North County and San Diego Events November 2019
North County and San Diego events in November are full of fun options! We’ve got holiday activities like Día de los Muertos celebrations and turkey trots. Plus November brings beer week and food festivals, street fairs and film festivals. If you need to work off all the great food and drink, there are runs, walks, bike rides, even kayaking. That’s not all. Keep reading to find the best North County and San Diego events in November!
Día de los Muertos
November 1
6 PM
Location: Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Come and celebrate el Día de los Muertos with altars, music, art, teatro and more! This year we celebrate our 24th annual festival. It will be better than ever with four days of activities. Attendees will be able to create altars on November 1st to remember lost loved ones. We will have face painting, sugar skull making, arts and crafts, and more.
On November 2, join us for Cultura Fest SD Noche de Muertos featuring over 40 Latinx artists and vendors. The evening will end with a special performance in the center’s concert hall. On November 3, we will present Flor sin Raíz. Finally on November 4th, Bill Toone leads us through the spectacular migration of the monarch butterfly.
San Diego Beer Week
November 1 – 10
Location: San Diego County, multiple locations
San Diego Beer Week brings together more than 130 San Diego County breweries for a 10-day celebration with hundreds of events. Enjoy brewery tours, rare beer tastings, Meet the Brewer events and beer education. The week kicks off with the Annual San Diego Brewers Guild Festival. It will be held at Embarcadero Marina Park North in downtown San Diego on Saturday, November 2. There’s even a pre-party cruise.
Events, Tickets & Pricing
Tickets for the Guild Fest and cruise range from $50 to $105.
Bike the Coast
November 2
Location: Oceanside Pier, 300 N The Strand
Join us for the annual Bike the Coast cycling event! It’s fun for the whole family. Join riders of all levels and ages. Experience the best of the Southern California beaches and surf towns. You can ride routes of 7, 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles.
Everything starts and finishes on the beach at the spectacular Oceanside Pier with food, music, expo shopping and fun! This fun ride is appropriate for all skill levels from individuals to competitive groups to families.
Escondido Tamale Festival
November 2
11 AM – 5 PM
Location: Escondido, Grape Day Park, 321 N Broadway
The Escondido Tamale Festival is a celebration of tamales and all great Latin foods that are part of California’s culture.
Tamales & So Much More!
In addition to all kinds of wonderful tamales, there will be a best tamale contest, costume contest and fashion show, food and craft vendors, kids’ fun zone, free concert, and beer and wine. There’s even a tamale making class, exclusive seating and fun and yummy extras with the purchase of a VIP ticket.
Batiquitos Lagoon Kayak Cleanup & Fundraiser
November 2 – 3
8 AM – 2 PM
Location: Encinitas, La Costa Park & Ride, 710 La Costa Ave
Help clean up Batiquitos Lagoon and enjoy kayaking waters normally closed to boating.
Launches are every two hours during the event. Cost is $60 per person (tax deductible).
Fall Festival
November 2
12 – 4 PM
Location: Oceanside, Heritage Park, 220 Peyri Rd
Come celebrate the harvest season at the Heritage Park Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff. The event is free and includes music, food and vendor booths. It’s only $5 per person to taste the delectable chili samples. The North County Model Railroad Society will be open for viewing as well as the Trains For Kids room.
Support Oceanside’s Parks
Proceeds benefit the Friends of Oceanside Parks and Recreation to support future events in the community.
Carlsbad Village Street Faire
November 3
Location: Carlsbad, Grand Ave between Carlsbad Blvd and Jefferson St
The Carlsbad Village Faire is celebrating its 45th anniversary! The nation’s largest, one-day street faire attracts people from all over Southern California and throughout the U.S. Some visitors even plan their vacations around the bi-annual event.
Just like at past faires, over 800 vendors will sell everything fathomable, including clothes, accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The international food court will once again feature booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine. There are also children’s rides guaranteeing fun for the whole family.
The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. They’ll be serving pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice between 7 a.m. and noon.
Shuttles Available
Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets in between, will be closed for the event. To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the faire. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station and the west corner of Sears at The Shoppes at Carlsbad.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®
November 3
Location: San Diego, Balboa Park
In San Diego, six women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer and unfortunately one woman a day passes away from this disease. Early detection and effective treatment provide the best chance of survival from breast cancer. And that’s what our work at Susan G. Komen San Diego is all about.
This 5K and 1-mile walk makes it possible for Komen San Diego to provide free mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, care coordination, education and financial assistance for breast cancer patients’ most critical needs. The event raises significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement. It celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.
Live Here. Walk Here. Save Lives Here.
Up to seventy-five percent of the net income for the Race stays in our community to help fund local programs offering breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment. The remaining 25 percent supports Komen’s national research training grants program.
Oceanside Museum of Art Free First Sunday
November 3
12 – 5 PM
Location: Oceanside, 704 Pier View Way
Embrace creativity and enjoy the Oceanside Museum of Art’s exhibitions for free.
