San Diego Surreal
May 1 – June 16
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way
San Diego Surreal reveals the ways in which Surrealism has seeped into our culture. It exposes the impact the movement has had on artists in San Diego County.
Featuring over 50 works of art in a variety of media created over several decades, the exhibition focuses on the work of contemporary artists. It also includes earlier 20th-century Modernists who drew upon Surrealism. Surrealism enjoys resurgence today due to the political and social conditions of the times.
Julian Wildflower Show
May 3 – 5
10 AM – 4 PM
Location: Julian, 2129 Main St
The Julian Wildflower Show has been an historical event for over 91 years. There are 855 species of plants within 25 miles of Julian, many of which were used for health and healing by Native Americans. The Wildflower Show is meant to educate club members, local residents, out-of-town visitors and children about the botanical wealth of Julian and its vicinity.
Beautiful & Informative
With permission from landowners, club members spend two days gathering wildflowers from five plant zones. The wildflowers are displayed in the Julian Town Hall. The flowers are arranged on tables representing the different geographical areas and plant zones in which they are picked. Display cards provide the name of the plant and describe uses of the various plants by Native Americans.
The Beach Soccer USA Cup
May 3 – 5
Location: Oceanside, 1200 N Pacific St
The Beach Soccer USA Cup is a professional international beach soccer tournament that hosts teams from all over the world. Beach Soccer (Beasal) started in Brazil and has grown to be an international game. It’s one of the fastest growing professional sports in the world with television coverage to large audiences in over 170 countries worldwide.
The games take place in the Beach Soccer Stadium located within The Beach Soccer Championships on the Oceanside beach north of the pier. The Beach Soccer Stadium has a capacity of 1,800 seated spectators plus 600 standing spectators. The tournament is ranked among the top professional beach soccer tournaments in the USA. It has built a reputation of attracting the elite beach soccer teams from the USA and around the world.
WaterSmart Landscape Design for Homeowners
May 4
10 AM – 1 PM
Location: Carlsbad, Carlsbad Municipal Water District, 5950 El Camino Real
The City of Carlsbad encourages residents to be part of a landscape design workshop on the use of drought-tolerant plants. You’ll also learn how to design landscapes that work well in the San Diego climate. Attend this free, three-hour seminar and learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful, water saving landscape. Space is limited.
Learn how to:
- Convert your turf area to a water efficient landscape
- Select plants that will thrive in our climate
- Analyze your yard, identify soil, remove turf and irrigate efficiently
- Create a professional landscape, planting and irrigation design
Rhythm & Brews
May 4
1 – 4 PM
Location: Vista, Historic Downtown Vista Village
The San Diego Brewers Guild’s annual spring festival will take place on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. Join fellow craft beer aficionados in the heart of Vista Village to celebrate local craft breweries and musicians. You’ll have the opportunity to sample 100+ beers from more than 50 award-winning breweries. Plus you’ll get to groove to live musical performances and enjoying delicious food from local eateries.
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit TWO local nonprofits, the North County Food Bank and the San Diego Brewers Guild. The Guild is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote awareness of fresh, locally brewed beer through education and participation in community events.
Carlsbad Village Faire
May 5
Location: Carlsbad, Grand Ave from Carlsbad Blvd to Jefferson St
North County’s favorite street fair is returning to The Village the first Sunday in May. The streets will come alive with the sights and smells of fair-time as more than 750 vendors set up unique booths. Fair-goers will get to search for handmade gifts, try mouthwatering foods and have some fun in the sun.
Largest One-Day Street Fair
The Carlsbad Village Faire is the largest one-day street fair in the nation. The fair stretches 14 blocks, running along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street. Grand and all of the cross streets in between will be closed for the event. The free event has grown to be so popular that it attracts people from all over Southern California and from other states.
The fair’s unique vendor booths offer handcrafted arts and gifts, art, antiques, jewelry, unique clothing, home décor, plants and more. In addition to the wonderful vendors, there will be an international food center, an old-fashioned pancake breakfast and children’s rides.
The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7:00 a.m. and noon.
To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the fair. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station and the west corner of Sears at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Additional handicapped parking available at the Carlsbad Visitor Center, 400 Carlsbad Village Drive, and at the Village Faire Shopping Center, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive.
San Diego Surf Film Festival
May 9 – 11
Location: San Diego County, various locations
Welcome to the San Diego Surf Film Festival. We first got started back in 2012 with what we thought would probably be a few friends watching some films and eating some popcorn. Wrong. Every single film sold out and had lines around the block. Seems everyone was waiting for a San Diego surf film festival.
More than Movies
The San Diego Surf Film Festival 2019 includes many fun activities. There is Opening Night at the Belly Up Tavern. We’ll also have an incredible Farm to Table seven-course, organic dinner at Cyclops Farms in Oceanside. At the dinner, there will be a special slideshow presentation from surf photographer Grant Ellis. Following that is a set of films to view under the stars. We’ll also have a photo exhibit featuring treasures from the Scripps collection. In addition, there will be live art at all the major SDSFF events this year. This has become one of the most sought-after aspects of the festival.
