“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

Shakespeare – Romeo & Juliet

What do you have planned for this weekend? Need some ideas? 

Here’s a few events that are happening this weekend in North County San Diego!

Saturday 2/11/12-Sunday 2/12/12 Get on the Love Train! 

Take advantage of a Romantic deal. 2 for 1 coaster fares. Stop in Oceanside & get free dessert at 333 Pacific or Stop in Solana for a 2 for 1 wine tasting at Carruth Cellars on Cedros.

Saturday 2/11/12 from 1-5pm in Escondido For the Love of Chocolate & Sweet Art Festival 

Chocolate tastings paired with beer & wine. Plus, an art festival & live music. Good times! Tickets $20.

Saturday 2/11/12 from 10am-4pm in San Marcos Family Heirlooms and Attic Treasures

Antiques, collectibles, and vintage decor, clothing, jewelry and gift items will be available for purchase.  For a fee of $7 per item, professional appraisers will provide verbal estimates of value. Appointments recommended, but not required. For further information, call (760) 744-9000.

Sunday 2/12/12 from 7am-12pm in Solana Beach Puppy Love 5k Run/Walk

Help support Helen Woodward Center & enjoy a healthy morning running or walking on the scenic Hwy 101.

Do you know of any other festivities happening this weekend? If so, leave a comment below! Thanks & enjoy this gorgeous weekend!

For the Love of Chocolate and SweetArt Festival

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  How about a Chocolate Festival to get you in the mood? Next Saturday 12/11 the Downtown Business Association is hosting this event for the third year in a row in Downtown Escondido.

Enjoy the best of Grand Ave shops and spas while sampling locally brewed beer will be featured breweries Stone, Iron Fist, & Pizza Port Brewing to name a few. Plus, wines from California Fruit Wine, Holiday Wine Cellar, & more. All tastings will be paired with chocolate made by San Diego’s finest chocolatiers.  During the event you can shop at the Sweet Street vendors like X’s & O’s Lingere & Gift Boutique & enjoy live music by Jimmy Patton in the Champagne Garden. This year they’ll have horse drawn carriage rides too!

Saturday 12/11 from 1-5pm

Admission is $20 for 10 Beer & Wine tastings with Chocolate pairings.

For more details & to buy tickets online visit:

http://www.escondidochocolatefestival.com/event-information.html

San Diego Restaurant Week

Starting Sunday 1/15/12 through Friday 1/20/12

If you missed last week, here’s your chance to try out some great North County restaurants at discounted prices!

This is San Diego County’s largest and most successful dining event.  Restaurant Week was launched with the intention of spotlighting each city within the county & the culinary delights these local restaurants offer. There are several dozen options in North County alone.

This event is held twice a year, once in January & again in September. More than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants are offering fixed price, three-course dinners & lunches for $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant.

There are no tickets or passes required. Just simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as you like during San Diego Restaurant Week.  It’s a great opportunity to explore new place or just some enjoy old favorites at discounted prices.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling restaurants directly or visiting their profile online.

Click here for the official website

 Have you seen this home in San Marcos? 

1323 Avenida Pantera San Marcos 92069

Priced at $330,000 this home is too good to pass up!

Why?

1st – it’s move in ready, stainless steel appliances & neutral paint

2nd – it’s located in desirable Santa Fe Hills

3rd – last model match home sold in December for $360,000.

That’s instant equity! Get more details here:

http://www.ncsdproperties.com/homes-for-sale/map-search#PropertyID=37493416

Open Sunday 1/8/12 from 12pm-3pm

North County New Years Eve Events

How do you plan to ring in 2012? If you need ideas, here’s a list of New Years Eve events in North County.

Escondido

Stone New Years Eve Celebration

Locally brewed beer, good food, and live music – Stone Brewing Co is throwing a New Year’s Eve party. There will be a dance floor with 3 live deejay’s & the Stylestones, a premier funk and R&B band.

All sorts of food stations like: a fresh seafood and oyster bar, carving station, selection of homemade pastas and appetizers. Of course it wouldn’t be a fine meal without some decadent desserts.  The beer and drink menu are extensive with craft beers on tap plus a selection of wine & sodas. This year they’ve added a Rare & Vintage beer list, each ticket gets you 3 samplings. If you like cigars, they’ve added a cigar lounge upstairs. Bring in the New Year with swagger with a private VIP table for 6 which comes with personal beverage server & a bottle of champagne for $250.

