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Show ‘n Shine

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READER NOTE: With respect to the social-distancing mandate and the ever-evolving COVID-19 guidelines, it is recommended to check with each event to determine its status. Most public museums are closed until further notice.

Daily: J.A. Cooley Museum, 4233 Park Blvd., North Park, off El Cajon Boulevard. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The museum specializes in early years of automotive history and features 24 cars in original condition, including three early Cadillacs. But there are many categories of antiques displayed, including vintage model trains. $5. Info: (619) 296-3112.

Tuesday-Saturday: Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 3190 Lionshead Ave., Carlsbad. More than 450 miniature, working internal combustion engines and more than 150 steam and Sterling engines. Model airplanes, ships, tools, construction equipment, dollhouses and miniature guns by the world’s finest craftsmen are also on display. Free. Info: (760) 727-9492 and CraftsmanshipMuseum.com.

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Motor Transport Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 31949 Campo Road (state Route 94), Campo 91906. This old-truck museum has weatherworn hulks and some restored rigs, heavy equipment, light trucks and more dating back to 1912. Info: (619) 478-2492 and Motortransportmuseum.org.

Thursdays through Sundays: National City Depot Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 922 W. 23rd St., National City (Mile of Cars exit from I-5). Free, donations accepted. Old street cars on display, large model railroad, pristine museum exhibits and more. The building is a state historic landmark, the former general offices of the California Southern Railroad. Info: (619) 474-4400 and sdera.org.

Wednesday-Saturday: San Diego Police Museum, 4710 College Ave., noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. There are features on heroes, history, mysteries and more. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Info: SD Police museum.

CLOSED FOR COVID-19 Through June 13: “That ’70s Car Show: A Decade of Change,” 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. A special display of 17 cars and displays of various ’70s toys, games and advertising. Among the cars on view (sourced from local and regional collectors) are a 1975 Ford Gran Torino police interceptor in tribute to the “Starsky & Hutch” TV series, a 1975 AMC Gremlin (with the Levi’s Edition interior), a 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire (with side-facing third row seats and “woodgrain” side trim) and the mirror ball 1971 Ford Pinto, “Disco Pinto,” covered in more than 23,000 three-quarter-inch mirror tiles (Plexiglas covers were made so the windshield and rear windows could also be covered to match, and removed so the car could be driven). General admission $12, $8 for seniors (65 or older), military with ID and students with ID; last admission 4:30 p.m. The permanent side of the museum is free to all San Diego County residents and military with ID on fourth Tuesdays; with a $2 fee for the special displays. Info: (619) 231-2886 and sdautomuseum.org.

April 3: Dirty Bombs cruise night, 7-10 p.m. Fridays, Charley’s Famous Hamburgers, 8213 Broadway, Lemon Grove. Info: Dirty Bombs

April 4: Perros Viejos Motorcycle Club, 6-9 a.m. Saturdays, Waterfront Bar and Grill, 2044 Kettner Blvd., 92101. All bikes and years welcome for bike chat and rides. Info: email perrosviejoschapter@yahoo.com.

April 4: Air-Cooled VWs, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, In-n-Out, 4605 Frazee Road (at state Route 76), Oceanside. Info: Ken Hansen or Andy McCoy, VolkerRaderVdub.

April 4: Dunkers & Clunkers donut run, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Saturdays, Bonita Donuts, 4414 Bonita Road (Von’s Center). (619) 267-7822.

April 4: Cbad Cars, 7-9 a.m. Saturdays, Poinsettia Village, 7130 Avenida Encinas, #102, Carlsbad, 92011. Open to all makes and models; free. Info: facebook.com/cbadcars.

April 4: Rockabilly Car and Bike Meet, 2-6 p.m. first Saturdays, Legacy Brewing Co., 363 Airport Road, Oceanside, 92058. Free to show and view with live rockabilly bands. Info: facebook.com/LegacyBrewingCompany.

April 4: Beef ’n Bun, 5 p.m., first and third Saturdays, 2477 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon. Camaro Club, Over the Hill Gang and others. Info: John (619) 884-9984.

April 4: Gear Head Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to noon, first Saturdays, Five Guys Escondido, 1348 W. Valley Parkway. Presented by the Mustang Club. Info: sdmustangclub.com.

April 4: San Diego RX Club monthly meet, 11:30 a.m. first Saturdays, Liberty Station, 2500 Historic Decatur Road (central lot, east side). Info: SD RX7 Club.

