CARLSBAD
CARLSBAD: 23 scholarships awarded in memory of Carlsbad High School alum…
The Aron Gunner Memorial Scholarship Foundation awarded nearly $30,000 in scholarships to 23 Carlsbad High School seniors. The awards of $1,300 each were made possible with community support at the Carlsbad Spirit Benefit Concert. The foundation was formed in memory of Aron Gunner, a 2007 Carlsbad High School graduate, who died in a car crash in 2013 at the age of 23. Gunner, an Eagle Scout and standout wrestler, earned the Award for Excellence from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his work with Carlsbad’s High’s TV station and graduated from SDSU with a degree in communications in 2012. Scholarship recipients include, right to left, back row: Alex Park, Chase Boertje, Owen Gommel and Kai Richards, Eyan Zamora, Tyler Van Klaveren, Lily O’Neill, Amanda Witt, Daniella Ucker. Middle Row: Carly Gonzalez, Jackie Merrill, Camila Preciado. Front Row: Valeria Bedaya, Caroline Collins, Danielle Dee, Leah Gijon, Lila Hand, Mikaela Legaspi, Lexie Han, Valeria Torres, Johanna Ruiz, Aurelia Trask, Alan Velasquez. Photo by Carole Gunner
Bird migrations topic of lagoon talk
Batiquitos Lagoon will have a free, 90-minute, docent-led nature walk at 10 a.m. July 18 with a discussion on bird migration. Wildlife biologist Viviane Marquez will discuss hummingbird migration and fun facts. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Open to ages 12 and older. Rain cancels the event. Visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.
Genealogy buffs discuss history center
“What I Learned at the Family History Center” will be the topic of a presentation by three members of the North San Diego County Genealogical Society from 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 14 at the City of Carlsbad Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave. The speakers will discuss their discoveries from a recent annual group visit to the famous genealogical library in Salt Lake City. To attend via Zoom, visit nsdcgs.org.
Dino Discovery Day
A Dino Day event with free family-friendly entertainment and activities is from 10 a.m. to noon July 16 as part of the Discovery Days series at The Forum Carlsbad. The program will take place in the garden area near YETI and will feature a paleontologist giving an interactive presentation as well as a dinosaur egg craft. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.
DNA genealogy group meets
The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by North San Diego Genealogical Society, hosts a talk on “A Systematic Approach of Validating Ancestry DNA Thrulines” at 1 p.m. July 18 at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. The speaker will give the presentation virtually. To attend via Zoom, visit nsdcgs.org.
CHULA VISTA
Village Walk Summer Sundays
The music of The Joe Rathburn Band will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. July 19 at the Summer Sunday celebration at Village Walk at Eastlake, 884 Eastlake Parkway. There will be a display of cars by the Porsche Club of America – San Diego as well as a children’s craft along with balloon sculptures and glitter tattoos. Visit shopvillagewalk.com/special-events.
DEL MAR
Opening Day at the races
The summer horse racing season starts July 17 at the Del Mar Racetrack with the Opening Day Hats Contest and The Party, a trackside celebration. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will run its 87th summer racing season through Sept. 7. This year, the Seabiscuit Society VIP Party will debut in the Grandstand’s sixth-floor Skyroom. Special events include the Tacos & Tequila Festival on July 18; Taste of the Turf Club Sundays starting July 19; Pop-Up Sundays starting July 19; Turf Club Fridays starting July 24 and Family Fun Day July 26 with free admission for children 17 and younger along with kids’ games, face painting, inflatable attractions and activities. This year the first post is daily at 2 p.m., including on Fridays, except Sept. 5, when the first post moves to 1:30 p.m. Visit www.dmtc.com.
EL CAJON
Music on Main
Music on Main, a free concert series with live music and dancing, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays through August at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon. Performances feature local and regional artists performing a range of music from rock, country and Latin to jazz. Visit www.downtownelcajon.com/events/music-on-main.
