Celebrations for Navy, Padres, V Day 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 find something to do outside your backyard. Check out our picks for the places to see and things to do.

This week there's a huge Navy celebration in Coronado and the San Diego Padres throw open the doors to Petco Park for a day.

• Where/when: Naval Air Station, North Island, 8 a.m., 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 big flight show.

• Price: Free

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

• Why Go: Padres 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: Encinitas branch library, 10 a.m., Feb. 12

• Why Go: You're still feeling the pinch of the economy and prix-fixe Valentine's menus are expensive. So if a modern string ensemble, say, the Hutchins Consort, played a free concert at your local library, and you could followup the performance with a nice jaunt to the beach (you do live in California), how nice would that be? And the price is right. 

• Price: Free. 

• Where/when:  Temple Solel, Encinitas, 8 p.m., Feb. 11

• Why Go: Hear Beth Schafer, a singer/songwriter who has received national attention and a coveted performance slot while incorporating her faith into her art.  

• Price: Free, but there is a fee for dinner, served earlier.

•  Where/when: New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, 7 pm., Feb. 13

• Why Go: Hear Eve Selis prove her vocal prowess in the second show of her two-night stand in Carlsbad. The first sold out.

• Price: $20-30.