The Golden State is known for its spectacular coastline, iconic cities and great outdoors. It’s also a destination for music concerts, film festivals, sports competitions and more, thanks to a growing number of unique events across the state.
Monterey Jazz Festival (Credit: See Monterey)
Some of California’s best events are hosted in the incredible destinations we're proud to work with. Every year, Huntington Beach hosts the Boston-qualifying Surf City Marathon and the largest airshow in the U.S. Oceanside celebrates cinema at its international film festival and brings global athletes together to test their mettle in the IRONMAN 70.3.
Both Sonoma and Monterey have some of the most prestigious food and wine festivals in the U.S. Monterey also has the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world. Read on for just a snapshot of some of California’s key annual events worth visiting the west coast for.
February
Surf City Marathon, Huntington Beach
Hailed as one of the greatest marathons on the West Coast, Surf City Marathon returns every February to Huntington Beach. With four track distances to choose from, there’s a race for everyone, including the beach mile, the 5k, the half marathon and the flagship Surf City Marathon.
Credit: Visit Huntington Beach
The award-winning track starts along the Pacific Coast Highway and passes the iconic Huntington Beach Pier. Runners can enjoy a laidback race or work towards a personal best and qualify for the Boston Marathon. The epic Race Weekend finishes with live music and entertainment which celebrates the vibrant surf culture of Huntington Beach.
Visit Run Surf City for more information.
Oceanside International Film Festival, Oceanside
The Oceanside International Film Festival (OIFF) returns every February for a week, celebrating independent cinema on the picturesque Southern California coast. Established in 2009, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts from across the globe.
Credit: The Coast News Group
OIFF is a place for new and seasoned independent filmmakers to showcase their films and gain recognition for their work. Attendees see film screenings from across a diverse range of genres, watch insightful panel discussions and take part in Q+As with filmmakers, and as a a nod to its Oceanside location, the festival traditionally includes a film block devoted to surf and skate culture. There are also red-carpet premieres, workshops and networking opportunities.
Visit the Oceanside International Film Festival to learn more.
March
California Artisan Cheese Festival, Santa Rosa
One for cheese lovers! The California Artisan Cheese Festival is a two-day celebration of cheese hosted by the California Artisan Cheese Guild. The festival, which takes place in March, brings together local cheese producers and cheese lovers for a weekend of tastings, tours, talks and pairing demos.
Credit: Sonoma County Tourism
Visitors can get insight into how different artisan cheeses are made on local farms and producer tours. In the evening, the guild hosts drinks and nibbles plus an unmissable cheese crawl. After sampling their favourites, guests will be invited to stock up at the market on the final day.
This ticketed event sells out quickly. To find out more about tickets and festival dates, visit the California Artisan Cheese Festival.
Sonoma International Film Festival, Sonoma
Listed as one of ‘America’s Top Ten Destination Film Festivals’ by USA Today, Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is an annual event which promotes the world’s best independent films and filmmakers.
Credit: Sonoma International FIlm Festival
The festival is held in March in the historic city of Sonoma. Guests are treated to four days of screenings from over 100 films with appearances from indie filmmakers at the top of their game as well as rising stars in the industry. The program includes a range of genres from comedies to dramas and documentaries.
It’s not just films that make this festival a must-go. Set in the heart of the renowned Sonoma Valley wine region, SIFF also showcases the best food and wine of the Northern California region with high-end culinary events and parties.
Find out more about the Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF).
April
Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Pebble Beach
Monterey’s premier food and wine festival returns every year to Pebble Beach Resorts in April. The four-day culinary event celebrates haute cuisine and fine wine with tasting experiences, masterclasses, gourmet lunches and dinners. It’s one of the best culinary festivals in the country for discerning foodies as they can delight in rubbing shoulders with top chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and industry talent.