The celebration goes from 8:00pm-1:00am and tickets can be purchased for $175 apiece or $99 for specially-discounted designated driver tickets. Buy tickets at www.Stonebrew.com

Valley Center

New Year’s Eve Laugh-In

Harrah’s Rincon Casino celebrates New Year’s Eve with a slate of celebrity impersonators, stilt-walkers and music by the Superfreaks. Event is from 6pm-12pm

33750 Harrah’s Rincon Way Valley Center

For more info visit: www.harrahsrincon.com

Valley View Casino New Year’s Celebration

The Valley Center casino offers a free New Year’s Eve celebration for ages 21 and up. From 7 to 1 p.m., the Main Stage Bar hosts live entertainment. www.valleyviewcasino.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Pala Casino Spa & Resort hosts New Year’s with Siren Crush, a live 7 piece band. Tickets are $25. There will also be dinner specials in Pala’s restaurants, including $36 steak & seafood dinner.

11154 Highway 76, Palawww.PalaCasino.com

Vista

Boomers Vista

Fun for the whole family. Starts at 6pm, this is an alcohol free event. Bumper cars, lazer tag, go-karts, miniature golf, video arcade & live music! Ages 13 & up $20, Ages 5-12 $15, kids under 5 are free! Event goes from 6pm until midnight! http://www.americantowns.com/ca/vista/events/new-year-s-eve-bash-2012

Oceanside

333 Pacific Steak & Seafood New Year’s Eve Dinner

333 Pacific is a member of the renowned Cohn Restaurant Group. Make your reservation early for New Year’s Eve. Dinner will be served from 5pm-11pm consisting of a 4-course menu and a Champagne toast for $54.95. Come to dine or just to ring in the New Year.

333 Pacific Steak & Seafood is located at 333 Pacific Street, Oceanside 92054. Call (760) 433-3333 or visit www.333pacific.com.

Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball

Five ballrooms filled with music, art, fashion, models, and bars. Outdoor patio, fire pits. Dressing to masquerade theme encouraged. Event starts at 8pm until 2am. Tickets $29-70 sold at the door.
For more info visit: http://westcoastclublife.com/newyears

Pacific View South Mesa Club 202850 San Jacinto Rd Oceanside

Carlsbad

Kids New Year’s Eve at Legoland

Ring in the New Year early with the kiddos. Live music, fireworks & a Lego brick drop (just like Times Square) at 6pm instead of midnight. More info: http://california.legoland.com/plan/shows_and_events/knye/

Sheraton Carlsbad New Years Eve Bash

Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa is hosting a family focused New Year’s Eve Party with dinner, entertainment & children activities from 6:30pm-12:30am.

Kickoff the evening with a view of the LEGOLAND fireworks display at 6pm. There will be adult and child buffet style dinner and dessert bar. Plus entertainment by Steal Dawn, an 80s/90s cover band. The kids get to hang out in the Kids Party Zone where multiple rooms provide arts and crafts, face painting, ping pong, foosball, pool, Wii, Xbox and more! At midnight there’s a live countdown and balloon drop.

A family focused New Year’s Eve Party with dinner, entertainment & children activities.

Price: Adults $115 & Children $75 (13-17) $55 (4-12) includes dinner buffet & entertainment

For more info (760) 827-2412  http://www.sheratoncarlsbad.com/new-years-eve

New Year’s Party at the Park Hyatt Resort Aviara

A very special five-course dinner will be served at the Vivace on New Year’s Eve from 6-10pm. Menu includes Culatello, Poached Pear, Gnocchi Fritti, Honey Mascarpone; Grilled Kobe N.Y., Butternut Squash Puree, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts; and Fruit and Vanilla Frangelico Gelato.The Cost is $120 per person and includes admission to the Lobby Lounge New Year’s Celebration complete with live music, a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight! Park Hyatt Aviara Resort is located at 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad 92009. Hotel and dinner reservations, and party tickets call (760) 448-1234, or visit www.parkhyattaviara.com

Encinitas

Vigilucci’s New Year’s Eve Dinner

Ring in the New Year from Carlsbad to Coronado in party style. Parties are held at all seven of their locations. For parties or group events call (760) 930-0334 or visit www.vigiluccis.com.

Solana Beach

Rockin’ New Year’s Eve 

Happy Hour 5:30-8pm. Music by Candye Kane

8:30pm-‘til it turns 2012. Music with Dave Wakeling (The English Beat). This is a party not no be missed! Belly Up is at 143 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach. Call (858) 481-8140 or visit www.bellyup.com

Del Mar

Celebrate the New Year at Flavor Del Mar

Celebrate the New Year at Flavor Del Mar presents guests with a four-course menu. Some delicious items on the menu include: Chicken Coconut Soup, Tuna Tataki, Baised Prime Beef Short Ribs & Smores. Cost is $89 per person.