ENCINITAS
Free beach concert features Afrobeat
The free Moonlight Beach community concert summer series features Mitchum Yacoub for a concert themed Sun, Sand & Afrobeat Sounds, including soul, funk and Latin-inspired rhythms from 3 to 5 p.m. July 12 at Moonlight Beach, 400 B St. The concert also features an opening performance by a local youth band winner from the 91X Loudspeaker competition from 1 to 2 p.m. Bring beach chairs. Other concerts are July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. Free admission. Visit www.encinitasca.gov.
ESCONDIDO
Art exhibit on street cultures
The 4th annual Cali Stilo art exhibition runs through July 31 at the Escondido Arts Partnership in the Main Gallery, 262 E. Grand Ave., featuring more than 75 artworks focusing on urban creativity and inspired by the street subcultures of Southern California. Artists blend street art, stylized text, pen and ink and graffiti aesthetics with contemporary art. Admission is free. Visit escondidoarts.org.
Science Night at children’s museum
The Children’s Museum of Discovery will put on its annual Science and Engineering Night for ages 4-10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 18 at 320 N. Broadway. The event includes 10 interactive STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math) activities. Kids can experiment with robotics and coding and learn about the mechanics of a car, optical illusions and other topics. Visitors can meet scientists at the event. For tickets, visit visitcmod.org.
LA JOLLA
Twilight on the Bike Path
The free inaugural Twilight on the Bike Path community event is from 6 to 8 p.m. July 16 at Starkey Mini Park, 6673 Draper St. Friends of the La Jolla Bike Path advocate and volunteer Glen Rasmussen will lead a 2.2-mile walking tour of the Fay Avenue bike path, drawing on his 60 years of exploring its flora and fauna. The one-hour twilight stroll will begin at 6:45 p.m. following the paved and dirt trail that runs along a former railroad line between La Jolla and Bird Rock. It stretches from Nautilus Street to Camino de la Costa. Pack a picnic dinner and meet at Starkey Park at 6 p.m. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome (bring your own waste bags). Visit lajollaparksbeaches.org.
IMPERIAL BEACH
Sun & Sea Festival features sand sculpting
The Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival is set for July 18 at the Portwood Pier Plaza. The event features a Masters sand carving competition where world-class master sand sculptors show their creativity, skill and artistry in sand sculpting as they compete for top honors. There will be a street fair, live music and entertainment, local vendors, Kids Sandcastle Competition and activities for all ages. A “Back to the 70’s Sun & Sea Ball” is from 6 to 11 p.m. July 17 at Mike Hess Brewing Company to support the Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival. Visit sunandseafestival.com/2024-event-schedule.
Social group holds meetups
The Catholic Widows, Widowers and Singles of North County, a group that fosters friendships through various social activities, will meet for the following events:
July 19: Potluck at 2 p.m. at Las Brisas Pacificas House, San Marcos
July 22: Walk at noon at Oceanside Harbor North and lunch at 1 p.m. at Oceanside Broiler.
July 28: Lunch at 2 p.m. at Denny’s, Vista.
July 30: Dinner at 5 p.m. at Chin Szechwan, Rancho Bernardo.
Reservations are required at 818-665-8150. Visit cwwnc.com.
OCEANSIDE
Car buffs to gather
San Diego-based WD-40 Brand is partnering with Throtl for a Cars & Coffee event from 9 to 11 a.m. July 18 at Oceanside’s Camber and Caster auto club and lounge, 3520 Seagate Way. Highlights include custom builds on display ranging from a Ferrari F355 to 1956 Ford F100 and Lamborghini Huracan. Attendees are encouraged to showcase their custom builds. There will be ameet-and-greet with the Throtl team, free Sim Racing and coffee and doughnuts. Registration and free tickets are at www.eventbrite.com/e/throtl-x-wd-40-cars-and-coffee-july-2026-tickets-1989855071083.
Free job search workshops
Oceanside Public Library’s READS Learning Center runs free Job Labs to help folks looking for a job from noon to 2 p.m. July 13, July 27 and Aug. 13 at the READS Learning Center, 804 Pier View Way. The Job Labs offer individualized support with resumes, job applications, job searching and interviewing. Register for one or all sessions at 760-435-5680 or oceansidepl.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming?keywords=interview.
