Amy Malone School of Cake Decorating: “Cookie Decorating for Spring” (Mar. 13. 10-1 p.m. $50) and “Pulled Sugar Artistry” (Mar. 27. 10-1 p.m. $45). 4212 Camino Alegre, La Mesa. 619/660-1900. www.amymalone.com.
Cookbook Collectors Club, Mar. 29: Promote interest in old cookbooks while learning all about them. 2 p.m. First meeting free. Cook Books and Paperbacks Store, 4108 Adams Ave., Kensington. 619/284-8224.
Cooking with Class, all month: “Dinner Party” (Mar. 12), “Fabulous Brunch” (Mar. 17), “Olé! Classic Dishes of Spain” (Mar. 31) and more. 6-8:30 p.m. $49. Inside San Diego Kitchen & Bath, 8290 Miramar Road. 858/578-COOK. www.sdcookingwithclass.com.
Great News Cooking School, all month: “De-Mystifying Convection Cooking” (Mar. 4), “Shrimp and Salmon Specialties” (Mar. 9), “Show Stopping Appetizers” (Mar. 18) and more. Times/prices vary. 1788 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach. 888/478-2433. www.great-news.com.
Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop & Cooking School, all month: “Classic Steakhouse Cuisine” (Mar. 10), “Cooking in France” (Mar. 23), “Pork Possibilities” (Mar. 31) and more. Times/prices vary. 127 N. El Camino Real, Suite D, Encinitas. 760/942-3228. www.kitchenwitchonline.com.
Big City Chefs, ongoing: In-home cooking classes and demonstrations around San Diego County with executive level chefs. Call toll free 866/321-CHEF for prices and available dates. www.bigcitychefs.com.
The Pampered Chef, ongoing: Discover the chef in you or enjoy in-home cooking classes with Annette Robino. 858/452-7097 (evening) or 619/972-8130 (day). www.pamperedchef.biz/annetterobino.
Unforgettable Desserts, ongoing: Individual and group pastry classes for all skill levels with hands-on experience from premier pastry artist, Chef Michel Morlas. Call for information. Loma Portal Gallery kitchen, near Sports Arena. 619/224-CAKE. www.sandiegocake.com.
Gardens
The Flower Fields, Mar. 1-May 9: One of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty with nearly 50 acres of giant Tecolote ranunculus flowers. Special events include Kids’ Day (Mar. 27). Daily 9-6. $10/adults, $9/seniors, $5/ages 3-10, free/ages under 3. Season passes available. 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad. 760/431-0352. www.theflowerfields.com.
San Diego Horticultural Society, Mar. 8: San Diego author Pat Welsh presents “Growing Summer Vegetables the Organic Way: How to Plant, Feed, Water, Harvest and Control Pests and Diseases without Synthetic Fertilizers or Poisonous Sprays.” 6-9 p.m. $5, free/members. Surfside Race Place, Del Mar Fairgrounds. 760/295-7089. www.sdhortsoc.org.
Encinitas Garden Tour, Mar. 13: Tour four diverse gardens in the Encinitas neighborhoods of Olivenhain and Leucadia. Local nurseries and businesses offer special discounts to attendees. 9-4. $15/San Diego Horticultural Society members; $20/non-members; $23/day of event. Tour maps with reservations. On-line (due March 11) at tours@sdhortsoc.org; day of event tickets available at Grangettos, 189 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, 760/944-5777.
Southern California Plumeria Society, Mar. 14: Everyone is welcome to the monthly meetings. 1-3 p.m. Free. War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., Balboa Park. 619/461-5942. www.socalplumeriasociety.com.
San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation, Mar. 20-21: A variety of garden clubs hold shows and sales including Ikebana International Chapter 119 Show. Sat. 12-4, Sun. 10-4. Casa del Prado, Room 101, Balboa Park. 619/232-8232. www.sdbgf.org.
San Diego Orchid Society 64th Annual Show and Sale, Mar. 26-28: “A Rainbow of Orchids” offers displays by members, vendors from California, Ecuador and Brazil, classes and more. Fri./4-8, Sat./9-6, Sun./10-4. $7/adults, free/ages under 13. $10/weekend pass. Scottish Rite Event Center, 1895 Camino del Rio South, Mission Valley. 619/405-0412. www.sdorchids.com.
Master Gardener Spring Seminar, Mar. 27: Don’t miss the 20th Annual San Diego Master Association Spring Home Gardening Seminar offering 27 classes plus plant sales, garden art and books. 8-3:30. USD campus.858/694-2860. www.mastergardenerssandiego.org.
Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society, Mar. 27: Visitors are welcome to the monthly meeting that includes a guest speaker, plant sale and refreshments. 12 p.m. Joslyn Senior Center, 724 N. Broadway, Escondido. 760/753-3651.
Balboa Park Botanical Building, ongoing: One of the largest lath structures in the world housing more than 2,100 permanent plants featuring collections of cycads, ferns, orchids, other tropical plants, palms and seasonal flower displays. Fri.-Wed. 10-4. Free. Balboa Park. 619/239-0512. www.balboapark.org.
Buena Creek Gardens, ongoing: Four-acre retail nursery and display garden featuring new and uncommon flowering perennials, shrubs, daylilies, vines and drought-tolerant plants. Hours vary. 418 Buena Creek Road, San Marcos. 760/744-2810. www.buenacreekgardens.com.
Chekwaa Gardens at Barona Resort and Casino, ongoing: Wander through the beautiful landscape including the Rose Garden, Chef’s Garden, Water Garden, nursery and more. Guided group tours upon request. Daily 10-3. 1932 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside. 619/443-2300.
Japanese Friendship Garden, ongoing: View the koi pond, bonsai area, exhibit house, sand and zen garden or sign up for a class. Tue.-Sun. 10-4. $4/adults, $2.50/seniors/military/students, free/ages under 7. Next to Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. 619/232-2721. www.niwa.org.
San Diego Botanic Garden, ongoing: More than 35 acres of exhibits including rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, California native plants, the Undersea Succulent Garden, Hamilton Children’s Garden and more. Special events include “Herb Festival, Spring Plant Sale and Tomatomania” (Mar. 20-21). Daily 9-5. $12/general, $8/seniors/students/active military, $6/ages 3-12, free/ages under 3/members. 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. 760/436-3036. www.SDBGarden.org.
San Diego Floral Association Library, ongoing: The public is invited to visit the extensive library and make use of the information available. Mon.-Fri. 10-3. Casa del Prado, Room 105, Balboa Park. 619/232-5762. www.sdfloral.org.
Museums
Coronado Museum of History & Art: “Coronado: We Remember” (through mid May) combines stories, historical vignettes of artifacts, photographs, textiles and documents from the Archives of the Coronado Historical Association. Daily 10-5. $4 suggested donation. 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619/435-7242. www.coronadohistory.org.
Lux Art Institute: Visitors view art and see art happen — live and in real-time being created by real-world artists from around the globe featuring artist Iva Gueorguieva (On-Exhibit through Mar. 17) and artist Robert Lobe (In-Studio Mar. 27-Apr. 24 and On-Exhibit through May 22). Thur.-Fri. 1-5, Sat. 11-5. $10/two visits, free/ages under 21. 1550 South El Camino Real, Encinitas. 760/436-6611. www.luxartinstitute.org.
Maritime Museum: One of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship Star of India. Daily 9-8. $14/adults, $11/seniors/active military, $8/ages 6-17, free/ages under 6. 1492 N. Harbor Dr., downtown. 619/234-9153. www.sdmaritime.org.
Marston House Museum and Gardens: Six-bedroom, seven-bath house designed by Irving J. Gill furnished in the Arts and Crafts style. Fri.-Sun. 10-5. $8/adults, $5/seniors, $4/ages 6-12, free/ages under 6. 3525 Seventh Ave., Balboa Park. 619/297-9327. www.sohosandiego.org.
Mingei International Museum: Dynamic, changing exhibitions of folk art, craft and design featuring “Rite and Ritual – Ceremonial Art Across Cultures” (through Oct. 16). Thur.-Sat. 11-4. $3/adults, $2/seniors/ages 6-17, free/ages under 6/first Thursday and second Saturday monthly. 155 West Grand Ave., Escondido. 760/735-3355. www.mingei.org.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: “Cerca Series: Mara De Luca” and “New Works: Laerke Lauta” (Mar. 21-June 27) are featured. Thur.-Tue./11-5, Third Thur. monthly/11-7, closed Wed. $10/general, $5/seniors/military, free/ages under 25. 1100 and 1001 Kettner Blvd., downtown. 858/454-3541. www.mcasd.org.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: View “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol and Friends” and “Erik Levine” (through Mar. 21), “Pleasure Point: Celebrating 25 Years of Contemporary Collectors” (through May 16) plus ongoing exhibitions, lectures, films and special events. Thur.-Tue./11-5, Third Thur. monthly/11-7, closed Wed. $10/general, $5/seniors/military, free/ages under 25. 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858/454-3541. www.mcasd.org.
