Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Bring it, 2019!

"Going to the mountains is going home... wildness is a necessity.”

Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park

The year is going to be all about refreshing the mind, body and soul. I’m resolving to take in more free art, listen to more free live music, hike more of our climate areas. Our gorgeous city has so many opportunities, I intend to make full use of them.


“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” —Picasso

Balboa Park, much of it built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, offers 1200 acres of beauty. Every Tuesday, certain museums are free. The Timken Museum, which opened in 1965, is free every day and offers works by European and American artists, along with Russian Icons. Come January 26, an exhibit called The Romantic Impulse In the American Landscape Tradition will offer early 19th-century through present-day American art.

“I plan to take in lots of museums in February during Museum Month,” assured Serena. “They won’t be free, but there will be half-price admission to over 40 museums in the area, and you pick up the discount passes at local libraries.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

“ArtWalk festival in Little Italy is always a fun weekend for our family,” replied Nancy. “All kinds of art to inspire the inner artist, and the street chalk drawings are fabulous. There is also live music, and food.” Running April 27 and 28, the free event is the largest fine arts festival in Southern California.

During the weekend of August 10 and 11th, Liberty Station will be hosting the ArtWalk festival, and over September 21 and 22, it will land in Carlsbad.


“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” — John Muir

The great California naturalist had it right. I took some screen-addled city kids for a Christmas hike near Cuyamaca State Park, and I was shocked at the transformation they underwent. Five minutes in the cool mountain air, and their moods and attitudes were transformed. And it’s free. “I love free,” said Mariana. “I love hiking Torrey Pines with my beach gear on, and after working up a sweat, I set up shop at the beach. I also really like Mission Trails Park — plenty to hike there. Or if you are up for a drive, Stonewall Peak close to Lake Cuyamaca is awesome. Great place to work up a sweat and then to go for pie after. Or for a day trip hike in Borrego Springs, go to the Palm Canyon Oasis.”

Lost Palms Canyon and Oasis

“My favorite free place for a nice beach walk is Coronado,” answered Kathleen. “Parking is free and usually easy to find, the sand has lovely gold sparkles, and the beach is quite long, providing a good stretch of the legs. While rather pricey, it’s nice to sit beachside for a drink at the Hotel del Coronado afterwards. Always an enjoyable day.”

“Not quite free, but still reasonable, is Cabrillo National Monument. It’s a $15 entrance fee, but one may return for the following week. A fun hike along San Diego’s rocky shores, lovely views, and some fun tide pools.”


“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” — Charles Darwin

“I love going to the free Spreckels Organ Concerts,” added Mariana. “Sundays at 2 pm or Mondays during summer at 7:30 pm. Or Sunday concerts in Coronado at the park. I also like to sit at the steps of the Convention Center and listen to the Symphony summer concerts at Embarcadero South. I always attend at least one concert, but I can’t afford them all, so for the others, I pack dinner, enjoy the view, and listen from the Convention Center.”

“The San Diego Central Library offers free concerts,” suggested Samantha. “On Sundays at 2:30 in their Neil Morgan Auditorium, the library offers a concert series. I’m looking forward to their January 27 Trio Celeste concert, the February 17 harp concert with Duo Gliss, and their April 28 Sacra/Profana a cappela singing concert.”

“I will be bringing my kids to watch local students compete the Poetry Out Loud Regional Finals,” offered Therese. This free event is on February 5, 6:30 pm at the San Diego Central Library.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

San Diego Reader 2024 Music & Arts Issue

Favorite fakers: Baby Bushka, Fleetwood Max, Electric Waste Band, Oceans, Geezer – plus upcoming tribute schedule
Next Article

Angry Pete’s goes from pop-up to drive-thru

Detroit Pizza sidles into the husk of a shuttered Taco Bell
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park

The year is going to be all about refreshing the mind, body and soul. I’m resolving to take in more free art, listen to more free live music, hike more of our climate areas. Our gorgeous city has so many opportunities, I intend to make full use of them.


“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” —Picasso

Balboa Park, much of it built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, offers 1200 acres of beauty. Every Tuesday, certain museums are free. The Timken Museum, which opened in 1965, is free every day and offers works by European and American artists, along with Russian Icons. Come January 26, an exhibit called The Romantic Impulse In the American Landscape Tradition will offer early 19th-century through present-day American art.

“I plan to take in lots of museums in February during Museum Month,” assured Serena. “They won’t be free, but there will be half-price admission to over 40 museums in the area, and you pick up the discount passes at local libraries.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

“ArtWalk festival in Little Italy is always a fun weekend for our family,” replied Nancy. “All kinds of art to inspire the inner artist, and the street chalk drawings are fabulous. There is also live music, and food.” Running April 27 and 28, the free event is the largest fine arts festival in Southern California.

During the weekend of August 10 and 11th, Liberty Station will be hosting the ArtWalk festival, and over September 21 and 22, it will land in Carlsbad.


“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” — John Muir

The great California naturalist had it right. I took some screen-addled city kids for a Christmas hike near Cuyamaca State Park, and I was shocked at the transformation they underwent. Five minutes in the cool mountain air, and their moods and attitudes were transformed. And it’s free. “I love free,” said Mariana. “I love hiking Torrey Pines with my beach gear on, and after working up a sweat, I set up shop at the beach. I also really like Mission Trails Park — plenty to hike there. Or if you are up for a drive, Stonewall Peak close to Lake Cuyamaca is awesome. Great place to work up a sweat and then to go for pie after. Or for a day trip hike in Borrego Springs, go to the Palm Canyon Oasis.”

Lost Palms Canyon and Oasis

“My favorite free place for a nice beach walk is Coronado,” answered Kathleen. “Parking is free and usually easy to find, the sand has lovely gold sparkles, and the beach is quite long, providing a good stretch of the legs. While rather pricey, it’s nice to sit beachside for a drink at the Hotel del Coronado afterwards. Always an enjoyable day.”

“Not quite free, but still reasonable, is Cabrillo National Monument. It’s a $15 entrance fee, but one may return for the following week. A fun hike along San Diego’s rocky shores, lovely views, and some fun tide pools.”


“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” — Charles Darwin

“I love going to the free Spreckels Organ Concerts,” added Mariana. “Sundays at 2 pm or Mondays during summer at 7:30 pm. Or Sunday concerts in Coronado at the park. I also like to sit at the steps of the Convention Center and listen to the Symphony summer concerts at Embarcadero South. I always attend at least one concert, but I can’t afford them all, so for the others, I pack dinner, enjoy the view, and listen from the Convention Center.”

“The San Diego Central Library offers free concerts,” suggested Samantha. “On Sundays at 2:30 in their Neil Morgan Auditorium, the library offers a concert series. I’m looking forward to their January 27 Trio Celeste concert, the February 17 harp concert with Duo Gliss, and their April 28 Sacra/Profana a cappela singing concert.”

“I will be bringing my kids to watch local students compete the Poetry Out Loud Regional Finals,” offered Therese. This free event is on February 5, 6:30 pm at the San Diego Central Library.

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

San Diego's Uptown Planners challenged by renters from Vibrant Uptown

Two La Jolla planning groups fight for predominance
Next Article

Angry Pete’s goes from pop-up to drive-thru

Detroit Pizza sidles into the husk of a shuttered Taco Bell
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.