Solana Beach Community Connections January Games Day
The City of Solana Beach Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Solana Beach Community Connections (SBCC) invites all to a monthly Games Day on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This free event will take place at La Colonia Community Center located at 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach. Participants will be able to choose from a variety of games to play such as Scrabble, Mexican Train, and American Mahjongg. In addition, Let’s Play a Game Foundation will be there to introduce participants to a variety of new games.Registration is requested for refreshment planning. Flyers will be distributed in the community. Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] or by calling 858-284-6619.
Jurassic Quest
Locals can go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth at Jurassic Quest. This traveling show brings animatronic dinosaurs, fossils, arts and crafts areas, statues, photo opportunities and bounce houses. Jan. 17-20. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $26.85-$40.85. jurassicquest.com
Pacific View Arts Center to host Community Open House
Pacific View Arts Center will host a free Open House on Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community are invited to tour the beautifully renovated facilities, chat with the experienced and inspiring instructors and view various activities. Attendees will also have the chance to sign up or learn more about classes and workshops. Encinitas residents and non-residents of all ages are welcome.
Pacific View Arts Center is community-focused and dedicated to nurturing creativity and artistic expression. Located in historic downtown Encinitas, the center offers a wide range of classes and workshops for artists of all ages and abilities. Including youth school break camps.
For more information and to for classes, visit shorturl.at/l9zOh or call 760-943-2160. Location: 380 West F St., Encinitas.
Farmers Insurance Open
One of the first major men’s professional golf tournaments of the year takes place annually in San Diego. The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course is a four-day event. Ticketed visitors to the tourney can see some of the top golfers compete to win over $1 million in prize money. In 2024, Matthieu Pavon won $1.62 million and the Farmers Insurance trophy. Jan. 22-25. Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $65-$650. farmersinsuranceopen.com
Monster Jam
The yearly monster truck show, Monster Jam, is back in San Diego in 2024. One hour prior to the start of the event, visitors get a preview of the competition, see the pit crews, listen to driver interviews and get driver and truck introductions. Featured competitors include Grave Digger, Zombie, El Toro Loco and Lucas Stabilizer. There is also a meet and greet after the monster truck races and competitions. Saturday, Sunday and Jan. 11 and 12. Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego. $43.70-$171. monsterjam.com/en-us/san-diego-2025
San Diego Bird Festival
The San Diego Bird Alliance hosts the annual San Diego Bird Festival. The five-day festival gives the public educational and social workshops, classes, field trips and keynote presentations about local birds and their habitats. Feb. 26 to March 2. Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego. sandiegobirdfestival.org
Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan
Comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan are making a stop in San Diego on their 10-arena tour in 2025. Gaffigan and Seinfeld are both multi-Emmy Award-winning comedians and first partnered on a tour together in 2023, which did not land in San Diego. March 27. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego. $53-$1,206. pechangaarenasd.com/event/jerry-seinfeld-live
Batiquitos Lagoon presentation
Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a presentation on Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. given by Christine Whitcraft, PhD, of CSU Long Beach on the importance and functioning of the wetlands of the Southern California region, including a framework for monitoring estuarine Marine Protected areas throughout California. This free, family event is good for adults and kids age 15 and older. Space is limited and is first come, first served. It’s recommended to come 15 minutes to secure a seat. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. For more information , visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.
North Coast Singers’ Winter Concert highlights the joy of nature
San Diego North Coast Singers, a leading North County youth choir for students in grades 2 through 12, will present Serenade of Nature, a winter concert on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. in Encinitas.Inspired selections include Saeya, Saeya, a traditional Korean folk song arranged by Minhee Kim, which describes the connection of the farmer to their animals. With percussive rhythms and vocal layers that represent the birdsong of the Amazon, Trěs Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Kraó, arranged by Marcos Leite, is based on melodies sung by the Kraho tribe living in the forest of northern Brazil. A combined finale, What If I Soar? by Jill Friedersdorf and Melissa Keylock and commissioned by the Winston-Salem Choral Academy, features all three youth choirs in the second performance ever of this song about dreams taking flight.The event will be held at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. Tickets: $25 general/$10 student. Email [email protected] or visit NorthCoastSingers.com.North Coast Singers is currently ing new singers for its second semester which begins on Jan. 14 for grades 2 through 7 and Jan. 26 for grades 8 through 12. Interested families can email [email protected] for more information. Based in Encinitas, North Coast Singers provides an outstanding choral music education through weekly rehearsals, live performance opportunities and a culturally diverse repertoire spanning classical, folk, jazz, gospel and contemporary genres.
