Things to do include festivals, concerts, benefits, nature walks and more

Batiquitos Lagoon: 'Eat or be Eaten' nature walk Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a docent-led nature walk on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. titled 'Eat or be Eaten.' Predator/prey relationships are the foundation of ecosystems. Join the docents for a leisurely 90-minute walk to learn about the complex food chain of sea and land creatures, with special attention on local snakes. This free family walk is good for all ages. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. In case of rain, events will be canceled and rescheduled. For more information, visit Batiquitoslagoon.org. Annual Cardiff Greek Festival The 46th annual Cardiff Greek Festival is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. The event features folk dance shows, live Greek music, dancing, authentic Greek food and pastries along with Greek wine tastings and a marketplace. There will be a Kids Zone and tours of the church. Chance tickets are $20 each for a chance to win $10,000 or $5,000. Admission is $4; free for children under age 12 and first responders, veterans and active military with ID. Visit cardiffgreekfestival.com. Surf music and art festival Sessions Surf Festival runs Sept. 12–19, with a week-long celebration of surf culture through music, surf films and art exhibits. The Opening Day: Music Sessions at Seaside Reef is from noon to 10 p.m. on Sept. 12 at Seaside Reef, 2504 S. Coast Highway 101. Tickets start at $85. Visit sessionssurffestival.com/encinitas/overview. Rancho Coastal Humane Society to hold 'Celebration of Second Chances' event Rancho Coastal Humane Society invites the community to buy tickets now for the 2026 'Celebration of Second Chances: The Next Chapter,' which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Del Mar Country Club at 6001 Clubhouse Drive in Rancho Santa Fe. At the Celebration of Second Chances, guests will be treated to elevated food stations, cocktails, inspiring stories, exciting auction items, and more. A special tribute will also be held to honor Rancho Coastal Humane Society's longtime friends and animal advocates Jerry and Pam Cesak. 'This is one of our signature events of the year and with every ticket purchased you are providing rescue, comfort and care to abandoned companion animals, and supporting the many programs designed to keep pets healthy, happy and together with their families,' said Judi Sanzo, president and CEO of Rancho Coastal Humane Society, in the news release. Tickets are available now at SDPets.org/Gala2026 or call 760-519-8721. River Valley Fest 2026 celebrates Conservancy's 40th anniversary River Valley Fest 2026, an extra-special event to recognize San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy's 40th anniversary, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at La Valle Coastal Club in Rancho Santa Fe. The evening includes a silent auction, seated dinner, program and live auction. Attendees will raise glasses to celebrate four decades' worth of conservation, education and recreation. For tickets, go to www.sdrvc.org Fall Art & Wine Walk The Forum Carlsbad will host its annual Fall Art & Wine Walk from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12, featuring art, wine and live music. Artwork will be displayed in participating shops and restaurants and there will be wine tastings at the Wine Garden. Donations will be accepted at the Wine Garden to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a local nonprofit that trains shelter dogs to become service dogs for post-9/11 veterans with PTSD and related injuries. Junior surf contest open for youth The nonprofit Windansea Surf Club is accepting registration for its annual junior surf contest, The Menehune, slated for Oct. 3 at the La Jolla Shores. Long board and short board divisions are offered for boys and girls 16 years of age and under, including the Super Menehunes for 7-year-olds and under. The event attracts young competitive surfers and their families from throughout the western states, Hawaii and Baja California. The club plans to award $250 educational scholarships to the top eight age group divisions for Boys and Girls. Registration deadline is Sept. 25. Visit windanseasurfclub.org. 9/11 Heroes Run The 9/11 Heroes Run takes off at 9 a.m. on Sept. 13 at NTC Park at Liberty Station, 2670 Cushing Road, hosted by the Travis Manion Foundation. The 5K run welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the 'heroes who stepped up to serve that day and in the wars that followed.' Visit travismanion.org/events/911-heroes-run/2026-san-diego-911-heroes-run. 25th Anniversary Memorial of 9/11 A 25th Anniversary Memorial of 9/11 is at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 on the flight deck aboard the USS Midway Museum, 910 N Harbor Drive. There will be free museum entry from 1:45 to 3 p.m. to attend the ceremony. On this 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the FDNY Retirees of San Diego, along with the USS Midway Museum, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, National City Fire Department, San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society and The Wounded Warrior Project, will pay tribute to the fallen heroes of 9/11 and keep the promise to 'Never Forget.' The event includes presentation of colors by honor guards, pipes and drums, singing of the national anthem, reading of first responder names and tolling of the bells along with a San Diego Fire-Rescue emergency helicopter flyover, a 21-gun salute, taps and a Harbor Police fire boat water display. Visit midway.org/event/25th-anniversary-memorial-of-september-11-2026. Del Mar Wine & Food Festival The Del Mar Wine & Food Festival (DMWFF), benefiting Feeding San Diego, returns Sept. 30–Oct. 4 with a packed lineup of celebrity chefs, acclaimed winemakers, professional athletes and new events that showcase why DMWFF has quickly become one of Southern California's most dynamic food and cultural weekends.Co-founded by sports icons Alex Morgan, Drew Brees and Rob Machado with Food Network host Troy Johnson, DMWFF was built around San Diego's unique collision of food, drink and active