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CLICK FOR MORE California Coast Christmas Events

 

Ferndale Victorian Christmas - Step back in time to enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas. Shopkeepers, town folk and visitors dress in Victorian fashion and stroll through the downtown.  Holiday melodies ring through the streets from the Mirth First Barbershop Quarter, strolling carolers and even a brass band.   Kids activities, the lighted tractor parade, costume parade and more make this a holiday tradition for families across the country.

 

Winter Faire - Spend the day at Summerfield Waldorf Farm creating art, dipping beeswax candles, decorating gingerbread, wool-crafting and more. Dec 8, 11am to 4.  Santa Rosa

 

Lighted Boat Parade starts at the Petaluma Marina at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in the Turning Basin after 6:00 p.m. Viewing best at Petaluma Mill or Golden Eagle Shopping Center.  Dec 8
Best Lights Petaluma

 

Christmas In The Adobes celebrates Monterey’s historic buildings, all illuminated by candlelight. Costumed volunteers provide entertainment and refreshments. Dec 7, 8

 

Parade of Lights  Santa's Village on the Pier, tons of snow, boat parade and fireworks

Santa Barbara Dec 9  5:30

 

Fishermans Wharf Boat Parade More than 100 boats covered in lights and holiday decorations parade along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday, Dec 14 visitfishermanswharf.com

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

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.  March

 

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

 

 Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, one of the great festivals in the state, is kicked off the following weekend.

 

Santa Cruz Blues Festival - two days of top music at Aptos Village Park outdoor ampitheater, food, beer, wine, May

 

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

 

Chinese New Year Parade - one of the top ten parades in the  world boasts  floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung.") Started in the 1860's it is one of the largest celebrations outside of Asia. San Francisco Feb

 

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  

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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

 

Kustoms Cruisin' Nationals - Pre-1961 custom rides, show-n-shine, cruise, swap meet, entertainment, lots more
Santa Maria May

 

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

 

The Annual Lompoc Flower Festival in June offers free admission and entertainment and include five days of food, fun and festivities!  Flower Fields  Parade Horses

 

California Strawberry Festival All things strawberry at this fantastic event, two stages,  Strawberryland, chef demonstrations, arts & crafts,  Oxnard May 21 & 22

 

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

 

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  Carmel Valley Ranch  - Nestled against the oak-forested hillside, Carmel Valley Ranch is just minutes east of the beaches and galleries of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
     

  Harbor View Inn - 4 Diamond  oceanfront resort in Santa Barbara with full amenities and impeccable service, near the Mission and area attractions.
 

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Roaring Camp Railroads -  Travel by steam train through the Big Trees to Bear Mountain or by beach train to Santa Cruz.
$19.50, $21.50

Winchester Mystery House - Discover the macabre story behind the heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune.  $20

Pier 39 Attraction Pass Admission to Pier 39's top attractions including Aquarium, bay cruise, more. $55.81