San Diego Weekend Guide: Aug. 9-11 – Festival Fun

A beach festival – that’s California summer in a nutshell. Add surfing? Even better. This San Diego weekend, whether on the sand, the bay front, the city streets or a park, we have a fest for you.

The 39th annual Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club Contest and Beach Festival begins Friday at Oceanside Pier with King and Queen of the Pier, a pro/am invitational. Other events feature competitors from their teens to their 70s. Finals for the main competition take place Saturday, but other contests continue through Sunday afternoon. In the meantime, enjoy live music at the Band Shell, and peruse vendor booths too.

Seeing a flotilla of lanterns passing by will be beautiful no doubt, but poignant too, at the Toro Nagashi festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park Friday and Saturday. Participants may remember those they’ve lost by sending out paper lanterns in their honor. The fest features booths, a beer and sake garden and performances in the Inamori Pavilion. It opens at 10 a.m. each day.

Bike lovers and foodies joining hands – why not? Head to North Park Mini Park for the Cargo Bike Challenge Course and Resilience Fair at 8 a.m. Saturday and throughout the day, with the North Park Vegan Market opening at noon. The fair features a bike course, demo zone, bike-related activities for adults and kids and the opportunity to learn essential skills for surviving disasters and assisting others in crisis.

Mike Hess Brewing hosts the 14th annual HessFest, a beer and music festival, at Pier Plaza Park in Imperial Beach at noon Saturday. But it’s not just about Mike Hess craft beer. There will be guest breweries, live bands, a corn hole tournament and goodies to eat. General admission starts at $30 with no beer tickets and $50 with them included.

Support local art at the free Chula Vista ArtFest, in Chula Vista City Hall’s courtyard, at noon Saturday. The event features exhibits, painting demonstrations, vendors, food trucks and live music from Shwayze, Perla Negra and Bruno and the Hooligans.

Sample wines, tequila and other spirits at the SoCal Wine Experience in Ruocco Park at 1 p.m. Saturday with food pairings available. Admission starts at $33, but there’s discounts for purchasing two tickets.

Let music take you to the sea here in town:

• Hirie, Ekolu, Jordan T, Likkle Jordee and Jason J hit the stage at the Island Vibe Music Fest, Embarcadero Marina Park North, 1 p.m. Saturday. General admission, $45.
• UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater hosts the Reggae SummerSplash Festival with the WorldBeat Cultural Center at 2 p.m. Saturday. Acts include Mykal Rose, Warrior King, Etana and Alika. General admission, $40.

Cityfest in Hillcrest takes over Fifth Avenue at noon Sunday with live bands and dance music on two stages, Mural Alley and a plethora of arts and food booths. Prefer heading out in the evening? CityFest After Dark begins at 7 p.m. under the Hillcrest sign with Queen Trinity the Tuck, Clifford G and 3rd & Arbor performing. Explore it all south of University Avenue.