A weekend in Paris without leaving home

Santa Barbara

July 15-16: Ooh-la-la! The French Festival serenades and seduces revelers on Bastille Day weekend with genuine French cuisine, French beer, French wine, Champagne, artists in berets, a poodle parade, a not-to-scale but still impressive Eiffel Tower, dancing, outrageous accents and, yes, mimes. There’s also a chance to win a trip to good old Gaul.

Oak Park in Santa Barbara, exit Pueblo Street from U.S. 101. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free. (805) 564-7274, www.frenchfestival.com.

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Sturgis, S.D.

Aug. 6-13: Get out on the highway: For one week, Sturgis, S.D., is the capital of Biker Nation. More than 350,000 motorcycle lovers -- most of the Harley-Davidson persuasion -- cruise into town for Sturgis Bike Week to socialize, rock out, get tattooed and even get married. Thunder Road, a vendor show, is the center of custom bikes, with Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off (Aug. 9), Penthouse Bike Show (Aug. 10) and more. Rock’n the Rally concert acts include Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy and Keith Urban (Aug. 6); the Steve Miller Band and Cheap Trick (Aug. 7); Nickelback and the Black Crowes (Aug. 8); Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Joe Cocker, Foghat and the Georgia Satellites (Aug. 9); and Sammy Hagar, .38 Special, Steppenwolf and REO Speedwagon (Aug. 10).

Venues around Sturgis. Rally attendance is free. Rock’n the Rally tickets $60-$70 per night. Thunder Road and Rock’n the Rally at Glencoe CampResort, 20555 Glencoe Drive. (800) 272-4712, www.sturgisbikeweek.com.

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Sacramento

Aug. 11-Sept. 4: The California State Fair draws more than a million people to its Magnificent Midway and brings out the best in the state for competitions in fine arts, agriculture, food, wine and more. This year’s attractions are themed “Superstars and Superheroes,” with an exhibit on the history of superheroes from comic books’ heyday to today’s movies, plus costumed characters for the kids. There are also singing competitions, horse racing, the Dachshund Derby, Poppy the Bear and entertainers including Boyz II Men (Aug. 17), Sinbad (Aug. 24) and Ted Nugent (Aug. 30).

CalExpo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. $8, $6 seniors, $5 ages 5-12. Passes $36, $26 children. (877) 225-3976, www.bigfun.org.

-- Blake Hennon