With all the delicious, fresh produce options, it is a great time to visit the Farmer’s Markets around San Diego.  Every day
of the week there is a Farmer’s Market somewhere in San Diego. Most markets also have fresh flowers and arts and crafts as well.  Support your local farmers and buy fresh, local grown foods. Find the one closest to you here.

Some of the favorite Markets in San Diego are the following:

Hillcrest Farmers Markets - Sundays

Pacific Beach Farmers Markets – Tuesdays

Ocean Beach Farmers Markets - Wednesdays

Little Italy Mercato – Saturdays

Scripps Ranch Farmers Markets – Saturdays

Photo Courtesy of San Diego VIPS

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If you’re in San Diego over Memorial Day weekend, be sure to schedule a trip to North County on Sunday, May 26^th for the 4^th Annual Vista Strawberry Festival in Downtown Vista. This fruitful event has everything from a Strawberry Festival Run (10K, 5K and Kids’ runs) for all you athletic types, and a Strawberry Idol singing completion for all you karaoke lovers, plus beer gardens, bands (including one of my faves, The B Side Players), carnival rides, and whole lot more.

The most popular event of the day is the Strawberry Pie Eating Contest, though you definitely don’t want to miss the Miss Strawberry Shortcake contest for your fill of cuteness.

For more details on all the fun, be sure to follow the festival on Facebook or check out their website.

The Schedule of Events:

7:05am – Strawberry 10K

8:05am – Strawberry 5K

9:30am – Strawberry Kids’ Runs

10:00am – Cupcake Wars Competition

12:00pm – Lil’ Miss Strawberry Shortcake Contest

1:00pm – Strawberry Pie Eating Contest

2:00pm – Magic Show

2:45pm – Surprise entertainment

3:00pm – Strawberry Costume Contest

2:30pm – Strawberry Idol Winners Demo

4:00pm – Awards Show for cooking, art and photography, etc.

In addition to all of these events, there are musical performances throughout the day on a variety of stages! You don’t want to miss this family-friendly, fruit-filled day!

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Photo by Daren Scott

Remember the TV show Whose Line is it Anyway?, from the 80’s, starring famous comedians like Drew Carrey and my boy Wayne Brady (who I got to meet when I was a contestant on Don’t Forget the Lyrcis!). I watched that show religiously when it first came out, mainly because it made me laugh hysterically, but also because I was (and still am) in awe of people who are that quick on their feet, and flippin’ hilarious to boot. Give me a script and I can be on any stage, but just whisper the word “Improv” and I break out into a wicked cold sweat.

If you’re not familiar with the format of this type of comedy performance, basically, there are a handful of comedians on stage at a time, a moderator who gives them a scenario, and then audience members call the shots, yelling out names, places, and situations that the performers have to act out with no prep time whatsoever. Inevitably zany antics ensue and the audience literally cries from laughing so hard.

Here in San Diego, we have our very own version of Whose Line is It Anyway with the National Comedy Theatre, which can boast of being the longest running show in San Diego. They perform on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00pm and 9:45pm at a cozy little theatre in Mission Hills (and a few other times throughout the month. Check the NCT website for the full schedule). A night out at one of the NCT’s shows is perfect for a date night, a girls’ night or any sort of special occasion, really.

TIP: Go for a pint and some fish ‘n’ chips at Shakespeare’s British Pub just next to the theatre before the show, and/or a cup of Gelato ice cream and a coffee drink after the show.

I’ve known about NCT for over twenty years, but what I just discovered is that NCT also provides improve classes and summer camps for adults, kids, and teens who want to hone their improv skills, or who just want to become a little quicker on their feet for life in the real world. NCT classes and camps are held at their facility at Liberty Station in Pt. Loma. For more info on the NCT summer sessions, check out their site.

INTERESTING FACT: Whose Line is it Anyway is coming back to TV this summer!

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YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

Musical Theatre Summer Camps in San Diego

You Oughta Be In Pictures – on how to break your kid into the entertainment business

Miso Harney For a Date Night

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* The beach.  It honestly doesn’t get much better than that.  Digging in the sand, riding the waves, kids running free, lying back with a good book in your hands listening to the waves rolling in. Heaven. Go to the beach.  Go often.  Spend the day.  Even the night. Gather friends, family and firewood for a beach bonfire at one of San Diego County’s bonfire-friendly beaches. They are located in Coronado, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.

Summer at the Beach…

* Sunsets and stargazing. The beautiful natural setting of La Jolla Cove is a magnificent place to watch the sun set. Stargaze on the first Wednesday of every month from the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park during “Gazin’ with the Experts.” Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up huge telescopes and offer guests a great view of the moon, planets and brighter stars.

* Watch a movie. Free summer movies in the park all summer long in parks all around San Diego.  See a complete schedule here. Or for just $1, Regal Cinemas offers two movie options on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am.  See their schedule here.

* Go Out to Dinner. Kids Eat Free at many restaurants around San Diego on certain nights or with an adult purchase.

