San Diego Weekend Guide: June 23-25 – Summer & Spice

Could it be? Have we finally shed the May Gray? Good timing, as this marks the first official weekend of summer. And there’s so much outdoor goodness on tap San Diego weekend.

The California Wine Festival arrives at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, and it’s not confined to sips of vino. Try regional craft brews plus food pairings by local chefs and restaurants at the two-day fest, starting Friday. Tickets start at $80.

Music Box in downtown hosts indie band, and San Diego Music Award winner, Aviator Stash, Peach Cooler and Wes Chiller at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets cost $12.

Eat your fill at the 43rd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off, which opens at 10 a.m. Saturday. Who will capture Hottest Chili, the Judges’ Award and People’s Choice Award honors? Head to Niagara Avenue to find out – and weigh in. There’s also music on three stages, and two eating contests – burgers at Hodad’s and wings at Dirty Birds. The fair is free, but chili tastings start at $2 a piece.

Feeling like a parade or a block party? Then Oceanside is the place to be:

• No reason not to get into the July 4th spirit a little early. At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Oceanside Independence Parade honors hometown heroes on the route, along Coast Highway between Wisconsin Avenue and Civic Center Drive. Marine divisions and Navy performers will be among the marchers, along with hero honorees.
• Celebrating summer with a block party? Yes! Presented by Big Bamboo, the party, at the Brick Hotel on Pier View Way, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday and features Ardalan and Harvard Bass, along with special guests. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Oceanside Boardriders Club, which aims to support the city’s surfing community.

The Rady Shell hosts the fifth annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival Saturday and Sunday. Day 1, see Eric Darius – featuring another San Diego Music Award winner, Rebecca Jade – Michael Franks, and RnR, with Rick Braun and Richard Elliott. Day 2 includes Average White Band, Damien Escobar and Keiko Matsui. Tickets start at $80 for the 3:30 p.m. shows.

Art in the Village in Carlsbad has reached a big anniversary – the 25th! Join in the celebration along Grand and State streets as they are transformed into an open-air art show, starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. There will be artwork, live music, performance art, demonstrations and interactive displays with more than 130 artists expected.

Sample some of the best Normal Heights and Kensington have to offer during Taste of Adams Avenue at 11 a.m. Sunday. Dozens of restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, pubs, wine bars and breweries will participate and there will be complimentary trolley service to make it to all the stops. Tickets start at $45.