<\/p>\n
May is the unofficial beginning of summer in the Golden State, whether you are taking part in Memorial Day Weekend festivities or making the most of some only-in-California events\u2014like those featuring jumping frogs or a \u201cwine mixer\u201d inspired by the movie\u00a0Step Brothers. Plan a getaway around these fairs and festivals :<\/p>\n
Listed north to south<\/em><\/p>\n Learn about mushroom-foraging during peak season in the Shasta Cascade town of\u00a0McCloud<\/a>. This annual festival features food vendors, foraging outings, and booths manned by mushroom experts.<\/p>\n This\u00a0extraordinary 50-mile race features utterly unique contenders: handmade, people-powered vehicles that are works of art as much as they are feats of engineering. Each day starts in a different North Coast locale\u2014Arcata<\/a>,\u00a0Eureka<\/a>, and\u00a0Ferndale<\/a>\u2014and crosses over land, water, sand, and mud around scenic Humboldt County.<\/p>\n The North Coast offers more chances to see eye-popping vehicles over Memorial Day weekend, too. The\u00a0Willits Car & Bike Show<\/a> (May 24) in the Mendocino County town of\u00a0Willits<\/a> features classic cars, motorcycles, and lowriders, as well as a big pancake breakfast.<\/p>\n This annual festival in\u00a0Grass Valley<\/a> is more about music than berries: Many fans come and car-camp (a site is included with admission) and bring their own musical instruments for all-are-welcome camp jams.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s epic\u00a0festival in\u00a0Napa<\/a>\u2014blending wine, local cuisine, and rock \u2018n\u2019 roll\u2014welcomes headliners including Lorde, Foo Fighters, and Backstreet Boys. Between sets, explore the wide\u00a0array of experiences\u2014wine-tasting cabanas, art installations, and an onsite spa.<\/p>\n Mules have a long history in California, from transporting precious metals during the Gold Rush to hauling borax from Death Valley. Celebrate them at this longtime festival in\u00a0Bishop<\/a>, which includes mule shows and equestrian disciplines such as English riding and chariot racing. Tour the barns, check out the vendors, and enjoy lots of fair food.<\/p>\n Groove at this large reggae festival in\u00a0Monterey<\/a>, hosted by a mom-and-pop team of promoters who have also created a green-certified event that utilizes composting, reusable cups, and recycling. Headliners this year include Ice Cube, Rebelution, and Soja.\u00a0<\/p>\n Celebrate our nation\u2019s sea services at this free public event at and near the\u00a0Port of Los Angeles<\/a> during an extended Memorial Day weekend. Take a tour of an active-duty ship, watch aircraft flyovers, and listen to live music, including military band performances. Don\u2019t miss the Galley Wars, a culinary competition among Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Army teams.<\/p>\n This year, the annual fair of rides, a parade, and vendors in Orange County<\/a> will\u00a0celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary as well as the local berries. Come for the strawberry-themed fashion contest, a redhead competition, and the breakfast featuring the parade\u2019s stars.<\/p>\n The town in\u00a0North County San Diego<\/a> throws its own berry festival with vendors, rides, and family activities. Nearby in Carlsbad you can also pick your own strawberries.<\/p>\n This open-air concert series returns to downtown\u00a0Sacramento<\/a>,\u00a0featuring a variety of national and local acts each Friday. The series also features art, local food trucks, and a wine garden. Runs through June 26.<\/p>\n Bring a camp chair and a picnic lunch and watch elite-level cyclists race through a closed-circuit course in\u00a0Rancho Cordova<\/a>.\u00a0The race, part of the Golden State Race Series, will feature men\u2019s and women’s teams\u00a0competing in\u00a0road races and time trials.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the 28th year for this\u00a0Mendocino County<\/a> festival held at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Sample beers from among 60-plus breweries and pick up a few words of Boontling\u2014the local language that goes back to the early 1900s and comprises about 1,600 useful words (such as \u201chairymouth,\u201d which means dog).