Looking for something fun to do this spring? Below is a chronological list of Easter and St. Patrick’s Day activities going on around town in March. If you attend any of these events, please let them know you heard about it from San Diego Family Magazine! Have fun!

(Please note: things do change - that’s why we’ve included phone numbers and Websites when available. Since most activities require advance reservations or have limited space, please call first to confirm dates, times and admission prices.)

MARCH 2008

saturday | 1

Cross Paths with the Easter Bunny! Through March 22. Free. Westfield Parkway, Sears Ct., 415 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon.
www.westfield.com; 619-579-9974.

saturday | 8

101 Dalmatians & Easter Eggs at Color Me Mine. Celebrate the DVD release of a Walt Disney classic at this event featuring pet adoptions, Easter Egg decorating, Pin the Tail on the Dalmatian Game, Guess the Spots Contest, raffles and more. Today, 1-5 pm. Also, join a coloring contest throughout March for a chance to win $10 coupons to Color Me Mine. 214B Town Center Parkway, Santee.
www.santee.colormemine.com; 619-258-8525.

Easter Bunny Teas. Sweet afternoon delights, a visit from the Easter Bunny and a fun-filled egg hunt. Today, tomorrow, March 15, 16, 20-22, 2:30-5 pm. Adults $34; ages 11 & under $22. Call for reservations. The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., downtown San Diego.
www.westgatehotel.com; 619-557-3650.

Spring Basket & Natural-Dye Eggs. Paint and decorate a springtime basket and learn to dye eggs with raspberries, coffee grounds, onion skins and more. Today, 10 am-noon. Adult/child pair $43. For ages 8 & up. To register, call or visit Website. San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park.
www.sdnhm.org; 619-255-0203.

friday | 14

Easter Activities at Otay Ranch Town Center. Kids have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny at the Fireplace Lounge (near the Food Pavilion), and receive a free gift. Today until March 22. Mon.-Sat., 11 am-8 pm; Sun., noon-6 pm. 2015 Birch Rd., Ste. 500, Chula Vista.
www.otayranchtowncenter.com; 619-656-9100.

saturday | 15
Palm Sunday

Birch Aquarium’s Eggstravaganza. A week of hands-on activities that feature egg-laying marine animals such as squids, fishes and sharks. Today until March 21. 11 am-3 pm. Free with paid admission. Adults $11; ages 3-17 $7.50; 2 & under free. Come today for the annual egg hunt, 9-10 am. Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla.
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu; 858-534-3474.

Breakfast with Bunny. Get crackin’ with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, then hunt for eggs, make crafts and meet a lovable bunny. Today, 9-10:30 am. Adults $4; kids $2. Call to pre-register. Otay Center, 3554 Main St., Chula Vista.
www.chulavistaca.gov; 619-476-5325.

Village Walk at EastLake’s Easter Fun. Pose with the Easter Bunny, enjoy free train rides and decorate an Easter tote bag. Today, noon-3 pm. Photo $5; free with receipts dated today from three Village Walk stores or restaurants. Corner of EastLake Pkwy. & Miller Dr., Chula Vista.
858-695-2700.

Easter Craft & Stories. Today, kids, ages 11 & under, make a craft (11 am-2 pm), and enjoy snacks plus an animated storytime (2 pm). Free. Call for reservations. Food Pavilion, Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Rd., Ste. 500, Chula Vista.
www.otayranchtowncenter.com; 619-656-9100.

St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Parade. Go green as you join this annual celebration featuring a Celtic Village, Irish music and dance, Irish food and green beer! Today, 10 am-5 pm. Free. Also, see a grand parade of Irish dancers, floats, equestrian units and more. 11 am-1:30 pm. Parade starts on Sixth Ave. & Juniper St., & ends on El Prado & Balboa Dr. Festival is along Sixth Ave., between Laurel & Upas Sts., Balboa Park.
www.stpatsparade.org; 858-268-9111.

sunday | 16

Easter Egg Hunt & Plant Sale. Come to Balboa Park’s historic Marston house decked with springtime lilacs, and spend a day of games, prizes and refreshments. Today, 11:30 am-3 pm. Adults $5; ages 6-17 $3; 5 & under free; family of four $10.
619-232-6203, ext. 102.

monday | 17

St. Patrick’s Day Dance Party. Upbeat songs, shaky eggs, parachute games and green bubbles! Wear your favorite green outfit and try some St. Patty’s Day drinks and snacks. Today, 3 pm. Free admission. Java Mama Cafe, 8250 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.
www.javamama.com; 619-337-0012.

