California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

CARMICHAEL--Relive the days of the ‘49ers at Gold Discovery Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Festivities are at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Ancil Hoffman Park, 6700 Tarshes Drive. Among the activities are gold-panning and puppet shows. $3, general; $1.50, kids; free for children 3 and under. (Plus $4 per car admission to the park, and $1 material fee per toy or craft.) Interstate 5 north to U.S. 50 east, take the Watt Avenue exit and turn left; turn right at Fair Oaks Boulevard, right on Van Alsteine, then left on California Street to Tarshes Drive. (916) 489-4918.

DEL MAR--The Year of the Rooster is honored at the 11th annual Chinese New Year’s Food and Cultural Faire, Feb. 6-7, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Featured offerings: Chinese cuisine, cooking classes and folk dancing. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 7, in the Exhibit Hall. $3, general; $1, ages 5-13; free for kids under 5. Advance tickets, $2 general. Sponsored by the San Diego Chinese Center. Interstate 5 south to the Via de la Valle exit. (619) 234-4447.

PISMO BEACH--Surfers from around the world tackle California waves at the Body Glove Pismo Pro event of the Bud Pro Surf Tour, Feb. 10-15. Competition starts at 7 a.m. daily. Admission is free. U.S. 101 north to the Price Street exit, left at the first light, right on Dolliver, then left on Pomeroy. (310) 372-0414.

CLOVERDALE--Four days of sun-sweetened activities and exhibits are in store at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, Feb. 12-15. The fair runs 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 12-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 15, at the Citrus Fairgrounds. Events include a gourmet food show, wine and beer tastings, country music and square dancing. $6, general; $3, juniors (ages 6-12) and seniors (65 and over); free for children 5 and under. The Citrus Fair Parade is at 11 a.m. Feb. 13 on Main Street. U.S. 101 north to Cloverdale. (707) 894-3992.

SOLVANG--The 11th annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival is April 17-18, but due to the popularity of the event, tickets for either day are sold by a random drawing of orders received by Jan. 31. Any remaining tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets: $50. For information and order forms, call (805) 688-0881, or write to: Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association, P.O. Box 1558, Santa Ynez 93460.