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You and I are not the only creatures who feel compelled to travel and explore the world around us - near and far!
Trek on over to Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz next Saturday, February 11th, for the annual Migration Festival. Natural Bridges is the only State Natural Preserve for Monarch butterflies - one of the great migrators of the world - and it's nearing time for them to leave once again.
But the festival also celebrates migratory whales, birds, and other critters that travel: from the California Newt (who migrates no more than a mile each year) to Monarchs and Gray Whales (both of whom make annual journeys covering hundreds and thousands of miles, respectively).
Enjoy live music, engaging speakers, activity stations, games, skits, art projects, and crafts while you explore the science and marvel at the wonder of these migratory creatures!
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
February Event: Bay Area
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Join the guided hikes and outings, the tours and workshops of the 16th Annual San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival on Mare Island next weekend (February 10th through the 12th).
Flanked by the Napa River and San Pablo Bay, Mare Island was home to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard before its 1996 closure, so this is an opportunity to not only do some incredible birdwatching, but to enjoy some military history as well!
Choose your events from exciting titles like these:
- Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain,
- Raptors at Hudeman Slough,
- History of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery Docent-led Tour,
- A Railing We Will Go!,
- Bird Photography Safari, and
- Good-bye Salt Ponds, Hello Hotel California,
...just to name a few (with more than 60 events on the schedule, there's something for everyone!).
the Black-necked Stilt (pictured above)!
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
February Event: San Francisco
The 24rd Annual Russian Festival (February 10, 11, and 12) at the Russian Center in San Francisco offers an opportunity to visit Russia without ever leaving Northern California! And this year they're celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Fort Ross in Sonoma County!
Celebrate over 200 years of Russian presence in San Francisco and Northern California with Vodka Tasting, Russian dancing, singing, art, food, and tea from antique samovars.
invites you to its home!
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
Site Map for Discover Northern California
Discover Northern California's Site Map, gives you a quick, one-stop-shop for exactly the Northern California information you're seeking!
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Alpine County
Known locally and lovingly as the California Alps, Alpine County straddles the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.
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Sonoma County California
Sonoma County California offers coastal contacts, redwoods and rivers, valleys and vineyards, plus Sonoma Plaza, Fort Ross and Jack London State Historic Parks. Come along ...
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Free Things To Do in San Francisco
Like to hold on to your hard-earned bucks? You won't BELIEVE how many Free Things To Do there are in San Francisco!!
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February Event: San Francisco
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Named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association, San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade (officially known as the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade) had its beginnings in the 1860s.
As the largest Chinese celebration outside of Asia, in the largest Chinese community outside of China, the parade highlights include lion dancers, marching bands, elaborate floats, folk dancers, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and Gum Lung, a 250 foot long golden dragon.
The parade marks the pinnacle of a weekend celebration that begins with the Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Coronation Ball (February 10th), and includes the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair and Spring Festival (February 11th through the 12th) with all the exciting sights and sounds of The City's Chinatown neighborhood.
It's an iconic time to spend a weekend in San Francisco, helping to celebrate one of its oldest traditions.
Congratulations and may you be prosperous
in this Year of the Dragon!
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
February Event: Sacramento
yes, that's a record! - Sacramento area museums and other venues
on February 4th!
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California's State Capital City and its surrounds are once again offering visitors and residents the opportunity to experience its incredible wealth of art, history, science and wildlife for free.
Many of my favorite sites are participating in this great Sacramento Cultural-Vulture event, such as the Aerospace Museum of California, the California State Indian Museum, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, California State Capital Museum, and Old Sacramento State State Historic Park. For a complete list of participating sites: Find a Museum.
On top of all that and as if that's not enough, the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town (in William Land Park) are offering half-priced admission in honor of Museum Day!
or re-visit an old favorite for free!
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
Apologies for My Absense!
If you've been looking here to learn about up-coming events and festivals, my apologies for being absent the last week or so! I'm afraid I succumbed to whatever virulent cold germs are circulating right now, but I'm feeling better and will be back at it - keeping you up to date on what there is to see and do in Northern California!
For proof, see my first February Event Post below...
Cheers,
Suzi
February Event: Santa Cruz
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There's still time to catch the docent-led Monarch Butterfly tours, but you'll have to hurry - most of the little critters will be gone by the first week in March.
Natural Bridges State Beach is the only State Natural Preserve for the butterflies, and they maintain a demonstration milkweed patch where you can see Monarch eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalides. Milkweed is the only plant that the larvae eat, which is one of the reasons the Monarchs return to Natural Bridges each year - plenty of milkweed!
In addition to the butterfly tour, you can enjoy tidepool and nature trail tours as well, but for the butterflies, be sure to call first (831-423-4609) because arrival and departure times are subject to the changing inclination of the Monarchs each year!
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing
To find more February Events and Festivals: January through March
January Event: Daly City
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Watch over 1200 dogs, representing 136 breeds, strut their stuff for the audience and the judges!
There are new breeds this year, such as the Irish Red and White Setter, the Swedish Vallhund, and the Cane Corso. Best in Show will be selected and cash prizes awarded daily. Special events include Fly Ball Competitions, the All-Breed Fashion Show, the Junior Showmanship, Best Puppy, and Breed Rescue information.
This is the oldest major AKC associated event in Northern California and is often dubbed the Bay Area Family Show. And it's all happening at the Cow Palace in Daly City January 28th and 29th!
January Event: Chico
migratory routes in the world!
