It's a Weekend of Concerts, Classes and Italian Masquerades

The weekend’s almost in reach—do you have your days off planned out? Don’t worry, we have a list of the weekend’s best bets right here for you (and we don’t really expect you to have plans—it’s the weekend! Let loose!)

This weekend, Aug. 12-14, stay in La Jolla for plenty of fun and feel-good activities. Three concerts are taking place this weekend for the music-lovers, a special “picnic” class is happening over a nearby cupcake shop and has the perfect pairing for a date or anniversary. For the beer aficionados, we’ve got a beerfest showcasing local brews up in Encinitas.

If you’re feeling up to a little road trip, you can head inland for a workshop to avoid home foreclosure or go downtown in your best masquerade get up for an Italian festival in Little Italy.

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun. And don't forget to try to catch the Perseid meteor shower, which will peak Saturday night, but might be hard to find because of the bright moon.

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BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: , 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday.
• Why go: Visit La Jolla’s SummerFest and listen to Serenades & Romance on Friday and rock out to Assad Brothers: Legends of the Guitar on Sunday.
• Price: $40-$75.

• When/where: , 8602 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, 7-9:30 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Take a tour of Scripps, dissect a squid, learn about marine life after dark and make organisms glow in the night.
• Price: $22-$25.

• When/where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, following the race Friday.
• Why go: Watch the horse races then stick around for a rockin’ concert by Jimmy Eat World.
• Price: The concert is free if you paid race admission; otherwise the cost is $20.

• When/where: , 7857 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Make mocktails, cocktails and the perfect picnic food, get a map of desired destinations and then venture out for a day in the park.
• Price: $65.

• When/where: , 8980 Villa La Jolla Dr., La Jolla, 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Enjoy a perfectly-paired four-course meal and beers.
• Price: $48.

• When/where: , intersection of Coast Boulevard and Girard Avenue, La Jolla, 2-4 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Chill out at the beach and listen to swing band Big Time Operator.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: 5560 Overland Ave., San Diego, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Register for this clinic and receive advice on foreclosure prevention and housing assistance.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Mira Costa College, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff by the Sea, 4-7 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Taste local brews from places like , Stone and Ballast Point and snack on pizza and cupcakes all while helping out charities like the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club.
• Price: $40.

• When/where: Little Italy, intersection of India Street and West Cedar Street, San Diego, 6 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Get a taste of San Diego and Venice with dining, entertainment, raffles and a chance to visit the real Italy way over yonder.
• Price: $100-$150.