<\/p>\n It\u2019s an especially nice time of year to stroll through For Bragg\u2019s colorful\u00a0Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens<\/a>. There will be more\u00a0than 1,000 rhododendrons in bloom, representing 124 species, and this separate, juried show\u2014now in its 47th year\u2014features more than 800 entries. Admission to the show is included with your Botanical Gardens ticket.<\/p>\n This\u00a0Solano County<\/a> town holds its annual fair over a four-day weekend, but the showstopper is its parade (May 9)\u2014the oldest state-affiliated parade in California. This year\u2019s parade through downtown Dixon marks the 149th year of the procession, with school bands, floats, horse-mounted units, and classic cars.<\/p>\n Listen to live jazz while tasting your way through dozens of California wineries, including some from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. The afternoon festival held on\u00a0Half Moon Bay\u2019<\/a>s Main Street\u2014attendees get a wristband and a commemorative stemless wine glass\u2014will feature original music as well as tributes to Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, and Edith Piaf.<\/p>\n Celebrate Gold Rush and Old West history at this combination of events with deep local roots. Local \u201croundups\u201d around the Tuolumne County town of Sonora<\/a> date back to 1850, when cowboys would celebrate after branding their cattle; the first rodeo here was in 1916. These days, the weekend includes a parade, the Mother Lode Round-Up Queen contest, and a rodeo with seven different events.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cheer on the pros at this long-running classic rodeo in\u00a0Redding<\/a> featuring PRCA rodeo events, chuck wagon races, mutton bustin\u2019, and more.<\/p>\n This old-school fair, with rides, a rodeo, and livestock exhibits, embraces its\u00a0Gold Country lore. It dates back to 1893, was inspired by Mark Twain\u2019s short story \u201cThe Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,\u201d and still includes its namesake competition of leaping amphibians.<\/p>\n Combine great cuisine, wine, and stunning settings at this epic weekend of tastings, dinners, and concerts set in\u00a0Healdsburg<\/a> and other Sonoma County wineries and restaurants. The extended weekend features local growers, winemakers, and chefs (such as\u00a0Stephanie Izard<\/a>) at spots like The Matheson Rooftop and Montage Healdsburg. Choose from tickets ranging from individual events to VIP bundles.<\/p>\n Sacramento County has been a hotbed for mermaid cosplay for years, thanks in part to the mermaid-themed Dive Bar in the capital city. Choose from a variety of free or separate-ticket events at this weekend festival that takes place in both\u00a0Rancho Cordova and Sacramento: Events typically include an underwater photography seminar, the mermaid promenade in Old Sacramento<\/a>, and an all-ages-welcome Bubble Ball.<\/p>\n The convention hall at Hagan Community Park offers plenty of mermaid costumes and merch. Book your stay by May 1 to get a special convention rate at the Rancho Cordova Holiday Inn.<\/p>\n Much of the 1973 George Lucas film\u00a0American Graffiti was actually filmed in downtown\u00a0Petaluma<\/a>, and this annual car show and cruise celebrates that role with lots of small-town Americana. Start the weekend on Friday with the Kickoff Social at the Plaza North Shopping Center, then check out the hundreds of vintage cars downtown on Saturday while soaking up the retro decor and vibes from local businesses.<\/p>\n Soak up\u00a0Siskiyou County<\/a> scenery on this two-day ride that has been rolling since 1988. Choose from eight different routes ranging from 21 to 102 miles. All routes\u2014some all-pavement, some gravel\u2014start and finish at Upper Greenhorn Park in Yreka, with multiple rest stops along the way and end-of-ride meals each day. Since this isn\u2019t a race, e-bikes are welcome too.<\/p>\n Stroll the downtown of the East Bay\u2019s\u00a0Pleasant Hill<\/a> and browse the art and artisan vendors at this annual festival. The family-friendly event also features a Kids Zone, live music, wine tasting, and a beer garden.