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 various areas of the great Golden State during Spring. (Venues often host similar events from year to year, although the dates of the events may change. Web addresses are provided so you can check for current dates and times.)
If you’re looking for events in a different season, please see the “Related Posts” links at the bottom of this article.
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 and vacation destinations.
You may want to send an email to the visitor’s bureau where you plan to spend your California vacation, holiday or weekend getaway. Follow the link below to a list of the convention and visitor’s bureaus for some of the state’s major tourist destinations. This is a great way to learn what local California current events might be occurring during your visit.
Related posts:
California Current Events – Winter
California Current Events – Fall
California Culinary Events – Summer Food Festivals
California Current Events – Holiday Edition
Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.
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