At OMA the first Sunday of each month is free. Exhibitions showcase the finest art of the southern California region including paintings, sculptures, studio furniture, art quilts, and architectural glass.
San Diego Asian Film Festival
November 7 – 16
Location: San Diego, multiple locations
The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is San Diego’s premier film showcase of Asian American and international cinema. Founded in 2000, the festival has grown to become the largest exhibition of Asian cinema in the western United States. It has showcased everything from future classics like Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (US Premiere) to luminary independent work like Patrick Wang’s award-winning In the Family (North American Premiere). Each year, the festival brings West Coast, North American, and World premieres of films from around the world to San Diego and gives audiences unique opportunities to discover international cinema.
Bigger Than Ever
This year, the 20th edition of SDAFF will showcase over 170 films from 29 countries in 40 different languages showcasing award-winning and cutting-edge cinema.
Del Mar Fall Racing Festival
November 8 – December 1
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
The Fall Racing Festival will bring back the cool Del Mar vibe, fabulous Southern California weather and quality racing. Fans will enjoy top thoroughbreds, great food and drinks, plus exciting promotions and concerts. Events include Uncorked Wine Fest, Wizards Beer Fest, Holiday at the Races, Family Fun Run and Craft Beer Festival.
Susan G. Komen 3-Day®
November 15 – 17
Location: Del Mar, Del Mar Fairgrounds
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. This isn’t just a walk. It’s the journey of a lifetime, and the biggest thing you can do to help end breast cancer forever.
3 DAYS. 60 MILES. NOT AS HARD AS BREAST CANCER.
Your Susan G. Komen 3-Day® journey will begin with an inspiring, emotional Opening Ceremony at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. You’ll walk through gorgeous oceanside neighborhoods and beautiful parks. And you’ll spend two fun-filled nights at our 3-Day camp, bonding with your fellow walkers. It all culminates in a celebratory closing ceremony at Waterfront Park in San Diego.
Encinitas Holiday Street Fair
November 24
9AM – 4 PM
Location: Encinitas, Highway 101 between D and J Streets
Come do your holiday shopping, purchasing original creations from local artisans and craftsmen. There’s free family fun, live entertainment and more than 450 unique food, arts and crafts vendors. Plus we’ll have entertainment stages, children’s rides and a beer garden!
Savor craft beers and soak up the California sun while listening to the best bands in San Diego rock out at the Beer Garden Stage. You can even bring your kids and your dogs!
There will be no parking on Highway 101 from D to J Street on Saturday and Sunday from 4 am to 6 pm. But there will be bike valet stations open to store your bikes.
O’side Turkey Trot
November 28
Location: Oceanside, 330 N Coast Highway
The O’side Turkey Trot is recognized as one of the Top Trots in the country by Runner’s World Magazine. In fact, the trot attracts visitors from 46 States and 460 cities.
We invite you to come “move your feet before you eat” this Thanksgiving. Join one of the fastest growing holiday traditions at Oceanside’s Frontwave Credit Union Turkey Trot 5 mile or 5K run/walk. Be sure to bring the whole family, as there will be races for everyone.
Fun Contests & Entertainment
This fun event offers a costume contest, fabulous live entertainment and finisher medals for all participants. All registered participants get free digital photos, medals, shirts, and timing. The event has raised over $321,500 for non-profits that serve Oceanside residents.
Del Mar Thanksgiving Family Mile Fun Run
November 28
7 AM
Location: Del Mar, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
And away YOU go… and Down the Stretch YOU come!
Kick-off Thanksgiving Day with the Del Mar Family Mile Fun Run on the famous Del Mar racetrack. Begin from the actual starting gate. Make a one-mile lap all the way around, and finish in the Winners’ Circle where you will get your picture taken. Several Del Mar jockeys will be running, jogging and walking right with you!
Participants will receive two racetrack admission passes, parking, and a fun run t-shirt. Registration and pre-race activities start at 7 am. They include games and prizes for kids, face painting, entertainers, holiday arts and crafts, animals from the Helen Woodward Animal Center, and more. Participants are encouraged to come in costume.
Puppy Race
Following the Fun Run, the Helen Woodward Animal Center will conduct a one-of-a-kind Puppy Race. These adorable puppies will be available for adoption.
Encinitas Turkey Trot & Food Drive
November 28
7 AM
Location: Encinitas, 505 S Coast Highway 101
If you have never walked or run along the Pacific Coast in Encinitas in late November, you are in for the surprise of your life. Early morning offers a beautiful color to the Pacific Ocean. The waves have a special look during this time of the year.
Start your Thanksgiving holiday with friends, family and thousands of costumed participants at the Encinitas Turkey Trot 5K and 10K. The fun starts and finishes under the world famous “ENCINITAS” sign on Coast Highway 101.
Our program provides Meals in a Basket to over 150 active duty military families and provides assistance to local veterans in need.
Enjoy North County and San Diego events in November! Do you have North County or San Diego events in November or any other month that you’d like included here? Just let me know, and I’ll add them for you.