Events

Gator By The Bay

May 9-12. With 100-plus performances across seven stages, the Gator By The Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival returns to Spanish Landing Park. The 21st annual festival is quite the party—with a music lineup that spans four days of live zydeco, blues, roots, Creole and Cajun, rockabilly, salsa and New Orleans jazz. (Wear your dancing shoes.) Oh, and the food: Indulge in Louisiana-themed fare, including 10,000 pounds of crawfish, beignets, jambalaya and a chef-led gumbo cook-off; plus craft beer and cocktails. See website for daily schedule and tickets. 3900 N. Harbor Drive, downtown. gatorbythebay.com

Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival

May 10-12. It’s hands down the biggest music festival to ever take over San Diego’s downtown waterfront. Wonderfront spans multiple venues—including Seaport Village, Ruocco Park and Embarcadero Marina Park North. (Water taxis and Old Town Trolleys will be standing by to take guests from one venue to the next.) More than 80 bands and musicians will perform across nine stages‚ with headliners including Kaytranada, JID, T-Pain, Weezer (pictured), Dominic Fike, Beck, Mt. Joy Carly Rae Jepsen and The Roots. See website for full schedule and tickets (which are going fast!). wonderfrontfestival.com

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

Closes May 12. A springtime tradition for the last 60 years, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch—whose theme this year is “Spring Into Color”—closes for the season after this Sunday. Don’t miss your chance to take in 70 million flowers, namely the ranch’s famous, double-petaled Giant Tecolote Ranunculus, which are in their final blooms across 55 acres. The property also offers a sweet pea maze, tractor wagon rides and onsite refreshments. See website for hours and tickets (which must be purchased online in advance). 5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad. theflowerfields.com

Space Odyssey Month at The Sky Deck

Through May 31. The Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center has launched Space Odyssey Month—comprising weekly events, food and drink specials, and space-themed menu items at its eateries and bars. Sample the Milky Way Martini and Lunar Lemon Roll from Glass Box; the Martian Margarita and Twilight Tacos from Urbana; the Orion’s Old Fashioned and Meteor Melt Burger from Craft House; and more. This Saturday, enjoy live music on the Brewers Deck (1-4 p.m.). See website for all offerings and events. 12925 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.793.5757. More Info

Food + Drink

Mother’s Day Weekend Dining at STK

May 10-12. The Gaslamp’s STK Steakhouse is offering a Mother’s Day “Roses & Rosé” brunch menu available on Sunday. Treat Mom to lobster Benedict, the Dungeness crab omelet, hot chicken ‘n’ waffles and more; plus specialty brunch cocktails and rosé specials such as the Chandon Brut Rosé for $10 per glass. And every Mom gets a complimentary rose. Or come for dinner and order dishes like slow-roasted prime rib and Parmesan-crusted sole from the “Spring Features” menu (available Friday through Sunday). See website for hours and reservations. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.354.5988. stksteakhouse.com

Mother’s Day Brunch at Hotel del Coronado

May 12. The iconic seaside resort is hosting myriad Mother’s Day activities, but our favorite would have to be brunch in the Southpointe Ballroom. Enjoy a lavish brunch of international dishes, a chilled seafood bar, salad station, pasta station, Butcher’s Block carving station featuring roasted lamb shoulder and fish, a grand dessert display and a glass of Champagne. Afterwards, we suggest a stroll along Coronado Beach to walk off a few calories. Reservations are required. Beginning at 10 a.m. $185 adults; $95 kids ages 4-12. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com

Mother’s Day Brunch at Rancho Valencia

May 12. Make Mother’s Day a family affair with some fun in the sun at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Indulge in a lavish buffet that includes a generous raw bar, carving stations, spring salads, a dessert bar and brunch libations—from Bellinis to Bloody Marys. Meanwhile, the kiddos can visit the petting zoo; sharpen their art skills at the crafting table, where they can make gifts for Mom; and enjoy pony rides on the lawn. Call for reservations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $225 adults; $95 kids ages 4-12. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.759.6246. ranchovalencia.com

Mother’s Day Tea at The Westgate Hotel

Through May 12. Blend some quality time with Mom with a little high-tea time this weekend at one of the city’s most elegant hotels. The Westgate Hotel is offering a special Mother’s Day Tea service through Sunday in its Grand Lobby. Choose from an array of gourmet teas; plus a glass of Champagne, petite sandwiches, scones and pastries; along with a special take-home gift—all while enjoying music by a live harpist. See website for required reservations and parking info. 1-5 p.m. $74 adults; $39 kids ages 2-12. 1055 Second Ave., downtown, 619.238.1818. westgatehotel.com

New Hot Dog Menu at Coin-Op North Park

Now Available. Calling all hot dog lovers! Coin-Op Game Room in North Park has launched a new menu devoted to you. “The Wieners” menu includes the bacon-wrapped TJ Dog; the Veggie Dog with Italian hot vegetarian sausage; the Chili Cheese Dog; the classic all-beef ‘Merica Dog; the Chicago Dog; and the NY Dog. (There’s also a Buffalo Chicken Dog made with chicken tenders.) Wash ‘em down with a Coin-Op cocktail like the Lavish Lair or Brick Ross; plus slushies, shooters and craft beer. See website for hours (21+). 3926 30th St., North Park, 619.255.8523. More Info

Arts + Culture

New Exhibits at MOPA@SDMA

Now Open. Take your pick of three new exhibits at MOPA@SDMA (Museum of Photographic Arts, now housed inside The San Diego Museum of Art). On view through Aug. 4, Picture This: Recent Acquisitions spotlights genres from portraiture to abstraction to modernism. Through Aug. 18, Storyteller: Work by Holly Roberts showcases the mixed-media works of Holly Roberts. Get to know Cara Romero—a citizen of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe who was raised between the reservation in the Mojave Desert and Houston—in The Artist Speaks: Cara Romero, through Oct. 20. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. mopa.org

Photo credits: Wonderfront Festival / Weezer by Sean Murphy. MOPA@SDMA (pictured: “Gikendaaso” by Cara Romero) is courtesy of the artist and museum. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.