Spring has sprung in California, and that means you’ll find plenty of wildflowers on display across the state as well as a festive stretch of ski season in the mountains and prime whale watching along the coast. It’s also a time that ushers in all sorts of events across the state—foodie festivals, wine and craft-beer releases, and a comic book convention in Anaheim. Here are 20-plus ways to celebrate spring around California.
Feb. 29–March 10: North Lake Tahoe Snowfest, Tahoe City
This “Mountain Mardi Gras” first began in the early 1980s, launched by town leaders to prove that North Lake Tahoe snow is still fantastic in the spring. See for yourself on the nearby slopes—including Palisades Tahoe, Northstar, and Sugar Bowl—and make time for the annual parade, pet costume contest, and snow golf tournament. While you’re in town, enjoy the mellow party atmosphere in Tahoe City’s many bars and restaurants.
All Month: Spring Release Month, Paso Robles
Wineries in Paso Robles are releasing their new vintages this month, inspiring about 100 different events including winemaker dinners, special tours, and tastings. One don’t-miss opportunity: the ZinFestival at Tobin James Cellars (March 15–17), when the winery will release its 2020 Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel.
Begins March 1: Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, Carlsbad
Walk through a rainbow-striped field of ranunculus flowers at this photo-op magnet in Carlsbad, located just a few blocks from LEGOLAND California. At its peak (which varies each year), the field has about 70 million flowers. Make an afternoon of it and explore the field’s adjacent Sunflower Maze, hop on a tractor-pulled wagon tour, or check out the greenhouse with cymbidium orchids. Book your tickets online, and keep in mind that weekends sell out fast. Runs through early May.
March 1–3: Jazz Bash by the Bay, Monterey
Come hear old-school jazz—ragtime, Dixieland, hot club, and swing—at this music festival set on seven stages at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. While it’s not related to September’s Monterey Jazz Festival, it has plenty of its own street cred, having run now for more than 40 years. Check out the Portola Hotel’s specials page to stay at the hotel too.
Begins March 1: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, Anaheim
Disney California Adventure Park goes full foodie this month. Get a Sip & Savor pass that entitles you to small plates at tasting stations around the park, with themes such as Avocado Time, Garlic Kissed, and Nuts About Cheese. Check out culinary demonstrations, junior-chef activities, and the California-themed wine, beer, and mixology seminars. This year’s event in Anaheim also includes a limited-time return of the popular ride Soarin’ Over California, which makes you feel like you are gliding over Golden State destinations including Yosemite, Napa Valley, and Malibu. Runs through April 22.
March 1–3: Dana Point Festival of Whales, Dana Point
The Orange County town of Dana Point is the first Whale Heritage site in the Americas and an excellent perch for watching migrating whales nearly year-round. The distinct uptick in migrating gray whales during this time of year, however, is cause for an annual party—one with a parade, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing clinics, talks about whales, and a chowder cook-off. Come early for Friday’s Welcoming of the Whales Ceremony at dusk, which features a variety of speakers as well as food trucks at the beachside Ocean Institute.
March 1–9: Rogue Festival, Fresno
Watch cutting-edge theatre, dance, spoken-word performances, and even puppetry at one of the most acclaimed fringe festivals in the nation. Performers will push their respective envelopes at different venues around Fresno’s Tower District.
March 2: Isleton's Asian New Year Celebration, Isleton
Celebrate both Chinese and Japanese New Year in this Sacramento County town, which has long been the home of Chinese and Japanese immigrants. Check out the grand opening of the Isleton Museum's "Revisiting Iselton's Forgotten Nihonmachi" exhibit and a groundbreaking for the upcoming Asian American Heritage Park. Enjoy the Sacramento Taiko Dan drummers, lion dancers, and Isleton Chinatown pop-ups.
March 2–3: Sacramento Free Museum Weekend, Sacramento
Choose from more than 25 museums in the capital city—including the California State Railroad Museum, California Museum, and the California Automobile Museum—for free admission all weekend. Tickets are available beginning Feb. 21.
March 2–3: Annual Barrel Tasting, Healdsburg
This three-day event along Sonoma County’s Wine Road offers the chance to chat with winemakers and sample top wines, straight from the barrel, from the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys. Check out the list of 50-plus participating wineries, and buy your tickets online ahead of time.
March 3–17: BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells
This top-tier tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, located about 15 miles from Palm Springs, brings you close to the world’s best players as they duke it out under the desert sun. This year’s likely competitors include last year’s winners, Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Fritz.
Begins March 8: Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, Knott’s Berry Farm
Celebrate the namesake fruit of this Buena Park theme park at its annual food festival that focuses on the hybrid berry that tastes great in both sweet and savory dishes. Your festival admission comes with a lanyard of tasting tickets, which can be redeemed at stations around the park. Typical treats have included a pozole with boysenberry garnish, boysenberry BBQ chicken pizza, and boysenberry rocky road brownie. Runs every day through April 7, and then on weekends through April 28.
