Five San Diego Summer Events You Won’t Want to Miss

With summer underway and countless activities beckoning locals and tourists alike, it’s time to break out those calendars and mark down the season’s hottest happenings.  From surf contests to twinkies and superhero-clad beer drinkers, this summer’s events don’t fall short on entertainment or fun.  Here are a few San Diego summer events you don’t want to miss. 

The Switchfoot BroAm, July 11-12

This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the Switchfoot Bro-Am, a two-day event held by San Diego rock band Switchfoot, featuring music, surf contests and a fabulous auction night soiree.  The weekend kicks off on Friday, July 11, at a private Olivenhain estate featuring live auction items and an exclusive performance by Switchfoot. Guests will savor signature dishes and sips from the area’s leading restaurants including Sea & Smoke, Jake’s Del Mar, Bull Taco, and Pacific Coast Grill.  Saturday morning brings the lively event to the beach, where guests will gather for a free day of activities including musical performances and a variety of surf competitions.  All proceeds from the event benefit San Diego-based youth and childrens charities.  For more information, visit Switchfoot Bro-Am.

Opening Day at Sea & Smoke Del Mar, July 17 

To celebrate Opening Day of the Del Mar race season,  Sea & Smoke is throwing an all day party benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito.  Co-hosted by Teeling Whiskey Company and Ranch & Coast Magazine, the event will feature special derby-themed drink specials and live music by The Red Fox Tails.  Guests who swing by the brasserie for a pre-race bite or cocktail will receive a complimentary ticket to the post-race afterparty.  Beginning at 4 p.m. the event will continue the decadence and fun of Opening Day with whiskey cocktails, dancing and complimentary tray-passed hors d’oeuvres by chef Matt Gordon.  For more information, visit Sea and Smoke.

Vintage Game Nights at Elizabethan Desserts

Escape the heat and have some good clean fun during Elizabethan Desserts’ Vintage Game Nights happening every Friday and Saturday evening at the bakery’s recently re-opened location in Encinitas.  Nostalgia will be in abundance as guests kick back with games like Yahtzee, Connect Four and Battleship, while munching on homemade classic desserts.  Think house-made Twinkies, “Jell-o” cake, and Hostess-style black and white cupcakes.  The 1940’s-50’s style bakery is reminiscent of grandma’s house, complete with a fireplace, Queen Anne chairs and mint green and white doily-style floors.  For more information, visit Elizabethan Desserts.

Heroes Brew Craft Beer Festival, July 26 

In the midst of all things comic and geek is a standout superhero-themed event for costumed caped-crusaders. Held on the downtown embarcadero during the week of Comic Con, the event will feature costumed attendees sipping on the best of San Diego’s local craft beer.  More than 40 local breweries will pour unlimited samplings of 80+ craft beers.  Attendees are encouraged to don their best superhero gear for a chance to take home prizes for “Best Original Caped Crusader” or “Best Super Villain.”  The entire event benefits the Warrior Foundation, which provides numerous support services designed to assist our very own heroes, the military men and women who have so bravely sacrificed for, and served, our country. 

Spirits of Mexico Festival, September 28

Just in time to wrap up the summer’s fun is the Spirits of Mexico Festival, North America’s largest and most prestigious tasting event for agave-based and Mexican spirits.  The festival, which previously took place in Old Town over a five-day period, will come to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a giant one-night celebration of tequila, spirits and the fine art of Mexican distilling.  More than 1,000 guests will gather amidst Spanish architecture and sunshine, sampling sips and bites of Mexico’s finest offerings.  Guests are invited to try hundreds of premier spirits, including tequila, mezcal, bacanora and Mexican wine.  In addition to the tasting exhibition, the event will feature a silent auction, live music and a chance to mingle with the “Old Masters” and distillers of the Mexican spirits industry.  The evening’s lively events will be accented by the festival’s own Cocktail Challenge, a fierce live battle between San Diego’s top bartenders for the crown of best tequila cocktail.  For more information, visit Spirits of Mexico.

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Katherine Randall is a Cardiff Resident and founder of Katalyst Public Relations, a full service PR and social media agency, based in Solana Beach that works with clients in the lifestyle, hospitality, new media and technology space.

Katalyst creates customized communication campaigns using a well-balanced mix of public relations, social media, digital publicity, blogger relations, event planning and promotion, community relations, marketing and reputation management. The agency’s specializes in restaurants and hotels, food and wine, travel and leisure, design and home decor, fitness and beauty, and accessories and retail.

With her superb connections and media relationships, Katherine is in the know about current San Diego lifestyle trends. A fitness enthusiast, Katherine enjoys taking barre classes and running on the beach. She also enjoys scoping out the newest and most buzzed about San Diego restaurants.