Stay Busy This Holiday Weekend with Patch's Best Bets

It’s Labor Day Weekend! Are you excited for the long weekend ahead? Or are you mourning the unofficial death of summer that comes with it? We say enjoy it while you can and get out with this weekend’s best bets we picked for you. Hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend.

This Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-5, Camp Pendleton and beyond have some fun activities planned. Stay close to home with beer tasting, a swim or paddle race and some art browsing. Venture out a little farther and you’ll stay busy with concerts and a look at the evolution of film.

Thanks to all the men and women who serve for our country.

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BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

A LOCAL TASTE

• When/where: The Vineyard, at Main Center between The Country Store and All Seasons, 4-6 p.m. Friday.
• Why go: Try different varieties of beer from San Clemente brewery Left Coast. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday weekend.
• Price: Free with military I.D.

• When/where: Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, 8 a.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Swim or paddleboard your way through this Labor Day race. Anyone ages 8 and up can register and the winner of some categories can win $500. Raffles and goodie bags are also a part of the day.
• Price: $35-$45.

• When/where: The Courtyard of Carlsbad Village Mall, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Why go: Take the long weekend and browse through some art. Like something you see? Buy it at this Village Faire Art Festival.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 540 Cornish Dr., Encinitas, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Why go: Take the family to view local artist Tim Richards’ woodcarvings at his exhibit at the library, which goes through Oct. 17.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, following the race Friday and Sunday.
• Why go: It’s the last two concerts of the summer series. Catch Fitz and the Tantrums on Friday and swoon over Ben Harper on Sunday.
• Price: The concert is free if you paid race admission, otherwise the cost is $20.

• When/where: , 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
• Why go: You’ll explore the early age of film making and see the evolution of silent films in Hollywood at this exhibit.
• Price: $5, free for kids under 12.