Happy Thursday, Encinitas!
Fiesta del Sol is back — 45 years running — and it's happening right next door in Solana Beach with Los Lobos and The English Beat headlining. Both days. Both free. That alone makes this a stacked weekend. But we've also got a legendary surf photographer throwing a party at Breaker’s on Friday night, sheep solving a murder mystery at La Paloma, the best sourdough bagels you’ve ever had in Leucadia, and live music on the 101 all weekend long.
Oh, and if you haven’t heard — the Grandview Beach stairs are open!
📣 PSA
After nearly four months closed for refurbishment — new steel connections, rebuilt timber, the whole deal — the steps at the north end of Neptune reopened just in time for Memorial Day last weekend. Welcome back to Leucadia's back door! Once school’s out, it’ll get crowded again, so go enjoy Leucadia’s gem before the tourists come back to town.
🏄 The weekend at a glance
Weather. Thursday is mild mid-60s with a slight chance of a morning sprinkle. There’s a non-trivial chance of rain on Friday, so pack layers. Then clears a bit the rest of the weekend: low 70s with a few clouds. Perfect Fiesta Del Sol weather.
Surf. 2-3 feet most of the weekend at Swami’s with a bit of a bump on Sunday. Get the latest from Surfline.
Tides. Low tide Saturday at 2:29 PM (-0.33 ft) and Sunday at 2:58 PM (-0.59 ft) — both solid windows for tide pooling at Cardiff Reef. Time a visit before heading to Fiesta del Sol or catching the afternoon Sheep Detectives matinee. Via tideschart.com.
Sunset. Saturday 7:52 PM. Sunday 7:53 PM. Post up at the Moonlight Beach parking lot.
🎡 Featured
45th Annual Fiesta del Sol — Sat–Sun, Solana Beach
Pre-summer kicks off with a two-day free music festival right by the water in Solana Beach. Saturday brings The English Beat — the ska legends behind "Mirror in the Bathroom" and "Save It For Later" — plus old school Southern California reggae band Common Sense, and ABBA covers from the FABBA Show. Sunday, Los Lobos headlines. Yes, that Los Lobos — La Bamba, five Grammys, still completely the real thing — joined by San Diego surf-psych band SeaPoodle and a full supporting lineup. It’s usually pretty crowded so consider taking the Coaster down.
📍 Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach — both days, 11 AM to evening 💵 Free, all ages — VIP Deck $160–175/day; Seaside Pavilion $75/day
One note: The English Beat are sold out at Belly Up on Friday night and Los Lobos are sold out on Saturday. So if you want to see either of them, you’ll have to get down to Fletcher Cove and see them for free.
Crash Sherm's Party ft. Steve Sherman + Sunbendr — Friday at Breakers
Steve Sherman has spent decades behind the lens for surfing's most iconic moments — you've seen his work whether you know it or not. Friday night he brings the stories and the prints to Breakers on Santa Fe, with live music from Sunbendr (local legend Chris Cote’s band) and he’s hosting a $300 bar tab — which I’m guessing will go pretty quick — courtesy of RationAle Non-Alcoholic Craft Brews. Breaker’s is becoming the Encinitas go to—just great stuff happening there all the time.
📍 Breakers Café, Bar & Grill, 481 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas 💵 Free — 6 PM
🗓️ Day by day
Thursday, May 28 (tonight)
Kennan Loesch Art Opening — Original prints and paintings from the local artist at the Encinitas 101 MainStreet office, with DJ Kuomatose spinning and light bites. A proper 101 Thursday night on the coast. 5:30 PM, 818 S Coast Hwy 101. Free.
Beginner Sourdough Workshop — I love bread so I had to include this class. Walk away with your own starter, a shaped loaf ready to bake, and enough know-how to never buy a sad grocery store loaf again. Hosted by @thesourdoughmama at Kids By The Sea. 5:30–9 PM, 920 Balour Dr. Ticketed.
The Roxy Encinitas — If you want to start the weekend early, Jackson Wagner (Americana/Acoustic Rock) plays at 4 PM and Alex Kova (Singer-Songwriter) plays dinner at 6 PM. 517 S Coast Hwy 101, no cover.
Friday, May 29
Crash Sherm's Party ft. Steve Sherman + Sunbendr — See Featured above. Free, 6 PM.
The Sheep Detectives — La Paloma — A flock of sheep solve a murder. 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing all weekend (Fri 4:50 PM, Sat 1:55 PM, Sun 2:35 PM). $12 cash at door or advance online.
