Who says summer is almost over? There’s still plenty of time—and many compelling reasons—for a getaway to California this month. A few annual festivals, including one in Sonoma County that celebrates an artisanal apple, walk the line between summer fun and harvest season. Other events—celebrating surfing, wine, music, and more—provide easy excuses for a weekend getaway. One is even geared to dog owners.
The late-summer season also offers a wealth of ongoing festivities, including weekly free concerts and art strolls. Here are 20-plus events made for a beat-the-heat summer escape.
All month: The Laguna Art-A-Fair, Laguna Beach
August is prime time to experience the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. Check out the array of paintings, photography, wood craft, sculpture, gourds, and more by 115 award-winning fine artists and artisans. The events also include live music, meet-and-greets with the artists, and hands-on workshops. Admission is affordable ($10), and even free if you have same-day tickets to see the living-art displays of Pageant of the Masters.
July 29–Aug. 2: Eureka Street Art Festival, Eureka
This North Coast town is a hotbed for public murals and this weeklong festival invites you to witness new ones as they’re being created. Watch a range of painters at work each day, take mural tours, or try your hand at creating one yourself during a street-painting workshop. On the last day, a party celebrates the official debuts of the new murals.
July 31–Aug. 4: International Surf Festival, Redondo Beach
Head to Redondo Beach for amateur surfing competitions, a pier-to-pier swim, and paddleboard races. Don’t miss the swim races and fitness contests for area lifeguards.
July 31–Aug. 4: Old Spanish Fiesta Days, Santa Barbara
This annual event has been a Santa Barbara tradition since 1925 and includes a parade, a livestock show, rodeo, and flamenco dancing. Be sure to peruse the market across from City Hall for Mexican-American cuisine as well as arts and crafts.
Aug. 1-4: Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza, Mammoth Lakes
This classic music fest in Mammoth Lakes blends traditional blues with R&B, soul, and rock, featuring headliners such as Los Lobos and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The craft beer lineup, meanwhile, is more than 80 names strong, including local favorite Mammoth Brewing.
Aug. 1, 7: Concord Jazz Around Town, Concord
The East Bay town has one serious jazz credential: Dave Brubeck made Concord his home for many years. To honor the late legend, the town hosts special jazz performances each year at different venues. Hear acts such as guitar virtuoso Jinx Jones at venues including The Veranda and Todos Santos Plaza.
Aug. 2–3: Albariño Fest, Lodi
Wineries around Lodi make good use of the Albariño grape, traditionally grown in Spain and Portugal. In honor of August 1’s Albariño Grape Day, this event at Bokisch Vineyards invites wine lovers to celebrate the varietal, which produces highly acidic, aromatic white wines.
Aug. 2–4: Tour de Big Bear, Snow Summit
Challenge yourself with a wide range of distances and challenge levels at this annual cycling event near Big Bear Lake. There’s a family-friendly 5K in addition to 25-, 50-, 70-, and 100-mile courses on the main event day (Aug. 3). There’s also 25- and 50-mile gravel rides. Get in a warm-up on Aug. 2 during the illuminated Glow Ride, then cool down on the Aug. 4 recovery ride.
Aug. 2–25: Music in the Vineyards, Napa
Choose from more than three weeks’ worth of chamber-music concerts—featuring works by Schubert, Stravinsky, Vivaldi, and more—paired with lush Napa Valley scenery. Check the schedule for concerts combined with wine tastings, dinners, silent movies, and opportunities to mingle with musicians. Many events are set at wineries, including Domaine Carneros, Frog’s Leap Winery, and Silverado Vineyards.
Aug. 3: World Dog Surfing Championship 2024, Pacifica
See canine surf enthusiasts—from amateurs to veteran competitors—hang 10 on the waves at Linda Mar Beach on the San Francisco Peninsula. See who wins the "Golden Surfie Medal" at this free event and browse the Surf Dog Village for pooch-friendly merch.
Aug. 3: Barbera Festival, Plymouth
Taste full-bodied Barbera wines during this afternoon and evening in the Amador County town—just one part of Gold Country where this Italian varietal thrives. The event at the Terra D’Oro Winery includes barrel room tastings of Barberas from both California and Italy as well gourmet food pairings, live music, and a Sacred Fire Dance light show.
Aug. 3–4: Summer Harvest days at Apple Hill, Placerville
Make the most of summer berry season at this fruit fest hosted by various farms in the Apple Hill area of El Dorado County. Harris Family Farm, for instance, will offer u-pick flowers, marionberries, and blackberries along with live music and activities for kids such as gem mining and a scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the bake shop stocked with pies, jams, and summer fruit slushies.
