North County and San Diego County Events – September 2016 include something for everyone. There’s plenty to see like the Miramar Air Show, a rodeo, a powwow, and music, Greek, and art festivals. There’s plenty to do with runs, bike tours, and swims. And if all that activity leaves you hungry and thirsty, no problem. September offers great food and drink too.
46th Annual Barona Powwow
September 2 – 4
Location: Barona Indian Reservation, Barona Sports Park
Join the Barona Band of Mission Indians for a weekend of dancing and dress contests, camping, drums and cultural immersion. Dancers will be competing for over $60,000 in prize money!
Alley Art Festival
September 3
Location: Vista, Downtown
This isn’t your normal art walk. This is a celebration of creativity found off the beaten path. All are welcome to experience this interactive art and culture event.
Participants show their passions for creativity. Poets, designers, performers, and painters will take over the alleys of Vista, CA for a day of music, film, poetry, fashion, art, and more.
Julian Grape Stomp Festa
September 3
Location: Julian, Menghini Winery, 1150 Julian Orchards Dr
This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary of the Julian Grape Stomp Festa. We are excited to be continuing the old-world tradition of kicking off your shoes, rolling up your pant legs and letting tons of blessed grapes squish beneath your feet!.
Julian’s Grape Stomp is a great way to spend a Saturday and this year’s is shaping up to be one of our best. Eleven local wineries are offering sips to sample. There will be a wide variety of food and shopping opportunities, and great Italian music provided by Roman Holiday. Don’t miss the Bocce Ball contests, a “Lucy Look-Alike” contest, the ever popular “Trash My Wedding Dress” event and, undoubtedly, a little extemporaneous dancing here and there. This will be a party to remember!
The fun will begin at 11AM and wrap up at 7PM. Regular admission tickets are $15 for adults, children ages 6 to 20 are $5, and under age 5 are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
87th Annual Labor Day Pier Swim
September 5
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Pier
The Pier Swim opens with swimmers diving into the surf, circles one mile around the pier and ultimately ends with swimmers riding waves onto the beach and dashing towards a finish line on the sand. Not much has changed in the years since it began. It is still an excuse to gather some of the most hardcore swimmers in the country, and even Canada, together to compete. The Pier Swim has transferred from being a fundraiser for the City of Oceanside itself to being the main fundraiser for the Oceanside Swim Club. The swim club is a non-profit organization and competitive swim team for children 5-18 years of age.
The swim allows children over 12 to participate and includes swimmers up to their 70s and 80s. The mile can be enjoyed by all and is dreaded by others coerced into doing it with friends. However, one thing is true. After the first time it is hard to stay away from the friendly competition that the Pier Swim brings annually to Oceanside’s shores.
Cardiff Greek Festival
September 10 – 11
Location: Cardiff, 3459 Manchester Ave
Be Greek for the day! Bring the entire family to the Annual Greek Festival held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The church grounds are transformed into a quaint Greek village complete with Greek cuisine and heavenly pastries, live Greek music, folk dancing, a kid’s fun zone, a marketplace and church tours.
Carlsbad Brewfest
September 10
12:00 – 4:30 PM
Location: Carlsbad, Holiday Park, 3400 Pio Pico Dr
34 craft breweries with 68+ of the finest craft beers from San Diego County and beyond. Enjoy music, entertainment, games, beer education and food vendors.
Carding Policy: Please note: ALL ATTENDEES, including designated drivers, will be carded at the gate and must be over the age of 21 to enter the Brewfest. SO NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WILL BE ADMITTED. This includes children, toddlers, and infants. No refunds will be issued to patrons under the age of 21 attempting to enter the festival.
5K West Coast SCADaddle for Research
September 10
Location: Carlsbad, Aqua Hedionda Lagoon, 4200 Garfield St
It’s our second annual West Coast 5K Fun Run/Walk to raise money for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) research. We hope you can join us!
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a type of a heart attack not associated with the typical risk factors of heart disease such as high blood pressure or plaque. Unlike a typical heart attack most people hear about, SCAD is relatively uncommon and often impacts younger, otherwise healthy individuals. It happens when a coronary artery tears, which can cause a heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. SCAD occurs more often in women than men. Research is needed to answer fundamental questions such as what causes SCAD and what are the best treatment options.
Family Movie Night
September 10
5:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad, Stagecoach Community Park, 3420 Camino de los Coches
Bring family and friends, a blanket and low-back chairs to Stagecoach Community Park for a night of fun activities and an outdoor movie presentation, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There will be a movie themed Fun Zone between 5 – 7 p.m. with bounce houses, slides, crafts, games and activities. Wristbands for the Fun Zone can be purchased for $6 at the event. Food and beverage sales available between 5 and 7 p.m. The movie will start at dusk.
