Hey San Diego — spring is definitely starting to show up around the county. Cherry blossoms are blooming in Balboa Park, the ranunculus fields are lighting up Carlsbad, and St. Patrick’s celebrations are kicking off a few days early with parades and pub crawls. We’ve also got a peaceful North County trail if you want to stretch your legs, plus over 200 live music shows happening across the region this weekend.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

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🍀 Inaugural St. Paddy’s Day Shamrock Stroll – March 14, 4-9pm, Ramona
A festive small-town bar crawl through Ramona with drinks, music, and Irish cheer across five local stops. The stroll kicks off at Smoking Cannon Brewery before continuing to Turkey Inn, Reds, Whites & Brews, Pamo Valley Winery, and finishing at The Barn.

🛍️ Female Maker Market – March 14, 11am-4pm Coronado Ferry Landing
Shop handmade goods, art, jewelry, and specialty foods created by women-owned businesses at this waterfront market at Coronado Ferry Landing, with views across San Diego Bay.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival – March 14, 9am-6pm, Balboa Park
One of the largest Irish celebrations on the West Coast returns to Balboa Park with bagpipers, Irish dancers, marching groups, cultural exhibits, and festive food and drink.

🌸 The Flower Fields – Now Open, Carlsbad
The famous ranunculus blooms have returned to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, transforming the hillside into 50 acres of color. Peak bloom typically runs March through early May.

🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival – March 13–16, Balboa Park
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Cherry Blossom Festival inside the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. The annual event features blooming sakura trees, cultural performances, Japanese food vendors, tea ceremonies, and family-friendly activities throughout the garden.

🍺 O’Brien’s Pub Named America’s Best Beer Bar (Again) – Kearny Mesa
San Diego craft beer icon O'Brien's Pub has once again been named the best beer bar in the country by USA Today — the third year in a row they’ve taken the top spot. Known for its deep rotating tap list, rare brews, and loyal following, the Kearny Mesa institution has long been a pilgrimage stop for serious beer fans and a cornerstone of San Diego’s legendary craft beer scene. PS - Get the Lobster BLT!

🎶 San Diego County Fair Concert Series Lineup – Opening June 10, Del Mar
The San Diego County Fair has announced its summer concert lineup at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, with major touring acts scheduled throughout the fair’s month-long run. A preview of the shows is out now, and tickets for many concerts are expected to sell quickly once individual dates open.

🎶 Humphreys Concerts by the Bay Summer Lineup – Shelter Island
The beloved waterfront concert series Humphreys Concerts by the Bay has revealed its 2026 season at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. The intimate outdoor venue brings dozens of national touring artists to Shelter Island each summer, making it one of San Diego’s most unique live-music experiences.

Tucked into the rolling hills of North County, Lusardi Creek Loop offers a peaceful escape that many San Diegans haven’t discovered yet. This scenic trail winds through open grasslands and oak-dotted valleys. This trail is multi-use so watch for mountain bikers. In winter and spring, the hills turn bright green and wildflowers pop up along the trail, making it feel surprisingly remote despite being close to suburban neighborhoods.

Distance: ~4 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Location: Lusardi Creek Loop, Black Mountain Ranch area
Tip: After winter rains the hills turn incredibly green and the creek crossings are flowing — one of the best times to visit.

Sunset Cliffs wildflowers!

Fri 3/13
High 88° / Low 54° • ☀️ 0%

Sat 3/14
High 77° / Low 51° • ⛅ 5%

Sun 3/15
High 76° / Low 53° • ⛅ 5%

A summer-like Friday brings near-90° warmth before the weekend settles into mild mid-70s weather with a mix of sun and clouds.

