san diego audubon field trips

San Diego Bird Festival

February 26, 2025 – march 2, 2025.

San Diego Bird Festival is a celebration of the wild birds and habitats of San Diego County. Come celebrate with us! Enjoy field trips to every corner of the county, lectures, skill enhancing workshops, and social events.

Sponsor and exhibitor registration begins in Summer, and attendee registration begins in November.

The festival headquarters and vendor exhibits will be held at the Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, California 92109.

Contact: [email protected] 801-671-9505

San Diego Audubon Society

801-671-9505

View Organizer Website

hajj@sandiegoaudubon.org (Jen Hajj)

Marina Village Conference Center

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Birding in the Sunshine - Annual Events Not to Miss

From hawks to herons to woodpeckers and warblers, with such a diverse array of bird species found throughout San Diego County, many organizations have taken the opportunity to hold bird watching events throughout the year. San Diego’s beautiful year-round sunshine and perfect warm temperatures has people “flocking” to the area to take part in these exciting events. From bird counts to week-long festivals, San Diego offers some of the most exciting bird watching events in the country.

Here are some of the biggest events happening throughout the year:

The san diego bird festival.

Arguably San Diego’s best, the annual San Diego Bird Festival has hundreds of birders coming together to enjoy classes, field trips, and lectures from special guest speakers. The festival takes birders to different regions within the county, allowing them to see the immensely diverse bird species in San Diego. For more information on this wonderful festival, go to www.sandiegoaudubon.org/events

International Migratory Bird Day

Celebrated every year on the second Saturday in May, this event focuses attention on the hundreds of unique bird species that migrate between nesting sites in North America and non-breeding grounds in the south. In San Diego, many migratory birds call the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park home. For more information, visit www.birdday.org

Annual Christmas Bird Counts

Sponsored by the Audubon Society, the counts are held over a two-week period in December and January. Grab your binoculars and bird guides as you experience the beauty of San Diego while also making a difference in the conservation of our beautiful environment. More information can be found at http://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count .

The Great Backyard Bird Count

An annual 4-day event in February where hundreds of birders, young and old, come together to track and count all of the unique bird species in the country. You don’t need a backyard to enjoy this wonderful event. All you need is a pair of binoculars and a passion for birding. Information on this exciting event can be found at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ and http://www.audubon.org/content/about-great-backyard-bird-count .

Annual Hawk Migration

October might be considered the beginning of Hawk season in San Diego. Each fall, thousands of hawks land in San Diego. A great place to see fall and winter hawks include the Ramona Grassland Preserve and adjacent Santa Maria Creek riparian habitat where large numbers of hawks spend the winter. The Preserve offers a four-mile loop trail that is open to the public where hikers and mountain bikers and observe these beautiful creatures. The San Diego Audubon Society generally hosts a grassland hike in October or November and the Wildlife Research Institute hosts free Hawk Watch gatherings usually on Saturdays in Jan. and Feb.   

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San Diego's sunny weather and shimmering coastlines aren’t the only perks worth swooning over. At one time, the county’s night skies were so clear that it became a sought-after spot for researchers to build astronomical observatories. While the city lights have changed the skies since then, the county still stands as an excellent place to stargaze. From surprising spots within the city to mountain getaways just outside of town, read on to find the best places for stargazing in and around San Diego.

Fun Filled 1-Day Itineraries

Find popular sites and attractions including museums, historic sites, shopping centers and hip urban neighborhoods all located within a two-mile radius of Downtown, the airport and the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal.

A Bike Trek through Balboa Park Neighborhoods

This jaunt is called the Tweed Ride and covers around 14 miles through Balboa Park, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park and South Park.

Nine Kid-Approved Parks

Whether you are looking for a larger area to roam or swings to push while you watch the ocean waves, here are eight family-friendly parks that are sure to please.

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Recent News

A stunning Costa’s Hummingbird is one of the many species you can see at the San Diego Bird Festival (photo by Ed Hale).

San Diego Bird Festival: Where Every Day is a Big Day

By Jennifer Hajj, San Diego Audubon Society

San Diego Audubon Society is proud to announce its 2020 San Diego Bird Festival taking place February 26-March 1, 2020 at Marina Village Conference Center in Mission Bay Park, San Diego. Our festival is a celebration of the wild birds and habitats of San Diego County. With an impressive checklist and diverse habitats, San Diego is a great place to go birding any time of the year. Our festival is in the winter, when you can see both migrant and resident species.

The festival features around 10 field trips each day, visiting ocean waves, rocky seashores, chaparral scrublands, oaky foothills and piney mountains. Many of these field trips fill within the first day of registration, but space does remain in a few.