Giro di San Diego GranFondo
September 10 – 11
Location: Solana Beach, 150 South Sierra Ave
Southern California meets Italy at the Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo, a celebration of cycling, food, and San Diego’s North Coast. Held in beautiful Solana Beach, CA, our two-day festival features five mass-start, timed cycling events for road and mountain bikers, and the Bike & Fitness Expo.
Our mission is to draw cyclist from around the globe to enjoy the best riding that San Diego has to offer. We are a charity focused event and use our love for the Italian GranFondo to raise money and awareness for local causes.
Surf for the Sea
September 10 – 11
Location: Oceanside, North Jetty – Oceanside Harbor
SURF FOR THE SEA is a memorial event benefitting and supporting the environment in honor of our loved ones whom we have lost from the local line-up over the last twenty years!!! The Oceanside Firefighters event will take place on Friday, September 9 and will feature our local public safety officers surfing in a fun filled event. Sponsored by Surf for the Sea/Surfrider Foundation S.D.
Noche Mexicana
September 11
1:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Oceanside, Civic Center Plaza, 300 North Coast Hwy
Join us for the largest North San Diego County event commemorating Mexican independence day! This community event is open to the public and will take place at the Oceanside Civic Center Plaza. The event will open up with a traditional Aztec blessing ceremony by Oceanside natives Calpulli Omeyocan!
Por Siempre Car Club will be displaying a great lineup of classic cars! The Movement Brand will be participating in the Blessing Ceremony and have a booth set up with culturally inspired merchandise and art! Other entertainment and presentations include local ballet folklorico groups, author Victor Villaseñor and a special re-enactment of the Grito de Dolores by the Mexican consulate.
Annual Taste of Downtown
September 15
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: San Diego, Downtown
Enjoy tantalizing tastes from more than 40 Restaurants located throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, Headquarters, Financial District and East Village neighborhoods! Tickets $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event. Complimentary Shuttle Service throughout the Taste.
Wavecrest Woodies
September 15 – 18
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach
Wavecrest is the granddaddy of all woodie meets. You will experience the longest running and largest gathering of woodies in the world. There are around 300 woodies of every size, shape and description on display. Throughout the day there is Hawaiian and surf music performed live, along with fabulous raffle prizes and awards for the best of the best. Wavecrest merchandise and food will be available at the event.
The post Wavecrest evening activities begin with drinks in the pool/cabana area at the Host Hotel followed by a fabulous buffet dinner. After dinner there will be a raffle/auction which will be limited to high-end woodie items. The evening will end with entertainment in the cabana.
To wrap up your Wavecrest experience, join 80-90 woodies on a cruise from Encinitas to Oceanside and back on the historic Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 101). The cruise (approx. 25 miles) will begin at 8:00 am and proceed north to Oceanside Harbor with a photo-op stop on the beach below the Oceanside Pier. If you didn’t bring your woodie to the event, you can still join the fun by hitching a ride on the cruise.
KAABOO Del Mar Festival
September 16 – 18
Location: Del Mar, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
KAABOO is three days of musical fun at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack. This is a different kind of festival and features an eclectic, multi-generational line-up of over 100 bands on seven stages, plus hilarious comedy, incredible cuisine, craft libations, inspiring contemporary art and personal indulgences. Instead of dirt, dust and mud, it has all of the makings of a comfortable event. This includes plenty of shade and seating, clean restrooms with flushable toilets (no porta-potties).
Tickets run from $119 to $2,499.
Water Warrior Amphibious Assault
September 17
Location: Camp Pendleton
Compete with the few, the proud, the Marines! Our Amphibious Assault includes stand up and prone paddleboard races, outrigger canoe and surfski races, an open harbor swim, vendor village, kids’ races, and SUP yoga and instructional sessions.
Carmel Valley Trail 5K and 10K
September 17
Location: Carmel Valley, Torrey Highlands Park, Lansdale Dr at Del Mar Heights Rd
Welcome to San Diego’s ONLY trail race through beautiful Gonzales Canyon Open Space and Torrey Highlands Community Park.
The 3rd annual Carmel Valley trail race has added a 15K distance in 2016, truly making this race Carmel Valley’s Premiere Trail Race. With an elevation gain between 300 and 500 feet, participants will experience a combination of single track and dirt service road trails. Great for all running levels with a mix of flat and fast with some hills thrown in for extra flavor. Includes a kids’ half mile dash for those 8 years and younger.
