News, Tips & Bargains : California Corner: Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

LAGUNA BEACH--Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment and food in the fragrant shade of a eucalyptus grove at the 28th annual Sawdust Festival, June 30-Aug. 28. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. (July 4 hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) 935 Laguna Canyon Road. $5, general; $4, seniors; free for kids 12 and under. (714) 494-3030.

CORONADO--Fourth of July activities include a rough water swim, 8:30 a.m. at North Beach; art-in-the-park display, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Spreckels Park, and a concert there at 6 on July 3. On July 4, events include: the Independence Day 15K Run-5K Walk at 7 a.m., Tidelands Park; the Independence Day parade along Orange Avenue, 10 a.m.; art-in-the-park display, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; U.S. Navy air and sea demonstration, 2:30 p.m., Glorietta Bay, and fireworks at 9 p.m. over Glorietta Bay. (800) 622-8300.

FORT BRAGG/MENDOCINO--Independence Day festivities along the Mendocino coast are scheduled July 2-4. Among the events: the world’s largest salmon barbecue, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 2 at Noyo Mooring Basin, Fort Bragg. ($11, general; $6, kids under 12.) Fort Bragg fireworks are about 9 p.m. July 2 at Noyo Harbor. Mendocino’s Fourth of July parade is noon July 4 along Main Street; the Kelley House Ice Cream Social is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4 on the Kelley House lawn on Main Street, Mendocino. (707) 961-6300.

COSTA MESA--”Saddle Up for Fun” is the theme of the 1994 Orange County Fair, a tribute to horses and hay, July 8-24. Monday-Wednesday, noon-midnight; Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight. Costa Mesa Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive. General: $5, weekdays; $6, weekends; seniors, $3; kids 6-12, $2; free for tots under 6. (714) 708-3247 (708-FAIR).

SANTA BARBARA--”Art in Full Bloom” is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 9-10 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Film, lectures and more than 60 floral displays and living sculptures are showcased. Museum admission: $5, general; $3, SBMA members; $1 for kids under 12. (Lectures are extra.) (805) 963-4364.