Also of note are the many workshops that occur throughout the day. With speakers from around the world, you can learn about fun places to bird, species you have never seen, identification tips, and natural history stories. Each evening, we have a keynote speaker. Our keynotes for 2020 include Cornell Bird Academy instructor Kevin McGowan, the Legendary Pete Dunne, community science facilitator Julia Parrish, bird vocalization expert Nathan Pieplow, and host of the YouTube series Birds of North America, Jason Ward.

Our exhibit hall is open every day of the festival (check the website for times) and is free of charge to visit.

Family Day, sponsored by SDG&E, takes place on Sunday, March 1. All festival events from 10 am to 3 pm are free of charge and planned for all ages. We will have additional exhibitors on Family Day, including exhibitors with live birds, nonprofits with information on important topics such as tree care, mosquito abatement, and caring for San Diego’s wild nature.

So come one, come all! For more information about the festival, visit our website , or contact Jennifer Hajj .

Our Education Programs bring environmental instruction to students throughout San Diego County through field trips and other active hands-on nature experiences. SDAS core education programs include Outdoor Explore!, Silverwood Science Discovery, Sharing our Shores, and Anstine Adventures. 

Visit our education activities page to discover nature-based lessons, games, videos, and more, perfect for completing at home. Check back for new updates and enjoy exploring nature in your own neighborhood.

The Anstine Adventures program engages third through fifth-grade students in hands-on scientific exploration at our Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve. For students from the Vista Unified School District, the 11-acre nature preserve transforms into an outdoor classroom and offers them the opportunity to enhance their exploration, experimentation, and observation skills.

The OutdoorExplore! and Habitat Helpers nature education programs introduce children to our natural environment by connecting elementary and middle school students to natural open spaces right in their own neighborhoods.

The Sharing our Shores program introduces students to the local threatened and endangered shorebirds native to San Diego County, along with beach ecology and conservation issues. The program combines an in-class lesson with a field trip to one of San Diego’s beaches or bays and strives to educate the students about San Diego’s local and migratory birds.

The Silverwood Science Discovery program combines an in-class lesson with a Naturalist-guided field trip to our Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakeside. This interdisciplinary curriculum explores San Diego's chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats and is aligned to meet California Content Standards for Science.

For more information about San Diego Audubon's Education Programs, please contact our Director of Education, Rebekah Angona at  [email protected] .

OUR PARTNERS

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Audubon San Diego Bird Festival 2023

Celebrate the wild birds and habitats of San Diego with the San Diego Audubon. The festivities will take place at Marina Village Conference Center. 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109. Our field trips reach every corner of the county. Festival registration is $35 per person, which gains you access to many included social events. Field trips and programs are available at additional cost.

For more information or to register for this event, go to: https://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/birding/san-diego-bird-festival/san-diego-bird-festival.html

Event Dates

Starts: February 22, 2023 0:00am

Ends: February 26, 2023 0:00am

Location/Address

• December 15, 2022
• Uncategorized
• Russ Christensen

Buena Vista Audubon sponsored Pelagic Birding 2023 schedule

Buena Vista Audubon sponsored Pelagic Birding 2023 schedule By {authorlink} – 10:19 am

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Our weekly field trips – to which you are sincerely invited – include outings to great locations in San Diego County.  Farther ranging trips throughout the Southern California area are also on our excursion calendar as is an occasional out-of-the country adventure.

Our monthly meetings always involve  interesting speakers while providing an opportunity to meet others with similar interests.  Bird identification and awareness is a regular meeting feature.

As part of our Mission, we  provide resources for education of our members and the larger community.

• Our informative newsletter, Band Tales , continues to receive accolades. (Downloadable versions of the newsletter are on this website.)
• Creation of bird checklists for San Diego County.
• We maintain and provide informational displays at the kiosk in Kit Carson Park.
• We provide the Elfin Forest Visitor Center with mounted birds for the enjoyment and education of their visitors.
• Our members participate in the docent programs at Elfin Forest, Daley Ranch, and Torrey Pines State Park.
• We present programs to local adult groups, reaching out to Senior organizations and other community groups who want to learn more about local birds and how to accommodate their feeding and habitat needs.
• We participate with informational booths at appropriate events in the area.

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Upcoming Events

Dianne benham – “birding south africa”, san pasqual agricultural trail field trip, tijuana estuary & slough, dairy mart pond/tijuana river valley field trip, big morongo canyon preserve field trip, neil solomon – “birds of colombia”, wilderness gardens preserve field trip, daley ranch field trip, articles & blogs by category:.

