Spring has sprung in California, and that means you’ll find blossoming trees and wildflowers around the state, snow in the mountains, and prime whale watching along the coast. It’s also a season that ushers in all sorts of events across the state—foodie festivals, wine and craft-beer releases, and a brand-new roller coaster. Here are 20-plus ways to welcome spring around California.
Northern California
Feb. 26–March 8: 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.
Mar. 7: Lunar New Year Festivities
The Year of the Horse began on Feb. 17, but the parties and parades continue this month around California. San Francisco, for instance, hosts the Chinese New Year Festival & Parade on Mar. 7—the world’s biggest Chinese New Year party outside of China.
On the same day, the Gold Country town of Isleton celebrates in its Asian district lined with food vendors and live entertainment: See lion dancers and martial arts, hear the Chinese Capitol Orchestra, and browse the exhibit at The Isleton Museum about the Japanese and Chinese immigrants who arrived here in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
March 7–8: 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. You must pre-register to attend; tickets are typically available in late February.
March 7–8: 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, in towns including Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and Geyserville. Check out the list of 50-plus participating wineries, and buy your tickets online ahead of time.
March 12–22: Oakland Restaurant Week, Oakland
The East Bay city celebrates its highly acclaimed dining scene with special deals and pop-ups. Choose from more than 140 participants, ranging from waterfront dining to Michelin-recognized restaurants. Take the Oakland Restaurant Week Challenge by collecting virtual badges at each restaurant you visit, for a chance to win gift cards and hotel stays.
March 20–22: 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, and brewers.
Begins March 20: 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 up to three bottles of Pliny the Younger. Runs through April 2.
March 21: Sundial Film Festival, Redding
Watch mostly short films by up-and-coming directors at this festival that has been held in Redding for nearly 20 years. Buy a full-day pass to see all the films or get a ticket for one of two screening sessions; come a day early to attend the gala on Friday night. The festival also offers the chance to enjoy the 1935 Cascade Theatre, an Art Deco landmark in downtown Redding.
March 21–22: Fort Bragg Whale Fest, Fort Bragg
Come to this Mendocino County town 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.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the “Mendocino Whale War” of 1976, when local activists started raising awareness about the harms done by commercial whaling (ever seen an old “Save the Whales” t-shirt?). Festivities aside, the whales are typically visible from Mendocino County from March through April.
March 27–29: Toyota U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships, Palisades Tahoe
Come to the black-diamond Red Dog Face ski run at Palisades Tahoe to watch elite skiers compete in moguls, dual moguls, and aerials. Admission is free. Check out more events going on at the North Lake Tahoe ski resort this time of year, such as Disco Tubing and live music.
March 28: 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 $10 off a ride wristband. Be sure to take a spin on the Giant Dipper, which recently celebrated its centennial.
Central California
Feb. 27–March 7: 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.
All Month: Mermaid Month, Ventura
Every March, Ventura’s buzzing Harbor Village celebrates the mythic sea creatures. Two Saturday events—March 7 and March 21—include extra festive activities like mermaid meet-and-greets, live music and dance parties.
Other days feature their own live entertainment, scavenger hunts, special treats, and mermaid-themed apparel, dolls, jewelry, and artwork. Mermaid and pirate cosplay is encouraged: Pick up your accessories at Ventura Harbor Village boutiques including Mermaid Gallery, Hats Unlimited, and Lost in Socks.
March 5–8: Ojai Food + Wine, Ojai
March and April are the peak season for the super-sweet pixie tangerine, which grows in the Ojai area, but that’s just the beginning of the culinary delights at this high-wattage festival hosted by the Ojai Valley Inn.
The long weekend features dozens of dinners, seminars, and demos by more than 50 acclaimed chefs and 100 wineries, including Ludo Lefebvre and Nancy Silverton. The high-end experience offers three ticket levels granting access to between nine and 14 events.
March 6–8: 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.
March 20–22: Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Santa Barbara
Stroll through the garden-sized exhibits at this acclaimed flower show in Santa Barbara. Look at orchid displays and orchid-themed art and photography, watch demos on cultivating them at home, then buy a few flowers to take home.
