Top Ten San Diego Events in August

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So, what do you do for entertainment in San Diego?

It's a generic question asked by most San Diego tourists and many longtime locals.The answers you'll often hear are: go to the beach, go to Sea World, or visit the San Diego Zoo. However, if you take the time to look below the surface of San Diego entertainment, you're sure to discover unique, fun, and charitable pastimes. Want to be an insider? Check out the top 10 San Diego events in August.

Broadway Rocks!

The San Diego Symphony's 2007 Summer Pops season of music and entertainment presents Broadway Rocks! Top Broadway stars Susan Egan, Anne Runolfsson, Doug LaBrecque, and Rob Evan are the main vocalists with Randall Craig Fleischer as conductor.The star-studded group will perform Broadway favorites from Wicked, Rent, The Lion King, Tommy, and Phantom of the Opera. Summer Pops is hosted on the waterfront side the San Diego Convention Center. Find a relaxing open lawn and a direct view of the bay during the classic San Diego evening of Broadway enchantment.

Venue: Embarcadero Marina Park South
Date: August 3-4
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Phone: 619-235-0804
Address: 206 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Cost: $12.00 - $75.00
More info: sandiegosymphony.org

San Diego Chicks Spa Nite Out!

The San Diego based savvy shopping group, Sassy City Chicks, presents a night of pampering at the All About Me Medical Day Spa on August 8th. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided to enhance the mini make-overs, eye brow waxes, paraffin treatments, and massages.For those of you wishing to really splurge, Botox, Restylane, and Juvederm treatments are also offered.

Venue: All About Me Medical Day Spa
Date: August 8
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Phone: (310) 318-1731
Address: 12889 Rancho Penasquitos Blvd
San Diego, CA 92129
Cost: $20.00
More info: sassycitychicks.com

Summer Wine and Jazz Night

The San Diego County Vintners Association presents an exclusive vintners dinner at the RB Bernardo Winery on August 10th.Wine samples from all 16 wineries in the Vintners Association will each be served with paired provisions ranging from imported cheese to gourmet pasta servings and high caliber cuts of meat.The dinner includes live jazz music and a complimentary San Diego County Vintners Association wine glass to help you remember the night.

Venue: Bernardo Winery
Date: August 10
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Ages: 21+
Phone: 858-487-1866
Address: 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte
San Diego, California 92128
Cost: $85 for one, $160 a pair
More info: sandiegowineries.org

Green Flash Concert Series

Len Rainey and the Midnight Players bring their original blend of blues, jazz, and rock & roll to the La Jolla Birch Aquarium on August 15. Rainey and his band headline the August portion of this season's Green Flash Concert Series that launched in May and ends in September.The San Diego-based band has performed the last 18 years in clubs from San Diego to Las Vegas.Enjoy innovative sound while gazing out into the ocean. And if you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the event's brilliant namesake.

Venue: Birch Aquarium
Date: August 15th
Time: 6-9pm
Ages: 21+
Phone: 858-534-4109
Address: 2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92093
Cost: $15.00 - $25.00
More info: aquarium.ucsd.edu

Longboard Surf Contest

The Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club hosts the 23rd annual Oceanside Longboard Surfing Contest and Beach Festival, August 16-19 at the Oceanside Pier. Both amateur and professional contestants will hit swells at the pier for trophies, for the crowd, and for plain enjoyment.Throughout the day, guests will be treated to live music from local bands, vendor booths, and festival food.

Venue: Oceanside Pier
Date: August 16-19
Time: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Phone: (858) 792-5541
Address: 1 Oceanside Pier
Oceanside, CA 92054
Cost: No Cost Viewing
More info: oceansidelongboardsurfingclub.org

Pacific Classic Stakes

This famous annual event at the Del Mar Racetracks brings prestige to the surf and turf on August 19th.The Pacific Classic Stakes is an authentic thoroughbred horse race with an affluent twist: a final purse of $1,000,000.
ESPN2 will provide full coverage of the Stakes and a free quarter zip fleece pullover will be provided for all guests with paid admission.

Venue: Del Mar Racetrack
Date: August 19
Time: 1:00 p.m. (first race) - close
Ages: All Ages (gambling: 21+)
Phone: (858) 755-1141
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
Cost: $6 general racetrack admission
More info: delmarracing.com

Reggae and Beer Festival - 4 O'clock Fridays

Reggae legend Ziggy Marley headlines the 4 O'clock Friday concert at the Del Mar Racetracks on August 25th.And the late afternoon tunes will be enhanced by a signature beer festival. Over 50 different brews will be available to help you get your bacchanal on during the Marley jam session, opened by local reggae sensation Common Sense. Entrance to both the beer festival and the reggae concert are free with admission to the race tracks.

Venue: Del Mar Racetrack infield
Date: August 25
Time: 2:00 p.m. (first race) / 3:30 p.m. (music) / All day (beer festival)
Ages: All Ages (gambling: 21+)
Phone: General Information Number: (858) 755-1141 Trackside Restaurant Reservations: (858) 792-4242 Racing Office: (858) 792-4230 Ticket Sales: (858) 792-4242
Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
Cost: $6 (general racetrack admission = aka: Stretchrun) / $10 (Clubhouse)
More info: delmarracing.com

Annual Grape Stomp

The Orfila Vineyards and Winery presents the annual Grape Stomp on August 25th. The ultra-premium boutique winery has been adopted by San Diego as a favorite venue for celebrations of all kinds. The grape stomp event celebrates the start of harvest with hay rides, grape stomping in huge five-foot barrels, dancing, a live band, wine tasting, and a grand buffet dinner.

Venue: Orfila Vineyards
Date: August 25
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Phone: (760) 738-6500
Address: 13455 San Pasqual Road, Escondido, CA 92025
Cost: $75 per person for adults; $70 for children and non wine drinkers
More info: orfila.com

After the Quake Performance

The La Jolla Playhouse presents Tony award winning director Frank Galati's production of After the Quake throughout the entire month of August at the Mandell Weiss Forum at UCSD. The play is an adaptation of two short stories from the Haruki Murakami short story collection. Take a step away from the beach and enjoy your summer at the stage with tales inspired by the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake.

Venue: Mandell Weiss Forum
Date: August 26 (ends) / July 24 (began)
Time: 7:30 Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays
Ages: All Ages
Phone: (858) 550-1010
Address: Mandell Weiss Forum
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
Cost: $28.00 - $60.00
More info: lajollaplayhouse.org

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Hometown baseball heroes, the San Diego Padres, host Los Angeles Dodgers rivals at PETCO Park on August 31.With views of both the Gaslamp and the bay, PETCO Park is favorite venue for baseball fans nationwide.Enjoy the game and grab a ballpark dog while the famous home game Hells Bells chime over the park's speakers during the final innings of this classic baseball rivalry.The Padres and Dodgers are still battling it out for the top spot in the National League West.

Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 31
Time: 7:05 p.m. PST 10:05 pm EDT
Ages: All Ages
Phone: (619) 795-5000
Address: 100 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
Cost: $7.00 - $55.00
More info: sandiego.padres.mlb.com

August may mark the end of the summer vacation season, but the entertainment and unique local events in San Diego are just beginning.From the beach to the city streets, enjoy the delights of this well-rounded roundup of the top 10 San Diego events in August.