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Sea and Sage Audubon Society

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An Orange County CA Chapter of the National Audubon Society

Visit the Site

DIRECTIONS to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is open every day from dawn until dusk. Audubon House is open daily, except for major holidays, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

When driving south on the San Diego Freeway (405) , exit on Jamboree and turn right. At the first signal, which is Michelson, turn left. Continue on Michelson (past the old entrance to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary) to the 5th signal which is Harvard and turn right. Drive on to University and turn right. Drive to Campus Drive and turn right. Stay in the right lane for a short distance and immediately turn right onto Riparian View which is marked by a dark green sign identifying it as the entrance to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. (If you miss the turn and reach Carlson instead, just turn right and go around the block again to Harvard.) 

When driving north on the San Diego Freeway (405) , exit on Culver and turn left. Drive to University Drive and turn right. Stay on University to Campus Drive where you will again turn right. Stay in the right lane for a short distance and immediately turn right onto Riparian View which is marked by a dark green sign identifying it as the entrance to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. (If you miss this turn and reach Carlson instead, just turn right and go around the block again to Harvard.) 

When driving from Pacific Coast Highway   Turn north onto Jamboree Rd, drive approximately 3 miles then turn right onto University Rd., continue on for 1.4 miles, then turn left onto Campus Dr. Drive, go 500 ft, stay in the right lane and immediately turn right onto Riparian View which is marked by a dark green sign identifying it as the entrance to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. (If you miss this turn and reach Carlson instead, just turn right and go around the block again to Harvard.) 

photo by David Weber

Audubon House is open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on major holidays.   The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is open every day, including major holidays, from dawn to dusk.

Chapter Phone:

Phone:  (949) 261-7963

We answer the phone during regular business hours;  we are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. If we do not answer your call, please leave us a message and we will be glad to return your call. If you are trying to contact one of our Chapter Officers, Committee Chairpersons,  or other Chapter related Personnel, go to the page on Chapter Personnel .

Chapter Mailing Address:

Sea & Sage Audubon Society

PO Box 5447

Irvine CA 92616-5447

Audubon House is the home of Sea & Sage Audubon Society.  Inside the building is a wide selection of materials including a reference library, a fully equipped nature bookstore, and some taxidermied birds. (See table below for more information.)  We hope you will pay us a visit soon .

(Mail orders not available at this time.)

Chapter Book Store

Reference Library

Optics for Loan

Recent Bird Sightings on the Bird Board

SJWS Trail Map and Rules

Checklist of Birds at the SJWS

Notebook of Plants at the SJWS (photos)

Sea & Sage Nature Store

Located inside Audubon House

Open 8:00 – 4:00 daily except major holiday’s

Phone: 949-261-7963

It is our policy at The Sea & Sage Nature Store to sell products sourced from companies that are taking steps to limit harm to our planet. We will make every effort to bring you eco-friendly products, locally sourced from independent crafts people whenever possible.

Make a statement with your shopping dollars and support a non-profit protecting birds and their habitats through education, citizen science, research, and advocacy.

All proceed go to Sea and Sage Audubon.

The Birds of Orange County, CA Status and Distribution

by Rob Hamilton and Doug Willick

published by the Sea & Sage Press Sea & Sage Audubon Society Irvine, California.  1996

price:  $16 + shipping & handling (see chart below)

Atlas of Breeding Birds

Orange county, ca sylvia gallagher, editor & principal author.

published by the Sea & Sage Press Sea & Sage Audubon Society Irvine, California.  1997

price:  $10 + shipping & handling (see chart below)

Learning California Bird Sounds

by Sylvia Ranney Gallagher Includes songs & calls of 89 species. (Flash drive with introductory & practice sounds, worksheets) $39 + shipping & handling (see chart below) For information about the birds covered on this flash drive,  click here .

Learning MORE California Bird Sounds

by Sylvia Ranney Gallagher Includes songs & calls of 74 species. (Flash drive with introductory & practice sounds, worksheets) $39 + shipping & handling (see chart below) For information about the birds covered on this flash drive,  click here .

Learning Western Mountain Bird Sounds

by Sylvia Ranney Gallagher From the Rockies to the Pacific Coast, including High and northern valleys Includes songs & calls of 74 species. (Flash drive with introductory & over 500 practice sounds, worksheets) $39 + shipping & handling (see chart below) For information about the birds covered on this flash drive,  click here .

Learning Desert Bird Sounds

by Sylvia Ranney Gallagher Covers all US Deserts and the Colorado Plateau

(Flash drive with introductory & 450 practice sounds, worksheets and answers to practice sounds) $39 + shipping & handling (see chart below) For information about the birds covered on this flash drive,  click here .

Tax is included in the price of your purchase

We do not accept credit cards payments for mail orders.

