Fall Events in the San Diego Area

San Diego and the surrounding area plays host to a wide variety of fall events, festivals, and more to get you into the spirit of the harvest season. You can experience local cuisine, culture, and art when you attend one or more of the area’s amazing fall festivities, many of which are the largest of their kind on the West Coast.

San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival

Get ready for a taste of nearly 300 of San Diego’s restaurants, wineries, and breweries at the 12th annual San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival. Taking place this year from November 16-23, this festival is the largest food and wine event on the West Coast. Stop by just once or come back every day to experience some of the best cuisine the Bay Area has to offer or sit in on a workshop or demonstration by one of the festival’s many attending expert chefs and culinary personalities. Events include celebrity chef dinners, wine, beer, and meal tastings, informational seminars, culinary classes, and upscale parties; tickets can be purchased for a single event or as a package for the full experience.

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show

The Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show is one of the largest arts, crafts, and gift shows on the West Coast. This three-day event takes place from October 17-19, 2014, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. In addition to the thousands of vendor and food booths selling gifts and snacks, you’ll find nonstop entertainment that includes stage performances and strolling entertainers; there are also kid-friendly activities and craft demonstrations for younger attendees to enjoy. Your one-time admission allows you to return as many times as you’d like with a hand stamp so you can continue to enjoy the festival for a single low fee.

Mother Goose Parade

The Mother Goose Parade is famous for ushering in the holiday season in the Bay Area. This event is the largest parade in San Diego County—in fact, it’s the largest parade in the entire Western United States. Each year, this parade attracts over 400,000 spectators and features a new parade theme for every event. Beginning at 9am on November 23, 2014, the Mother Goose Parade winds its way through the streets of El Cajon with over 100 floats and participants, including marching bands, drill units, equestrian groups, clowns, giant balloons, and more from across the U.S. In addition to the parade itself, the Mother Goose Village is open from 9am-3pm for youngsters to enjoy.

Day of the Dead Festival at Market Creek

On November 1, San Diego residents can take part in a Day of the Dead celebration by attending the day-long Day of the Dead Festival at the Market Creek Amphitheater. Throughout the day, local and international entertainment will take to the stage with music, dance, and more. The festival also includes traditional Mexican food, a display of over 150 lowrider cars, hands-on craft workshops, and arts and crafts sales and displays. More traditional Day of the Dead events, including a Catrina competition, Calaveritas, and a blessing by the Kumeyaay Nation, will also take place throughout the day.

Carmel Pacific Ridge offers an accessible San Diego location just minutes from freeways and convenient public transportation. Furthermore, you can step right outside your apartment door to enjoy local parks, dining, entertainment, and culture, all right in your backyard. Check us out on the web to find out more about our luxury apartment community in downtown San Diego or contact us to discuss rates and availability today!

Are Your Pipes Stressed? Tips for Preventing Plumbing Leaks

Any time there is excess stress on your plumbing system, your pipes could be at risk for a leak. Factors that can stress your pipes include age, water pressure, and water hardness. Knowing the condition of your home’s plumbing and incoming water can help you to recognize the need for plumbing assistance to lower the levels of stress on your pipes and avoid future problems that could raise your water bills and damage your Anderson home.

Address High Water Pressure

Water pressure refers to the force with which water comes out of your plumbing fixtures. While many people prefer water pressure that is high, too much pressure can put every aspect of your plumbing at risk, from your pipes to your fixtures. You can test your home’s water pressure with a detachable meter; these meters are typically less than $10 at a local hardware store. Attach the meter to an outdoor hose spigot and ensure all plumbing fixtures in your home are closed and all water-using appliances are off. Turn on the spigot and read the water pressure on the gauge; “healthy” pressure should register between 40-85 psi. If your water pressure is higher than 85 psi, your pipes are under unnecessary stress. Contact your plumber to discuss installing a pressure reducer—simply reducing your water pressure to 85 psi or below will take excess stress off your pipes without affecting your comfort.

Address Hard Water

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals inside your water. Although hard water has no effect on your health, it can have an effect on the quality and longevity of your plumbing. Over time, minerals are deposited inside your pipes, leading to buildup that causes the opening through which water can flow to narrow. Buildup can also occur inside drains and fixtures, while limescale may form on tiles, porcelain, stainless steel, and even dishware washed in hard water. Hard water often hinders soap’s ability to form a later and clean, which also means your household may be using more water than necessary to bathe and clean dishes and clothes. You can find out if your home’s water is considered hard by checking with your local municipal water service or asking your plumber for more information. If your water is too hard, talk to your plumber about installing a water softening system. There are a variety of water softening systems available on the market today, each designed to remove minerals from your water as it enters your home. This will improve the quality of your water to lower the stress on your pipes and fixtures, while also reducing the amount of water you use and even improving the taste of your water.

Addressing factors that cause stress on your home’s plumbing will improve the lifetime of your pipes, fixtures, and water-using appliances. If you’d like to find out more about plumbing solutions in Anderson, SC, visit our website to check out our comprehensive plumbing services in your area. Don’t forget to click through our blog for additional tips, information, and the latest plumbing news.