“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 2010 Restaurant Week events and when they are likely to do so.
Bolded and italicized notations at the end of some listings indicate the locales that have already stipulated their 2010 dates, and links to more information about specific restaurant week events are provided when available.
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.
Los Angeles – Known as “DineLA,” this promotion is limited to weekdays only, January 25-30 and February 1-6, 2009. January 24 through February 5, 2010 [link]
Marina – This Central Coast city (near Monterey and Carmel) celebrates Restaurant Week June 4-10, 2009.
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Monterey Bay – Monterey Bay Restaurant Week runs October 22-29, 2009.
Newport Beach – Some spectacular restaurants participate in this Restaurant Week, January 18-22, 2009. January 22-28, 2010 [link]
Old Pasadena – Local foodies and visitors can indulge in some award-winning restaurant offerings here June 1-8, 2009.
Orange County – The very first Restaurant Week for this area: April 12-18, 2009. February 28 through March 6, 2010 [link]
Palm Springs – Enjoy Restaurant Week savings here May 31-June 19, 2009. June 4-13, 2010 [link]
Sacramento – Two separate events, the first of which focuses on downtown restaurants – Dine Downtown Restaurant Week during January 10-January 16, 2009 – and the other is a Wine & Dine Restaurant Week event July 4-12, 2009. January 8-17, 2010 [link]
San Diego – “America’s Most Beautiful City” is also hosting two 2009 Restaurant Weeks: January 11-16 and September 13-18. January 17-22, 2010 [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, 2010 [link]
San Marcos – This San Diego North County area’s Restaurant Week is September 20-28, 2009.
Santa Cruz – This seaside community celebrates Restaurant Week October 1-8, 2009. [link]
Silicon Valley – Restaurant Week is celebrated in Silicon Valley October 14-21, 2009.
Solvang – Even this tiny tourist enclave gets in the game March 15-19, 2009.
Sonoma County – 2010 is the first year for this foodie haven’s Restaurant Week: February 22-28, 2010 [link]
Stockton – Enjoy this Central Valley city’s Restaurant Week offerings September 19-25, 2010. [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
Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
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