Mail your order along with a check to:

Sea & Sage Audubon

Attn: Catherine Steinberg

PO BOX 5447

Irvine, CA 92626

Purchase Price

$ 1 — $49

$ 50 — 99

$ 100 & over

Shipping & Handling

Community events across San Diego County: From commemoration for Vietnam War veterans to egg hunts

Sneak peek at upcoming concerts, street fairs, festivals, performances, art shows, community meetings, blood drives, library events and more

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Animal Sanctuary holds Easter egg hunts

San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm, formerly Children’s Nature Retreat, a 20-acre farm with animals, holds Easter egg hunts at 11 a.m. March 28-31 with an additional hunt at 3 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $12, plus admission per child, including basket and up to 12 eggs. The farm’s bunnies will be there too, along with the Easter Bunny at 11 a.m. weekdays and also 3 p.m. weekends for photos. The farm, at 5178 Japatul Spur, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Single-day admission is $40; $20 for kids (children younger than 2 are admitted free). Parking is free. Tickets are at sandiegoanimalsanctuaryandfarm.org .

Taste of Cardiff returns in May

Cardiff 101 Main Street puts on its 14th annual Taste of Cardiff “culinary adventure” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 2 on San Elijo Avenue between Birmingham Drive and Chesterfield Drive and along South Coast Highway 101. The event will feature bites and sips from Cardiff’s top restaurants, bars and retailers. During the event, participants will be able to cast their votes for the Morgan Mallory Golden Fork Award winner. Tickets are $50 and Taste & Sip tickets are $55. Visit cardiff101.com/events-calendar/2024-taste.

TrueCare puts on gala fundraiser

TrueCare, a nonprofit community health care provider, will host its annual gala, themed “Illumination,” on April 6 at the Omni La Costa Resort, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, beginning at 5 p.m. Proceeds support TrueCare’s new health care campus coming to Oceanside this year. Highlights include visual stories of community support and inclusion. There will be dancing, dining, cocktails and an auction. Individual tickets are $350 each, and sponsorships start at $3,500. Visit truecare.org/gala .

Easter sunrise service at The Flower Fields

The Fields Church holds its Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. March 31 at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, 5704 Paseo del Norte. Highlights include live music, a message of hope and free breakfast after the service, while supplies last. Admission to the service is free. Dress warmly for the outdoor event. Visit thefieldschurch.org/easter .

EGGstravaganza at park

An EGGstravaganza is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (or until eggs run out) March 30 at Poinsettia Community Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road. There will be multiple egg hunts with groups of 20-30 kids scrambling for eggs with separate fields for children ages 6 and older, ages 5 and younger, and young children or kids with special needs. The event features a family scavenger hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, a fun zone with bounce houses and a giant slide. $5 activity cards and $5 unlimited Fun Zone Wristbands are available at city community centers through March 30 and at the event. Visit carlsbadca.gov .

CHULA VISTA

Sesame place water rides open.

Sesame Place San Diego reopens water rides for the spring and summer seasons. The park’s water attractions include the Count’s Splash Castle, the park’s newest addition, which features 111 play elements across the multilevel play structure. Toddlers and small children can splash around in Elmo’s Silly Sand Slides or Big Bird’s Beach, while older children might like the Cookie’s Monster Mixer and Oscar’s Rotten Rafts. Families can race down Honker Dinger Dash or float down Big Bird’s Rambling River. The park will be open daily for spring break from March 23- April 7 at 2052 Entertainment Circle. During March there is free admission for kids ages 3-9 when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Kids younger than 3 can visit for free year-round. Visit sesameplace.com/san-diego/season-pass .

Easter Bunny workshop

An Easter Bunny Tails and Treats Workshop for kids ages 5-11 is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. March 26 in the Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way. The clubroom will be filled with eggs, bunnies, crafts, games and contests. Call (619) 522-7342 or visit coronado.ca.us .

Fragrance of roses topic of talk

The Del Mar Rose Society hosts Master Rosarian and American Rose Society judge Ruth Tiffany on March 28 at the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center, 1658 Coast Blvd. Tiffany, who grows more than 800 roses, will discuss why roses have fragrances and why some do not. A reception at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Visit delmarrosesociety.org .

EAST COUNTY

Senior volunteer patrol recruiting volunteers.

The Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station at Campo Road and Jamacha Boulevard is recruiting volunteers for its Senior Volunteer Patrol. Volunteers must be 50 and older and a U.S. citizen or legal resident who has applied for citizenship. Volunteers must have car insurance and medical insurance and be of good moral character with no felony convictions. Volunteer duties include traffic control, neighborhood patrol and checking on the homes of residents away on vacation and senior citizens in the “You Are Not Alone” program. The station covers the communities of Jamul, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley and unincorporated parts of La Mesa and El Cajon. Volunteers must pass a background check and a two-week Volunteer Patrol Academy. Minimum commitment is one six-hour shift per week. Call (619) 660-7021.