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It's time, once again, for the Chico Snow Goose Festival! We're celebrating the millions of migratory birds that travel along the Pacific Flyway and stop over in the Chico/Butte County wetlands to rest before continuing their travels - or to winter over.
That's right - although most of them will continue further South, many will spend the winter months here. Visit Chico anytime between November and February and you're guaranteed to see an abundance of waterfowl
Check out the offerings for the 13th Annual Snow Goose Festival (January 26th through the 29th of 2012) - you'll find day and evening programs, field trips and workshops to chose from.
And be sure to get your raffle tickets for your chance at: "Owl Night Out" (Join Dawn Garcia and Mike Fisher as they band the migratory Northern Saw-whet Owl for research and study - I've actually done this and it's an amazing experience!)
the events that most interest you!
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
Fishermans Wharf
Despite that it's such a huge tourist attraction, Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco is an honest-to-goodness neighborhood that still practices the traditions of its Italian fishermen!
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January Non-Event: Napa Valley
Around this time normally, I'd be telling you about the upcoming two-month long Napa Valley Mustard Festival starting the last weekend in January and running through the end of March with all sorts of exciting food, wine, and art events in between.
Sadly, that's not going to happen this year - with the exception of a couple of individual events that will continue (more on that in a moment).
Festival organizers announced the cancellation of the hugely popular Mustard Festival for 2011 and expressed the hope that it would return better than ever in 2012. Alas, that appears not to be the case.
Three traditional Mustard Festival events that will continue this year are:
Calistoga's Mustard Mud and Music, a Jazz Festival scheduled for March 10th, and 11th;
Calistoga Chamber of Commerce
Yountville's Taste of Yountville, taking place on March 17th;
Taste of Yountville
and;
The World-Wide Mustard Competition will take place via Barry Levenson, Curator of the
National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin.
All of these are wonderful events that you shouldn't miss! In the meantime, the mustard is blooming, the grape vine leaf buds are beginning to swell, and it's a beautiful time to visit the Napa Valley!
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
Things To Do Santa Cruz
Discover some of my favorite things to do Santa Cruz: the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Monarch Butterflies - just to name a few!
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January Event: Santa Cruz
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Tickets are on sale for the growing and newly expanded Santa Cruz festival that celebrates our chocoholic proclivities.
Join in the fun taking place January 22nd at the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom (with 1/3 more space, this year) on the Boardwalk.
Roam the tables to taste some of the best chocolate samplings ever gathered in one place, vote for your favorite chocoholic, meet local celebrity chefs, buy chocolate-themed gift items, and help a worthy cause at the same time!
The festival is sponsored by the UCSC Women's Club to raise money for scholarships to the University.
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
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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January Event: Coloma
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January 24th, 1848 - the day that James Marshall spotted something shiny amongst the gravel that changed the course of California history, and the history of the United States.
Join the docents of the Gold Discovery Park Association on Saturday and Sunday, January 21st and 22nd, to share in the celebration of that discovery.
Relive the California Gold Rush at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. Volunteers will share the skills that were needed to survive during the Gold Rush along with period games and panning for gold.
And cold as it is this week, imagine how it must have been for the 49ers back in the 1800s as they were panning for gold in the icy rivers and streams of NorthernCalifornia!
Samuel Brannan shouted through the streets of San Francisco
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
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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Fort Bragg
Ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods, explore the oceanview botanical gardens, hop a whale-watching boat, beachcomb on a glass beach... just a few of the things you'll find at Fort Bragg, CA!
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January Event: Mendocino
Crab Cake Cook-off; Crab & Wine Excursion Train; Crab feeds; Wine tastings; Crab Cooking classes; and innumerable choices of special offerings at local wineries and restaurants...
It all happens during the Mendocino Crab & Wine Days, January 20th through the 29th. I love food festivals and this is one of the best!
A popular event and a favorite of mine is the Crab Cake Cook-off in the Big Tent - local chefs vie for the special honor of winning the People's Choice Award for their own spectacular versions of the always-popular Crab Cake, as you mingle, taste, sip local wines, and cast your ballot.
Participate in the Wine Passport event and collect winery stamps for a chance to win some great Mendocino prizes like a two-night stay at either Elk Cove Inn and Spa in Elk, or Headlands Inn, in Mendocino!
out of Noyo Harbor while you're there -
It's whale-watching season in Northern California!
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
January Event: San Francisco
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In it's 11th year now, there's plenty of time for you to sample and enjoy specially created two-course lunches or three-course dinners at not just one, but many of San Francisco's participating Dine About Town restaurants...
Restaurants like Blowfish Sushi to Die For (kudos for the name!), the famous Cliff House that's been around in one form or another since Sam Brannon built the first one in 1858, Cityhouse in the Parc 55 Wyndham on Union Square, Garibaldis ("quintessentially San Francisco"), Le Zinc French Bistro (a Parisian style café, as the name implies), and Chef Roy Yamaguchi's Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, just to name a very few.
What's Dine About Town all about? It's a chance for you to try the menus at many of the finest restaurants in San Francisco at a reduced price! Dine well and save money - what's not to like! This year's dates: January 15th through the 31st.
To find more January Events and Festivals: January through March
Old Sacramento
Visiting Old Sacramento and Sutter's Fort is like taking a giant leap back in time! If you haven't been, let's find out what you've missed . . .
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Going to California
Ever wonder what routes the 49ers used during the California Gold Rush? After all, they traveled from all over the world and going to California wasn't easy! Let's take a look at how they got there.
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