Beers by the beach, an OB Oktoberfest staple. | Photo by @oceanbeachca
It’s time to break out the lederhosen + fill those steins — Oktoberfest events are coming back to San Diego County. We may be thousands of miles from Germany, but we areAmerica’s craft beer capital, and that means we’re getting in on the fun.
Local celebrations roughly follow the same timeline as Munich’s festival — meaning some start this weekend — but you’ve got a few weeks to make your way through our map of events. Prost. 🍻
AleSchmidt Oktoberfest Celebration | Fri., Sept. 16 + Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m. | AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct. | Free | Two days of events, including a polka party, promotional steins, food, a SDSU football watch party + plenty of brews. 🏈
Oktoberfest on the Harbor | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 25 | 12 p.m. | Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma | Free | Sport your finest Bavarian attire for this party featuring German-inspired craft brews, a pretzel-eating contest + steins. 🥨
Encinitas Oktoberfest | Sun., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mountain Vista Drive, between Wandering + Rambling roads | Free | The 26th annual fest features artisans, a biergarten, music, dancing, carnival rides + an international food court. 🍻
El Cajon Oktoberfest 2022 | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 + Fri., Oct. 7-Sun., Oct. 9 | Times vary | 1017 S. Mollison Ave. | Free | Opening day includes a parade, keg tap, and the crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen; the fun continues through two weekends. 🍺
La Mesa Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 30-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | La Mesa Village | Free | Games, dancing, eats, vendors + most importantly, German beer. 🇩🇪
Carlsbad Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 1 | 12-8 p.m. | Carlsbad Strawberry Company | $5+ | Get all the fall vibes at this family-friendly festival, including beer, music, a pumpkin patch + a corn maze 🎃
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest | Fri., Oct. 7 + Sat., Oct. 8 | Times vary | Newport Avenue by the beach | Free | Beer gardens, live music + a brat eating contest. 🏝️
Ron White | Fri., Sept. 16 | 8 p.m. | The Events Center at Harrah’s Resort Southern California | $62+ | The longtime funnyman + founder of the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” performs his stand-up act. 🎤
Casino Di Piazza | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7-11 p.m. | Piazza della Famiglia | $65+ | The ultimate cocktail event featuring sips, snacks + games like craps, roulette, and blackjack all under the stars. 🃏
Saturday
Zero Prostate Cancer Walk/Run | Sat., Sept. 17 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Free (donation based) | De Anza Cove Park | Show support with a 5K run or 1-mile walk. 👟
Beer by the Bay | Sat., Sept. 17 | 1-5 p.m. | Coronado Ferry Landing | $60+ | This island style beer + wine festival features local craft brews from all over the county. 🍻
“Some Like It Hot” | Sat., Sept. 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Heritage County Park | Free | Marilyn Monroe’s classic — you know, the one famously filmed at The Del, near the iconic red turrets. ☀️
San Diego Loyal vs. Phoenix Rising FC | Sat., Sept. 17 | 7 p.m. | Torero Stadium | $15+ | Kick it with the American pro soccer team co-founded by Landon Donovan. ⚽
Sunday
Live Well San Diego 5K Fun Run | Sun., Sept. 18 | 7:30 a.m. | Waterfront Park | Free | Lace up and run to support a healthy San Diego County — there’s also a 1-mile run for kids. 👟
Car Show at SD Bayfair | Sun., Sept. 18 | 10a.m.-3p.m. | Crown Point Park | $25 | Cars meet speedboats at this event featuring vendors + other live entertainment. 🏎️
CeeLo Green as Soul Brotha #100 | Sun., Sept. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park | $50+ | The hip-hop + soul artist pays tribute to James Brown. 🎤
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
The City of San Diego will move forward with plans to replace the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, determining it has exceeded its life expectancy. The active transportation + infrastructure committee selected consultation company Moffatt & Nichol to evaluate the project, and anticipates construction will begin in 2026. 🌊 (Fox 5)
Want to turn your community dream into a reality? San Diego County is accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant through Fri., Nov. 4. Funding will be given to projects that will benefit low + moderate-income residents in the county’s unincorporated area. 💡
Chula Vista City Council unanimously voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, which are often used to appeal to a younger audience. The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, following the same timeline as an equivalent ordinance in the City of San Diego. 🚭 (Fox 5)
Travel
The Port of San Diego is getting ready to sail into a busy cruise season. Starting Mon., Sept. 19, 140 cruise calls are expected through May — all operating at full or near-full capacity — and ~460,000 passengers. This is a 45% increase from last year, making this the biggest season since 2010. 🚢
Real Estate
Home sale prices in San Diego County are heading to the lower level based on recent data. The median cost in August was $910,000 — down 5% from July and below the $1 million peak in April. However, this is still 7.1% higher than August 2021, and realtors report more homes were sold last month. 📉 (Times of San Diego)
San Diegan
Vista declared Sept. 14 Rick Randall Day to honor the artist + metal sculptor — who died in July — for his contributions to the community’s public art. Randall co-created many pieces with his wife, Jaydon, some of which include colorful pinwheels. ⚙️
Traffic
The San Marcos Creek project is moving along. Construction has begun on the south side of Discovery Street, meaning all traffic will be rerouted to the north side. Crews are working to widen streets to four lanes, add bike paths, build sound walls + improve sidewalks. 🚧
Sports
The San Diego Loyal announced their third + final limited-edition black goalkeeper kit will go on sale during this Saturday’s game, but you’ll need to watch in person at Torero Stadium to score one. Each sale will contribute $25 to Rady’s Children’s Hospital, and tickets to the game are still available. 🎽
Plan Ahead
Father Joe’s Villages hopes you’re ready to stuff your Thanksgiving plans with a turkey trot. The nonprofit announced its annual Thanksgiving Day 5K will take place at 6:30 a.m. in Balboa Park. As always, it will raise funds to address hunger + homelessness. Registration is now open. 🦃
Ranked
Looking to take a beer-cation? The City of San Diego ranks No. 11 on HomeToGo’s list of top US cities for beer lovers, compiled based on the number of top-rated bars, quantity of breweries, and the costs of beer + accommodations in the city. While Chicago takes the top spot, our city is the only one in California. 🍻 (HomeToGo)
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This will feel like home when it’s filled with fans. | Photo via San Diego Wave FC
The San Diego Wave FC will kick off a new era tomorrow at 7 p.m. The team will face the Angel City FC for their first match at Snapdragon Stadium — and the game has alreadysold out the venue’s 32,000 seats + broken the NWSL record for highest attendance at a game.
If you were lucky enough to score tickets, the team shared tips to streamline the experience. This includes info on your digital tickets, where to park, the day’s schedule + the stadium’s bag policy.
If you didn’t get tickets, you can stream the game on Paramount+. And don’t worry — the team will be back at Snapdragon Stadium because it’s their new home.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Michael.
Editor’s pick:Good day, San Diego. Or should I say guten tag, because all of this Oktoberfest talk has me craving a celebratory meal. I suppose it’s too early to have a beer, so I’ve got pretzels on my mind. I recommend ordering some local twists from San Diego Pretzel Co. in National City, or maybe I’ll just take myself to Pretzels & Pints in North Park later. 🥨
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