Earth Day, Record Store Day and a Charity Walk Roundup

Earth Day has pretty much turned into Earth Month, with events strewn throughout April in much of the county.

But it really hits this weekend, with Earth Day-themed festivals and beach and habitat clean-ups planned from Balboa Park to UC San Diego and all the way up to Palomar Mountain. 

Those are just a couple of your choices for fun, entertaining and outdoorsy things to do near Encinitas and beyond, from April 14-20.

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: , 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: If you love the soothing qualities of a Japanese tea garden, the Asian Arts Festival might give you some ideas about how you can bring a little bit of the garden to your home.

• Price: $6-$12.

• Where/when: It's a Grind Coffeehouse, 204 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, Saturday.

• Why Go: The headline isn't just a silly pun: It's the name of a non-profit that encourages young people to help other youths with special needs. At the fundraiser, young bands will play and the proceeds of the evening's raffle and food sales will benefit the organization. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Lou's Records, 434 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, and Spin Records, 370 Grand Ave., Carlsbad, Saturday.

• Why Go: High Fidelity depicted the lives of some hardcore music lovers who plied their trade in a little record shop. Big music sellers are mostly long-gone because of the changes in the industry, but many small shops soldier on. Record Store Day celebrates them, and the stores participate by hosting DJs and live performances.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: San Elijo State Beach, 2050 Highway 101, Cardiff by the Sea, Saturday.

• Why Go: Hundreds of volunteers will fan out to area state parks as part of the California State Parks Foundation's mass Earth Day clean-up. This is one of five sites in the county slated for some tender loving care, including South Carlsbad State Beach and Torrey Pines State Reserve.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

CHARITY WALKS O' THE WEEK

• Where/when: Liberty Station, Roosevelt Rd. and Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, Saturday; Balboa Park, Quince St. and Sixth Ave., San Diego, Saturday, and N. Mission Bay Dr. and De Anza Rd., San Diego, Sunday.

• Why Go: Walkers, runners and bikers can raise money this weekend to support those with  (at Liberty Station),  problems (at Balboa Park) and  (at De Anza Cove). 

• Price: Entry fees vary.

• Where/when: , 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why Go: Look at green options for your vehicle, home and garden at the university's Green Open House, which includes entertainment and a kids' zone. Free parking will be available and free shuttles as well, if your space is too far away.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Seaport Village, N. Harbor Drive and Pacific Hwy., San Diego, noon Saturday and Sunday.

• Why Go: Sure, you like your Gagas and your Biebers, but then there's those authentic souls who love their art so much they are willing to hit the streets and sing, play or juggle to get the crowd's attention—and hopefully some change. Show them some love at the Spring Busker Festival, and stay late Saturday if you want to see some more nighttime-oriented acts.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Balboa Park, 1500 El Prado Rd., San Diego, 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Why Go: Earth Fair takes over the center of the park, with vendors, music stages, a children's parade and scads of exhibitors. Organizers strongly advise arriving early or taking alternative modes of transportation as 60,000 people are expected.

• Price: Free.