San Diego gets a front-row seat to history this Friday as NASA’s Artemis II crew returns from a 600,000-mile journey around the Moon and splashing down just off our coast. Add in a massive car show at Del Mar, a throwback burger stop in Poway, and over 200 live music performances across the county, and you’ve got a weekend that feels uniquely San Diego. Let’s get into it.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

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The Events

🚀Artemis II Splashes Down Off San Diego Today
Friday, April 10, around 5 pm

History lands in our backyard today. At about 5:07pm, NASA’s Artemis II crew returns to Earth after a 10-day, 600,000-mile trip around the Moon — the first time humans have left Earth orbit since 1972.

Orion splashes into the Pacific off San Diego, where U.S. Navy teams from USS John P. Murtha will recover the four astronauts. If skies are clear, look west around sunset: reentry leaves a streak like a reverse rocket launch, and three 116-ft parachutes slow Orion from 25,000 mph to 17 mph before touchdown.

Want to watch live: NASA’s livestream ‘Artemis II Crew Comes Home’ starts at 3:30pm PST on YouTube.

🎬 San Diego Streaming Film Festival Saturday, April 11, 4–7pm
The Grand | Ritz Theater in Escondido turns into an indie film haven for one night only. This fest spotlights short films and web series made for streaming — the kind of stories that start on your laptop and end up at Sundance. Escondido’s art deco Ritz is the perfect throwback venue to watch the future of film. $$

🚗 25th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals Friday–Sunday, April 10–12, 8am–5pm
Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts 2,500+ pre-1972 hot rods, customs, and classics right on the coast. It’s less “car show” and more “rolling art museum” with live music, pinstriping demos, and vendors. Even if you can’t tell a ’32 Ford from a ’57 Chevy, the chrome alone is worth the walk.

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🍔 Hamburger Factory – Poway
A true throwback burger spot tucked into Old Poway Park, where sizzling patties come with a side of Western charm and passing train views. The burgers are amazing from Classic to Maple Bacon Bourbon or Black and Blue think juicy, well-seasoned, and built to hit the spot after a hike or a wander through the farmers market. It’s not trying to be trendy… and that’s exactly why it works.

🌌 International Dark Sky Week April 13–20
County-wide stargazing, night hikes & workshops from Julian to Mission Trails. Celebrate the same sky Artemis II crossed — Orion splashes down off SD Friday 4/10 at 5:07pm, then look up all week. Full list: darkskysandiego.org. Free.

🚘 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance: “Icons of Speed” April 25–27
Ellen Browning Scripps Park becomes a $100M open-air museum for the 20th anniversary. This year’s Icons of Speed class traces super cars 1935–1996, from the Mormon Meteor to the McLaren F1. Even if you’re not a car person, rare Ferraris on the grass with the Pacific behind them is peak San Diego.

La Jolla’s worst-kept secret is also one of its best short hikes. The Coast Walk Trail hugs the bluffs above La Jolla Cove, giving you tide pool views, sea lion soundtracks, and Torrey Pines framing the horizon. It’s the same path locals used in the 1890s to walk between cottages before there were streets.

Trailhead: Near The Cave Store, 1325 Coast Blvd
Parking: Street parking on Coast Blvd — get there early.
Watch for: Slippery sandstone after foggy mornings. Keep dogs leashed — sheer drops.

Star of India Sunset!

Fri 4/10
High 71° / Low 60° • ⛅ 20%

Sat 4/11
High 69° / Low 60° • ☀️ 19%

Sun 4/12
High 67° / Low 57° • 🌧️ 51%

Morning clouds give way to some afternoon sun Friday, Saturday stays mostly bright and mild, then showers move in Sunday to cool things down.

