Rooftop movie screenings, new rides at Belmont Park, wine and beer festivals, and much more… Check out the top San Diego weekend events for April 4-7.
Edited by Jordan Fraser.
EVENTS
April 4. America’s preeminent progressive rock band stops in San Diego to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its hit album Point of Know Return. The tour showcases more than two hours of classic Kansas music including hit songs, deep cuts and fan favorites, and for the first time in history, the band will perform the album in its entirety. 8 p.m. $49.50+. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
April 4-6. Enjoy screenings of Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star Is Born and The Greatest Showman under the San Diego sky. Grab a cocktail or craft beer with your popcorn at the concession stand before the movie starts or head over early for one of the Manchester Grand Hyatt’s on-site dining options like Top of the Hyatt lounge or Sally’s Fish House & Bar. 18+. $17 for a single lounge seat, $20 for a single lounge seat along with bottomless popcorn, and $24 for two people to share a double love seat with bottomless popcorn for both. Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, downtown. rooftopcinemaclub.com
April 6-7. The country’s top competitive rowers gather at Mission Bay for a grueling two-day competition. Now in its 46th year, this regatta includes collegiate, junior and masters races. Plus, enjoy special events and a VIP experience that includes mingling with the athletes. See website for schedule and ticket prices. Crown Point Shores Park, Mission Bay. crewclassic.org
April 6. Come one, come all to the fourth annual festival at scenic Marina Park North featuring more than 200 wines from around the globe. Expect a Champagne bar, local ciders, gourmet food trucks, lawn games, a live DJ and a fun atmosphere to sip and savor with friends while supporting local non-profit Urban Surf 4 Kids. 21+. 1-5 p.m. $60-$70. Embarcadero Marina North Park, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. uncorkedwinefestivals.com
April 7. Held annually in downtown San Diego, this bike festival features a mass-start, timed Gran Fondo (Italian for Big Ride) with four route options of varying distances for cyclists of all levels. The finish-line celebration includes live music, guest speakers, an Italian pasta feast, beer garden and more. Ride begins 7:15 a.m. $29-$130. 1747 India St., Little Italy. sdgranfondo.com
Now Open. The historic beachfront amusement park ushers in spring with two new rides including a new spin on the beloved Tilt-A-Whirl to honor the 20th anniversary of Sweet Shoppe, Belmont Park’s nostalgic ice cream shop. Ride in one of seven ice cream cone pods that rotate on individual tracks and are mounted on a rotating platform. Also find thrills in the new space-themed adrenaline drop ride Zero Gravity which features a circular gondola that rises, twists and drops for a true weightless thrill. M-Th 11 a.m.-9 p.m., F-Su 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach. belmontpark.com
FOOD + DRINK
Available April 5. Crafted by co-founder and head ice cream maker Tyler Malek, the April Flowers series features a vibrant variety of flower-inspired flavors perfect for spring. Highlights include rhubarb crumble with toasted anise, wildflower honey with ricotta walnut lace cookies, and orange blossom sorbet with edible flowers. 1670 India St., Little Italy, 619.542.9394; 3705 Caminito Court, Suite 0580, Del Mar, 858.345.1792. saltandstraw.com
April 5. Your favorite pizzeria from college is teaming up with Stone Brewing to create the ultimate pizza and beer experience. The pairing dinner includes a variety of Stone brews and classic Woodstock’s eats, such as the Moxee Gold IPA paired with the Pesto Primavera pizza topped with broccoli, artichoke hearts, sliced red onions and fresh tomatoes, and the Arrogant Bastard Ale paired with the Boardwalk pizza covered with pepperoni, sausage, freshly sliced bell peppers, onions and mushrooms. Plus, Stone’s beer experts will be on-site to share their insights. 7 p.m. $20. Woodstock’s Pizza, 1221 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.642.6900. woodstockspb.com
April 7. Just in time for National Beer Day, the beachside beer house is relaunching its brewery with the addition of new head brewer, Dan Enjem, who brings with him more than 10 years of brewing experience and a passion for IPAs. Celebrate at the Craft Beer Launch Party with $3 AleHouse Drafts and $5 AleHouse Flights. 3-7 p.m. 721 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.581.2337. pbalehouse.com
Through April 12. Kids eat free during spring break with the purchase of one entree at the Carlsbad burger hub. The fresh and flavorful menu is made with locally sourced produce and includes sizable craft burgers, sandwiches, salads and craft beers. Kid-approved bites include the quarter-pound Belby Burger, Gooby’s Grilled Cheese, and mac and cheese. 6955 El Camino Real, Suite 107, Carlsbad, 760.431.2929. notoriousburgers.com
Now Available. It’s perfect weather for brunch on the 11th floor with ocean views, and Cusp takes it one step further by adding a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar to its weekend brunch. Accouterments include a variety of garnishes, including black cherries, olives, citrus, dill pickles pickled vegetables and more, as well as a selection of flavored house salts, like sriracha and Thai ginger, and various hot sauces to spice up your custom creation. Sa-Su 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Hotel La Jolla, 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla. cusprestaurant.com
Now Open. Located at Kilroy Sabre Springs and an homage to San Diego swimming legend Florence Chadwick, The Florence transforms the office park into a culinary destination. The space includes a two-acre outdoor space complete with intimate fire pits, a regulation-sized bocce ball court, while the menu features a creative and fresh spin on seafood and farmers’ market-inspired dishes. M-F 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 13480 Evening Creek Drive North, Suite 150, San Diego, 858.433.1545. theflorencesd.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Through May 5. Cirque du Soleil tackles the worlds of BMX, street sports and acrobatics in this high-octane production. Riders will jump boxes, perform air tricks, leap off ramps, and crisscross and spin their bikes midair. Driven by a stirring score and inspired by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, at its heart, Volta is a story of transformation, which comes to life with a steep ever-evolving stage. See website for show times and ticket prices. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. cirquedusoleil.com
Opens April 6. This West Coast premiere tells the true story of Jerrie Cobb, a skilled aviator who trained at NASA to become an astronaut in 1960, and the many forces that kept her from reaching orbit despite rigorous physical and psychological testing. See website for show times and ticket prices. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage at The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Photos: Crew Classic Regatta courtesy San Diego Crew Classic. Belmont Park courtesy C3 Public Relations. Bloody Mary Bar courtesy Nth Element. Cirque du Soleil by Matt Beard. Diana by little tang. gran fondo courtesy gran fondo. Kansas by Emily Butler. Notorious Burger courtesy Katalyst PR. Pacific Beach AleHouse courtesy Alternative Strategies. Rooftop Cinema courtesy Scott Yoffe Communications. Salt and Straw April Flowers Series courtesy Salt and Straw. The Florence courtesy Crowe PR. They Promised Her The Moon by Jim Cox. Uncorked courtesy Uncorked Wine Festival. Woodstock’s Beer and Pizza Pairing courtesy Alternative Strategies.
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