Western Sierra. The sleepy foothills town on Hwy 190, Springville California, holds their annual Apple Festival near the Tule River & the Sierra Nevada mountains. Enjoy apple burritos, apple pies, apple tamales and apple cobblers!
Craft and food vendors, costume contest. 5k & 10k runs (Apple Run) Celebrating 40 years on this local event.
Annual event; October
One day event
559-202-6904
Pacific Islanders of the San Francisco Bay Area offer talents in music & dance during this 2-day festival of arts. Entertainment highlights include Pacific Islander music as well as Polynesian dance. The festival will also feature arts & crafts vendors, island cuisine, educational exhibits and workshops, and games for the kids! Located at the San Mateo County Event Center.
Annual event; August
San Mateo, CA
A 3-day, multi-event, food, and entertainment festival, which celebrates asparagus. Live music, cooking, wine, beer, crafts. Bring your family and friends and enjoy Asparagus Alley, Deep Fried Asparagus & Asparagus Ice Cream, Craft Beer and a Wine Pavilion, Kids Zone with carnival rides and games, monster truck rides, vendors, and much more.
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds
1658 S Airport Way
Stockton, CA 95206
Annual event; May
916-370-3647
Celebrate Freedom and Independence Day lakeside under giant shady oaks with three great musical acts on an afternoon of music, food & drinks! General Admission is free to the music festival. If you want to be closer to the music there is a reserved VIP area and VIP Plus to get into the front row. ?Don’t forget to bring your low back chair or blanket.
Atascadero Lake Park
Annual event: July
One day event, always held on Fourth of July
Numerous locations hold historic themed street fairs, parades and festivals in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
this list is only a partial list, and more will be added soon
Arnold Independence Day Parade
Grass Valley Cornish Christmas
Murphys Homecoming & Duck Races
Nevada City Constitution Day Parade
NOTE: The Gold Rush Days in Old Town Sacramento is now called “Waterfront Days Old Sacramento”
listed alphabetically
listed from north to south
Plumas National Forest
Tahoe National Forest
Eldorado National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Sierra National Forest
Take a scenic drive and see the back roads near Lake Casitas, where numerous avocado orchards grace the hillsides. This coastal Avocado Festival has evolved into one of the largest festivals within California; Three full days of fabulous food, terrific music, & family fun. Held in Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara, CA
Annual event; October
805-684-0038
since 1959
also known as the
Castroville Artichoke Festival
Artichoke cooking demonstrations by local celebrity chefs, A bountiful farmer’s market with freshly harvested produce from Monterey County and beyond, An agricultural education exhibit, Live entertainment on two stages, Plenty of family-friendly fun activities
Artichokes prepared in some of your favorite ways, including the fan-favorite — fried baby artichokes! Plus, steamed, grilled, and in unique forms such as lumpia, burritos, sausage, cupcakes and even ice cream.
Artichoke eating and harvest contests, arts and crafts vendors, a family fun run on Sunday, and our ever popular wine tasting event, featuring the wines of small production, boutique wineries from around California.
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
2004 Fairground Rd.
Monterey, CA 93940
Annual event; June
888-808-7707
Since 1979, the well-known Gilroy Garlic Festival is one of the biggest events of this agricultural coastal area. Near Monterey Bay ; Not too far from the beaches of Santa Cruz.
Annual event; July
Gilroy Garlic Festival Association
408-842-1625
Annual Snow Festival is usually scheduled for
February – March
Celebrating 40 Years!
One of the largest winter mountain festivals on the West Coast
Multi-day event. Parade, snow sculpture contest, dog pull, polar bear swim, youth hockey and snow golfing. Hawaiian luau, clam bake, hot wings, rib-fest and a pancake breakfast.
Since 1911, one of the oldest annual events in California. Celebrating the love of citrus on the West Coast.
Carnival rides, food, vendors,, photography contest, baking contest, home show & local music.
690 S. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92408
909-888-6788
Annual event; April
San Bernardino CA
This rural county fair started in 1921 and always held in the small mountain town of Hayfork, which is east of Hwy 299 and up hill from the Trinity River @ Douglas City; Carnival rides, games, exhibits, quilt show, horse show, mule show, rodeo. It’s the biggest thing to look forward to for locals, during the summer.
Annual event; August
530-628-5223
Annual food & art festival is one of the most popular events; includes performances by 2 professional bands, dancers, magicians & street performers, as well as an art exhibit and artist demonstrations. A family area features musical performances for kids, hands-on art projects and face painting. Food and beverages are served by 30+ area restaurants.
Brea Civic & Cultural Center
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, California
Annual event; August
714-990-7771
Brea, CA
This event is held twice a year & sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. Held in Downtown Lodi, this is a one-day event focusing on food and vendors.
The Street Faire takes up a 14-square block area of Lodi. Over 500 vendors participate in this bi-annual event, selling antiques, arts & crafts and commercial items.
While shopping, visitors can satisfy their appetite with their choice from 25 food vendors offering everything from hamburgers, to hot dogs, sausages, to pizza. Mexican, Chinese and Filipino dishes are also available for those craving a more international fare. And, no faire is complete without sweet treats and cold drinks.
