31. Lakeside Rodeo
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Whoa, baby—this much-anticipated event is locally known as the granddaddy of Western fun. Visit it and you’ll know why. The three-day celebration includes performances by nationally known and up-and-coming country music groups and by school bands. There’s a parade, crafts, clothes, and food. According to those who live in boots and cowboy hats, this is the main country-western event in Southern California. General admission to the Friday-night festivities is $10. General admission for Saturday and Sunday is $5.00 to $18.00; check the Web site for section, box, and penthouse seating. Parking is $3.00.
32. Union-Tribune Run/Walk For Literacy
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: With proceeds going to the San Diego Council on Literacy, this is a win/win/win proposition. The main race is a scenic run from Balboa Park, down Highway 163, down Broadway, and through the Gaslamp Quarter to end at G and Union Streets. The kids participate in a “Magic Mile” on the west side of Balboa Park and get a book as well as a commemorative T-shirt. Participants are encouraged to collect pledges to support San Diego’s literacy campaign. After the races there’s a party with food and music.
33. Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club Rummage Sale
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (858) 756-1554
Description: Sponsored by the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club, this isn’t your average rummage sale. Of course, you’d expect more from one of the county’s premier communities. If you’re a true bargain hunter, you’ll be in buyer’s heaven. The two-day sale begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues throughout the day. Proceeds are earmarked for charities and scholarships.
34. Carlsbad Spring Faire
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This event is billed as the biggest and best arts and crafts fair in Southern California. The fair satisfies your expectations with T-shirts, collectibles, antiques, books, tools, and gourmet foods. Then it takes you a step further with its size. If you miss it, don’t despair—there’s another fair in November. The entire village area of Carlsbad is closed to traffic and crowds mingle through the displays. There is no admission fee. Parking can be tricky, so be prepared to walk several blocks. Better yet, take advantage of free shuttles from the Plaza Camino Real shopping center and the Poinsettia Coaster station.
35. Cinco De Mayo
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 559-5524
Description: Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican national holiday commemorating the battle in which Mexican troops defeated the invading French military in 1862. Though it isn’t Mexico’s most significant holiday, it is celebrated with great fanfare throughout San Diego. Most celebrations occur during the weekend closest to May 5. Look for folk dancing by kids and adults, Mexican foods, and activities for the whole family. Some festivals feature arts and crafts. Old Town’s includes folkloric ballet performances and mariachi bands. Many restaurants and nightspots also feature Cinco de Mayo celebrations offering plenty of margaritas and cervezas. The scene can be rowdy, so be forewarned.
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 2818 Avenida de Portugal
37. Surfing Contests
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Surfing contests take place all along the county’s beaches throughout the year, hitting their peak from June through September. Most surf shops list upcoming events, or you can check out the comprehensive Web site above, which contains information on upcoming events and results of past contests. Watching most events is free, though some are staged as fund-raisers for environmental and health causes, and donations may be solicited.
38. Indian Fair
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 239-2001
Description: Representatives from Native American groups throughout the country assemble at the Museum of Man annually—since 1915. The fair includes dances, arts and crafts displays (bring your wallet), and ethnic food vendors. The museum has a large collection of American Indian artifacts; combine a visit to the museum with the fair at no additional charge. It’s free to kids age 17 and younger, $5.00 otherwise.
39. A Taste Of Gaslamp
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 233-5227
Description: Downtown’s historic district is packed with excellent restaurants. In fact, it may be the most diverse dining district in San Diego. Many of the finest restaurants participate in this annual event, where adventurous diners pay $25 to sample the specialties of up to 20 fine chefs per day. All tickets are sold online.
40. Greek Festival
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 297-4165
Address: 3655 Park Boulevard
Description: Are you hungry for gyros and moussaka? Are you amazed by the skill and precision of traditional Greek dancers? This annual event, sponsored by and held at Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, gives you plenty to celebrate even if you can’t claim Greek heritage. Be sure to check out the Greek imports and crafts. There’s a small entrance fee for adults. Children younger than age 12 get in free.
41. Mainly Mozart Festival
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: You’ve just gotta love Wolfgang or forget going to this outstanding series of chamber music and piano concerts. The musical performances are sublime, to say the least, and are held in various locations throughout San Diego and Baja California, Mexico. Ticket prices vary, so check the Web site for dates and availability as the festival books up fast. (To read more about Mainly Mozart, see The Arts chapter.)
42. Pala Mission Fiesta
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (760) 742-3317
Description: Help celebrate our Native American heritage with this little-known, movable feast of Corpus Christi. The fiesta is held on the grounds of Mission San Antonio de Pala, and it includes dancing, food (a pit barbecue and Indian fry bread are not to be missed), and wonderful music. The fiesta is an outstanding, wholesome experience, especially for the fourth grader in the family who studies California’s rich heritage.
43. Fourth Of July Fireworks And Parades
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 522-7320
Description: Several communities hold Fourth of July celebrations featuring everything from parades to street fairs to surfing contests to fireworks displays. Naturally, each town claims to have the best festivities, but we think Coronado takes the prize. The parade (which starts at 10:00 a.m.) is followed by U.S. Navy air and sea demonstrations (the parachuting is awesome), a concert in Spreckels Park, and fireworks over Glorietta Bay. Check with your local parks and recreation department for what is happening on our nation’s birthday. The newspapers and TV news programs also list the times and places of major fireworks displays.
44. Over-The-Line World Championships
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (619) 688-0817
Description: The big networks wanted to put this annual event on television so that all of America could watch the fun. The hitch? The competitors would have to clean up one of their traditions: X-rated team names. “No way,” said the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, which sponsors the beach softball fest. Therefore, the adult-oriented event can only be seen in person. But you’ll hear a lot about it at local nightspots, on the radio, and in the press. Admission is free. To read more about the Over-the-Line competition, see the entry in our Spectator Sports chapter.
45. U.S. Open Sand Castle Competition
City: San Diego, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This competition makes any sand architect marvel. The three-day event begins Friday night with the annual Sandcastle Ball at 8:00 p.m. Saturday’s events include a parade, family-oriented entertainment, food booths, crafts, rides, and fireworks. Sunday is the day for serious professional and amateur competition; pre-entry for the competition is required. Prize money is awarded for the sand structures, with $5,000 going to the best in the professional competition. About 300,000 visit the free spectator event, so parking is at a premium. With fireworks beginning at dusk on Saturday, it’s a wonderful weekend at the beach that will truly spark your imagination.