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By mid- to late-February, the daffodils and almond trees are blooming, with the occasional tiny wildflower popping up as well; and around the first of March redbud and manzanita are flowering in the lower foothills . . .
Soon, the wildflowers will be out in force, with lupine, sweetpeas, and California poppies being the most noticeable, but also including
hundreds – if not thousands – of other varieties . . .
All this while the winter rains and snow storms continue . . .
So, in honor of Springtime in Northern California,
here are some flower power venues for you to enjoy:
Daffodil Hill in Volcano
Daffodil Hill in Sutter Creek
Filoli Historical Country Estate in Woodside
Kautz Ironstone Vineyards near Murphys
Oakland’s Keep Oakland Beautiful in Oakland
Paradise Daffodils Across the Ridge
San Jose Beautiful in San Jose
Jamie & Marc’s Farm (Formerly Bill the Bulb Baron) in Carmel Valley
And that brings us to the Point Arena Flower Power Festival, which takes place over the weekend of March 13th through the 14th.
Enjoy the daffodils lining historic Highway 1 from Arena Cove to the Point Arena Lighthouse!
Mar 8, 2010, March Event: Little River
in Northern California!
The Little River Whale Festival takes place March 13th and 14th in Little River, and includes savory tastings from the kitchens of the town’s noted chefs, sipping of fabulous Mendocino County wines, history and birding walks in Van Damme State Park, tours of artist studios, a cheese-making class, and fireside talks with local historians.
And many Little River inns are offering a free night’s stay !!
Mar 5, 2010, My 3 Best Kept Northern California Travel Secrets
My 3 Best Kept Northern Callifornia Travel Secrets are . . .
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Mar 4, 2010, Whale Watching Tips
Looking for some Whale Watching Tips to enhance your experience and make your whale watching trip more enjoyable? Then this is the place for you!
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Mar 4, 2010, March Event: Pinecrest
It's funny, but I didn't know anything about California's Senior Games until last year when I stumbled on them in San Francisco! I'm guessing I was oblivious because I don't think of myself as a Senior (even though I suppose I am . . . technically).
The Senior Winter Games are being held in Pinecrest on March 11th through the 14th with categories that include downhill skiiing, snowboarding, telemark, and Nordic cross country races.
It's all happening at Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area and it promises to provide tons of festive, action-packed entertainment!
Mar 4, 2010, Little River California
Where can you find amazing views of the Pacific, beaches, redwood forests, and tranquility in the State of California? Look no further than Little River California!
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Mar 3, 2010, Mendocino Village
Mendocino Village: Cape Cod homes, Victorians, shops and restaurants; all set atop a weather-and-surf pounded rocky bluff with fantastic views of ocean, whales, and sunsets-what's not to love!
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Mar 3, 2010, March Event: Mendocino
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Wine tasting and whale watching - it doesn't get much better than this!
Wine tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 28th Annual Mendocino Whale Festival in Mendocino.
Many wineries will set up tasting stations in inns, galleries and shops throughout Mendocino Village and Little River, while the area’s top chefs produce their favorite seafood chowders in a tasting event.
A marine mammal art exhibit, plein-air (live outdoor painting demonstrations) and docent-led walks are all part of the two-day festival.
And March is chock full of Whale Festivals in Mendocino County - if you miss this one, try the Little River Whale Festival March 13th & 14th or the Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 20th & 21st!
This is a great time of year to go whale watching - the Grays are migrating North with their babies, which means they're generally closer to shore!
Mar 3, 2010, San Francisco Gold Rush
The story of the San Francisco Gold Rush is fascinating! There are two Outdoor Museums disguised as self-guided walking tours that'll take you to the historic sites of the Gold Rush in San Francisco.
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Mar 2, 2010, Things To Do in Chico
Chico Ca is my AHT (Adopted Home Town), so you'll have to forgive me if I wax enthusiastic about the plethora of things to do in Chico!
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Mar 2, 2010, March Event: Sacramento
The California State YoYo Championship will take place on Saturday, March 6th, at the Westfield Downtown Plaza in downtown Sacramento. If you haven't been involved in YoYo-ing in recent years, you probably have no idea what's in store for you at this event!
Top YoYo-ers from all over the country will be on hand, participating, judging, teaching, and helping out. You'll be introduced to incredible new tricks you never imagined it would be possible to perform with this "children's toy" - and more innovation is added every year by excited participants who are constantly pushing the envelope of the
YoYo industry!
What kinds of tricks can you expect to see at this level of competition? It's not just about the tricks anymore - prepare yourself to be entertained as the contestants perform their complicated tricks to the beat of Rock & Rap - seemingly entwining their bodies inside a web of YoYo string!
Atomic Bomb, Double or Nothing, Mach 5, Shoot the Moon, Worm Hole . . . Don't worry about the names - unless you're an expert, they'll be going so fast you won't be able to pick out individual tricks anyway! ;-)
And don't forget the National YoYo Contest held annually in Chico the first Saturday of October! Don't worry, I'll remind you!!
Mar 1, 2010, March Event: Stockton
It's the Year of the Tiger (4708) and Stockton is pulling out all the stops to celebrate! Not only will you have the opportunity to enjoy a lively Chinese & Vietnamese New Year Parade in the heart of the streets of Downtown Stockton, but you'll also enjoy
the Chinese New Year Festival as well!
After the parade, visit the Bob Hope Theatre for performances of Chinese ethnic dances, a Chinese fashion show, martial arts demonstrations, & more. And head on over to Hunter Square for craft booths, vendors, and delicious food! It's a fantastic way to kick off another New Year!!