Bi-annual event; May & October
209-367-7840
San Diego hosts a Latin American Festival to celebrate Hispanic culture. People can take in a variety of demonstrations, entertainment, & feast on Mexican cuisine at this free weekend event.
Bazaar del Mundo’s annual festival presents one of the nation’s most extensive collections of authentic Mexican folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles and dazzling jewelry, plus entertainment and Mexican cuisine.
Annual event; August
619-296-3161
Bazaar del Mundo
Old Town San Diego
30 years running, this Redondo Beach event is a hot hit, especially for beach-goers near Los Angeles, California
3 day event held at the Seaside Lagoon next to King Harbor, just north of the Redondo Beach Pier. Live music, entertainment, lobster recipes, celebrity chefs, craft beer, kids activities and vendor booths.
Annual event; October
310-376-6911
Big weekend event in Downtown Fairfield. Festival on Texas Street (Pennsylvania Avenue to Union Street)
Farmers Market, Tomato Alley, Tomato Eating Contest, Free Tomato Sampling, BBQ, car show, arts, crafts, live music, tons-O-food and plenty street vendors.
Annual event; August
707-422-0103
Saint Sophia Cathedral
@ Pico & Normandie
The largest, most celebrated, and iconic representation of Greek food and culture in Los Angeles. Voted as the must-attend event of September by Los Angeles Magazine, the LA Greek Fest is your passport to Greece right here in your own backyard. LA Greek Fest attracts thousands of guests for each day of festivities for an unforgettable celebration of food, wine, dance, games and performances and one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Authentic Greek Food and Pastries. Greek Wines and Beers. Live Greek Music and Folk Dancing. Arts and Crafts. Raffle.
Annual event: September
323-737-2424
California’s San Luis Obispo used to have one event called “Sunset Savor the Central Coast” and it was geared around fine food and wine. Now this popular, tourist county has a culinary event every single month, all year in various wine cities and small towns .
Annual event: all year long
San Luis Obispo County, California
Southern California Desert. Indio in the Coachella Valley holds the International Tamale Festival every December: Food Network-TV ranked the Indio International Tamale Festival in the top 10 “All-American Food Festivals” in the nation!
Annual event; December
For over 70 years this small town along Interstate 5 has celebrated their olive harvest with an annual festival. Parade, food, bed races & olives. Recently added car show!
Annual event; August
530-824-5550
This is a Greek Festival in the Balboa Park area of San Diego, on Park Blvd @ corner of Cypress. Greek Orthodox church, Saint Spyridon, holds this very popular food & dance festival during “June Gloom”. If it’s sunny, it’s a rare treat. But you’ll be heated up on the dance floor learning all those traditional Greek dances, right?
Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church
3655 Park Boulevard
San Diego, California 92103
Annual event; June
619-297-4165
42 years running. This Southern California tradition is a great beach block party scene. Laid back San Diego meets the surfing shores with hundreds of vendors, food & plenty great live local music. Beads, tie dye, tattoos, skateboarding, massages & more. Chili cook-off is one of the main attractions.
Ocean Beach Street Fair
O.B. West San Diego, CA
Annual event; June
619-224-4906
Balboa Park December Nights
Southern California’s premier holiday festival
“Christmas on the Prado” is now called December Nights
40 years running; Friday and Saturday night in early December
The event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park and kick-off the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 pm both evenings and more than 350,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.
Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer.
Well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.
Annual event; multiple nights
San Diego, CA
619-239-0512
Designed to demonstrate where our food and drinks come from, the Farm-to-Fork Festival has proven to be one of the Sacramento region’s most popular events. The free event, hosted on the city’s iconic Capitol Mall boasts an exciting selection of farm-to-fork offerings that are produced and available in the Sacramento region. Attendees will find food, wine and beer from regional eateries and purveyors, as well as farmers markets, live music, cooking demonstrations, local grocers, farms and ranches, vendor booths and much more.
Annual event: September
916-808-7777
San Diego holds a couple of Greek Festivals during the year & this one is located in the North County Coastal area of Cardiff. Greek food, live music, dancing and marketplace. Saints Constantine & Helen Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Annual event; September
760-942-0920
Over 80 years of this coastal event in California. Carnival rides, livestock show, food, live music, arts & crafts, horse races & wine tasting. This is by far the largest summer fair event in the whole region. Campgrounds and hotels in the area fill up fast in warmer months, so make reservations if you want to visit the Monterey Bay Area.
Annual event; September
831-372-5863
25+ years of Salsa @ the annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, on the Ventura coastline. Spicy food, hot music & cool ocean breezes welcome you to the regions biggest Latin celebration. Salsa tasting & competition. Live music, dancing & great Mexican foods.
Annual event; July
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
Although the grizzly bear image graces the state flag, grizzlies were killed off during the gold rush days. Black bears are found in California mountains and foothills, down to lowest elevations in NorCal. California black bears come in more than one color – light brown, cinnamon, dark brown, and of course, black. For the most part, bears usually stay away from people.
