One of the best ways to dive into the “California good life” is to check out one of the state’s diverse and abundant events and festivals which feature everything from whale watching, wine and beer tasting, amazing parades and carnivals, to Gold Rush re-enactments, kinetic sculpture races, film and music festivals, state fairs and major sporting events.
Here’s a round-up of signature annual events this April well worth planning a trip around:
More than just a rodeo,festivities at the annual Red Bluff Round-Up from April 19 to 21 in the Shasta Cascade region of California includes a week of events – a Chili Cook-Off, live entertainment, a car show and food in historic downtown Red Bluff. Watch top cowboys and cowgirls compete from all over the country and check out the Round-Up Parade, a Wild Horse Race and more.
The popular Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival in the Desert region now takes place over two consecutive weekends (April 12 to 14 and April 19 to 21) and features many genres of music over three days, including alternative rock, hip hop, and electronic music as well as large sculptural art.
The first of its kind in the U.S., the Earth Day Festival on the Central Coast (this year on April 20 and 21) features two days of environmentally themed exhibits including a Green Car Show, Eco-Marketplace, Kid’s Corner, Bike World, Solar/Wind/Farm/Garden (including chickens, alpacas, and cows) live entertainment, local food and more.
The largest and most prestigious book festival in the country, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books from April 13 through April 21 attracts more than 130,000 book lovers each year and includes author events, storytelling, cooking demonstrations, poetry readings and almost 300 exhibitor booths representing booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations.
Sip and savor world-class pinot noirs and chardonnays at the signature Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival on the Central Coast from 19 to 22 April promoting the very wine region made famous in the movie Sideways. This much anticipated event attracts wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet more than 100 local vintners, taste their wines and enjoy great food and music over a long spring weekend.
No matter what time of year or what region you find yourself in, there’s an event or festival to let you live like a Californian. For more information go to www.visitcalifornia.com/Events/.
For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.