January in California offers endless new beginnings, whether you want to extend your holiday season or perhaps just recover from it. Play in the snow, check out the whales along the coast, or perhaps see some stars on the red carpet as awards season begins in Los Angeles. January also brings the first Free Entrance Day of 2024 at the national parks—Jan. 15.
All over the Golden State, the first month of the year is a great time to get deals on the best local cuisine, watch golf tournaments, or start celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Below are more than 20 ways to start making great memories in 2024.
All Month: Restaurant Weeks
Many California cities and towns are hosting their own Restaurant Weeks this month—an ideal opportunity to enjoy prix fixe deals for lunch and dinner. In Gold Country, you can enjoy farm-to-fork specials during Sacramento’s Dine Downtown (Jan. 12–21) and Elk Grove Restaurant Week (Jan. 12–21), or experience the bounty of the Central Valley during Stockton Restaurant Week (Jan 19–28). In the Bay Area, choose from Napa Valley Restaurant Week (Jan. 19–28), Vacaville Restaurant Week (Jan. 19–28), and the irresistible, all-month Concord Comfort Food Month.
All Month: Whale Watching
It’s prime time to see California gray whales make their annual migration to Baja. See them along the North Coast at Mendocino Headlands State Park and Point Arena Lighthouse, or book a spot on a whale-watching charter in Mendocino County. Near San Francisco, look for the leviathans at the tip of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Off the Central Coast, you can celebrate the fact that the Santa Barbara Channel was recently named a Whale Heritage Area by taking a tour from operators such as Condor Express. Visit Oxnard for a whale-watching tour near Channel Islands National Park or head south to Dana Point, where you can watch the mammals from an underwater viewing pod. (Dana Point is the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World and was the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas.)
Jan. 1: Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Pasadena has been throwing this epic New Year’s Day party since 1890. Come watch the famed parade (whether you camp out or get grandstand tickets) or the Rose Bowl game, which this year pits Michigan against Alabama in one of the nation’s two college football playoff semifinals. Come to town a few days early for the lead-up festivities, such as the Equestfest (Dec. 29) and Bandfest (Dec. 29–30), or stick around afterward to examine the parade masterpieces up close at Floatfest (Jan. 1–2).
Select nights from Jan. 1–27: Ride Under the Stars, Big Bear
Make the most of the shortest days of the year at Big Bear Mountain. Snow Summit hosts 12 different night sessions until 8:30 p.m. during January, more than any other time of the season. Choose from a wide variety of runs and enjoy select runs’ full evening grooms. You can add the night session on to your daily lift ticket.
Jan. 4–15: Palm Springs International Film Festival, Greater Palm Springs
One way to celebrate Hollywood's high season is to attend this star-studded festival in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, which showcases upward of 200 films from around the globe. This year’s opening and closing films are Wicked Little Letters (with Olivia Colman) and Ex-Husbands (starring Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette), and other festivities include film-inspired dinners. Awards will go to A-listers such as Greta Gerwig, Martin Scorsese, and Emma Stone. Screening tickets start at just $15 or you can buy a multiday pass starting at $375.
Jan. 6: Alpenglow Demo Day, Palisades Tahoe
If you enjoy backcountry snow sports such as alpine touring, telemarking, or splitboarding, head to this well-known demo day that also includes avalanche education, guided tours, and a huge raffle. Admission is free for anyone who has a lift ticket for that weekend at the North Lake Tahoe resort.
Begins Jan. 7: Sunday Polo Games at Eldorado Polo Club, Indio
During spring, this field in Indio is famous for hosting big-name artists at the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. During the winter months, though, it’s a legit polo field. Bring your own food for a picnic or tailgating or sit at the clubhouse and order food while watching polo matches. Admission starts at $50 per parking spot. Runs through March 24.
Jan. 12–15: Napa Truffle Festival, Napa
January falls in the middle of “Cabernet Season” in Napa Valley, with events and dinners that celebrate the beloved red wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon really goes well with truffles too, which get the spotlight during this festival that features orchard tours, cooking demos, meet-and-greets with truffle dogs, and a special dinner at La Toque. Be sure to check out the Festival Marketplace (with more truffles and cooking demos) at Oxbow Public Market.