Easter egg hunt at plaza

Festivities are from 1 to 3 p.m. March 27 at Parkway Plaza shopping center, 415 Fletcher Parkway. Highlights include an egg hunt, giant Easter egg painting, bunny hop sack races, face painting, giveaways and photos with the Easter Bunny. Reserve a free ticket at visitparkwayplaza.com/event/easter-eggstravaganza .

20,000 eggs in park

An egg hunt with 20,000 eggs is from 10 a.m. to noon March 30 at Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Drive. Hunt times are planned for 10:15 a.m., 11 and 11:45; children ages 4 and younger will hunt in the upper field and kids 5 and older hunt in the lower field. The event features a live Hullabaloo concert. Admission is free. No sign-up required, just bring a basket. Visit encinitasca.gov .

Youth Piano Concerto Competition deadline near

The city of Encinitas will hold the inaugural 2024 Youth Piano Concerto Competition with the North Coast Symphony Orchestra. Young pianists in grades K-12 can compete for three paid opportunities to perform one movement of a selected concerto with the orchestra on a Steinway D concert grand piano. The deadline to register is March 27. The performance is at 2:30 p.m. June 15 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The winners will be accompanied by the North Coast Symphony Orchestra. Email [email protected] or call (760) 633-2745.

Purim celebration March 29

Congregation B’nai Tikvah holds a Purim celebration at 7 p.m. March 29 with an abbreviated Megillah reading and Purim songs with Cantor Larry Kornit and entertainment by comedian Abby November at the Masonic Center, 1331 S. Escondido Blvd. Highlights include baking hamantaschen. Come in costume. There will be hamantaschen and other refreshments. Bring canned goods for Interfaith Community Services. Cost is $10 per person. Visit bnaitikvahsd.org or call (760) 650-2262.

Airborne veterans meet second Saturdays

The 173d Airborne Brigade Association, San Diego Chapter 28, will meet at 10 a.m. April 13 at American Legion Post 149, 230 E. Park Ave., and on the second Saturday of each month. All 173d veterans are invited along with other Army veterans. The meetings discuss local and national activities. Attendees are also encouraged to share their experiences in the 173d. The chapter is involved in many local veteran community activities, including parades and Honor Guard burials. Admission to the meeting is free. Visit sandiego173rdairborne.org .

Library bookstore holds sale

The Friends of the Escondido Public Library bookstore is holding its monthly half-price sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29-30 at the library, 239 S. Kalmia St. All items in the store will be 50 percent off (25-cent minimum), including a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, collectors books and DVDs and CDs along with an extensive children’s section, with books, DVDs and VHS. Call (760) 839-4832 or visit library.escondido.org .

IMPERIAL BEACH

Egg hunt at sports park.

An egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. March 30 at Imperial Beach Sports Park, 425 Imperial Beach Blvd., hosted by the Imperial Beach Athletic Club with the city of Imperial Beach. Registration begins an hour before each age group’s hunt. The hunts start at 10 a.m. for ages 2 and younger; 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-5; 11 a.m. for ages 6-8; and11:30 a.m. for ages 9-12. Register at ibparksandrec.org or call (619) 423-8285.

Egg hunt at farm

Julian Farm and Orchard hosts Easter egg hunting for children up to 12 years old starting at noon and continuing for different age groups March 30-31 at 4381 Julian Highway, Santa Ysabel. Get a free photo with the Easter Bunny. The daffodils will be blooming and each hunt will include a golden egg. The egg hunt is included with general admission of $5. Bring your basket. There are extra costs for hayrides and the petting zoo. Visit julianfarmandorchard.com.

Egg hunt at county park

Hundreds of eggs will be hidden at Louis A. Stelzer County Park, 11470 Wildcat Canyon Road, and the egg hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. March 30. There will be pictures with a bunny and a chance to enjoy a hike or picnic in the park. Visit sdparks.org .

Parkinson group meets March 27

The San Diego East County Parkinson’s Support Group meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 27 at the United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Ave. The event is aimed at people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, friends and family. There will be educational information and activities. For questions, email [email protected].

Free class on healthy investments

A free class on “Healthy Investments and Good Finances” will be offered by Sharp Grossmont Hospital Community Resource Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 28 at Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St. The class will discuss some investments that “provide competitive returns while also providing positive impact.” Free on-site parking is available. Register at (800) 827-4277 or visit sharp.com/classes.

