February in California features a variety of events, marking the early signs of spring with wildflowers blooming in the desert and blossoms on fruit and nut trees across the Central Valley. Yosemite National Park’s “firefall” phenomenon is also expected to occur between February 8 and 23, when sunlight creates the illusion of fire streaming down Horsetail Fall.
This month includes several cultural celebrations. Black History Month is observed with museum exhibits and events such as the Los Angeles Black History Month Festival on February 21 at La Brea Tar Pits. In San Francisco, visitors can follow the African-American Freedom Trail, which highlights sites like the Museum of the African Diaspora and the MLK Memorial.
Lunar New Year festivities will take place throughout California. The Vietnamese community in Orange County will host its USVA Tet Festival from February 13 to 15 in Garden Grove. San Francisco begins its celebration with a Flower Market Fair on February 14, followed by one of the world’s largest Chinese New Year parades on March 7. Theme parks such as SeaWorld San Diego and Disneyland Resort are also holding special events related to Lunar New Year.
In Northern California, Mendocino’s Seafood & Sips event runs from January 30 to February 8, featuring seafood dishes and wine pairings. Napa Valley’s Chandon winery offers romantic sparkling lunches throughout February. Super Bowl Week activities begin February 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area, including fan experiences at Yerba Buena Gardens and Moscone Center leading up to the game at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.
The almond blossom season starts in early February around Modesto and continues with Fresno County’s Blossom Trail from mid-February through late March. Other notable regional events include Cloverdale Citrus Fair (February 13–16), Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend (February 14–15), International White Wine Festival in Anderson Valley (February 14–15), SF Beer Week (February 20–March 1), Clam Chowder Cook-Off in Santa Cruz (February 21–22), Capay Valley Almond Parade & Festival (February 21–22), Almond Blossom Run in Durham (February 22), Sonoma County Restaurant Week (February 23–March 1), California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco (February 27–March 1), St. Helena Mustard Celebration (February 27), Alpenglow Demo Day at Palisades Tahoe (February 28), and Winter Wine Adventure in Placerville (February 28).
Central California hosts several major gatherings, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival from February 4 to14—featuring over two hundred films—and World Ag Expo in Tulare from February10 to12, which showcases agricultural equipment and local food products. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament takes place from February12 to15.
Southern California offers Temecula Valley Wines Barrel Tasting Weekend starting January31, Knott’s Peanuts Celebration through most of February, San Diego Museum Month with discounted admission to over seventy museums, Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon on February1 in Huntington Beach, Griffith Park Run on February1 in Los Angeles, Laguna Beach Music Festival from February2 to7, Palm Springs Modernism Week beginning February12, Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival starting mid-month, Genesis Invitational golf tournament returning to Los Angeles’ Riviera Country Club from February19 to22 after relocating last year due to wildfires—“The course has special meaning for Woods,” according to organizers—Slamdance Film Festival highlighting independent films from emerging artists between February19 and25 in West Hollywood (“Your $50 pass grants you access to any screenings…”), and Riverside Dickens Festival celebrating Victorian literature on February21–22.
National parks across California will offer free entrance on Presidents Day, which falls on Monday, February16 this year.