Duke's La Jolla – Kevin Ryan – La Jolla – 3-5pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Boo Stubbs – Encinitas – 3-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Longview Family Band – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar – Melody Ebner – East Village – 4-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 4-7pm
North City – Mike Mcgill – San Marcos – 4-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Jonny Tarr – Escondido – 4-7pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Eevaan Tre Band – Pala – 4-7pm
Burtech Family Vineyards – Michael Richardson – Vista – 4-8:30pm
Forgotten Barrel Winery – Wine & Bingo – Escondido – 5-7pm
Pour House – Joe Wood & The Lonely Ones – Oceanside – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Anthony Pellizzeri – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Marina D'Auria – Encinitas – 5-7pm
Domaine Artefact – Nelly Ake – Escondido – 5-7:30pm
The Camp Store – Dave Preston & the Grown UPs – Carlsbad – 5-7:30pm
Gaylord Pacific – Richard Galiguis – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The Blind Miles Band – El Cajon – 5-8pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Zavala Sol – Point Loma – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Marelle – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – Jasmine Marie – Poway – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Jimmy & Enrique – San Marcos – 6-8pm
Panama 66 – The Satisfiers – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – 3 Car Garage – Mission Bay – 6-9pm

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710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-12am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
Wong's Dragon Room – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Rolando – 9pm-1am
Winstons OB – Karaoke w/Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 9pm-1am

Mia Marie Vineyards – Sunset Trivia – Escondido – 5-7pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Farmer & The Seahorse – Divina Jasso – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Dylan's Steel Band – Gaslamp Quarter – 10am-1pm
La Valencia Hotel – Orion Song – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Brielle Marie – San Marcos – 11am-1pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Manzanita Blues – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – Raynaldo Martine – Vista – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Rip Carson And The Carson-O-Genics – El Cajon – 1-4pm
Coyote Bar & Grill – Paradise Live – Carlsbad – 1-4:30pm
Carlsbad Flower Fields – Cool Rush – Carlsbad – 1-5pm
Aztec Brewing Company – Aztec Open Mic Matinee – Vista – 1:30-5pm
Domaine Artefact – HeartStrings – Escondido – 2-5pm
Forgotten Barrel Winery – Jimmy Patton – Escondido – 2-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Brown Sugar Band – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Burtech Family Vineyards – Jason Feddy – Vista – 3-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Michael LeClerc – Escondido – 3-5pm
One Paseo – Divina – Del Mar – 3-5pm
5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar – Jason Graham – East Village – 4-7pm
Camel's Bar & Grill – Khaotics – Grantville – 4-7pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Jonny Tarr – Gaslamp Quarter – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – The Memphis Soul Review – Ocean Beach – 4pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – L Young Band – Pala – 4-8:30pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Blue Creek Deuces – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Camp Store – Maka Melody – Carlsbad – 5-7:30pm

The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…

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 – East Village – 9pm-1am

Round Table Pizza - Poway – Trivia – Poway – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds - SDSU Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Farmer & The Seahorse – Sean McCole – Torrey Pines – 9:30am-12:30pm
Bahia Resort Hotel – Christian Taylor – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – Orion Song – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Freddie Walton – Gaslamp Quarter – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – High Noon Grateful Dead Party – Mission Bay – 12-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Max the Great – Escondido – 1:30-6:30pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Joe Rathburn – Santa Ysabel – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Bella Popa – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Breez'n – Coronado – 2-5pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The New Brown Sugar Band – El Cajon – 2-5pm
McP's Irish Pub Paddy-O – Moonshine Troubadors – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Victor Santana – Escondido – 2-4pm
The Galley at the Marina – Jeff Corey 5 – Chula Vista – 3-7pm
The Kraken – 2Lil2Late – Cardiff – 3-6pm
Carruth Cellars - Liberty Station – Blue Healers – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – Anthony Veritas – Poway – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – Wiskerman * Gene Evaro Jr – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – SD Jazz Allstars – Morena – 4-6:30pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Heno – Encinitas – 5-8pm
The Cordova Bar – Mango Bay Band – Morena – 6-9pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Burt Brion Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
Prohibition SD – Karlos Paez of the B Side Players – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am

The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…

Steel 94 – Karaoke – Spring Valley – 2-5pm
The Salty Frog – Karaoke – Imperial Beach – 7pm-2am
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
Full Circle Saloon – Karaoke – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
North Bar – Karaoke – Escondido – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

Uvas Winery – Trivia – Poway – 5-7pm
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!! …

Answer: B) First U.S. seaplane flight ✈️

On January 26, 1911, aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss lifted his Hydroaeroplane A-1 off San Diego Bay near North Island — the first successful seaplane flight in the U.S. That flight helped earn North Island its nickname as the “Birthplace of Naval Aviation.”

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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.