Spend Your Weekend with Authors, Sports Festivals and More

It’s mid-July, which means summer is halfway over. Leave your sulking at home and get out this weekend for some neighborhood fun. Who knows? You just might forget that you’re one week closer to the unofficial end of the season.

We’ve got the best bets for this weekend’s activities, from July 15-17. Mount Helix and surrounding cities are offering up a presentation by a local author, as well as a limited access tour and sports festival. And if you’re itching to get out of town for the day, head over to Santee for a brewski birthday celebration or go downtown for a new museum exhibit to explore and a pride parade with which to celebrate.

If you’re feeling productive, you can head to the Federal Building downtown for some taxpayer help. But we won’t hold it against you if you’re already booked all day Saturday.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: , 9805 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday.
• Why go: Listen to author Bette Pegas talk about her new memoir “Chasing a Dream in the Galapagos: A Personal Evolution.”
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 12122 Cuyamaca W. College Dr., El Cajon, 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
• Why go: This special tour is specifically for those who have trouble navigating the terrain of the garden.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Athletic kids and their parents can browse sport- and health-associated booths and try out different games, like soccer, lacrosse, football and more.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where:, 9962 Prospect Ave., Santee, 1 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Celebrate a local brewery’s first birthday with beer, bands and belly’s full of food. Your cover charge will get you five tastings or a pint of your favorite brew with a souvenir glass.
• Price: $5.

• When/where: Mission San Diego de Alcalá, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, times vary, Friday through Saturday.
• Why go: Watch dancing, eat some food and experience the blessing of the bells and animals at a local mission’s celebration of Christianity in the western U.S.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Daily.
• Why go: Get transported back to the 16th century aboard the San Salvador.
• Price: Free with general museum admission ($5-$14).

• When/where: Balboa Park, the intersection of 6th Avenue and Laurel Street, San Diego, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Why go: Celebrate LGBT pride at this cultural event that features music, information and food.
• Price: $5-$30.

• When/where: Federal Building, 880 Front St., San Diego, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Why go: Get much-needed help with your taxes and all your questions answered.
• Price: Free.