Things to do in April
Events in San Diego during April include Ironman 70.3, Wanderlust 2018, 48th Chicano Park Day Celebration and Earthfair 2018.
4.6-7: Reebok Ragnar SoCal
Round up five or 11 fellow maniacs for this insane, overnight relay race that starts in Orange County and ends at the Embarcadero downtown.
Coastal trails from Huntington Beach to San Diego Bay, runragnar.com
4.6-8: La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
Feast your eyes on sports cars, Woodies and hundreds of other classic wheels from around the world at this upscale auto show overlooking La Jolla’s coast.
La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, lajollaconcours.com
4.6-8: Goodguys 18th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals
Check out more than 2,500 hot rods, muscle cars and other custom rides at this competitive car event that includes live music, vendor exhibits and a burnout challenge.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, good-guys.com
4.7: South Bay Earth Day
South County’s largest Earth Day celebration returns with even more merchants and activities, including a plethora of products and services to help people reduce their impact on Mother Earth while simultaneously saving some loot.
Chula Vista Marina, Chula Vista, chulavistaca.gov
4.7: Ironman 70.3
Swim across Oceanside Harbor, bike along the coastline to San Clemente and back, then run along The Strand, where miles of sand lie between you and the finish line. Piece of cake, right?!
Throughout Oceanside, ironman.com
4.7: 30th Annual America’s Schooner Cup
Eight to 10 stunning schooners from across Southern California and the Pacific Northwest will face off at this charity regatta.
San Diego Bay, sdmaritime.org
Schooners race each other for this charity event.
4.7-8: Julian Gold Rush Days
Celebrate the discovery of gold in Julian and learn more about the mountain community’s history during this free, weekend-long festival that includes gold panning, tomahawk-throwing and candle-dipping, among other attractions.
Julian Farm and the Julian Mining Company, Julian, visitjulian.com
4.8: 10th Annual Campagnolo Gran Fondo
Choose a 20-, 34-, 60-, or 101-mile route for this 2-day cycling celebration that features food, a fitness expo and a beer garden on San Diego’s stunning waterfront.
Various routes around San Diego County, sdgranfondo.com
4.13: VAVi Day at Petco Park
Join other members of the city’s leading sport and social club for a Padres game that includes upgraded seating, a free drink ticket plus epic pre- and post-game parties.
Petco Park, East Village, govavi.com
4.13-14: Pinners Conference
Attend any of more than 100 Pinterest-based classes at this DIY expo boasting some of the country’s top artists and crafters.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, pinnersconference.com
4.14: San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon, 5K & 8K
Behold some of San Diego’s most stunning beaches, bays and resorts on a sea-level course of your choice, then cap it off with a finish-line celebration touting live music, a beer garden and plenty of snacks to go around.
Throughout Mission Bay, sandiegobeachandbayhalfmarathon.com
4.14: Tour de Cure
Walk, run or cycle in support of finding a cure for diabetes, a disease that affects more than 100 million people in the U.S.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, diabetes.org
4.14: Wanderlust 2018
Listen to nationally recognized teachers, speakers and musical talent as part of this mindful triathlon that combines a 5K, DJed yoga sessions and guided meditation.
Liberty Station, Point Loma, wanderlust.com
4.14: The PULSE Dance Experience “Battle Royale” Showcase
It’s time to bring it on for this competition that gives dancers a chance to show off their skills in the hopes of advancing to the Las Vegas finals. A VIP Cocktail Hour provides a chance to mix and mingle with celebrity choreographers like Cris Judd, Ian Eastwood, Dean Lee and more.
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, La Jolla, choreographinglives.org
4.15: Walk Against Hate and Diversity Expo
Don’t miss the inaugural year for this Anti-Defamation League event, which highlights the diverse tapestry of San Diego’s schools, businesses and communities.
Liberty Station, Point Loma, classy.org
4.15: Day at the Docks
Look forward to historical displays, how-to seminars and casting contests at the West Coast’s famously fun (and free) celebration of sportfishing.