Veterans writing group meets
The nonprofit Veterans’ Writing Group of San Diego County meets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18 at the Veterans Association of North County Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave. The free meeting is open to veterans, active-duty military and their families to “express themselves through writing, share their experiences and connect with others.” The meeting can also be attended virtually at bit.ly/vwgsdzoom. Visit veteranswritinggroup.org.
Free lecture series
The LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) lectures series at MiraCosta College features two speakers July 17 at the college’s Oceanside Campus, 1 Barnard Drive, Administration Building 1000. At 1 p.m. there will be a talk on rare earth elements and how they touch aspects of modern life and geopolitics, led by Madhukar Rao, retired chemical engineer and docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a presentation on Medications: Nurse’s Perspective led by Roland Estrella. Visit miracosta.edu/life.
POWAY
Summer Movie in the Park
A free movie screening event featuring “Hoppers” is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. July 25 at the Poway Community Park as part of the Summer Movies in the Park series. Visit poway.org/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/959. For information on Summer Movies in the Park in other communities, visit www.summermoviesinthepark.com.
RANCHO BERNARDO
‘San Diego in 1776’ topic of talk
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Speakers Series presents “San Diego in 1776,” a talk by Richard Carrico, historian and professor emeritus at San Diego State University, at 11 a.m. July 18 at the Rancho Bernardo History Museum in the Bernardo Winery. Admission is free. Visit rbhistory.org.
Backpack drive for kids in need
Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church holds a drive-thru collection of new backpacks and lunch boxes for the upcoming school year from 9 to 11 a.m. July 18 at 17010 Pomerado Road. Donations will be given to the Poway Unified School District Youth in Transition program, which serves unhoused and foster children/youths, and to nonprofits Solutions for Change and San Diego Rescue Mission for children in need, whose families are working to overcome homelessness. Checks to the nonprofits are also appreciated. Visit rbcommunity.org.
World affairs discussion group meets
The North County Chapter of the World Affairs Council will host Mehdi Sarram at 10 a.m. July 16 for a presentation on “Nuclear Renaissance – to meet the increased power demands of artificial intelligence” at the Remington Club retirement community, 16916 Hierba Drive. The mission of the World Affairs Council is to foster global understanding and friendships. Visit www.northcountyworldaffairs.org.
SAN DIEGO
Stand Down resource event aimed at homeless veterans
The 38th annual Stand Down resource event hosted by Veterans Village San Diego is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 17-18 at Liberty Station’s Ingram Plaza, 2757 Dewey Road, to offer resources to help homeless and at-risk veterans along with active-duty service members in need. Support includes food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, benefits counseling and referrals to other services. The free two-day outreach event includes more than 150 service providers, government agencies, nonprofits and community groups. Registration is required at vvsd.net/standdown.
Pride Festival and parade
The San Diego Pride Festival is July 18-19 at Marston Point in Balboa Park at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street. The two-day event is slated to include dozens of performers across multiple stages, interactive exhibits and community resources. The event, themed “Pride Shines On,” will run from noon to 10 p.m. July 18 and from noon to 9 p.m. July 19. The Pride Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 18 and takes participants on a 1.5-mile route starting at University Avenue and Richmond Street in Hillcrest and ending near the Pride Festival at Marston Point in Balboa Park. Visit sdpride.org/festival.
Spreckels Summer Organ Festival
Spreckels Organ Society continues its Summer Organ Festival featuring Isabelle Demers playing Holst’s Jupiter, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, Bach and Mozart from 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 20 at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Road in Balboa Park. The summerlong festival features the historic Spreckels Organ with 5,098 pipes of up to 32-feet long, and nine percussion instruments located throughout the building. The music fest is directed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Spreckels Organ Society’s artistic director and San Diego’s civic organist. These 90-minute, free-admission concerts are performed by acclaimed international artists each Monday at 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 7. Visit www.spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival.
Superhero stand-up paddleboard race
Sheraton San Diego Resort hosts a SUPer Hero Show Down, a stand-up paddleboard race that raises money for Fisher House Southern California, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at 1380 Harbor Island Drive. Racers can dress as their favorite superhero or villain for the half-mile course and use a board provided by the resort or bring their own. The day will include games, and food and drink for purchase. Proceeds from this event will benefit Fisher House Southern California Inc., which supports five Fisher Houses across Southern California, including two houses located at Naval Medical Center San Diego, providing a home away from home for military and veteran families during times of medical need. Tickets are $35 to enter the race; free for spectators. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-super-hero-show-down-a-paddleboard-event-tickets-1989423792116.