200+ Live Music Shows Across San Diego This Weekend

TERI Common Grounds Cafe – David Topham – San Marcos – 10am-2pm
Duke's La Jolla – Mike Myrdal – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Jehua – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Blue Healers – Mission Bay – 4-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Al Barnes – Escondido – 4-6pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Kristi Krause – Escondido – 4-7pm
The Camp Store – RistBand – Carlsbad – 4:30-7pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – ReWind Band – Point Loma – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Mark Hall – San Marcos – 5-7pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Shay Skylar – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
Pour House – Joe Wood & the Lonely Ones – Oceanside – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Pat McBridge – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – The Swingin' Johnsons – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Uvas Winery – Lee Roy Music – Poway – 5:30-8:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The New Brown Sugar Band – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Panama 66 – Robin Henkel w/ Horns – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Tequila Mockingbird – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Kevin Ryan – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Bellamy's Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Smokin Ocotillos – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Surf Birdz – Morena – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Johnny Martin – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Charlie Chavez & La Perla Negra – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Dirty Confetti – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Lissa Dee – Oceanside – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Olivia Rohde – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Carlsbad – Adrienne Nims – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – David Shyde – Core-Columbia – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Hank Easton – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Open Mic with Dana Duplan – Ramona – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Tony Merlo – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Jeff, Eric, Dave & Martha – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
The Jazz Lounge – Trio de Janeiro: James Taylor Reimagined – College East – 6:15-7pm
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine – Billy Lee & The Gulf Coasters – Mira Mesa – 6:30-8:30pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Perfect Blend Duo – Carlsbad – 6:30-9:30pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Keffer and Rob – 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 – Upfront Band – La Mesa – 7-10pm
Aztec Brewing Company – The Rolling Blackouts w/ Isaiah Mitchell – Vista – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – Cole Roussos – Banker's Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Sonic Moonshine – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Latin Sol – National City – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Jarred Matthew – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – The Siers Brothers – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Jason Graham – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Winstons OB – The Palmer Squares with James Begin and T-Chronic – Ocean Beach – 7-10pm
1st Street Bar – Desperate Electric – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – Good Terms • Chief • JoyWalk • Fieldrush – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Rock of Ages – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – 3 Car Garage – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Whiskey Girl – Jenny & the Tramps – East Village – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Freddie Walton – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Sam Greenfield – University Heights – 8-11pm
McP's Irish Pub – Baywolf – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Pal Joey's – The Whole Sha-Bang – Allied Gardens – 8pm-12am
Full Circle Saloon – A Nightmare on 80s Street Band – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
The Roxy Encinitas – The Reckless – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Pour House – Gainesville – Oceanside – 9pm-12am
The Salty Frog – Sundays at Joes – Imperial Beach – 9pm-12am
Renegade Bar – Miranda Ramos Band – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
The Kraken – I-90 – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Prohibition SD – CEO's Rhythm Section + Fiore – Gaslamp Quarter – 11pm-1:30am

🎤 Karaoke

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 – Jason Graham – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – David Shyde – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Kai Kalama – Gaslamp Quarter – 10am-1pm
California English – The Garners – Sorrento Mesa – 10:30am-1:30pm
La Valencia Hotel – Christian Taylor – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Manzanita Blues – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Jake Taylor Smith – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Buzz Campbell & the Heartaches – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – The Long View – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Winstons OB – Clearly Dirty – Ocean Beach – 1-4pm
Aztec Brewing Company – Open Mic Matinee – Vista – 1:30-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Michael LeClerc – Escondido – 3-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Thousand Eyes – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Ashley E. Norton – Ramona – 4-5pm
Winstons OB – The Travel Agents – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – 🍀 St. Patrick’s DJ Night 🍀 – Escondido – 4-8pm
The Camp Store – The Ride – Carlsbad – 4:30-7pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Christy & the Feral Flow – Point Loma – 5-7pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – The Farrell Family – San Marcos – 5-7pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Lisa Campbell – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
Pour House – The California Rangers feat. Tom Boren – Oceanside – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – John D. Lamb w/ Danny DiCarlo – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Rockwatcher – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Panama 66 – The Soto Six Jazz Sextet – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
The Jazz Lounge – Trio de Janeiro: James Taylor Reimagined – College East – 6:15-7pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – ZB Savoy Band – Carlsbad – 6:30-9:30pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Maxwell the Great – Leucadia – 6:30-9:30pm
Négociant Winery – Janice Edwards • Nathan Fry • Tony Davis – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Archie Thompson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Aztec Brewing Company – Silk Button Butchers – Vista – 7-10pm
Books & Records Bar – Gypsy Sally Band – Banker's Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – DeepWater – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – George Villasenor's Band Colour – National City – 7-10pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Detroit Underground – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Travis Thomas – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – The Smokin Guns – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Mojo Strut – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Totally 80's – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Jason Graham – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Brother J & the Testaments – University Heights – 8-11pm
McP's Irish Pub – Misty & Moby – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Prohibition Liquor Bar – Fiore + Trevor Davis – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am
The Roxy Encinitas – 80's Nation – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Groove is in the Heart – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
710 Beach Club – Paging the 90s – Pacific Beach – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey's – Zone – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
The Kraken – The Imposters – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pour House – Fudosa (ABQ) • Wetherbee • Faint Havens • Atomic Surfers – Oceanside – 9pm-12am
The Salty Frog – Red Roulette – Imperial Beach – 9:30pm-12:30am
Winstons OB – The Coffis Brothers w/ Taylor Rae – Ocean Beach – 9:30pm-12:30am
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Brother J & the Testaments – University Heights – 10pm-1am

