Seasonal Events, San Diego

Favorite thing: Street Scene started over 20 years ago on one block of vacant land and is now one of the largest music festivals on the West Coast. Traditionally held the weekend after Labor Day in San Diego's Gaslamp District, it has changed dates, locations and promoters over the past few years. Quite frankly it's gone downhill. My tip is not to waste your time or money...

For more info, check out www.street-scene.com.

Favorite thing: It wouldn’t be summer in San Diego without SeaWorld’s nightly fireworks which blends popular music with choreographed firework blasts that light up the sky!

Fondest memory: I have so many I wouldn't where to start. I consider San Diego to be my second home and I often get homesick. Blue sky, mellow wheather, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Horton Plaza, the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, open air concerts at Humphrey's Halfmoon Bay...

Favorite thing: Visit the Del Mar Race Track for the horse racing season. Just a solid chip shot from the Pacific Ocean, Del Mar opened its gates back in 1937. The man at the turnstile collecting tickets that day was none other than the original laid-back Californian himself, Bing Crosby. Bing and a bunch of his Hollywood buddies hatched this marvelous idea for a horse palace by the ocean where you could play all day, party all night and leave cares of the world behind.

Favorite thing: Alright, First, you have to do this on July 4th, no other day will do.


Also before you do this, you have to cross the border into T.J. (Tijuana,Mexico for those of you outside the US). While wearing baggy pants buy up all the fireworks you can hide on you (the mexican salesman will be happy to tape bottle rockets to your legs), and smuggle them back over the border.

Now, go back to San Diego- Ocean Beach to be exact, go buy lots of alcohol, and then go attach yourself to one of the large bonfire parties on the beach and wait for the sun to go down. (Here's where the fireworks come in). All you have to do is ask if anyone would like some of your fireworks and I guarantee you will have 20 instant buddies, because let's face it, everyone loves things that explode!
(And don't worry, you won't be the only one with fireworks. Half of the beach was in T.J. earlier that day doing the same thing).
After you've lit 'em all, sit back and watch the professionals light there's off. To the left, they shoot 'em off the pier & to the right, they shoot them off from Seaworld.
After that's done, you can either keep partying on the beach or follow the hoards of people into the neighborhood where there is at least a few parties on each block!
***Bonus - you won't even have to get a hotel room for the night, because you can crash on someone's couch. :)

Disclaimer: It is illegal to transport fireworks from mexico to the US. While they'll probably just take them away from you and make you sign a release form if you get caught, I in no way incourage this kind of illegal activity. I'm just telling you what you could do and what 1000's of San Diegans do every year. :)

Favorite thing: (a.k.a. Del Mar Fair) starts the 2nd weekend of June and runs until the first weekend in July...so come and enjoy the action.

Favorite thing: go to a football game and see the San Diego Charger Cheerleaders . . . perhaps it'll help you understand the movie 'American Beauty'

Favorite thing: 4TH OF JULY PARTY AT MY OLD HOUSE (WE START EARLIER THAN MOST),BUT WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN THE WHOLE TOWN LOOKS LIKE THIS. SOMETIMES I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY I LEFT.