MCAS Miramar Air Show
September 23 – 25
Location: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Welcome to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, home of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the largest military air show in the nation.
The theme for the 2016 MCAS Miramar Air Show, which runs September 23 – 25, is “Celebrating 100 Years of the Marine Corps Reserve.” Our Reserve component stands ready to answer the call to augment and reinforce active-duty forces and is integral to the success of our mission. The Reserves are comprised of more than 109,000 men and women, and have deployed more than 85,000 Reserve Marines and Sailors across the globe within the past 5 years. The men and women who serve in our Reserves are dedicated to the Marine Corps while also serving and excelling in their communities and civilian jobs. Our Reservists are battle-tested and embody the ethos of “Always Faithful.” It is with great pleasure that our Reservists are honored at this year’s air show. We thank and salute you
We are also pleased to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team and welcome them back to MCAS Miramar. We also welcome back the Breitling Jet Team for their second U.S. tour. Both jet teams are sure to impress in what will be thrilling performances of fast-paced, formation flying and choreographed aerobatic maneuvers. Additionally, MCAS Miramar is honored to host an amazing line up of civilian performers, including Sean Tucker’s “Oracle Challenger,” John Collver’s “Wardog,” and the Shockwave Jet Truck.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy exciting performances from military parachute teams and aerial demonstrations by the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the AV-8B Harrier, the MV-22B Osprey, and an intense Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. The MCAS Miramar flight line will also feature static displays, including past and present aircraft and ground combat equipment, air show memorabilia and plenty of vendors and activities for families to enjoy. Stop by and explore our military aircraft, or just sit back and enjoy the show.
While you are here, talk to the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen who are here to support the show. Many of the young men and women you will meet have deployed numerous times to secure peace throughout the world. Their enthusiasm for what they do, and their passion for protecting our way of life, will impress you. Take a moment to thank these men and women who give so much to preserve the freedoms we enjoy every day. They are true American heroes.
MCAS Miramar has a long, rich history with the citizens of San Diego. We value this relationship and consider it an honor to serve and protect the citizens of the United States. On behalf of MCAS Miramar’s Marines and Sailors, we would like to thank San Diego for its unprecedented support of our young men and women in uniform. The air show is our way of thanking you for all you do for us. We are honored to share this incredible experience with you and truly hope you enjoy the 2015 MCAS Miramar Air Show.
Poway Rodeo
September 23 – 24
Location: Poway, 14336 Tierra Bonita Rd
Professional rodeo cowboys from around the country compete during the Annual Poway Rodeo.
Guests can watch contestants compete in events such as Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and Bull Riding. There’s even a “Mutton Bustin” event where kids under 50lbs. ride sheep. They try to hold on for 8 seconds, just like the cowboys. There’s also a free dance for everyone 21 and over after the rodeo Friday and Saturday nights.
NSSA Open Season Surfing Contest
September 24 – 25
Location: Oceanside, North of Oceanside Pier
The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and assist its members in their interest to learn and develop the fundamentals and skills of surfing competition while competing in structured and quality events.
It is one of the few national youth sports organizations that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to compete. Since 1978, the NSSA program philosophy has been that athletics and scholastics go hand in hand. More than 80 NSSA events are run nationwide that culminate with the annual National Championships which is regarded as the highest profile youth surfing event in America. Open Season is a ten event schedule running from September to June.
National Public Lands Day
September 24
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Carlsbad, Hidden Canyon Community Park, 2685 Vancouver St
The City of Carlsbad will celebrate National Public Lands Day with a volunteer trail and park clean up at Hidden Canyon Community Park. The short trail connects the Ann L’Heureux Dog Park, located on Carlsbad Village Drive, to the lower Hidden Canyon Community Park area at 2685 Vancouver St. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteer work will include trail surface improvements, installation of trail signage, brush removal, and tree and shrub planting at the lower park. City staff will be on hand to provide information on the city’s expanding trail system and to assist with the day’s work activities.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort aimed at educating the public about the environment and natural resources to improve public lands for outdoor recreation.
Oceanside Harbor Days
September 24 – 25
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Harbor
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce along with Tri-City Medical Center and Genentech will present Oceanside Harbor Days at the Oceanside Harbor. The event will feature arts and craft exhibits, great food and fun activities for the entire family. The event is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Two event filled days of sun, sand, and surf provide an outstanding opportunity for residents and neighbors to experience fun activities including the Pirate Village, Entertainment Stage, arts, crafts and food booth areas, Nail ‘n’ Sail Competition, military, public safety displays, and more.