Events

Lego-Inspired Brick Bar Pop-Up

April 8-9. If you build it, they will come! The Lego-inspired Brick Bar—made from one million blocks—pops up in S.D. for two days only. Channel your inner child at this highly “Instagrammable” creative space, showcasing sculptures made completely from bricks; along with blocks available to create your own masterpiece. Tickets grant entry for 90-minute sessions that entail building competitions with prizes, Ping-Pong played on a table made from 22,000 bricks, live DJ music, and food available for purchase. See website for available timeslots. $22. 10455 Pomerado Road, Scripps Ranch. Tickets

Encinitas Spring Street Fair

April 9-10. Encinitas’ 38th annual springtime celebration is back, complete with myriad food and crafts vendors, multiple entertainment stages, children’s rides and more. Highlights include a craft beer garden (kids and dogs are welcome), featuring Ballast Point, Duck Foot Brewing, Jiant hard kombucha, Juneshine and PRP wine; at least two dozen bands and DJs, including Black Rock Candy, Party Foul, Synergy, Son of Kane and DJ Mancat; and bike valet stations sponsored by Electra. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entry. South Coast Highway 101, downtown Encinitas. More Info

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at Belmont Park

April 9. Take the plunge with this unconventional Easter egg hunt at Belmont Park. Kids (ages 2-11) are invited to the Plunge San Diego swimming pool to hop in and dive for Easter eggs. The fun includes an appearance from the Easter Bunny, crafts, swim access to a giant floating obstacle course and goodie bags. Adults can have some fun, too, at the Spring Market—offering bites, a flower truck, local artists and entertainment. See website for full event schedule and tickets. 9-10:30 a.m. $20 per participating child. 3115 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach. Tickets

Spring Hiking at Hollenbeck Canyon

Open. At 6,100 acres of rolling hillsides, Hollenbeck Canyon is in full bloom in springtime—an ideal time to hike it. The main trail is about 4.5 miles out and back, starting in an open meadow (watch for hawks and raptors). It climbs along an eroded wall of a steep gorge—with views of Otay Mountain and Lyons Peak ahead, and a sweeping vista of the valley behind. It then drops back down to an oasis of green trees along a streambed—a great spot to rest before turning back. Honey Springs Road (just off Campo Road), Jamul, 858.467.4201. More Info

Food + Drink

Springtime Tea at La Valencia

Returns April 7. Spring is in the air and in your teacup at La Valencia. La Jolla’s iconic “Pink Lady” celebrates the season with the return of its springtime tea service—offered on select dates through May 6 at the hotel’s Mediterranean Room. The experience includes a glass of bubbly to start, a selection of DAMMANN Frères French teas, house-made scones, tea sandwiches, quiche, mini pastries and postcard-worthy views of La Jolla Cove. Seatings are offered beginning at 11 a.m. $75 per person. 1132 Prospect, St., La Jolla, 855.476.6870. lavalencia.com

Piper

Open. Have you heard about Piper? Tucked inside The Seabird beachfront resort, Piper is a contemporary culinary haven serving garden-to-table California cuisine for breakfast, brunch and dinner. Spotlighting locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant features a made-to-order pasta station, a sun-lit sidewalk patio, an outdoor private dining room and airy-mod decor created by acclaimed L.A. design firm Bells + Whistles—complete with entirely custom-made furnishings. Try the rigatoni Bolognese and Baja striped bass. See website for hours. 101 Mission Ave., Oceanside, 760.512.3816. piperoceanside.com

New Seasonal Pizzas at Wayfarer

Now Available. Snap peas on a pizza? Yes, please! Bird Rock’s beloved bakery/cafe, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, has debuted several new seasonal pies as part of its monthly rotating pizza program. April’s offerings include a vegetarian pie with snap peas, garlic cream, pistachio pesto, burrata, mozzarella and mint; and a roasted chicken pie with local kale, Tuscan pecorino, mozzarella and vodka sauce. The pizzas are available Fridays and Saturdays by online preorder only, 4:30-8:30 p.m. (must be ordered before 3 p.m. for same-day pickup). 5525 La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock. wayfarerbread.com

Arts + Culture

New Exhibits at Mingei International Museum

Open April 8. Showcasing historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design, the remodeled Mingei International Museum opens two new exhibitions on Friday. FOLD, TWIST, TIE: Paper Bag Hats by Moses is a whimsical collection of grandly titled hats made from paper bags by self-taught artist Moses. Niki & Mingei features furniture and furnishings with playful twists—created by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle—that transform them into functional sculptures. Think: a colorful vase with acrobatic legs (pictured). See website for hours and admission info. 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0003. mingei.org

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Reopens April 9. After closing four years ago to under a $105 million expansion, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) reopens its flagship La Jolla campus. Having doubled in size to 104,400 square feet, the renovated museum offers four times more gallery space than before. Explore two floors of exhibits (Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1960s opens Saturday); plus a public park and new oceanfront terraces. The building will be named after longtime supporters Joan and Irwin Jacobs. See website for hours and admission info. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541. mcasd.org

North Coast Rep’s An Iliad

Closes April 10. Catch An Iliad before it closes! Homer’s ancient Greek poem set during the Trojan War is masterfully staged in North Coast Rep’s adaptation. Written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, translated by Robert Fagles and directed by David Allenstein, the one-man production stars Richard Baird (pictured), who portrays multiple characters across a gripping 100-minute play. Among them: a poet who recalls the Trojan’s War’s savage battles, warriors and the human cost of war over the centuries. See website for showtimes. $49. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org

Photo credits: La Valencia by Nathan Concepcion. North Coast Rep by Aaron Rumley. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.