Wanna party? The Wild Party starts at 9pm & goes until 1am. No Cover & $8 sparkling New Year’s Martinis all night!

For reservations (858) 755-3663 http://flavordelmar.com/events/

1555 Camino Del Mar
(at Paseos De Las Flores)
Del Mar, CA 92014

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Are there any New Years Eve events in North County that you know about that aren’t on this list?

Leave a comment with the info. Thanks!

The holiday spirit is flowing this weekend in North County. Can you feel it?

Here’s a list of all sorts of events & activities for the whole family. Enjoy!

San Elijo Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony – San Marcos 12/2 from 6:30-8:30 

San Elijo Town Center. Take Holiday photos with the tree and Santa, sip some hot chocolate, nibble on cookies, and see the Elf Variety Show!

Vista Winterfest Celebration – Vista Downtown Main Street 12/2 from 5-8pm & Parade on 12/4 1pm. 

Main Street trees from South Santa Fe Avenue to Vista Village Drive will be filled with lights at the direction of Mayor Morris Vance. Take pictures with Santa & sing Christmas Carols. On Saturday, the City of Vista invite the public to attend this annual holiday event. The parade will include floats, vehicles, horses, bands, Santa Claus and an antique airplane fly over!

Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland at California Center for the Arts – Escondido 12/3 4-8pm

Everything from a 20-ton snow play area, strolling costumed carolers, holiday craft activities, a spectacular concert by the Marine Band San Diego, a traditional tree-lighting ceremony, and visits with Santa.

Encinitas Holiday Parade – Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas 12/3 at 5pm 

Festivities will kick off with the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa in the “Lumberyard” on Coast Highway 101 at 5pm.  The Parade will begin down the route at 5:30pm from D St. on the Coast Highway all the way down to J St.  The Holiday Parade “elves” will be hard at work this fall organizing the parade and selecting this year’s theme.

Santa’s Magical Village – San Marcos Civic Center 12/3 from 3pm-8pm & 12/4 9am-4pm 

Stroll through the “streets” where children can create ornaments, decorate cookies, and make holiday decorations while parents shop at arts and crafts booths! Have your picture taken with Santa and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! Gourmet Food Trucks on Sat 12/3

Carnivale on Cedros – Solana Beach 12/3 from 3-8pm

Stroll the Avenue while experiencing the magic of The Dragon Knight Stilt Walkers. These performers bring life to fairies, dragons and elves through puppeteers all while balancing on stilts. A favorite of all ages! Spend some time watching The Steam Powered Giraffes: An act that combines steam punk and futurism with mime and music to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Kringle Mingle 2011 – Cardiff 12/4 from 2-6pm 

The celebration will feature a variety of engaging musical performances throughout the evening. More than 20 local artisans will showcase their specialty crafts at a gift fair for holiday shoppers. There will be treats & a free children’s crafting table.

Old-Fashioned Holiday Wonderland – Del Mar 12/4 from 2-5pm 

The event features horse-drawn carriage rides, local restaurant tastings, a choir, band and dance performances, and a cake walk. Children’s attractions include a snow play area, a holiday crafts and fun zone, face painting, and a special visit from Santa. At 5pm, the annual tree-lighting ceremony takes place at the L’Auberge Del Mar Resort amphitheater.

Hometown Christmas and Craft Fair – Fallbrook 12/4 from 10am-4pm. 

Crafty artisans like local jewelry designer V|H Veronika Howard  will be displaying and selling their hand-made items and tasty goodies right here at Myrtle Creek Nursery. Get that unique gift for your loved one. No charge for admission. Event is being held at Myrtle Creek Nursery 2940 Reche Road Fallbook 92028

Carnivale on Cedros

The Cedro Arts District comes alive with festivities in celebration of the holidays.

Taking place in Solana Beach from 12pm-5pm this Saturday December 3rd, 2011.

Stroll the Avenue while experiencing the magic of The Dragon Knight Stilt Walkers. These performers bring life to fairies, dragons and elves through puppeteers all while balancing on stilts. A favorite of all ages! Spend some time watching The Steam Powered Giraffes: An act that combines steam punk and futurism with mime and music to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Be entertained by colorful street performers, music, food, and festivities. Make sure to check out Carruth Cellars or watch a show at the Belly Up.

Carnivale on Cedros

Solana Beach

12/3 12pm-5pm

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m grateful to live in such a beautiful city.

What are you grateful for today?