Events
Weekend Fun at Del Mar Racetrack
Aug. 29-31. Take your pick of Labor Day Weekend fun at Del Mar Racetrack. Highlights include: “Turf Club Fridays,” when patrons can access the exclusive Turf Club without a membership; the $1 million Grade I Pacific Classic on Saturday (Aug. 30), with the race’s winner receiving an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup; and Family Fun Day on Sunday, when the kiddos can enjoy bungee trampolines, rock-climbing walls, face painting, food trucks and more. See website for details and tickets. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141. dmtc.com
Holo Holo Music Festival at Petco Park
Aug. 30-31. Head to Gallagher Square at Petco Park for two days of Polynesian, Hawaiian and reggae music at this uplifting traveling festival. (“Holo Holo” means “to travel, to sail, to move.”) The lineup of musicians includes J Boog, The Green, Tribal Theory, Johnny Suite and Josh Tatofi on Saturday; and Common Kings, Wyclef Jean (pictured), Oohklah The Moc, DJ Noiz and Kennyon Brown on Sunday; plus many more; as well as food vendors and libations. See website for daily schedule and ticket pricing. 840 K St., East Village. Details
“Escape” Pool Party at Andaz Hotel
Aug. 30. Andaz San Diego Hotel hosts a splashy Labor Day Weekend bash on its pool rooftop: Escape, featuring “high vibes, surprises and world-class music.” Enjoy live DJ music, including headliner Murphi Kennedy; signature drinks such as the Frozen Pina Colada, Mango Madness, Red Devil, Party Punch and Paloma; food specials from flatbreads to burgers, sliders and wings; VIP tables and private cabanas (pending availability); and plenty of people-watching. Dress in your pool party best. 2-7 p.m. See website for pricing. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter. Details
“Pier Pressure” Mega Yacht Party
Aug. 31. Celebrate Labor Day Weekend aboard the “Inspiration” mega yacht, which has hosted SoCal’s biggest yacht party for 14 years. The celebration includes entertainment across the 1,200-person-capacity vessel’s three decks and two areas of music—with performances by four DJs, including Scooter and XOXO. Guests can take advantage of fully stocked and staffed bars (bottle service and VIP packages available); while dancing and taking in bay and city views. 4-8 p.m. (check-in at 3:30 p.m.). See website for pricing. 1800 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. Details
Oceanside Pier Labor Day Swim
Sept. 1. Dive in if you dare! Hosted by the Oceanside Masters Swim Club, this 96th annual event (aka the Labor Day Pier Swim) returns. Started in 1929, the tradition entails a one-mile swim around the landmark Oceanside Pier—first built in 1888 and standing at 1,954 feet long—with swimmers racing toward the finish line in the sand. Register online in advance; open to all ages. Check-ins begin at 7 a.m; start times (which are staggered) begin at 8:30 a.m. $88 entry fee (includes a cap and T-shirt). See website for parking tips. The Strand, Oceanside. Details
Food + Drink
“Bayside Brews & BBQ” at SeaWorld
Aug. 29-Sept. 1. SeaWorld San Diego’s “Bayside Brews & BBQ” experience spotlights more than 60 local craft beers; along with barbecue dishes by executive chef Zuric Ramirez and his team. Sample pork belly bites with bourbon barbecue sauce; loaded onion rings with brisket; loaded baked potatoes; Frito pie; Santa Maria tri-tip sandwiches; tri-tip white mac ‘n’ cheese (pictured); savory and sweet crepes; Boba beer floats; and more. See website for park hours and admission info. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732. seaworld.com
Mastro’s Ocean Club San Diego
Now Open. Taking over the former Del Frisco’s space at Intercontinental San Diego downtown, Mastro’s Ocean Club San Diego has opened across from San Diego Bay. Offering glass-enclosed indoor dining and an outdoor patio looking out to the Embarcadero, Mastro’s offers fine-dining service, ambiance and cuisine—spanning Prime steaks and Japanese A5 wagyu; sushi and seafood from jumbo lump crab cakes to caviar-topped oysters; and signature cocktails. See website for reservations. 901 Bayfront Court, Suite 105, Embarcadero, 619.272.5060. More Info
The Henry at The Forum Carlsbad
Now Open. With a popular location in Coronado, Fox Restaurant Concepts (Culinary Dropout, Blanco, Flower Child) opens its second S.D. County location of The Henry. The neighborhood-style restaurant offer all-day dining with classic morning dishes for breakfast; sushi, salads, and entrees like Scottish Salmon and roasted chicken and frites for lunch and dinner; and desserts such as warm croissant bread pudding; plus craft cocktails and weekend brunch. See website for hours. The Forum Carlsbad, 1935 Calle Barcelona, Suite 170, Carlsbad. More Info
Arts + Culture
Tchaikovsky Spectacular at The Rady Shell
Aug. 30. The San Diego Symphony presents one of its most popular annual concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. The repertoire includes several of Tchaikovsky’s famous works; as well as Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring guest pianist Kiron Atom Tellian; with Stephanie Childress as guest conductor. The evening finishes with Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture and a pyrotechnic display over the bay. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero, 619.235.0804. theshell.org
Oceanside Museum of Art: Fabulous Fiber
Now On View. The Oceanside Museum of Art presents Fabulous Fiber, on view through Nov. 2. The exhibit comprises pieces by SoCal artists that meld contemporary artworks and tactile creations with time-honored techniques—including beading, weaving, crochet, quilting, tufting, embroidery, felting a and basketry. (Pictured: “Squeezed” by artist Serena Brooks, 2019; commercial and hand-dyed fabrics; machine pieced and quilted.) See website for museum hours and admission info. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.435.3720. oma-online.org
The Rady Shell by Gary Payne. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
