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In this Issue
San Diego does that thing again this weekend where wildly different plans all sound good: street fairs in North County, kites over Ocean Beach, mountain views above Julian, open streets in Encinitas, and enough live music to fill a second newsletter. Add near-perfect May weather and the hardest part might be choosing.
Let’s dive in.
Steve DeLong
Publisher
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The Events
🎭 San Diego International Fringe Festival – May 12–24, Multiple Venues
The weirdness has officially arrived. Experimental theater, comedy, music, immersive experiences, and boundary-pushing performances are popping up across San Diego — perfect if you’re craving something unexpected beyond the usual weekend lineup.
🎪 Escondido Street Festival – May 17, 10am–6pm, Downtown Escondido
Hundreds of vendors, live entertainment, food booths, and family-friendly fun transform downtown Escondido into one of North County’s biggest street fairs. A good excuse to wander, snack, and discover something unexpected.
🏃 La Jolla Half Marathon & 5K – May 16, La Jolla to Torrey Pines
One of the most scenic races in the country returns with ocean views, tough hills, and a finish line near the coast. Even spectators get a good excuse for an early-morning walk.
65% of All S&P Returns Since 2022 Have Come From 42 Stocks. Now What?
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Morgan Stanley's Lisa Shalett flagged another potential problem: stocks and bonds are moving together recently. The 60/40 hedge isn't working the way it used to. Her fix? Up to 25% in alternatives.
It wasn’t mentioned directly by Shalett, but one alternative has shown near-zero correlation to the S&P since 1995. Different market. Different buyers. Different timing.
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🚲 Cyclovia Encinitas – May 17, Encinitas
Part street festival, part open-streets experiment — roads close to cars and open to bikes, walkers, skaters, and community fun. A rare chance to see Encinitas at a slower pace.
🪁 OB Kiwanis Kite Festival – May 16, Robb Field, Ocean Beach
78th OB Kite Festival! Free kites for kids, soaring creations overhead, and old-school community fun return for a beloved Ocean Beach tradition that’s been bringing families together for decades.
🦖 Nat at Night – Fridays, Balboa Park
The museum stays open late with rooftop views, drinks, food, and after-hours access to exhibits. Science gets a little more fun after dark. Weekly starting May 15th.
The Food
🌮 Las Cuatro Milpas Returns to Barrio Logan
One of San Diego’s most iconic family-run Mexican spots is back in a new home after closing last year — keeping a nearly century-old local tradition alive.
🍺 Over the Line Beer Fest (OBMAC) – May 16, Mariners Point, Mission Bay
OTL Tournament plus Craft beer, local breweries, food, and waterfront views come together at a prequel to the famous July OTL Tournament. Expect good pours and classic sunny San Diego energy.
The Upcoming
🍓 Vista Strawberry Festival – May 24, Downtown Vista
One of North County’s biggest annual festivals returns with strawberry treats, vendors, live entertainment, and a 5K — all celebrating Vista’s farming roots. Expect crowds, sweet snacks, and peak small-town festival energy.
🌶️ 46th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off – June 27, Ocean Beach
One of San Diego’s most beloved summer traditions returns with chili tastings, local bands, beachfront vibes, and the wonderfully weird energy Ocean Beach does better than anywhere else. Come hungry — and maybe prepare to debate what actually counts as award-winning chili.
Looking for wide-open mountain views without the crowds of Cowles? Volcan Mountain sits just above Julian with sweeping views stretching toward the desert on clear days. The old ranch roads make it popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
Distance: ~5 miles RT (to summit)
Difficulty: Moderate
Why now: Cool temps, green hills, and fewer summer crowds
Bonus: Reward yourself with Julian pie or a gold mine tour afterward
The Views
I just love this one!
🌄 San Diego History Trivia
What happens when the S&P moves 3% during your commute?
We are living in volatile times. While you cannot control the state of international affairs, you can position your portfolio accordingly.
Liquid is one of the fastest growing trading platforms, allowing users to trade stocks, commodities, FX, and more 24/7/365 from their phone and computer.
