San Diego Weekend Guide: April 4-6 – Beers & Bulbs

The week’s been a bit gloomy, but the sun should return in full force this San Diego weekend – and there’s outdoor fests galore to soak it in. Enjoy all the music, art, beer and blooms on offer just for you.

Arts, Culture & Creativity Month kicks off in San Diego with a Friday morning event in San Ysidro featuring the “Visions of a Future” art exhibition, which has been on display at Front Arte & Cultura on San Ysidro Boulevard. The exhibit will be open through May 8. The gallery’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The North Park Festival of Beers begins at noon Saturday on El Cajon Boulevard in front of the historic Lafayette Hotel. More than 40 breweries, including Calidad Beer, Julian Beer Company and Mission Brewing, will offer tastings while tasters can groove live music by Buck O Nine, and stroll booths for food and crafts. Admission for sippers costs $48, with a discount for designated drivers.

Across town, Boots in the Park opens at 1 p.m. Saturday with a full day of live music, line dancing and craft cocktails. Old Dominion, Tyler Hubbard, Chris Young, Tayler Holder, Parmalee and Presley Tennant are on the bill at Waterfront Park. General admission is $129.

See off Adrian Younge as his “Something about April” tour is about to jet off to Brazil. He drops by Quartyard Saturday as the venue celebrates 10 years of hosting music, gatherings and more in the East Village. Younge, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and orchestrator, has produced for Kendrick Lamar, Wu-Tang Clan and more. This weekend, the Nashville indie band Willis stops by on Friday and genre-blenders Rubblebucket, who’ve performed at Bonnaroo and Glastonbury, follow on Sunday. Tickets start at $22.

Combine your love of flowers and the sea at Mission Beach’s Belmont Park for Belmont in Bloom. The spring festival offers floral arrangements and sculptures with local artists and performers providing even more color. Hear live music on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m., along with caricature art at 1 p.m. Saturdays and face painting at 2 p.m. Sundays. The event continues until June 1. Admission is free.

The San Marcos Spring Fling Festival brings together local businesses and artisans for the community to enjoy at North City. How many vendors? Try 250. That’s a lot o’ booths. There will be live music on two stages, craft beer and cider and fun for kids too. The free fest starts at 9 a.m. Sunday.

For a more relaxing peek at artists’ work, drop by as a small group throws open the doors to their home studios at 10 a.m. Sunday during the free Talmadge Artists Tour. Several of the studios are on Lorraine Drive north of Adams Avenue. Artists include Sandra Horn, Norman Lurie and Liz Kennedy.