San Diego

Weekend roundup

January 19-22

Events

Oceanside Sunset Market’s Mardi Gras Night

Jan. 19. Oceanside’s popular seaside market comprises four city blocks and 200 merchants—including artisanal food vendors, international street food, eclectic shopping, art, kids’ activities and live music. Shop for gifts, fashion accessories and home wares at World Marketplace; and sample gourmet cuisine from around the world, including Latin American, African, Middle Eastern, Asian/Pacific and Jamaican. The year-round event takes place every Thursday; this week is Mardi Gras Night, with live zydeco music and free Mardi Gras masks to the first 100 booth visitors. 5-9 p.m. Free entry. Along Pier View Way Oceanside. More Info

S.D. Lunar New Year Festival

Jan. 20-22. Head to Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park for an ethnically diverse, culturally rich, family-friendly weekend celebrating the Lunar New Year. Festivities include arts and cultural exhibitions; live music; lion dances and folk dragon streamers; traditional dance performances; myriad food vendors; a pho-eating contest; oracle readings; a traditional costume contest for children; free balloons and light-up toys for kids; and much more. F 5-10 p.m.; Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission; pets welcome; and parking available at Rosa Parks Elementary School. 4455 Wightman St., City Heights. More Info

Chinese New Year Festival at Balboa Park

Jan. 21-22. Celebrate the “Year of the Rabbit” at the 2023 Chinese New Year Festival at Balboa Park’s International Cottages. Presented by House of China, the festival includes cultural performances, Chinese cuisine, crafts, calligraphy and more. Event highlights include performances by the Fan Dance Academy, Huaxia: Chinese Crosstalk, House of China Queen and North San Diego String Ensembles; appearances by the Huang Wu Golden Dragon; the legendary Lion Dance; and Chinese youth fashion shows. See website for full schedule. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entry. 2191 Pan American Road W., Balboa Park. More Info

Compass Hot-Air Balloon Tours 

Ongoing. Soar over San Diego at sunset with a hot-air balloon ride with Compass Balloons. Its private and semi-private tours (up to 10 people) take you up and over the beachfront and coastal canyons of Del Mar, and the rolling hills and luxury real estate of Rancho Santa Fe—with likely glimpses of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and Palomar Mountain in the distance. Tours last three hours and 30 minutes and include Champagne, cheese, fruit, water, soda and plenty of photo opportunities. Starting at $300 per person. 1969 Villa Cardiff Drive, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 760.704.7407. compassballoons.com

San Diego Sailing Tours

Ongoing. Ready to set sail? During the height of whale-watching season (which is right now!), San Diego is best explored by sea. Indulge in a coastal adventure by booking a private tour of the bay aboard a classic sailing yacht via San Diego Sailing Tours. Packages can be customized and range from a two-hour daytime sail, to a fully catered sunset cruise for two, to a private charter for up to six guests; plus packages for larger groups. The experience comes complete with your own captain, beverages and snacks. Cabrillo Isle Marina, 1450 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 619.786.0173. sandiegosailingtours.com

Food + Drink

The Blind Burro’s 10th Anniversary

Jan. 19. Known for its Baja-focused, house-made Mexican fare and laid-back atmosphere, The Blind Burro is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a party … and you’re invited. Patrons are welcome to take pictures in the photo booth; enjoy live music by DJ Victor Santana; and dine and imbibe. Menu hits include a wide assortment of Baja-style tacos, such as the surf ‘n’ turf, cilantro-lime grilled shrimp, and coffee-rubbed salmon; specialties like the Burro-ito Barbacoa; and craft margaritas. Doors open at 7 p.m. 639 J St., East Village, 619.795.7880. theblindburro.com

Happy Hour Specials at Sandpiper

Now Available. Sandpiper Wood-Fired Grill & Oysters—La Jolla Shores’ popular neighborhood restaurant—has boosted its happy hour with some enticing offers. Get $4 off the regular menu price of wines by the glass, draft beers, specialty cocktails and well drinks. Food deals include $4 Baja fish tacos and a half-dozen Blue Devil oysters for $12; plus wings, meatballs and other bites. And as usual, get a dozen oysters on the house when you buy a bottle of Champagne. Available W-Su 4-5:30 p.m. 2259 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, 858.228.5655. sandpipersd.com

Arts + Culture

Disney’s Frozen Broadway Musical

Through Jan. 29. As part of its North American tour, the Tony-nominated “Best Musical” stops at the Civic Theatre for a stint, presented by Broadway San Diego. Based on the Oscar-winning animated Disney film, Frozen takes us to a freezing-cold world where winter just won’t end—leaving the fearless Anna to set out to find her sister, Snow Queen Elsa, and break her icy spell to save their kingdom. The musical features popular songs from the movie; along with stunning sets, costumes and special effects. See website for showtimes and tickets. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com

The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci

Opens Jan. 21. Perhaps best known for his painting, the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci was much more multifaceted than history sometimes credits him. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci opens at The Old Globe on Saturday (running through Feb. 26). Adapted and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, this enthralling play takes us inside the genius, pondering mind of the High Renaissance polymath, based entirely on his own notebooks—featuring a chameleon-like cast of “Leonardos.” See website for showtimes and tickets. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org

California Surf Museum

Open. This surfing-lover’s haven is stocked with surfboards, surf art, photographs, videos, memorabilia, surfing equipment and literature that capture and celebrate the surfing lifestyle and sport. Don’t miss the exhibit Let’s Boogie! Tom Morey and the Evolution of the Boogie Board, which spotlights the history of the flexible piece of foam that became known as the “boogie board,” dating back to the early 1970s; and Courageous Inspiration, the story of Bethany Hamilton (pictured) losing her arm to a tiger shark while surfing in Kauai. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.721.6876. surfmuseum.org

Photo credits: Frozen by Deen van Meer. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (a previous production at Goodman Theatre is pictured) by Liz Lauren / courtesy The Old Globe. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.

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