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Crews will be dumping more than 200 tons of dirt onto the streets of Old Sacramento to help set the scene and turn back the clock for the annual celebration of the California Gold Rush and the founding of the city of Sacramento.
Stroll the wooden sidewalks and test your luck against the local card-sharks, or take a wagon ride along the dirt and cobblestone streets behind a set of four beautifully matched draft horses.
Speak to the soldiers at the tent city military encampment or stock up for your trip to the goldfields at the Pharmacy and General Store tents.
Visit with some of the folks from the Mormom Battalion, or set off on a Western adventure in the Wells Fargo stagecoach.
during those Wild West gun fights!
The Other Wine Countries
And, since September is California Wine Month, it's time to celebrate California's Wine Country!
Now, if you're thinking Napa/Sonoma, you're right - but, as Paul Harvey was wont to say, here's "...the rest of the story."
Many other regions of California are growing wine grapes & producing wonderful wines of multitudinous variety these days - and they're rapidly increasing their Fan Bases!
Here are a few of the NorCal Wine Countries you may not be aware of:
Gold Country is also Wine Country; so is Lake County, Mendocino County, Livermore, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Lodi...
Even some areas that don't yet have an appellation are growing grapes & producing very respectable wines -
like Butte County, Tehama County, Shasta Cascade, & even the Redwood country of Humboldt County.
So, wherever you are in Northern California, join me in toasting California Wine Month!
Events and Festivals
Now you can find Northern California's fabulous Events and Festivals all in one location. Wondering if there's a nearby event in January? April? September? You'll find them here!
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Whale Videos
Ever yearned to go on a whale watching trip? Wonder what it would be like, or just how close you can really get to these wonderful creatures? Here are some whale videos for an insider's look!
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What Became of the Donner Party?
Actually, we all kind of know a bit about the Donner Party, don't we? But if someone asked you what happened, would you be able to relate the whole story?
Visit the Emigrant Trail Museum in Donner Memorial State Park near Truckee and you can discover "the rest of the story"!
Though not dedicated solely to the Donner Party, the entire story of that terrible winter of 1846-1847 is revealed here.
Remember that the California Gold Rush didn't really get under way until 1849, so this group of emigrants to California was one of the earliest of the famous Wagon Trains.
They were making their way West at a time when little was known about the routes and the dangers.
Wrong decisions were made at many turns along the way, but...
wait until morning to start across the pass...
Point Lobos State Reserve
"The Greatest Meeting of Land and Water in the World"
(Francis McComas)
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On the south shore of Carmel Bay is wonderful Point Lobos, a 1200 acre park with 6 miles of coastline. It teams with animals, birds, flowers, & some of the most twisted & tortured cypress trees you'll find anywhere.
The name comes from the rocks offshore called Punta de los Lobos Marinos - Point of the Sea Wolves. Sea Lions like to hang out on the rocks and the sound of their barking carries inland.
In the past, Point Lobos has been home to Native Americans, Chinese fishermen, Japanese abalone hunters, and Portuguese whalers. It has also been the site of an abalone cannery, coal mining business, granite quarry, military base, and the scenery behind many film productions.
But today, it is a place of scenic beauty to be enjoyed by all. Explore the tidepools, hike its cliffs, dive the chilly waters to explore the kelp forests, hang out on isolated little beaches - it will take you many visits to discover all of Point Lobos' secrets.
Bring your binoculars along as you just might want to do a little whale watching while you're there.
Also bring some warm layers no matter what time of year you visit - even when it's 100 degrees inland, it can be chilly along the coast.
I was so excited - I was new to birding at thei time & had never seen anything like it before!
August Event: Bodega
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One of the most popular and unique festivals in California's Wine Country is being held August 28th and 29th at Watts Ranch in the village of Bodega (remember Alfred Hitchock's The Birds?)
Join in the fun as you savor the seafood (including BBQ'd oysters...), audit the artwork (over 100 artists...), sip the suds and wine (from local wineries and micro breweries...), and monitor the musical entertainment emanating from three stages!
Wild Wonders Animal Show and the ever-popular Rubber Ducky Races!