March 8–10: Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Santa Barbara
Stroll through the garden-sized exhibits at this acclaimed flower show in Santa Barbara County. Look at orchid displays and orchid-themed art and photography; watch demos on cultivating them at home; and then buy a few flowers to take home.
March 9: Shasta Gravel Hugger, Montague
Take a scenic 100-mile bike ride in Siskiyou County’s Shasta Valley while enjoying big views of Mt. Shasta. If you’re not game for the century ride, opt for the Half Hug (100 km, or 62 miles) or the new 34-mile version known as the Handshake. All of the routes are about half pavement, half gravel.
March 10: CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Final, San Diego
Witness women’s national soccer teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean as they compete for the Gold Cup for the first time. The tournament begins Feb. 17 and includes matches at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and Dignity Health Sports Park in nearby Carson. The final will be held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on March 10.
March 14–24: Oakland Restaurant Week, Oakland
The East Bay city celebrates its highly acclaimed dining scene with special deals, pop-ups, and food trucks. Choose from nearly 50 participants, ranging from waterfront dining at Lake Chalet to international fare at Mela Ethiopian Bistro.
March 15–17: Rolling Loud, Los Angeles
The global hip-hop festival will have its only West Coast stop this year in Los Angeles, held on the grounds next to SoFi Stadium. Headliners include Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, and Metro Boomin and Future, while the rest of the lineup includes Big Sean and Chief Keef. Check out the long list of nearby partner hotels when planning your weekend.
March 15–17: Fort Bragg Whale Fest, Mendocino County
Come to Mendocino County to witness the twice-a-year migration by gray whales, then enjoy the Downtown Wine Walk, a beer fest, a craft fair, and the 5K/10K Whale Run. Festivities aside, the whales are typically visible from Mendocino County from March through April.
March 15–21: El Paseo Fashion Week, Palm Desert
This week in Palm Desert is the biggest annual fashion event on the West Coast, complete swith a week of cocktail receptions, trunk displays, celebrity meet-and-greets, and runway shows at The Gardens on El Paseo. This year’s featured designers include Simon Ungless, Leon Klassen Bos, and Scooter LaForge.
Begins March 16: Glow in the Park at Living Desert, Palm Desert
Stroll the Palm Desert zoo at this after-dark, ticketed event that features hundreds of illuminated lanterns depicting desert wildlife, ocean critters, and mythical creatures. In between photo ops, walk the themed pathways through the African Safari and Rhino Savanna areas to see some of the resident wildlife too. Runs from 6:30 p.m.–10 p.m. on select nights through April 28.
March 22–24: California Artisan Cheese Festival, Santa Rosa
Enjoy a cheesy weekend, in the best way possible, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa—a region of the state rich with dairy cows and thriving creameries. Friday includes tastings and tours while Saturday offers seminars and a cheese crawl at The Barlow in Sebastopol. Come back on Sunday for the Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace, showcasing more than 100 creameries, winemakers, brewers, and more.
March 22–24: Little House on the Prairie’s 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion & Festival, Simi Valley
Celebrate the classic TV series from the 1970s, which was filmed mostly at Simi Valley's Big Sky Movie Ranch in Ventura County. The nearby Rancho Santa Susana Park will play host for cast meet-and-greets, recreated sets from the series, and episode screenings, as well as live music, crafts, and food and drinks from local vendors.
Begins March 22: 20th Pliny the Younger Release, Santa Rosa and Windsor
For two weeks every year, Russian River Brewing Co. offers its acclaimed and intensely flavorful triple IPA. The lines outside the brewery’s two Sonoma County locations in Santa Rosa and Windsor can be long (especially on weekends) but tend to be festive themselves. Your free wristband entitles you to buy three 10 oz. pours and two bottles of Pliny the Younger. Runs through April 4.
March 23: Boardwalk Fun Run, Santa Cruz
Run or walk a 5K with an incredible view: the beach, surf, and rides along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Your race admission not only grants you a finisher medal, but also up to two hours of free play in the Casino Arcade and $15 off a ride wristband. Be sure to take a spin on the Giant Dipper, which is celebrating its centennial this year.
March 23: Wine Festival & Chocolate Decadence, Temecula
If you didn’t get enough candy on Valentine’s Day, head to Temecula for this festival at the Pechanga Resort Casino. Sample a plethora of chocolate and pastries made by resort chefs, paired with wines from around the globe (including several from the Temecula Valley).
March 29–31: WonderCon, Anaheim
Break out your cosplay for this sister event of Comic-Con International, which celebrates comics, movies, TV, and animation. Featured artists and panelists at the Anaheim Convention Center will include comic book artist Colleen Doran, Star Wars series actor Ashley Eckstein (aka Ahsoka Tano), and Marvel Comics writer and editor Terry Kavanagh. As of press time, badges are still available.
March 30: Hop & Shop, San Clemente
Do some spring shopping while also enjoying quality time with the Easter Bunny at the Outlets at San Clemente—home to a California Welcome Center and factory stores including Lululemon, Vans, and Columbia. Along with the live entertainment, free face-painting, balloon art, and photo ops, you can score a 25 percent spring savings discount, good at participating stores.