🌤️ The Weather — Central San Diego
Fri 5/15
High 70° / Low 58° • ⛅ 6%
Sat 5/16
High 70° / Low 57° • ⛅ 14%
Sun 5/17
High 68° / Low 57° • ⛅ 4%
A classic May weekend in San Diego: morning clouds clear to sunny afternoons all three days, with mild temperatures, low rain chances, and comfortable coastal breezes.
The Music
Friday 5/15
🎶 Live Music
The Roxy Encinitas – Jesse French – Encinitas – 3-5pm
Duke's La Jolla – Orion Song – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Rafa Ponde – Mission Bay – 4-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Ashley Norton – Escondido – 4-6pm
North City – David Pozay – San Marcos – 4-7pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Fresh Play – Pala – 4-8:30pm
Domaine Artefact – Julia Martinez – Escondido – 4:30-6:30pm
Gaylord Pacific – Shea Givens – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – The Party Crashers – Point Loma – 5-8pm
Pour House – Vince Lee & Sophie Lord – Oceanside – 5-8pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Kevin James O'brien – Rancho Bernardo – 5-9pm
TERI Common Grounds Cafe – Ellis Marcel – San Marcos – 5-7pm
The Camp Store – Brent Curtis – Carlsbad – 5-7:30pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Tim Atkins – Encinitas – 5-7pm
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🧠 Trivia & Bingo
Forgotten Barrel Winery – WINE & BINGO – Escondido – 5-7pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Trivia with Kevin Hay – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
Cali Social Cafe – Sunset Trivia – Pacific Beach – 7-9pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm
🎤 Karaoke
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Harry's Sports Bar & Grill – Harryoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
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
Saturday 5/16
🎶 Live Music
La Valencia Hotel – Orion Song – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Windjammers – Mission Bay – 12-3pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Ed Kornhauser – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – Raynaldo Martine – Vista – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – The Davies Organ Quartet – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – BJ Jezbera – Encinitas – 1-3pm
Winstons OB – Film@Eleven – Ocean Beach – 1-3pm
Coyote Bar & Grill – The Kaotics – Carlsbad – 1-4:30pm
Domaine Artefact – John Patrick – Escondido – 2-4pm
Burtech Family Vineyards – Lee Melton – Vista – 3-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Julian Jaime – Escondido – 3-5pm
One Paseo – David De Alva – Del Mar – 3-5pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Fat Paw – Mission Bay – 3-6pm
Camel's Bar & Grill – Mango Bay Band – Mission Valley – 4-7pm
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🎤 Karaoke
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
Sunday 5/17
🎶 Live Music
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar – ESP Jazz Collective – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Casino Pauma Red Parrot Lounge – Bill Magee – Pauma – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside – Open Mic With Raynaldo Martine – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – Jason Jenkins – Vista – 6-9pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Elan Trotman – Point Loma – 6-9pm
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub – The Clachen Boys – Escondido – 6-9pm
The Cordova Bar – Stacy Antonel – Morena – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: Tom • James • Zoey – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Fresh Play – Pala – 6-10:30pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Whats Golden – University Heights – 7-10pm
McP's Irish Pub – Ron's Garage – Coronado – 7-10pm
The Kraken – Band Called Sex – Cardiff – 7-10pm
Patrick's Gaslamp Pub – Wes Brenner – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-12am
The list has gotten too big! To see everything click the button…
🎤 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
Full Circle Saloon – Karaoke – Santee – 8:30-11:59pm
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 – Poway – 5-7pm
Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 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!! …
❓ San Diego History Trivia Answer
Answer: B) It became a boomtown after a gold discovery in 1870 🥇
Did you know? Julian sparked Southern California’s first major gold rush, but it wasn’t the region’s only one — dozens of gold discoveries followed across SoCal. More than 60 mines once operated around Julian, and you can still tour a real 1870s underground mine at ⛏️ Eagle Mining Co..
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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.
Steve DeLong
