🌊 Surf Contests, Chula Vista HarborFest & Island Culture

San Diego has a little bit of everything happening this weekend. Watch some of the world's best women surfers compete in Oceanside, welcome HarborFest back to the Chula Vista bayfront, or celebrate Hawaiian and Filipino culture at festivals around the county.

We've also got books at USD, cars and culture in National City, a trip to Otay Lakes for hiking and trophy-bass territory, plus 300+ live performances, karaoke and trivia happening across San Diego. And if you're already looking ahead, save room for Taste of Encinitas Tuesday night.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

PS - This weekly update goes out to folks who registered through our Facebook promotion for local events. If these messages are no longer a fit, there’s a simple opt-out link in the footer - one tap and delivery stops right away. Thanks for giving us a look!

PPS - Bike the Bay happens Sunday. A chance to ride your bike across the Coronado Bay Bridge!

The Events

🌊 Super Girl Surf Festival — Fri.–Sun., Aug. 21–23
The world's largest women's surf competition returns to Oceanside with 180 top surfers, action sports, a festival village and live concerts.
Oceanside Pier

⚓ Chula Vista HarborFest — Sat., Aug. 22, 10 AM–6 PM
Back on the bayfront after a long hiatus, HarborFest brings live music, Lucha Libre, classic cars, water activities, food and family fun.
Bayside Park, Chula Vista

🌺 San Diego Hoʻolauleʻa Hawaiian Festival — Sat.–Sun., Aug. 22–23
Celebrate Hawaiian and Polynesian culture with live music, traditional dance, food, arts and crafts and family activities.
NTC Park at Liberty Station

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🇵🇭 SAMAFEST Philippine Cultural Arts Festival — Sat.–Sun., Aug. 22–23, 11 AM–5 PM
The 39th annual festival celebrates Filipino culture with traditional dance, live music, cultural exhibits, vendors and Filipino food.
Presidents Way Lawn, Balboa Park

📚 KPBS San Diego Book Festival — Sat., Aug. 22, 10 AM–4 PM
More than 8,000 book lovers are expected for a day of author talks, panels, live entertainment, children's activities and exhibitors.
University of San Diego

🚘 National City Cars & Culture Festival — Sun., Aug. 23, 10 AM–2 PM
Cars, trucks, race cars and motorcycles fill Kimball Park for a community show with awards and a special emphasis on electric vehicles.
Kimball Park, National City

Stroll through downtown Encinitas while sampling food and drinks from local restaurants during the annual Taste of Encinitas. The evening also features live music at several locations along the route, turning downtown into one big progressive dinner party.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 25 • 5:30–8:30 PM
Where: Downtown Encinitas

Saddle up for three nights of professional rodeo action as the Ramona Rodeo returns with bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, bronc riding and more. The annual community tradition also features food, vendors and plenty of Western fun.

When: Thurs.–Sat., Aug. 27–29
Where: Ramona Outdoor Community Center
More Info: Ramona Rodeo

Head south this weekend for a different side of San Diego at Otay Lakes County Park, a 78-acre park overlooking Lower Otay Reservoir. Take the Summit Trail from the east side of the park for a short climb to the water tower and panoramic lake views, or continue along the ridge for a longer adventure.

🎣 Bring a fishing rod: Lower Otay is one of San Diego's legendary largemouth bass fisheries, and it's still producing monsters. In January, Chula Vista angler Andy Guzman landed a 15-pound, 9-ounce largemouth on just his fourth cast of the morning, then released it back into the lake.

Distance: 0.8 miles to the water tower; 2.7 miles for the longer route
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Highlights: Lake views, birdwatching, native plants, fishing and picnicking
Good to know: The trail is exposed, so get an early start and bring plenty of water. Lower Otay is open for fishing Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

This one is just stunning!

Fri 8/21
High 82° / Low 70° • ⛅ 20%

Sat 8/22
High 83° / Low 71° • ☀️ 20%

Sun 8/23
High 84° / Low 72° • 🌤️ 19%

Expect a warm, mostly dry weekend, with partly cloudy skies Friday, plenty of sunshine Saturday, and some morning fog giving way to afternoon sun on Sunday. Coastal breezes should provide some relief as afternoon highs climb into the low to mid-80s.

