Visit the San Dieguito Heritage Museum in Encinitas

If you have an interest in history, especially if you live in North County San Diego, why not visit the San Dieguito Heritage Museum in Encinitas (you can read more here)?

The San Dieguito Heritage Museum has new digs, located near Encinitas Boulevard on Quail Gardens Road and has a fascinating display of artifacts, photos and information about the area (San Dieguito encompasses Encinitas (Leucadia), Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff and Rancho Santa Fe). There are also several historic buildings on site, an old fire engine, and early 1900s far equipment.

The photo is of a Native American grinding rock.

Things to do in San Diego During the Holidays

One again the holiday season is upon us, and as in the past, I am amazed at how much there is to do.

Seems like every town has a tree lighting ceremony, a parade and other events for the residents and visitors, and you can’t possibly do all this stuff, plus get your shopping done.

Here is a sampling of the things that seemed most interesting, but it is far from a complete list. Plus some other important dates to note

ENCINITAS
The annual parade and tree lighting on December 1. Here is a more detailed write-up on this popular event on the coast.

Quail Botanical Gardens - Garden of Lights, on Quail Gardens Road just north of Encinitas Boulevard. December 7-9, 13-23, 26-30 (5 – 9 PM). Quail Botanical Gardens

VALLEY CENTER
Arts and Crafts Fair – November 23 – 25, 9 – 4:30, at Bates Nut Farm

CARLSBAD
Legoland Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26

November 23 – Tree Lighting at Forum Shopping Center, Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real in South Carlsbad

Holiday Block Party at Legoland, December 22 – December 31, Legoland

SAN DIEGO
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, at Balboa Park at the Old Globe Theatre, from Nov. 25 – Dec. 30

Big Bay Balloon Parade at North Harbor Drive 10 AM, December 27

Holiday Bowl, 5PM at Qualcomm Stadium, December 27.

OCEANSIDE
Parade of Lights, Oceanside Yacht Club on December 8, 6 – 9 PM. Oceanside

VISTA
Vista Christmas Parade, December 1 (South Santa Fe Avenue and Main Street) 1:00 PM

SAN MARCOS
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at the Community Center, November 29 – December 2. San Marcos

DEL MAR
Seasons of the Heart Craft Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Holiday of Lights, Del Mar Fairgrounds, November 23 – January 1.

NOTE: The San Diego Convention Bureau has a terrific list of things to do during the holidays.

December 4 - Hanukah Begins at sundown
December 26 – Kwanza begins

Some Fun at Disneyland

I just recently went to Disneyland for the 2nd time (in about 20 years!). Also got to have dinner at Club 33, their private dining room. Very cool.

Enjoy the pics.

More Good Stuff from the San Diego Rep Theatre

I enjoy going to the theatre and, in particular, like the productions by the San Diego Rep.

I recently had the opportunity to see two more of their shows as part of our season tickets.

Ain't Misbehavin' was a wonderful musical production featuring music by the famed Fats Waller. Lots of singing talent in the 4 stars of this show that has been around for years.

More recently I enjoyed the comedy The Bible: The Complete Word of God. The show was lots of fun, with some great comedy, terrific lines (not all, but most), humorous songs, and lots of poking fun at the Bible. We saw the show on the second night and the actors were still getting their feet wet. There were a few goofs, but all in all it was well worth the time and filled with lots of laughs. Worth going to see...and you still have time to get tickets before their next production Sweet Sixteen.

If you haven't been to the Rep, you are missing some great talent and well done theatre. And ticket prices are very reasonable.

San Diego Area Fairs and Festivals

I'm partial to Carlsbad because I live here, but San Diego has multiple fairs and festivals in the next couple of months to attend, probably more than one can reasonably expect to visit, and many of them are FREE. These outdoor fairs and festivals cover music, film, theatre, arts and crafts, food and much more. Here's a PARTIAL list of the things I discovered - I won't tell you that this is complete but it provides a pretty good range of things to do in different towns.

CARLSBAD
August, 31, September 7 and 14 - movies begin at sunset
Friday Night Film Festival at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Visit Carlsbad Connect for more information and schedule.

September 22 and 23 - 10 am - 6 pm (SAT), 10 am - 5 pm (SUN)
5th Annual ART SPLASH. Includes Taste of Carlsbad on Saturday, Fern Circus on Sunday. Amazing chalk art, sand sculpture, hands-on stone stacking, among other activities and learning opportunities. Fine arts and crafts, plenty of food, great ocean views. FREE.

