Food Festivals and Fine Art: 5 Reasons to Spend This Saturday in Escondido
Despite the fact that the historic town of Escondido is only about a half-hour drive from Downtown San Diego to the south and Carlsbad to the west, it often gets overlooked when we're making our weekend plans. If ever there was a time to pay the cira 1886 township a visit, this weekend would be it.
On Saturday, Edible San Diego is hosting a talk with prolific artist, Eva Struble, on her current collection at California Center for the Arts, which is inspired by the diverse community of farm workers here San Diego County. Before heading to the talk, fuel-up with high tea, then spend a few hours sampling chocolate and sipping wine and beer at the Chocolate Festival. After the talk, join the crowds weaving their way through the galleries and participating in free classes during the Second Saturday Arts and Culture Experience. Finish your Escondido adventure with a scoop of Gelato made from local produce at Escogelato.
10:15am: Drive to Escondido
11am-1pm: Skip Brunch and go for a Traditional "Afternoon" Tea
From the Victorian decor to the perfect English-style service, a tea time experience at The Grand Tea Room is a transportative one. They offer ala carte snacks and tea options, but we reccomend going for one of the two-hour set tea services, like the elaborate "Grand Tea", which includes soup and savory, assorted tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, scone with cream, lemon curd and preserves, petite desserts, and a freshly steeped tea of your choice for $29.95. If this sounds like too much, then check out their other options to find the set that suits you. It is best to make a reservation, especially this week, when downtown will be teaming with visitors for the various Second Saturday events.
145 W Grand Ave, Escondido
1pm-3pm: Sample Chocolate and sip craft beer and wine at the Escondido Chocolate Festival
Downtown Escondido is hosting its annual "For The Love of Chocolate" Escondido Chocolate Festival. The ticketed event gives you access to chocolate and local wine or beer pairings at over twenty restaurants and shops in the historic downtown area, along with long-stemmed roses from 2 Blushing Blooms in Major Market, a horse and carriage ride, a Stone & Glass glass blowing demonstration, and raffle tickets. Pick-up your tasting glass, gift bag, and map of the hosting restaurants downtown. You'll find out where after you order your tickets ($34 per person, or $25 without alcohol), available for purchase online.
3pm-5pm: Attend Artist Artist Eva Struble & Edible San Diego's Lecture on Local Farms
Artist Eva Struble, an Associate Professor at the School of Art and Design at San Diego State University, is collaborating with Edible San Diego Magazine on a discussion of her work, Cover Crop, which is being featured alongside the Niki de Saint Phalle: Mythical California exhibition. Using a combination of materials, Struble’s artwork treats distressed urban and natural landscapes, whose seemingly serene atmosphere belies the socio-political and environmental issues at their heart. Created on top of unfinished canvases from various periods, she adds imagery referencing small farms in the San Diego area, blending in previous scenes of her everyday life, television stills, textile patterns, and landscapes. Her work focuses on the experiences of the diverse communities of farm workers who are responsible for the bounty of San Diego County. She will talk about her early work and the personal experiences that led to her most recent exhibit. She will then discuss select works from the current collection and host a Q&A. The event is free, but RSVP on Facebook.
Listen to this interview, in which she discusses the human experinces that inspired her since moving to San Diego.
California Center for the Arts Escondido, Tower Gallery
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido
5pm-9pm (Some events start as eary as 9am this year!): Mingle With Creative Types at Escondido’s Second Saturday Arts and Culture
An expansion of the popular Escondido Art Walks, Escondido’s 2nd Saturday Arts & Culture Experiences still includes open houses and events at the downtown art galleries, and has grown to include theater, museums, and historical events as well. Meander through the historic old town to view works from both world-renown and emerging artists with artists workshops and exhibit openings. Join a free historic walking tour, and don't miss the “Recycle It” Art and Fashion Show at the EAA Gallery at 5:30pm. Many of the festivities still take place in Downtown Escondido between Centre City Parkway and Ivy Street, and between Woodward Avenue and Third Avenue, though the events now sprawl over about a 5 mile radius. Check out the walking map and list of participants on the Visit Escondido website.
Anytime 9am-9pm: Don't Leave Escondido Without a Scoop of Gelato Made from Local Fruit
Suzanne Schaffner, the owner of Escogelato, grew up in Escondido, so when she decided to open her own shop, sourcing from her community was a given. The results are utterly delicious in unusual creations like strawberry basil, honey lavender, almond fig, and apricot goat cheese. She offers the usual suspects as well, from pisachio to hazelnut chip, along with seasonal specials, like her brown butter sweet potato gelato that was featured in December. Go in and see what gelato flavor is "in-season" before heading back home.
122 S Kalmia St, Escondido
