San Diego County: Solana Beach Fiesta del Sol kicks off Saturday

This weekend’s Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach will combine small-town get-together and big-city beach blast.

The annual festival in the San Diego County community will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday with the City of Solana Beach’s 25th anniversary parade, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. And Sunday will begin at 7:30 a.m. with an old-fashioned pancake breakfast hosted by the fire department followed by a church choir.

And now for the big-city part: About 50,000 fest-goers are expected to party to a roster of musical acts booked by the city’s Belly Up tavern, which has hosted everyone from B.B. King to Lisa Marie Presley. The eclectic lineup for the weekend ranges from rock to samba. Among this year’s performers are rockers Wild Child, fusion-band Bedouin Soundclash and reggae stalwarts Common Sense.

Despite the crowds, Fiesta del Sol tends to be mellow and family-friendly -- good vibes courtesy of the sun, the ocean, the continuous music. There’s an arts and crafts fair, kids’ activities, food court, beer-and-wine garden and a “Green Alley” with environmentally friendly products and services.

Bonus points: If you’re heading down from Los Angeles or Orange County, you can take Amtrak to the Solana Beach train station across the street from the festival. The depot and the festival are also near the Cedros Design District, home to boutiques, art galleries and antique stores.

Info: Fiesta del Sol starts at 9 a.m. each day and closes after the last band’s set, usually 9 p.m. Admission is free.