American Association of University Women offers scholarships

The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women seeks applicants for its scholarships for female students in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and San Diego State University. The newest scholarship in honor of former member Carol Lundquist is for female students who plan to teach. Applications must be submitted by May 2. For questions, email [email protected]. Visit lamesaelcajon-ca.aauw.net .

Fishing club runs free excursions for kids, military

The Oceanside Senior Anglers fishing club is getting ready to take kids, Scouts and military personnel on their free fishing trips again this summer. The club raised $1,200 for their excursions at a recent Bart Hall show that featured fishing, boating and hunting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The group had a booth and raffled off fishing trips, fishing poles and other gear. The club meets at the El Corazon Senior Center from 9 to 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month and is recruiting new members. The group’s main mission is to help folks around San Diego County learn more about “The Art of Fishing.” The group seeks donations of fishing equipment and other resources. The next meeting is April 2. Visit osanglers.org.

Audubon hosts screening of ‘The Big Year’

The Buena Vista Audubon Society will host a showing of the comedy “The Big Year,” starring Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin, at 1:30 p.m. March 30 in the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, 2202 S. Coast Highway. The movie revolves around three bird-watchers who travel throughout North America and compete to spot the greatest number of bird species in a year. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the movie starts at 1:30 p.m. There will be a raffle drawing for a San Diego Zoo/Safari Park pass. Visit bvaudubon.org .

Hands On Design exhibit featured

A new exhibition, “Allied Craftsmen: Hands On Design,” featuring works from the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego opens March 30 at Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way. The exhibit highlights a unique community of craft designers and is juried by Guusje Sanders, curator at the Mingei International Museum. Visit oma-online.org .

Free movie screening at library

A free screening of “Enough Said,” will be at 6 p.m. March 27 in the Mission Branch Library, 3861 Mission Ave. The screening is part of a monthly movie series, America Now, which looks at living in America through the eyes of different people. Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, professor of cinema studies at Palomar Community College, will present each screening by looking at the artistic and sociological character of the films, and will lead an interactive discussion after the screening. Chaffin-Quiray is the author of “Cine-Me” and “Under the Tent-Pole: A Primer on Movies: Blockbusters, Oscar Winners, Alternatives, and You.” No registration is required. Visit oceansidelibrary.org .

Retired teachers group meets for lunch

California Retired Teachers Association, Division 45 holds a luncheon meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 at the Broken Yolk Cafe, 2434 Vista Way. The speaker is Kitty Morse, author of the “Bitter Sweet” cookbook. Registration is at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $20 for lunch. Email [email protected].

Cartoonist Steve Breen to speak at meeting

MiraCosta College’s LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) group is holding two free lectures March 29 in Building T200 on the Oceanside Campus, 1 Barnard Drive. At 1 p.m., Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Steve Breen, formerly of the Union-Tribune, will give a presentation on “Content Creation in a Changing World.” Breen, currently at Inewsource, will discuss what the future looks like for cartooning and visual storytelling. At 2:30 p.m., Kathi Diamant, director of publishing for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and author Georgeanne Irvine will give a talk on “Heart of the Zoo: All About Chuck.” Diamant will talk about her book “Heart of the Zoo: How San Diego Zoo Director Chuck Bieler Earned His Stripes.” Diamant and Irvine will discuss Bieler’s history with the zoo. To join via Zoom, email in advance to [email protected]. Visit miracosta.edu/life .

Egg hunt on Easter

North Coast United Methodist Church hosts an Easter egg hunt and brunch after the 10 a.m. Easter service on March 31 at 1501 Kelly St. All are welcome. Visit northcoastumc.org .

Deadline nearing for Hall of Fame nominations

The Oceanside High School Foundation nomination process for its Hall of Fame Class of 2024 ends March 30. The Hall of Fame, administered by the Oceanside High School Foundation, recognizes the accomplishments of more than 100 former Pirate students who have distinguished themselves. Individuals can be nominated in the following fields: Arts, Academics, Athletics, Business, Community Service and Public Service. Nominees must be graduates of Oceanside High School and must have attended the school for at least two years. Nomination forms are at ohsfoundation.org .

Commemorative tiles at Oceanside High School

The Oceanside High School Foundation deadline for ordering commemorative tiles is March 31. Orders will be installed this summer on campus walls around the Senior Fountain and the Multipurpose Room and will join the current permanent display of alumni tiles. Proceeds help the foundation give student scholarships. Tiles can be purchased at bricksrus.com/donorsite/ohsfoundation .

