Things to Do in National City

Leaving the bustle of the 805 freeway, visitors to Sweetwater Farms are swiftly transported to a pastoral scene alive with the sound of hoof clopping and constant horse-centric activity. The riding school has been tutoring riders in English-, Western-, and trail-riding styles since 1985, with programs that range from beginning horsemanship to hosting full-fledged hunter/jumper shows. Trail rides saddle guests atop steady, gentle dude-ranch horses or rehabilitated mechanical bulls for tours through nature, and horse camps immerse young riders in the world of horses to build riding skills, as well as confidence and responsibility. In addition to welcoming guests to their programs, Sweetwater Farms also boards and sells horses.

Though most art studios operate in a set brick-and-mortar locale, Paint and Palate floats to a rotating cache of locations, celebrating creative ingenuity with cuisine and libations available for purchase. Each painting session pivots on a different theme, whether participants invent their own take on a Picasso classic while snacking on bruschetta, perfect soft, Monet-like brush strokes next to a glass of wine, or stack up thick layers in the style of Van Gogh as they listen to constructive criticism from the voices in their heads. Paint and Palate also sets itself apart by donating 10 percent of its proceeds to local charities that address the needs of children and the elderly.

Seasoned boaters and new boatees will gain seaside exposure to the latest boat products as well as enormous gallery views of boats both old and new. For those looking to buy a boat as an act of love or contrition, boat dealers populate the event and will happily take you on a test ride of one of their skiffs before you return to shore for a full day's worth of brokerage boats, free boat rides, seminars, 80 exhibitor booths keeping you up to date on marine mobility, and live music set against a beer garden. Begin the education process for your long-awaited return to the ocean.

In 1991, the eponymous founder of Losina Art Center, Olya Losina, moved to La Jolla from Moscow, where she was raised among a vibrant artistic community and served as the art director for the Soviet Union's largest multilingual publishing facility. Losina's fine-art methods, which she honed while obtaining her master's degree at Moscow University, focus on teaching art as a science. While helping her students at the center to work toward mastery of portraiture, the human form, landscapes, and still-life subjects, she performs exercises that aim to reach them on a subconscious level. Together with Losina, the students examine the conscious thoughts that often intrude upon creative expression. They approach the artistic consciousness as a surgeon would approach a brain when trying to dislodge catchy pop tunes from the frontal lobe. With obstructions cleared, pupils find themselves able to work freely and efficiently.

The paddle wheels of The Sternwheelers' two signature boats churn through the blue-green waters of Mission Bay, transporting passengers back more than a century to when steamboats dominated America's rivers. Across the 100-foot-long William D. Evans, festive events with up to 600 passengers unfold under ornamental pressed-tin ceilings, handcrafted lamps, and the astronaut-crafted stars viewable on the open-air top deck. Handmade masts at the bow lead the ship's way, and its hundreds of decorative bulbs illuminate the bay at night. Bahia Belle, William D. Evans' smaller sibling, offers a more intimate space for gatherings. Its Victorian decor and architecture make way for a stained-glass skylight that beams vivid colors across its interior, resplendent with cast-iron staircases and red-velvet curtains. Weddings, banquets, and other events also take place on the boats between public cruises, each craft's rich detailing setting the tone for trips to remember.