* Attend a free summer concert. Balboa Park has a great line up of music for Twilight in the Park on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:15-7:15 p.m.  Here is their complete listing for this summer.  You can also enjoy Coronado’s Summer Concert Series in Spreckels Park on Sunday evenings throughout the summer. The first and third Sundays of the month, you can also browse the work of San Diego artists at the Art-in-the-Park event.

Free concert in Balboa Park

* Enjoy a hike.  San Diego has beautiful trails for hiking. With nearly 6,000 acres, Mission Trails Regional Park has oer 40 miles of trails and a variety of guided nature walks. During the summer months, the park leads summer twilight walks and “Nature Club,” a free program designed for children ages 8 to 12 that includes hiking and other nature related activities. Take a drive up to Mt. Laguna for a picnic or a hike.  Torrey Pines Reserve also has coastline hiking with spectacular views.

Torrey Pines State Reserve

* Visit tide pools.  Get some tips on visiting the tide pools around San Diego.  La Jolla and Point Loma are both popular tide pooling locations.

* Check out the La Mesa Car Show along La Mesa Boulevard in the village of La Mesa every Thursday night during June through August. In addition to vintage cars on display, guests can enjoy shopping, dining and live music.

* Visit Seaport Village.  Take a summer weekend to window shop, stroll, and appreciate the free entertainment.  Watch the boats and gaze out at the beautiful San Diego Bay.

* Wander through Old Town. I love the history and culture of Old Town.  You can visit museums, which are free to the public. Get some great Mexican food at one of the many restaurants, some of which offer kids to eat free.  Visit the Old Town House of Jerky and Root Beer and grab a soda from one of 75 options.  The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is free to visit and is an entertaining look at history.

Start your summer planning.  There is much to do that you don’t want to miss out on!  I don’t know about you, but summer seems to go by too quickly each year.  So check out some of these fun, free activities and have a great summer with your family.

Other ideas for summer in San Diego:

Summer Fun in San Diego

Stay at the new Legoland Hotel

San Diego Summer Camps

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If you love chocolate, wine, and a good view, than I have the event for you! This weekend, May 4th – 5th, 2013, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, located along the glorious San Diego harbor, is hosting the 2^nd Annual Chocolate Festival, where all of our favorite chocolate vendors will be educating and sampling the very best of the decadent treat, in various forms and flavors.

A team of Mars Chocolate History Ambassadors will tell the historical bean-to-beverage story of chocolate using authentic tools including cocoa pods, cocoa beans and nibs, a hot stone metate, winnowing baskets, chocolate drink pots and stirrers throughout the day. Festival guests will be able to touch, taste, smell, and experience chocolate as it was enjoyed by early Americans at every demonstration by sampling American Heritage Chocolate.

Bring the kids to enjoy crafts, games, scavenger hunts, and chocolate pizza making activities, or come with you adult friends to enjoy the wine and chocolate pairings and learn some kitchen tricks with chocolate (the wine pairings require a small additional fee).

The event takes place on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Maritime Museum of San Diego located at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. The Chocolate Festival is included in the cost of Museum admission that weekend.

Details and tickets for the Second Annual Chocolate Festival are available on the Maritime Museum of San Diego website at www.sdmaritime.org or by calling 619-234-9153 ext. 101.

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Besides the pool and the size of the rooms, our favorite part of the stay was the three meals we had at Arterra, the restaurant located in the hotel lobby. The ambiance was somewhere in the middle between family dining and upscale fine dining, so you would feel at comfortable where you’re with your kids or out on a date. I loved the food and the service and can’t wait to go back!

Moms, for your chance to win a free stay at the Marriott Del Mar and a $50 gift card to Arterra, enter to win their Mom’s May Getaway contest on Facebook. Four winners will be chosen throughout the month.

For official contest rules you can click here.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary weekend stay at the Marriott Del Mar in return for this post. My opinions are my own.

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If you’re raising little thespians, like I am, then you’ll be interested to know about these theatrical summer camps offered in various areas of San Diego County (and yes, it’s already time to book those summer camps, how did THAT happen?).

San Diego Junior Theatre – Students entering grades K-12 have the opportunity to take four classes each day with San Diego’s best teaching artists! Choose from JT’s two locations, Balboa Park and La Jolla. Camp prices range from $150-$375

Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy – CPAA offers a two-week “Broadway Baby” musical theatre workshop that explores singing, dancing, AND acting for kids 6 and up. For three hours every week day for two weeks and at the end of the session, the children put on a performance for the parents. Call (760) 438-4947 for more info!

La Jolla Playhouse – LJP offers a “Young Performers’ Workshop” during the summer. $200 for non LJP members, and $150 for members, grades 2^nd – 12^th.

North Coast Repertory Theatre – NCRT offers several camps for varying ages, all of which sound like a blast. They also offer early drop-off and/or late pick-up for parents who need a little more time. Rates are $280 for 2-week sessions and discounts for siblings, etc. Performances for parents close-out the sessions.

