Concerts, Theater, Racing, Shopping: Fun Things to Do in San Diego Found in CITYBEAT Magazine

While at Jitters Coffee Pub(a great indie coffee house with free wifi) and Kindred Journeys (a metaphysical bookstore with cool jewelry) in Oceanside CA today, just south of Surfrider on Coast Highway my teenager picked up the San Diego Citybeat free magazine and "Summer Guide." I stopped picking these up a while ago because I never seemed to find the time to leaf through the eclectic mix of cool things to do and the ads for things I'd rather my 13 year old didn't think were so funny (you'll have to stop by Jitters and look at it to see for yourself).

Here's Some Fun Links and Items I found - picked just because they appeal to me:

1. Did you know there are 5 American Apparel retail locations in the San Diego area including Gaslamp, Fashion Valley, and La Jolla? Why does this matter...well we first discovered American Apparel 3 years ago while shopping in LA. Everything there seems to be stretchy and we were up there to celebrate a 13 year old's birthday. The girls had the best time trying on metallic lamé bikinis. Not everything in the store is as tacky as those bikinis, but everything in the stores are made right in downtown Los Angeles, and more importantly are SWEAT SHOP FREE. We recently picked up some great basic long sleeve cotton tees and a light weight rain coat in Seattle for a mountain climbing trip. Learn more about this company here: American Apparel.

2. While I'm on birthday parties, one of the best ones my older daughter ever went to was at an indoor go kart facility. There's one in Carlsbad that I'd like to take the kids to: K1 Speed - the ad is buy one get one free and it's great for teen birthdays and they say for corporate events & bachelor parties too.

3. I love music. San Diego has a thriving music scene. I'm a child of the 70's for the most part raised with older siblings with their revolutionary 60's music, and parents with a passion for classical and opera. I'm raising two kids who are music crazy, and not just pop...so I've been to more concerts as a chaperone in the last 3 years than in the last 15 before that: Warped Tour, KROQ concerts, sat outside some scary place in Riverside and waited for Atmosphere to end, and I've been the chauffeur to Street Scene, and banned from Coachella because I'm just not cool to a 16 year old. Anyway I'd love to go to: Endless Reggae Summer Jams at The World Beat Center (looks like it might even be all ages - even middle age like me) with three dates in June, July, and August. Then there's a ticket that's already sold out and a band I like and a city I love...Metric and Oceanside: Independence Jam at the Pier June 7. Here's a secret: don't worry about not having a ticket. The Oceanside amphitheater is on the beach, and you can hear the sounds for free on the beach. Starts at 4 pm.

I also suggest any of the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops events. I was lucky enough to go in 2007 and even the venue is worth the price: right at the Embarcadero Marine Park near the old Navy Yard and Petco Park (hint if you are at a Padres game, you can see the fireworks from the concert series from some of the seats). I want tickets to Music of the Beatles: Classical Mystery Tour on 8/14 & 8/15. I was never a huge Beatles fan, but thanks to the film "Across the Universe" my young teen has made me re-examine their music. Paul is my favorite Beatle.

4. A Wine Cheese and Chocolate Festival to benefit the Women's History Museum in Balboa Park on May 29. YUM! Need I say more? Yup: just $30/1 or $25 when you buy two or more tickets to the event.

5. Don't miss: the races at Del Mar (and free Friday concerts after the races Friday nights in the summer). July 22-September 9 just $6! Kids free. Saw local band Pinback here last year. The track facility is just stunning. If you want to stay a week and enjoy all of San Diego, I recommend our two newest vacation rentals in South Carlsbad just across from Carlsbad State Beach.

6. My younger daughter recommends The Old Globe Theatre's Summer Shakespeare Festival. She wants to see Cyrano de Bergerac. Balboa Park: June 13 - September 27.

Now, why on earth do I ever leave this paradise of surf, sun, sail, and sand? Feel free to add your own events!