September 22
11th Annual Taste of Carlsbad, at Armada Drive in Carlsbad just north of Palomar Airport Road held in conjunction with Art Splash

ENCINITAS
September 15 - 8 am to 3 pm
28th Annual Wavecrest Woodie Meet,Moonlight Beach - the biggest woodie meet in the world, 250-300 woodies, food, entertainment

September 23 - 10 am - 5 PM
13th Annual Encinitas Heritage Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, at Mountain Vista and El Camino Real (6 blocks), 200 craft booths, food (German picnic BBQ), Bavarian bands, dancers, and a sweepstakes drawing for a trip to Germany.

ESCONDIDO
October 21 - 9 am - 5 pm
California's second largest street fair, at Grand Avenue between Centre City and Ivy. 700 vendor booths, international food, farmer's market.

October 27 and 28, and November 3 and 7th - 10 am to 6 pm
7th Annual Fall Renaissance Faire and Shakespeare in the Park Festival, at Felicita Park. 1000 costumed folks participate in a range of activities. Fee is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $7 for children 11 and under (4 and under FREE). West of I-15, exit Via Rancho, west to Felicita Road then follow signs.

JULIAN
September 15 and 16 - 9 am - 6 pm SAT, 9 am - 4 pm SUN
37th Annual Bluegrass Festival, in Frank Lane Park (2645 Farmer's Road) in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Tickets are $15 (purchase from Chamber of Commerce, at the festival or on-line). Music, workshops, instrument petting zoo, art vendors and live jam session.

September 1 - 11 am - 7 pm
Julian Grape Stomp Fest (fund raiser for the Julian Chamber of Commerce) at the Menghini Winery, 1150 Orchards Drive. Italian music, bocci ball, dancing, wine tasting, foods and crafts.
Tickets at $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 - 12.
SAN MARCOS
October 7 - 10 am - 4 pm
10th Annual ALIVE Street Fair at the San Marcos Civic Center, corner of Mission and San Marcos Boulevard. 20 art projects to participate in, meet artists, art show, food court, dancers, live bands, magicians, baton twirlers, carnival with games, clowns, face painting and more. Call 760-744-9000 for information

OCEANSIDE
September 15 and 16 - 9 am - 6 pm
Annual Oceanside Harbor Days with fishing derby, lots of food, music, arts and crafts, sailing competition (Mayor's Cup Regatta with sailing enthusiasts from all over the county)

October 28 - 10 am to 4 pm
Dia de los Muertos Festival, downtown Oceanside is transformed into a Mexican festival - music,dancing, food, retail Mercado, Chalk Cemetery, craft area, street entertainers and more.

VISTA
September 20 - 10 am to 4 pm
Vista Family Fun Fest, downtown Vista 1 block from Krikorian Theatre near corner of Vista Village Drive and Santa Fe Avenue. Food court, live music, entertainment, children's area and 120 vendors (arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and local business services).

LA JOLLA
September 27 - 5 pm - 9 pm
La Jolla Gallery and Wine Walk, self-guided tour of 25+ galleries with wine tasting (register by 5pm, 21+ only) and specialities from more than 12 of La Jolla's finest restaurants. Tickets are $30 and benefit Promote La Jolla (tickets are limited).

SAN DIEGO
September 22 and 23
STREET SCENE 2007 (originally in the Gas Lamp District starting in 1984), now at COORS Auditorium, in cooperation with Live Nation music company. One of the top urban music festivals in the country with more than 40 groups, vaudeville acts, interactive processions, comedy stage and more. Tickets start at $120 for both days.

MIRAMAR (San Diego)
October 12 - 14 from 9:30 am to 4 pm; 5:30 - 9 pm on Oct. 13
Miramar Military Air Show - the world's largest air show, for more than 50 years, at MCAS Miramar off the 805(Miramar Road and La Jolla Village Drive exit)

Want to know more about what's happening in North County San Diego? Check out Hot in North County.

Fun at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla

I spent some time at the Torrey Pines Gliderport yesterday, not to go hangliding or paragliding, but simply to learn more about what it all involved, and to enjoy the hangliders on a beautiful day.

If you haven't been here, it really is worth the trip on a nice day. There is something special about watching the hangliders along the bluffs overlooking Black's Beach and the Torrey Pines State Beach. Plus the views up and down the coast are truly amazing.

There is a casual restaurant so you can grab a snack while you enjoy the views. or sign up for lessons in the sport shop - there are several options available depending on your interest (try out the tandem flying with an instructor, perhaps).

Want to read more? Check out my other article.

Route 101, a.k.a.The Coastal Highway

Where I live in North County San Diego there are 2 major roads heading north and south.

The 5 is the freeway (I still sometimes call it the highway - a throwback to my many years back East where that is what the big roads are called), of course, which I travel occasionally into the city and when driving to Los Angeles (I generally end up taking it to the 405 up in Orange County).

The other is Route 101, called the Coast or Coastal Highway, that is a more local road along the ocean, running from Oceanside to Torrey Pines (I suppose technically it keep going but has other names). The road actually runs most of the west coast and up in Los Angeles is more of a freeway itself - it's known by a variety of names depending on where you are.

