Hi everyone!
If your calendar is looking a little lonely, we can fix that.
This week we're serving up plenty to do around Vista and San Marcos, a local business worth knowing, a Farmers Market find that may cause an immediate carb craving, two adorable dogs looking for homes, and eight taco spots that might have you reconsidering dinner plans.
Oh, and there's still that little matter of a 3-night getaway we're giving away.
Grab a coffee, settle in, and see what's happening around the neighborhood this week.
Enjoy this week’s Flare! 🔥
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Looks like the humidity is also sticking around this week so stay cool and keep imagining drier air, as it has to come sometime. 😉 |
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🍺Tip of The Day |
Discover Hidden Microbreweries Off the Beaten Path
This week, try exploring one of San Diego’s lesser-known microbreweries—places like the tucked-away tasting rooms in Vista or San Marcos that often host midweek trivia or open mic nights. Ask bartenders for their favorite off-menu pours; you might score unique brews and insider conversation with locals, making your night out more memorable and connected to the community. |
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The Vista Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its 2026 Heroes of Vista business awards, with five categories up for grabs:
🏆Businessperson of the Year
And here's the part that should make a few business owners sit up a little straighter:
Self-nominations are encouraged.
Yes, really.
Apparently this is one of those rare occasions when saying, "You know what? We're pretty darn good at what we do," is not only acceptable—it's invited Read More... |
San Marcos is getting its first Trader Joe’s. The store will open in the North City development, the large mixed-use project rising next to Cal State San Marcos.
Sea Breeze Properties, the developer behind North City, announced the deal this week. Trader Joe’s has confirmed it will be the city’s first location and the 21st store in San Diego County.
Where the San Marcos Trader Joe’s Will Be The exact storefront address has not been released. Reporting from local outlets points to a site near the entrance of North City, close to Read More... |
The stars are coming back to San Marcos Friday nights. After its summer break, the Palomar College Planetarium will reopen to the public on Friday, August 14, bringing back its popular evening astronomy programs, full-dome presentations and outdoor telescope viewing. The reopening night will feature two separate shows: “The Sky Tonight” at 7 p.m. and “Faster Than Light” at 8:15 p.m.
For families, astronomy fans or anyone looking for something a little different to do on a Friday evening, the planetarium offers a chance to explore the Read More... |
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Join the San Diego County Flower & Plant Association for their Annual Golf Tournament! Enjoy a fun-filled day of golf with a shotgun start, friendly contests like closest to the pin, longest drive, and a putting competition. Treat yourself at the snack bar before hitting the greens, then relax with a delicious dinner included after gameplay. Bring your friends or co-workers and take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. Whether you’re an avid golfer or just in for dinner, this is the perfect event for networking and friendly competition in a beautiful setting. |
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Kick off your weekend with a night of nonstop laughter at Last Laugh Friday! Hosted in the intimate Bornemann theatre, this event features award-worthy writing, unforgettable performances, and top-notch comedy that’ll keep you grinning from ear to ear. Enjoy hilarious sets from headliner Chris Clobber, the unstoppable Al Gavi, and a special guest opener yet to be announced. It’s the perfect excuse to gather friends, plan a date night, or treat yourself to quality stand-up in a vibrant, inclusive space. Reserve your seats and enjoy an evening filled with energy, community, and big laughs! |
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Celebrate four years of Macabre Mysterium at Local Roots Kombucha with an evening full of strange, spooky, and beautifully unconventional delights. Immerse yourself in a vibrant gathering featuring over 30 unique vendors offering handmade and alternative goods, live music to set the mood, and exciting raffles with curated prizes throughout the night. Commemorate the occasion with an on-site tattoo, enjoy free admission and parking, and experience a welcoming space for creatives, weirdos, and lovers of all things dark and magical. All ages are welcome—step into the shadows and join the celebration! |
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Join us for a magical summer evening of music beneath the stars at the Wood House in Woodland Park. Enjoy a lively Bon Jovi tribute performance by LIVIN' ON A PRAYER, perfect for families and friends to relax with blankets or low-back chairs on the grassy lawn. Bring your own picnic or purchase snacks and drinks on site. With free parking, general admission seating, and free entry for kids 12 and under, it's a fun, welcoming night out for all ages! |
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Get ready for an unforgettable night as Savor brings the music of Santana to life at The Bornemann. Experience electrifying guitar solos, passionate Latin rock rhythms, and the timeless classics that made Santana legendary. Gather your friends and immerse yourself in the energy, excitement, and infectious grooves of this spectacular tribute performance. Don't miss your chance to feel the rhythm and celebrate Santana's enduring legacy! |
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📅 Also Happening Around Vista and San Marcos
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THROUGH YOUR LENS 📸
Penelope Richards captured this incredible sky over downtown Vista on Thursday, August 13, around 5 PM — dark clouds swirling overhead with the sun finding just enough room to break through. Pretty cool reminder to look up once in a while.