<\/p>\n Yolo County<\/a> and the town of\u00a0Woodland<\/a> produce a lot of honey, and this two-day festival spotlights the sweet results while also educating visitors about the profound agricultural and ecological importance of bees. Watch cooking demos, browse the vendors and exhibits in downtown Woodland, then broaden your palate by tasting a variety of local honeys, created by bees pollinating different kinds of plants.<\/p>\n This quirky\u00a012K race began in 1912, and still follows a hilly path from the Embarcadero (the Bay) to Ocean Beach (the Breakers) in\u00a0San Francisco<\/a>. The challenges are balanced with the fun distractions of costumed participants\u2014often linked up with bungee cords as \u201ccentipedes\u201d\u2014and lots of live music at stops along the way.<\/p>\n Extend your observance of\u00a0May the Fourth<\/a> at this celebration of one major cameo player in\u00a0Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The Redwood Coast, which spans both Humboldt and Del Norte counties, was a\u00a0filming location<\/a> for the \u201cforest moon\u201d of Endor in the Star Wars film.<\/p>\n Hear from Lucasfilm-approved costumers on panel discussions, take a rebel training course, or participate in a scavenger hunt with prizes. Learn more lore at the\u00a0Redwood Coast Museum of Cinema<\/a>, which has a Forest Moon exhibit. Cosplay, of course, is encouraged.<\/p>\n Experience the best of\u00a0San Luis Obispo County AVA<\/a> and beyond at this 21-and-up event: Your ticket gets you a glass and a wristband to enjoy samples from local wineries and restaurants at more than 100 downtown locations.<\/p>\n Experience the acclaimed\u00a0wine and agricultural scene in\u00a0Paso Robles\u00a0<\/a>this month. First, check out the Olive and Lavender Festival (May 9) in the town\u2019s City Park, and enjoy samples of oils, tapenades, and even olive oil ice cream. Then head to the Paso Robles Events Center for the Paso Wine Fest featuring live music, winemaker dinners, seminars, and tastings from 100-plus wineries.<\/p>\n See\u2014and taste\u2014why\u00a0Ventura<\/a> is one of the top strawberry producers in the country at this annual festival where you\u00a0can\u00a0sample your way through 40 vendors at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Enjoy the build-your-own strawberry shortcake bar, deep-fried strawberries, and strawberry beer. In between bites and sips, listen to live music and take part in relay races, an obstacle course, and the Berry Baby Fashion Parade.\u00a0<\/p>\n The acclaimed brewery hosts this long weekend that includes a brewery block party (May 29), an all-day Beer Fest (May 30), and an open-air festival and brunch (May 31). The beers on tap aren\u2019t just from Firestone, either: The dozens of participating breweries from around the U.S. include\u00a0the Golden State\u2019s\u00a0Russian River Brewing Co.<\/a> and\u00a0Sierra Nevada Brewing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ogle hundreds of classic cars in\u00a0Pismo Beach<\/a> at this annual event, where cars get judged for features such as attention to detail, interior, engine compartment, and undercarriage. On Saturday, 200 cars will parade through the beach town\u2019s streets, and the whole weekend includes live music, local cuisine, and a beer garden. Proceeds benefit organizations such as Folds of Honor, Ronald McDonald House, and the Pismo Beach K-9 Unit.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s Cinco de Mayo party takes place in two festive spots: the buzzing Gaslamp Quarter<\/a> (May 1, 2, 5) and the original Spanish-speaking settlement,\u00a0Old Town San Diego<\/a> (May 2\u20133). Expect mariachis and beer gardens in the Gaslamp, while the schedule in Old Town includes a full day of live music, a display of colorful lowrider cars, and a stage dedicated to lucha libre wrestling.\u00a0<\/p>\n Extend the party in\u00a0San Diego<\/a> by taking the whole family to\u00a0Viva la Musica at SeaWorld San Diego<\/a> (May 1\u201317), where every day at the theme park brings Latin music and cuisine, with two stages for local live acts. Concerts are included with park admission.