Get Out: Go Christmas Shopping in July and Learn the Mac Basics

The holiday is over. You have this weekend to chill out and do with it what you will. You could stay at home and take a breather, but we’ve got some better, more active ideas for you and the family—because a weekend in summer should never be wasted.

Check out our best bets to spend your downtime this weekend, July 8-10. Stay in and around Camp Pendleton for early Christmas shopping and computer classes or venture out a little farther and inspect some insects and audition for a popular singing show.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: , 4070 Mission Ave., Oceanside, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Get your Christmas shopping done way in advance. Browse handmade items and snack on summer favorites, like sno-cones.
• Price: Free (not counting all those gifts you’ll buy!)

• When/where: Plaza Camino Real-Westfield Shoppingtown, 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Learn about living a healthy lifestyle, participate in demos and agility tests, and check out different health vendors, including workout gear and vitamin stores.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Carlsbad State Beach (Tamarack Beach), Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, 6 a.m.-noon Sunday.
• Why go: Learn about the latest gear for all your triathlon needs.
• Price: Free.

When/where: , 1 Barnard Dr., Oceanside, 9 a.m. Saturday.

Why go: Learn the ins and outs of your Mac computer and become your own “Mac Genius.”

Price: $80 ($70 for the class with a $10 material fee.)

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.
• Why go: Take the kids to view and explore live insects, taste some mealworm larva and ask entomologist endless questions about their favorite bugs.
• Price: Free with admission or membership.

• When/where: PETCO Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, 7 a.m. Friday.
• Why go: Represent America’s finest city by auditioning for one of the biggest shows in our country—American Idol.
• Price: Free.