Afternoon Craft. Make a craft to celebrate St. Pat’s Day. Today, 3:30 pm. Free. Imperial Beach Branch Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd. 619-424-6981.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Go green and spend an afternoon of games, prizes and crafts. Today, 2-4 pm. Call for details. Loma Verde Center, 1420 Loma Lane, Chula Vista.
www.chulavistaca.gov; 619-691-5082.

Craft & Stories. Listen to tales about St. Patrick’s Day and make a delightful craft. Today, 3 pm. Free. For ages 4-12. Civic Center Branch Library, Story Hour Rm., 365 F St., Chula Vista.
www.chulavistalibrary.com; 619-691-5069.

thursday | 20
Spring Begins

Craft & Egg Hunt at My Kids Clubhouse. Kids create a special bag, hunt for eggs and receive prizes! Today, 10 am-noon. Free with paid admission; first child $7; sibling with paid child $5; infants free with paid child. 5034 Bonita Rd. Ste. C, Bonita.
www.mykidsclubhouse.com; 619-434-8676.

friday | 21
Good Friday

Normal Heights Egg Hunt. Kids, ages 3-12, enjoy crafts and prizes. Today, 5:30 pm. Free. Adams Recreation Center, 3491 Adams Ave.
619-235-1149.

Craft & Eggs Galore! Make a unique bag and join an exciting egg hunt. Today, 10 am-noon. Free with paid admission; first child $7; sibling with paid child $5; infants free with paid child. My Kids Clubhouse, 12636 Poway Rd. www.mykidsclubhouse.com; 858-668-2838.

saturday | 22

Easter Bonnet Parade & Hat Contest. Kids unleash their imagination in a hat-making workshop and contest, search the park for more than 6,000 eggs filled with M&M’s, watch live performances and enjoy other educational activities. Today, 11 am-3 pm. Adults $10-$12; kids $5-$6. San Diego Padres Park in the Park, 9th Ave. & J St., downtown San Diego.
www.gaslamp.org; 619-233-5008.

Henry’s Farmers Market Easter Egg Hunt. Junior shoppers, ages 12 & under, search the aisles for Easter eggs hidden throughout the store for a chance to win special Easter treats and prizes. Today, 9 am. Free. Happening at all Henry’s Farmers Market stores around the county. For a complete list of Henry’s locations, visit www.henrysmarkets.com.

Encinitas Easter Egg Hunt Festival. Free crafts for kids, entertainment, prizes, party jumps, a photo op with the Easter bunny, face painting and egg hunts. Today, 10 am-1 pm. Egg hunt times: 10:15 am (ages 2 & under); 10:45 am (age 3); 11:15 am (ages 4-5); 11:45 am (ages 6-7); 12:15 pm (ages 8-9). Ecke Sports Park, 278 Saxony Rd.
760-633-2740.

Anderson Farms/Victoria’s Gardens Easter Festival. Enjoy egg hunts by age, pet dozens of bunnies, chicks and other critters at the petting zoo, and don’t miss the hayrides, pony rides, giant slide, strawberry picking and more. Today & tomorrow, 10 am-5 pm. Egg hunts $2 per kid. Hunts divided by ages: 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 & 10-12. Call to sign in. 13120 Willow Rd., Lakeside.
www.victoriasgardens.us; 619-390-9571.

Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes. Egg hunts for ages 8 & under, photos with the Easter Bunny, petting zoo, crafts, carnival rides, inflatables, pony rides and more. Today, 9 am-3 pm. Activity/ride tickets $.50; parking $4. 9310 Fanita Pkwy., Santee.
www.santeelakes.com; 619-258-4100, ext. 201.

Lunch with Bunny. Preschoolers dine with a friendly bunny and enjoy bunny basket weaving, bunny parade, an egg hunt and more. Today, 10 am-noon. $10 plus admission. Adults $10; ages 3-12 $5; 2 & under free; parking $1. Call to pre-register. Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. www.qbgardens.org; 760-436-3036, ext. 222.

Easter Egg Hunt at Otay Ranch Town Center. Today, 11 am. Free. Located in the grassy area in Restaurant Row near King’s Fish House and Frida Mexican Cuisine. 2015 Birch Rd., Ste. 500, Chula Vista.
www.otayranchtowncenter.com; 619-656-9100.

Eggstravaganza Spring Festival. Games, arts and crafts, live music, magic show, bounce houses, giant slide, food and the Egg Scramble. Today, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Activity cards $5. Poinsettia Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Rd., Carlsbad. 760-602-7519.

Spring Egg Hunt. A special treat awaits each age division. Don’t forget to bring your basket! Today, 10 am. Free. For toddlers to 10 yrs. Robert Egger Sr. South Bay Recreation Center, 1885 Coronado Ave., San Diego.
619-424-0470.

