The annual festival is just as epic as ever. Big weekend crowds are filling several blocks of downtown La Mesa and enjoying a big party.
As one might expect at Oktoberfest, there’s no shortage of beer, pretzels, bratwurst and, indeed, tempting German and International food of all types. There are plenty of activities for the whole family, including a big Ferris wheel and games for kids. And, of course, how can I forget the hilarious weiner dog races?
The festival continues on Sunday, with plenty to see and do. It’s free to walk in. The three biergartens, however, have an entry fee.
A good way to get to all this fun is by trolley. For more info, visit the La Mesa Oktoberfest website here.
Here’s my collection of colorful photos taken on Saturday afternoon…
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The crowd in Petco Park’s Gallagher Square went nuts when the San Diego Padres recorded the final out in Game 2 of the MLB Wild Card Series against the Cubs in Chicago. When Manny Machado hit his 2 run homer, imagine how excited everyone was!
What awesome fans: waving rally towels, dancing between innings, tossing balls with excited kids, focusing on every pitch and swing on the big Gallagher Square videoboard.
What a great team win! The Padres pitchers in particular were practically unhittable.
There will be another Padres Postseason Watch Party tomorrow. At the time of my writing, the start time is undetermined. Proceeds from the five dollar tickets go to the Padres Foundation. Get your tickets online.
Win or lose, the San Diego Padres organization always provides a really good time.
Enjoy some fun pics taken before and during the big game…
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Today people were dancing, listening to beautiful voices sing, eating, and having a great time in sunny Balboa Park. They were participating in the lawn program of the House of Lebanon!
The House of Lebanon of the International Cottages saw a good crowd come out for their cultural event. At 2:30 the House of Lebanon San Diego Choir performed, and thereafter members of UC San Diego’s Lebanese Club taught anyone who was interested how to dance the joyful, traditional dabke!
I was interested to read the dabke descends from Phoenician dances thousands of years old.
The happiness that comes from joining hands and moving together is evidently timeless!
Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Kafta Kabob Wrap, Chicken Shawarma Fries, Fattoush Salad, Hummus with Pita, Spinach Pies, Knefe in a bun, Lebanese Coffee…
Yum!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
75 musical acts on seven stages! Over eight city blocks of fun, food, vendors, more food, and entertainment!
Yes, today was the final day of this weekend’s epic 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair!
This super popular street festival in Normal Heights is one of the biggest in San Diego. Indeed, it’s said to be Southern California’s largest free two-day music festival!
I walked along Adams Avenue, stomach rumbling from all the delicious smells. I stopped at several of the stages to listen to live music. Then, in the early afternoon, I enjoyed a performance by San Diego’s own Fern Street Circus!
The friendly folks in the next photo were representing the volunteer-based Adams Elementary Parent Teacher Community Organization. They were raising funds to support the neighborhood school. Check out their website here.
Have you seen the huge new Merrill Madness mural on Market Street in downtown San Diego?
The smiling guy in the next photo is one of the driving forces behind it: Marco (@marcticc).
Check out his website Marctic Creations for cool Padres related gear by clicking here!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Please excuse my ignorance, but until today I had no idea San Diego had a professional ultimate team. They’re named San Diego Growlers!
The Growlers compete against 23 other teams around the United States in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). They are in the South Division.
I vaguely knew ultimate is a game similar to football, but using a Frisbee. I’ve seen videos, and it looks pretty cool.
After speaking to friendly representatives of the Growlers at the Adams Avenue Street Fair, I think I’ll go check out a game when their new season begins in 2026!
The Growlers have been around for ten years. In 2025 they had a winning record and made the playoffs. The team plays home games at Mission Bay High School.
Enjoy a few festive photographs that I took in Balboa Park today.
The House of Germany was having their lawn program at the International Cottages when I walked through the park, so I paused, grabbed a bratwurst on a roll with sauerkraut, ketchup and mustard, and sat down to listen. (At about two thirty the beer was already sold out!)
I’m not sure who these musicians were, but I saw on the House of Germany’s flyer pertaining to the program that four different groups would provide entertainment.
Before resuming my afternoon walk, I ventured into the House of Germany cottage and viewed interesting educational displays.
The summer lawn program season is approaching its end. Check out the HPR International Cottages website here to see fun events that remain!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Here’s a collection of photographs for you to enjoy. I took them in Balboa Park today. Mexican Independence Day was celebrated in the Old Globe’s outdoor Copley Plaza!
I lingered for a little over an hour, listening to rousing mariachi music and watching joyful, colorful baile folklórico dancing.
A good crowd at tables around the outdoor stage enjoyed free Mexican candies and played Mexican lotería too! Many families enjoyed the festivities!
Anyone wandering about could also check out artists at their table. I recognized Maricruz Alvarado! You can see some of her beautiful work here and here!
What entertainment did I enjoy at this great Mexican Independence Day Celebration? Música Del Barrio with their pre-show music, Mariachi Continental SD, DanzArts folklórico dance, and the Radican Ensamble choir. There would be even more groups after I left to resume my Balboa Park walk.
