California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

DEVORE--The sights, sounds and tastes of Elizabethan England make a comeback at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, April 17-June 6 at Glen Helen Regional Park. There’s revelry 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, plus Memorial Day. $16.50 general ($14.50 by phone or mail); $13.50 students, seniors and military; $7.50 kids 3-11; free for kids under 3. Interstate 10 east to I-15 north to the Sierra exit; turn left, then right on Devore Road. 800-52-FAIRE.

BORREGO SPRINGS--The fourth annual Grapefruit Festival is April 16-25 at locations around town. Among this year’s events: a ballet sampler, 7 p.m. April 17; an all-day gem and mineral show, April 17-18; country picnic, noon April 18; an all-day crafts fair, April 24-25; classic car show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24; and street dance, 7:30 p.m. April 24. I-15 south to Escondido, then east on California 78 about 60 miles to Borrego Springs turnoff. For locations and schedule information: (619) 767-5555.

CORONADO--”Camelot” is the theme of the 68th Coronado Flower Show, April 17-18 in Spreckels Park. Floral and horticultural displays can be viewed 1-5 p.m. April 17 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18 ($2 general, $1 kids 16 and under). The show features competition in more than 200 entry categories, a plant clinic and educational exhibits. Free events include art and book fairs in the park, both days; a car show, Sunday at The Ferry Landing, First and B streets; and a grand opening at the Coronado Beach Historical Museum, 1-6 p.m. Sunday at 1126 Loma Ave. I-5 south to San Diego/ Coronado Bay Bridge exit; go over bridge, get in left lane and turn on Orange Avenue. Park is on the left, between Sixth and Seventh streets. (619) 437-8788.

SAN FRANCISCO--A Japanese cultural celebration of sakura , or cherry-blossom time, extends over the weekends of April 17-18 and 24-25 at the Japan Center, Post and Buchanan streets, and adjacent streets of Japantown. The 26th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on these days, features sumo wrestling, taiko drumming Japanese foods and exhibits of arts and crafts, including bonsai (dwarf trees) and ikebana (flower arranging). Free. For a complete schedule, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Cherry Blossom Festival, P.O. Box 15147, San Francisco 94115-0147. (415) 563-2313.

OJAI--The 94th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, April 22-25, is dedicated to a past tournament finalist, the late Arthur Ashe. Held at Libbey Park and other nearby locations, the tourney has 34 divisions. Preliminary matches are played April 22-23, semifinal and final matches April 24-25. Competition begins at 8 a.m. each day. General admission: $5 Thursday, $6 Friday, $9 Saturday- Sunday; seniors $1 discount each day; students $3 Thursday, $4 Friday, $6 Saturday-Sunday; kids 5-10, $1 daily. Afternoon tea is served in Libbey Park, the tournament headquarters, where maps of other tournament locations are available. U.S. 101 north to California 33 into Ojai. (805) 646-7241.