Citywide Easter Egg Hunt. Search for hidden treasures and meet the Easter Bunny. Today, 10 am. Free. For ages 3-11. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 4500 Mesa Dr., Oceanside.
760-435-5540.

Holiday Breakfast & Egg Hunt. Feast on pancakes and sausage with Peter Cottontail. Egg-citing prize drawings, too! Today, 8-10 am. Adults $4; ages 10 & under $2.50. After breakfast, toddlers through 5th graders hunt for prize-filled eggs hidden by the bunny himself. 10:15 am. $2 per family. The Williams Barn, Walnut Grove Park, off Twin Oaks Valley Rd., cor. of Olive & Sycamore, San Marcos.
760-744-9000.

Easter Delights. Featuring crafts, the Easter Bunny, face painting, balloon animals, petting zoo, egg hunt and more. Today, noon-3 pm. Free. Piazza Carmel Shopping Center, Valley Centre Dr. & Carmel Creek Rd., Carmel Valley.
www.piazzacarmel.com; 760-630-8247.

East-side Egg Hunt. Hang out with the Easter Bunny, win prizes and search for eggs. Today, 9:30-10 am. Free. For ages 4-12. Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St., Oceanside.
760-439-9831.

Poway Springtime Celebration. Pancake breakfast, photos with Bonnie and Benny Bunny, crafts, games, egg hunts and other fun activities for kids, ages 3-8. Today, 9 am-noon. Free; pancake breakfast $3. Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr.
www.poway.org; 858-668-4570.

Hip Hop Bunny Drop Eggstravaganza. Pony rides, games, bounce house, bunny visit and a free Easter egg hunt with 10,000 eggs! Today; call for times. Egg hunt for ages 12 & under. Ray & Joan Kroc Corp Community Center, University Ave., San Diego.
www.Z90.com; 858-495-9100.

Clairemont Egg Hunt. Easter fun for kids, ages 3 & under, starts at 9:30 am; ages 4 & 5, 10 am; 6-8, 10:30 am; 9-12, 11 am. $.50 per child. Kearny Mesa Recreation Center, 3170 Armstrong St.
858-573-1387.

sunday | 23
Easter

Giant Easter Egg Hunt. This annual event features 10,000 candy- and prize-filled eggs, live entertainment, the Easter Bunny and more. Today, 9:30-10:30 am. Free. Family Easter service and play follows at 10:45 am. San Diego First Assembly of God, 8404 Phyllis Place, San Diego.
www.sdfa.org; 858-560-1870.

Brunch & Harbor Cruise. Spectacular views, entertainment, brunch buffet and a family photo with the Easter Bunny. Today, 11 am-1 pm. Adults $72.55; ages 4-12 $48.57 (tax included). Hornblower Cruises & Events, 1066 North Harbor Dr., downtown San Diego.
www.hornblower.com; 888-467-6256.

Easter Brunch at The Marine Room. Treat the whole family to oceanfront vistas while dining on a sumptuous buffet. Today, 10 am-4 pm. Adults $55; ages 12 & under $20. Call for reservations. 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla.
www.marineroom.com; 858-459-7222.

Easter Service & Egg Hunt in Escondido. Take your pick from 50,000 candy-filled eggs scattered on the spacious lawn of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Today, noon; registration 8:30-11:30 am. Free. Before the egg hunt, attend a solemn Easter Sunday service with a live concert performance at 10:30 am. 340 N. Escondido Blvd.
www.theeasteregghunt.org; 760-480-6233.

Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Helix Park. Start the day at this annual event featuring the Christ Lutheran Praise Band and a special message from Pastor Richard Burkey. Today, 6:30 am. Free. South of Interstate 8, between Bancroft Dr. & Avocado Blvd., La Mesa.
www.christlamesa.org; 619-462-5211.

Champagne Brunch. Celebrate Easter with a feast of tempting dishes and live entertainment. Special children’s menu included. Today, 9:30 am-3 pm. Adults $59; ages 11 & under $25. Call for details. The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., downtown San Diego.
www.westgatehotel.com; 619-238-1818.

weekly activities

tuesdays

Elementary Explorers. Crafts, science experiments, games and other adventures. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 pm. Free. March 4: Umbrellas; March 11: Clover Frames; March 18: Egg Painting; March 25: Wooden Plane Painting. Lakeside Branch Library, 9839 Vine St.
619-443-1811.

thursdays

Tales & Crafts for Preschoolers. Thursdays, 10:30 am & 2:30 pm. Free. For ages 2-5. March 6: Spring Flowers; March 13: St. Patrick’s Day; March 20: Easter; March 27: Rainy Days. Lakeside Branch Library, 9839 Vine St.
619-443-1811.