Your Patch Guide to Happiness

Many cities and groups will host egg hunts and encounters with a certain big white, furry guy. 

Meanwhile, someone at the San Diego Opera has a devilish sense of humor, opening Faust the day before Easter. 

Click the links for more details.

CLOSE TO HOME

• Where/when: , 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd., Ramona, 10 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: There will be more than 4,200 eggs hidden in hunts for three age groups: 2 and under, 3 to 5, and 6 and up.

• Price: $1 donation per child, $3 for parking.

• Where/when: Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve West, Hwy. 78, about 5 miles east of Ramona, 9 a.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Join the San Diego Natural History Museum's hike, one of dozens hosted throughout the county.

• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 1275 Main St., Ramona, 4 p.m. Monday.

• Why go: Author Laura McNeal will visit to discuss and sign her heralded novel Dark Water, about the relationship between a young girl and a migrant worker as a firestorm looms.

• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• Where/when: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, Thursday through Sunday.

• Why go: The Del Mar National Horse Show kicks off a three-week run with the Western competition. Dressage and jumping competitions follow in the coming weeks.

• Price: $10-$18, though some shows are free.

• Where/when: POWPAC, 13250 Poway Rd., Poway, Friday through Sunday.

• Why go: If Fawlty Towers and the Benny Hill Show are your speed, the company's new production of Pardon Me, Prime Minister might be your cup o' tea. Friday is opening night.

• Price: $13-$15; $2 extra on opening night.

• Where/when: Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Rd., Poway, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Star Rudolf Nureyev's defection from the Soviet Union 50 years ago altered the course of ballet in the West. The Southern California Ballet will celebrate the anniversary at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts with a discussion, film and performances.

• Price: $15-$28.

• Where/when: California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 6 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: Pageant season continues in San Diego with the Miss Teen California-World and junior titles up for grabs. Winners will go on to the national pageant in Houston.

• Price: $25.

• Where/when: San Diego Civic Theater, 1200 Third Ave., San Diego, 7 p.m. Saturday.

• Why go: It's hard to reclaim one's soul, according to Gounod's Faust, if one decides to part with it in exchange for material pleasure. San Diego Opera tells the tale in four performances through May 1.

• Price: $35-$195.