In any case, I have driven the entire length of the road here and, like Route 1, it has an amazing array of things to do along it, in addition to some terrific ocean views (especially near Carlsbad Village, south Encinitas, Cardiff, briefly in north Del Mar and in south Del Mar as you approach Torrey Pines). I find it a better local road to travel if I don't need to go far, and when traffic on the 5 is really ugly it is much faster, despite the lights. And sometimes commuting as a slower pace (unlike 80 mph on the 5) is a good deal. Plus it is another one of the interesting things to do in San Diego.

I wrote a recent article for buyers (especially those who are moving to the area) but also just for people in general who might be curious about all there is to see and do along this local road. Read more about it here...

What do you think about this road?

ArtSplash 2007

As part of my exploration of things to do in San Diego (and in this case, because I live here and love things to do in Carlsbad) I wanted to share some information about the 2007 ArtSplash, a very popular event in North County. Folks come down from Orange County as well to attend this event.



2007 ArtSplash will be held for 2 days on September 22 and 23 on Armada Drive just behind the Flower Fields off Palomar Airport Road (and east of the freeway).



A major focus of this event is the age-old European tradition of chalk art street painting - I have not been before but I understand it is QUITE impressive. Other activities include fine art displays and demonstrations, hands-on art activities for all, stage and street entertainment (the Fern Street Circus will perform on Sunday) and terrific food (the Taste of Carlsbad will occur on Saturday from 2 - 5 PM).

This event benefits the arts programs in the Carlsbad Schools.

Don't miss this great round of activities, food and fun.

Things to do in San Diego in July

The longer I live here the more I find to do in and around San Diego. The fabulous weather, of course, leads one to explore mostly outdoor activities, whether it be the beaches, the Del Mar Race Track (currently the County Fair is in full swing but ending soon on July 4), or other major tourist attractions. But there is lots of other stuff to do as well. And with summer here, there is an even larger list of things to do in San Diego.

Here's a partial list of my favorites.

Fourth of July Celebrations - lots of opportunities, even though the actual holiday is at a strange time. La Jolla Cove, San Diego, Hornblower Cruises, Legoland

Art, Wine and Jazz Festival July 7- local artists demonstrating on canvas, palette and sound, at the Bernardo Winery.

Theatre - the Starlight presents OKLAHOMA; the Buddy Holly Story is at the Welk Theatre; the San Diego Rep (I have written about their terrific productions before) presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels;

Horse Racing - starts July 18 and runs through September 5 at the Del Mar Race Track.

Taste of Fallbrook on July 27

Tennis - The Acura Tennis Classic at La Costa Spa and Resort. The resort also hosts its Spa Under the Stars events on Thursdays with wine, appetizers and reduced-cost spa treatments in their courtyard.

Music - TGIF Jazz in the Park every Friday from 6 - 8 PM in one of Carlsbad's parks (FREE); Jazz on the Green concerts on Fridays in July at the Four Seasons in Carlsbad.

Baseball - the Padres continue their play all summer. Why not attend when a "favorite" opposing team is playing?

HAVE FUN!!

Take a Visit to the Art Community of Laguna Beach

One of the neat things about living in Southern California is that, in addition to great weather most of the time (hmmm, has June gloom decided to move on? Let's hope so), there are lots of things to do in San Diego...within the county as well as within a hour or so.

A quick drive up the coast to Laguna Beach is one example. I can get there in about 45 minutes from my home in Carlsbad (not much longer than getting to downtown San Diego), unless the traffic is really horrendous, and like other coastal towns it is beautiful, with lots to do and see.

Laguna Beach has a world-renowned reputation as an art colony and has been one for decades. So if that sort of thing is of interest to you, it is definitely worth a trip for a day or perhaps a weekend. There are lots of events related to the arts during the year (art fairs, The Sawdust Festival, The Pageant of the Masters, The Festival of Arts), as well as a bounty of art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

I recently spent the evening there for their 1st Thursday Art Walk and had a great time. Read more about this in my post Laguna Beach - an Ocean Front Town with Arts Galore.

Or you can simply take the virtual tour here.

Not About San Diego

This is NOT about San Diego. But since I live here, it's worth mentioning, as least in my opinion.

Want something to do for a weekend? Have you been up the Central Coast of California, from San Luis Obispo to Big Sur? If you haven't it is definitely worth your time. The views are amazing, and while I already have a great appreciation for all that California offers in terms of scenery, THIS was an eye opener.

I just posted an article about a part of my very recent car trip to San Francisco, via the coast to Monterey. It was such a great visual experience I will may probably share more photos just for fun (even though I shared a link to some photos in my post the other day). We'll see.

Hope you enjoy it!