These 9 California Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals
While your average festival might be a music event or a regular old county fair, California likes to spice things up every now and then with festivities that you won't be able to find everywhere. Whether you want to see farmers compete to see who has the biggest veggie, seasonal migrations of wildlife, or a celebration of mythical creatures, you can really find it all in the Golden State. So, if you can't make it out to Coachella this year, maybe take a look at these towns with uniquely memorable events you can take part in this year.
Dana Point - Festival of Whales
The oceanside town of Dana Point hosts the Festival of Whales, an annual event celebrating the migration of gray whales along the California coast. Established in the 1970s, this festival is one of the longest-running (and one of the only) whale-themed events in the United States.
Held each March, the festival coincides with the peak of the gray whale migration, offering you a way to go whale-watching with a community of other marine life enthusiasts. The event also features educational displays, marine conservation lectures from experts, and family-friendly activities.
Dana Point's designation as the "Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World" and its status as a unique Whale Heritage Site mean this town is a top spot for wildlife fans, regardless of the time of year.
Furnace Creek - Death Valley '49ers Encampment
The Death Valley '49ers Encampment, held each November in Furnace Creek, commemorates the arduous journey of pioneers who traversed Death Valley during the California Gold Rush. First run in 1949, the Encampment event features activities such as gold panning competitions, historical reenactments, and educational presentations that highlight the many challenges the adventurous early settlers faced.
The event serves as much as a living history lesson as it does a festival, offering attendees an engaging window into the resilience and determination of the Americans who originally called the West home. Be sure to also explore the wonderfully arid Death Valley National Park for yourself, which sits at the lowest elevation in the United States and has broken multiple records as one of the hottest places on earth. Bring lots of water and sunscreen!
Carpinteria - California Avocado Festival
The California Avocado Festival is hosted each October in Carpinteria, a coastal town known for its fertile countryside. The event began in 1986 as a way to celebrate local avocado growers and promote awareness of the area’s vital farming economy. It now draws tens of thousands over three days and centers around food booths featuring avocado-based dishes and guacamole contests.
Hopefully, you will walk away knowing something about this delicious fruit while taking pride in helping out this small community. Educational displays highlight regional farming techniques and avocado cultivation, while various nonprofit groups raise funds through food sales and event support. The festival also serves as a fundraiser for local schools and youth programs. Moreover, live music is a fun addition and is scheduled across multiple stages, and a number of downtown businesses and restaurants take part in the celebration with sidewalk sales and themed menus.
Half Moon Bay - Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Appropriately taking place every October, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is a fun way to celebrate the Halloween season and the pumpkin industry along the San Mateo coast. The event was founded in 1971 and centers around the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, where growers compete for prizes with pumpkins often weighing over a ton. The festival also includes a full harvest market, art booths, live carving demonstrations by professional sculptors, and other seasonal festivities for the whole family. Here, you can view the “Great Pumpkin Parade” and taste a range of themed food items, from pumpkin chili to pumpkin beer.
The event takes over Half Moon Bay's downtown core, and is yet another festival that doubles as a major fundraiser for local nonprofits and community improvement projects.
Willow Creek - Bigfoot Daze
The Bigfoot Daze festival, held during July in Willow Creek, pays homage to the town's title of “Bigfoot Capital of the World.” The event is quite long-running, beginning in the 1960s and attracting enthusiasts of the elusive creature from across the country every year since.
The festival features a parade, live entertainment, and an array of Bigfoot-themed activities. Highlights include a classic car show, and vendor booths selling locally made crafts and other souvenirs. The event also hosts a variety of family-friendly activities, such as games and face painting.
You can legitimately learn a thing or two about the hairy cryptid, too, as there are educational exhibits that explore the history of Bigfoot sightings in the region and the local culture surrounding it. Whether you're a believer or not, this whimsical festival is a fun way to dive into one of America's most famous folkloric legends and the people who continue to study it.
Mariposa - Yosemite Goddess Festival
The Yosemite Goddess Festival takes place each October in Mariposa, a quaint town just outside the world-famous Yosemite National Park. The event encompasses a weekend centered on creativity, wellness, and spiritual exploration in one of the state's most naturally beautiful areas, a perfect setting for such a thing.
Held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, the event blends the arts and various alternative forms of healing, both mentally and physically. Attendees are invited to participate in workshops on topics such as energy healing, herbal medicine, and self-development, while vendor booths often feature handmade goods, crystals, and natural body products. The festival also includes live music, guided meditations, and performance art throughout its schedule.
While rooted in New Age and holistic traditions, the festival may appeal to anyone interested in reconnecting with nature, community, or themselves in the highly scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California.
Pacifica - World Dog Surfing Championships
Each August, Pacifica’s Linda Mar Beach transforms into a venue for the World Dog Surfing Championships. Since its inception in 2016, this event is exactly what it sounds like: dogs of various breeds and sizes hitting the waves. The competition is divided into weight classes and includes tandem events, where the dogs surf together or with human companions. Judging criteria include ride length, technique, style, confidence, and wave difficulty.
Beyond the surfing, the festival features a fetch contest and even a dog fashion show. The event is a must-watch for animal lovers in the Bay Area, and may even inspire your own pooch to pick up a cooler hobby than scaring the neighborhood squirrels. The next championship is scheduled for August 2, 2025.
Angels Camp - Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee
The Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee runs every May in the town of Angels Camp. The four-day event is centered around a frog-jumping contest inspired by Mark Twain’s short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Participants compete to see which frog can jump the farthest, with the all-time record standing at an almost unbelievable 21 feet! Winning frogs and their handlers are recognized in the town’s "Frog Hop of Fame."
In addition to the frog jump, the fair includes a rodeo, carnival rides, live music, agricultural exhibits, a demolition derby, and a number of other typical fair activities. You can also view a livestock show and witness a plethora of other contests.
Lee Vining - Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua
Bird watchers unite at the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua, an annual three-day event held in June in Lee Vining, California. Established in 2002, the festival focuses on birdwatching, natural history, and other areas of environmental education. You are able to attend over 80 different field trips, numerous workshops, and presentations led by experts in ornithology. Here, you will also have many opportunities to observe various bird species in the Mono Basin area, including guided tours to habitats around gorgeous and ecologically diverse Mono Lake.
Perhaps most interestingly, the festival hosts a bird calling contest, testing participants in their ability to accurately mimic the sounds of various bird species. Along with avian-related activities, you will find live music and lots of different food vendors to add to this weekend of fun and learning in the great outdoors.
Experience These Memorable Events in California This Year
From the dense forests of NorCal to the southern reaches of the Sierra Nevadas, you can find a unique festival this year in just about any corner of the state. These eāvents are not only memorable for their sometimes wacky themes, they reflect California's wide range of diverse people, places, and interests. Whether you want to see a dog win a surf off or want to support the state's robust agricultural industry, there is certainly something for everyone.
