Yes, we’re coming up on spooky season, and we’ll cover that over the weeks to come. But this weekend brings us the first slate of Oktoberfest events.
In El Cajon, the German American Societies of San Diego will open up its clubhouse (1017 S. Mollison Ave.) from Friday through Sunday both this weekend and next, with free admission for visitors under 21 and adult tickets costing $15 Friday and Saturday and $5 on Sunday. The festival runs from 4-10 p.m. on Friday; noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 12-9 p.m. on Sunday.
Further up the coast in Encinitas, their slice of Bavaria by the beach returns for its 30th installment on Saturday, with more than 130 local artists displaying their work along Mountain Vista Drive between Wandering Road and Rambling Road, on top of musical and food experiences from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25
Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month celebration: Though the Songwriter Sanctuary series at Normal Heights United Church (4650 Mansfield St.) is monthly, this is the first time the group has marked Hispanic Heritage Month. The show will be hosted by three-time San Diego Music Awards nominee Julia Sage, with performances by Good Gravy Street Blues, Nathan & Jessie and Rey Wolf.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show, but organizers encourage visitors to come starting at 6 p.m., and if they’re able, to donate “unopened/unexpired food or gently used clothing” to the community pantry or closet. A $10 donation is encouraged, but no one will be turned away at the doors.
MCAS Miramar Air Show: “America’s Air Show” returns early on Friday morning, when the gates at the eponymous Marine Corps Air Station (7428 Miramar Way) open at 8 a.m. on Friday, with the MV-22 Osprey featured as the first aircraft demonstration at 10:15 a.m.
The venerable Blue Angels Naval flight squadron is scheduled to perform at 2:45 p.m. all three days of the event, which closes at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Ticket prices, vary but grandstand tickets for each day run under $30.
San Diego Vintage Crawl: Back in May, this event had 13 local businesses take part. This time around, 26 businesses are ready to indulge anybody looking to shake up their sartorial game through Sunday, with the chance to save big if you make enough stops.
“Visit at least 8 shops to enter to win one of 26 $25 gift cards,” one post on the event’s Instagram reads. “Feeling ambitious? Visit 12 or more participating retailers for a chance to win the Grand Prize: more than $1,300 in gift cards.”
Saturday, Sept. 26
Chula Vista Art Fest: This free all-ages event returns to Chula Vista City Hall (276 Fourth Ave.) from 12-6 p.m. with a set from DJ A-One kicking off a slate of musical performances, on top of art exhibitions and live painting demonstrations.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Joe Cypher, who we profiled recently, and his hard-driving pals will roll into Pechanga Arena (3500 Sports Arena Blvd.) for three shows over the weekend _ 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and a 1:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Ticket prices vary, so check the event site for details.
San Diego Spirits Festival: Promising “cocktails, coastline [and a] celebrity vibe,” this celebration of the (drinking) spirit will be raising a toast at the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla (700 Prospect St.) Saturday from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Tickets run $88.90 on Saturday and $68.10 on Sunday.
San Diego VegFest: More than 100 exhibitors are expected for this free event on the Presidents Way lawn in Balboa Park, along with a full day of presentations and musical performances and a food court from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Eye Candy Car Show: Despite how the name sounds, this is not an event for chocolate enthusiasts; it’s a fundraiser for the Friends of the Braille Institute, the non-profit that has dedicated more than 100 years to helping the blind and vision impaired.
There’s no cost to attend the event at Pal Joey’s in Allied Gardens (5147 Waring Road), but registering your car will cost $35. The show runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Diego Sake Festival: The San Diego Sake Club teams up with the Los Angeles branch of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO-LA) for an afternoon of enjoying a curated selection of sake at the Julep event space (1735 Hancock St.) Tickets run from $92.55 including fees for general admission to $375.32 for VIP tickets, which allow you access to “premium sake tasting.”
Taste of College Area: This “self-guided taste tour” around both the College Area and Rolando returns for its third year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with complimentary Old Town Trolleys on hand to help foodies get around the festival area, covering El Cajon Boulevard between 55th and 73rd Streets. More than 20 eateries and cafes are expected to take part. Tickets cost $40 and can be picked up at 6010 El Cajon Blvd. the day of the event.
