San Diego Weekend Guide: July 14-16 – Pride & Pups

July in San Diego means three things: the Big Bay Boom, San Diego Pride and San Diego Comic Con. One down, and Pride is up this San Diego weekend.

The Pride parade takes over Hillcrest Saturday, with the big festival at Balboa Park to follow. Here’s a few highlights (for more, see our guide):

• Block Party – call it a pre-party if you will. The fest – beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, at Pride Plaza, 3900 Normal St., includes music, dancing, food trucks, drag shows and more.
• Parade – begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Pride Flag, 1500 University Ave., moving west before turning south at Sixth Avenue and on to Balboa Park. More than 100,000 are expected to line the 1.5-mile route to cheer the marchers on.
• Pride Festival – begins its two-day run in the park, off Sixth and Laurel, at 11 a.m. Saturday. Features include multiple zones, from the Euphoria Dance Garden to the Pan-Asian Night Market, along with music on four stages from dozens of artists, including Princess Nokia, David Archuleta and Saucy Santana.
• St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Pacific Beach hosts a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday for people who are LGBTQ+. Later, the Rev. Mary Lynn Coulson and the Rev. Daniel McMillan, a rector and deacon, will sit on the nearby boardwalk with a sign that says in part: “If you have been hurt by the Church or Christians, we are sorry. We’re here to listen … and would be honored to witness the stories you’re willing to share.”

The 2023 California State Games Opening Ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Pechanga Arena. The games are the largest Olympic-style sports festival in the state, with more than two dozen sports from archery to softball at venues across San Diego County, from Carlsbad to Otay Mesa. Most of the competition concludes Sunday.

The Oceanside Museum of Art hosts the return of the Oceanside Plein Air Festival starting Saturday. The biennial festival celebrates artistic expression and the natural environment with workshops, exhibits and opportunities to meet and mingle with artists. The festival conclude on July 22 with a juried exhibition and awards ceremony. Art from the fest will remain on view through January.

Few things feel more like summer than a holding a big juicy slice of watermelon. It’ll be easy to find at the Watermelon Festival at the Mellano Farm Stand, 5714 N. River Road in Oceanside Saturday and Sunday. The fun, with live music and food trucks, starts at 10 a.m. each day.

Sunday’s 18th annual Cardiff Dog Days of Summer includes hundreds of dogs thanks to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. “Rescue Row” features dogs from 10 rescue groups, while a “Pet Health Expo” will offer microchipping, licensing, vaccinations and more. And oh, the contests! Awards include Cutest Puppy, Best Looking Dog for different sizes, Best Trick, Pupologie Best Dressed and Owner and Dog Look Alike. Head to Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Drive, at 10 a.m.