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In this Issue

Hey San Diego—That corpse flower at the San Diego Botanic Garden? It's about to bloom for the first time and it only lasts for two days! While you're waiting for nature's rare show in Encinitas, Labor Day weekend serves up French Market treats, Barona Powwow's traditional dancers, and the Symphony's 1812 Overture fireworks over the bay. Plus stickball takes over Little Italy and Normal Heights throws its biggest block party of the year. Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

PS - This weekly update goes out to folks who registered through our Facebook promotion for local events. If these messages are no longer a fit, there’s a simple opt-out link in the footer—one tap and delivery stops right away. Thanks for giving us a look!

The Events

🇫🇷 French Market Aug 29 (Alliance Française San Diego) – Food, wine, music, and artisan vendors bring a Parisian touch to Balboa Park.

🛍 San Diego Made Summer Market Aug 30–31 (Liberty Station) – 120+ local makers, live music, food trucks, and beer garden all weekend.

🪶 53rd Annual Barona Powwow Aug 30–Sept 1 (Barona Reservation) – Native American dancers, drummers, and artisans gather for three days of culture, food, and competition.

🎶 Tchaikovsky Spectacular Aug 30 (The Shell) – San Diego Symphony lights up the bay with Tchaikovsky favorites and fireworks in a summer tradition.

🎉 Mi Gente Block Party Aug 31 (Normal Heights) – Street festival of music, art, food, and community celebrating San Diego’s Latino culture.

⚾ Little Italy Stickball Tournament Aug 31–Sept 1 – Stickball teams battle in the streets, keeping a New York tradition alive in San Diego’s Little Italy.

*None of the events listed here are sponsored. I’ll always let you know if they are…

The Food

🥑 Mesa Agrícola Opening (Escondido) – Farm-to-table Mexican kitchen led by Chef Jose Juarez serves guisados, tacos, and bold flavors from locally sourced produce.

The Upcoming Events

🌺 Corpse Flower Bloom Early Sept (San Diego Botanic Garden) – Rare titan arum is about to open, releasing its legendary foul odor for just 48 hours.

The Hike of the Week

🥾 Hike of the Week – Los Peñasquitos Canyon
This urban oasis blends history and nature: shaded trails, year-round creek, and a small waterfall near the circa 1823 Ruiz Adobe museum. (~7 miles RT, 2–3 hrs, easy, family-friendly). Trail guide »

The Local - Places to See

🌉 Goat Canyon Trestle
Hidden in Carrizo Gorge, the Goat Canyon Trestle is the world’s largest curved wooden trestle, built in 1932 on San Diego’s “impossible railroad” to replace a tunnel ruined in a landslide. This video by Oddity Odysseys (the same couple who explored Spruce Street Bridge) reveals the trestle at the 17-minute mark, a breathtaking relic of backcountry engineering tucked into the desert. Watch the video »

The Views

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

San Diego Trivia - Did you know?

What year did San Diego set aside the land that became Balboa Park, making it one of the oldest urban parks in the U.S.?

A) 1835
B) 1868
C) 1885
D) 1915

See the answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

The Weather

City of San Diego – Lindbergh Field
Friday: high 85°F, low 66°F ⛅
Saturday: high 83°F, low 65°F ⛅
Sunday: high 81°F, low 67°F ⛅

North County Coastal – Encinitas
Friday: high 86°F, low 64°F ⛅
Saturday: high 84°F, low 66°F ⛅
Sunday: high 82°F, low 62°F ⛅

North County Inland – Escondido
Friday: high 91°F, low 65°F ☀
Saturday: high 94°F, low 71°F ☀
Sunday: high 96°F, low 70°F ☀

Mountains – Julian
Friday: high 84°F, low 58°F ⛅
Saturday: high 89°F, low 59°F ⛅
Sunday: high 89°F, low 62°F ⛅

