“Restaurant Week” business and tourism marketing began in 1992. New York City hosted the Democratic National Convention that year, and renowned restaurant reviewer Tim Zagat and Manhattan restaurateur Joe Baum persuaded several of the city’s top restaurants to participate in a coinciding “$19.92 lunches” promotion. As they say on Broadway, it was a smash hit!
Building on that success but now typically repositioned an event to increase business during what might otherwise be “slow” or “off-season” periods, many U.S. cities now offer their own versions of the promotion.
You can use the following California Restaurant Weeks list – primarily populated with 2009 dates at this point – to get a general idea about what California cities and areas are likely offer 2012 Restaurant Week events and when they are likely to do so.
N.B. — Bolded and italicized notations at the end of some listings indicate the locales that have already stipulated their 2012 dates, and links to more information about specific restaurant week events are provided when available.
Costa Mesa – While some Costa Mesa restaurants are participating in the Orange County Restaurant Week event (see link below), it looks like the fun will come around again in August 2012! [link]
Escondido – A great place to visit any time of year, but especially during May 3-15, 2009, when you can enjoy its Restaurant Week offerings.
Huntington Beach – You can surf in for Restaurant Week here May 25-June 2, 2009. See the Orange County Restaurant Week link below for 2012 Huntington Beach dates and locations!
Los Angeles – Known as “DineLA,” this promotion is limited to weekdays only, January 25-30 and February 1-6, 2009. January 22-27, 2012 AND January 29-February 3, 2012 [link] By the way, Los Angeles Restaurant Week extends to establishments in Hollywood, Long Beach, etc. Check out the link!
Marina – This Central Coast city (near Monterey and Carmel) celebrates Restaurant Week June 4-10, 2009.
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Monterey – Monterey will celebrate Restaurant Month in January 2012! [link]
Napa Valley – As usual, everyone is doing their own thing in Napa (thank goodness). January 14(ish)-31, 2012 [link]
Newport Beach – Some spectacular restaurants participate in this Restaurant Week, January 18-22, 2009. January 20-29, 2012 [link]
Oakland – Oakland is a GREAT place to enjoy fabulous food. Check out its 2012 restaurant week offering! January 20-29, 2012 [link]
Orange County – The very first Restaurant Week for this area: April 12-18, 2009. February 26 through March 3, 2012 [link]
Palm Springs – Enjoy Restaurant Week savings here May 31-June 19, 2009. June 1-10, 2012 [link]
Pasadena – Pasadena’s twist on this is all about cheeseburgers. How cool is that?January 15-20, 2012 [link] And, if cheeseburgers aren’t your thing, check back in the Spring, March 25-30, 2012.
Sacramento – Two separate events, the first of which focuses on downtown restaurants – Dine Downtown Restaurant Week during January 10-January 16, 2009 January 9-18, 2012 [link] – and the other is a Wine & Dine Restaurant Week event July 4-12, 2009. May 30-June 10, 2012 [link]
San Diego – “America’s Most Beautiful City” is also hosting two 2009 Restaurant Weeks: January 11-16 and September 13-18. January 15-20, 2012 [link] There are restaurants in nearby areas, as well. Check out the link!
San Francisco – Called “Dine About Town” here, it usually runs the last two weeks of January. In 2009, an encore promotion was added for the first two weeks in June. January 15-31, 2012 [link]
San Luis Obispo – This Central Coast county will celebrate its 5th annual Restaurant Month with a variety of restaurants offering a 3-course, prix-fixe menu for only $30. January 2-31, 2012 [link]
San Marcos – This San Diego North County area’s Restaurant Week is September 20-28, 2009.
Santa Barbara – In conjunction with the Santa Barbara Film Festival, this seaside community celebrates Film Feast from January 26 through February 5, 2012. [link]
Santa Cruz – This seaside community celebrates Restaurant Week October 5-12, 2011. [link]
Silicon Valley – Restaurant Week is celebrated in Silicon Valley September 14-21, 2011. [link]
Santa Ynez Valley – It started in Solvang in 2009, and now the whole valley is getting in the game! January 22-28, 2012 [link]
Sonoma County – 2010 is the first year for this foodie haven’s Restaurant Week: February 27-March 4, 2012 [link]
Stockton – Enjoy this Central Valley city’s Restaurant Week offerings September 16-25, 2011. [link]
California Restaurant Week events offer a great opportunity to enjoy affordable “prix fixe” (set price) meals at some of the state’s top restaurants, so “bon appétit!” or “come and get it!,” whichever works for you. The events are so good, they’re almost worth planning a California vacation — or two — around them!
(Do you know of any California Restaurant Week offerings to add to this list? Please use the contact email address on our “About Us” page (see footer) to share it with us. We’d love to add it to our list.)
Photo of Il Fornaio restaurant in San Jose, CA by atmtx via flickr (Creative Commons).
Related posts:
California Culinary Vacation Ideas
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