✈️ The Blue Angels, Poway Rodeo & 🎃 Pumpkin Patches

The Blue Angels are roaring over Miramar, broncs are bucking in Poway, and pumpkin season is officially on in Oceanside. There's plenty more happening around San Diego: a full day of jazz in Carlsbad Village, 20-plus restaurants serving samples in the College Area, premium sake downtown, classic cars in Allied Gardens, and miniature trees on display in Balboa Park.

This week's outdoor adventure takes us up Corte Madera, San Diego's own Half Dome, and we dug into the surprising original name of SDSU.

Let's dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

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The Events

✈️ Miramar Air Show
Fri–Sun, 9/25–9/27 • Gates 8 AM • MCAS Miramar
The Blue Angels headline three days of aerial action with F-35s, military demonstrations, civilian aerobatics, vintage aircraft, and more.

🤠 54th Annual Poway Rodeo
Fri–Sat, 9/25–9/26 • Poway Valley Riders Association Arena
Bucking broncs, bull riding, roping, and more return for one of Poway's longest-running traditions, with three rodeo performances over two days.

🎷 St. Michael's Jazz Fest
Sat 9/26 • 10:30 AM–8 PM • St. Michael's by-the-Sea, Carlsbad
A full day of jazz in Carlsbad Village featuring Euphoria Brass Band, Monette Marino Keita, Sue Palmer Quartet, Hot Club of Bird Park, and more

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Taste the Fresh Difference

🎃 Pumpkin & Marigold Harvest Festival
Sat–Sun, 9/26–9/27 • 10 AM–4 PM • Mellano Farm Stand, Oceanside
Kick off fall with pumpkin picking, U-pick marigolds, a corn maze, tractor rides, live music, food trucks, and pumpkin pie eating contests.

🌳 San Diego Bonsai Club Fall Show
Sat 9/26 • 10 AM–5 PM & Sun 9/27 • 10 AM–4 PM • Balboa Park
See remarkable miniature trees, watch bonsai demonstrations, talk with club members, and browse trees, pots, and supplies.

🚗 Eye Candy: The Sweetest Car Show in Town
Sun 9/27 • 7 AM–2 PM • Pal Joey's, Allied Gardens
Classic and custom cars take over Pal Joey's, with music, raffles, trophies, and proceeds supporting Friends of Braille Institute.

🎨 46th International Exhibition
Opens Sun 9/27 • San Diego Watercolor Society, Liberty Station
More than 100 original paintings from artists around the world launch a month-long juried exhibition of water-based media.

🌮 Taste of College Area
Sun 9/27 • 11 AM–3 PM • College Area & Rolando
Sample your way through 20+ neighborhood restaurants, coffee shops and eateries, with Old Town Trolleys helping you travel between stops.

🍶 10th Annual San Diego Sake Festival
Sun 9/27 • 2:30–6:30 PM • JULEP Venue
Explore premium sake from Japan and the U.S. at San Diego Sake Club's annual tasting, with dozens of varieties to discover.

💃 Salsa y Salsa Fiesta
Sat 9/26 • 6–9 PM • Lee House, Lemon Grove
Who makes Lemon Grove's best salsa? Taste the contenders while enjoying tacos, DJ music, drawings and a silent auction at this community fundraiser.

🦕 Resident Free Day – San Diego Natural History Museum — Tue, Oct. 6 • 10 AM–5 PM • Balboa Park — San Diego City and County residents can visit The Nat with ID.

🍺 OB Oktoberfest — Fri–Sat, Oct. 9–10 • Ocean Beach — Beer by the beach, live music, contests, and plenty of classic OB weirdness.

🎨 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival — Sat–Sun, Oct. 10–11 • 10 AM–6 PM • Girard Ave., La Jolla — More than 160 juried artists take over the Village, plus wine, craft beer, live entertainment, and family activities.

Known as “San Diego’s Half Dome,” Corte Madera rises above the backcountry near Pine Valley with a dramatic 500-foot cliff face and sweeping mountain views.

The out-and-back hike is about 7 miles with 1,600 feet of climbing, making this a solid moderate adventure rather than a casual stroll. The payoff is a rocky summit with expansive views across San Diego's backcountry.