Desert – Borrego Springs
Friday: high 89°F, low 62°F ⛅
Saturday: high 93°F, low 64°F ⛅
Sunday: high 94°F, low 65°F ⛅

The Music

Friday 8/29

Duke's La Jolla – Kevin Ryan – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Moonlight Miles – Mission Bay – 4-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Sarah & Rob – Encinitas – 5-7:30pm
Mission Bay Resort – Hank Easton – Mission Bay – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Jordan Whitlock – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – Lisa Dilk & the Dudes – Poway – 5-8pm
The Camp Store – Novocaine – South Carlsbad – 5:30-8:30pm
Panama 66 – Aaron Lind Organ Trio – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs – Dolly's Revenge – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Windmill Food Hall – Stuart Whiteworth – Carlsbad – 6-8pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Halo Effect – Wynola – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Central Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Austin Burns – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – The juke$ – San Marcos – 6-9pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Carlsbad – Rob Weber & Deena Haala – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Casey Turner – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Adam Bergoch – Oceanside – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – Nathan Welden – San Diego – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Fercho – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
The Galley at the Marina – Groove Therapy – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine – Adam Wolff ft. Phineas Leevy – Mira Mesa – 6:30-8:30pm
Négociant Winery – Don L. – Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
American Legion Post 282 – Upfront Band – La Mesa – 6:30-9:30pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: Jon, Dave, Courtney, Eric, James – San Diego – 6:30-9:30pm
Kimball's Coastal Eatery – Latin Sol – National City – 6:30-10:30pm
Eddie V's Prime Seafood – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina – 6:30-10:30pm
Deft Brewing – The Water Spots – San Diego – 7-9:30pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Perfect Blend Duo – Carlsbad Village – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Jeff Moore – Leucadia – 7-10pm
Mission Avenue Bar & Grill – Boon and Kiel – Oceanside – 7-10pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Glenn Fisher’s School of Rock Band – Mission Bay – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Jetpack Mojo – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Alejandra's Cantina – The Jackstones – Carlsbad – 7-10pm
Aztec Brewing Company – Crazy Tomes – Vista – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Rolling Heartbreakers – Morena – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – Jenny & the Tramps – Banker’s Hill – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Shay Skylar – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Loews Coronado – Jesse Johnson – Coronado – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – Sonic Tonic – Poway – 7-11pm
Pour House – Los Paisanos, Soul Spittaz, Los Chivos, RMthePoet, Monica Larrea – South Oceanside – 7pm-12am
1st Street Bar – Role Models – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – Kings of Karma • Pat Shanley Band • Gui Flowerz & friends – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Summit Drive – San Diego – 8-10pm
Full Circle Saloon – Cappo Kelly – Santee – 8:30pm-12:30am
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – TJ Moss – San Diego – 8-11pm
Union Encinitas – Jonny Tarr – Encinitas – 8-11pm
Pal Joey's – Manzanita Blues – Allied Gardens – 8pm-12am
Til-Two Club – Discount Cadavers • Grim Reefers • The Hemogoblins • Race Me to Heaven – Talmadge – 8pm-12am
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – ZB Savoy: The Songs of Willie Nelson – University Heights – 8pm & 10pm Shows
The Roxy Encinitas – Blame Betty – Encinitas – 8:30-11pm
McP's Irish Pub – Mystique – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Renegade Country – Big Sky Moon – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
The Kraken – The Deep End – Cardiff – 9pm-1am