April 4: Poway Cruisers Cruise-In, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Saturdays, In-N-Out Burger, 12890 Gregg Court, Poway. Free; raffles and trophies. Info: (619) 992-9114 and PowayCruisers.

April 4: Air-Cooled Only Friday Night Meet at the Beach, 6-9 p.m. first and third Fridays, Buccaneer Beach, 1506 Pacific St., Oceanside, 92054. Open to all VWs and mini trucks.

April 5: Rods’n Donut Social, 7 a.m. Sundays, New York Bakery, 245 E. Main St., El Cajon.

April 5: El Cerrito Cars & Coffee, 8:30-10:30 a.m. first Sundays, Chase Bank parking lot, 4627 College Ave. at El Cajon Boulevard (Ultreya coffee and tea and Subway shops will be open). Open to all vehicles. Info: email elcerritocnc@gmail.com.

April 5: ABATE 6, noon, first Sundays, Kate Sessions Memorial Park, 5115 Soledad Road, San Diego, 92109. Open to all motorcycles and riders, but nonriders are welcome. ABATE — American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education — is a nonpartisan political motorcyclist rights and responsibilities group. Info: Abatelocal6.org.

April 6: Antique Automobile Club of America meeting, 6:30 p.m., first Mondays, Joyce Beers Community Center, 3900 Vermont St., Hillcrest (with ample parking). The Antique Automobile Club of America is a nonprofit, national organization founded in 1935 and dedicated to the preservation, maintenance and enjoyment of historical vehicles. Open to all. Info: Mark Richards (541) 517-1393 and sandiegoregion.aaca.com.

April 7: San Diego Air Cooled (VW) Club, 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Carl’s Jr., 996 Third Ave., Chula Vista, 91911. sandiegoaircooled.com and tinyurl.com/aircooledvdubs.

April 7: Nissan/Datsun Z Car Club meeting, 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, Denny’s meeting room, 4280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. ZCSD.org.

April 7: San Diego MG Club meeting, 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, Marie Callender’s, 6950 Alvarado Road (Next to DZ Akins), San Diego, 92120. Arrive early for socializing. Info: San Diego MG Club

April 7: North Coast Vettes meeting, 6:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Jolly Roger Restaurant, 1900 Harbor Drive North, Oceanside, 90803. Visitors always welcome. Info: NorthCoastVettes.

April 7: IB Car Show, 4-8 p.m. first Tuesdays, Palm Avenue and Sea Coast Drive, Imperial Beach, 91932. Open to all vehicles. Info: ImperialBeachCarShow.

April 7: San Diego Association of Car Clubs meeting, 7-8 p.m. first Tuesdays, San Diego Automotive Museum (upstairs), Balboa Park. Info: carclubcouncilofsandiego.com

April 8: Mopar Club of San Diego (Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge classic and modern) meeting, 7 p.m., second Wednesdays (except December), Casa Machado (upstairs), 3750 John J. Montgomery Drive, 92123. Info: moparsdpres@gmail.com and Mopar Club San Diego

April 9: Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego monthly meeting, 7-8:30 p.m. second Thursdays, Center for Sustainable Energy, 3980 Sherman St., Suite 170, San Diego, 92110. EVAoSD advocates for and educates about electric vehicles. Info: sandiegoev.org.

April 9: Happy Days Car Gathering, 4 p.m. Thursdays, Carl’s Jr., 2935 Jamacha Road, Rancho San Diego, between Discount Tire and TGI Fridays.

April 10: Corvette Owners Club of San Diego monthly meet, 7:30 p.m. second Fridays, Elijah’s Restaurant and Deli, 7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (just east of I-805), Kearny Mesa. Info: cocsd.com.

April 11: Porsche 356 meet, 7 a.m., second Saturdays, Studio Diner, 4701 Ruffin Road, San Diego, 92123.Owners and fans are invited to learn about the 356 Club of Southern California. Info: 356 Club.

April 12: Coffee and Cars on the Mesa, 6:30-9:30 a.m., second Sundays, JBA Speed Shop, 5675 Kearny Villa Road. Always a good time with dozens of cars on view, shop tours and loud pipes. Info: JBA Racing.

April 14: North County Corvette Club meeting, 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Living Way Church, 13604 Midland Road, Poway, 92064. Info: ncocc.com.

