California Current Events

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Welcome to the Spring 2009 edition of California Current Events! Our very current conditions here (meaning today – and likely to change tomorrow) are windy with wildflowers. We’re heading off to Yosemite to see the waterfalls tomorrow, so I’d best get going. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening in other parts of the great Golden State this Spring:


North Coast

The Anderson Valley, renowned as one of the world’s finest pinot-growing regions, hosts the 12th Annual Pinot Noir Festival on May 15 & 16. By the way, many area wineries are also hosting open house events on Sunday, May 17; check with individual venues for details. (avwines.com)


Shasta & Cascades

Are you hooked on fishing? Check out the Shasta Lake Trout Derby on May 1 & 2. What a great “excuse” to visit this beautiful area! (shastalaketroutderby.com)


Wine Country

Do you plan to be in Wine Country on May 3? You might enjoy spending time Down the Garden Path, a tour of six private gardens in and around Napa. (cenapa.ucdavis.edu)


San Francisco Bay Area

Join us for the Cinco de Mayo parade and celebration in downtown San Jose on Sunday, May 3. (Yes, I know, “cinco” means “five” and we’re a couple of days early, but Tuesday is a work day!) Guadalupe River Park will host the day’s festivities from 10am to 6pm, with musicians, dancers and plenty of food vendors. (sanjoseca.gov/prns/prnsevents.asp)

On Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7, the Art Deco Society of California will lead architectural walking tours -- of San Francisco’s fabulous Financial District Deco masterpieces on Saturday (90 minutes, flat terrain) and of Pacific Heights on Sunday (90 minutes, hilly terrain). Tours begin at 11am with a $10 general admission fee (free to ADSC members or those who join the Art Deco Society of California on the spot). Tours will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. (artdecosociety.org or call 415-982-DECO) You may also want to check out the Art Deco and Modernism sale that weekend at the Concourse Exhibition Center, 8th and Brannan Street.

Also, if you’re going to be in San Francisco for the following weekend, June 13 & 14, you may want to note that’s when the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon descends on The City. (escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com)


Central Coast

Santa Barbara celebrates Cinco de Mayo in a big way over the May 2 & 3 weekend in Plaza de la Guerra and at the Casa de la Guerra. This marks the 18th year for the festival! (cincodemayosb.com)

And, head to Castroville for the annual Artichoke Festival on May 17 & 18. You’ll find a car show, a parade, live entertainment and, of course, LOTS of artichokes! (artichoke-festival.org)


Central Valley

In Selma (near Fresno), the “Raisin Capital of the World,” the 30th annual Raisin Festival will be held April 29-May 3. Come celebrate the raisin and agriculture industry and enjoy the community’s baking, art, floriculture, photography and poetry competitions, as well as entertainment, carnival rides, craft booths and delicious food.

And, in Sacramento, you can enjoy the annual Arts In River Park festival on Saturday, May 30. (arts-in-riverpark.org)


Sierras & Gold Country

For over 50 years, the Chowchilla Western Stampede has celebrated the long-ago traditions of western life. This year’s festivities take place on April 8-12. (chowchillafair.org)


Orange County

You’ll want to be in Garden Grove over the Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25) for the annual Strawberry Festival. It’s making my mouth water just thinking about it! (strawberryfestival.org)


Los Angeles

Every day in May is Memorial Day at the Queen Mary in Long Beach this year, and they are offering a special $5.00 General Admission to all U.S. Military personnel, whether active and retired. Anyone accompanying someone with a military ID, but not in the military themselves, will also receive a $5.00 discount off the regular admission price. (queenmary.com)

If you’ve never been to Ojai, you should definitely check it out, and on Saturday, June 22, you could also enjoy the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival there. (ojaivalleylavenderfestival.com)


Inland Empire & Deserts

Mark your calendar for May 9 & 10 and the Spring Bluegrass Festival at Calico Ghost Town near Yermo. There will be contests, games, treats and fun for the whole family! (calicotown.com)

And, over Father’s Day Weekend (June 19-21), you’ll find music and more family fun at the annual Huck Finn Jubilee in Victorville. (huckfinn.com)


San Diego

If you like Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish, you’ll want to check out Gator By the Bay, May 8-10, at San Diego’s Spanish Landing Park, which is about three miles from downtown. How can you go wrong with 25 bands on 5 stages and 8,000 pounds of crawfish? (sandiegofestival.com)

For something completely different, though, be on hand May 17 & 18 for Old Town Temecula Western Days, which features music, gun fighting skits, gold panning, Civil War exhibits and more. (temeculacalifornia.com)


For other current events in California suggestions, you can send an email to the visitor’s bureau where you plan to spend your vacation or getaway. The link below will deliver you to a list of the convention and visitor’s bureaus for some of the state’s major tourist destinations.

We hope you enjoy some California current events during your visit!

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