Aug. 3–4: HARD Summer, Los Angeles
Get your rave on at this three-day festival devoted to EDM and hip-hop at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium. Disclosure and Major Lazer top the deep lineup, which also features special guests Nelly Furtado and the electronic music duo Chase and Status.
Aug. 3–11: Lexus U.S. Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach
This Huntington Beach event qualifies as the largest action-sports festival in the world. Indeed, it includes not just surfing, but also skateboarding and BMX competitions, with the main contests happening from Aug. 6–11. Huntington Beach Pier is the nerve center of the festivities, starting with a concert by Sublime on Aug. 3 followed by family-friendly activities including surf clinics, sustainability panels, art installations, and public skate and BMX sessions. Best of all, admission is free.
Through Aug. 5: Lazy Bear Week, Guerneville
Summer’s LGBTQ+ pride parties continue at this annual event and fundraiser in western Sonoma County. This year’s festivities include pool parties, game nights, and miniature golf paired with wine tastings.
Begins Aug. 8: New Giant Pandas Make their Debut, San Diego
Back in June, two giant panda bears arrived at the San Diego Zoo from China—the first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years—and they are now acclimated well enough to be in public view. You can see Yun Chuan (say it “yoon chu-ahn”) and Xin Bao (“sin bao”) these days either by joining the standby line, obtaining a free Giant Panda Timed Ticket at the admission booth when you arrive, or by making a reservation for an exclusive, 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour.
Aug. 9–11: Outside Lands Music and Arts Fest, San Francisco
This weekend in Golden Gate Park mixes live music with a lot of Bay Area food and drink—like the steamed baos of The Chairman, ice cream from Humphry Slocombe, and a bevy of beverages at the Wine Lands and Beer Lands areas of the festival. This year’s headliners are The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sturgill Simpson, with special guest Post Malone. The lineup also includes standouts such as Grace Jones, Young the Giant, and Idris Elba, who made his name as a DJ and rapper before he found fame as an actor.
Aug. 9–11: San Jose Jazz Summerfest, San Jose
Enjoy jazz in its many forms at this San Jose festival that focuses on everything from big band to Latin to standards. The headliners include The Family Stone, Herbie Hancock, and Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton. As you plan your trip, be sure to check out the festival’s special hotel deals for the weekend.
Aug. 9–11, 16–18: Splash House Music Festival, Greater Palm Springs
Live music, DJ acts, and fabulous pool parties are the big draws of this house, disco, and electronica festival that spreads across five Greater Palm Springs resorts—The Saguaro Palm Springs, Renaissance Palm Springs, Margaritaville Resort, L3 Oasis, and Hilton Palm Springs. Buy a pass to attend festivities on one of the weekends, or book a hotel package that bundles in stays at a host or nearby resort.
Aug. 9–18: Monterey Car Week, Monterey County
Check out auto shows, auctions, and memorabilia during this week of car love in Monterey. The celebration starts on Aug. 9 with a showing of historic race cars along Alvarado St. in downtown Monterey, and includes events for Porsche enthusiasts, Ferrari lovers, and even fans of so-dubbed “crappy cars,” in an event known as the Concours d’Lemons. The week concludes with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with its display of fabulous vehicles on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. If you just want to gape at the vehicles, check out the selection of free-admission events.
Opens Aug. 10: New Séka Hills Tasting Room, Sacramento
Taste wines and olive oils, created by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in nearby Capay Valley, at this new tasting room in the capital city’s Midtown area. Shop for wine, oil, and honey and stay for a bite to eat: The in-house tribal chef and his culinary team will offer a wine-friendly menu of small plates featuring Séka Hills extra virgin olive oils, Yocha Dehe ranch-raised beef, and local produce.
Aug. 10: Surf ’n’ Suds Craft Beer & Music Fest, Carpinteria
This one-day festival at Carpinteria State Beach in Santa Barbara County features food trucks, music, and more than 75 craft breweries, wineries, and makers of kombucha and hard seltzer. The beverage lineup includes a lot of California makers such as Solvang Brewing Co., Beachwood Brewing, and Cali Squeeze Seltzer.
Aug. 10: Benicia Peddlers Fair, Benicia
Since 1963, the Solano County town of Benicia has hosted this fair of antiques and collectibles vendors from around the nation. Stroll 11 blocks of First Street in the historic downtown to browse period furniture, vintage textiles, blue Depression glass, clocks, and more. A bonus: The fair also offers a nice view of the Carquinez Strait.
Later in the month, come to the town’s Museum of History Benicia for the MoHB Summer Backyard Party (Aug. 24), a summer concert featuring eclectic Bay Area singer Ariel Marin. On any day, visit this museum to learn about Benicia’s own quirky history, from its brief stint as the state capital to a training ground for military camels.
