Get Out Weekend Planner

If the rain and odd May chill have you down in the dumps this week, you need a pick-me-up more than ever. It's not due to be a warm weekend, but it's going to be a sunny one. Yea!

Let us guide you to what's happening near Camp Pendleton, San Diego and beyond from May 19 to 25. You can take the kids to Oceanside's military appreciation day, a big weekend at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum, or a festival with grub galore.

On a serious note, you also may join in with local police officers as they hold a rally to support the family of an officer who died in the line of duty.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: Oceanside City Hall, 300 N. Coast Hwy, Oceanside (and other stops countywide), 6 a.m. Friday.

• Why go: Granted, gas prices are beginning to come back to earth, but you can join in Bike to Work Day and save a little dough or make a political statement or just get a workout, while snagging prizes, because local companies will hand out swag to bikers during the morning commute. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Pacific Views/South Mesa Club, 202850 San Jacinto Rd, Camp Pendleton, 8 p.m. Friday.

• Why go: If American Idol and the Voice  aren't your speed, old-school rock n' roll might be. Listen to a jam band cover favorites from AC/DC to Van Halen. 

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: North County Health Services, 2210 Mesa Dr, Oceanside, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Kids can enjoy games and activities while parents take advantage of free health services at the Coastal Health Fair. Screenings include blood pressure, dental work and pregnancy tests.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre, 300 N Pacific St, Oceanside, 11 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: “Operation: Appreciation,” a festival to honor Marines and sailors stationed at Camp Pendleton, includes rides, food, live entertainment and displays of military vehicles. 

• Price: Free for personnel and dependents with military ID; public welcome, but some attractions require a fee.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Morgan Run Club and Resort, 5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe, Friday through Sunday.

• Why go: You like the New Orleans Saints? See Super Bowl MVP (and former Charger) Drew Brees. You like the Dallas Cowboys? See Tony Romo. You like TV? See Ray Romano. It's all possible at the Cox Celebrity Championship, a charity golf tournament to benefit local causes.

• Price: $10 for three-day pass, but there are opportunities for free admission, including use of military ID.

A RETURNING FAVORITE ... AND A COUPLE OTHER GOODIES

• Where/when: , 450 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, Friday and Saturday.

• Why go: The weekend starts off at 7 p.m. Friday with , followed at noon Saturday by , with a vintage car show and live music. That evening at 7:30 p.m., guitarists  will perform blues and country.

• Price: Poetry, free; BBQ, $10-$30; concert, $10-$20.

• Where/when: Palomar Police Academy, 184 Santar Pl, San Marcos, 8 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: The Officer Down Memorial Motorcycle Rally will support the family of Christopher Wilson, a father and veteran of San Diego's Southeastern Division who was killed on duty last fall.

• Price: $20-$30.

• Where/when: Fun Bike Center, 5755 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, 9 a.m. Sunday.

• Why go: Take part in the Semper Fi Ride to benefit San Diego's Flying Leatherneck Museum at MCAS Miramar.

• Price: $20.

• Where/when: Boomers, 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista, 11 a.m. Sunday.

• Why go: The food truck trend keeps on keepin' on. The restaurant chain hosts 20 trucks from San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, including one, Grill 'Em All, that captured top honors on the Food Network.

• Price: $5.