Credit: Pebble Beach Resorts
Guests can choose from a range of VIP and standard tickets which allows them to tailor their epicurean experience depending on what they’re interested in. Those who want to make the most of the experience can book an exclusive VIP package or get a taste of what this festival is all about at the signature Tasting Pavillion.
For more information, visit Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
Oceanside IRONMAN 70.3., Oceanside
In April, Oceanside hosts one of the world’s largest participating sports platforms, IRONMAN 70.3. The annual event sees athletes compete to qualify for the North American TriClub Championship-Southwest.
Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN
Racers test their mettle in a triathlon involving a 1.2-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, a 56-mile bike loop through Camp Pendleton and a 13.1-mile run along Oceanside’s scenic coast. The starting point is Oceanside Pier. Those who wish to take part can register on the IRONMAN 70.3 website otherwise it’s free for spectators to watch and cheer on the race.
Visit IRONMAN 70.3 to find out more.
May
California Roots, Monterey
Every May, Monterey Fairgrounds is filled with the sound of hip-hop beats, reggae rhythm, folk and rock music during the annual California Roots Music and Art Festival. The three-day concert features a mixture of emerging artists and top names including Damian Marley, Burning Spear and Tribal Seeds.
Credit: The Daily Chela
The music festival became the first certified green event in the State of California in 2020 thanks to its environmental commitments. Single-use plastic cups have been replaced by reusable steel pints and there are water bottle refill stations across the festival site. All carbon emissions from the festival are offset through TripZero. It’s also a family-friendly festival which welcomes children of all ages.
Find out more about the festival at California Roots Festival.
June
Taste of Sonoma, Fulton
Voted as one of the best wine festivals by USA Today readers, Taste of Sonoma celebrates the bounty of the vine in Sonoma County. The wine festival takes place in June and showcases over 100 wineries and vintners. Attendees can take part in walk-around wine tastings, wine seminars, garden tours and premium culinary experiences with local chefs.
Credit: Alexander Rubin/Sonoma County Tourism
Wineries are divided by region in designated Grand Tasting AVA Tents and tickets can be upgraded for access to the VIP club where Sonoma’s most prestigious wineries pour their award-winning and limited-production wines. Alongside wine tasting, there are complimentary food trucks and themed lounges to relax in.
Visit Taste of Sonoma to find out more.
July
California Rodeo Salinas, Salinas
The California Rodeo Salinas is one of the top ten professional rodeos in the US and the largest in California. The annual event features two-night and two-day performances with top cowboys and cowgirls showcasing their rodeo skills in the arena and on the track.
Credit: Richard Field Levine
With over 110 years of tradition, Salinas started as a Wild West show on an old race track and it’s now a major tournament on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit. Visitors can also grab a bite at the food vendors and saloons or peruse the shopping outlets in between shows.
For more information and tickets, visit California Rodeo Salinas.
U.S. Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach
The U.S. Open of Surfing is a nine-day competition for surf, skate and BMX athletes which takes place every summer. It’s also one of the biggest pro surf competitions on the planet and over 300 athletes from around the world take part. It’s free for the public to watch and prime viewing spots are south of Huntington Beach Pier.
Credit: Visit Huntington Beach
There are athlete meet-and-greets, outdoor film screenings, art installations and an extreme sports expo. Attendees can grab a casual bite from food trucks within walking distance of the beach. Bars open in the afternoon accompanied by live music performances and DJ sets.
For more information about the competition, visit the U.S. Open of Surfing.
September
Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey
The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world. Co-founded by Jimmy Lyons and Ralph J. Gleason, it has been celebrating America’s jazz music heritage since 1958 on the lawns of the 20-acre Monterey County Fairgrounds.
Credit: See Monterey
The three-day event has hosted nearly every major jazz artist of the last 60 years from Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday to contemporary legends like Herbie Hancock and Dianne Reeves. It also welcomes rising stars.
Guests can book single-day or three-day tickets for access to the festival grounds and main stage. The festival has a lawnchair rental service where designated seating can be pre-booked in advance.