August Event: Palo Alto
Stroll tree-lined University Avenue in beautiful downtown Palo Alto to delight in the works of over 300 artists and crafters, applaud the musical entertainment from over 20 performers and bands, rejoice in watching as the Italian Street Painters "paint the town," and get a sneak peek at our little future artists, hard at work in the Kids' Art Studio!
August Event: Shaver Lake
Bruce Conte, headlines event!
Shuffle-Aires Will Rock the House!"
Thousands will be on hand to rock out to these amazing performers and bands at Shaver Lake. Don't you be the one to miss out!
Northern California Camping
If you're a camper, you will love Northern California camping! You've got your beaches, your mountains, your Redwoods, your rocky rugged coastlines, your wilderness . . . every environment imaginable!
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August Event: Lake Tahoe
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Touted as the biggest and best air show in the High Sierra, you'll oooh and aaah at the aerial antics of Stunts & Grunts: former U.S. Air Force pilot, Bill Cornick of Bill Cornick Airshows; Spencer Suderman's Pitts S-2B Biplane's gyroscopic maneuvers; and Jon Melby, extreme freestyle pilot.
Then there's the Mooney Fly-By, Warbird Demo, Rescue Demo, Bomb Squad Demo, Radio Controll Aircraft Demo, Squirrel Cage, and Medical Evac Demo!
Add in the airplane and helicoptor rides, Blue riders MC Motorcycle Show & Shine, food & vendor booths, and Kids Area, and you've got yourself ...
August Event: Pleasanton
The Goodguys 24th West Coast Nationals Car Show comes to Pleasanton this weekend (August 27 through 29)! 3000 Rods, Customs, Classics and - for the first time - Muscle cars! Hot Rod Week, Shade Tree Social, Vendor Exhibits, Goodgals Gallery, kids games, Seminars ... what more could a Classic Car Lover ask for?
Just ask the Goodguys Hotnews Blog: "The West Coast Nationals is the largest participant automotive event in the Western United States and offers show goers the world's finest American hot rods, customs and classics."
It's a fun time for the whole family!!
August Event: Corning
August 27th & 28th brings us the 21th Annual Corning Olive Festival in Corning, CA.
Here's the line-up: the Olive Festival Parade followed by the Bed Races (you heard it here first!); a Pancake Breakfast, Fun Run/Walk, plus Arts, Crafts, and Food Fair.
You'll enjoy music and entertainment, carnival games for the children, the Cook-off Judging, the Talent Show, and the Olive Drop!
celebrating Corning's favorite fruit; the olive!
Del Norte County California Attractions
Del Norte County California attractions include wild and scenic rivers, towering Coast Redwoods, Trees of Mystery, and lighthouses plus fishing, water sports, birding... Find out more about Del Norte!
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August Event: Fresno
Who would've thought there's a Greek Community in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley? Well, there is & they've been celebrating their culture with an annual festival for 50 years!
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Fresno Greek Fest is the only place in the San Joaquin Valley where you can experience Greek Culture - including amazingly authentic food, dancing, Byzantine music, art, cooking demos, & vendors' booths - so it's well worth a visit!
It takes place on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (August 27-29), and includes the opportunity to tour the inside of St. George Church to witness the newly completed Sistine Chapel-like workmanship!
Del Norte County
Sitting in the farthest northwest corner of California, Del Norte County is home to temperate rain forests filled with giant redwoods, and rivers that run wild and untamed. Discover it with me!
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A Whale Watching Dream Come True
Ever since I was a girl and read The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, I wanted to meet whales. I finally got my chance a couple of years ago when my family
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Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz conjures up images of the Federal penetentiary for most, but there's more of interest on Alcatraz Island than the prison. You'll find relics of the Civil War, the Indian takeover, and more!
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August Event: Red Bluff
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And speaking of California State Parks (as I so often do), Saturday is also Adobe Day at Ide Adobe State Historic Park in Red Bluff.
The event will feature a model replica of the steamboat Red Bluff, period costumed volunteers helping visitors make adobe bricks, candles, ropes, and corn husk dolls.
Any of you gents ever wondered what an old-fashioned, razor-strop shave feels like? Here's your chance to find out! And for the ladies - rag curls! Much more comfortable than plastic rollers!
