More than 50,000 visitors are expected for Pacific Beach’s biggest party: the annual Pacific BeachFest, Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be plenty of free, fun and family-friendly action on the sand and along the boardwalk, starting with action sports such as the 2 Man Pro-Am Volleyball Tournament, Social 6 man Volleyball, the Revolt Summer Series Surf competition south of Crystal Pier, as well as the fun 5k run on the beach. “Pacific BeachFest is our signature festival meant to promote all things Pacific Beach,” said Sara Berns, executive director of Discover PB, the event’s host.
Berns noted the business improvement district (BID) has spent a lot of time and resources “growing this event to make it what we believe is a fun, unique festival experience worthy of PB. “This year we added the VAVI 4-sum Beach Volleyball tournament to include local folks who may not qualify for the Healthy Souls Pro-Am tournament but who still want to have some good, clean competition on the sand,” she said. Registration for the tournament and the Pacific BeachFest 5k are still open, said Berns, noting there will be an extra-added something this year at the festival. 
“In celebration of San Diego and all the great venues in PB, this year our beer garden will officially be the San Diego Craft Beer Garden and feature some of San Diego’s best microbrews, including Karl Strauss, Green Flash, Belching Beaver, Ironfire, Coronado and Hess,” Berns said. “We will still have wine available as well, hosted by Turquoise Cellars.”
The increasingly popular festival will also feature the seventh annual battle for Best of the Beach Fish Taco, with reigning champs Sandbar Sports Bar being challenged by PB Shore Club, The Fish Shop, Bub’s, The Local PB, and Sunset Restaurant Management Group (PB/Cabo Cantina and Baja Beach Café).
“This fish taco challenge is becoming the most competitive ‘sport’ in the festival,” said Berns, adding, “There is plenty of stuff to see and do, all of our local schools and community groups will be out, and we have a new expanded kids action alley on Thomas Avenue with fun for the littlest beachgoers. Pacific Beachfest is a great day for PB with activities happening from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. so we hope to see everyone out.”
Throughout the action-packed day, thousands of festivalgoers can enjoy live music on three stages: The Main Stage featuring world beat dance music; the Community Stage featuring the best talent in PB; and Grand Stage where the hottest DJs and reggae will be featured in the San Diego Craft Beer Garden.
Guests can shop and browse among the dozens of fine arts and crafts displays and visit the many eclectic shops and popular restaurants in the laid-back beachside community at the Merchant Sidewalk Sale.
No BeachFest attendee will go hungry as the Taste of PB food court also provides a variety of the area’s finest restaurants serving up tasty cuisines. Enjoy the scenic views and wash those fish tacos down at the inaugural Craft Beer Garden.
For more information, visit pacificbeachfest.org or call (858) 273-3303 or email [email protected]. When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
Events: Fish Taco Contest (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), 5k beach run (starts 8:30 a.m.), Healthy Souls Pro Volleyball (starts 8 a.m.), RSSS surf competition (starts 8 a.m.)
Info: pacificbeachfest.org.