San Diego Weekend Guide: Aug. 22-24 – Gin & Jambalaya

Eat, drink, play ball and take a leisurely ride along the waterfront. Emphasis on leisure, for sure this San Diego weekend.

FilmOut San Diego‘s 25th annual San Diego LGBTQ Film Festival continues through Sunday with a variety of screenings, from features to shorts. See Pooja Sir and State of Firsts on Friday, Row of Life, Drive Back Home and A Night Like This on Saturday, along with a panel moderated by Ben Baur, “Queer Joy on Screen.” The closing night film is Twinless, from Sundance. Doors open Friday at 1 p.m, then at 11 a.m. the rest of the weekend at the Museum of Photographic Arts, part of the San Diego Museum of Art. Individual screenings cost $17.50.

George’s at the Cove hosts a party with local distillery Storyhouse Spirits for its recently released Torrey Pines Gin starting at 2 p.m. Friday in the Level2 bar. Those 21 and up can enjoy complimentary tastings of the new, small batch gin. Featured cocktails with Storyhouse Spirits also will be available. Guests can enjoy 50% off all beer and wines by the glass until 4 p.m.

Sure, the Dodgers did a number on the Padres last weekend in LA, but this time the Friars have the benefit of the home crowd at Petco Park. Few tickets remain for the games from Friday through Sunday, and they start at $72, but head downtown for the scene around the park and a seat at one of the many bars sure to be showing all the action. Best availability is for Sunday.

Two big-screen giants – one actually rather tiny, the other quite huge – drop down at the Rady Shell Friday and Saturday for the symphonic treatment. First up, Barbie: The Movie, scored live by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. The following night, Jurassic Park stomps into the spotlight. Both shows open at 7:30 p.m. Admission starts at $44 for Barbie – there’s lots of seats available – and $78 for the dinos – here, seats are a little scarce.

For a less pricey weekend, try our next two options.

The All-American Car Show starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at Embarcadero Marina Park North, with food vendors, a DJ and trophies for Best In Show, People’s Choice and best GM, Ford, Chevy, Mustang, HotRod and Custom. It’s free to stroll and view the cars.

The KPBS San Diego Book Festival opens at the University of San Diego at 10 a.m. Saturday. Authors set to appear include politician Stacey Abrams, musician Ziggy Marley and “Seinfeld” writer Larry Charles, along with local poets and authors from USD. Free tickets can be claimed online, but there’s a $5 fee for some authors.

The Taste of New Orleans Food & Music Festival – think “South meets the West” as the Del Mar Race Track offers up the proper drinks – hurricanes, swamp water and Abita beer – and eats – gumbo, po’boys and jambalaya – and tunes – from the Euphoria Brass Band and Chunky Hustle Brass Band. And don’t forget the races! Head out at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $43.

San Diegans have few chances to walk or bike across the Coronado bridge, but Sunday offers another shot, this time for the 18th annual Bike the Bay. The route, the Bayshore Bikeway, stretches from the city to the South Bay. Start and finish at the Embarcadero, and kick back for a post-ride festival with food, a beer garden and more. Registration is $90 for the 8 a.m. ride.

Topping off the weekend with a glass of vino is a nice way to wine down. (Ha! See what we did there?) Pali Wine Co. in Little Italy hosts the Backyard Bash at noon Sunday with their Summer Sessions wines, paired with creations from five local chefs. Admission is $75.