🎨 ArtWalk Liberty Station, Cardiff Dog Days & Soul Food

August kicks off with one of the best weekends of the summer. Explore more than 175 artists at ArtWalk Liberty Station, celebrate at the San Diego Soul Food Festival, spend Sunday with hundreds of four-legged friends at Cardiff Dog Days, discover San Diego's newest Polish bakery in Seaport Village, hike to Stanley Peak, or enjoy live music all across the county. However you like to spend your weekend, we've got you covered.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

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The Events

🎨 ArtWalk Liberty Station – Fri. July 31–Sun. Aug. 2, Liberty Station
More than 175 artists transform Liberty Station into San Diego's largest outdoor art gallery this weekend. Browse original paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics while enjoying live music, local food, interactive art experiences, and free admission on Saturday and Sunday.

🍗 San Diego Soul Food Festival – Sat. Aug. 1, 11 AM–4 PM
Celebrate Black culture with soul food, live music, local vendors, family activities, and community organizations at North Park Recreation Center

🏃 72nd Annual Balboa Park 8 Miler – Sat. Aug. 1, 7 AM–10 AM
One of San Diego's oldest running traditions returns with an 8-mile race and 2-mile fun run through the scenic roads and trails of Balboa Park.

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🌳 Olive Grove Park Reopens – Clairemont
Clairemont's newly renovated 9.2-acre neighborhood park has reopened after a $6.6 million makeover featuring upgraded playgrounds, sports courts, picnic areas, and improved walking paths.

🐶 21st Annual Cardiff Dog Days – Sun. Aug. 2, 10 AM–3 PM, Encinitas Community Park
One of San Diego's biggest celebrations of dogs returns to Encinitas this Sunday. Meet adoptable pets, browse local vendors, watch canine demonstrations, enter fun contests, and enjoy a tail-wagging day for the whole family.

Forget everything you know about American donuts—these are something different. The Best Donuts has landed in Seaport Village with authentic Polish-inspired pastries, including traditional pączki, in the company's very first U.S. shop

🍽️ Taste of Encinitas – Tue. Aug. 25, 5:30–8:30 PM, Downtown Encinitas
One of North County's most popular food events returns with tastings from dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and specialty food shops. The event sells out every year, so grab your tickets early if you plan to attend.

Looking to escape the crowds? Head to Daley Ranch and make your way to Stanley Peak, one of North County's best viewpoints. Along the way, take a short detour through the historic ranch buildings, where you'll find remnants of the property's ranching days surrounded by oak woodlands and open meadows. From the summit, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Wohlford, Dixon Lake, and the rolling hills of inland San Diego County.

🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📏 Distance: 5–7 miles (depending on your route)
⛰️ Highlights: Historic ranch buildings, oak groves, Stanley Peak summit, and sweeping lake views.

It's a great hike for a warm weekend—start early, bring plenty of water, and enjoy one of North County's lesser-known gems.

A beauty!

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Fri 7/31
High 80° / Low 69° • 🌥️ 19%

Sat 8/1
High 81° / Low 70° • 🌥️ 20%

Sun 8/2
High 82° / Low 69° • 🌥️ 6%

Expect a beautiful San Diego weekend with morning clouds giving way to plenty of afternoon sunshine, light westerly ocean breezes, and very little chance of rain. Coastal areas will stay comfortable, while inland valleys will feel noticeably warmer during the afternoon.

The Roxy Encinitas – George Richards – Encinitas – 3-5pm
Duke's La Jolla – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Mission Valley Mall – TJ Moss – Mission Valley – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – JP & the Mystery Train – Mission Bay – 4-7pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Brandon Dominguez – Escondido – 4-6pm
North City – Michael LeClerc – San Marcos – 4-7pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Fresh Play – Pala – 4-8:30pm
Chandler's Oceanfront Dining – Alannah – Carlsbad – 5-7pm
Napatani Wine Bar – Chelsea Hanson! – Carlsbad – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – John Patrick – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Tim Atkins – Encinitas – 5-7pm
Gaylord Pacific – TJ Moss – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
The Crossings at Carlsbad – Collette Sings – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – Crazy Tomes – Poway – 5-8pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Kevin James O'Brien – Rancho Bernardo – 5-9pm

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

Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
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 – 9:30pm-12:30am

🧠 Trivia

Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Bahia Resort Hotel – David Rosales – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Covewood Restaurant – Dakota Ringer – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – David Shyde – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
Culinary Dropout – John Lowery – Carmel Valley – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Ruby G – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
NorthSide Tavern – Israel Maldonado – Ocean Beach – 11am-2pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – The Duo – San Marcos – 11am-1pm
Tower 13 – Rockademy – Cardiff – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Only Fractured – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Ed Kornhauser – Del Mar – 12-3pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – For the Gxrls: Stella Rosenblatt • Pocket Bureau • Elizabeth Bowersox • Sara Jade • La Divina Femenina • Israel Maldona – Ocean Beach – 12-4:30pm
Domaine Artefact – Victor Santana – Escondido – 1-3pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Marina D'Auria – Encinitas – 1-3pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – Raynaldo Martine – Vista – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Dusty And The Roadrunners – El Cajon – 1-4pm

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

🎤 Karaoke

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with Leslie – La Mesa – 6-9pm
Oceanside Elks Lodge 1561 – Karaoke w/ Patrick Hill – Oceanside – 6-10pm
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

🧠 Trivia

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

Bahia Resort Hotel – Keni Yarbro – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – Hank Easton – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – David Rosales – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
The Crossings at Carlsbad – Ben Fishburne – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
Casino Inn Bar and Grill – The Pushpins – Alpine – 11am-2pm
Chandler's Oceanfront Dining – Todd Wees – Carlsbad – 11am-1pm
Covewood Restaurant – TJ Moss – Mission Bay – 11am-2pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Jolene Cruz – Del Mar – 11am-2pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Gone Tomorrow – San Marcos – 11am-1pm
The Landings at Carlsbad – Sheila Sondergard – Carlsbad – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – High Noon Grateful Dead Party – Mission Bay – 12-7pm
Downtown Cafe – Stand Up Guys – El Cajon – 12-2pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Ed Kornhauser – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Joe Rathburn – Santa Ysabel – 12-3pm
Winstons OB – Gata Galáctica • Fly 22 – Ocean Beach – 1-3:30pm

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

🎤 Karaoke

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with TerryOke – La Mesa – 5-8pm
Casino Inn Bar and Grill – Karaoke – Alpine – 5-10pm
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 – 8:30pm-11:59pm
1st Street Bar – Karaoke Night – Encinitas – 9pm-12am
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

🧠 Trivia

Uvas Winery – Music Trivia with Laura Jane – Poway – 5-7pm
Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds - Liberty Station – Sunset Trivia – Liberty Station – 8-9pm

*Some events may require tickets, reservations, cover charges, or be full/sold out, and we sometimes estimate the end time if not provided by the venue plus typos or errors can happen but we try our best!! …

✅ B) Sweetwater Dam (1888)

Completed in 1888, Sweetwater Dam is the oldest major reservoir dam still in operation in San Diego County. For well over a century, it has helped supply water to the South Bay and remains one of the region's most historic pieces of infrastructure. The other dates? Morena: 1895. Lake Hodges: 1918. Lake Wohlford: 1924.

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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.