5 things to do in San Diego this weekend

Fall weekends in San Diego don’t ask much of you. Pick a neighborhood, show up hungry, and let the day take it from there. This one has a little of everything: beer on the beach in OB, art on Girard Avenue, a brand-new hockey team in Oceanside, a long-table dinner in Little Italy and a month of free fun for the kids.

Map your weekend

1Ocean Beach Oktoberfest, Ocean Beach

OB’s long-running Oktoberfest is going full Y2K this year. Expect two days of live music on the beachfront, a Friday locals night, and the classic contests: stein holding, pretzel toss and a brat-eating contest. Organizers say contest entry is free with sign-ups at the tent near the stage. Over the years the festival has raised more than $850,000 for local organizations.

2La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, La Jolla

Now in its 18th year, this festival turns Girard Avenue into an outdoor gallery with more than 170 artists from across the U.S. and Mexico. Wander the booths, catch live music, meet adoptable pets and bid in the silent auction. It’s one of the few big festivals where the main event costs nothing, and the money raised goes to art, music, science and other programs at La Jolla’s public schools.

3Oceanside Shock home opener, Oceanside

North County has a new pro hockey team, and Saturday is its first home game. The Oceanside Shock plays in the Federal Prospects Hockey League and faces the Fresno Falcons at Frontwave Arena. Watch for the mascot: a jellyfish holding a hockey stick, a nod to Oceanside’s coastline. Being there for game one of a new team is a story you get to tell for years.

4The Feast, Little Italy

For one night, India Street closes from Fir to Grape and becomes a single long dinner table. Busalacchi Restaurants is launching The Feast to mark the family’s 40 years in San Diego, with family-style food at communal banquet tables, grazing stations and live music. The plan is to make it an annual tradition, so this is your chance to say you were at the first one.

5Kids Free San Diego, countywide

All October, kids can eat, stay and play free at participating attractions, museums, restaurants and hotels around the county. The San Diego Zoo, for example, lets kids 11 and under in free with a paying adult this month. Every partner sets its own rules and age limits, so check the official list before you load up the car. We rounded up more ideas in our Kids Free October guide.

Keep the weekend going

Planning ahead for the end of the month? Our Halloween in San Diego guide has free events for every age. Hungry after all that walking? Settle a debate with how many taco shops San Diego really has. And if you want a quieter Saturday, the story of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is worth the drive out to Cabrillo.

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