With sandy shores and dramatic cliff formations along the coast and gently rolling hills and valleys leading to mile-high mountain ranges, San Diego’s North County beckons visitors each summer with picturesque landscapes and a bevy of fun and festive activities.
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From world-class horse racing and a county fair packed with fried foods in every conceivable form, to al fresco movies at an award-winning brewery, San Diego’s North County offers something for everyone during the summer season.

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FESTIVALS AND FAIRS

• The San Diego County Fair takes place June 8 – July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This year’s theme, “Out of This World,” celebrates the exploration of outer space — the wonder of the universe, as well as the fun and imaginative world of science fiction and visitors from other planets.  The Fair is the largest annual event in the County and features top performing artists and popular attractions like the International Beer Festival, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking and an award-winning flower show.
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• San Diego North County celebrates Independence Day with a variety of Fourth of July celebrations. La Jolla’s popular 4th of July gathering features spectacular fireworks over La Jolla Cove beginning at 9:00 p.m. LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad celebrates July 4th with Red, White and BOOM! Special family activities are available throughout the day with the fireworks starting at 8:30 p.m.
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• The seaside city of Encinitas is known for its vintage surf culture, but the feeling of stepping back in time comes to life even more vibrantly on the third Thursdays of June, July and August during Encinitas’s Classic Car Nights. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., visitors can stroll along historic Highway 101 between D and J Streets to view hot rods, Woodies and other classic and vintage cars and listen to live music. 

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FAMILY FUN AT ATTRACTIONS

• Guests can enjoy a Summer Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park from June 30 through August 19 for unique viewing opportunities of exotic wildlife like a cheetah sprinting just seven feet away from them. This festive summer celebration also includes interactive drumming and puppet performances and acrobats who entertain guests throughout the day.
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• This summer, LEGOLAND California® in Carlsbad unveils their new adventure ride, Pirate Reef, where guest can board rival pirate ships and battle one another with splashing water cannons. The park has also expanded its popular STAR WARS Miniland, which now features seven live-action LEGO displays of memorable scenes from the classic Star Wars movies, along with three life-size LEGO models of its famous characters.

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FOR THE SPORTING SET

• The "turf meets the surf" at the Del Mar Racetrack where fans flock each summer to wager on their favorite horses during the popular, annual Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing season, July 18 – September 5.  The races run five days weekly, except Monday and Tuesday; every Friday, guests can catch 4 O'Clock Fridays, a free headliner concert following the day's last race.  On August 26, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic treats guests to a prestigious event with a race between the nation's top thoroughbreds for a $1 million purse.
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• On August 18 – 19, the 36th Annual World Bodysurfing Championships showcases international and U.S. bodysurfers competing to be "the world's best." The event takes place at the Oceanside Pier and Beach.
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• On September 9, over 2,000 swimmers will participate in the 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 and has been a summertime tradition since 1916.

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CELEBRATE THE ARTS AND DINING

• During the Annual Green Flash Concert Series, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla offers a unique summertime experience with live music and spectacular ocean sunsets. The concerts occur on the third Wednesday of every month during May through September on the aquarium's stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza and include food, drinks and a sophisticated mix of national performers.  Concerts take place 6 – 9 p.m.; guests must be 21 years and older.
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• Every Wednesday from June 6 to August 29, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido hosts Stone Late Night Movies, showing movies on a 12-foot screen in the brewery's gardens. Guests bring lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a night of classic cinema, snacks and award-winning local craft beer.
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• The 26th Annual La Jolla Festival of Arts and Food Fair, June 23 – 24, hosts 200 award-winning local and national artists displaying paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and more. Guests can also enjoy a variety of cuisines in the festival's food area, listen to live entertainment and visit the children's area featuring interactive booths, hands-on games and activities.
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• The world's largest gathering of fashion film professionals meets July 26-28 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego−La Jolla to attend the La Jolla Fashion Film Festival. Top fashion film directors, producers and filmmakers from around the world join the public in nightly screenings, after parties, seminars, art installations and more.
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• During July 31 – August 24, the La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2012  features over 70 world-class, classical artists and ensembles performing 17 diverse concerts.
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• The coastal city of Encinitas hosts Summer Concerts by the Sea on select Sundays in July and August. The family friendly outdoor concerts take place on the sands of Moonlight Beach and feature artists in a variety of styles, ranging from blues and soul to funk and reggae.

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Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212. 

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