Sportfishing Landings, Point Loma, sportfishing.org
Families line the docks so children could fish for a mackerel at The Port Of San Diego’s Day At The Docks.
4.15: 22nd Annual Triton 5K + Festival
Run, walk or stroll in support of future changemakers during this scenic, 3.1-mile trek through the heart of UCSD’s campus.
UCSD campus, La Jolla, 5k.ucsd.edu
4.18: Cajon Classic Cruise Opening Day
Thousands of car fanatics from across Southern California descend upon downtown El Cajon for the April kickoff to the weekly Wednesday evening events that run through October.
Prescott Promenade, downtown El Cajon, cajonclassiccruise.org
4.20: BAYKED by the Bay
Celebrate 4/20 during this inaugural event celebrating music (with a performance by Wyclef Jean), munchies and cannabis culture — although legally, no marijuana is allowed at the event.
Embarcadero Marina Park North, downtown, baykedsd.com
Musician Wyclef Jean.
4.20-22: Sixth Annual San Diego Comic Fest
Following a Frankenstein theme this year (in honor of the book’s 200th anniversary), this geeky gathering includes panels, an artists’ alley, plus plenty of cosplayers enjoying a more intimate experience than that convention in July offers.
Town & Country Resort, Mission Valley, sdcomicfest.org
Comic Fest attendee works on sketches.
4.21: San Diego County Credit Union Walk MS: San Diego 2018
Do your part to end multiple sclerosis once and for all by walking with friends, loved ones and co-workers to change the world for everyone affected by this debilitating disease.
Liberty Station, Point Loma, nationalmssociety.org
4.21: Inaugural Temecula Blues Festival
Eight bluesy bands comprise the lineup for this first-year, rain-or-shine event, which will also showcase some of the neighborhood’s most notable food vendors.
Civic Center Plaza, Old Town Temecula, temeculabluesfestival.com
4.21: Ninth Annual Boob Ride
Bike for boobs at this fundraising event supporting breast-cancer patients, then cheers to your ride at Tidewater Tavern during the event’s after-party.
Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach, theboobride.org
4.21: 2nd Annual Pacific Rim Festival
Celebrate some of the Pacific Rim’s many cultures and countries during this free community event featuring food, live music, workshops and demonstrations.
Bayside Park, Chula Vista, pacificrimfest.com
4.21: 16th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup
Join more than 6,500 volunteers at 100+ locations to help remove litter and otherwise beautify San Diego’s various waterways.
Sites throughout San Diego County, creektobay.org
4.21: 48th Chicano Park Day Celebration
This free, family-friendly event includes traditional music, Aztec indigenous dances, a lowrider car show, plus performances by ballet folklórico groups and numerous live bands.
Chicano Park, Logan Heights, chicano-park.com
Crowds enjoy the cars at the 47th annual Chicano Park Day celebration.
4.21-22: Coronado Flower Show
Feast your eyes on flowers — and save the rest of your senses for the food pavilion and beer and wine garden — at this floral affair.
Spreckels Park, Coronado, coronadoflowershow.com
These are some of the first place winning roses on display at the Coronado Flower Show.
4.22: Earthfair 2018
Sixty-thousand visitors and 300 exhibitors earn this event the title of the world’s largest, free annual environmental fair.
Throughout Balboa Park, earthdayweb.org
Fluffy, a red iguana, rides on the head of his owner, Han Nguyen, at the Earth Day celebration at Balboa Park.
4.22: La Jolla Shores 5K Run/Walk
This scenic and hilly course follows the last 3.1 miles of the La Jolla half-marathon course, beginning near Scripps Pier and winding through La Jolla Shores before wrapping up at the Cove.
La Jolla Shores, inmotionevents.com
4.24-26: MTC Expo
Make 2018 your company’s most profitable year yet by attending this educational expo that exists at the intersection of media, technology and commerce.
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, downtown, mtcshow.com
4.27: Party Like Gatsby
More than 25 circus, cabaret and vaudeville performers vow to entertain guests at this immersive, 1920s-themed experience that lasts all night long.
