January in California offers endless new beginnings, whether you want to extend your holiday season or perhaps just recover from it. Play in the snow, check out the whales along the coast, or perhaps see some stars on the red carpet as awards season begins in Hollywood. Below are more than 20 ways to start making memories in 2026.
Around the State: Restaurant Weeks
Several California cities and towns are hosting Restaurant Weeks this month—an ideal opportunity to enjoy prix fixe deals for lunch and dinner. Central Valley wine hub Lodi celebrates its first Restaurant Week this year (Jan. 23–Feb. 1), with special menus powered by the area’s fresh ingredients and world-class wines and beers; participants include the new Americana House, led by acclaimed Chef Charlie Palmer.
In Gold Country, you can enjoy farm-to-fork specials during Sacramento’s Dine Downtown (Jan. 9–18) and Elk Grove Restaurant Week (Jan. 9–18), or experience more of the bounty of the Central Valley during Stockton Restaurant Week (Jan. 16–25).
In the Bay Area, you can choose from a variety of specials in Napa Valley Restaurant Month (Jan. 1–31); in Southern California, January brings both Dine LA Restaurant Week in Los Angeles (Jan. 23–Feb. 6) and San Diego Restaurant Week (Jan. 25–Feb. 1).
Around the State: Whale Watching
It’s prime time to see California gray whales make their annual migration to Baja. See them along the Mendocino Headlands State Park and Point Arena Lighthouse, for instance, or book a spot on a whale-watching charter in Mendocino County. Near San Francisco, look for the fabled sea monsters, the leviathans, at the tip of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Off the Central Coast, you can see why the Santa Barbara Channel has been recognized a Whale Heritage Area by taking a tour from operators such as Condor Express. Peruse Oxnard’s whale-watching tours near Channel Islands National Park or head south to Dana Point, where you can watch the mammals with operators such as Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching and Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale-Watching Safari.
Northern California
Starts Jan. 2: The Art of Taste at Lewis Cellars, Napa
Enjoy dinner prepared by this Napa winery’s Michelin-starred chef during this limited-time series. The five-course prix fixe dinners with wine pairings feature a new seasonal menu each month, library wines, and guest appearances by the Lewis Cellars winemaking team. Runs on select dates through March.
Jan. 16–19: Napa Truffle Festival, Napa
January falls in the middle of Napa Valley’s “Cabernet Season,” with events and dinners that celebrate the classic red wine. A Cab really goes well with truffles, too, which get the spotlight during this festival that features orchard tours, cooking demos, meet and greets with truffle dogs, and a special dinner at La Toque. Don’t miss the event’s daily Festival Marketplace (with more truffles and cooking demos) at Oxbow Public Market.
Begins Jan. 17: Napa Lighted Art Festival, Napa
Missing those holiday lights? Come to this free, open-air, illuminated art walk created by local and international artists in Downtown Napa. This year’s installations include a display inspired by the inner workings of the brain and a collection of “Roaming Gnomes.” Runs through Feb. 15.
Jan. 17–18: Winter Wineland, Sonoma County
Taste limited-production wines, new releases, and library wines at this annual event along Northern Sonoma County’s Wine Road. Buy a one-day pass or stay for the whole weekend and choose from one-hour tasting experiences at more than 60 participating wineries, including Baldassari Wines, Colagrossi Wines, and Viszlay Vineyards.
Jan. 21–25: Fog Design + Art, San Francisco
Contemporary art goes beyond framed works and sculpture at this festival based at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. Check out the furniture, visual art, and other design pieces affiliated with dozens of art galleries and SFMOMA. Browse the event’s Fog Mkt for artisan-made arts and crafts with a Bay Area theme.
Jan. 22–25: Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, Chico
During winter, Butte County becomes a serious magnet for migratory birds—raptors and waterfowl, including tens of thousands of snow geese. This four-day festival in the Chico area offers more than 55 different bird-watching field trips, workshops, and activities, as well as the art exhibit Perch, Flutter, Soar at the Museum of Northern California Art.
Jan. 30–Feb. 8: Seafood & Sips, Mendocino
Winter is high season for fresh crabs in Mendocino. This 10-day seafood-fest of individual events kicks off with the Sparkling Wine and Oyster Celebration (Jan. 31) then culminates with a cioppino dinner and a Crabcake Cook-Off.
Central California
Jan. 19–25: World Surfing League’s SLO CAL Open, Pismo Beach
Watch men’s and women’s divisions compete for cash prizes at this World Surfing League qualifying event. A good nearby home base in Pismo Beach is the Vespera Resort, perched just above the sand, which often hosts a sunset-watching party during the event.
Jan. 22–25: Big Sur Foragers Festival, Big Sur
Whether you love mushrooms, the sweeping views along Highway 1, or both, this weekend in Big Sur is full of both fun and fungi. Festivities include four guided mushroom hikes starting at the Big Sur Lodge plus the Fungi Face-Off, where chefs, wineries, and breweries showcase their best mushroom-inspired creations.
Jan. 31: 70th Anniversary Mid-Season Celebration, Heavenly Resort
This High Sierra ski resort kicked off its 70th anniversary celebration in December 2025, but the party keeps rolling. On this Saturday—the 70th day of the 70th year—skiers can enjoy food and drink specials, plus DJ Cat spinning slopeside at Lakeview Lodge.
