Meet the Padres, Watch a Navy Flyover, and More

It’s Thursday, and you’re ready to think about the weekend, or even willing to start the festivities a little early. Patch to the rescue! We’ve got the best bets for you, whether you want to stay close to home or venture outside your backyard. Check out our picks for the places to see and things to do.

This week there's a , and the San Diego Padres throw open the doors to Petco Park for a day.

• Where/when: Naval Air Station, North Island, gates open 8 a.m., venue opens at 9 a.m. and stays open all day, Feb. 12

• Why Go: To help celebrate a century of flight in the Navy. Civilians will get the rare opportunity to see the base, along with tours of aircraft carriers and a at 1 p.m.

• Price: Free

• Where/when: Petco Park, downtown San Diego, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 12

• Why Go: Padre fans can give their team a rousing send-off for the baseball season by attending FanFest at Petco Park in downtown San Diego, featuring clinics with the players, park tours and the chance to grill management about the team. 

• Price: Free

• Where/when: UCSD's the Loft, 7 p.m., Feb. 10

• Why Go: For live music, dinner and the chance to see rarely glimpsed Oscar-nominated short films from past ceremonies. 

• Price: $30 with dinner, or $4-$8 for the movie only

• Where/when: , 6:30 p.m., Feb. 11

• Why Go: To support your local bookstore and a fellow military wife. Marcia J. Sargent will discuss and sign copies of her new book, Wing Wife: How to Be Married to a Marine Fighter Pilot.

• Price: Free

• Where/when: , 7 p.m., Feb. 11

• Why Go: To see if a library really can be dressed up for love. Celebrate Valentine's Day with a concert featuring romantic classics and standards, performed by Tenor Bob Cornish and mezzo soprano Elena Vizuet. 

• Price: Free