Photo courtesy of Penelope Richards — and her $100 dining savings card is on the way as a thank-you for sharing her photo with us!
Have a great photo from Vista or San Marcos? Send it our way — yours could be featured next. |
✨ QUOTE OF THE DAY |
Success is not built on success. It's built on failure, frustration, and sometimes even catastrophe. — Sumner Redstone |
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Sixes & Sevens Skateshop is your local hub for everything skateboarding, music, and art. Whether you're in need of the latest footwear, hard-to-find decks, or classic apparel from top brands like Nike SB, Vans, and New Balance Numeric, this shop has you covered. With a welcoming atmosphere and a passion for supporting the skate community, Sixes & Sevens goes beyond retail. New arrivals drop regularly, ensuring you'll always find fresh gear and must-have accessories. Support a skater-owned business that keeps the local scene rolling—check out Sixes & Sevens for all your skate needs! |
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🌞 DID YOU KNOW?
A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. Which seems a little judgmental, but also completely accurate. |
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Coffee lovers in San Marcos have another local spot to discover.
Black Sea Cafe & Market, a new cafe and specialty food market at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite T, has quietly joined the city’s growing collection of independent places to grab a drink, discover something different, and support a local business.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce lists Black Sea Cafe & Market among the city’s food and beverage businesses, confirming its San Marcos location and contact information.
More Than a Coffee ShopWhat makes Black Sea Cafe & Market particularly Read More... |
San Marcos bakeries and shops are thriving despite the heat wave as locals flock to air-conditioned storefronts. Christophe Rull Patisserie and other businesses along Restaurant Row report strong customer traffic. The Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to support local businesses while cooling off indoors. A heat wave has settled over North County, but that has not stopped San Marcos residents from enjoying the city's bakeries and local businesses.
Temperatures in the region have climbed well above seasonal averages, yet storefronts throughout San Marcos remain busy with customers seeking both comfort and community. Read More... |
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FARMERS MARKET FIND: STEEP & SOURDOUGH
There’s bread... and then there’s the kind of bread that somehow loses half the loaf before you even make it home.
Steep & Sourdough is bringing the good stuff to the San Marcos Farmers Market, with handcrafted sourdough breads, bagels and focaccia made for anyone who believes carbs deserve a little respect. Find them Friday nights at the San Marcos Farmers Market at North City, 251 North City Drive, from 4–8 PM.
Our suggestion? Buy two loaves. You know exactly what’s going to happen to the first one. |
🐾 DOG-GONE INTERESTING
Dogs can smell time. Sort of.
As the day passes, different scents in your home weaken and change. Dogs can use those changing scent levels as clues to roughly gauge how much time has passed — which may be one reason some dogs seem to know when their favorite human is about to come home.
Apparently they don't need a watch. They just need a nose. |
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🐾 Looking for a new family member? There are many waiting for you including these two 🐾❤️ |
Seven-year-old Jenna is a sweet, mellow Shepherd mix who has mastered the art of being a companion. She’s house-trained, enjoys outings and car rides, has had dog friends, and is happiest hanging out with her people. Jenna is vaccinated, microchipped and spayed — now she just needs someone to give that adorable smile a permanent address. ❤️ |
SOMEONE HAS TO WIN IT. WHY NOT YOU?
A 3-night getaway is up for grabs, and entering takes about two minutes.
One North Valley Flare subscriber will get to choose from Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco or the Grand Canyon for their getaway.
Yes, it’s real. Yes, somebody is actually going on vacation. And yes, you do have to answer a few quick questions to enter — but we think two minutes is a pretty fair trade for a shot at three nights away.
The winner will be selected August 30, so if you’ve been scrolling past this thinking, “I’ll do it later”... This is later.
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY → |
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😄Joke Of The Day |
My favorite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch. |
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