Right now off the coast of San Diego is the phenomena known as “Red tide“.  The Red tide is a bio luminescent glow originating from phytoplankton (large qtys of plankton) in the waters off our coast.  Some of the better spots to see this is La Jolla and Carlsbad.  Of course the adventure begins around dusk.

Another great event is Oktsoldierfest.  Not your typical Oktoberfest, Oktsoldierfest benefits the Warrior Foundation.  Drinking beer, listening to live music that benefits our soldiers is a no brainer.

When you are done drinking beer, you need to pick up a Pumpkin.  There are a ton of spots in San Diego for doing this, the best spot is Bates Nut Farm.  Bates Nut Farm offers their humungous Pumpkin Patch, Hayride, Maze, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Picnic area and shopping.  They are open every day from 9-5 from September 24th through Halloween.  Call 760-749-3333 for more details.

Happy October! Sandiegolocales.com

2) Art Walk San Diego’s original Fine Art festival April 30th to May 1st

3) The Flower fields, the Ranunculus are in bloom, go take photos of these beautiful flowers

4) Taste of Hillcrest, Saturday April 16th

5) Summerpastgarden, Herbal gardens, gifts and Fairies

6) Benito’s Bunny Great Easter Egg hunt, Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre

7) Double Deuce in San Diego, sort of like Hooter’s meets country

Oceanside days of Art April 16th and 17th

9) Vin de Syrah Swanky Alice in Wonderland inspired wine haven

10) Cygnet Theatre, Cabaret

1) Bite San Diego Tour This is a walking tour in Downtown San Diego centered around Food. San Diego + Food = Awesome

2) Take a Walking Tour of SD,  if you are not from San Diego, these tours have landmarks and attractions perfectly routed for you.  Walking Tours of San Diego or Carol Mendel Maps Walking tours

3) Museum month at Balboa Park

4) Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre presents: Chu Chu the Dragon

5) San Diego Wine & Culinary Center

6) Go see a Movie at South Bay Drive In

7) Eat a decadent dessert at Extraordinary Desserts, do a test drive for Valentine’s Day!

Belmont Park They have a few new attractions that are great for new visits or regulars. Try the Skyrope adventures or the new Octrotron.

9) Lambs Players Theatre - Steel Magnolias

10) The English Beat Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach Feb 4th & 5th

Upcoming February Events:
Koalapalooza at the San Diego Zoo

The terms “Mardi Gras” (pronounced /ˈmɑrdiɡrɑː/), “Mardi Gras season”, and “Carnival season”,[1][2][3][4][5][6]in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday), referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices were associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. Popular practices included wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc. Similar expressions to Mardi Gras appear in other European languages sharing the Christian tradition. In English, the day is called Shrove Tuesday, associated with the religious requirement for confession before Lent begins.
From Wikipedia

If you practice lent or not, Mardi Gras in San Diego should be an exciting time. From the several events going on in the Gaslamp to the many food options available in San Diego, we can all “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez” Let the Good Times Roll!

The Events

Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter
6pm to Midnight
21+ Event
2 Parades 7:30 & 10pm
Gate is at E Street and K Street

19th Annual SAN DIEGO BRAZIL CARNIVAL
Sat March 5th, 2011
Downtown San Diego
Doors Open at 8pm – Show starts at 8:30

This spectacular Brazilian Mardi Gras Ball will feature the Stunning Brazilian Singer Dandara, Beautiful & Sexy Samba Dancers, Electrifying Capoeira Performances, and Nonstop Brazilian Music. There will be fun, feathers, fantasy and much, much more… So come have the time of your life at one of the best Brazilian Carnivals on the West Coast!

Absolut Hillcrest Mardi Gras
March 8th, 2011

Crawfish, wonderful Cajun food

The Food, experience Cajun creole food right here in San Diego

The Chateau San Diego
Enjoy live Jazz during Brunch on Sundays, from 10:00am to 3:00pm

Mardi Gras Cafe & Marketplace
Order your King Cake here!