<\/p>\n Check out more than 500 classic cars\u2014including Model A\u2019s, T-Birds, and roadsters\u2014in\u00a0Temecula\u2019s historic Old Town<\/a>. The weekend begins with a Friday Night Cruise along Front Street, followed by an all-day Show & Shine on Saturday. Stroll Main Street to enjoy the food trucks and other local vendors.<\/p>\n This music-and-culinary weekend in the L.A. county beach town of\u00a0Redondo Beach<\/a> returns this year with headliners Duran Duran, The Offspring, and James Taylor, along with high-profile supporting acts including Sheryl Crow, My Morning Jacket, and Sugar Ray. Check out the festival\u2019s\u00a0special experiences, such as a VIP-level Surf Club lounge, the Jack Daniel\u2019s karaoke bar, and a punk-rock Speakeasy stage.<\/p>\n The\u00a0famed zoo<\/a> embraces its foodie side this month with this 21-and-up evening that combines elevated food and drink with meet-and-greets with the wildlife experts who help make this a world-class zoo.<\/p>\n Walk the zoo while noshing on small plates from local restaurants and enjoying regional wines, craft brews, spirits, and nonalcoholic refreshments; hear live music and see the resident creatures when the park is almost empty.<\/p>\n Taste your way through this\u00a0Conejo Valley<\/a> festival with a long stretch of chili booths plus a car show, live music, and craft beer to cleanse the palate. Tasting tickets start as low as $34, and kids can enjoy a free play zone with a bounce house and other activities.<\/p>\n Taste your way through this small beach community in\u00a0<\/a>North San Diego County: Your tickets grant you samples from 20-plus restaurants and \u201csip stops\u201d\u2014featuring North County makers of beer, wine, hard kombucha, and spirits\u2014while enjoying music from local live bands. While you\u2019re there, say hello to the \u201cCardiff Kook,\u201d the beloved (and often costumed) surfer statue near the beach.<\/p>\n The global and eclectic music theme feels right at home at this camping-friendly, twice-a-year festival just outside the\u00a0desert national park<\/a>. Intriguing acts this spring include Bay-Area based Ruby Ibarra and L.A.\u2019s Turkish psychedelic band Olum. The fall version happens in October.<\/p>\n Immerse yourself in surf gear and surf culture alike at this free-admission expo in the town nicknamed\u00a0Surf City USA<\/a>. Demo surfboards and wetsuits, browse lots of surf-inspired fashion, and buy food and drink to enjoy in the picnic area. The event takes place in the Huntington Beach City Parking Lot, across from the\u00a0Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa.\u00a0Register online to secure your spot for gear and board demos or sign up in person at the event.<\/p>\n Big Bear Lake<\/a>\u00a0is famous for its autumn Oktoberfest, and this event (say it \u201cMy-fest\u201d) has similar Bavarian vibes\u2014think live music, beer steins, and springtime spirit. Come on select weekend days including Memorial Day weekend.<\/p>\n The 2008 comedy\u00a0Step Brothers featured \u201cThe Catalina Wine Mixer\u201d as a wacky plot point\u2014not because it was an actual event. Thanks to the movie (starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Adam Scott), the Catalina Wine Mixer became a real event, now 11 years running on\u00a0Catalina Island<\/a>.<\/p>\n Come for the 21-and-up weekend of wine tastings, food, live music, and\u2014of course\u2014an Avalon Theatre screening of the movie that started it all. Check out\u00a0Catalina\u2019s hotel deals page<\/a> to book a package that includes a place to stay plus your ferry ride from the mainland.<\/p>\n Make the most of the spring shoulder season in the desert by enjoying specials and limited time menus at restaurants across\u00a0Greater Palm Springs<\/a>. Participants include several hotel- and casino-based restaurants and notable spots such as Lulu in downtown Palm Springs and Peaks, located at the top of the\u00a0Palm Springs Aerial Tramway<\/a>.<\/p>\n Surf shops have long been an integral part of the Golden State\u2019s surfing scene<\/a>, offering gear, fashion, knowledgeable staffers, and cool local history. Support these small businesses by shopping and soaking up their good energy\u2014and start at these\u00a0classic California surf shops<\/a>.<\/p>\n Experience a unique touring series that has been running for more than 10 years: Pianist Hunter Noack plays a 1912 Steinway concert grand in a park or green space while audience members wear wireless headphones and wanders through nature. The organization partners with national and state parks, land trusts, conservancies, Native American reservations, and schools to share these concerts.<\/p>\n There will be eight dates in California this month, including some in\u00a0San Mateo County<\/a> and\u00a0Mendocino<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMay 23\u201324: McCloud Mushroom, Music, and Wine Festival<\/a>, McCloud\u00a0<\/h4>\n
