks musical – based on the 1968 film about a scheming producer and his mousy accountant, who try to produce the biggest flop on Broadway – starts its run at the Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego Friday night. Tickets start at $40; the musical runs here through Oct. 9.
Saturday, Sept. 24
22nd Annual Pacific Islander Festival
8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday), Ski Beach in Mission Bay
The 22nd annual Pacific Islander Festival celebrates island culture, music, dancing and food for two days at Ski Beach in Mission Bay. The festival kicks off Saturday at 8:45 a.m. with a procession and welcome ceremony, followed by many hours of entertainment. Sunday’s schedule is also packed with music and activities, wrapping up around 4 p.m. This festival is expected to draw approximately 80,000 attendees over the weekend.
Oceanside Harbor Days
9 a.m. (Saturday and Sunday), Oceanside Harbor
This free community event returns to the Oceanside Harbor both Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will get to enjoy arts and crafts exhibits, good food and activities for the entire family.
Bates Nut Farm: Pumpkin Patch Opening Weekend
All Day, Bates Nut Farm
It’s a family tradition every year: bringing the whole family out to celebrate the start of fall at Bates Nut Farm. Grab a wheelbarrow and take your pick from a variety of pumpkins. There will be live entertainment from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., as well as barbeque, kettle corn, food trucks, rock climbing, a bounce and slide. Parking is $5. Leashed dogs are welcome. You can purchase a variety of tickets to cover the cost of the pumpkin.
Oceanside Harbor Days
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oceanside Harbor
Fall may be around the corner, but that doesn’t mean San Diegans avoid the beach. Head out to Oceanside this Friday and Saturday for the annual Harbor Days festival. It’s a two-day event filled with sun, sand and surf. Try out fun activities like the Pirate Village, try your hand at different arts and crafts, or check out an entertainment stage. The event is free to the public.
International Harvest Festival
12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Balboa Park Club in Balboa Park
Kick off fall at one of San Diego’s beautiful landmarks. Bring the whole family to this free event and enjoy free dance lessons, performances, children’s activities, craft vendors and more. Plus, food will be available for purchase. The event runs Saturday through Sunday.
Hop Heads and Dreads
2 p.m., Harrah’s Resort Southern California
This annual festival sits at the intersection of craft beer and reggae. This one-day festival features music from Stick Figure, SDGLDGRN and Kimie Miner. Sip local craft beer from vendors across Southern California as you listen to the melodic music. In the past, the festival has featured brews from Iron Fist Brewing Co., Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Green Flash, Sierra Nevada and more.
Sunday, Sept. 25
San Diego Restaurant Week
Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 180+ Restaurants Across San Diego County
Foodies, rejoice! It’s the return of San Diego Restaurant Week, which kicks off Sunday and runs through Oct. 2. During this week, more than 180+ restaurants across our county will offer mouthwatering prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus for a great price, meaning you can finally cross some of those eateries you’ve been dying to try off of your dining bucket list.
Gas & Oil Custom Car Invitational
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mahrs Tire in Fallbrook
Gearheads will enjoy this auto-centric event at Marhs Tire in Fallbrook, located at 312 S. Main Ave. on Sunday. Several local businesses and eateries are sponsoring this event, which is co-presented by El Vinos C.C. and Little C’s Tattoo.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride: San Diego Ride
Streets of San Diego – and Nationwide
On Sunday, thousands of distinguished gentlemen across the U.S. – including many in San Diego – will don their finest dapper duds and hop on their motorcycles for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. The charity event is designed to raise awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and suicide prevention. With riders in handsome suits a la styles seen in “Mad Men,” the event also aims to combat the often-negative stereotype of men who ride motorcycles. This year, between 150 and 200 riders are expected to partake in the San Diego ride.
Art and Craft Show
10 a.m., Old Town San Diego
Colorful art, crafts, entertainment, international food, tasty tequilas and more – this weekend festival in Old Town has it all. Stroll down San Diego Avenue and admire the beautiful colors and decorations adoring the iconic street. Local art galleries will have work on display and more than 100 contemporary artists from around the world will have work at the festival. Plus, when you’re tired of taking in all the sights, take a break by stopping at one of more than a dozen local restaurants offering yummy meals. Admission is free.
Disney’s The Lion King: on Tour
1 p.m., 6:30 p.m., San Diego Civic Theater
See the Disney classic come alive on stage this weekend in San Diego. The imaginative and creative production spins together stunning visuals and unique storytelling for this Broadway spectacular. Before you go, learn about the local cast members you'll see on stage, and their unlikely path to friendship. Be sure to buy your tickets early for one of the Sunday shows, as limited tickets are available. The show runs in San Diego through early October. Tickets start at $32.50.
Tiger Style!
7 p.m., La Jolla Playhouse
If you’re looking for a homegrown theater standout to go see this weekend, check out Tiger Style! The show follows star students and siblings Albert and Jennifer Chen, who decide to take a trip from California to China in the face of their failing personal lives and adolescent achievement. Playwright Mike Lew is a La Jolla High graduate who went on to present his plays across the U.S. Tickets start at $20.
Photo Credit: Gayle Rock