Bud’s Louisiana Cafe
Great American Food in the New Orleans manner

Gulf Coast Grill

My favorite place, and kid friendly!

New Orleans Creole Cafe
Located at the Whaley house Garden, what a great atmosphere

Crab Hut
Louisiana Crawfish Kitchen

1. Get Relaxed…the New Year has been stress inducing, Massage Envy

2.  Attend a Zumba Party

3.  Try to Experience Opera in San Diego

4.  Farmers Insurance Open

5.  Got 80′s? A Mid-80s Nights Dream w/ Tributes to The Cure, INXS, R.E.M. Hosted by Steve West of 91x Saturday January 29th

6.  My new favorite place Currant American Brasserie, flavored popcorn, tater tots and Absinthe

7.  Disney on Ice “let’s Celebrate” @ the Sports Arena

8.  Whistle Stop Bar, Intriguing check it out “One nation under a Groove” on Saturday

9.  2011 Roughneck Rendezvous Geocaching Adventure and scavenger Hunt in Ocotillo Wells, Registration is Saturday from 7:00am to 9:30 am Call 760-767-5772

10.  Go to the Beach, hopefully it is sunny and warm!

1. Cowles Mountain Hiking is short but pretty intense on this hike, better than the stair climber in the gym.  A great way to see a different perspective of San Diego.

2.  DEPECHE MODE vs GARY NUMAN Tribute Show w/ TELEX CABARET Saturday at 9:00pm at the Satin Lounge Legendary DJ Steve West will also be there, 80′s night all the way!

3.  MONSTER JAM January 22nd See the Grave Digger and have a cray time!!!

4.  San Diego Restaurant Week

5.  Boomers, Play mini golf and go karts.

6.  Bowling, there are alot of cool places to go bowling.  Kearny Mesa Bowl (the old skool of Bowling lanes), East Village Tavern and Bowl

7.  The Plunge Indoor swimming

8.  San Diego Bay

9.  Ferry to Coronado Island

10.  Kid City at Reuben H. Fleet Science center

1. The Pearl Hotel, Dive in Theatre
Poolside Lounge Theatre THEPEARLSD.com

2. Family Friendly Daddy-O’s Where locals go for great burgers is their Tag line
www.daddyosdelux.com

3. Watch The Green Hornet Movie in 3D

4. Skateworld, go Skating Family Fun $7.00 1:30-5:00pm

5. Bull’s Smokin BBQ..Dog friendly with a 15ft Projector screen on the Patio

6. Try some Crepes at French Creperie Cafe Fabrison’s

7. Mini Golf at Pelly’s by the beautiful Del Mar beach

8. Take a Brewery Tour

9. The Toughest Girl Alive, Moxie Theatre

10. Women’s Professional Football tryouts

The popular Pumpkin Patch

A big draw to living in San Diego is the vast amount of desert to the east as a recreational destination.  Many activities include hiking, camping, off road fun, star gazing and recreation for San Diegans to participate.  The desert has massive amounts of appeal; it secures the user a sense of freedom and openness you can’t get anywhere else.  Nothing beats building a nice big bonfire at a desert campground, listening to tunes and planning your next day’s ride.
But the freedom that desert users have experienced in the past is being taken away by the ever increasing scourge of law enforcement, property owners fencing off land, environmental protection and development.

One of the best areas to camp is in and around Ocotillo Wells.  There are many places to visit and geographical areas that are interesting and educational for kids.  Depending on the amount of creature comforts you desire, this area has several amenities that can help your stay.  There are several stores close by to get supplies and ice. There are hot showers at Holmes Camp if you are running low on water and the infamous Iron Door offers some night life.  Some RV parks have cropped up as well if you don’t want to take your RV off-roading.

ATV's enjoying the desert areas around San Diego and Imperial Counties

Anza- Borrego is a great place to see nature’s bounty.  The flowers that bloom here are incredible and usually happen around Feb/Mar/April.  There is so much to see and do here that a paragraph in this post will not do it justice.  There are many animal species that call home here as well, Bighorn Sheep, Chuckwallas, Rattlesnakes and Desert Iguanas.  Native American pictographs can be found depicting the past.   And beautiful streams and waterfalls depending on the rainfall also can be found in this desert paradise.  For more information on San Diego Desert destinations please Google or visit the links below.

