Wine and food, then playtime

Napa, Calif.

July 16-23: Festival del Sole launches with an array of musical and culinary events. Musical performances include the Russian National Orchestra, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming and the Emerson String Quartet. Local estates and wineries host several gourmet dinners, including one at Beringer Vineyards prepared by “Iron Chef” Cat Cora and one at the Rutherford Estate featuring Ming Tsai. The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone also will host a cooking class and luncheon with Cora, Stephen Durfee (pastry chef at the French Laundry) and Tuscan chef Silvia Baracchi. French Laundry chef Thomas Keller will lead a conversation with guests. Paintings by Ana Corbero will be on view at the Napa Valley Museum.

Venues around Napa. Concerts $45-$150. Museum $4.50. Gala events $35-$500. Tickets sold by the Lincoln Theatre, (707) 944-1300, www.festivaldelsole.com/napavalley.

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Imperial Beach, Calif.

July 21-23: The Jeep 2006 U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, about 14 miles south of San Diego, gets off to a friendly start with the Sandcastle Ball July 21. Then come a parade, a kids’ sandcastle competition and fireworks July 22. On July 23, the sand carvers get down to business as professionals compete for the title of Masters Champion, and pros and amateurs vie for more than $21,000 in cash prizes. The competition draws about 350,000 attendees.

Spectator attendance is free. Before June 21, amateur registration $35-$55; $50-$70 for pros. Grants available. (619) 424-6663, www.members.cox.net/usopensandcastle.

-- Blake Hennon