New Village Arts – NVA hosts camps called “Kids Act!” all throughout the year. They offer 10 week sessions where your child goes one day a week for 10 weeks, and they also offer traditional camps where kids go every day for a week at a time. Check out their site for all the details. Prices range from $125- $250 depending on the camp.

Some of my fondest memories from my youth are from the two week camps I did each summer called, “Showbiz.” They helped me learn a lot about myself, how to be on stage, and about the world of theatre in general. These camps are well worth the money for your littles if they show any interest in the theatre whatsoever.

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But the most exciting addition to Legoland California is the Legoland Hotel that just opened the first weekend of April.  My kids have a stay there on their “must-do” list in the near future.  Even though we only live 30 minutes from Legoland, they are determined to convince us to stay at the hotel.  And I have to admit, it does look like a lot of fun for the kids.  They have themed rooms – Pirate, Adventure, and Kingdom – to choose from with a queen-size bed for the adults, plus semi-private sleeping areas for the kids with a bunk bed and pull-out trundle bed to sleep 3.  My boys could not decide which room they would want to sleep in; they all look so fun! And each room has an in-room treasure hunt plus bricks to build with!

And if you ever leave the fun of your room, you will find interactive Lego features throughout the Hotel.  Additionally, the kids will love the pool and play areas, and the kid-approved buffet restaurant.

Just from the view of the hotel on the outside and watching the video presentation about the hotel, one of my sons asked, “How much would it cost to live there?”  The Legoland California Hotel is almost a destination within itself!  But guests get to go into the park before it opens, so be sure to enjoy both.  Your Lego-lover is sure to have a blast at the new Legoland California Hotel.  Come on, Summertime!

What else is there to do this summer in San Diego?  Try these ideas:

USS Midway Museum

San Diego Summer Camps

Summer Fun in San Diego

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What out for that asteroid!

One of the activities is to view two pictures of the stars taking hours apart.  You use the keys to line up the two pictures and then “blink” between the two pictures to see the one object that moved during those hours.  That one object must be an asteroid since the stars don’t move.  Another area gives you the chance to figure out which rocks are from earth and which are from space by testing for magnetism in each rock.  It is trickier than you think! You can choose the size of a comet or asteroid and an area of earth it might hit and get an idea of how large an area would be affected by such a collision.  Inside a pod, the kids enjoyed being explorers-in-training.  I loved hearing all the facts they had learned about comets and asteroids as they “trained”!

Line up the stars to find the asteroid

Pod for Explorers-in-Training

The exhibit is at the Fleet Science Center until April 28, 2013, so don’t miss it!  For even more information about the cosmos, view the new digital show Cosmic Collisions showing at the Science Center until June 30, 2013. You will learn about the birth of the moon, how scientists could divert an asteroid headed towards earth, and what will happen in the future when galaxies collide.  Tickets are an additional cost.  More information here. You can also join the Fleet Science Center’s local astronomy happenings on April 3rd at 7 and 8:15 p.m. about Hubble’s Discoveries or May 1st at 7 and 8:15 p.m. about How We Know Our Place in the Universe.

This is the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s 40th Anniversary! The center has a great line up of additional activities to enjoy with your kids.  Check all the dates and fun here. Remember, you can reserve a 2-week pass at your local library for free admission!

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The USS Midway is huge, like a city floating on the sea.  It’s incredible to imagine it out at sea with thousands of people aboard living there day in and out. When we entered, we were directed to an area to pick up equipment for the free audio tour.  The headphones and touch-screen device allow you to tour the USS Midway at your pace and in whatever order you please.  When you arrive at an area, you can push in the numbers posted there to hear information about it or real stories about men and women and their experiences. My kids enjoyed listening to it and got more out of it than when information is written out on displays that they don’t bother to read.

We spent three hours there and didn’t quite see everything, but definitely covered a lot.  My boys loved the planes they were actually able to get into and play with switches and controls, pretending to be the pilots.

The flight deck hosts a number of planes and helicopters, including the type in the movie Top Gun. And the views up on top the flight deck are gorgeous.

There were also a few areas with interactive activities they really liked, as well as getting to practice using Morse code.

Here are a few specific areas we liked:

The brig…uh, oh, don’t do anything wrong and end up here!

Strategy and tracking happened in this room during Operation Desert Storm!

Communications area

The Pilot’s Ready Room, getting briefed on their upcoming mission.

The Mess Hall

The docents on board are friendly and eager to share their knowledge.  Ask any questions and learn even more about this marvelous piece of naval history. And when you are done with your visit, be sure to enjoy a little walk along the water.  These are great climbing trees my boys had fun climbing.

And this statue, based on the famous WWII photo, is right there along the water front as well.

The USS Midway is a great place to visit.  So much fun and educational and historic as well.  It is a bit pricey, especially for a family to visit, so watch for a discount.  We went in February because of Macy’s 50% off museum discount that goes on each February.  Five years old and younger are free.  Strollers cannot go in most places down inside the ship because of the hallways and tight areas you walk through. Get all the info here and have a great time!

Also visit:

Five Outdoor Adventures in San Diego

San Diego Air and Space Museum

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

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