Easter egg hunt at church

A community Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Lighthouse Christian Church for children ages 2 through fifth grade and their families is from 10 a.m. to noon March 30 at 4700 Mesa Drive. Egg hunts will be divided into age groups. The event includes crafts, jumpers, a cupcake hop and food. Admission is free; bring basket. Visit lightcc.org or call (760) 726-0590.

Egg hunts coming up

The city of Oceanside’s free annual Spring Egg Hunt is for ages 3-11 from 9 to 11 a.m. March 30 at Mance Buchanon Park, 425 College Blvd. Come early; entertainment starts at 8:45 a.m. and the hunt starts promptly at 10 a.m. There will be candy, crafts, a magic show, prizes, dance performances and a chance to take photos with the bunny. Bring your own egg basket or bag. The egg hunt for children 2 and younger is from 9 to 9:30 a.m.; egg hunt for ages 3-11 starts at 10 a.m. An egg hunt for children with sensory sensitivities or adaptive needs is from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Other egg hunts are from 9 to 11 a.m. March 30 at Joe Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St., and from 10 a.m. to noon March 30 at John Landes Park, 2855 Cedar Road. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us .

RANCHO BERNARDO

Camarada tango quartet gives concert.

The Camarada Tango Quartet will perform a free concert at 6 p.m. March 26 in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s second-floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. The program will include melodies of the tango composed by Astor Piazzolla and Andrés Martín. The concert will feature Beth Ross Buckley (flute), David Buckley (violin), Andrés Martín (double bass) and Dana Burnett (piano). The concert is part of the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library’s 24th annual Chamber Concert series. Donations are appreciated. Visit friendsoftherblibrary.org .

Beginner square dance class

The Wranglers Square Dance Club will start a new square dance class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 28 at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Internationally known square dance caller Buddy Weaver will be the instructor. No prior dance experience is needed. Come solo or as a couple. Cost is $10 per lesson. Visit squaredancewithus.com .

USS Midway Museum honors Vietnam War veterans

The USS Midway Museum will pay tribute to U.S. military veterans who served during the Vietnam War at 9 a.m. March 29 in a commemoration ceremony of the 51st anniversary of when the last U.S. troops left Vietnam and the final group of American prisoners of war were freed and left Hanoi. The guest speaker is retired Navy Cmdr. Curt Dosé who served as a Navy pilot with nearly 200 combat missions over North Vietnam. Dosé will describe his war experience and his return to Vietnam more than 40 years later. There will be a wreath-laying and missing-man flyover. The ceremony will be on the USS Midway Museum Flight Deck and is free and open to the public. Visit midway.org .

Parkinson’s support group meets

The Point Loma Parkinson’s Support Group will gather from 10 a.m. to noon March 26 at Point Loma Café, 4865 N. Harbor Drive, to “Meet, Greet and Eat.” There will be a no-host brunch and discussion group for people with Parkinson’s disease and care partners. Send reservations to [email protected].

‘I Love You Because’ hits stage at Trinity Theatre

Trinity Theatre Company will present “I Love You Because” from March 29 to April 21 at Trinity Theatre in Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio North. The production directed by Bobby Imperato features music by Joshua Salzman, book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, with music direction by Danny Myers and artistic direction by Sean Boyd. Tickets are $25 with discounts for students, seniors, military and educators. Visit trinityttc.org/current-productions.

Casino Royale Spring Gala benefits people with disabilities

The Arc of San Diego holds its annual Spring Gala, themed Casino Royale, on April 20 at the US Grant hotel, 326 Broadway. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m., live entertainment and dancing. Proceeds help The Arc of San Diego provide services such as day training, employment and residential living services to more than 2,000 children and adults with disabilities. The evening attire is black-tie optional. Free valet parking will be provided for attendees. Gold Seating is $250 per person; Preferred Platinum Seating is $350. Tickets are at arc-sd.com/gala or call (619) 685-1175.

East Village Block Party celebrates the Padres

The 12th annual East Village Block Party on the San Diego Padres’ opening weekend is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 30 featuring a walk-through car show, local sports teams and fitness activities, photo opportunities, food, beer and cocktails, a variety of local vendors and musical entertainment along with local sports teams celebrating the Padres. Visit eastvillagesandiego.com/events/east-village-block-party

Belmont in Bloom kicks off March 30

Belmont in Bloom will be from March 30 through May 27 at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. The event features blooming floral arrangements, spring-themed sculptures, interactive art installations and seasonal treats along with a lineup of live music and local community performances. For the schedule, visit belmontpark.com .

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Upcoming blood drives.