Begins Aug. 10: Roll @ Santa Monica Roller Rink, Santa Monica
No need to wait for the holiday season for a pop-up rink: The beach town of Santa Monica is inaugurating a seasonal roller rink, Roll @ Santa Monica, spanning 4,800 square feet in downtown Santa Monica. Come for themed skate nights every 2nd Wednesday of the month or skating lessons for both adults and kids on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The $15 admission includes skate rentals and a locker is just $5 more. Runs through Oct. 14.
Aug. 10–11: Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastopol
Apple season comes early in this Sonoma County town, thanks to the local Gravenstein apples that ripen in late summer. Come to Ragle Ranch Regional Park for hands-on demonstrations, live music, kids’ activities, and lots of opportunities to taste your way through the endless spread of apple-inspired treats and beverages. Special guests at this year’s event include pioneering chef Alice Waters and the husband-and-wife team behind SingleThread, Kyle and Katina Connaughton.
Aug. 10–11: Pistahan Parade & Festival, San Francisco
Celebrate the Bay Area’s rich Filipino heritage during this free, two-day event at Yerba Buena Gardens, located in a part of San Francisco that has long been associated with the Filipino American community. Come for the parade on Saturday at 11 a.m. and spend the rest of the weekend enjoying dancers, food vendors, and local artisans.
Aug. 16–17: Cruisin’ Weekend, Atascadero
Even if you don’t own a radical ride, you can enjoy cruising culture at this San Luis Obispo County party, which is free for spectators. On Friday night, about 400 cars from the 1950s and 1960s will drive up and down Atascadero’s El Camino Real. (You can even register your own vintage vehicle.) On Saturday night, dance to live music in the streets outside City Hall and get dinner from the food trucks.
Aug. 17: Salmon Festival, Klamath
Take part in a fun run, parade, and then an epic salmon feast at this annual event in Del Norte County on Yurok tribal lands. August is prime season for chinook salmon around here so it’s easy to extend your stay by fishing on the Klamath River.
Aug. 17: Lemon Festival, Chula Vista
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the San Diego County town of Chula Vista was one of the most prolific lemon-growing areas in the world. These days, you mostly see lemon trees outside homes, but this annual event brings that citrus magic to downtown’s Third Avenue Village, with lots of lemonade as well as a wine and beer garden, lemon-themed games, a lemon cook-off competition, and dogs wearing their best lemon-themed outfits.
Aug. 17: Brews, Jazz, & Funk Fest, Palisades Tahoe
This popular music-meets-beer event in the Palisades Tahoe Village features lovely scenery, live music, and beers from more than 10 different breweries, including FiftyFifty Brewing Co., Truckee Brewing Co., and Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe—and yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome too.
While you’re in the area, check out the live music in the village on Tuesdays and Fridays, courtesy of both the Bluesdays Series and the Sunsets Live Music Series.
Aug. 22–25: Butte County Fair, Gridley
Come to this long-running country fair in Butte County for livestock exhibits, carnival rides, crafts, and plenty of decadent fair cuisine. Check out classic fair competitions for foods such as sourdough breads throughout the four-day event.
Begins Aug. 23: Halloween Time at Disneyland, Anaheim
Start celebrating scary season at the Anaheim resort, where not-too-frightening attractions and events include the Main Street Pumpkin festival at Disneyland Park, seasonally decorated rides, and the Oogie Boogie Bash in Disney California Adventure Park. Runs through Oct. 31.
Aug. 24: Santa Barbara County Farm Day, Santa Barbara
Explore behind-the-scenes of more than 10 farms, ranches, and agricultural organizations across Santa Barbara County. Enjoy free farm tours, tractor rides, tastings, giveaways, and family-friendly activities. Visit farms producing specialty crops, seasonal produce, berries, wine grapes, and livestock. Use the online Farm Day Trail Map to plan your itinerary through Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley, and surrounding areas.
Aug. 24–25: Oakland Chinatown StreetFest, Oakland
Oakland’s Chinatown dates back to the 1850s, when immigrants who had come for the Gold Rush set down roots here. Celebrate their heritage at this annual party (this year makes 35 years) that spans eight blocks of live entertainment, cultural performances, and local cuisine.
Aug. 25: Dana Point Classic Car Show, Dana Point
Whales are the most common scenery in this Orange County town, but this one-day event in the Lantern District offers the chance to ogle at gorgeous automobiles as well—hot rods, woodies, European sports cars, and fabulously restored American muscle cars. Stroll down Del Prado Avenue and make the most of food trucks, adult beverage stands, and live music. Admission is free and there are also free public lots downtown for parking your own car.