Gong Xi Fa Cai & Xin Nian Kuai Le - Prosperity & Happy New Year!
Mar 1, 2010, Follow the Sacramento River
Are you up for adventure? Want to see how the 49ers went from San Francisco to Sacramento City? Come on, let's follow the Sacramento River . . .
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Feb 28, 2010, March Event: Isleton
You heard right . . . Spam Festival! You know, the stuff that comes in a can and is so popular in Hawaii? Maybe your Mom or your Grandma scored it with diamond shapes, stuck it with whole cloves, and baked it in the oven in lieu of a ham?
Believe it or not, this meat product in the blue & yellow can has been called a War Hero, a Pop Culture Icon, & an American Institution! Why, it even has a special place in the Smithsonian!!
Now it has come to pass that the teensy little town of Isleton - somewhat lost in the Sacramento River Delta - has claimed Spam for its own by hosting the only California Spam Festival. Join the natives on March 6th at Isleton Joe's for any or all of these events:
Spam breakfast, craft booths, Spam Carving Contest, Spam Toss, Spam Eating Contest, Raffle Prizes, & Music on the Patio with a live band.
Best of all, participate in the tasting & judging of unique and original Spam Recipes to help decide who receives the coveted People's Choice award! Spambalaya? Spam Thermadore? Who knows? You'll have to attend the 13th Annual Spam Festival to find out!!
Bon Spam Appetito!
Feb 27, 2010, Napa CA Attractions
What will you do when you visit Napa California? Tour wineries? Wine taste? That's all well & good, but try these Napa CA attractions as well!
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Feb 27, 2010, March Event: Calistoga
Monterey not enough? Here's more! The Napa Valley Mustard Festival continues throughout the month of March with just such events
as this one!
The small town of Calistoga, with its early 1900s Main Street, jumps to a livelier beat come March 6th through the 7th this year. Suddenly the sleepy little town (albeit known for its sophisticated dining & shopping) is host to Napa Valley's annual Jazz Festival.
You'll enjoy live jazz in a variety of venues as you explore the quaint downtown of shops & galleries and dine at local pubs & restaurants.
Don't forget to book a Mud Bath -
Calistoga is known for its hot springs & spas!
Feb 26, 2010, March Event: Monterey
Can you believe it's almost March already??? Where does the time go? The Monterey Jazz Festival is coming up once again!
Help Monterey celebrate 30 years of Jazz, March 4th through the 7th, by kicking up your heels on 6 dance floors and snapping your fingers to traditional Jazz, Swing, Ragtime, Big Band, & Zydeco music. And it's all to be had on and around the famous Monterey waterfront.
Highlights include not only professional musicians, but the Big Band Swing Party on the 4th (dance to a 16-piece Big Band orchestra), youth bands, and the Elderhostel Program where those over 55 can explore Dixieland Jazz with professional musicians as teachers.
Grab those Dancing Shoes and prepare for some great
Fun at the Seashore!
Feb 25, 2010, February Event: Chico
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"Backyard Monsters: The World of Insects," with its gargantuan robotic insects, serves as the Star of the Show at Chico's latest attraction. The Gateway Science Museum will hold its Grand Opening Saturday, February 27th, to show off its inaugural exhibits which include Outdoor Eco-Regions, Ice Age Skeletons, Endangered Species of North America, & River Voices, along with the Backyard Monsters.
The museum's purpose is to provide opportunities for learning about the natural & human history of Northern California through science, research, and education. Saturday's events will include hands-on activities with science experiments, live animals, & nature walks.
Visit the Gateway Science Museum and discover the exhilaration that accompanies scientific enlightenment!
Feb 24, 2010, February Event: Ripon
Every year the little town of Ripon, located in the San Joaquin Valley in Northern California (part of the Great Central Valley agricultural expanse) celebrates the coming of Spring and the beginning of the next crop of almonds with its Almond Blossom Festival.
It's old-fashioned, down-home fun kicked off by a Spaghetti Dinner at the Lion's Club with a 4-H Pie Sale, & the Queen's Coronation at the Ripon Community Center (all on Thursday evening). The Almond Blossom Carnival opens Thursday evening at 5:30 ($1 rides on Thursday night) and continues throughout the festival.
Other fun stuff includes the Fun Runs, a Diaper Derby, and a Hometown Parade (Saturday morning).
It's small-town fun for the whole family!
Feb 24, 2010, Big Sur Attractions
Come for the beaches, the redwoods, the camping, & the beauty, but also enjoy the artsy, the hippie, and the bohemian for you won't want to miss these other Big Sur Attractions!
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Feb 23, 2010, February Event: San Jose
Visit San Jose between Feburary 23rd & March 7th to attend one of the last bastions for the opportunity to discover new & emerging film artists!
Cinequest Film Festival will be exhibiting unique social & artistic visions from around the world. Plan to be engaged in thought-provoking dialogue as you enjoy cutting-edge technology & movie-making forums!
It's a warm & personal experience you won't ever forget!
Feb 22, 2010, Yosemite National Park Lodging
There is absolutely nothing like staying inside Yosemite NP!! You sure can't beat the ambience, so come along and explore Yosemite National Park Lodging with me . . .
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Feb 20, 2010, February Event: Yosemite
This weekend marks the 38th annual series of races at Badger Pass celebrating cross-country skiing! The Nordic Holiday Race is a two day event filled with friendly skiing competition for everyone.
Try your skis out on the Classic Race (best costume prize will be up for grabs), the Telemark Race (it's all downhill from here), or the Glacier Point and Back Freestyle Race (every man-woman-child for him-her-self).
Enough watching Olympic skiing - it's your turn now!
