September 2011 - San Diego Events

Taste of Downtown Sept. 8
Over 50 restaurants throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, Financial District, East Village and more! This tour will feature your favorite eateries and showcase the newest dining hot spots. 5-9pm. $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event. 619-233-5008 / www.mcfarlanepromotions.com

Taste of Main Street Sept. 8
One of the largest and most successful events of its kind in San Diego County. Participating restaurants will offer samples of a vast variety of food. Guests will be treated to 39 different taste sensations. $25. 6-9pm. Encinitas Blvd and S. Coast Hwy 101. www.encinitas101.com

San Diego Festival of Beer Sept. 9
Live bands on two stages, food and more than 5,000 craft beer lovers. The Festival is a fundraiser for San Diego Professionals Against Cancer with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local cancer charities. 6-10pm. Gaslamp Quarter: Columbia St. & B St. www.sdbeerfest.org

Brain Tumor Walk Sept. 10
Raise funds for brain tumor research by joining health care professionals, care givers, brain tumor patients, and survivors on a 5K walk. 8am-12pm. West Mission Bay Park (Crown Point Shores) Fil Maresca (408) 298-6861 / www.braintumorwalk.org

San Diego Walk Now for Autism Speaks Sept. 10
Experience the power of thousands united by autism presented by Papa John’s, at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road. 8am-1pm. Brian Han 323-549-5000 / www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/sandiego

Gala in the Garden Sept. 10
San Diego Botanic Garden (230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas) A Celebration of Nature, Art and James Hubbell 5-10pm. Enjoy Gourmet food, drinks, Live Music, Floral Art, Dancing and much more. Sherri Johnson 760-436-3036 / www.sdbgarden.org

Fiesta Island Time Trial Series Sept. 10-11
Riders will cycle laps against the clock until each one completes their distance which is 20K for adults and 6.5K for juniors. 7-9am. East Mission Bay (Fiesta Island Roadway) $30 (adult) ~ $15 (junior) Jon Benson (858) 583-1190 / www.fiestaisland.com

ArtWalk on the Bay Sept. 10-11
Fine artists showing and selling their work, San Diego’s top musical performers, and interactive art for families at KitsWalk. 10am-5pm. Hilton San Diego Bayfront Park. Sandi Cottrell 619-615-1090 / www.artwalkonthebay.org

La Jolla Rough Water Swim Sept. 11
The courses consist of a Junior Swim (250-yards), Amateur Swim (1-mile), Masters Swim (1-triangular mile), and the Gatorman Swim (3-tri-leg miles). 9am-4pm. La Jolla Cove. See website for pricing. Information desk (858) 456-2100 / www.ljrws.com

Tequila Trail Sept. 11
The annual Spirits of Mexico Festival, North America’s largest celebration of agave-based spirits, launches this year with a new event. $25. 3-6pm. Old Town San Diego. kathy@jsimmsagency.com

Pie in the Sky Sept. 11-17
Pie Bake Sale fundraiser. Proceeds fund tens of thousands of free, hot and nutritious meals to San Diego County residents struggling with AIDS or cancer. Delicious pies cost $20 each. 3960 Home Ave, San Diego 92105. Kim Sontag 619-233-6262 / www.mamaskitchen.com

Santee Wine & Bluegrass Festival Sept. 14
Live Bluegrass Music, Wine & Beer Tasting, Food Sampling & Silent Auction. Funds will benefit municipal parks, community programs and the Recreation Scholarship Program. $30. 5:30-9:30pm. Town Center Comm. Park East: 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. www.ci.santee.ca.us

So Cal Hellbilly Fest & Car Show Sept. 14
2 stages with 16 bands,100s of pre 1965 rods & this year we have pre 1975 bikes and plenty of vendors. 25% of the profits from the door goes to St Judes Children's Hospital. 11am-11pm. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. www.socalhellbillyfest.com