Saturday 8/30

San Diego Mission Bay Resort – Nathan Welden – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – The Ukaladies – Mission Bay – 11am-12pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – Matt Heinecke – San Diego – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Jesse Johnson – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – The Shenanagins – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – DJ Erin Cummings – La Jolla – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Brian Wahlstrom – San Diego – 12-3pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – DJ Sergio Gonzalez – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs – Ypsitucky – El Cajon – 1-4pm
San Diego Mission Bay Resort – DJ Pete Sifuentes – Mission Bay – 1-4pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – DJ Danny Kaffer – Harbor Island – 1-4pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Captain Morgan Lee – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Julian Jaime – Escondido – 3-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Song & Salt – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Winston's – New Brown Sugar Band – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Del Mar Plaza – Ocean View Deck – Shams SD – Del Mar – 5-7pm
Kimball's Coastal Eatery – Ryan Rickman – National City – 5-7pm
Pour House – Bonneville 7 – South Oceanside – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Sheila Sondegard – Encinitas – 5-7:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs – Lady Dottie and the Diamonds – El Cajon – 5-8pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Jackson Patrick – Carmel Mountain Ranch – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Richard Galiguis – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – John Patrick – Poway – 5-8pm
The Camp Store – Jesse Ray Smith – South Carlsbad – 5:30-8:30pm
Windmill Food Hall – Sean Mc Cole – Carlsbad – 6-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Byran Miles – San Marcos – 6-9pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Electric Waste Band – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Kevin Ryan – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – James Kruk presents Johnny Cash & Friends – Central Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – She Says So Band – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Jack French – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Billy Watson – Wynola – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 6-9pm
San Diego Mission Bay Resort – By The Lee – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Prohibition Brewing Company – Doug Staggs – Vista – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Mike Myrdal – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Tower 13 – Clay Colton – Cardiff by the Sea – 6-9pm
The Galley at the Marina – Cool Rush – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: Martha, Jeff, Eric, Jon, Dave – Gaslamp Quarter – 6:30pm-1:30am
Négociant Winery – Jazz Jam – Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V's Prime Seafood – Archie Thompson Trio – Marina – 6:30-10:30pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Gilbert Castellanos – University Heights – 7pm & 10pm Shows
Deft Brewing – Chris Fast Band – Morena – 7-9:30pm
Alejandra's Cantina – The Sticky Sweets – Carlsbad – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – The Garners – Banker’s Hill – 7-10pm
Kimball's Coastal Eatery – Evidence – National City – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – David Shyde – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Michael Richardson Duo – Carlsbad Village – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Justin Froese – Leucadia – 7-10pm
Loews Coronado Bay Resort – Jarred Matthew – Coronado – 7-10pm
Mission Avenue Bar & Grill – ZB Savoy – Oceanside – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – 3rd Project – Morena – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Aztec Brewing Company – O-Street • Call of Tomorrow • The Rolling Blackouts – Vista – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – CCnE – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Wag Halen – Rock & Metal – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company – The Wasting Light • Clive Farington – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Humphreys Backstage LIVE – Full Strength Funk – Point Loma – 8pm-12am
McP's Irish Pub – Royer Destroyer – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Wong's Dragon Room – Retro-X – La Mesa – 8pm-12am
Til-Two Club – Hooch • Substitute Gym Teacher • Control Defect – Talmadge – 8pm-1am
Prohibition Liquor Bar – Len Rainey – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Perry O'Neal – San Diego – 8-11pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Marcela Mendez – Encinitas – 8-11pm
Full Circle Saloon – Miranda Ramos Band – Santee – 8:30pm-12:30am
Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill – Custard Pie – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Savage Touch – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Winston's – Irieality and Friends – Ocean Beach – 9pm-12am
Renegade Country – Big City Hillbillies – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
710 Beach Club – Croon Dog • MojoPin – Pacific Beach – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – The Whole Sha-Bang – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
The Kraken – I-90 – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pour House – Give Me Back My Blues – South Oceanside – 9pm-12am

