Hey San Diego - This weekend brings a little bit of everything across the county. The Safari Park unveils its massive new Elephant Valley habitat, hundreds of hot rods roll into the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and Bates Nut Farm hosts a family-friendly pony ride day. SeaWorld kicks off its Seven Seas Food Festival, cherry blossoms are about to bloom in Balboa Park, and a quirky art walk in Escondido might be the most colorful “hike” you’ll take all year.

Let's get into it.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

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🐘 Elephant Valley Grand Opening – March 7, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The Safari Park unveils Elephant Valley, a massive new habitat designed to give its African elephant herd more space to roam, socialize, and explore. Guests can watch the elephants from expanded viewing areas in one of the park’s most ambitious habitat upgrades yet.

🚗 Goodguys Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – April 10 - 12, Del Mar Fairgrounds
Hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, and custom builds roll into the Del Mar Fairgrounds for this massive automotive showcase featuring live music, vendors, racing exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. One of the region’s biggest classic car weekends.

🐴 Pony Rides at Bates Nut Farm – March 7, Valley Center
A family-friendly outing at the popular North County farm and market where kids can meet animals and enjoy pony rides. Great for the whole family to enjoy the scenic grounds and the farm’s country store.

🍽️ Seven Seas Food Festival – Select Dates Through April 27, SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld’s annual culinary festival returns with international tasting stations, craft beer, and live music on weekends throughout the spring. Sample global flavors while strolling the park and catching live entertainment along the way.

🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival – March 12–15

Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park
Celebrate the arrival of spring with cultural performances, traditional food, and blooming cherry trees during this annual hanami festival at Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden. Timed entry tickets are required and tend to sell out during peak bloom.

Hidden inside Kit Carson Park is one of the most unusual art walks in Southern California. Created by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, this vibrant sculpture garden features towering mosaic totems, serpentine walls, and colorful mythological figures inspired by the legendary Queen Califia, namesake of California. It’s a short, easy stroll that feels like stepping into a whimsical outdoor art museum.

Distance: ~0.3 miles walking inside the sculpture garden
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Kit Carson Park, Escondido
Tip: Open limited hours (typically Tue/Thu/Sat mornings), so check before heading out

Lake Murray Sunset!

Fri 3/6
High 74° / Low 47° • 🌤️ 0%

Sat 3/7
High 76° / Low 50° • ☀️ 0%

Sun 3/8
High 84° / Low 52° • ☀️ 0%

Sunshine dominates the weekend with gradually warming temperatures, topping out near the mid-80s by Sunday.

Duke's La Jolla – Jack French – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Jehua – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – 1st Friday Jazz Jam – Mission Bay – 4-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Shay Skylar – Escondido – 4-6pm
The Camp Store – Jesse Ray Smith – Carlsbad – 4-6:30pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Hank Easton – Escondido – 4-7pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra – Point Loma – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Bruce & Claudia – San Marcos – 5-7pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Tina Robin – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – George Richards – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – 3-D Blues Band – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Uvas Winery – Ashlyn Zaldivar – Poway – 5:30-8:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Mohavisoul – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Panama 66 – Hot Club of Bird Park w/ Lorraine Hussey – Balboa Park – 6-7:50pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Lunar Conspiracy – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Kai Kalama – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Hippy Goods – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Shakedown String Band – Morena – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Rachel Jay – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Charlie Chavez & La Perla Negra – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Wah-Sabi – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Travis Thomas – Oceanside – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Kevin Ryan – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Carlsbad – Westbound 56 – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Mission Ave Bar & Grill – Boon & Kiel – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – Orion Song – Core-Columbia – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Andrew Peña – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Open Mic with Scott Ensign – Ramona – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – John Bennett – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Colour – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine – The Mercedes Moore Band – Mira Mesa – 6:30-8:30pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Michael Richardson Duo – Carlsbad – 6:30-9:30pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – ZB Savoy – Leucadia – 6:30-9:30pm
Négociant Winery – Fridays with Don L. – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
American Legion Post 282 – Fire Brothers – La Mesa – 7-10pm
Aztec Brewing Company – The M-80s – Vista – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – Adam Wolff – Banker's Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – The Surf Birdz – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Angeles y Diablos – National City – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – The Heart – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – 3 Car Garage – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Mike Myrdal – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Winstons OB – The Water Spots – Ocean Beach – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – LP Classics – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Alextown – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – SuperCool! • Peach Cooler • Cherry Blonde – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Fleetwood Max – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Whiskey Girl – The Gravities – East Village – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Matt Heinecke – Del Mar – 8-11pm
McP's Irish Pub – Keefer & Rob – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Pal Joey's – West of 5 – Allied Gardens – 8pm-12am
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Jehlad's Tribute to Stax Records – University Heights – 8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Jukebox Junkies – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Bastard Sons – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
Renegade Bar – Big Sky Moon – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
The Salty Frog – EZPZ & the Squeeze – Imperial Beach – 9pm-12am
The Kraken – Toga Party Band – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Jehlad's Tribute to Stax Records – University Heights – 10pm
Prohibition SD – Captain Morgan Lee & The Village of K.O.R.E. – Gaslamp Quarter – 11pm-1:30am