“We hope this concert reminds people to pause in the busyness of life and allow nature to bring them a sense of wonder and joy found when spending time with earth’s creatures, trees, stars and mountains,” explained Melissa Keylock, artistic director and program manager of North Coast Singers, in a news release.
Warrior Spirit 5K Run/Walk & Family Festival
The Mitchell Thorp Foundation will host its 16th Annual Warrior Spirit 5K Run/Walk & Family Festival on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Carlsbad’s Poinsettia Park. The event s families whose children are suffering from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders. The fun-filled day of running and walking also includes live music, food, games, prizes, T-shirts and finishing medals. To and for more information, visit shorturl.at/rIZGy An Early Bird $5 discount will be available for anyone that s before Jan. 1, 2025. For more information on the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, visit www.mitchellthorp.org.
Maritime Museum of San Diego seeks docent volunteers
The Maritime Museum of San Diego, the 501c3 nonprofit waterfront destination with an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic landmark vessels, including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India, starts the next Docent Volunteer Training Program to newcomers beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego on the upper deck of the ferryboat Berkeley. Interested of the community must online in advance of training at www.sdmaritime.org/get-involvedAdditional questions about the Docent Training Program may be directed to Docent Training Director Jim Cassidy at [email protected] or (661) 406-0605.
Music in La Jolla
• Salon de Musiques presents violinist Martin Chalifour leading a concert for piano and strings featuring music by Mendelssohn, Scharwenka and Dohnanyi at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. Other performers will be Jason Issokson on violin, Ben Ullery on viola, Evan Kahn on cello and Xiao Chen on piano. $120; $69 for students. lesalondemusiques.com
• The monthly Athenaeum Jazz series concludes with a performance by the Alex Kautz Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $50 for Athenaeum , $55 for non-. ljathenaeum.org/jazz
Thrift shop benefits animal shelter; donations sought
The Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Thrift Shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 120 Aberdeen Drive. The nonprofit is accepting donations of unused or gently used items such as furniture, clothing, housewares, computer equipment, electronics and sporting goods. Folks can shop in person with their well-behaved pets. For the nonprofit’s wish list, visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Amazon and Chewy wish lists at www.sdpets.org (click on “Give” then scroll down to “Wish List”).
The Flower Fields seeks volunteers
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad is looking for volunteers this spring to lead walking tours for elementary school children, teach about recycling and vermicomposting, and lead art walks and Butterfly Encounters. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 4. Volunteer shifts start March 1 and run through May 11. Experience is not required, and volunteer hours are flexible. Call Joni at 760-930-9123, ext. 118.
Light show at botanic garden
The Lightscape light show runs through Jan. 5 at the San Diego Botanic Garden. The immersive experience guides visitors through a mile-long garden trail of one million twinkling lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Installations range from Flame Skimmer Dragonfly and Winter Cathedral to California Poppies. There will be hot chocolate and other seasonal treats. Visit sdbg.org.
Community Resource Expo seeks exhibitors, sponsors
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce seeks sponsors and exhibitors for its Community Resource Expo slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The free event, in partnership with the city of Encinitas, is expected to draw several hundred community and more than 40 local businesses who will give information about their services, goods and attractions. of the community can meet exhibitors from local businesses in areas such as fitness, finance, estate planning, health, insurance, real estate, senior services and travel. Email [email protected] or visit encinitaschamber.com.