The cultural celebration was produced by the Old Globe’s AXIS performing arts public engagement program. Learn more about AXIS here.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The nonprofit Save Starlight organization has been working for years to save the historic 1935 Starlight Bowl amphitheater in Balboa Park. Perhaps you’ve been following the news concerning their heroic efforts.
An email blast that I received today reads:
Dear Friends of Starlight,
The moment we’ve been working toward for years has arrived. The City of San Diego has officially opened a 30-day window for Save Starlight to submit our Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) — the critical first step toward securing a long-term lease of the historic Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park.
This is our opportunity to finally bring Starlight back to life. But we cannot do it without you.
A key component of our submission is demonstrating strong fiscal support from our community. That means two things:
Donations now – Every contribution, large or small, shows the City that San Diego is ready to invest in the future of Starlight.
Letters of intent – Written commitments from individuals and organizations who pledge to donate once the lease is secured will help prove the depth of support behind this project.
We have just 30 days to make our case. The more momentum we show now, the greater our chance of success.
Together, we can ensure that the Starlight Bowl is not just preserved, but revitalized as a thriving cultural landmark for generations to come.
If you love the historic Starlight Bowl as much as I do, and want to help restore it to life, now’s your opportunity!
Did you know that many music legends have performed in the Starlight Bowl? They include Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Diana Ross, The Doobie Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Jewel, Cheap Trick, Beastie Boys and more!
Also, did you know that Wayne Nelson from the Little River Band has recently joined the Board of Directors of Save Starlight?
Click here to help save a true San Diego treasure!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
A big festival continued today in San Diego’s Balboa Park. All weekend, the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages celebrated their 90th Anniversary!
Plenty of cultural entertainment could be experienced by park visitors at both the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the International Cottages.
I took photographs on Saturday–the event’s first day. See those photos by clicking here and here.
Today, Sunday, I returned to Balboa Park to enjoy more of the anniversary celebration!
Here comes a selection of photos…
I watched a traditional dance performance at the International Cottages, presented by the House of Peru…
A bit later, I watched these radiant dancers presented by the House of Philippines…
I ventured into the House of Denmark, hoping to find another Danish hot dog like the one I devoured yesterday. I found a scrumptious dream cake (drømmekage in Danish) instead! I love coconut!
Inside the Hall of Nations, the House of Czech and Slovak Republics had an interesting display.
Their cottage, damaged badly by a falling eucalyptus tree months ago, is being repaired by the City of San Diego. Looking good!
Members of the House of China offered to write visitor names in Chinese!
I headed over the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 2 pm for the Sunday entertainment, which would include the Spreckels Organ.
Umbrellas could be rented at the Spreckels Organ Society membership table. It was a very warm day in San Diego’s early September sunshine!
Super cool (and talented) San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez smiled for a photo!
A very special concert begins with the National Anthem. San Diego celebrates the 90th anniversary of the International Cottages in Balboa Park!
I hear drums and bagpipes behind us…
Here comes the House of Scotland Pipe Band! They file between the benches to the organ pavilion stage…
Scottish music marches by and steps onto the stage…
Booming drums, bagpipes and the mighty Spreckels Organ–world’s largest outdoor instrument. What an incredible combination!
If this doesn’t get your blood moving, nothing will!
After several rousing performances, the band files off the stage…
Next comes the House of Germany Choir. Several songs include the favorite Edelweiss.
Then I enjoyed beautiful selections sung by the Damekor Scandinavian Choir. The musical group includes members of House of Pacific Relations nation Houses representing Scandinavia.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
A big, wonderful event is taking place this weekend in Balboa Park. It’s the HPR 90th Anniversary Celebration. The International Cottages are celebrating nine decades of promoting mutual understanding among the people of the world, and working for peace.
The many members of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages are offering cultural entertainment all weekend long, including tomorrow–Sunday. I enjoyed much of the festivities today–Saturday–and took these photos.
The event began with the Parade of Flags. I already shared photos of the parade here.
Following the colorful procession, our attention was directed to the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
After everyone stood for the beautifully sung National Anthem, the Red Warrior Singers sang, and the presidents of the member nations of the House of Pacific Relations stood for well-deserved recognition.
The House of Pacific Relations added four new nation members this year! Their mission is to foster understanding, tolerance and goodwill among all people. Diverse people have come together in San Diego for the greater good of humanity.
Human diversity could be experienced in the cultural entertainment, which then commenced.
First up, the House of Vietnam…
Next up, the House of Poland…
I then wandered over to the International Cottages lawn, where I found many happy people enjoying food, the open cottages, and various exhibits…
I confess I ate a Danish hotdog. Super yummy!
Yokohama, one of San Diego’s Sister Cities, was represented at one table.
I learned the San Diego International Film Festival is coming up, October 15-19.
The San Diego Beamers were up on stage providing live music…
The House of Chamorros had a display concerning slinging, which is an ancient and ongoing tradition of the Chamorro people. A friendly guy was demonstrating how to use a sling on the grass behind their cottage…
I then wandered back to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. More dance, and beautiful, inspirational singing, by the House of Ukraine…
I left for home early, as the Saturday programming would continue on at the cottages until 5 pm.
Sunday’s programming will also feature cultural entertainment, food and fun. If you go, check out the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the International Cottages between 11 am and 5 pm. You’ll love it!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Cool San Diego Sights! 