The sound of jet engines will once again fill the skies over San Diego when America’s Air Show returns to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar from September 25–27, 2026.
For anyone who enjoys aviation, military history, or simply seeing some incredible aircraft up close, the Miramar Air Show is one of the major events on San Diego’s annual calendar. The 2026 show is especially significant because it celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Miramar Air Show brings together military aircraft, demonstration teams, civilian performers, historic aircraft, and interactive displays.
One of the major attractions this year will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II demonstration. The schedule also includes the Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, a C-17 demonstration, and the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration.
The MAGTF demonstration is particularly different from a traditional air-show performance. It combines aircraft, ground forces, pyrotechnics, and tactical maneuvers to demonstrate how Marine units can operate together during a simulated battlefield scenario.
Every September, Mission Bay becomes the setting for one of Southern California’s biggest powerboat racing events. For three days, high-powered boats race around Mission Bay while spectators gather along the shoreline to watch the action.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy San Diego’s waterfront, but few are quite as loud, fast and exciting as San Diego Bayfair.
Every September, Mission Bay becomes the setting for one of Southern California’s biggest powerboat racing events. For three days, high-powered boats race around Mission Bay while spectators gather along the shoreline to watch the action.
San Diego Bayfair returns to Mission Bay September 18–20, 2026, bringing with it hydroplane racing, additional powerboat classes, food, entertainment and other activities.
The Roar of the Hydroplanes
The first thing you notice at Bayfair is the sound.
The engines of the racing boats can be heard across Mission Bay as the boats accelerate around the course. The H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are particularly impressive. These powerful racing machines skim across the water at incredible speeds, throwing huge rooster tails of water behind them.
The 2026 event features the H1 Unlimited series along with Grand Prix America, Hydro-Games and other racing classes.
For anyone who enjoys motorsports, it is a fascinating experience to see the same kind of speed normally associated with a racetrack taking place on the water.
Racing on Mission Bay
The Bayfair course has a long history.
The first race was held on Mission Bay in 1964, and the event has grown into a longtime San Diego tradition. The current 2.5-mile course is named the Bill Muncey Course, after hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey, who helped establish racing on Mission Bay.
The course takes advantage of the unique geography of Mission Bay, with viewing areas around places including Ski Beach, Crown Point, Fiesta Island and Vacation Isle.
That means there isn’t just one way to experience the races. Moving around the bay can give you completely different perspectives of the boats as they charge through the turns.
Watching the Races
If you’re visiting Bayfair for the first time, give yourself time to explore rather than staying in one spot all day.
The different viewing locations around Mission Bay provide different perspectives of the racecourse. Watching the boats approach a turn is particularly impressive as they accelerate toward the corner and throw walls of spray into the air.
And don’t forget to look toward the pits.
Seeing the boats up close provides a completely different perspective. The size, engines and mechanical complexity become much more apparent when you’re standing next to them rather than watching them from across the water.
Planning Your Visit
San Diego Bayfair 2026 September 18–20, 2026 Mission Bay, San Diego
The event takes place around Mission Bay, with activities and viewing areas including Ski Beach, Crown Point, Fiesta Island and Vacation Isle. The organizers’ official schedule and ticket information are the best places to check before heading out.
For anyone looking for a San Diego experience that combines waterfront scenery, motorsports and a little bit of controlled chaos, Bayfair is worth putting on the calendar.
Few events capture the spirit of Southern California’s automotive culture quite like the 2026 Xavier “The X-Man” Cruise for the Cause Car Show. Held at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, this annual gathering once again transformed the shopping center into a vibrant showcase of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, custom trucks, motorcycles, and modern performance vehicles—all while supporting an important charitable cause. The 24th annual event took place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, welcoming enthusiasts and families from across San Diego County.
Few events capture the spirit of Southern California’s automotive culture quite like the 2026 Xavier “The X-Man” Cruise for the Cause Car Show. Held at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, this annual gathering once again transformed the shopping center into a vibrant showcase of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, custom trucks, motorcycles, and modern performance vehicles—all while supporting an important charitable cause. The 24th annual event took place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, welcoming enthusiasts and families from across San Diego County.
A Sea of Automotive Excellence
Walking through the rows of polished vehicles, visitors were treated to an impressive display spanning nearly every era of automotive history. Beautifully restored American classics sat beside vintage pickups, while late-model Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, imports, and custom builds reflected the incredible diversity of Southern California’s car community.
While the automobiles were certainly the stars of the day, the event offered much more than rows of spectacular vehicles. Live entertainment, local vendors, food, raffle prizes, and family-friendly activities created an atmosphere that welcomed enthusiasts of every age.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Cruise for the Cause is its focus on giving back. The event brings together the local automotive community to support charitable efforts, proving that a shared passion for cars can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The waterfront at Embarcadero Marina Park North was transformed into an automotive showcase on June 7 as the Corvette Owners Club of San Diego hosted its annual Main Street America Car Show, raising funds and awareness for the San Diego Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired. One of Southern California’s premier car shows, Main Street America brought together hundreds of vehicles ranging from classic pre-war automobiles to modern Corvettes, hot rods, muscle cars, exotic sports cars, trucks, and custom builds. Spectators spent the day exploring rows of meticulously maintained vehicles while enjoying the scenic backdrop of San Diego Bay. The event serves as one of the Center’s important fundraising efforts, helping support programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Founded in 1958, the Corvette Owners Club of San Diego is one of the oldest continuously operating Corvette clubs in the country. Each year, club members and volunteers work together to organize the event, attracting car enthusiasts from throughout Southern California and beyond.
