16. Vietnamese Tet Festival
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This festival will delight you with children’s ethnic-costume contests, savory and satisfying foods, and dancing. Organizers gave it a big boost in 2006, moving the event to Qualcomm Stadium and adding a Miss Vietamese Pageant, a fashion show, free head shots, rides, and other activities to draw a younger and not exclusively Vietnamese audience. In 2008, it was moved to Balboa Park. There are traditional games, martial-arts demos, crafts, and folk music. It’s a multiday festival that involves the city’s substantial Vietnamese community. Most Vietnamese-owned businesses are closed during Tet. Visit the Web site above for dates.
17. Ocean Beach Kite Festival
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 4726 Santa Monica Avenue
Description: This is a build-it-yourself festival filled with the magic known as kites. There are prizes, a parade, food booths, demonstrations, and, of course, the kite-flying competition, held on the nearby beach. Come fly your own; walk it along in the parade. Or just come for the sight of them: triple-deckers, Japanese kites, fish-shaped kites, and all manner of imaginative homemade flyers. This is great family fun, and it’s free for everyone.
18. Saint Patrick’S Day Parade
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: If you’ve seen Riverdance and loved the high-stepping Celtic dancers, you’ll have a treat here watching experts and novices kick up their heels. The parade also features marching bands (including ones carrying bagpipes).After the event there’s an Irish festival. It’s held in Balboa Park, and you needn’t be Irish to have a great time. There’s plenty of food and that traditional St. Pat’s Day brew. Try one of the Irish varieties. Or if you’re a hearty soul, you can sip a beer that’s been “greened” just for the special day. There are drinks for the kids, too. This is fun for the whole family. The parade and festival are free; food prices vary.
19. America’S Schooner Cup Charity Regatta
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: The largest schooner race on the West Coast and the largest charity regatta in America is a must for anyone who loves the spray of the sea. The race, held near the end of the month, raises funds for the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society (providing help for military personnel and military dependents in time of personal need). Sponsored by the Kona Kai International Yacht Club, the race begins on Harbor Island and follows a course in San Diego Bay. Watching the event is free. Claim a spot on the grass along the bay-facing shores of Shelter and Harbor Islands.
20. San Diego Crew Classic
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This championship has been attracting rowing teams from the United States, Canada, and Europe since 1973. Crowds line the shores along Mission Bay often gathered under flags representing the universities or organizations in the competition. It’s a great way to spend the day outdoors listening to bands, checking out picnic layouts, and cheering on your team. Admission is $8.00 for anyone older than 12 years of age ($12.00 for both days). There is a $10.00 fee for preferred parking—go early, since the lots fill quickly.
21. Ms Walk
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 344-4867
Description: The walks are held in various locations in San Diego, and proceeds go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. They’re a great family activity for a worthy cause. Last year’s participants included babies in strollers, folks in wheelchairs, and well-mannered family dogs (with leash, collars, and poop bags mandatory). The 5K gives you a chance to meet people, do some good, and even get a T-shirt—provided your collected pledges total at least $95. There are other gifts each year for those who raise even more money. If you’re new in town and want to get involved, the society is always looking for volunteers. Call the MS Society or see their Web site for locations, pledge levels, dates, times, and sponsorship information.
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
23. Easter Egg Hunts
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: Santee (619) 596-3141
Description: The hunts are scheduled in many communities throughout the county. There may be games and hat-making contests, too. They are usually open and free for all egg and candy hunters younger than age 10. Check with your local parks and recreation departments for details, dates, and times.
24. Gaslamp Quarter Easter Bonnet Parade
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Come and stroll the Gaslamp in your Easter bonnet for this annual event held the Saturday before Easter. There are hat-making activities for children and adults at 11:00 a.m. The parade starts after the hats are made and runs from Fifth Avenue and L Street along Fifth to the Horton Grand Hotel. There’s an Easter egg hunt and treats for children. The cost is $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children, and the proceeds go to a worthy cause.
25. Pegleg Smith Liars Contest
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (760) 767-5555
Description: Like telling tall tales? Enjoy twisting the truth just a bit? You’ll be delighted with the elaborate lies contestants create for this annual contest. Participants must make up a tale about lost gold, the desert, and colorful characters and spin it for the rapt audience. The free event takes place in the evening.
26. Adams Avenue Roots And Folk Festival
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 282-7329
Description: Folk, jazz, and blues musicians perform on a half dozen outdoor stages during this venerable weekend event. The Adams Avenue neighborhood is known for its ethnic diversity, cluster of antiques shops and bookstores, and colorful, funky attitude. The festival is family oriented, with plenty of games and activities for kids. Admission is free.
27. Coronado Flower Show Weekend
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: The residents of this genteel community take great pride in their gardens and even have a competition for the best front-yard gardens every spring. The flower show is a must for gardeners; it’s said to be the largest such show on the West Coast with a different theme each year and prizes for roses, orchids, community and home gardens, floral arrangements, and more. The weekend-long event includes a spring gala and plant sale. Take time to walk the side streets around the park to check out the amazing front-yard gardens. Pick up a list of award-winning homes at the flower show. You’ll be amazed at the towering hollyhocks and delphiniums, candy-colored tulips and poppies, and ingenious floral displays.
28. Artwalk
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This two-day art fest has become San Diego’s premier arts event, with seminars and new events added yearly, it seems. It takes place in Little Italy near downtown and includes visual and performance art displays at galleries, studios, and other venues along the boulevard. Hundreds of artists participate in the event, which began in 1984. Kids are encouraged to join in art workshops and music performances, and food stands add to the festivities. Admission is free.
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
30. Rose Society Annual Show
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (318) 938-5402
Address: 9449 Friars Road
Description: Does a Double Delight or Queen Elizabeth rose that’s blooming in your garden have what it takes to be Queen of the Day? Call for entry info, times, and rules. Spectators can watch as roses are judged by category, form, and even fragrance. Vendors sell rose plants of all types and related stuff. Parking is abundant and free. Admission is $4.00 for adults, free for children younger than age 17.