Get Out Weekend Planner: Comic-Con, Del Mar Races and All Things Sandcastle

It’s the biggest weekend of the year in San Diego. Comic-Con has arrived and many will flock to America’s Finest City to pay homage to their favorite superheroes and celebrities. 

Your family can spend a day at the Del Mar Racetrack for a day full of games and activities.

Besides that I guess there's nothing going on... except a few hundred thousand people visiting Imperial Beach for the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition and its many events.

From pancakes to the Sandcastle Ball Friday to the Competition itself, be prepared to find sand in every crack and corner after this weekend.

You can venture out a little farther for a cocktail class or for the superhero spectacle downtown. Or spend your weekend doing some good and walk around Shelter Island and help raise money for diseases that affect more than 2,000 families in San Diego. 

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: , 847 Encina Ave., Imperial Beach, 8 p.m.-midnight, Friday.
• Why go: Kick off the Sandcastle Competition with a 21 and older dance. Drinks will be served.
• Price: $5.

• When/where: , 425 Imperial Beach Blvd., 9-11 a.m. Friday.
• Why go: The annual mayor’s breakfast for Imperial Beach will be accompanied by The Teagan Taylor Trio with Bob Sheehan. This will serve as the official celebration of the 55th anniversary of when Imperial Beach was founded. 
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 10 Evergreen Ave., Imperial Beach, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Shop local vendors, including handmade crafts and food, and enjoy live music. . The Kidz ‘N Kastles Competition will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. 
• Price: Free.

• Where/when:, 10 Evergreen Ave., Imperial Beach, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday.
• Why go: The U.S. Open is one serious sandcastle competition, with experts and novices alike competing for cash and bragging rights. More than $21,000 will be awarded.
• Price: Free.

• Where/when: Seacoast Drive near Portwood Pier Plaza, Imperial Beach, 6-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Why go: Pancakes served with sausage and orange drink.
• Price: $5

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: , 4000 Coronado Bay Rd., Coronado, 6-7 p.m., Thursday.
• Why go: Shake things up and learn about mixology, try out some cocktails, learn some recipes and take some bites of bar food.
• Price: $18.

• Where/when: The Pier, 2131 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, 8 a.m.-noon, Sunday.
• Why go: Walk around Shelter Island with other locals and help support families in our San Diego community that are suffering from scleroderma and lupus. Raffle prizes, awards and music will follow the for-a-cause walk.
• Price: $10-$25.

• Where/when: San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 9:30 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.
• Why go: This huge event may be sold out, but graphic novel nerds and movie maniacs can still get their fix of celebrities and superheroes. for a list of Comic-Con events that you can still get into.
• Price: Varies between each activity.

• When/where: Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 1-6 p.m., Sunday.
• Why go: Take everyone over to the racetrack for rock climbing, games, bungee trampoline and more. Kids 12 and under get a free plush toy.
• Price: $6 for adults, free for kids 17 and under.