The City of Carlsbad will host free concerts throughout the summer at different parks in Carlsbad.  We love to bring some snacks, a bottle of wine and just sit back and relax.  Bring low-back chairs, a blanket, snacks, and drinks if so desired.  Glass is allowed at these events ONLY, wine and beer bottles are okay to bring, they do ask that you recycle.

The second concert at each park has fun things for kids to do as well, it is called Art at Jazz.  Art At Jazz offers hands-on visual arts activities for younger TGIF Jazz audience members. Instructors and volunteers guide the children as they make works of art in planned activities.

Art At Jazz  dates in 2013

• Stagecoach Park: July 5
• Poinsettia Park: July 26
• Calavera Hills Park: August 16

Summer movies in the park is a fun and free family event that begins May 17 and will play all summer through September 21.  All of the movies are rated G or PG, the movies range from animated movies like Wreck-It-Ralph and Brave to We Bought a Zoo and The Avenges.  The movies begin about 15 minutes after dusk, some movies are subject to change.  The most up-to-date information can be found on the Summer Movies in the Park – San Diego Facebook page, enjoy!

Thinking of trying out one of North County’s bar classes but not sure which studio to try?  I’m making the rounds to all of the studios as of now I’ve been to BodyRok, Xtend Bar by the Sea, and Fit in 60.  Next week I will be at The Bar Method, after I will be going to Studio Barre, and the Daily Method.  I don’t want to say I like one studio over another until I’ve tried them all, but there will be a winner!

Below is a list of all of the studio’s and their new client specials and if the first class is free.  Try one out and let me know what you think!

Saturday, May 4

Flower Fields @ Carlsbad – If you have not visited the flower fields in Carlsbad yet this season this is a great time to go!  The pictures alone are worth the price of admission, for a $2 off coupon click here.  For more information on the Carlsbad Flower Fields click here.

Sunday, May 5

Carlsbad Street Faire @ Carlsbad Village - This fun and free event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Grand and Jefferson streets.  The Carlsbad street faire is the largest one day street faire in the nation and one we never miss!  There will be over 900 vendors so you are sure to find something you will enjoy!  For more information click here.

Cinco De Mayo @ Old Town – Another fun free family event will be held in Old Town San Diego from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This event will also be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are bringing your children I would recommend the Sunday event as it is usually more family related things to do.  For more information click here.

This Sunday May 5th the Carlsbad Street Faire will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Grand and Jefferson streets.  The Carlsbad street faire is the largest one day street faire in the nation and one we never miss!

With over 900 vendors selling everything from clothes & accessories, plants, household products, art, antiques and home decor. The delicious international food court will host more than 50 booths with everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine.

If you are bringing the kids don’t miss the children’s area!  There is everything to entertain youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, face painting and arts and crafts.

Not bringing the kids?  Then head over to the beer and wine garden and check out the large screen TV’s and enjoy live music.

Enjoy!

Rubio’s is hosting the second annual Beach Cleanup & Party to celebrate World Oceans Day 2013!  The event will begin at 10 am and run until 2 pm on May 11th at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre, located at 200 N. The Strand in Oceanside.  The beach cleanup will be from 10 am to 11 am with the party starting right after at 11 am.

There will be tons of fun for children and adults with free surf lessons, face painting, fun beach games and much more.  Have I mentioned the free food and drinks yet?  Did you also notice this is an event hosted by Rubio’s?  Which means not only delicious food but free as well!  What is better than that?  Stick around for the live music provided by 94.9FM and Jet West, don’t miss the interactive Game Booth provided by GameStop as well!  There really is something for everyone, free surf lessons for the beach bum, free face painting for the kids, free food for well everyone, and if you are a gamer stop by the GameStop booth.

Plan on joining us at Rubio’s Beach Cleanup and beach party on Saturday May 11, 2013.  Be a friend to the Ocean (all the cool kids are doing it) we hope see you there!  For more information visit the event webpage here.

The 30th annual Encinitas Street Fair will be held on Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28th 2013.  We love going to the Encinitas street fair and I’m hoping the weather is a bit nicer than today!  The street fair will host over 450 food, arts and crafts vendors, five live music stages, children’s rides, and the Beer Garden Stage sponsored by Stone Brewing Company and Port Brewing Company.

Don’t miss on Saturday the Encinitas Fire Department will host the annual pancake breakfast in the 7/11 parking lot from 7 am to 11 am.

See below for the lineup:

Stone Brewing Co. & Port Brewing Co. Beer Garden Stage- Location: Lumberyard parking lot at HWY 101 & I Street–  Open from 11:00am-4:30pm in the Lumberyard parking lot on I Street and Highway 101. On Saturday, catch Bill Magee Blues Band (12pm-2pm) andSTRANGER (2:30pm-4:30pm).  Sunday’s lineup features The Retro Rocketts (12pm-2pm) and Jerry HotRod DeMink (2:30pm-4:30pm).

Center Courtyard of the Lumberyard Stage- Come join the fun at the center courtyard stage of the Lumberyard! On Saturday, catch The Blue Moonies (11:45am-1:45pm) and Peter Sprague Trio (2:15pm-4:15pm). Sunday listen to Allegato World Jazz (11:45am-1:45pm) and Elaine Faye & the Big Bang  (2:15pm-4:15pm).

