WALLETFREE WEEKEND April 16-18

Wallet popping at the seams from your tax refund? Let it be.  You might as well leave it at home this weekend because you’ll be too busy checking out all these FREE events in San Diego.

Flickr/Creative Commons-San Diego Shooter

EarthFair 2010 – Sun, April 18
Check out the latest ideas to green your lifestyle at this grand event in Balboa Park, which attracts more than 70,000 people each year. You’ll see  almost every type of environmental cause, including organic foods, wildlife preservation, alternative energy vehicles and pet adoption services. Music and earth-friendly foods, too. Bike in to show your green-living effort.

Day at the Docks – Sun, April 18  
A San Diego sportfishing tradition, this family-friendly event marks the official start of Southern California’s spring saltwater fishing season. Enjoy open house aboard fleet vessels, boat rides around the bay, casting contests, cooking demos and fishing seminars. Starts at 9am at Sportfishing Landings in Point Loma.

Photo credit: Paul Gallaher

Avocado Festival – Sun, April 18
Get guacamole galore in Fallbrook, the U.S. capital of avocados, during this annual festival that’s all about this green fruit. Check out the culinary contest and the “model” car building event using avocados. Farmers market, live entertainment, and kid rides, too.

FREE Saturdays at the Lux – Sat, April 17
Enjoy an admission-free day at the Lux Art Institute, a different museum experience that lets you see art happen, rather than a static piece. During this family-friendly Saturday, you’ll enjoy studio tours, refreshments, live flamenco guitar, a meet’n’greet with resident artist Robert Lobe and your own creative try at Lobe-style tree sculptures. 11am – 5pm in Encinitas.

National Park Week – April 17 – 25, 2010
Get FREE admission to 392 national parks this week, courtesy of the National Park Service. Closest national parks for San Diegans to explore? Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma,  Joshua Tree National Park, and Channel Islands National Park  are a few. See others you can explore here.

FREE Yogurt Day – Sat, April 17
Start licking your lips now. Golden Spoon is giving 8oz of FREE frozen yogurt all day, at all 15 locations in San Diego County. 11am-5pm, locations include Hillcrest (you’ll find me there!), Del Mar, Santee and Escondido. Thanks to my favorite foodie blogger, Janice, for telling me about this. Check out her San Diego restaurant reviews at FoodIsMyFavorite.Blogspot.com.

Bride-to-Be Tea – Sat, April 17
Grab your wedding party pals for this tea and bridal faire held in an historic setting, where you’ll meet local wedding professionals, taste-test samples by San Diego caterers and get ideas for your big day. Starts at 10am at the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe in Vista.

Freeze Project San Diego - Sat, April 17
Watch or join the crowd at Fashion Valley Mall in this creative, synchronized ‘freeze’ to raise awareness about human trafficking and modern-day slavery. 12pm. Check out this cool video from last year’s freeze in La Jolla and consider striking a pose.

Local Girlfriend Getaway – Sat, April 17 
Grab your gal pals and hightail over to an “indie shopping mall” during the free Girls Day In at Lafayette Hotel in North Park. From 12-7pm, enjoy fashion, fitness, music, health and beauty. Admission is FREE, but you’re encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item and/or clothing to be donated to YWCA.

Oceanside Days of Art – Sat, April 17 + Sun, April 18 
Marvel at the work of more than 100 painters, graphic artists, ceramicists, sculptors, and glass blowers on Pier View Way. Lots of live music and food, too. Starts at 10am.

Photo credit: Flickr/SBGrad

MotorCars on Mainstreet 2010 – Sun, April 18
Rev it up in Coronado this weekend with the 20^th annual car show where you can drool over or vote for classic, rod, and custom cars and trucks. Starts at 10am, along Isabella and Orange Avenues.