A 2 month long celebration of artists on the Orange County coast. Laguna Beach host the ever popular Sawdust Festival of Arts for over 56 years. Live music on 3 stages, roving musicians & circus acts. Local artists, food & open art galleries.
Annual event; July-August
Napa Valley Chamber Music Festival. Music in the Vineyards is held in Yountville California. Napa wine country.
Annual event; August
707-258-5559
Northern California Coast near the Humboldt Redwoods, this county fair has to be one of the oldest in the golden state – over 100 years running! The scenic Victorian Village of Ferndale hosts the annual Humboldt County Fair every August. Carnival rides, games, music, food, livestock & horse races too.
Annual event; August
St. Anthony of Lisbon Portuguese Celebration
Pismo has loads of things to do in summer. Saint Anthony’s celebrates the cultural contribution of the area’s Portuguese descendants. Event held at 390 Bello St. Pismo Beach, CA
Annual event; August
805-773-0527
Ukiah holds the Redwood Empire Fair every August at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. This one is the biggest fair in the region for summer fairs and events.
1055 North State Street
Ukiah, California
Annual Event; August
707-462-3884
The best of both worlds for motor racing fans when the stars of the IndyCar® Series, including Dancing with the Stars Helio Castroneves, and the Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series converge on Sonoma’s Raceway for a memorable weekend of racing.
Annual event; August
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Scotts Valley Sky Park is the place to be in late summer for a wine festival – with artwork displays.
Annual event; August
Nearly a million people attend the Orange County Fair & Expo, a 21 day event held in Costa Mesa. Various themes each year add to the uniqueness of this country fair.
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
88 Fair Drive,
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Annual event; July-August
714-708-1500
San Diego county’s Imperial Beach is the home of the biggest & best sand castles on the west coast. Sandcastle City!
Annual event; August
Since 1971. Outrigger paddlers compete in this long-distance race from Dana Point to Laguna Beach California.
Annual event; August
Doheny State Beach
http://www.danaoutrigger.net/races/whitey-harrison-classic/
PCH is Pacific Coast Highway 101 @ Encinitas CA features a summertime treat, a Taste of Main Street International Food Fair, where local restaurants & vendors offer food samplings to the general public. Food, wine and beer. One day event, usually held on a week day. 25 years running!
Annual event; August
760-943-1950
Redwood forests with sweet tunes out-of-doors, at the river.
THIRTY YEARS running – this is an epic NorCal summertime music event. The celebration of reggae music in Northern California, at French’s Camp – right on the Eel River. Glorious surroundings, excellent redwoods camping all over the region!
Annual event; August
707-923 3368
Over 50 years of summertime celebrations in the Southern Sierra town of Tehachapi CA. Festival includes arts & crafts show, food, entertainment, carnival, 5K & 10K run, parades, car show, rodeo, gem & mineral show, quilt show, VFW dinner and dance, pancake breakfast.
Annual event; August
661-822-4180
40+ years running, this small mountain town fair is a local favorite in Frazier Park, California. Family fun and festivities include a parade, live local bands, carnival & rides, vendors, dances, pet show and maybe even a fishing derby.
Annual event; August
Mountain Memories Association
P.O. Box 858, Frazier Park, CA 93225
661-623-2340
The Yurok Tribe hosts the annual Klamath Salmon Festival. Native American salmon barbeque plus Native American arts and crafts, Indian stick games, warrior contests, parade with Yurok drums and dancers.
Klamath Salmon Festival
Annual event: August
Held @ the Klamath Township,
Hwy 101 S, Klamath CA
707-444-0433
yuroktribe.org
Live jazz festival in South Bay. 1 weekend, 80+ performances, 10 stages located downtown San Jose CA Come experience all flavors of jazz: Blues, Latin, Salsa, big band, jazz and more. International & homegrown favorites, jazz legends , plus rising stars.
Annual event; August
This Summertime meteor shower is usually the best show of the year, if the new moon is near. High Sierra destinations are wonderful. Especially Eastern Sierra destinations, well away from the big city lights & urbanization of California.
Summer mild temperatures make higher altitude & mountain destinations favorable. The air is thinner, the sky clearer and the stars are closer at high elevations.
Perseids peaks in mid-August every summer. Perfect timing for planning a summer vacation or camping trip around this annual anticipated event. Look in the northeast part of the nights sky for grazers & numerous shootings stars, up to 60 per hour. Pre-dawn viewing is always best for meteor showers.
Annual event; August
How to best view a Meteor Shower
|