The Observatory, North Park, partylikegatsby.eu
4.27: Bloom Bash
The opening celebration for Art Alive weekend — when more than 100 museum pieces will be interpreted as floral arrangements — is set to include illuminated art installations, scrumptious treats and floral-infused custom cocktails, among other tasteful touches.
San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, sdmart.org
4.27: Out at the Park
San Diego Pride teams up with the Padres to take on the Mets in an evening punctuated with performances by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and the San Diego Women’s Chorus.
Petco Park, East Village, padres.com
4.27-29: 54th Annual Lakeside Rodeo
Get ready for bullriding, barrel-racing, bronc riding, Stetsons and cowboy boots during three full days of edge-of-your-seat rodeo action.
Lakeside Rodeo and Arena and Facility, Lakeside, lakesiderodeo.com
4.28: 22nd Annual Barrio Logan Grand Prix
Professional bicycle racers and top-level amateurs compete along the streets of Barrio Logan in one of SoCal’s largest cycling events.
Throughout Barrio Logan, sdbc.org
4.28: Linda Vista Multicultural Fair & Parade
Promoting cultural awareness and understanding throughout San Diego, this year’s event will include several cultural exhibits, various ethnic food offerings and artistic performances.
6900 Block of Linda Vista Road, Linda Vista, lindavistafair.org
4.28: Golden OptimisTiki Market & Luau
This charity event benefiting Peninsula-area youth is set to include the musical stylings of APE, Millionaire Beach Bums, Tikitronic, DJ Glen the Mack and Kitten on the Keys.
Bali Hai, Shelter Island, pointlomaoptimist.com
4.28: Adams Avenue Unplugged
With more than 100 performances across 30 stages, Normal Heights’ signature walkabout showcases some of the best acoustic artists San Diego has to offer.
Adams Avenue, Normal Heights, adamsavenuebusiness.com
4.28: Fifth Annual San Diego Shaka Fest
Hawaiian culture, arts and athletics collide at this unique event featuring a SUP race, a youth-only canoe regatta and several stages of authentic, island-inspired entertainment.
Crown Point Park, Mission Bay, sandiegoshakafest.com
4.28-29: ArtWalk
Get lost amid 17 blocks of art in this annual event attended by thousands of artists and aficionados.
Throughout Little Italy, artwalksandiego.org
Chicano artist and muralist Mario Torero paints in the interactive mural area.
4.28-29: Encinitas Street Fair
Browse through more than 450 distinct food, arts and crafts vendors, then flit among four stages of entertainment at this family-friendly festival that also boasts a beer garden for offspring-free adults.
South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, visitencinitas.org
4.29: Awesome ’80s Run
Travel back in time and dress up as your favorite ’80s celeb or cartoon character for this fun run/walk/skate in which participants receive a Rubix Cube finisher medal.
De Anza Cove, Mission Valley, awesome80srun.com
4.29: 28th Annual Motor Cars on Main Street
More than 400 classic, hot rod and custom cars — all dating back to before 1973 — serve as the centerpiece of this gear-head’s haven, which is set to feature live music and raffle drawings all day long.
Orange and Isabella avenues, Coronado, coronadomainstreet.org
Padres home games
4.2-5 vs. Colorado Rockies
4.12-15 vs. San Francisco Giants
4.16-18 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
4.27-29 vs. New York Mets
Play ball: 8 things to know about the Padres 2018 season
The Padres’ closer Ryan Buchter pitches to the Giants in the ninth inning at Petco Park.
Gulls home games
4.7 vs. Ontario Reign
4.11 vs. Tucson Roadrunners
The Gulls’ Austin Ortega during the third period at the Valley View Casino Center.
Legion home games
4.7: Fan Fest
4.29 vs. Utah Warriors
More...
Sign up for the Pacific Insider newsletter
PACIFIC magazine delivers the latest restaurant and bar openings, festivals and top concerts, every Tuesday.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Pacific San Diego.