Some areas are more prone to bear problems due in large part to the overpopulation of tourists and abundance of food 
provided by them. Certain California National Parks are particularly notorious for their brazen bear populations. Concentrated bear problems are sometimes posted so be very aware and read signs. If you see steel bear boxes, leave no food or drink in your vehicle. Use the boxes to keep bears from breaking into your car!
Store food in closed up automobile, not visible. Store food correctly: in trunk of your car, or hidden from sight; in campground food lockers when available.
Lock all food, beverages and coolers in the provided metal bear boxes or bear lockers where available.
Toothpaste, deodorant & anything that has a scent should be thought of as food and stored accordingly.
Bears are so strong they can rip your car door open (in places like Yosemite, where bears are problem and you can get cited for not storing food items properly)
Bears are so strong they can break open a garage door to get to the smelly trash inside, so make sure you utilize the curbside pickup service available in some mountain communities or take a trip to the dump once per week.
Birds, dogs, squirrels and wild animals can move in quickly.
Backpackers should hang food in nylon bag & drape over weak branch in high in tree: hang your food using the counterbalance method. Ranger who issues your wilderness permit can explain the hanging procedure;
2 stuff sacks (with drawstrings) for your food items, and 60 feet of medium weight cord. 2 carabiners make hanging much easier.
for your food when exploring the wilderness
Additional Storage Tip
As for storing food inside cars:
When primitive car camping on a dirt road, which does not have campgrounds, nor bear lockers, it is possible to store food in the vehicle. BEST location is on the front floorboards with towel over it. With the car alarm set at bedtime, any ruckus should trigger a decent alarm. Any large animal trying to break in will get blasted with alarm siren & most likely will run away. The noise will wake you up as well, to deal with the intruder, if need be.
According to a new report by the National Center For Health Statistics, nearly 40 percent of all U.S. adults are now officially obese. An all-time record high. More than 70 percent of us are now officially overweight.
GIVE THANKS, we live in the “illusion of prosperity”
Now, it’s time to get serious and educated on the matters at hand.
The majority of the population does not even understand what is being done to them. Major food corporations know that eating heavily processed foods is addictive and an edible path to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other deadly diseases, but they keep pushing those foods on us anyway. Junk food is making them rich and making us sick!
The average American diet is extremely self-destructive, and it is well time for a change. Which is why we at Total Escape decided to focus on the topic of FOOD for this autumn month of Thanksgiving.
On the towns pages we link to local farmers markets, health food stores, community co-ops, family farms, organic farms, farm stays and vineyards.
OMG, GMO – soy, corn, sugar
* May contain ingredients partially produced with genetic engineering.
High fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, natural flavors….
you may not realize how much GMO is in your food.
If you are concerned with your physical health & well-being, you already know that nutritious, real food is the best for your daily diet. You are what you eat!
Almost half of California voters voted to label genetically engineered foods, way back in 2012. So if you didn’t understand about healthy food choices 5 years ago, you might be willing to look at the food issue more closely these days.
Although the labeling law did not pass, many companies begin putting GMO-free or NON-GMO labels on the front of the food packages anyway. Health food manufacturers, major national brands, and especially food produced inside California – can be found with the non-gmo verified label.
FOOD as medicine, in light of recent news:
Americans are the fattest culture ever; Declining bee population, continued environmental pollution, and the link to our epic diseases. Gut disorders, allergies, autism, cancer, diabetes, the list goes on and on.
Glyphosate is a potent and dangerous chemical found in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer, the most commonly used herbicide in history. Glyphosate has contaminated the planet, and is now found in mother’s milk, our bloodstreams, and in our food and water supply. The World Health Organization announced in 2015 that glyphosate ‘probably’ causes cancer.
Levels of the herbicide Roundup in human urine have increased dramatically among California residents in the past two decades, a new study reports. Roundup is used to protect genetically modified corn and soy crops from weeds; Also sprayed on wheat and oats, during harvest; And blindly used by public and private land owners to control weeds on their property, which ends up in run-off water, as poison to lakes and rivers.
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Watch Food Documentary Films to find out more on this topic.
Follow the Food Babe blog online
Favorite West Coast Pioneers:
Amy’s Kitchen
Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar
Bob’s Red Mill
Cal-Organic
Cliff Bar
Dr. Bronner’s Soap
Full Belly Farm
Lundberg Family Farms
Masumoto Family Farm
Organic Valley Coop
Camp Cleaning
Try to keep all food, drinks and cooking to one area of the camp. If you plan to cook over the campfire, this choice will make much more sense. Setting up kitchen area in between the tent and the campfire is usually an excellent spot. Having the vehicle close by for proper food storage is also advised, or use bear boxes if available. If you choose to hang your food in the tree, bring adequate ropes and bags.
The last person still up around the campfire at night should double check the cleanlness camp before retiring for bed. Chances are there is a half-eaten snack or left over beverage that could attract the animals. Oh no, the GARBAGE!! Don’t forgot to put your garbage bag away at night, or dispose of it in a proper trash container. Double bag your garbage if you are concerned with it leaking or smelling up the vehicle.
