Your San Diego Weekend Starts Here

Happy Independence Day, San Diego!

July settles into its summer rhythm this weekend with classic car shows, outdoor concerts, scenic hikes, and more than 200 live music performances across the county. Whether you're heading to Cruisin' Grand, discovering San Diego's newest Michelin-starred restaurant, or just looking for somewhere new to explore, we've rounded up plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend.

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!

The Events

🚗 Cruisin' Grand – Fri. July 10, Escondido
Hundreds of classic cars, live music, and downtown Escondido come alive for one of Southern California's longest-running weekly car shows.

🍷 USD Wine Classic – Sat. July 11
This year's fundraiser is already sold out, a sign of its popularity. Mark your calendar and grab tickets early when they go on sale next year.

🚘 6th Annual Groupe Car Show – Sun. July 12, Fallbrook
European classics, sports cars, and exotics take over downtown Fallbrook for a relaxed community car show with food and local vendors.

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🎶 Point Loma Summer Concerts – Fri. July 10
Pack a blanket and enjoy the first evening of this free outdoor concert series, a summertime tradition in Point Loma.

🕯️ Candlelight Concerts – July 11–12, Balboa Park
Experience live music by candlelight in an intimate setting at the Fleet Science Center, featuring tributes to popular artists.

⭐ New Michelin Star: Lucien (La Jolla)
San Diego's newest Michelin-starred restaurant, Lucien in La Jolla, just earned the county's only new Michelin star for 2026.

🐴 Opening Day at Del Mar Racetrack – July 17
Thoroughbred racing, famous hats, and the return of one of San Diego's biggest summer traditions.

🦸 Comic-Con International – July 23–26
Cosplay, celebrity panels, exclusive exhibits, and four days of pop culture in downtown San Diego.

🏄 Super Girl Surf Festival – Aug. 21–23
Pro surfing, free concerts, beach volleyball, and family fun return to the Oceanside Pier.
https://supergirlsurfpro.com/

Located between Escondido and San Elijo Hills, Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve offers one of North County's most rewarding hikes. The Way Up Trail climbs through shaded oak groves and chaparral to panoramic views of Olivenhain Reservoir, the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains on clear days. With multiple loop options, it's easy to tailor the hike from about 3 to 6 miles, making it a great choice for a summer morning before the afternoon heat arrives.

Length: 5.2 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Reservoir views, oak woodlands, creek crossings, wildflowers in season, and excellent birdwatching.

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A classic summer weekend is ahead with mild temperatures, cool mornings, afternoon sunshine, and just a few lingering coastal clouds. Great weather for festivals, beach days, and getting outside. ☀️🌊

Uvas Winery – Phil Marcus Trio – Poway – 5:30-8:30pm
Rancho Valencia – Alex Elisabeth – Rancho Santa Fe – 5:30-9:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ – JP McDermott & Western Bop – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Panama 66 – Nightshade Navarro & Los Salvajes – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Party Burgers – Mike Kalend – Fallbrook – 6-8pm
La Mesa Wine Works – Kim & The Strays – La Mesa – 6-8:30pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Jimmy & Enrique – San Marcos – 6-9pm
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar – Michael Till – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars - Oceanside – Smokin Guns – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside – Jack Kovic – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – Urban Gypsys – Vista – 6-9pm
Hangar 76 – Smokin Guns – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Havana Grill - Mission Valley – Charlie Chavez & La Perla Negra – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Helix Brewing Co. – Rock The Goat – La Mesa – 6-9pm

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

🎤 Karaoke

Pour House – Dance/Karaoke Party w/ DJ Sean! Sing Your Heart Out or Just Dance to Killer Trax. A Free Party! – Oceanside – 9-11:59pm
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

Mia Marie Vineyards – Sunset Trivia – Escondido – 5:30-7:30pm
Dirty Birds - Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Grand Ole BBQ – Barbwire – El Cajon – 5-8pm
Gaylord Pacific – Danielle Angeloni – Chula Vista – 5-8pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Good Mojo – Point Loma – 5-8pm
Koi Zen Cellars – Lisa Dilk & The Dude J – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
Pour House – The California Rangers – Oceanside – 5-8pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Kristi Krause – Rancho Bernardo – 5-9pm
Castelli & Pizzaro – Peter Hall – 4S Ranch – 5:30-8pm
Lucrezia – SoulRaye – La Jolla – 5:30-8:30pm
Napatini Wine Bar – Danny Gali! – Carlsbad – 5:30-8:30pm
Omni La Costa – Christian Taylor – La Costa – 5:30-8:30pm
Tidal – Jolene Cruz – Mission Bay – 5:30-8:30pm
Panama 66 – Amanda Portola & the Global Groove – Balboa Park – 6-8pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Ashley E. Norton – Ramona – 6-8pm
La Mesa Wine Works – The Kaotics – La Mesa – 6-8:30pm

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

🎤 Karaoke

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with Leslie – La Mesa – 6-9pm
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

Pour House – Grimm's Law • Cory Lomberg • Fin Cinema – Oceanside – 5-9pm
Coyote Bar & Grill – Cool Rush Band – Carlsbad – 5-9pm
Rancho Bernardo Inn – Mike McGill – Rancho Bernardo – 5-8pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Geoff Nigl – Encinitas – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Jon Campos – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten | Pizza Cassette – Fat Paw – Morena – 5:30-8:30pm
Black Rail Kitchen + Bar – ESP Jazz Collective + Open Jam Session – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Oceanside – Open Mic with Raynaldo Martine – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Coomber Craft Wines Vista – The Mudchuckers – Vista – 6-9pm
Eddie V's V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
Humphreys Backstage Live – Monique Renee Experience – San Diego – 6-9pm
Casino Pauma Red Parrot Lounge – Nitro Express – Pauma – 6-10pm
Pala Casino Center Bar – Los Garza'z – Pala – 6-10:30pm

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 – 8:30pm-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 with 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: D. 37,000 square miles

When California created its original 27 counties in 1850, San Diego County covered roughly 37,000 square miles, making it one of the largest counties in the state. It included all of present-day Imperial and Riverside counties, plus large portions of San Bernardino and Inyo counties. As new counties were formed over the following decades, San Diego County gradually shrank to its current size of about 4,200 square miles. That's why today's county map looks so different from the original.

🤝 Help Us Grow

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.

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.