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

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

Bahia Resort Hotel – Shea Givens – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – DevvLov – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Keni Yarbro – Gaslamp Quarter – 10am-1pm
California English – Cobby Brzeski – Sorrento Mesa – 10:30am-1:30pm
La Valencia Hotel – Gabe's Music – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Blue Currant Band – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Ed Kornhauser – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Chlou Lou And The Liddells – El Cajon – 1-4pm
Sky Valley Cellars – Ashley E. Norton – Ramona – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – John Bennett – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Winstons OB – Noise Gate – Ocean Beach – 1-4pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Lilia Rose – Escondido – 2-4pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – MCCM Kids & Circle of Souls – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – DJ Night – Escondido – 4-8pm
The Camp Store – The Beyonders – Carlsbad – 4-6:30pm
Uvas Winery – Sundstedt & Cain – Poway – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – Bo & the Hobos – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Help Tights – Point Loma – 5-7pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Barrelhouse Blues Club – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Adrienne Nims – San Marcos – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Mark Hall – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Bella Popa – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Blind Miles Blues – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Santana Soul – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Jolene Cruz – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – She Says So Band – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Do Right Louie – Morena – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Makena – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Charlie Chavez & La Perla Negra – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Billy Watson – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Andrew Peña – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Kevin James O'Brien – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Panama 66 – The Satisfiers – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Hank Easton – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Michael Dean – Ramona – 6-8pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Anthony Veritas – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Galley at the Marina – Groove Therapy – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo & Keven – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Jazz Lounge – Tamir Handleman & John Clayton – College East – 6:15-7pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Keefer & Rob – Carlsbad – 6:30-9:30pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Fercho – Leucadia – 6:30-9:30pm
Négociant Winery – Andy Anderson & Nathan Fry – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Renegade Bar – Coyote Rebel – El Cajon – 6:30pm-12:30am
Aztec Brewing Company – Boxwood & Chaos by Design – Vista – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – Kaylee Daugherty – Banker's Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Big Tooth Comb + Murder of Five – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – BB & Co – National City – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Jesse Ray Smith – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Full Strength Funk Band – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Travis Thomas – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – Boogie X Press – Poway – 7-11pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – Vokab Kompany – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
1st Street Bar – Tim & the Strands – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Wildside – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – David Shyde – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Pour House – Throw Rag • Mistress 77 • Howlin' Roosters – Oceanside – 8-11pm
McP's Irish Pub – Mystique – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Prohibition Liquor Bar – Gypsy Sally Band – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am
The Roxy Encinitas – The Dysfunktionals – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Winstons OB – Oceans- a Pearl Jam Experience with Aerosmythe – Ocean Beach – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Equinox – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
710 Beach Club – Sonafire & the Drearies – Pacific Beach – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – Broken Halo – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
Seven Grand San Diego – The B-Line – North Park – 9-11pm
The Jazz Lounge – Tamir Handleman & John Clayton – College East – 9-10pm
The Kraken – The Ride – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
The Salty Frog – Sweet Myths – Imperial Beach – 9:30pm-12:30am
Eddie V's V Lounge – Archie Thompson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Kenyon Dixon – University Heights – 8pm

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

Bahia Resort Hotel – Divina Jasso – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – Gabe's Music – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – Shea Givens – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Keni Yarbro – Del Mar – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Joey Payne & Dan Sankey – San Marcos – 11am-1pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – High Noon Dead Party – Mission Bay – 12-4:20pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Geoff Nigl – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Andrew Peña – Escondido – 12-3pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Hugh Gaskins & The Geoff Corey Five – Coronado – 1-4pm
Duke's La Jolla – Kahlil Nash – La Jolla – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Stacy Antonel – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Savannah Kay – Encinitas – 1-4pm
McP's Irish Pub Paddy-O – Gonzo & Busted Spurs – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Rebecca Schlappich – Escondido – 2-4pm
The Jazz Lounge – Concert & Jazz Jam w/ Kat Shoemaker – College East – 2-5pm
Winstons OB – International Women’s Day benefit show – Ocean Beach – 2-5pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Todd Wess – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Lee Melton – Del Mar – 3-6pm
The Kraken – Travel Agents – Cardiff – 3-6pm
The Galley at the Marina – Cool Rush – Chula Vista – 3-7pm
Carruth Cellars - Liberty Station – Blue Heelers – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Robin Henkel Blues – Morena – 4-6:30pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Kristi Krause – La Jolla – 4-7pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – Riptide – Poway – 4-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Dakota Ringer – Escondido – 4-7pm
The Camp Store – Bill Kilpatrick – Carlsbad – 4-6:30pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Nucci's Band Inside Stage – Mission Bay – 4:20-7:30pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Jason Yamaoka – Encinitas – 4:30-7:30pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Piki Moreno Presents – National City – 5-8pm
Panama 66 – Helena Holleran Trio – Balboa Park – 5-7pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Clifford Morin Quintet – Morena – 5-7pm
The Cordova Bar – Dolly's Revenge – Morena – 6-9pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Burt Brion – Point Loma – 6-8pm
The Jazz Lounge – Songwriter Showcase w/ Jeff Berkley – College East – 6:15-9pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – Willie Waldman Project – Ocean Beach – 6:30-11:30pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos – Gaslamp Quarter – 7-10pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Irving Flores – University Heights – 7pm
Prohibition SD – Karlos Paez of the B Side Players – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am

Steel 94 – Karaoke – Spring Valley – 2-5pm
American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with TerryOke – La Mesa – 5-8pm
The Salty Frog – Karaoke – Imperial Beach – 7pm-2am
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
1st Street Bar – Karaoke – Encinitas – 9pm-1am
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) Jack in the Box

San Diego entrepreneur Robert O. Peterson opened the first Jack in the Box in 1951 with a revolutionary feature for its time — a two-way intercom ordering system that let drivers place orders without leaving their cars.

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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.