San Diego’s North County is a popular vacation destination that delights visitors with a variety of special events throughout the year.
San Diego’s North County is a popular vacation destination that delights visitors with a variety of special events throughout the year. From an annual PGA men’s tour golf tournament in the winter to the popular San Diego County Fair in the summer, visitors to San Diego’s North County can find an extraordinary range of sporting events, colorful street festivals and fairs, holiday celebrations and more.
For up-to-the-minute event listings throughout the San Diego region, visit www.sandiego.org/eventcalendar.
JANUARY
Jan. 15-20
San Diego Restaurant Week
More than 180 of San Diego’s finest restaurants, located throughout San Diego County, participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus.
Jan. 22
Carlsbad San Diego Marathon and Half-Marathon
The second-oldest marathon on the U.S. West Coast also features a Kids’ Marathon Mile the day before the big race, as well as a Health and Fitness Expo.
Jan. 23-29
Farmers Insurance Open
The annual PGA Tour men’s golf tournament is played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 U.S. Open.
MARCH
March–May
Flower Fields Ranunculus Season
Fifty acres of beautiful Tecolote Giant Ranunculus come into bloom every spring at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
Mar. 31
Ford California Half-Ironman Triathlon
Athletes from all over the world swim 1.2 miles in Oceanside Harbor, bike 56 miles through Camp Pendleton and run 13.1 miles back to the finish line at Oceanside Pier in Oceanside.
APRIL
Apr. 1
La Jolla Concours D’Elegance Motor Car Classic
Paying tribute to some of the world's finest automobiles, the Motor Car Classic highlights over 30 juried classes of automobiles; vintage auto aficionados and collectors compete against the best vehicles in automotive history.
Apr. 15
Fallbrook Avocado Festival
Since the 1960s, tens of thousands of avocado lovers converge in Fallbrook to sample avocados, check-out the crazy cooking contest entries, buy funky avocado-themed gifts and enjoy bands, live entertainment and friendly beer gardens.
Apr. 19–May 6
Annual Del Mar National Horse Show
The most prestigious horse show in Southern California offers more than $300,000 in prize money and attracts more than 3,000 horses to the equestrian complex at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in coastal Del Mar.
MAY
May 6
Carlsbad Spring Village Faire
One of the largest one-day street fairs in California features hundreds of exhibitors, international food and children's rides in the downtown village of Carlsbad.
JUNE
June 8–Jul. 4
San Diego County Fair
The annual county fair features outlandish foods, garden shows, livestock tents and a midway complete with carnival rides and concerts, held throughout the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in oceanfront Del Mar.
June 23-24
Annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts
Held on the University of California, San Diego campus in La Jolla, the event includes award-winning artists, gourmet cuisine, contemporary music and entertainment.
JULY
Jul. 18–Sep. 5
Del Mar Racing
Horses and fans alike meet for live thoroughbred racing five days a week at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in oceanfront Del Mar.
Jul. 31–Aug. 24
SummerFest 2012
The La Jolla Music Society presents classical and new compositions with renowned artists and ensembles from around the world, held at various locations in La Jolla and San Diego.
AUGUST
Aug. 18 & 19
36th Annual World Body Surfing Championships
International and U.S. body surfers compete at the Oceanside Pier and Beach in Oceanside.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 9
La Jolla Rough Water Swim
The largest rough-water swimming competition in the U.S. takes place at picturesque La Jolla Cove in La Jolla.
Sept. 16-21
San Diego Restaurant Week
More than 180 of San Diego’s finest restaurants, located throughout San Diego County, participate in a celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixed menus.
OCTOBER
Oct. 12-14
MCAS Miramar Air Show
An award-winning, world-class air show features the best military and civilian pilots in the world, including the U.S. Navy’s famous Blue Angels.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 22–Jan. 1
Holiday of Lights at Del Mar
The public is invited to drive their cars around the infield racetrack of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar to view more than 350 dazzling holiday light displays.
DECEMBER
Dec. 2
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Marching bands, floats, equestrians, vintage automobiles and more parade down the streets of La Jolla. The parade ends with a holiday festival featuring craft booths, carnival rides, food, entertainment and a tree lighting ceremony.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org, or call (619) 236-1212.
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11/11
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Fall is here but the summertime sun and weather remains! So pack a bag and get ready to soak up some SoCal fun and sun, right here on the Pacific coast with 15% off our Best Available Rates on select...
The PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open is played annually at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 & 2021 U.S. Open. Mark your calendars now, because one of San...
Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for another incredible year, the family favorite features the songs...