Southern California
Feb. 26–March 1: Frieze Los Angeles Art Fair, Santa Monica
Check out this high-profile contemporary art fair at the Santa Monica Airport—which is both a small airport and bustling arts center. The event showcases works from 95 galleries with spaces in 22 countries across the globe. You’ll find food pop-ups as well as a local-favorite restaurant, The Cloverfield, across the street. The airport hosts other non-travel events during the month, such as an ongoing antique and vintage market.
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 check out the exhibit of glass butterfly-and-insect sculptures, then explore the field’s floral maze, hop on a tractor-pulled wagon tour, or browse the greenhouse with cymbidium orchids.
Book your tickets online, and keep in mind that weekends sell out fast. Runs through May 10.
March 1–15: BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells
Watch the world’s top players—such as Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner—compete at tennis’ biggest non-Grand Slam tournament, held at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, in Greater Palm Springs. This year’s tournament brings new perks for spectators, from a Lululemon retail space (the athleisure brand is the tourney’s Official Outfitter) and culinary options including a Nobu with views of the Stadium 2 court.
March 6–8: Dana Point Festival of Whales, Dana Point
As a Whale Heritage site, the Orange County town of Dana Point offers an excellent perch for watching 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 6: LEGO Galaxy Opens, Carlsbad
This month, LEGOLAND California gets its first new coaster in 20 years with the debut of LEGO Galaxy, anew space-themed area that includes Galacticoaster, an indoor roller coaster where riders personalize their own virtual spacecraft using touchscreens and wristbands. The new area also includes two smaller rides (including the reimagined Sky Patrol ride), themed dining, and a play area with LEGO-building activities.
Begins March 7: Seven Seas Food Festival, San Diego
Every year, SeaWorld San Diego hosts this festival that goes well beyond the typical theme-park cuisine: You can purchase dishes and drinks that reflect a variety of international cuisines—from Africa to Korea to France to South America. This year, there will be four live concerts, too, by artists including the pop-and-soul-band Fitz and the Tantrums, country-pop group The Band Perry, and singer/songwriter Phillip Phillips. Admission is included with regular tickets; runs through April 27.
March 7: 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 7: Soccer’s AV ALTA Home Opener, Lancaster
See the AV ALTA FC, a USL League One professional soccer team, play its home opener against the Richmond Kickers at the Lancaster Municipal Stadium—nicknamed The Hangar thanks to the Lancaster area’s aviation history as the home of Edwards Air Force Base. Upcoming theme nights include a Summer of Soccer night, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage, and an ’80s Throwback Night.
Come for a match during the later spring and you might get a good look at the blooming poppy fields at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve.
March 8–14: OC Restaurant Week, Orange County
Taste your way through Orange County’s diverse culinary scene during this week of specials and pop-ups. Browse the list of dozens of participating restaurants, including big-name brands (like Fleming’s and Great Maple) and many family-owned spots in towns ranging from Garden Grove to Newport Beach to Costa Mesa.
Begins March 6: 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 like Avocado Time, Garlic Kissed, and Nuts About Cheese. Check out culinary demonstrations, junior-chef activities, and the California-themed mixology seminars. Runs through April 27.
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 the Golden Gate Bridge (runs until July 1).
March 13–18: El Paseo Fashion Week, Palm Desert
This week in Palm Desert is the biggest annual fashion event on the West Coast, complete with 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 Kevan Hall, Charles Harbison, and Sergio Hudson.
Begins March 13: Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, Buena Park
Celebrate the namesake fruit of Knott’s Berry Farm 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 in Buena Park. Treats in the past have included a pozole with boysenberry garnish, boysenberry BBQ chicken pizza, and a boysenberry rocky road brownie. Runs on select dates through April 12.
March 27–29: WonderCon, Anaheim
Break out your cosplay for this sister event of Comic-Con International, which celebrates comics, movies, TV, and animation. The lineup of artists and panelists at the Anaheim Convention Center will include comic book artists, directors, and actors; as of press time, badges are still available.