🎤 Karaoke

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

🧠 Trivia

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

Bahia Resort Hotel – Jonny Tarr – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Farmer & The Seahorse – Jason Graham – Torrey Pines – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – Orion Song – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – JT Moring & Co. – San Marcos – 11am-1pm
L'Auberge Del Mar – Jolene Cruz – Del Mar – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Friends and Enabler – Santa Ysabel – 12-3pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Shea Givens – Escondido – 12-3pm
Panama 66 – SF Jazz All Stars w/ Young Lions & Charles McPherson – Balboa Park – 12-3pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – High Noon Grateful Dead Party – Mission Bay – 12-4:20pm
Duke's La Jolla – Kevin Ryan – La Jolla – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – ZB Savoy & Friends – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Jesse French – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Winstons OB – RoadWork – Ocean Beach – 1-4pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – Moonlight Serenade Orchestra – Coronado – 2-5pm
McP's Irish Pub Paddy-O – Steve Wolff – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Victor Santana – Escondido – 2-4pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Rick Harcol – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Lee Melton – Del Mar – 3-6pm
The Kraken – Seaside Ramblers – Cardiff – 3-6pm
Winstons OB – Punk Rock Sunday – Ocean Beach – 3-6pm
The Galley at the Marina – The New Catillacs – Chula Vista – 3-7pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Piers Lawrence & The Jazz Allstars – Morena – 4-6:30pm
Carruth Cellars - Liberty Station – Blu Gruv – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Jarred Matthew – La Jolla – 4-7pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill - Poway – Christy & Ed – Poway – 4-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Freddie Walton – Escondido – 4-7pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Diego Dead – Mission Bay – 4:20-7:00pm
The Camp Store – Heaney & Randolph – Carlsbad – 4:30-7pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Anthony Veritas – Encinitas – 4:30-7:30pm
Panama 66 – Sandpiper Ensemble – Balboa Park – 5-7pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – R:Tyme – National City – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Doctors & Drifters – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Humphrey's Backstage Live – Daryll Williams – Point Loma – 6-8pm
Aztec Brewing Company – Aztec Jazz Jam w/ Dylan Soto – Vista – 6-9pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Burt Brion Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
The Cordova Bar – MJ and the Sapphires – Morena – 6-9pm
The Holding Company - 1st Floor – Anthony Cullins & Danny Avila – Ocean Beach – 6:30-11:30pm
Fast Times – The Reflectors – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Pour House – The Blindfold Monks – Oceanside – 7-10pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Courtney, Jon, Jeff – Gaslamp Quarter – 7-10pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – John Opferkuch Quintet Jazz – Morena – 7-10pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Spencer Day – University Heights – 8-11pm
Prohibition SD – Karlos Paez of the B Side Players – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am

🎤 Karaoke

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

🧠 Trivia

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: D — The Bahamas

San Diego County is surprisingly large — about 4,526 square miles — making it bigger than several entire countries:

But The Bahamas (5,382 sq mi) is slightly larger than San Diego County.

👉 In other words, San Diego County is bigger than many many independent countries.

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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.