When and Where Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025 Time: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM (approximately) Location: Embarcadero Marina Park North, downtown San Diego Admission: Free for spectators
Rows of polished Corvettes lined the event grounds, displaying decades of automotive history. Visitors admired everything from classic models featuring chrome accents and vintage styling to the latest high-performance Corvettes equipped with cutting-edge technology. Owners proudly shared stories about their vehicles while answering questions from spectators and fellow enthusiasts.
The museum began in 1992, not as a large institution, but as a personal passion project. Founder Mark DiCiero built his own helicopter and learned to fly it—an experience that sparked a lifelong fascination with rotorcraft.
What started with one aircraft quickly grew. As DiCiero began collecting and restoring helicopters, a vision took shape: preserve these machines not just as artifacts, but as working pieces of history.
Hours of operation at Classic Rotors:
Tuesday & Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Mon, Wed & Thur by Appointment
Classic Rotors Helicopter Museum in Ramona, California, is one of only a few museums worldwide dedicated solely to the preservation of rare and vintage rotorcraft. Located at the Ramona Airport, it features a collection of over 40 aircraft, including unique prototypes and experimental designs.
Building a “Living” Museum
From its earliest days, the Classic Rotors Museum took a different approach. Rather than focusing solely on static displays, the museum became a working collection:
Aircraft are restored to flight-ready condition
Volunteers handle everything from maintenance to tours
Demonstrations bring helicopters back into the sky
This philosophy has turned the museum into one of the few places in the world where you can see vintage rotorcraft not just up close—but in motion.
A Rare Focus on Rotorcraft
While many aviation museums feature helicopters as part of a broader collection, Classic Rotors is dedicated almost entirely to them. Its growing collection includes:
Military helicopters from past conflicts
Experimental and early rotorcraft designs
Rare models that are difficult to find anywhere else
Each aircraft tells part of the story of vertical flight—from its early innovations to its role in modern aviation.
Powered by Volunteers
One of the most remarkable aspects of the museum is how it operates. It remains a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, sustained by people who are passionate about aviation history.
The 2026 Yuma Airshow just wrapped up its 60th-anniversary celebration, and if you weren’t at MCAS Yuma this past Saturday, you missed a masterclass in horsepower and heritage.
As the official kickoff for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ 2026 season, the energy was electric. From the smell of JP-8 fuel to the chest-thumping roar of the afterburners, here’s the breakdown of why this year’s show was one for the history books.
1. The Blue Angels Strike First
There is nothing quite like the sight of six F/A-18 Super Hornets screaming over the Arizona desert in a diamond formation. Being the season opener, the Blues were razor-sharp. Their maneuvers—from the high-speed passes that sneak up on you to the graceful “Fleur-de-Lis”—proved exactly why they remain the gold standard of aerial demonstration.
2. A Local Powerhouse: The F-35B Lightning II
Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) put the Lightning II through its paces is a different beast. Seeing a stealth jet hover mid-air and then transition into a vertical landing never gets old. It’s a loud, proud reminder of the cutting-edge tech based right in our backyard.
3. Shockwave and Spectacle
It wasn’t just about the jets. The Shockwave Jet Truck literally melted the tarmac, hitting speeds that seem to defy physics while racing planes down the runway. Combined with the “Wall of Fire” pyrotechnics, the heat from the explosions was felt all the way back in the grandstands.
4. Heritage in the Air
The show did a fantastic job honoring the past 60 years. Seeing vintage warbirds flying alongside modern fighters provided a moving “Heritage Flight” that connected the dots between the propeller-driven legends of WWII and the supersonic titans of today.
The Takeaway
The Yuma Airshow remains one of the best free community events in the Southwest. It’s a day where the gates of the base swing open, the community connects with our service members, and everyone—from toddlers to veterans—spends the day looking up in awe.
Missed the action? Keep an eye on the official Yuma Airshow site for 2027 dates and performer announcements.
Starting June 5th and running through August 28th, 2025, La Mesa Boulevard between 4th and Spring Streets, on Thursday nights from 5pm to 8pm, will be lined with an incredible array of classic cars, trucks, and vans. From gleaming hot rods to meticulously restored vintage beauties, you’ll find vehicles that tell a story of automotive evolution and passion.
What makes this car show truly special is the laid-back, community atmosphere. There’s no registration or fee to show your car – simply drive down and find a designated parking spot. Many car owners stay by their vehicles, happy to chat with visitors, share stories, and answer questions about their prized possessions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn about the history behind these rolling works of art.
Each week, local bands take to the iconic La Mesa Lumber truck “stage” at 3rd and La Mesa Blvd., providing a lively soundtrack to the evening. A DJ also adds to the festive ambiance, ensuring there’s always a beat to tap your foot to.
