Get Out!: Your Weekly Guide to Family Events and More

Earth Day has pretty much turned into Earth Month, with events strewn throughout April in much of the county.

But it really hits this weekend, with Earth Day-themed festivals and beach and habitat clean-ups planned from Balboa Park to UC San Diego and all the way up to Palomar Mountain. 

Those are just a couple of your choices for fun, entertaining and outdoorsy things to do near Rancho Bernardo and beyond, from April 14-20.

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

TRIP TO THE PAST

• Where/when: Museum at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte
• Why Go: Ben Cueva, a San Pasqual Battlefield Reenactment enthusiast, will discuss the Mexican Period from 1823-1848. The talk is part of the RB Historical Society's speaker series.
• Price: Free

• Where/when: , 15498 Espola Rd, Poway, 8 p.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Usually something Hitchcockian, such as the musical based upon his film the 39 Steps, will be a chiller. Let's just say the farce has taken some liberties and there's more than a few laughs to be had.

• Price: $47-$55, with children's tickets for $5.

• Where/when: , 16826 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, 9 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: The community salutes more than 60 volunteers from local organizations, such as schools, service clubs and youth sports, at Hats Off to Volunteers. Those who attend can do more than cheer the honorees: They also can learn more about the work they do.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 15498 Espola Rd, Poway, 3 p.m. Monday.

• Why Go: To see musical performers from Poway and Rancho Bernardo schools at the Poway Jazz Festival. The San Diego State University Jazz Ensemble also will appear. 

• Price: $5 in the evening, for adults; daytime and for students, free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

CHARITY WALKS O' THE WEEK

• Where/when: Liberty Station, Roosevelt Rd and Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, Saturday; Balboa Park, Quince St. and Sixth Ave, San Diego, Saturday, and No. Mission Bay Dr. and De Anza Rd., San Diego, Sunday.

• Why Go: Walkers, runners and bikers can raise money this weekend to support those with  (at Liberty Station),  problems (at Balboa Park) and  (at De Anza Cove). 

• Price: Entry fees vary.

ANOTHER JAZZ FEST

• Where/when: Mira Costa College, 1 Barnard Dr., Oceanside, Friday and Saturday.

• Why Go: To see musical performers from schools in San Diego, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties at the Oceanside Jazz Festival. Local schools include Rancho Bernardo High and Oceanside High. 

• Price: Varies, some performances free.

• Where/when: Palomar Mountain State Park, 19952 State Park Road, Palomar Mountain, Saturday.

• Why Go: Hundreds of volunteers will fan out to area state parks as part of the California State Parks Foundation's mass Earth Day clean-up. This is one of five sites in the county slated for some tender loving care.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Look at your green options for your vehicle, home and garden at the university's Green Open House, which includes entertainment and a kids' zone. Free parking will be available and free shuttles as well, if your space is too far away.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Seaport Village, No. Harbor Drive and Pacific Hwy., San Diego, noon Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Sure, you like your Gagas and your Biebers, but then there's those authentic souls who love their art so much they are willing to hit the streets and sing, play or juggle to get the crowd's attention – and hopefully some change. Show them some love at the Spring Busker Festival, and stay late Saturday if you want to see some more night-time oriented acts.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Balboa Park, 1500 El Prado, San Diego, 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: Earth Fair takes over the center of the park, with vendors, music stages, a children's parade and scads of exhibitors. Organizers strongly advise arriving early or taking alternative modes of transportation as 60,000 people are expected.

• Price: Free.

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