The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives in the following parking lots (unless otherwise noted):

• Town Center Encinitas Ranch, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 23 at 1018 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas.
• Westfield Mission Valley, noon to 5:30 p.m. March 24 in the old Macy’s parking lot, 1640 Camino del Rio North, San Diego.
• Saint Gabriel Catholic Church, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 24 at 13734 Twin Peaks Road, Poway.
• Lowe’s, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at 155 Old Grove Road, Oceanside.
• Frazier Farms Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25 at 1820 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside.
• Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 at 765 Medical Center Court, Chula Vista.
• Point Loma High School, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 26 in small gym, 2335 Chatsworth Blvd., San Diego.
• Rady Children’s Hospital, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 26 at 3665 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego.
• City of San Marcos, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 at Civic Center Park, 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos.
• Southland Plaza, 1 to 3:30 p.m. March 29 at 665 Saturn Blvd., San Diego.
• Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 29, parked in front of library at 4275 Cass St., San Diego.
• Kaiser Permanente - Otay Mesa, 8:30 to 11 a.m. March 29 at 4650 Palm Ave., San Diego
• Southwest Masonic Lodge No. 283, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 30 at 1140 B. Ave., National City.
• Albertsons, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31 at 1571 San Elijo Road, San Marcos.
• Home Depot, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31 at 2430 S. Melrose Drive, Vista.

Donors must be 17 and older, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in good health. Photo identification is required. To make an appointment or find more drives, call (800) 469-7322 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org . Walk-ins are also welcome.

City hosts tree-planting day

The city of Santee hosts a tree-planting event, called SanTree Day from 9 a.m. to noon March 30 at Town Center Community Park West, 9409 Cuyamaca St. No preregistration is required; participants can complete waivers at the event. Wear closed-toed shoes. Shovels and supplies will be provided. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov .

SOLANA BEACH

Book & author luncheon.

The San Dieguito Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will host a Book and Author Luncheon featuring authors Matt Coyle and Irving Tragen at 10:30 a.m April 4 at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Coyle is author of the bestselling “Rich Cahill PI” crime series. His newest mystery, “Odyssey’s End,” will be presented. Tragen spent 55 years with the foreign service in Latin America. His new novel, “Manana Is Yesterday,” will be the topic of his discussion. Cost is $55 to benefit the BNC Sustaining the Mind Fund. Call (858) 597-8071 or (619)-997-3578.

Spring festival for kids

A free children’s spring festival and egg hunt is from 10 a.m. March 30 at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave. Children in third grade and younger can collect eggs filled with treats. There will be jumps, crafts, photos with the spring bunny and piñatas. Refreshments include lemonade, coffee, popcorn and cookies. Bring a basket or bag. Visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us .

Genealogy buffs hold free class

The Vista FamilySearch Center will present a free class from 7 to 8 p.m. March 28 on “Immigration Nation; they came in ships,” at 1310 Foothill Drive. The class will focus on how the post-1492 country was populated and will look at the colonies where people lived who came primarily from countries such as Sweden, and Holland, Spain, France and England. The class will discuss records showing how families came to America. Visit https://sites.google.com/view/vista-fhc/home.

The Friends of the Vista Library Encore bookstore will hold a half-price sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 and from noon to 3 p.m. March 30 . The library is at 700 Eucalyptus Ave. All books, CDs and DVDs are half price. Call (760) 643-5106.

Power of the Arts event

A free interfaith and multicultural event is from 10 a.m. to noon March 30 at 2327 Brookhaven Pass, hosted by the Baha’i Community of Vista. There will be various crafts discussions on how to use the creations made at the event to benefit the local community. For questions, email [email protected].

City holds community meetings

The city of Vista holds a series of community meetings where residents can share ideas about community concerns, including traffic safety, the general plan and parks and recreation. This month’s meetings include a Townsite Phase II Complete Streets Community Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. March 27 at Linda Rhoades Recreation Center, 600 N. Santa Fe Ave. For the schedule, visit cityofvista.com/engage .

Easter bonnet contest and egg hunt

A free event with an Easter bonnet contest, face painting, a bike raffle, music and an egg hunt for children ages 2-10 is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. March 30 at Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. The event is sponsored by the Pride of Vista Lions Club. Visit facebook.com/POVLions.

For more San Diego County Easter egg hunts, visit sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2024-03-11/san-diego-county-is-hoppin-with-easter-egg-hunts-and-festivities-heres-a-guide-to-upcoming-events. Also check neighborhood churches and community centers.

If your nonprofit would like to submit an event listing or photos of events that have happened recently, please email [email protected]. Include the name of the group, date and time of event, address, cost and contact information for readers within the email text. Photos should be sent as JPEGs. Include the names of those in the photos from left to right along with the photo credit and permission from the photographer to use the photo in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

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