State Parks:

Anza- Borrego SP http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
Vallecito Stage Station
Box Canyon
El Vado
Los Puertecitos
Palm Spring
Puerta/Butterfield Overland mail route

Ocotillo Wells SVRA http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1217
BLOW SAND HILL
DEVILS SLIDE
BARREL SPRINGS
SHELL REEF
GAS DOMES
PUMPKIN PATCH

BLM Areas:

Imperial Sand Dunes
Plaster City/Yuha Basin
Lark Canyon
Superstition Mountain Open Area
Glamis

San Diego Desert Season: Officially starts in October and ends around May.
Anza- Borrego Desert Natural History organization http://www.abdnha.org/index.html
Borrego Springs Chamber info http://www.borregospringschamber.com/abdsp/

Halloween Nightlife

Del Mar Fairgrounds Scream Zone

The House of Horror (Ages 10+), the Haunted Hay Ride, The Chamber (the largest of the large spinning tunnel) Food and More….
Events: “Thrill the World” October 23rd, the largest gathering of Zombies performing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Monster Bash 2010

Saturday, October 30th Time: 6:00pm to Midnight (21+ Event)
Where:  The outskirts of the Gaslamp at 7^th Avenue between Market and J Street and on Island Avenue between 6^th and 8^th Avenues

The Haunted Trail Balboa Park

Located just east of 6th & Juniper in Balboa Park, one block south of Laurel Street bridge.
Trail Opens: Sept. 24 – Oct. 31, 2010
What: Carnival of Carnage Maze

Monster Manor (13+)

GHASTLEY STUDIOS

Studio visitors will walk through the various soundstages and departments from the studio. Some of these soundstages are said to be haunted by the studio’s former employees and visitors. Guests may encounter movies currently being filmed on the lot. This does not deter unfriendly poltergeists from possessing or wreaking havoc on set.

This nighttime attraction takes about 10 minutes to walk through. It is not recommended for persons under the age of thirteen because of scary situations. It is also not advised for those who suffer from heart, back or neck problems, claustrophobia, fear of the dark or those who are sensitive to strobe lights, fog machines, and sudden and loud noises.

The Haunted Hotel (10+ years)

Doors Creak Open: Sept. 24 – Oct. 31, 2010

The longest running Haunted House in San Diego you must check out, but go early the lines can be long.  Admission prices vary depending on the night you go.  Check out the Web sites FAQ page for more information on this haunted location.

Dates: Begins Friday Oct 1 to Sunday Oct 3 2010
Location: the center of the action is on Spring St. and La Mesa Blvd
Claim to Fame: La Mesa Oktoberfest is a giant block party and Beer Fest!
400 Booths
2 Beer Gardens
Great Food
Carnival Rides

Oktoberfest in El Cajon

Dates: October 1-3 and 8th-10th
Location: 1017 S. Mollison Ave. El Cajon

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest

Date: Saturday, October 9th 2010
Location:
Claim to fame: Sausage Toss and beer Stein Holding contest, O.B. Brat Trot

Encinitas Oktoberfest

Date: September 26th 2010
Location: Mountain Vista and El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA
Claim to fame: 200 Craft Booths

Carlsbad (Rotary) Oktoberfest

Date: Saturday, October 2nd 2010
Location: Holiday Park, Carlsbad
Claim to fame: Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Decorating Contest Carlsbad Coastal Winery Grape Stomp

Julian Oktoberfest

Date: October 9th & 10th
Location: Rabobank Parking Lot
Claim to fame: Bratwurst, beer, oom-pah music and dancers in traditional German and Austrian style, brings a taste of Europe to downtown Julian every October.

Ramona Oktoberfest

Date: Weekend of  October 15th, check with Ramona Chamber
Location:
Claim to fame: German food, dancing, Kids Zone, beer and wine gardens.  Big Craft Fair