April 15-Postponed: Cajon Classic Cruise Opening Night, 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays through October, downtown El Cajon, Main Street and Magnolia Avenue. Info: Charger Steve (760) 440- 0895 and Downtownelcajon.com/cajon-classic-cruise/.

April 15: Early Ford V-8 Club meeting, 7 p.m., third Wednesdays (except December), second floor of the San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, 92101. sandiegoearlyfordv8club.org.

April 16: Heartbeat Classics of North San Diego County meeting, 7 p.m. third Thursdays (except December), Mike’s Barbecue, 1356 W. Valley Parkway, Escondido 92029. “You don’t have to own one, you just have to like them.” Info: Mark Pilch (760) 221-6869 and TheHeartbeatClassics.

April 16: Beef ’n Bun Crew and Car Junkies, 6 p.m. third Thursdays, Beef n’ Bun 2477 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon. Presented by the Motorhead Misfits, the cruise features hot rods, classics, customs, trucks and motorcycles. (619) 517-2522.

April 18: Oil/Oil Filter Recycling, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chollas Operations Yard, College Grove Drive at Caminito Chollas, San Diego, 92105. Items accepted include used motor oil and contaminated oil, oil filters, auto batteries, antifreeze and household fluorescent bulbs and batteries. The recycling is free for city of San Diego residents only and no business waste is allowed. Info: (858) 694-7000 or tinyurl.com/UsedOilRecycling.

April 18: Christian Rods and Customs San Diego Chapter, 5-6:30 p.m. third Saturdays, Faith Chapel 9400 Campo Road, Spring Valley, 92071. Info: christianrodsandcustomssd.com.

April 18: Hillcrest Classic Car Show, 1-4 p.m. third Saturdays, Pride Plaza, along Normal Street, Hillcrest. Presented by Great Autos of Yesteryear and Fabulous Hillcrest, the show is open to all makes and models. Free to view and show. Info: hillcrestclassiccarshow.com.

April 18: Mustang Club Evening Gearhead Rendezvous, 3-6 p.m., Classics Malt Shop, 3615 Midway Drive, Loma Portal. Info: mustangclubsd.com

April 18: Classics Malt Shop Cruise, 4 p.m. third Saturdays, 3625 Midway Drive, Loma Portal. Open to all cars and trucks. Food discounts (fabulous burgers, hand-cut fries, chicken specialties, salads, the Cadillac of hot dogs, old-time ice cream specialties), music, opportunity drawings. Info: (619) 226-1600.

April 19: East County Cruisers’ Summer Fling, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee 92071. Open to all makes and models of cars and bikes; expect 150 cars or more. The show will benefit Homefront San Diego and local civilian families. $25 registration in advance; $30 on site. Proceeds will benefit Homefront San Diego (homefrontsandiego.org) and civilian families. Parking is on grass, but city regulations prevent early departures. Also featured will be food (Big J’s BBQ), vendors and raffles. Info: eastcountycruisers.com or (760) 440-0896.

April 21: Light ‘Em Up meet, 6 p.m. third Tuesdays, Denny’s, 540 W. Vista Way, Vista. Open to all interesting cars, foreign or domestic. Info: George (714) 724-8538.

April 19: Coffee and Datsuns, 8-10 a.m. third Sundays, Coffee Bean and Tea, 12070 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, 92128. A gathering of Datsun, Nissan and old-school Japanese cars. Coffee And Datsuns

April 22: Antique Motorcycle Club of America meet, 7 p.m. fourth Wednesdays, Elijah’s Restaurant, 7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., 92111. Rides, events, support, and camaraderie for enthusiasts with interest in maintenance and enjoyment of all brands of pre-1985 motorcycles. Sponsored by the Perros Viejos Chapter of the AMCA. Info: email perrosviejoschapter@yahoo.com.

April 22: Mustang Club of San Diego meeting, 7 p.m. fourth Wednesdays, JBA Speed Shop, 5675 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, 92123. Info: mustangclubsd.com.

April 23: San Diego Miata Club monthly meetings, 6-8 p.m., fourth Thursdays, Hamburger Factory Family Restaurant, 14122 Midland Road, Poway. Guests are always welcome to the informal meetings. Info: sandiegomiataclub.org.

