While the cheeky use of “May the 4th Be With you” apparently started in the U.K. in 1979 (in a newspaper ad congratulating Margaret Thatcher on becoming Prime Minister), it could be argued that there is no better place to celebrate the May 4 Star Wars Day than California.
Certainly, Disneyland Resort has become a hotbed for the sci-fi-lovers’ observed holiday. The Anaheim theme park resort has made it a tradition to celebrate May the 4th during a Disneyland After Dark event that typically plays out over a few nights in early May. These separate-ticket events grant you exclusive access to an evening in Disneyland Park after it has closed to the regular public for the day. The Star Wars Nites include a Galactic Dance Party, after-hours access to select rides, a special fireworks show with a Star Wars soundtrack, Star Wars–themed snacks, and lots of character sightings.
While the Star Wars Nites do sell out fast, really any day can be Star Wars Day in Disneyland Park. Start at the classic Tomorrowland area (home to the timeless Star Tours ride) then head to the back of the park for the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area, with its recreation of the planet Batuu, strolling Jedi and First Order characters, and show-stopper rides Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
That Jedi energy extends all over California, too. Go to San Diego County’s LEGOLAND California to see the LEGO Star Wars area of Miniland, constructed of 1.5 million LEGOS. In Los Angeles, Star Wars fans can raise a glass at the Jedi-friendly Scum & Villainy Cantina on Hollywood Boulevard, an homage to the raucous Mos Eisley bar in the original Star Wars film (that desert scene, by the way, was filmed in part in Death Valley). The L.A. bar is sci-fi-inclusive: the menu includes delights like the Gold Bourbonkini—which “will give you the courage to slay a Hutt”—as well as the rum-and-agave Grabthar’s Hammer, a nod to the never-say-die fans of Galaxy Quest. For some serious geeking out, come on Wednesdays for Trivia Night.
Or, head to northern California: Pay your respects to the Yoda statue in San Francisco’s The Presidio, or take a hike along the Avenue of the Giants at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, or in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park or Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, which were all populated with Ewoks during filming of Return of the Jedi.
For more ideas on Star Wars getaways in the Golden State, check out DIY Star Wars Vacations and—to see where Kylo Ren and company might let off steam—California Vacations for the Star Wars Icons.