Sonic Nectar at 1st Street Bar — Classic rock covers at the 101's most reliable local dive. 7:30 PM, no cover. DJ Jeremiah James takes over at 10 for an open-format late night. 656 S Coast Hwy 101.
The Roxy Encinitas — The 1920s-speakeasy dining room on the 101 runs music all evening: Happy Hour with John Bennett (Acoustic Covers) at 3 PM, dinner with Bella Popa (Pop/Acoustic) at 5 PM, and the Jukebox Junkies closing out at 8:30 PM with high-energy party rock and classic covers. No cover; 517 S Coast Hwy 101.
Saturday, May 30
Fiesta del Sol Day 1 is the main event — see Featured. But for the rest of the day...
Before Fiesta del Sol opens at 11, swing by New Wave Bagel on N. Coast Hwy 101 in Leucadia (open from 7:30 AM). Hand-rolled sourdough bagels and bialys from the founders of Wayfarer Bread, and the Chili Crisp cream cheese rocks. 312 N Coast Hwy 101. Get there early — they sell out.
Altered Forms: Creative Wheel Throwing — If you’re already know a thing or two about potter, this class looks like a great way to add some new skills to your arsenal. A two-day ceramics intensive from ICA San Diego focused on pushing wheel-thrown forms into expressive, altered shapes. Morning sessions 10 AM–1 PM both Saturday and Sunday. Ticketed, 1550 S El Camino Real.
Synergy Band at 1st Street Bar — Rock and blues on a Saturday night. 7:30 PM, no cover. DJ Pleasure Victim spins the late night. 656 S Coast Hwy 101.
The Roxy Encinitas — Three acts Saturday: Johnny C (Classic Rock/Acoustic) at 1 PM, George Richards (Acoustic Classics) at 5 PM, and Savage Touch closing it down at 8:30 PM with high-energy rock and dance covers. The perfect post-Fiesta del Sol nightcap. No cover; 517 S Coast Hwy 101.
We’re big Arsenal fans at our house. Fresh off winning the Prem, this Saturday Arsenal go for the double! Start your day with Arsenal vs Paris St Germain for the Champions League Title at 9am! The Meantime in O’side is the North County Arsenal supporters hang out. Go Arsenal!
Sunday, May 31
Fiesta del Sol Day 2 — Los Lobos headlines. See Featured.
Harvest for Heroes — Fox Point Farms — A community fundraiser benefiting shelter dogs, veterans, and active-duty military. Free to attend — dine, browse, and connect on a Sunday afternoon at the farm, with a portion of all sales going to the charities. 11 AM–3 PM, 1200 Fox Point Farms Lane.
Sunday Night Jazz at Mr. Peabody's — Can't make it to Fiesta del Sol? Mr. Peabody's runs jazz from 6–10 PM every Sunday night. It's a local institution and a perfect low-key landing spot after the weekend. 2249 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff.
Monday, June 1
Brewery Tours & Tastings — Fox Point Farms — Behind-the-scenes tour of Fox Point Brewing Co. with tastings. Sessions at 5 PM and 6 PM. A relaxed way to cap the long weekend on the farm. Tickets are $25.
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly picks
The Sheep Detectives — La Paloma — We saw the preview for this recently and it’s totally on our list for the fam. Sheep solve a murder mystery. Kids will love it, parents won't be bored. Saturday matinee at 1:55 PM. $12, 471 S Coast Hwy 101.
Fiesta del Sol — Free, all ages, right by the water in Solana Beach. Saturday is The English Beat and friends; Sunday is Los Lobos. Bring the kids early for the lesser known bands. It’ll be less crowded and they’ll have plenty of room to dance.
Cardiff Reef tide pools — Low tide Saturday at 2:29 PM and Sunday at 2:58 PM means exposed reef and great conditions for a tide-pool walk with the kids. Cardiff Reef is a short walk from the lot at San Elijo State Beach. Free, just show up.
🔜 On the horizon
Bro-Am Beach Fest — Sat, June 13 at Moonlight Beach. Bro Am is back! It’s a huge day at Moonlight. Make your plans early. Switchfoot's annual free concert and surf contest for 17,000+ people, live music all day, all proceeds benefit underserved youth in San Diego. Free, all ages. Mark it.
SDBG Summer Nights — Thursdays starting June 25. The Botanic Garden's outdoor concert series is back on the Gazebo Lawn — Country Night, 80s Night, and more. $20 adults, $10 members.
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