Mother’s Day Fancy Dress Swim
May 11
9 AM
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Pier North Beach
This is the tenth anniversary of phenomenal females waltzing into the waves wearing dresses to protect fellow mothers’ children from malaria. Momsanity? Yes!
One hundred percent of each $2 donation purchases a long-lasting insecticide treated bed net. These nets protect the most vulnerable, pregnant mothers and young children while they sleep. Join us with a donation in honor of your mom.
SoCal native and fearless? You found your flock! Register today and recruit your crazy Besties! Then save the date and join us on the beach north side of the pier. Our pre-swim White Carpet Press Photo session is at 9 am sharp. The event wraps by 11 am. Ample paid parking spaces in the lot above the pier.
Chocolate Festival
May 11
Location: Encinitas, San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr
Spend the Saturday before Mother’s Day at San Diego Botanic Garden’s famous Chocolate Festival! Enjoy dozens of delectable chocolate tastings, demonstrations, a chocolate fountain, and more. This family-friendly event also features children’s activities and a variety of Mother’s Day gifts.
Free with Paid Admission
Free with paid admission or membership. Tasting tickets are a $1 for one tasting ticket. Tasting tickets will be sold at the event. Vendors will be providing tasting items ranging from 1-3 tickets in most cases. We’ll also have food trucks onsite.
Mother’s Day Celebration at The Flower Fields
May 12
Location: Carlsbad, The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo del Norte
Join us on the final day of our season for Mom’s special day, May 12. The stage will be filled with colorful dancing from Rancho Buena Vista High School’s Ballet Folklorico.
Endangered Species Day
May 18
10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Oceanside, Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, 2202 S Coast Hwy
Come celebrate Endangered Species Day at the Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center. This free event has many activities for all ages! There will be all kinds of animal ambassadors including hawks and falcons from the Raptor Institute. Don’t miss Jeff Nordland’s snakes and lizards, Dovie’s tortoise family, and butterflies from Butterfly Farms of Encinitas.
Hands-On Activities
More hands-on activities include making your own flower press, nature journal, and native seed bags. You will be able to dissect a real owl pellet and see what these amazing creatures had for lunch! Ever wondered what lives in the lagoon? We will dip into the lagoon and discover a whole new world of aquatic creatures under our high-powered microscope! And for the young activists out there, we will have an interactive booth where your family can learn how to help protect local endangered species.
Ramona Rodeo
May 17 -19
Location: Ramona, Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Ln
The Ramona Rodeo offers top notch PRCA rodeo. This is one of the country’s top PRCA sanctioned full-scale pro rodeos. The events include steer wrestling, barrel racing, tie-down roping, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping and bareback riding. Other activities include a cowgirl fashion show, cowboy and cowgirl mixer, Kid’s Day clowns, mutton bustin’, and rodeo queens. There’ll even be photo and autograph opportunities.
Schedule
Friday – May 17 – Rodeo gates open at 6:00pm. Rodeo performance is at 7:30 pm. Mutton bustin’ will be one of the highlights tonight. Look for our brave little cowboys and cowgirls to grab your hearts riding sheep. Dance to the fantastic country sound of Nancarrow immediately following the rodeo. Dance times are 9:30 pm to midnight.
Saturday -May 18 – Rodeo gates open at 6:00pm. Rodeo performance is at 7:30 pm. Mutton bustin’ will be one of the highlights tonight. Look for our brave little cowboys and cowgirls to grab your hearts riding sheep. Dance to the fantastic country sound of Nancarrow immediately following the rodeo. Dance times are 9:30 pm to midnight.
Sunday – May 19 – Cowboy church at 10am. Rodeo performance at 3:30pm with Jr. Barrel race finals and mutton bustin’. Gates open at 2:00pm.
Encinitas Music By The Sea Concert Series
May 17
7:30 PM
Location: Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr
Under the artistic direction of Laura Schmieder, talented local and international artists are selected at the Beverly Hills National Auditions. They are presented monthly in concert in three cities: Encinitas, Torrance and Beverly Hills. There are nine concerts from September 2018 through June 2019.
Artists in May
May 17 will feature Azer Damirov, violin, and Adelya Shagidullina, viola. Azer is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. He received a master’s degree and is pursuing a doctorate at Temple University. He is a winner of the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music.
Adelya has won First Prize at four international music competitions. A graduate of the Kazan State Conservatoire, she received a master’s degree and DMA from Temple University. She is a member of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and Philadelphia Virtuosi.
San Diego Century Bike Tour
May 18
Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Mira Costa College, 3333 Manchester Ave
Join us on May 18, 2019 for the 13th Annual San Diego Century! Take on one of three beautiful courses for a challenging and rewarding cycling experience on one of Southern California’s best and most scenic routes. Choose from 33, 67 or 102.5 miles.
All courses are fully supported with start/finish, aid station and on-course support. Each rider receives a swag bag, food tickets for the food trucks at the finish line expo, and a finisher medal.
Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
May 18
11 AM – 4 PM
Location: Oceanside, Pier View Way & Oceanside Civic Center Plaza
On Armed Forces Day the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will provide a day of recognition to all active-duty military stationed on Marine Corps Base Camp Joseph H. Pendleton and nearby military bases.
Thousands of active duty military and their family members are treated to a day of free food, fun zone and entertainment at the Oceanside Civic Center Plaza.
Fun Activities & Live Entertainment
The day consists of a host of activities. These include a great children’s fun zone with inflatable jumps, rock climbing wall, kids’ crafts, activities and face painting. Live entertainment will be featured at the amphitheater all day long.
All active duty military and their dependents must bring an active duty military ID card to get unlimited rides, activities and a free lunch. This event is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase for children’s rides. Entertainment is free to everyone.
Escondido Grand Avenue Festival
May 19
Location: Escondido, W Grand Ave & Orange St
Over 400 vendors, live entertainment, and food from around the world have made the Escondido Grand Avenue Festival a family tradition since 1989.
The festival kicks off at 9 a.m. and will jump and jive all day until 5 p.m. Come and join us on historic Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido.
Enjoy special attractions and great family fun!
Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk
May 19
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, 400 B St
Join us for Great Strides Moonlight Beach! For 30 years, Great Strides – the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event – has supported the Foundation’s mission to cure cystic fibrosis. It raises awareness for this rare, genetic, life-shortening disease that makes it difficult to breathe and shortens lives.
Join this family friendly day that includes a 3-mile walk, children’s activities, music, food and FUN! The funds raised by the Great Strides Walk will help the CF Foundation continue to finance its unique approach to drug discovery. This approach has yielded a therapeutics pipeline with more than 30 potential therapies in development. Your support makes these and future advancement in CF care possible!
Cure Cystic Fibrosis!
Please join us as we… Lace up. Walk. Cure CF! Registration is at 8:30 am. The walk will start at 10 am. This is a three-mile walk.
Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival
May 24 – 25
Location: Valley Center, 29902 Valley Center Rd
The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo began in 2002. It has provided the ultimate family-friendly venue for our town and the surrounding communities to come together and participate in America’s greatest showcase of patriotism and western heritage, rodeo! In 2017, we were sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA), making the VC Stampede Rodeo the first-ever professional rodeo in Valley Center!
We will have broncs, bulls, barrel racers and the ever-popular wild donkey race & calf scramble! Come on out and cheer for your favorite cowboy or cowgirl! Rodeo general admission is $17. Rodeo schedule of events is subject to change.
Schedule
Friday, May 24th
- Memorial Festival gates open at 4:00 pm. FREE ADMISSION.
- Rodeo gates open at 5:00 pm.
- VIP Dinner begins at 6:00 pm. VIP dinner served for 2-hours only 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
- Rodeo begins at 7:00 pm.
- FREE dance to a live band each night after the rodeo!
Saturday, May 25th
- Memorial Festival gates open at 12:00 pm. FREE ADMISSION.
- Rodeo gates open at 2:00 pm.
- VIP Dinner begins at 3:00 pm. VIP dinner served for 2-hours only 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
- Rodeo starts at 4:00 pm.
- FREE dance to a live band each night after the rodeo!
Vista Strawberry Festival
May 26
8 AM – 6 PM
Location: Vista, 127 Main Street
The Vista Strawberry Festival is the only festival in San Diego County that celebrates all the joys and pleasure of the Strawberry. Vista was once the unofficial “Strawberry Capital of the World”. Come enjoy our celebration of the ‘berry as we bring together over 400 vendors, athletic competition, pie eating, costumes, beauty, carnival rides, music, food, and much more.
Strawberry Run
It is time to lace up your sneakers once again and get ready to run! The Strawberry Festival Run has something for everyone: the elite runner, the run-walker, kids, and more.
The Strawberry Festival Run includes a 10k, a 5k, a 1-mile kids’ run and a 1/4-mile tots’ trot. The 10K and 5K are chip-timed events with CASH Prizes for the top 3 Male and Female finishers for the 10K & 5K. Every runner receives a performance T-shirt, custom medal and fresh fruit finish line.
Runners over 21 receive a coupon for a free beer in our craft beer garden. Fun prizes will be awarded to each male/female age bracket winner.
San Diego County Fair
May 31 – July 4
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
The 2019 San Diego County Fair invites guests to skip down the yellow brick road and enter into an “Oz-some” world inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
Visitors will journey to the Emerald City, meeting magical new friends along the way. Channel your inner courage in our whirlwind of carnival rides. Expand your brain by immersing yourself in creative and educational exhibits. Warm your heart creating new memories with your friends and family. With all of the adventures you’ll encounter, you’ll discover, “There’s no place like the Fair.”
This year the Fair opens at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 31 and continues through Thursday, July 4. The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in June. Admission is $20 for adults, $14 for seniors ages 62 and older and kids ages 6 through 12. Kids 5 and under are free. Albertsons and Vons stores offer discount tickets. Check online for other discounts and passes.