April 26: XXII Heartbeat Happening, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. Presented by the Heartbeat Classics club, the long-running annual show is open to 1975 and older vehicles; expect up to 250 vehicles. And also featured will be big rig tractors. Registration $30; free to view. Proceeds will benefit the Veterans Association of North County. Also featured will be a craft show, pancake breakfast and barbecue. Info: Mark Pilch (760) 221-6869 or theheartbeatclassics.com.

April 26: MotorCars on MainStreet, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Isabella and Orange Avenues, Coronado. Expect at least 400 pre-1973 classics, hot rods, convertibles and more. Free to view. Show registration $40 before April 19, $45 after. Sponsored in part by Cumming Chevrolet. Info: CoronadoMainStreet.com or (619) 437-0254.

April 26: RHD (Right Hand Drive) Society of Southern California Meet and Show, 8-11 a.m. fourth Sundays, 4941 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 92107. Open to all RHD makes and models. Free to exhibit. Info: hgslajolla@gmail.com

April 26: Classic Thunderbirds of San Diego monthly meeting, 2 p.m. fourth Sundays, Kearny Pearson Ford, 7303 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, 92111-1101. Info: Tbirds of San Diego.

April 26: Cars-Coffee-Donuts, 7-9:30 a.m. last Sundays, Donut Touch, Mira Mesa, 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd. Open to all makes and models; no speeding, no burnouts. Info: facebook.com/carscoffeedoughnutsSanDiego.

May 1: 20th annual Cruisin’ Grand Opening Night, 5-9 p.m. Fridays through September, Grand Avenue, Escondido. Pre-1974 vehicles. Free to view. Expect around 400 1974 and older vehicles of all makes, models and styles. NOTE: The season-opener was rescheduled from April 3 and all April dates were cancelled; check the website for updates. Info: CruisinGrand.com.

May 6: Palomar Model A Ford Club meeting, 6 p.m. first Wednesdays, Palomar Estates East Clubhouse, 650 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos. Topics of discussion will include club tours, activities and technical advice. Day tours are usually scheduled for the Saturday after the meeting, departing from the clubhouse. Model A owners or aficionados welcome. Info: email, barb11how@gmail.com; (619) 425-3241; or palomarmodelaclub.org.

May 16: 18th annual Run to the Hills, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown Pine Valley. Presented by the Monday Nite Car Club, expect around 300 cars and trucks. Open to all makes and models; free to view. Show registration $25 in advance, $30 day of show. Proceeds will benefit various youth programs and the club’s toy drive for military families. Also featured will be breakfast, raffles, DJ music, vendors. Info: (619) 504-2682 and mondaynitecarclub.com.

May 17: 4th annual Eye Candy Car and Bike Show, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pal Joey’s, 5147 Waring Road, San Diego 92120. Open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles. Proceeds will benefit the Braille Institute of San Diego. Registration $30 for cars and trucks, $20 for motorcycles; free to view. Info: Friendsofbrailleinstitutesd.org.

May 17: 43rd annual Plastic Fantastic All-Corvette show, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Embarcadero Park North at Seaport Village. Presented by North County Corvette Club as the oldest and largest all-Corvette car show in the Southwest. Expect around 400 cars. Show registration $35; no day-of-show entries. Also featured will be music, vendors, raffles and food. Proceeds will benefit the USO San Diego. Info: ncocc.com.

June 27: 5th annual Shelby-Ford-AMC Show, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido, 92026. Sponsored by the Shelby American Automobile Club and JBA Speed Shop, the show is open to all Shelby-related cars (originals or replicas) and all years of non-Shelby Fords and AMCs; $30 preregistration. Proceeds to benefit Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station. Info: socalsaac.org and facebook.com/SDcarshows.

Sept. 19-20: (rescheduled from April 17-19): 16th annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance weekend. This high-fashion event will gather 130 top-quality cars and activities at several locations around La Jolla. The featured marque will be Bugatti with a tribute to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. And just outside the concours grounds will be the free La Jolla Motor Car Classic, which runs along Coast Boulevard up to Prospect Street in the village. There will be 90 cars on view, ranging from classics to race cars and modified. Info: Lajollaconcours.com.

Sept. 20: (rescheduled from March 22): 27th Annual Bob Baker Vintage Volkswagen Spring Festival, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5500 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, 92008. Open to all air-cooled VWs; $20 to show; free to view. Also featured will be music and food trucks. http://cars.bobbakervw.com.