Sunday 8/31

San Diego Mission Bay Resort – Hank Easton – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – Keni Yarbro – Carlsbad – 10:30am-1:30pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – DevvLov – San Diego – 11am-2pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – The Heart – Del Mar – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – San Diego – 12-3pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – DJ Sergio Gonzalez – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Fish & the Seaweeds (Grateful Dead Set) – Mission Bay – 12-5pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – DPI • Strangely Strange • Gizzards • Disauthority • Jagged Lines – Ocean Beach – 12-7pm
Pour House – Citrus Jr • Rickety Cliffs • Rank Ocean • Vanouhi • Zonatas – South Oceanside – 12-8pm
Winston's – Fight Naked & Snail Fight – Ocean Beach – 1-3pm
Duke's La Jolla – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 1-4pm
San Diego Mission Bay Resort – DJ Zach Campbell – Mission Bay – 1-4pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – DJ Kamau Washington – Harbor Island – 1-4pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Pomerado – Coronado – 2-5pm
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs – Shawn Rohlf – El Cajon – 2-5pm
The Kraken – Mockingbird Jam – Cardiff – 2-5pm
McP's Irish Pub Paddy-O – Ron's Garage – Coronado – 2-6pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Corey Angeli – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Fast Times – Full Circle Band – Clairemont – 3-6pm
Uvas Winery – Shay Skylar – Poway – 3-6pm
Carruth Cellars - Liberty Station – Perfect Blend Duo – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Kaylee Daugherty – La Jolla – 4-7pm
The Galley at the Marina – SYLTR – Chula Vista – 4-8pm
Panama 66 – Tap Jam w/ Hot Club of Bird Park – Balboa Park – 5-7pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Lori Bell Trio – Sunday Jazz – Morena – 5-7pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – ThaPact – Mission Bay – 5-7:30pm
The Roxy Encinitas – BJ Jezbera – Encinitas – 5-7:30pm
Kimball's Coastal Eatery – R-Tyme – National City – 5-8pm
Winston's – Earl Thomas Bridgeman – Ocean Beach – 5-8pm
Orfila Vineyards and Winery – Eric Rafftery – San Pasqual Valley – 5:30-8:30pm
The Camp Store – Cover Lover – South Carlsbad – 5:30-8:30pm
Deft Brewing – Mystery Train Jerry Garcia Tribute – Morena – 6-7:30pm
Eddie V's Prime Seafood – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Les Allen & Rhythm Cartel – Wynola – 6-9pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Johnny C – Carlsbad Village – 6-9pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Steve Orr – Leucadia – 6-9pm
Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill – Jazz Jam – Encinitas – 6-10pm
Coronado Summer Concerts - Spreckels Park – Crown Town – Coronado – 6pm
The Kraken – 80's Nation – Cardiff – 7-10pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: Courtney, Tom, Jeff, Martha – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-12am
Humphreys Backstage LIVE – Casey Hensley – Point Loma – 8-11pm

Trivia and Karaoke

Friday 8/29

Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryaoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
Winston's – Karaoke w/Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 8pm-1am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-1am
Night Parade Brewing Company – Sunset Trivia – Scripps Ranch – 6-8pm
Mother Earth Brewing – Sunset Trivia – Vista – 6-8pm
White Labs Brewing Co – San Diego – Trivia – Miramar – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Saturday 8/30

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke w/Leslie – La Mesa – 6-9pm
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-1am
Round Table Pizza - Poway – Trivia – Poway – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds - College Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Sunday 8/31

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke w/TerryOke – La Mesa – 1-5pm
Winston's – Oboke Karaoke – Point Loma – 8-11pm
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-1am
North Bar – Karaoke – Escondido – 9pm-1am
Dirty Birds - Liberty Station – Sunset Trivia – Point Loma – 6-9pm
Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm

*Some events may require tickets, reservations, cover charges, or be full/sold out, and typos or errors could happen but we try our best!! …

Trivia Answer:
The correct answer is B) 1868 ✅

Balboa Park was set aside as city parkland in 1868. At 1,200 acres, it’s larger than both Central Park and Golden Gate Park, making it one of the nation’s earliest and largest urban parks.

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San Diego Meteor is published every Friday morning by Steve DeLong. Steve is an Escondido High Graduate and has lived in San Diego County since 1972.