WM - North County  

The San Diego Film Festival's goal is to bring much-due attention and positivity to the art of independent film making. The individuals who produce, direct, and star in the featured movies get their time and attention in the spotlight, as a plethora of parties, workshops and special events are always on the itinerary. This glamorous and glitzy event is held every year in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Belmont Park truly has a little something for everyone. It has the distinction of being the only beach-side amusement park in southern California and its biggest draw is the Giant Dipper which is an original wooden rollercoaster. Another popular attraction is the Plunge, a 175-foot-deep indoor heated pool, the largest in the state. There's also Pirate's Cove which is literally a 7,000-square-foot indoor playground. Plenty of places to shop and dine can be found here, too, so make plans to head to Belmont Park and leave happy.

The Spanish Village Art Center not only offers you a chance to view and appreciate the work of several local and regional artists, but you can also take some of it home with you, too! Watercolors, prints, photographs, and even jewelry are all on display and most have reasonable price tags that make it easy to not only adorn your home with a unique piece of work, but you also support local art and the people who continue to create it. This center is, in a sense, a small colony of 37 working artists' studios and the building's design resembles that of a Spanish town square to give it a unique feel and flavor.