Down to less than 800 in the early 1970’s and now numbering close to 40,000, the Aleutian Goose is an Endangered Species Act success story.  Attend the Aleutian Goose Festival in Crescent City and watch these beautiful birds fill the sky each day as they move to their mainland feeding pastures.   March

Godwit Days at the peak of the spring migration of over 100 bird species, enjoy small group field trips, lectures, workshops, boating excursions, and community activities led by experienced local guides.  Arcata April

Blues by the Bay in the historic village of Eureka.  Two days of fine blues musicians, arts and craft vendors, and more.  Aug

Art & Wine in the Park. 18th annual wine tasting and arts festival, food and entertainment. Fortuna  June

Redwood Fortuna Rodeo with 5 days of fun and food,  Chili Cook off, street games "outhouse races" and stick horse races,  Fireman's games, Jr. Rodeo and carnival, Rodeo, Parade, Dance, Barbecue, and more. Watch the parade Live on the FortunaCam at noon on Saturday.  July

Fort Bragg Whale Festival - Regional microbreweries offer tastings at historic Eagle's Hall, chowder, arts & crafts fair, art exhibits, guided whale walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and MacKerricher Park.  Mar 20 & 21

Paul Bunyan Days Pie Eating Contest, Tricycle Race, Belle of the Redwoods, Blue Ox Beer Festival, Ugly Dog Contest, Craft Fair, Logging Show and Parade  Fort Bragg,

Mendocino Crab & Wine Days Over 50 events including crab feeds, winemaker's dinners, wine competitions, crab cruises, cooking classes, crab cake cook off, more.
Jan 23 - Feb 1

The Mendocino Wine & Mushroom Fest, The twelve-day  extravaganza includes a Mushroom Symposium, winemaker dinners, guided identification tours, exhibits, mushroom fairs and cooking classes.  November  Enjoy video presented by Cherie Soria

Mendocino Whale Festival -  Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, three miles north of Mendocino, offers activities for the whole family, including games for kids, whale watching, and information on the shipwreck Frolic.  Saturday enjoy wine tasting in Mendocino.  Mar 6, 7

Enjoy the sounds of the Mendocino Music Festival, one of the unique events of the northern California coast held each July.  

The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, the west's monster pumpkin competition, has nearly 100 contenders vying for the largest grown pumpkin of the year.  October Call (650) 726-9652 Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, one of the great festivals in the state, is kicked off the following weekend.

Woodies on the Wharf  More than 150 pre-1950s "woodies" line the Santa Cruz Wharf. Music, T-shirts, memorabilia and prize drawings will add to the fun.  Call 420-5273 June

Pistahan Parade & Festival San Francisco Filipino community hosts this exciting celebration of Filipino culture.  Enjoy Filipino American Jazz headliner Charmaine Clamor, with world-class performances by Broadway, Hollywood and local rising stars. Also enjoy the adobo cook-off and the balut eating contest, and a new event: the longanisa eating contest.  Aug

SF Aloha Festival  Pacific Islander music and Polynesian dance, arts, crafts, island cuisine, educational exhibits for the kids, celebrate the culture of the Pacific Islanders.  Aug

The Pismo Beach Classic, in its 23rd year, is one of the largest classic car and street rod shows on the West Coast with over 800 classic cars.  June

Gilroy Garlic Festival If you've never attended, the time is now.  A great celebration of food, family and fun July   Pyro-Chefs  The Festival

California International Airshow Don't miss this annual October event packed full of action that the whole family will enjoy!!

California Rodeo The largest rodeo in California, Salinas attracts 50,000 spectators annually who come to catch a glimpse of a fading American dream. July   Montage

Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival - Live local entertainment on two stages, gooey berry contests, arts and crafts, children's area, Strawberry Carnival, and more.  Watsonville Aug

Monterey Wine Festival California's original wine festival in its 32nd year featuring the finest wines from California  Oct

Monterey Bay Birding Festival   Fall is the best time to view the more than 400 bird species in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay region.  Take Pelagic trips, guided walks, kayaking and pontoon excursions.  Jon Dunn of National Geographic Magazine will be keynote speaker.   Sept. 26-27-28  831.724.3900

California Performing Arts Festival is the largest and most diverse performing arts festival in California.  Enjoy music, dance and theatre in Carmel and Monterey Oct

Paso Robles Wine Festival - Area wineries show off their unique offerings in the downtown city park along with artisanal foods and chef demonstrations. New elements include a later start and end time for the Grand Tasting (3 - 7 p.m.), and a Wine Country Auction & Dinner. May 21 - 23  Tickets $10 Discount Thru Feb 28

Winter Bird Festival - The return of hundreds of wintering birds to Morro Bay is celebrated each year with field trips, exhibits, speakers and tours.  January

Santa Maria Strawberry Festival with chef demonstrations and strawberries served in every imaginable fashion.  Music, food, carnival and entertainment, April

Danish Days - 72nd annual celebration of Solvang's Danish heritage. Torchlight Parade, Opening Ceremonies introducing 2009 Danish Maid; Velkommen Street Dance and much more.  Sept

La Guitarra, a three-day classical guitar festival featuring 18 internationally acclaimed artists, numerous luthier exhibits, and the famous Forderer Collection of Rare and Historical Guitars.  In Santa Maria at the historic Marian Theatre, Sept

i madonnari is fashioned after Italian Street Painting Festivals and will feature street 200 colorful, large-scale paintings created by 400 artists and young people. The work will begin on Saturday morning of the Memorial Day weekend and continue drawing throughout the three-day festival.

French Festival Santa Barbara, food, music, entertainment. California's great French event!  July

Old Spanish Days Fiesta When old friends meet again, enjoy tours, parades, dances, music, food and fun.  Santa Barbara Aug  

Goleta Lemon Festival features a variety of delectable lemony foods and the popular pie eating contest, Classic Car, Motorcycle and Street Rod Show, arts and crafts vendors, and even amusement park rides, Oct

La Purisima Mission Candlelight Tours, experience the evening activities and cuisine of 1820's mission residents at the 11th of the 21 California missions. Founded in 1787.  Lompoc  Oct

Lompoc is famous for its lush Springtime colors and scent of flowers.  The 56th Annual Lompoc Flower Festival in June 25 - 29 offers free admission and entertainment and include five days of food, fun and festivities!  Flower Fields  Parade Horses

Cherry Blossom Festival - The vibrant history of the Japanese people in the Americas comes to life on the streets of Little Tokyo in L.A.   Enjoy historic displays, traditional dances, Hawaiian Village experience, much more.  Free  April

Los Angeles African Market & Faire  24th annual event features stage performances, artisans, food vendors, clothing vendors, more at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center  Aug