(KGTV) - Memorial Day weekend is upon San Diego and that means honoring service members and enjoying the extended weekend throughout the county.
There's a lot of information out there on where to commemorate the holiday, where to go, and what to look out for this weekend. That's why we've set up this one-stop of sorts for 10News viewers to get everything they need in one trip.
Check out where Memorial Day ceremonies and events are being held, deals on food, travel advisories, and more below.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES AND EVENTS
The National Cemetery Administration is holding ceremonies to mark Memorial Day across the country, including two here in San Diego:
- Miramar National Cemetery on May 28 at 1:00 p.m. (Flag Pole Assembly Area)
- Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on May 29 at 10:00 a.m. (Rostrum)
Other ceremonies and events around the county include:
- Legacy Week at USS Midway Museum from May 27 - May 29
- Boots 2 Roots 5K Memorial Day Trail Run & Hike at Rancho Bernardo Community Park on May 28 at 7:30 a.m.
- Memorial Day observances at Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park on May 28 at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. and May 29 at 8 a.m.
- Memorial Day at Veterans Association of North County in Oceanside on May 29 at 10 a.m.
- Mt. Soledad's Memorial Day Ceremony at Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial on May 29 at 2 p.m.
- Memorial Day Celebration at La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary in National City on May 29 at 1 p.m.
- Undefeated EOD Warrior 5K at Liberty Station on May 29 at 9 a.m.
- Memorial Day ceremony at Vista Civic Center on May 29 at 10 a.m.
- City of Solana Beach & VFW Post 5431 Memorial Day ceremony at La Colonia Park on May 29 at 11 a.m.
- Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial ceremony at Webb Lake Park on May 29 at 10 a.m.
- Memorial Day ceremony at Carter Smith VFW Post 5867 in Lakeside on May 29 at 10 a.m.
- Memorial Day at American Legion San Dieguito Post 416 in Encinitas on May 29 at 10:30 a.m.
WEEKEND EATS AND DEALS
Another big aspect of Memorial Day weekend is food.
We know many of you will make it outside for some quality time by the barbecue, so be sure to find the best deals on chips, soda and other needs in our Shop Smart section.
RELATED: Small steps can save you money this Memorial Day
Other deals include:
- Teavana: Show an invitation on a mobile device between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday at a Teavana store and you can get a free 24-ounce iced tea in the Beach Bellini, Strawberry Daiquiri, or Pina Colada flavors.
- Hooters: Guests with military ID are welcome to a free entrée on Memorial Day at participating Hooters locations.
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans and active-duty military get complimentary lunch or dinner on Memorial Day.
- IKEA: Your entire family can eat for free if you’re part of the IKEA Family program, which is free to join. The total price of your meal will be deducted from any purchase of $100 or more.
- Blue Star Museums: The special program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, grants free admission to roughly 2,000 museums around the country for military families from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
- SeaWorld: Active-duty military and 3 family members can get free admission to SeaWorld through its “Waves of Honor” program.
ROAD TRIPPIN’
Gas prices are increasing for the first time in four weeks just in time for Memorial Day, according to AAA, which predicts more than 34 million Americans are planning to take a road trip – 800,000 more drivers than last year.
California and the rest of the West Coast continue to be the most expensive regions in the entire country. California drivers, in particular, are paying more than $3.00 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy’s Fuel Insights tool, prices were $3.024 per gallon in San Diego on May 25, a bit less than in Orange County ($3.062 per gallon) and Los Angeles ($3.082 per gallon) but a bit less than in Riverside ($3.003 per gallon) and San Bernardino ($3.005 per gallon).
If it’s on your route, you might want to fill up in Riverside or San Bernardino.
TRAVEL AND PARK
The roadways will be packed this weekend. So when traveling, be sure to leave with plenty of time and be patient.
Travelers can keep an eye on roadways on 10News' interactive traffic map (here) for the latest road conditions.
If you're in the Waterfront area, The Port of San Diego's waterfront shuttle service starts Friday to connect San Diego Bay visitors with waterfront businesses. The shuttle will make eight stops along Harbor Drive and run on a loop that takes approximately 20 minutes. Click here for more information.
Coronado's "free summer shuttle" program will kick off on Saturday, between Coronado City Hall to the Ferry Landing via Hotel Del Coronado. The free shuttle runs 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every 15 minutes seven days a week, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays through Labor Day. Shuttle trips are scheduled to meet ferry trips.
At the beach, parking lots will be full and parking enforcement officers will be out in coastal communities to enforce parking rules. SDPD reminds travelers:
- Unloading in marked, red zones is prohibited
- Parking spaces must not be occupied by barbecues, tables, or groups of people
- Vehicles must fit within the designated space
- Double parking is not allowed
- RVs are not allowed to occupy more than one vehicle stall
The City of San Diego designates Memorial Day as a "parking enforcement holiday," limited to parking meters, yellow commercial zones, short-term green zones and 1- to 2-hour time parking zones. All other parking regulations will be enforced.
HEADING TO THE BEACH?...
If you're heading to the beach this weekend, you won't be the only one.
San Diego Police gave beachgoers tips to make sure they enjoy a safe weekend at the beach, reminding visitors of the following rules to keep in mind:
- No smoking at any San Diego beach (including electronic cigarettes)
- No alcoholic beverages in glass containers at any beach
- No pets are allowed, except at Dog Beach, Dusty Rhodes Park (Ocean Beach), Fiesta Island (Mission Bay Park). Dogs are not allowed at beaches or bays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. When allowed, dogs must be leashed and owners must clean up after their pet.
- Do not leave you pets in hot vehicles
RELATED: Can't Miss San Diego: Things to do May 26 - 28
Many of those who head to the beach bring their own shade, which is perfectly fine according to SDPD as long as certain rules are observed:
- Fully enclosed tents are not allowed
- Shade structures, canopies, and pop-ups are allowed as long as they are 50 percent open
If you're planning on hanging out at the beach when the sun goes down:
- Bonfires must be kept within designated fire rings and flames must not exceed 12 inches high
- Wood used must be free of nails
- The use of wooden pallets is not allowed
And if you plan to really stay past the evening hours, be aware that overnight camping is not allowed at any city beach or within Mission Bay Park. Campland by the Bay or Mission Bay RV Resort, however, allow overnight camping.
SAVE THE STRESS, TAKE MTS
San Diego's Metropolitan Transit Service will be offering various promotions over the holiday weekend to help ease roadway congestion.
Foremost, there will be Memorial Day service impacts to MTS transportation to be aware of:
Service schedule impacts for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, are as follows:
- Most MTS buses and all Trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule
- Rapid 215 and 235 will operate on a Sunday schedule
- Rapid Express 237, 280 and 290 will not have service
- Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection (Routes 972, 973, 978, 979) will not have service
- Express Routes 50, 60, 110, 150 and 870 will not have service
- Rural Route 888will operate on Tuesday, May 30 instead
- Rural Routes 891, 892 and 894 will not have service
On Saturday and Sunday, up to two children (12-years-old and under) can ride free with a fare-paying adult (18-years-old and older) on all MTS routes.
On Memorial Day, MTS will allow one friend (any age) to ride free with a paying passenger on any bus or Trolley.
RELATED: What to buy, and not buy, at Memorial Day sales
Anyone with questions on MTS's holiday schedule can call the information and trip planning call center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 619-233-3004. The MTS Compass Store, Compass Service Center, and Customer Service call center will be closed.