🥾 Distance: ~7 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~1,600 feet
📍 Location: Pine Valley / Cleveland National Forest
⚠️ Know Before You Go: There are no facilities at the trailhead. Bring plenty of water, and check current conditions and closures before heading out. HikingGuy recommends at least 2 liters of water.

Oceanside Pier

Fri 9/25
High 80° / Low 68° • 🌤️ 20%

Sat 9/26
High 83° / Low 72° • 🌤️ 7%

Sun 9/27
High 80° / Low 71° • ☁️ 13%

A warm, mostly dry weekend is ahead. Friday and Saturday will be partly cloudy, with Saturday the warmest day at 83°. Sunday stays mild but turns cloudier, with highs around 80°.

Barefoot Bar & Grill – Jason Graham – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Castelli & Pizzaro – Ashley E Norton – Penasquitos – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Kevin Ryan – La Jolla – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – Jonny Tarr – Core-Columbia – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – The Heart – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
The Landings at Carlsbad – The Ride – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
The Loma Club – Fish & the Seaweeds – Liberty Station – 6-9pm
The Rabbit Hole – Jimmy Lewis – Normal Heights – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos: TBD – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
Coyote Bar & Grill – Radio 80’s – Carlsbad – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Serious Guise – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine – Cobby Brzeski Swing Band – Mira Mesa – 6:30-8:30pm
Downtown Cafe – Syltr ( So You Love To Rock ) Band – El Cajon – 6:30-9:30pm

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

🎤 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 Javier – Rolando – 9pm-1am
Winstons OB – Karaoke w/Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 9:30pm-12:30am

🧠 Trivia

Forgotten Barrel Winery – WINE & BINGO – Escondido – 5-7pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Sunset Trivia – Escondido – 5:30-7:30pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Uvas Winery – Crazy Tomes – Poway – 4-8pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Woody and the Harrelsons – Pala – 4-8:30pm
The Camp Store – The Ram – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
Del Mar Plaza – Whitney Shay - Seaside Sessions – Del Mar – 5-7pm
The Roxy Encinitas – George Richards – Encinitas – 5-7pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Lady Dottie And The Diamonds – El Cajon – 5-8pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Barrelhouse Blues Club – Carmel Mountain Ranch – 5-8pm
Pour House – Bonneville 7 – Oceanside – 5-8pm
Gaylord Pacific – Richard Galiguis – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Manzanita Blues Band – Point Loma – 5-8pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Kristi Krause – San Diego – 5-9pm
Lucrezia – SoulRaye – La Jolla – 5:30-8:30pm
La Mesa Wine Works – Do Right Louie – La Mesa – 6-8:30pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Ray Gavin Band – San Marcos – 6-9pm
American Legion Post 282 – Fire Brothers – La Mesa – 6-9pm
Aquarius Bar & Grille – Electric Waste Band – Mission Bay – 6-9pm

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

🎤 Karaoke

Oceanside Elks Lodge 1561 – Karaoke w/ Sir Lou – Oceanside – 6-10pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Karaoke – Oceanside – 7-9:30pm
Ringer's Cocktail Lounge – Doug's Karaoke – Bonsall – 8pm-12am
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
Dirty Birds - SDSU Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Duke's La Jolla – Kristi Krause – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Carruth Cellars - Liberty Station – Al Barnes – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 4-7pm
Winstons OB – Disauthority * Strangely Strange – Ocean Beach – 4-7pm
The Kraken – B.A.M. – Cardiff – 4-8pm
The Camp Store – Color of Water – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
Bahia Resort Hotel – Jared Fisher – Mission Bay – 4:30-7:30pm
Chandler's Oceanfront Dining – Alex Elisabeth – Carlsbad – 5-7pm
Del Mar Plaza – Lee Melton – Del Mar – 5-7pm
Panama 66 – Claudia Gomez & Tap Jam – Balboa Park – 5-7pm
Tio Leo's Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Chuck Redd Quartet – Morena – 5-7pm
Kimball Bar & Grill – BB & Company – National City – 5-8pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Mike McGill – San Diego – 5-8pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Lou Shook – Encinitas – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – WYO – Encinitas – 5-8pm

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 – 8:30-11:59pm
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 w/ 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!! …

Answer: C. San Diego Normal School

Founded in 1897 to train teachers, the San Diego Normal School eventually became San Diego State University. The term normal school comes from the French école normale, referring to a school that taught future educators accepted standards, or “norms,” of teaching.

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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.