Events

La Mesa Oktoberfest

Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Prost! Now in its 50th year, La Mesa Oktoberfest comprises three full days of family-friendly fun. This means multiple biergartens, German fare and other international food stations, three stages of nonstop music—from live rock and oompah bands to DJs to traditional German and Bavarian music—dancing, kids activities, games and more. Oh, and the Dackeldorf Dachshund Village is back, complete with Wiener dog races, a fashion show and doggy goodie bags. See website for daily hours and detailed schedule. Tickets range from $15-$45. Along La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa. lamesaoktoberfest.org

Mission Bayfest

Sept. 29-30. Live music by the bay makes for a perfect San Diego weekend. Open to all ages, the reggae-centric Mission Bayfest will host the likes of Pepper (pictured), Fortunate Youth, KBong & Johnny Cosmic, Tribal Seeds, The Elovaters and more. Other perks: craft beer, cocktails, taco stands and other local food vendors. See website for schedule and ticket pricing. (VIP package includes front-of-stage viewing access; an exclusive bar with signature craft cocktails and an expanded beer and wine menu; a private cabana with lounge seating; and separate restroom facilities.) Mariner’s Point Park, Mission Bay. missionbayfest.com

East Village Oktoberfest

Sept. 30. Head to the Quartyard in East Village for an Oktoberfest block party. The bier will be flowing with brews on tap from local brewers—including Alesmith, Duck Foot, Karl Strauss, Ketch, Harland and Fall Brewing. Soak it all up with festive food such as Munich-style pretzels, bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, frikadellen (meatballs) and bratkartofflen (fried potatoes with bacon). The fun also includes live music by traditional Oktoberfest band the Oom-Pah-Sters, cornhole and other games, a 360 photobooth, and costume and stein-holding contests. 1-7 p.m. See website for tickets. 1301 Market St., East Village. More Info

Carlsbad Strawberry Co. Pumpkin Patch

Through Nov. 5. This family farm’s fall wonderland is fun for all ages. After picking your perfect gourd from the ample pumpkin patch, wander through an enchanting corn maze; take a tractor ride; meet Shetland sheep and Nubian goats; and explore fields of marigolds and lavender. There’s even a separate haunted corn maze for teens and adults (F-Sa 7-10 p.m. beginning Oct. 6); plus fall treats and beverages. Open daily at 9 a.m. $10 general admission (ages 5 and under are free); $25 per person for haunted corn maze admission. 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad, 760.603.9608. More Info

Food + Drink

Books & Records

Now Open. Brought to us by Common Stock Hospitality, the former Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant space has been transformed into Books & Records. Offering American fare, craft cocktails and live jazz, the restaurant and bar boasts inviting, stylish decor—complete with green tufted leather booths and walls limewashed in dark cerulean blue. On chef Sam Deckman’s locally sourced menu: wagyu tartare, carbonara mac ‘n’ cheese, seafood fettuccine, whole Ensenada seabass, bone-in beef short ribs and duck carnitas. W-Su beginning at 5 p.m. 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.795.1000. booksandrecordsbar.com

HomeState

Now Open. A slice of central Texas arrives in Oceanside. HomeState serves breakfast tacos, “anytime tacos,” Texas-style queso, brisket, margaritas, spicy palomas and more—with sides of old-fashioned hospitality and house-made tortillas. It’s the L.A.-based chain’s first San Diego County location—a casual eatery with a walkup-order counter and shaded patio with picnic tables. For the best of several worlds, try the Loaded Queso topped with brisket chili, guacamole and sour cream; and chase it with a pour of Cimarron blanco tequila. Open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 510 Vista Way, Oceanside, 760.194.1636. myhomestate.com

Sushi Ichifuji

Now Open. Find an authentic omakase dining experience at Sushi Ichifuji—a Tokyo-style Japanese restaurant nestled in Linda Vista. The intimate, 10-seat sushi bar by Hiroshi Ichikawa and Masato Fujita offers two seatings nightly (closed Tuesdays), when reserved guests can enjoy an eight-course omakase meal of seasonal fare—including appetizers, nigiri and sashimi; plates like miso-marinated black cod and steamed egg custard with vegetables; and house-made Houji tea panna cotta with fruit for dessert; plus premium sake, wine and beer. $160 per person. 7530 Mesa College Drive, Linda Vista, 858.565.1179. Reservations

Arts + Culture

La Jolla Playhouse’s SUMO

Through Oct. 22. “Welcome to the dohyō. Where the national heroes of Japan are made. These men are not gods, they are sumo. But sumo wrestlers were once gods.” A coproduction with Ma-Yi Theater Company, La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere play, SUMO. Playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring (pictured) introduces us to six sumo wrestlers who train at an elite facility in Tokyo—revealing what drives them, as competitive fighters, to be the best. Ralph B. Peña directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

“Savage Gardens” at S.D. Botanic Garden

Through Oct. 29. Get into the Halloween spirit at San Diego Botanic Garden, which presents its exhibition: “Savage Gardens: The Real and Imaginary World of Carnivorous Plants.” Visitors can explore three larger-than-life installations inside and around the glass-enclosed Dickinson Family Conservatory—featuring a moving, interactive Venus Flytrap sculpture, a walk-in Fanged Pitcher Plant Nepenthes and more; plus a collection of real carnivorous species on display; and Halloween decorations dotted around the property. See website for hours and admission info. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036. sdbg.org

Broadway San Diego’s Les Misérables

Upcoming | Oct. 3-15. Don’t miss Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables. The epic story follows Jean Valjean, who, after 19 years as a prisoner, is freed by Javert, the officer in charge of the prison workforce. Javert vows to bring Valjean back to prison after Valjean breaks parole, then later uses money from stolen silver to reinvent himself as a mayor and factory owner. Eight years later, Valjean becomes the guardian of a child named Cosette after her mother’s death, amid Javert’s relentless pursuit. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

Photo credits: Books & Records by Kimberly Motos. Les Miserables by Matthew Murphy. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.