Getting there: The best way to go to the street fair is always the Coaster, we love taking the coaster because it drops you off right where the fair begins. This is also helpful if you are planning on hitting up the beer garden  The coaster schedule may be found here.

As always there is no parking on the 101 from D to J on Saturday and Sunday and if you are there your car will be towed!

For more information visit the event website here.

It is one of those days again in SoCal where the sun is nowhere to be seen.  Lucky for us today is Family Day at the Lux Institute in Encinitas.  Your whole family is invited today to enjoy free admission, free studio tours, refreshments and hands-on art projects, there will also be live music by The Yes Team.  This family day is  best for children 3 and older but of course all children are welcome.  For more information visit the event website here.

Carlsbad @ Poinsettia Park - Saturday, March 30th, the annual EGGStravaganza Spring Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Poinsettia Park.  Please note this is not a free event, the cost is $5 for the Activity card which allows you to participate in what they call the “Egg Scramble,” but there are tons of fun things for the kids to do in the Fun Zone with bounce houses, a giant slide, obstacle courses and  a chance to “soak the bunny.”  The kids will collect eggs in the ongoing “Egg Scramble” activity between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Children race to collect assorted eggs on the baseball fields.  This activity sends groups of approximately 20 children of similar age into the out field to collect as many eggs as they can.  For more information click here.

Encinitas @ Ecke Sports Park - Saturday, March 30, the City of Encinitas Easter Egg Hunt Festival will take place from 10 a.m.  to 1 p.m. at Ecke Sports Park, located at 278 Saxony Rd. This free event features arts and crafts, entertainment, prizes, jump houses, face painting, pictures with the bunny (for a fee) and over 24,000 eggs! Egg hunt times are as follows: 10:15 – 2 years and under, 10:45 – 3 year olds, 11:15 – 4 & 5 year olds, 11:45 – 6 & 7 year olds, 12:15 – 8 & 9 year olds. For more information, please call (760) 633-2740.

Mission Bay @ Mission Bay High School Football Field - Saturday, March 30th, the first annual Easter Egg hunt will be held at Mission Bay High School, the fun begins at 11 a.m. There will be over 10,000 eggs filled with toys and candy, there will also be giveaways and raffle prizes.  For more information on this Easter Egg hunt click here. 

Oceanside @ Joe Balderrama Park - Saturday, March 30th the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held from 9:30 am to 10 am for children ages 3-12.  For more information click here.  This event is sponsored by The City of Oceanside Neighborhood Services department and Eastside United Community Action.  More information may be found here.

Oceanside @ Buddy Todd Park - Saturday, March 30th, the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held beginning promptly at 10 a.m.  Children may visit with the Easter bunny and search for the golden eggs worth prizes!  For more information click here.

San Marcos @ Walnut Grove Park – Saturday, March 30th from 8 am – 10 am stop by to have breakfast with Peter Cottontail at the Williams Barn in Walnut Grove Park.  The whole family will enjoy this early morning chow-down of pancakes and sausage, tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children.  ****The Holiday Egg Hunt will begin at 10:15 am toddlers through 5th graders are invited to the community “Holiday Egg Hunt” where eggs with prizes will be well hidden by the bunny!  There is a $5 donation per family.

Santee @ Santee Lakes – Saturday, March 30th from 9 am to 3 pm the Eggstravaganza will take, the egg hunt is for children 8 and younger, there is no fee for the egg hunt however there is a $5 parking fee.  This is more than just an egg hunt, there will be carnival rides, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, inflatable bounce houses and more.  For more information click here.

Solana Beach @ La Colonia Park – Saturday March 30th at 10 am the 24th Annual Spring Egg Hunt will take place for children 9 years old and younger.  THere are ofther fun activities for the children as well and don’t forget a photo with the Easter Bunny!  Enjoy complimentary drinks, cookies and popcorn, for more information click here.

There are a few Easter Egg Hunts going on this weekend these are the ones I found… enjoy!

Cardiff @ San Elijo Lagoon – Saturday & Sunday March 23-24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the San Elijo Spring Eggucation will be held. There will be an egg hunt, themed crafts, face painting and much more for more information click here.

Escondido @ Bates Nut Farm – Saturday, March 23 celebrate Easter with an old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt! There will be separate divisions for different age groups, so every child will have a chance to find an egg with candy or a toy inside, the fun begins at 10 a.m.. Pony rides and other family friendly activities are scheduled, so plan to spend the day at Bates Nut Farm, for more information click here.

Fallbrook @ La Palomoa School - Saturday March, 23 there the Fallbrook Community Center is hosting the Spring Egg Hunt, the hunt for children ages 5-11 begins at 10:30 a.m.  There are prizes and games for children 2-4 and lots of fun activities.  For more information click here.

Otay Mesa @ Montogmery-Waller Recreation Center-  Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for children ages 3 and up there will be a Spring Egg Hunt.   There will be a coloring contest, fun, games and prizes. Volunteers are needed to help with the egg hiding. This special event will be held at Montgomery Waller Recreation Center, 3020 Coronado Ave., San Diego, CA 92154.  For more information click here.

Vista @ Vista Optimist Club – Sunday, March 24th from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. stop by for an Egg Hunt and pancake and sausage breakfast.  There are contests and prizes including a bonnet contest.  The Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. and there will be more than 10,000 eggs, the hunt is for children 11 and younger.  Tickets: $5 (includes breakfast, games and pictures with the Easter bunny) for more information e-mail marycdraves@cox.net.