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.
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.
I learned during the Adams Avenue Street Fair that a new community garden is coming to Normal Heights!
The community garden will occupy the south end of Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park, north of 40th Street and Madison Avenue, where the fenced Large Dog Park used to be.
As this webpage explains, amenities will include 28 garden plots, 9 waist-level garden boxes, compost and trash areas, a tool shed, running water, ADA compliant graded paths, and a native/pollinator plant garden. The existing pergola and bench will be retained.
I see local schools will be involved, allowing kids to learn about growing food, the environment, and leading a healthy life outdoors.
Very cool!
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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.
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.
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.
Will you be in Balboa Park tomorrow: Sunday, September 7, 2025?
Would you like to devour Chicken Adobo, a Chicken & Pork BBQ Stick, Pancit Noodles, Lumpia, or Turon (banana dessert)? How about a Combo Plate?
You’re in luck! The San Diego History Center has a Filipino feast ready for you!
Taste San Diego Filipino Culinary Journeys, a special event inside the History Center, will be offering delicious Filipino food ready for purchase! Hours are 11 am to 4 pm.
Why this special catered feast? Balboa Park’s International Cottages (including the House of the Philippines) are celebrating their 90th anniversary this weekend.
Where is the San Diego History Center? It’s inside the Casa de Balboa. Look for signs as you walk along El Prado.
I had one of those barbeque meat on a stick offerings. The food is prepared by Gabina’s Cuisine, which is headquartered in Chula Vista.
Yummy!
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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 French Market returned to San Diego’s bayfront this afternoon. The fun cultural event, organized by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of SoCal, was held outdoors at Lane Field Park. Its purpose was to celebrate French culture, flavors and innovation right here in San Diego, and to promote vibrant Franco-American business ties and cultural exchange.
I swung by to check it out!
Several vendors and organizations had canopies on the grass, and there was live music provided by Chloe Perrier & the French Heart Jazz Band, too!
Without further ado…
Versailles Café & Pastries had tasty crepes topped with strawberries and chocolate!The Alliance Française de San Diego offers French classes in La Jolla and Vista, and organizes social gatherings. Their French Literature & Arts Festival is coming October 2-4, 2025 in San Diego. More here.The San Diego French American School, in La Jolla, offers bilingual education from preschool through 8th grade.The mobile and online Clotilde French Bookstore had many books at their table!Author Claude Koehl’s book, The American Way of Life: The Foreigner’s Perspective, helps people understand cultural differences, using humor.Some smiling authors!Six Years of Absence is a novel based on French Sergeant Alexandre Rolland’s harrowing experiences during World War II. Written by Alain Rolland, his son.A good time in sunny San Diego.
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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.
Enjoy several photographs of the beautiful mural at Foodshed’s new location in City Heights. It was painted by Rachel Venancio (@rachelmurals) earlier this summer. It’s dedicated to female farmers and mothers everywhere.
Foodshed is a small farm cooperative. They provide underserved neighborhoods with fresh, healthful and affordable food from over 40 farms.
They have a market open here at 4089 Fairmount Avenue on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm. It’s called the City Heights Food Farmacy.
Foodshed also offers Farm Box Subscriptions with food pickup locations around San Diego County, or delivered to your home or place of work.
A Farm 2 School program is coming soon.
Learn all about Foodshed’s programs at their website 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.
Looking for a great pizza place in downtown San Diego? Do you like to have good time? Would you like to eat tasty pizza, have fun, AND at the same time help homeless youth?
Yes, of course!
Swing by Timmy’s Place at 1404 Fifth Avenue, or check out their website here and place an order for take out or delivery!
So, how does Timmy’s Place help homeless youth?
Let me transcribe a description printed on their menu:
Timmy’s Place is the product of an incredible partnership between Urban Street Angels & UPAC & made possible through the Lucky Duck Foundation, the Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation, & Inspiration of Rolf and Mary Benirschke. It is a unique social enterprise that offers training, employment, mentorship, and opportunity for homeless youth towards success and self-sustanability.
So what’s on the menu at Timmy’s Place? A wide variety of signature, classic and traditional pizzas, sandwiches, salads, desserts, slushies, coffee and tea. There is free delivery with a $40 minimum in a 4 block radius.
Place your order and not only will you enjoy great food, but you’ll be helping young people’s lives in a very real and meaningful way.
They do catering, too.
I bought a very yummy and reasonably priced Italian salad chock full of good stuff at Timmy’s Place today. It was actually better than a fancy Italian restaurant I occasionally visit.
As I waited for friendly young people to prepare my order, I enjoyed looking around Timmy’s Place. As you can see from my photographs, all sorts of fun pop culture graphics have been put up to celebrate San Diego’s association with Comic-Con!
Yes, that’s Superman and Krypto flying on the front window!
Hey, I know there are hungry, good-hearted people who live or work in downtown San Diego reading this. Please check out Timmy’s Place website by clicking here.
Eat with a smile!
A picture of Timmy on one wall is accompanied by his inspirational message.
“…living in an orphanage was a tough start… In my early 20s I developed dangerous addictions, pushed my family away, ended homeless for more than five years… Because of my past bad choices…it was difficult to get a job… There are so many people out there who care, who want to help, and who are willing to give us the second chance we need.”
Timmy’s Place provides that second chance. And good eats and fun, too!
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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! 