SAN DIEGO – MCAS Miramar Air Show, Oct 3-5. Honored with the 2007 “World’s Best Military Air Show” by the International Council of Air Shows, the Miramar Air Show presents The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron and The Blue Angels with their fast paced-high performance formation maneuvers. See the joint power of military aviation as well as the stunning acrobatic aerial performances of numerous civilian and various military aviators.
To complement these aerial performances, the flight line will be alive with static displays, military equipment exhibits, air show memorabilia, and plenty of refreshments. You can spend time with our military’s most important asset – our service members, many of who have participated in the Global War against Terrorism. Matinee shows run from 9am-4pm, all three days. On Sat, a twilight show starts at 5:30pm. Gates open at 8am. Free parking and admission.
858-577-1000
www.miramarairshow.com
SAN DIEGO – Balboa Park Events:
Balboa Park is ranked as one of the Best Parks in the World and is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, lovely gardens and many other cultural and recreational attractions–including the
San Diego Zoo.
Twilight in the Park, Jun 17-Aug 28. Summertime music and dance returns to Balboa Park with this free 33-concert series. Programs range from military bands and Dixieland jazz to big band swing and Latin salsa.
Concerts are held Tue, Wed and Thurs evenings from 6:15pm-7:15pm on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
www.balboapark.org
International Summer Organ Festival, Mondays Jun 16-Aug 25. Internationally renowned concert and theater organists accompany elegant vocal works on the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ in Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
San Diego Museum of Art’s Screen on the Green, Jul 31-Aug 28. Screen on the Green movies begin at 8pm on the East lawn and movies are free.
Nighttime Zoo, Jun 28-Sep 1. New this year is Fiesta at the San Diego celebrating cultures of the Americas–from Latin and Peruvian live music to Spanish performers. Animal encounters feature Latin American critters like armadillos, an ocelot, sloth, parrots and more. Summer hours: 9am-8pm.
Balboa Park event information:
www.balboapark.org
EL CAJON – Cajon Classic Cruise, Jun 4-Dec 10. The weekly car show features more than 500 classic, custom and hot rod cars valued at more than $10 million in a street festival setting every Wednesday evening through Sep 24. The event includes street
vendors, food, DJs, live entertainment and it is free. Trophies are awarded weekly to car cruise winners.
619-401-8858
www.downtownelcajon.com
LA JOLLA – Green Flash Seaside Summer Concert Series, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20 and Sep 17. Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps for an unforgettable summertime experience combining live music and spectacular ocean sunsets on its outdoor tide pool plaza. These unique events merge toe-tapping music with the setting sun and savory food and drinks for purchase. Tickets: $20-$25.
Reservations: 858-534-4109
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
CHULA VISTA – Music in the Park, Jun 8-Aug 17. Featured bands play music ranging from R&B and Latin jazz to big band, surf music and oldies. Concerts are held Sundays from 5pm-6:30pm. Locations: June concerts are held at Salt Creek Recreation Center, 2710 Otay Lakes Rd; July concerts at Veterans Park, 785 East Palomar St; and August concerts at the Memorial Park Bowl, 373 Park Way.
619-585-5682
www.chulavistalibrary.com
SAN DIEGO – Area Events:
Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, Jul 12-13. View hundreds of sand sculptors at work during the competition at Imperial Beach Pier.
www.usopensandcastle.com
Del Mar Racetrack, Jul 16-Sep 3. Thoroughbred horse racing in a beautiful venue. The races run six days weekly, except Tuesday. Every Friday, guests can catch 4 O’Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day’s last race. The Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug 24 treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation’s top thoroughbreds and a million dollar purse.
www.dmtc.com
Comic-Con International, Jul 24-27. This is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture. Location: San Diego Convention Center.
www.comic-con.org
 Latin American Festival & Mata Ortiz Pottery Market, Aug 1-3. This event at the Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town, features extensive collections of authentic Mexican folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles, dazzling jewelry, live entertainment and Mexican cuisine. Artisans from Chihuahua, Mexico demonstrate a centuries-old art form to create eye-popping Mata Ortiz pottery.
www.bazaardelmundoshops.com
2008 Festival of Sail, Aug 20-24. More than 20 tall ships and fascinating vessels from around the world participate. The festival begins with a majestic parade of tall ships on San Diego Bay and showcases marvelous food and drink, one-of-a-kind shopping and live entertainment including live cannon battles between several of the vessels.