To find out more and book tickets, visit the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Pacific Airshow, Huntington Beach
Since its launch in 2016, the Pacific Airshow has grown to become the largest airshow in the US by attendance. Millions of spectators flock to the beach every autumn for three days of aerobatic demonstrations from some of the world’s best display teams.
Credit: Joe Katcha/Visit Huntington Beach
Live music, entertainment and a boat race around Catalina Island accompany the main event. Visitors can also meet their favourite airshow performers at autograph signing sessions.
General admission tickets to the Show Center are available to book at a day-by-day rate. Located on the beach, attendees are right up close to the action. There is an option to upgrade to premium tickets for unreserved seating, VIP cabanas or chalets.
For more information, visit Pacific Airshow USA.
Super Girl Surf Pro, Oceanside
The world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle and music festival returns to Oceanside each September and it’s free to attend. Attendees can watch world-class surfing competitions with more than 100 top female pros as they compete to qualify for the Women’s Championship Tour.
Credit: Visit Oceanside
At the Super Girl Pro Festival Village, there are experiences for all ages, including autograph signings, giveaways, contests, celebrity speakers, skateboarding, live music, dance, competitions and more. There are also female-led vendors selling food, drink and souvenirs. Budding surfers can get top tips and advice for free through the mentorship program when they register in advance.
For updates about the festival, visit Super Girl Surf Pro.
October
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa
Harvest season is a fantastic time to visit Sonoma County for foodies and wine lovers. It’s the time of year when local food and wine producers showcase their bounty and one of the best places to see them all in one place is the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
The three-day festival celebrates the top food, wine and agriculture in the region and it’s also considered one of the premier regional wine-judging events in the country. Over 900 local wines are judged by an expert jury at the Professional Wine Competition.
Credit: Sonoma County Tourism
During the festival, attendees can visit stands from local restaurants, food producers and wineries in the tasting pavilion. A VIP timeslot is available for those who want a more personalised experience.
Tickets go on sale in August. Make sure to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Stay up to date by visiting the Sonoma County Harvest Fair website.
November
Bike The Coast, Oceanside
In November, cyclists of all ages and levels are invited to cycle the historic Highway 101 at the annual Bike The Coast event. Riders can enjoy some of the prettiest Southern California surf towns and beaches on a flat route of 25, 50 or 100 miles. There’s a special 7 or 15-mile route along the car-free San Luis Rey River Trail for families.
Credit: Visit Oceanside
The cycling event ends with a finish line party at the pier in Oceanside. Attendees can celebrate their achievements with a beer or soft drink and tuck into delicious food from local vendors. After refreshments, they will be able to dance the rest of the afternoon away at the music stage or explore the expos and shopping outlets.
To take part in Bike The Coast, riders will need to register for a fee. VIP, family and group packages are available along with bike rentals.
For more information, visit Bike The Coast.
Corgi Beach Day, Huntington Beach
For dog lovers or lovers of animals in general, events really don't come much more fun than Southern California's Corgi Beach Day. This one day festival, founded with just 15 corgis in 2012, now attracts hundreds of corgis, honorary corgis (other dog breeds are welcome), enthusiastic dog owners and families to the golden sands of Huntington Dog Beach.
Credit: SoCal Corgi Nation
Corgi Beach Day is now the biggest breed-specific event and largest gathering of corgis in the world, where visitors can expect over 35 vendors, food trucks and a main arena with corgi-centric games, activities and competitions all day long. There's also now a spring Corgi Beach Day in April and one in November, so double the fun!
To find out more, visit SoCal Corgi Beach Day.
No matter what time of year you visit California, there’s always something happening. Huntington Beach, Monterey, Sonoma County and Oceanside alone have a busy calendar of events that cater to a diverse range of interests. Whether it’s sports or music, food or wine, these destinations always have visitors coming back for more.
If you’re interested in adding any of these destinations to your California program, or would like to discuss any product, content or training requirements you might have, contact us at