Jan. 13–14: Winter Wineland, Sonoma County
Taste limited-production wines, new releases, and library wines at this annual event along Northern Sonoma County’s Wine Road. Buy a one-day pass or stay for the whole weekend and choose from one-hour tasting experiences at 60 participating wineries, including Baldassari Wines, Colagrossi Wines, and Viszlay Vineyards.
Jan. 13–21: SeaWorld Inside Look, San Diego
Get an up-close look at conservation efforts at the San Diego theme park and zoological institution. Check out special exhibits to learn about the daily work of the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team and their colleagues who care for the park’s orcas, dolphins, sharks, and more; included with park admission. Starting Jan. 27, celebrate the park’s version of Mardi Gras with live music, costumed performers, and special Creole and Cajun menu items (runs through Feb. 25).
Jan. 18–21: Fog Design +Art, San Francisco
Contemporary art goes beyond framed works and sculpture at this festival based at Fort Mason. Check out the furniture, visual art, and other design pieces affiliated with dozens of art galleries and SFMOMA. This year’s event, whose theme is “A Love Letter to San Francisco,” will also include the FOG Focus area showcasing up-and-coming and under-represented designers.
Jan. 20: Big Sur Foragers Festival, Big Sur
Whether you love mushrooms or the sweeping views along Highway 1, this weekend in Big Sur is gratifying. This year’s festivities include four guided mushroom hikes starting at the Big Sur River Inn, as well as a Fungus Face-Off with wine and mushroom-cuisine pairings.
Begins Jan. 20: Napa Lighted Art Festival, Napa
Missing those holiday lights? Come to this free, open-air, illuminated art walk created by local and international artists in Downtown Napa. This year’s installations include a giant “house of cards” and projected artwork on the sides of three downtown buildings. Runs through Feb. 18.
Jan. 22–28: World Surfing League’s SLO CAL Open, Pismo Beach
Watch men’s and women’s divisions compete for $70,000 in prizes at this World Surfing League qualifying event. Don’t miss the sunset-watching party on Jan. 27 at nearby Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, perched just above the sand.
Begins Jan. 23: Lunar New Year Festivities
The Year of the Dragon officially begins on Feb. 10, but parties and parades will start early and keep rolling all over California. Fun fact: In ancient Chinese culture, emperors were thought to be reincarnated dragons.
Disneyland Resort (Jan. 23–Feb. 18) and Universal Studios Hollywood (dates still TBD) both host celebrations with seasonal menus, strolling characters, and live performances.
In Riverside, stroll downtown’s Mission Ave. on the last weekend in January when the free Riverside Lunar Festival (Jan. 27–28) features local artisans, restaurant pop-ups, and cultural performances, including fire dancers and Taiko drums.
Save the date for San Francisco’s Flower Market Fair (Feb. 3–4) in Chinatown and the huge Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Festival & Parade on Feb. 24.
Jan. 24–27: Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego
Experience this historic PGA tour tournament held at the coastal Torrey Pines Golf Course, known for its amazing views and feathery-needled pine trees. Consider getting an up-close view by staying at the neighboring Lodge at Torrey Pines, which is offering a special that bundles in tickets as well as breakfast.
Jan. 25–28: Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, Chico
During winter, Butte County becomes a serious magnet for snowbirds—waterfowl, raptors, and tens of thousands of snow geese. This four-day festival in Chico offers more than 60 different bird-watching field trips, workshops, and activities, as well as opportunities to hike the Sutter Buttes and visit local vineyards.
Jan. 26–Feb. 4: Seafood & Sips, Mendocino
Winter is high season for fresh crabs in Mendocino County. This 10-day crab foodfest includes a Crabcake Cook-Off, a cioppino dinner, a Grand Tasting, and an oysters-and-bubbly dinner by Hog Island Oyster Co.
Begins Jan. 27: Knott’s Peanuts Celebration, Buena Park
The Buena Park theme park salutes the Peanuts gang on winter weekends: See Snoopy and his friends in live shows, then take part in activities like cartoon-sketching classes, a silent disco, and lots of character meet-and-greets. Runs weekends through Feb. 24.
Jan. 31–Feb. 4: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach
Watch as an all-star lineup of top golfers and A-list celebrities take to the manicured, ocean-hugging greens of Spyglass Hill and other classic courses along the Central Coast’s Monterey Peninsula. As of press time the roster of celebrities was still pending but in recent years has included notable amateur golfers such as Jason Bateman, Darius Rucker, and chef Thomas Keller.