Whiskey Girl – Miranda Ramos Band – East Village – 8-10pm
Dizzy's Jazz – Josh Moore Quartet – Bay Park – 8-11pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Ryan Hiller – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Groove Therapy – Point Loma – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – The Mustache Bash Family Band – University Heights – 8-11pm
Pour House – Brixton Presents "Hwy Run" Video Premiere - Bands after – Oceanside – 8-11:59pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Kings Tide – Encinitas – 8:30-10:30pm
Larry's Beach Club – Broken Halo – Oceanside – 8:30pm-12:30am
Beaumont's Eatery – Jet West – La Jolla – 9-11:59pm
Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill – The Quickies – Encinitas – 9pm-12am
The Salty Frog – Tequila Mockingbirds – Imperial Beach – 9pm-12am
Renegade Bar – Heartland Country – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
The Kraken – X Syndicate – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pala Casino Center Bar – Fresh Play – Pala – 9pm-1:15am
Moonshine Flats – Ash Easton – Gaslamp Quarter – 9:30-11:30pm

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

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 Javier – 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

North Bar – Clearly Dirty – Escondido – 8-11pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Savage Touch – Encinitas – 8:30-10:30pm
Larry's Beach Club – Whiskey Heat – Oceanside – 8:30pm-12:30pm
Seven Grand San Diego – The B-Line – North Park – 9-11pm
Beaumont's Eatery – Randy Mcdonald's Road Dog Revue – La Jolla – 9-11:59pm
710 Beach Club – Croondog & Sonafire – Pacific Beach – 9pm-12am
Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill – Custard Pie – Encinitas – 9pm-12am
Patrick's Gaslamp Pub – Quel Bordel – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-12am
The Salty Frog – Heavy 70s – Imperial Beach – 9pm-12am
Winstons OB – Shakedown String Band – Ocean Beach – 9pm-12am
Renegade Bar – Big City Hillbillies – El Cajon – 9pm-12:30am
Pal Joey's – The Satisfiers – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
The Kraken – Deep End – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pala Casino Center Bar – Forward Motion – Pala – 9pm-1:15am
Moonshine Flats – Ash Easton – Gaslamp Quarter – 9:30-11:30pm

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

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

🧠 Trivia

Communion / Paradis Cafe – Sunset Trivia – Mission Hills – 6-8pm
Phantom Lounge & Nightclub – Sunset Trivia – Mission Hills – 6-8pm
Round Table Pizza - Poway – Trivia – Poway – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds - College Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside – Open Mic With Raynaldo Martine – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – The Fay Brothers – Vista – 6-9pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Burt Brion Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
The Jazzy Wishbone – Cool Jazz – Oceanside – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: Zoey • Jeff • Jon – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Casino Pauma Red Parrot Lounge – LA Acoustic – Pauma – 6-10pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Tribal Funk – Pala – 6-10:30pm
Le Papagayo - Carlsbad – Whit Aadland – Carlsbad – 6:30-9:30pm
Le Papagayo - Leucadia – Zb Savoy – Leucadia – 6:30-9:30pm
The Jazz Lounge – Chris Fishman with Jermaine Paul & Christian Euman – College East – 7-9pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Electriclouieland Presents: CHANGÜÍ LOÜÍE – University Heights – 7-10pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Pocket Change – Point Loma – 8-11pm
Prohibition SD – Karlos Paez – Gaslamp Quarter – 8pm-1:30am
Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill – Jazz Jam – Encinitas – 9pm-12am
Patrick's Gaslamp Pub – Trey Hill – Gaslamp Quarter – 9pm-12am

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
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
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 – 5-8pm
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!! …

Long before Mission Bay became one of San Diego's favorite places for boating, beaches, picnics, and water sports, it was a sprawling tidal marsh known as False Bay.

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo gave the area the name in 1542. For centuries, the nearby San Diego River shifted between draining into San Diego Bay and False Bay, carrying sand and silt that helped create a shallow, constantly changing landscape.

The Mission Bay we recognize today is largely the result of one of San Diego's biggest public works projects. In 1944, local civic leaders proposed turning the marsh into a major recreational and tourist destination. Dredging began in the late 1940s and continued into the early 1960s, moving an astonishing 25 million cubic yards of sand and silt to create many of the islands, beaches, coves, and shorelines we know today.

So when you're looking across Mission Bay this weekend, you're looking at a landscape that San Diego quite literally reshaped.

If the San Diego Meteor helped you plan your weekend, would you forward it to a friend or neighbor who'd enjoy it too? Word of mouth is how we grow.

And if you know about a great event, hidden gem, local restaurant, scenic hike, or story we should feature, just hit reply. Many of our best ideas come from readers just like you.

PS - a $ indicates the event has a cost. I’ll be adding this where it makes sense going forward.

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.