Southern California
Begins Dec. 28: Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Pasadena has been throwing this epic New Year’s Day party since 1890. Come on Jan. 1 to watch the famous parade or the game at the Rose Bowl. This year’s parade features Magic Johnson as the grand marshal.
Consider coming to town a few days early for the lead-up festivities, where you can see the horses of Equestfest (Dec. 29), listen to the marching bands at Bandfest (Dec. 29–30), or join the Lululemon Run with the Roses 5K, which begins at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. Another option: Stick around afterward to examine the parade masterpieces up close at Floatfest (Jan. 1–3).
Begins Dec 28: Sunday Polo Games at Eldorado Polo Club, Indio
During spring, this field in Indio is famous for hosting big-name artists at the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. During the winter months, though, it’s a legit polo field. Bring your own food to enjoy a picnic or sit at the clubhouse or VIP Polo Lounge to order food while watching matches. Admission starts at about $80 per parking spot. The event runs through March 22.
Begins Jan. 1: Ride Under the Stars Night Sessions, Big Bear
Make the most of the shortest days of the year at Big Bear Mountain. The resort’s Snow Valley and Snow Summit host 12 different night sessions until 8:30 p.m. during January, more than any other time of the season. Choose from a wide variety of runs and enjoy select runs’ full evening grooms. You can add the night session onto your daily lift ticket. Check the events calendar for 11 more sessions during February and March.
Jan. 2–12: Palm Springs International Film Festival, Greater Palm Springs
One way to celebrate Hollywood's high season is to attend this star-studded festival in the Palm Springs area that showcases upward of 200 films from around the globe. This year’s opening and closing films are Calle Malaga (a Spanish-language film that won big awards at the Mill Valley and Venice festivals) and Glenrothian (starring Brian Cox and Alan Cumming).
The festival also features various film-inspired dinners and awards given to A-listers—this year the list includes Amanda Seyfried, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Ethan Hawke. Screening tickets start as low as $20 or you can buy a multiday pass starting at $398.
Jan. 3–4: High Tide Brunches at the Marine Room, La Jolla
This time of year brings high tides—also known as king tides—to this stretch of the Pacific coastline. The beachfront Marine Room in La Jolla makes the most of it with brunches or dinners where diners will see the waves crashing against the restaurant’s panoramic windows. Book early—this amazing dining experience often sells out.
Jan. 7: A Concert for Altadena, Pasadena
To mark the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, a roster of artists will gather to help raise funds for continued rebuilding in the community of Altadena. Organizing band Dawes welcomes a lineup including Mandy Moore, Jackson Browne, Brad Paisley, Stephen Stills, and Aloe Blacc at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Proceeds support the Altadena Builds Back Foundation, which is part of the Pasadena Community Foundation.
Jan. 7–11: LA Art Show, Los Angeles
Browse Los Angeles’s largest art fair, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, which features more than 100 exhibitors, including collaborations with international and local galleries; highlights this year include a distinctive solo exhibition of Sylvester Stallone's abstract paintings. Check out the DiverseartLA section which includes performances, installations from various museums, and new works by famed L.A. muralist Robert Vargas.
Jan. 11–12, 18–19: SeaWorld Inside Look, San Diego
Get an up-close look at conservation efforts at the San Diego theme park and zoological institution. Check out special exhibits to learn about the daily work of the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team and their colleagues who care for the park’s orcas, dolphins, sharks, and more; included with park admission. Starting Jan. 24, celebrate the park’s version of Mardi Gras with live music, costumed performers, and special Creole and Cajun menu items (runs through Feb. 22).
Begins Jan. 14: Swell Plates Series, Oceanside
Taste your way through Oceanside’s rich food scene, with the chance for a prize at the end. About 20 restaurants are offering limited-time dishes that showcase the locally sourced ingredients and artisan products from this surf-loving town. Options include the Quesataco and Tuna Tostada at Valle and the Cross Current Wrap & Green Room Matcha at Jitters Coffee Pub, featuring herbs from Jason Mraz’s own Family Farms.
Take your passport to be stamped at each spot and once you have three or more stamps, drop off your passport at Oceanside’s California Welcome Center (or email photos of both side) for a chance to win a $50 restaurant gift card. Runs through Feb. 11.
Begins Jan. 23: Lunar New Year Festivities
The Year of the Horse officially begins next month (Feb. 17), but parties and parades will start early and keep rolling all over California. Disneyland Resort, for instance, kicks things off on Jan. 23 with Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession parade, the Hurry Home—A Lunar New Year Celebration, and special cuisine and merchandise; runs through Feb. 22.
In Riverside, stroll downtown’s Mission Ave. on the last weekend in January when the free Riverside Lunar Festival (Jan. 24–25) features local artisans, restaurant pop-ups, and cultural performances, including fire dancers and Taiko drums.
Jan. 29–Feb. 1: Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego
Experience this historic PGA tour tournament held at Torrey Pines Golf Course, known for its amazing coastal views and feathery-needled pine trees. Consider getting a front-row view by staying at the neighboring Lodge at Torrey Pines, which is offering a special that bundles in tickets as well as breakfast and parking.