Nighttime Zoo
Nighttime Zoo continues from 3:30 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 9 at the San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, with live music, entertainment and wildlife. Highlights include Rock & Roar rock and pop band concerts, Zoolamoves dancing and The Chameleons brass ensemble along with Whimsical Wildlife Characters, Dr. Harry & Friends and Jambo Dunia. Visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org/nighttimezoo.
Kiwanis Club hosts National University president
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego holds a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. July 14 at the Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave. The speaker is Mark Milliron, president and CEO of National University, San Diego Business Journal CEO of the Year honoree and member of the U.S. Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame. Tickets are $40; Kiwanis Interclub ticket is $35; members $30. The public is welcome. Reserve at kiwanisclubsandiego.org/event-6643322.
History Tour at Balboa Park
A Balboa Park Women’s History Tour starts at 10:30 a.m. July 18 at the Bea Evenson Fountain, 1875 El Prado, in Balboa Park. The tour was developed with the Center for Women’s History at the San Diego History Center, and highlights the historical and contemporary women whose vision, leadership and creativity helped shape Balboa Park into a cultural destination. Tickets are $20 at sandiegohistory.org or at the center’s admission desk.
Carnivorous Plant Show
A Carnivorous Plant Show & Sale is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 at Casa Del Prado, Room 101, in Balboa Park, hosted by the nonprofit San Diego Carnivorous Plant Society. Admission is free. Visit www.sandiegocarnivorousplantsociety.com.
Gourd and basket art show
The Misti Washington Gourd and Basket Guild will put on a free art show through Aug. 29 at the Serra Mesa Kearny Mesa Library in the lighted display cases. The library, 9005 Aero Drive, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The guild meets on the first Sunday of each month at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum at the Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Visit baskets-gourds.com.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Men’s cancer support group
Scripps Cancer Center will host a free men’s cancer support group from 1 to 2 p.m. July 15 for men of all ages with all types of cancer diagnoses. The group gives attendees a chance to share experiences and offer mutual support. The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams and by phone. Advance registration is required at 858-280-5652 or fong.senchi@scrippshealth.org. Visit www.scripps.org/events/men-s-cancer-support-group-virtual-july-15-2026.
Backpack drive
The Frontwave Credit Union and Frontwave Foundation are running the Give360 Summer Backpack Drive through July 31 to collect new backpacks, school supplies and monetary donations to support local foster kids and low-income students. Donations will benefit Solutions for Change, Olive Crest in San Diego, Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, and Desert Sanctuary in Barstow. Donations can be dropped off at a Frontwave Credit Union branch or Frontwave Arena. Visit www.frontwavefoundation.com/backpack.
SANTEE
Concert features John Denver songs
A concert featuring the songs of John Denver performed by singer-songwriter Peter Bolland is at 7 p.m. July 18 at Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 8778 Cottonwood Ave. Bolland weaves the songs of John Denver with stories of his life and impact. The audience can sing along. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $20 check or cash at the door or in advance at summituuf.org/giving-overview/donate; select “give to concert series” in the drop-down menu
SOLANA BEACH
Concert at Fletcher Cove
The Concerts at the Cove series, hosted by the city of Solana Beach and the Belly Up, features local musicians performing from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 6 for all ages at the Fletcher Cove Park stage, 111 S. Sierra Ave. The July 16 concert features Salty Papa/R&B-Blues. Free admission. Bring low-back beach chairs, blankets and picnics. No alcohol, tobacco, pets or personal grills allowed during concerts. Visit www.cityofsolanabeach.org.
VISTA
Sunday Fundays at sports field
Sunday Fundays hosted by the city of Vista is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays during the summer through Aug. 9 at Vista Magnet Middle School, 400 Main St. The school’s sports field will be open for play or exercise and there will be sports equipment. There will also be information about community programs. Visit vista.gov.
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