San Diego Bayfair (Powerboat Racing) Sept. 16-18
Powerboats and hydroplanes race so fast on water that they nearly become airborne. 7am-6pm. Mission Bay. $20-$30 (General Pass) ~ $40 (3-Day Super Pass) ~ $10 (Pit Pas only) ~ FREE (military/child age 5 & younger) (619) 572-6274 / www.sandiegobayfair.org

San Diego Triathlon Classic Sept. 17
This event is San Diego's only USAT sanctioned olympic distance triathlon that is designed for serious and active athletes who race frequently. 6:30am-12pm. NTC Park. $135. Cory Osth (619) 523-2453 / www.sdtriclassic.com

Start! San Diego Heart Walk/Expo Sept. 17
This nationwide 5K and 1-mile walk encourages people to form teams to obtain pledges that will be used to help fight against various forms of heart disease. 6:30-10am. Balboa Park. Minerva Briseno (858) 410-3849 / www.sdheartwalk.org

San Diego Praise Fest Sept. 17
Three stages of wholesome Christian entertainment plus an Open Air Marketplace, Kids Zone, Education Row, Food Court and Health Village. 11am-6pm. Federal Blvd. (between Euclid Ave. & 47th St.) Leonard Thompson (858) 650-3190 / www.sandiegopraisefest.com

Coastal Cleanup Day Sept. 17
Join San Diego Coastkeeper and I Love a Clean San Diego in the 27th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. It will be held at over 80 coastal and inland sites across San Diego County. 9am-12pm. www.cleanupday.org

Cardiff Surf Classic and Rerip Green Fest Sept. 17-18
Surf contest, live music, local organic food, a kid’s zone and a Green Fest comprised of eco-friendly businesses, government agencies and non-profits bringing awareness of sustainability to our communities. Seaside Beach: S Coast Hwy 101. www.cardiffsurfclassic.com

San Diego Restaurant Week 2011 Sept. 18-23
Take a bite out of San Diego as you eat your way through Restaurant Week! Over 180 participating restaurants will be offering three-course prix-fixe menus for just $20, $30 or $40 per person. www.SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com

NBC San Diego's Operation Caregivers Drive Sept. 23
You can help our service men and women by driving around Broadway Circle downtown and drop off items such as toothbrushes, body wipes/lotion/shaving cream, paper, pens, cookies, cards, or other items. 6am-6:30pm. New unopened item donations. (619) 578-0412

Adams Avenue Street Fair Sept. 24-25
Musical performances on 6-stages, 3-beer gardens, 300+ food & concession booths, and a carnival area with rides and games. There's a play area for kids and a rest area for those who just need to relax. 10am-10pm. Jim Schneider (619) 282-7329 / www.adamsavenuebusiness.com

Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Sept. 24-25
Chula Vista celebrates its Centennial with a FREE two day extravaganza of history, art, music, food and nature on our beautiful Bayfront. 10am-5pm/11am-4pm. 640 Marina Pkwy. 619-917-0974 / www.cvharbordays.com

Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Sept. 24-25
Celebration of speed and auto racing. Fast-paced, thrilling auto racing and exhibitions plus military flyovers, ship tours and live music. Free for military and kids 12 and under. 8am-5pm. Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado. 619-858-1545 / www.fleetweeksandiego.org

Trolley Dances 2011 Sept. 24-25
5 choreographers create 6 world premiere dances for 50 performers. Audience members travel via trolley to view. Starting out at the Grantville station passengers will follow the Green Line into Santee. 10am-3pm. 619-225-1803 / http://sandiegodancetheater.org

AIDS Run/Walk San Diego Sept. 25
Largest single-day fundraiser and non-governmental provider for HIV/AIDS programs in SD County. It offers a 5K walk and a 10K run at Balboa Park. Festival area offers health information. 7-11am. $35. Terry Bishop (619) 692-2077 x-209 / www.aidswalksd.org

FLEET WEEK MCAS Miramar Air Show Sept. 30-Oct 2
The Navy's Blue Angels and other amazing daredevil flights; plus demonstrations of the Air & Ground Task Force, Super Hornet, Shockley Jet Truck, and a vertical take-off & landing. 9am-4pm. Information desk (858) 577-1000 / www.miramarairshow.com