Fall Family Fun

We’ve reached the end of summer and it’s time to celebrate the first weekend of fall. Friday marks the first day of fall and the weekend forecast promises cool weather with some clouds to boot. Enjoy the new season with some fun events and activities for you and the family. We’ve got the best bets, near and far, listed below.

This weekend, Sept. 23-25, get out in Encinitas and get rid of your e-waste safely, see a documentary about silver miners, listen to a Carnegie concert and watch a hilarious family movie under the stars. Solana Beach boasts plenty of bands at a local concert venue.

Looking for some travel time? Oceanside is having a weekend event in the harbor with sail boats and crafts, San Marcos has a culinary clash with a battle of the chefs and Carlsbad is hosting an expo so teenage girls can get a positive outlook on life, careers and themselves. Point Loma is hosting the San Diego County beer fair.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave, Cardiff By the Sea, 1 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Watch The Devil’s Miner, a documentary about the forsaken world of Bolivian silver miners.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
• Why go: Get rid of your electronic waste (old TVs, computer monitors, stereos, etc.) the safe way at this e-waste event.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 540 Cornish Dr., Encinitas, 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: See the La Jolla Symphony, the San Diego North Coast Singers and pianist Ann Chase perform at this fundraiser for music scholarships for students. Funds raised will go to students who want to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.
• Price: Free, but donations are accepted.

• When/where: 95 N. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, 8-10 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Bring the blankets and chairs and park yourself under the stars for a showing of Megamind. Laugh out loud to the minions and hilarious antics of Megamind.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 2531 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff, 9 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: The Farmers return to The Kraken, a favorite spot for one of San Diego County’s best rock ’n’ roll bands.
• Price: Free

• When/where: Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 5 p.m. Friday, 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
• Why go: Choose from four shows this weekend at the Belly Up, including performances by Atomic Groove, The Mother Hips, The Tilt, a Beatles tribute band and some beat boxing. You’ll get an in to the best up and coming music and bands.
• Price: $5-$20, depending on the show, time and if you buy tickets in advance.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: Standard of Excellence Room, 694 Rancheros Dr., San Marcos, 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Carlsbad chef Eugenio Martignago faces off against La Jolla chef Vincenzo Mauri. Watch the two chefs make dishes, then try them out and decide who deserves the win. A blind wine tasting will take place, too.
• Price: $50.

• When/where: 825 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Royal Rangers Outpost 379 are hosting a car show, so come check out cars that were made before 1973, see new models, eat food, and cross your fingers in a raffle. There will be activities for kids and you can get your picture taken with NASCAR’s Carl Edwards.
• Price: Free to attend.

• When/where: Above the flower fields at Armada Drive, Carlsbad, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: It’s a family weekend of fun and art at ArtSplash 2011. You’ll see chalk art come to life, make crafts from recyclables, browse art displays, listen to live music and more.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 5480 Grand Pacific Dr., Carlsbad, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Young girls, ages 11-18, will be empowered at this one-day workshop where they’ll explore college and career choices, ways to have a healthy body image and more. Various vendors, including clothing, jewelry and art, will be present.
• Price: $15-$18.

• When/where: Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Why go: Spend the weekend with your family on the water at Oceanside’s Harbor Days. Participate in fun activities like crafts and the Nail ‘n’ Sail Competition.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: 2750 Womble Rd., San Diego, noon-4 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: It’s the San Diego County Beer Fair, where you can sample 12 beers, taste samples of food, meet brewers and more.
• Price: $35-$50.