www.sdmaritime.org
ENCINITAS – Quail
Botanical Gardens Events:
Summer Concert Series, Jul 3,
Aug 3 & Aug 17. Quail Botanical Gardens presents the hottest jazz performances in town. Theatre-style seating on the Lawn Garden is a great place to listen to the sweet sounds of jazz as the sun slowly sets on the Pacific Ocean. Each concert features an optional catered gourmet dinner served in the intimate Walled Garden before the show. Please arrive at 5pm to enjoy dinner and 5:45pm for the concert-only portion of the evening. Cost: $40-$45 with dinner; $20-$25 concert only. Tickets:
760-436-3036, ext 206
San Diego International Orchid Fair, Oct 3-5. The splendidly colorful and intriguing San Diego International Orchid Fair is held amidst the natural horticultural setting of Quail Botanical Gardens. See thousands of species and hybrids, exhibits, sales, as well as lectures and official American Orchid Society judging and ribbon judging. Orchids from around the world are on display and for sale. Hours: Fri, 1pm-5pm; Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm. Admission: $5-$10.
The Gardens are located at 230 Quail Gardens Drive.
760-436-3036
www.qbgardens.org
VISTA – Summergrass,
Aug 22-24. This exciting bluegrass music festival takes place at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum. World-class entertainment, the ever-popular instrument raffles, three day Kids Camp where kids learn to play bluegrass music, music workshops given by the pros, on-site camping, exciting kids activities, delicious food, and a vendor village are all part of the fun. The festival offers a roster of stellar entertainment including Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, the Infamous Stringdusters, Bluegrass Etc. and more.
www.summergrass.net
LA JOLLA – La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2008, Aug 1-24. Enjoy 16 concerts performed by 70 of the world’s best musicians. Some of the highlights from this year’s festival include “SummerFest Under the Stars” – a free outdoor concert overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla (Aug 14), a three-part concert series dedicated exclusively to the works of Brahms (Aug 5, 12 and 19) the “Evening with…” series showcasing the talents of three virtuosos (Aug 6, 13 and 20). Performances are held at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre and at La Jolla’s Sherwood Auditorium in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Tickets: $15-$75.
858-459-3728
www.LaJollaMusicSociety.org
JULIAN – Events:
Starfest, Aug 1-3. Three days of activities and two nights of looking through telescopes will focus attention on the clear Julian sky. A trio of 30-year veterans of astronomy will host and offer assistance to night sky observers. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Hale telescope on Palomar Mountain is offered, along with an astronomy swap meet, exhibits, and more. Location: the greens at Menghini Winery with plenty of parking available and limited “roughing it” camping for astronomers.
760-765-1083
www.julianstarfest.com
Grape Stomp Festa, Sep 6. Roll out the barrels, we’re gonna stomp us some wine! Though commemorative bottles will be labeled “No Drinka Dis Stuff”, it doesn’t diminish the amount of fun that goes into making each year’s vintage. Bring lawn chairs if you like, taste wine from the local wineries, play Bocce Ball, shop for adornments and collectibles. Food and drink available too. Hours: 11am-7pm. Adult admission: $10, includes a wine glass for tasting.
760-765-1857
www.julianca.com
38th Annual Bluegrass Festival,
Sep 20-21. Professional groups and amateurs perform on two stages from 9am Sat to 4pm on Sunday afternoon. Just two blocks from the center of town, artists pick, play and sing for the enjoyment of all. The out-of-doors event is lawn-seating style on a natural slope, wear your hat and sunscreen, bring a cushion, a walking stick helps with the incline. Sorry, pets are not permitted.
760-765-3937
www.julianbluegrassfestival.com
Fall Harvest Season, mid-September through Halloween. Fun trips to the orchards for apple picking is a great family event. Early in the season, you may find pears too, but only briefly. Pies, crafts, games, animals and vintage tractors are all part of the fun. Live music is scheduled both days and a dance will be held Saturday night. Admission for kids 16 and older: $3, everyone 15 and under is free. Hours: Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 10am-9pm.
www.julianappledays.com
A special Apple Days Festival, Oct 4-5, for the whole family will be on the grass at Menghini Winery.
www.julianappledays.com
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