culture. The festival spans eight events.For the full schedule, tickets and more information, go to: delmar.wine Surfer's Point LIVE Pop-Up Concert Series CBF Productions recently announced the launch of Surfer's Point LIVE at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, bringing a pop-up outdoor concert series to San Diego County this fall with three major live music events featuring nationally recognized artists, according to a news release.Each event is designed as a limited-time destination where fans can enjoy world-class live music, great local food and drinks, and the unmistakable energy of the California lifestyle, the news release stated.The inaugural Del Mar series kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 24, with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends Lynyrd Skynyrd joined by special guests Loverboy.The series continues on Friday, Oct. 2, as the award-winning Boots & Brews Country Music Festival makes its Del Mar debut featuring Billy Currington and Dylan Scott.A third headline concert will be announced in the coming weeks, completing the inaugural Surfer's Point LIVE season at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.All concerts will take place in the Del Mar Arena.For tickets and additional information, visit www.surferspointlive.com. Batiquitos Lagoon Annual Kayak Fundraiser & Cleanup Event The nonprofit Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (BLF) recently announced the 20th Annual Kayak Fundraiser & Cleanup Event on Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4. This event allows the public to enjoy kayaking waters normally closed to boating, while simultaneously aiding in preserving the lagoon habitat by removing trash. The cost is $160 per two-person tandem kayak and is a tax-deductible donation to BLF. Tickets are now on sale.There will be four launches on Saturday and three on Sunday. This two-hour experience includes check-in, personal flotation device (PFD) provisioning, water safety instructions and approximately 90 minutes kayaking the pristine waters of the ecological reserve.Children as young as six years old are welcome to participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Water safety guides will accompany each group to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.batiquitoslagoon.org. Proceeds from the event will benefit BLF's ongoing habitat restoration and other projects. Encinitas Historical Society monthly walking tours The Encinitas Historical Society offers monthly walking tours of downtown Encinitas on the third Saturday of every month in 2026. The tours start at 10 a.m. leaving from the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse located at 390 West 'F' Street. There is plenty of free parking nearby. On Sept. 19, the tour will cover the south end of Coastal Encinitas from 2nd and 3rd Streets to 'K.'The tour includes a nominal charge of $10 per person. Minor children and dogs are always free. The Encinitas Historical Society is an all volunteer organization with tax exempt status and it accepts all forms of payment. You may contact the Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or info@encinitashistoricalsociety.org with any questions. C-Note Sale at the Off Track Gallery Find a treasure and maybe a bargain at the C-Note Sale a the Off Track Gallery. Peruse the exclusive collection of original art created by the local artists of the San Dieguito Art Guild. This is a a two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, Sept, 19 and 20 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Selected items are offered for sale for $100 (a C-note). Some artworks will reflect a significant savings for the customers as the SDAG artists seek to reduce their stock. Shop for paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fused glass, fiber arts, and so much more. Stop by and find your own treasure on this two-day sale. The Off Track Gallery is owned and operated by the San Dieguito Art Guild, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization made up of over 200 talented local artists. Off Track Gallery is located at 937 South Coast Highway 101, Suite C-103, Encinitas, 760-942-3636, pr@sandieguitoartguild.com, OffTrackGallery.com 17th Annual 100 Wave Challenge to support San Diego boys Boys to Men Mentoring (B2M) will bring together surfers from across Southern California for the 17th Annual 100 Wave Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Mission Beach, with legendary professional surfers Shaun Tomson and Damien Hobgood returning to the lineup in support of B2M's mission. Created by B2M Co-founder Joe Sigurdson in 2009, the 100 Wave Challenge dares participants to catch 100 waves in a single day while raising critical funds to provide teenage boys with consistent mentors, connection, and safe spaces to navigate the challenges of adolescence. Surfers, sponsors and supporters can register, donate or learn more at 100Wave.org. To learn more about Boys to Men go to BoysToMen.org. 2026 Solutions for Change Boots & Bling Gala An evening filled with music, dancing, spirited bidding and powerful stories of lives transformed awaits guests at the 2026 Solutions for Change Boots & Bling Gala on Saturday, Sept. 19, beginning at 5 p.m. at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.Guests are invited to embrace the Boots & Bling spirit and enjoy a lively night that combines celebration with meaningful community impact. The gala will feature a delicious plated dinner, live music, line dancing and exclusive silent and live auctions offering guests opportunities to bid on memorable items and experiences, according to a news release. Throughout the evening, guests will also hear directly from families whose lives have been transformed through Solutions for Change and receive an inside look at the organization's plans for expanding its impact. The program will celebrate the courage and accomplishments of parents working to permanently overcome homelessness, rebuild their lives and create brighter futures for their children.Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. For complete event details, tickets and information about becoming a sponsor, visit shorturl.at/bggi4