Museum of Making Music: Explores the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today. Tue.-Sun. 10-5. $7/general, $5/seniors/students/active military, free/ages under 6. 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad. 760/438-5996. www.museumofmakingmusic.org.
Museum of Man: Permanent exhibits explore the Maya, ancient Egypt, the Kumeyaay Indians of San Diego County, Human Evolution, and the Human Life Cycle complemented by a series of changing exhibits on display throughout the museum. Daily 10-4:30. $10/adults, $7.50/seniors/students/active military, $5/ages 3-12, half-price/Sat.-Sun. 10-12 (through May 31), free/ages under 3. 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/239-2001. www.museumofman.org.
Museum of Photographic Arts: View “State of Mind: A California Invitational” (through June 6). Tue.-Sun. 10-5. $6/adults, $4/seniors/students/military, free/ages under 12/members/second Tue. monthly. Film prices vary. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/238-7559. www.mopa.org.
Museum of San Diego History: “Faces of the Frontier: Photographic Portraits from the American West, 1845-1924” (Mar. 12-June 6) and “San Diego Style” (through Apr. 1) plus lectures and special events. Tue.-Sun. 10-5. $5/adults, $4/seniors/students/military, $2/ages 6-17, half-price/Sat.-Sun. 10-12 (through May 31), free/ages under 6/every second Tuesday. Casa de Balboa, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/232-6203. www.sandiegohistory.org.
Natural History Museum: “Charles Cramer: Lyrical Landscapes” photography exhibition (through May 2) plus ongoing exhibits, classes, lectures, films and field trips. Sun.-Thur. 10-7, Fri.-Sat. 10-9:30. $13/adults, $11/seniors, $8/active military/ages 13-17, $7/ages 3-12, free/members. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/232-3821. www.sdnhm.org.
Oceanside Museum of Art: “Plastic Fantastic: Allison Renshaw (through June 20) and John Zabrucky “Industrial Alchemy” (through Mar. 28). Tue.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-4. $8/general, $5/seniors, free/students/active military. 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside. 760/435-3720. www.oma-online.org.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Seven galleries of “hands-on” and “do-touch” interactive exhibits for all ages, giant-screen films and amazing planetarium shows, a 23-passenger motion simulator ride and more. Daily hours vary. $8.75-$19.50. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/238-1233. www.rhfleet.org.
San Diego Air & Space Museum: A journey through the history of flight. Daily 10-4:30. $15/adults, $12/seniors/students/retired military, $6/ages 3-11, free/ages under 3/active military/fourth Tuesday monthly. 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. 619/234-8291. www.sandiegoairandspace.org.
San Diego Museum of Art: “From Rembrandt’s Studio: The Prints of Ferdinand Bol” (through Mar. 7) is featured along with films, courses, music and special events. Tue.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. $12/general, $9/seniors/military, $8/students, $4.50/ages 6-17, free/ages under 6. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/232-7931. www.sdmart.org.
Timken Museum of Art: View “Rembrandt’s Recession: Passion and Prints in the Dutch Golden Age” (through May 2). Tue.-Sat. 10-4:30, Sun. 1:30-4:30. Free. 1500 El Prado, Balboa Park. 619/239-5548. www.timkenmuseum.org.
USS Midway Museum: An unforgettable adventure for the entire family with more than 40 exhibits and 21 restored aircraft. Daily 10-5. $17/adults, $13/seniors/students, $10/retired military, $9/ages 6-17, free/ages under 6/active military. Navy Pier, 910 N. Harbor Dr., downtown. 619/544-9600. www.midway.org.
Veterans Museum and Memorial Center: Houses a unique collection of artifacts and memorabilia covering all branches of the service featuring exhibits from World War I and II, Pearl Harbor, the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, Desert Storm and Women in the Military. Tue.-Sun. 10-4. $5/general, $4/veterans/seniors, $2/students, free/ages under 12/active military/second Tuesday monthly. 2115 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. 619/239-2300. www.veteranmuseum.org.
Women’s History Museum and Educational Center: A variety of changing exhibits and displays on women’s history. Tue.-Sat. 12-4. Free admission. Donations welcome. 2323 Broadway, Suite 107, Golden Hill. 619/233-7963. www.whrp.net.