May 23\u201325:\u00a0Kinetic Grand Championship<\/a>, Eureka<\/h4>\n
May 21\u201324:\u00a0Strawberry Music Festival<\/a>, Grass Valley\u00a0<\/h4>\n
May 22\u201324:\u00a0BottleRock Napa Valley<\/a>, Napa\u00a0<\/h4>\n
May 19\u201324:\u00a0Mule Days<\/a>, Bishop<\/h4>\n
May 22\u201324:\u00a0California Roots Music & Arts Festival<\/a>, Monterey<\/h4>\n
May 22\u201325:\u00a0LA Fleet Week<\/a>, Los Angeles<\/h4>\n
May 22\u201325:\u00a0Strawberry Festival<\/a>, Garden Grove<\/h4>\n
May 24:\u00a0Vista Strawberry Festival<\/a>, Vista<\/h4>\n
More Northern California Events<\/h3>\n
Begins May 1:\u00a0Concerts in the Park<\/a>, Sacramento<\/h4>\n
May 1\u20133:\u00a0Rio Strada Golden State Race Series<\/a>, Rancho Cordova<\/h4>\n
May 2:\u00a0Boonville Beer Festival<\/a>, Boonville<\/h4>\n
May 2\u20133:\u00a0Rhododendron Show<\/a>, Fort Bragg<\/h4>\n
May 7\u201310:\u00a0Dixon May Fair and Parade<\/a>, Dixon<\/h4>\n
May 9:\u00a0Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival<\/a>, Half Moon Bay<\/h4>\n
May 9\u201310: Mother Lode Roundup Parade & Rodeo<\/a>, Sonora<\/h4>\n
May 13\u201316:\u00a0Redding Rodeo<\/a>, Redding<\/h4>\n
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May 14\u201317:\u00a0Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee<\/a>, Angels Camp\u00a0<\/h4>\n
May 14\u201317:\u00a0Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience<\/a>, Sonoma County<\/h4>\n
May 15\u201317:\u00a0California Mermaid Convention<\/a>, Rancho Cordova<\/h4>\n
May 16:\u00a0 Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti<\/a>, Sonoma County<\/h4>\n
May 16\u201317:\u00a0Siskiyou Scenic Bicycle Tour<\/a>, Yreka<\/h4>\n
May 16\u201317:\u00a0Art, Wine, & Music Festival<\/a>, Pleasant Hill<\/h4>\n
May 16\u201317:\u00a0California Honey Festival<\/a>, Woodland<\/h4>\n
May 17:\u00a0Bay to Breakers<\/a>, San Francisco<\/h4>\n
May 28\u201331:\u00a0Forest Moon Festival<\/a>, Humboldt<\/h4>\n
More Central California Events<\/h3>\n
May 3:\u00a0San Luis Obispo Sip ‘n’ Saunter<\/a>, San Luis Obispo<\/h4>\n
May 9, 15\u201317:\u00a0Paso Robles Olive and Lavender Festival<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Paso Wine Fest<\/a>, Paso Robles\u00a0<\/h4>\n
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May 16\u201317:\u00a0California Strawberry Festival<\/a>, Ventura<\/h4>\n
May 29\u201331:\u00a0Firestone Walker Beerfest<\/a>, Paso Robles<\/h4>\n
May 29\u201331:\u00a0Pismo Beach Classic Car Show<\/a>, Pismo Beach<\/h4>\n
More Southern California Events<\/h3>\n
May 1\u20135:\u00a0San Diego Fiesta Cinco de Mayo<\/a>, San Diego<\/h4>\n
May 1\u20132: Temecula Rod Run<\/a>, Temecula<\/h4>\n
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May 1\u20133:\u00a0BeachLife Festival<\/a>, Redondo Beach\u00a0<\/h4>\n
May 2:\u00a0San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew<\/a>, San Diego<\/h4>\n
May 3:\u00a0Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off<\/a>, Ventura County<\/h4>\n
May 7:\u00a0Taste of Cardiff<\/a>, Cardiff-by-the-Sea<\/h4>\n
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May 14\u201317: Joshua Tree Music Festival<\/a>, Joshua Tree<\/h4>\n
May 16\u201317:\u00a0Surfscape<\/a>, Huntington Beach<\/h4>\n
May 16, 23\u201324, 30:\u00a0Maifest<\/a>, Big Bear Lake<\/h4>\n
May 29\u201330:\u00a011th Annual Catalina Wine Mixer<\/a>, Catalina<\/h4>\n
May 29\u2013June 7:\u00a0Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week<\/a><\/h4>\n
More Events Around the State<\/h3>\n
May 16:\u00a0Surf Shop Day<\/a>, various locations<\/h4>\n
Begins May 18:\u00a0In a Landscape Concerts<\/a>, Various Cities<\/h4>\n