Safari Park features Wild Holidays
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrates the “Wild Holidays” with an expedition of light and travel through places that twinkle with holiday cheer and seasonal culinary delights from 4 to 8 p.m. on select nights through Jan. 5 at the park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. The Safari Park will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the event, with Wild Holidays festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show with holiday soundtracks, Holiday Troubadour, fanciful characters, and visits with Santa along with the lighted archway Bridge of Lights, Forest of Color, Baja Gardens and Nairobi Lantern Walk. Wild Holidays activities are free with Safari Park ission or hip. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo’s annual holiday event, Jungle Bells, runs through Jan. 5 at 2920 Zoo Drive, and features a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, music and views of wildlife. Highlights featured at various times include Reindeer Games, Jingle Brass concerts and Holiday Troubadour along with Holiday Light Treks. There will be food, drinks and shopping for gifts. The zoo is open late from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this event. The event is free with zoo ission or hip; parking is free. Visit sandiegozoo.org/junglebells.
SeaWorld holds holiday celebration
SeaWorld San Diego’s holiday celebration runs through Jan. 5 with new Christmas shows, and the debut of the Happy Harbor Holiday Live Character Show. The SkyTower will be adorned with sparkling lights and there will be a tunnel of lights and music. The new Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Parade with her merry elves will be held daily. Highlights include Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show nightly. SeaWorld has a Hanukkah display to celebrate the Jewish holiday with menorah lighting, holiday décor and Hanukkah music Visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.
Salvation Army holds donation drop-off event
The Salvation Army will hold a donation drop-off event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan.11 at the Seven Oaks Community Center parking lot, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Donated items should be in good condition or working order for resale and may include clothing, housewares, books and tools to small countertop appliances. Items torn, stained or broken will not be accepted. Unacceptable items include large or bulky items, building materials and fixtures, hazardous waste or perishable items. No dumping of items is allowed. Visit 7OaksRB.com.
Free museum ission
Along with free general ission to the exhibits at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park on the third Tuesday of each month for San Diego County residents, the museum now offers another free day on the second Thursday of each month for all visitors, regardless of where they live. The next such free days are Jan. 9 and Jan. 21. Also, students, veterans and active-duty military can now get into the museum free any day with valid identification. Service can take in one guest for free. Visit sdmart.org.
Speech Trek open to high school students
The Poway-Peñasquitos Branch of the American Association of University Women holds its annual Speech Trek competition for high school students. Participants create a 5- to 6-minute speech on a topic chosen by AAUW, and deliver it on Feb. 8 to a of local judges. The prizes are $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The registration deadline is Jan. 24. The competition is limited to the first 10 applicants. For information, email [email protected].
Coast to Crest Challenge
The Coast to Crest Challenge starts its eighth year this month for hikers to sample San Dieguito River Park’s trail network by finishing a series of five hikes, organized by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. The deadline to complete this year’s series is June 30, 2025. Visit sdrvc.org.
Fleet Science Center s Museums for All program
The Fleet Science Center has ed the Museums for All program to encourage people of all backgrounds and financial resources to visit the museum. The access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is istered by the Association of Children’s Museums. The program s those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, in Balboa Park, and allows them gallery ission for a minimal fee of $3 per person with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card at the ticket counter. Visit fleetscience.org/deals-discounts.
Model A Ford club to hold meeting
The Palomar Model A Ford Club will hold its monthly hip meeting to discuss tours, technical advice and more at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Palomar Estates East Clubhouse, 650 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road. San Marcos. Doors open at 6 p.m. Refreshments and socializing will follow the program. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month except in December; local day tours are typically scheduled for the Saturday following the meeting, departing from the clubhouse. All Model A owners and enthusiasts are welcome to attend meetings and the tours; moderns are also welcome. Email [email protected], call 619-425-3241 or visit palomarmodelaclub.org.
— U-T writers Linda McIntosh and Carlos Rico contributed to this report.