Oct. 2-4: Goodguys 20th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, Del Mar Fairgrounds. Rescheduled from the spring dates of April 3-5. The annual mechanical mecca features 1987 and older hot rods, customs, classics, street rods, muscle cars and trick trucks. Vehicles will be displayed on acres of outside blacktop with dozens, if not hundreds more, inside the buildings. There typically are 1,500-2,500 vehicles on display over the weekend. Special attractions will include the AutoCross “Duel in Del Mar” Shootout on Saturday, the Lowrider Palace (with local and regional cars) and the Nitro Thunderfest Dragster exhibition on Friday and Saturday. Also featured will be vendor exhibits and a manufacturer midway, a burnout competition, an auto parts swap meet and cars-for-sale area, a model car show and a kids’ zone featuring a coloring contest, arts and crafts, games, Auto World Stores model car kit make-and-take sessions.
Special features: Saturday will feature the special Camaro Corral and the Air Cooled Corral. Other themed areas will include Homebuilt Heaven, Builder’s Corral, Tri 5 Chevy Corral, Mighty Muscle and Good Wood (always with a strong showing by the San Diego Woodies).
All American Sunday, presented by Spectre Performance: open to all years of American made and powered vehicles. Sunday show participants also will able to run the Goodguys AutoCross.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: General admission $25 on Friday and Saturday, $20 Sunday; children 7-12 years $10, 6 years and younger admitted free. Save $5 on general admission until April 2 at the website. $5 discount for active or retired military with ID. Fairgrounds parking will be $15, with free shuttles.
Info: Good-guys.com

Oct. 25 (rescheduled from May 17): Air Cooled Fiesta En La Playa 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Seacoast Drive, Imperial Beach. Presented by San Diego Air Cooled, the show will include Volkswagens from pristine originals to show cars to daily drivers, bugs and buses to variants, Bajas, racers and more. Also welcome are air-cooled Porsches, Corvairs and water-cooled Volkswagens. $20 registration. Free to view. Proceeds to benefit Southwestern College A.B.L.E. Club and the Boys and Girls Clubs of IB. Info: SanDiegoAirCooled.com or Robert Valerio (619) 482-6512. Meet up 6 p.m. Tuesday evenings at Carl’s Jr., 996 Third Ave., Chula Vista, 91911.

CRUISE INs and MEETINGS

Poway Cruisers Cruise-In, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Saturdays, In-N-Out Burger, 12890 Gregg Court, Poway. Info: (619) 992-9114 and PowayCruisers.com.

Classic Malt Shop, 4 p.m. third Saturdays, 3625 Midway Drive, Loma Portal. Open to all cars and trucks. Food discounts (fabulous burgers, hand-cut fries, chicken specialties, salads, the Cadillac of hot dogs, old-time ice cream specialties), music, opportunity drawings. Info: (619) 226-1600.

Fallbrook Rods and Relics, 7 to 9 a.m. Saturdays, Sunrize Cafe, River Village, state Route 76 at Mission Road, Bonsall. (760) 555-1212.

Dunkers & Clunkers donut run, Bonita, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, 4414 Bonita Road (Vons center). South Bay Cruisers (619) 426-1882

Cbad Cars, 7-9 a.m. Saturdays, Poinsettia Village, 7130 Avenida Encinas #102, Carlsbad, 92011. Open to all years, makes; free. Info: Cbad cars.

Gear Head Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to noon, first Saturdays, Allied Gardens area, off Waring Road behind the Chevron station next to the Fosters Freeze. Presented by the Mustang Club of San Diego. Info: www.sdmustangclub.com.

Coffee and Cars on the Mesa, dawn to 10 a.m., second Sundays, JBA Performance Center, 5675 Kearny Villa Road. Info: www.JBAracing.com.

Heartbeat Classics of North San Diego County meeting, 7 p.m. third Wednesdays through September, Mike’s Barbecue, 1356 W. Valley Parkway, Escondido 92029. “You don’t have to own one, you just have to like them.” Info: Mark Pilch (760) 221-6869 and www.heartbeatclassicchevys.com.

San Diego MG Club meeting, 7 p.m. first Tuesdays,Marie Callender’s, 6950 Alvarado Road (Next to D.Z. Akin’s), San Diego, 92120. Arrive early for socializing. Info: San Diego MG Club

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