California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

ISLETON--In honor of the Year of the Rooster, Chinese culture fills the downtown area of this river community 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Among the Chinese New Year events scheduled are lion dancers and ceremonial drummers, rickshaw rides and traditional foods. Free. Interstate 5 north to California 12 west; go left at the stop sign, cross two bridges and veer right at the Y to head straight into Isleton. (916) 777-5880.

SAN JOSE--Treat your Valentine with handmade treasures from the fifth annual San Jose Craft Festival, Feb. 13-15. Works by some 300 craftspeople from around the country are featured 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 101 W. San Carlos St. Entertainment is offered on two stages. $5, general; $2, kids 6-16. Proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. U.S. 101 north to Interstate 280 north; take the Almaden Expressway to one of the four Convention Center turnoffs. (619) 737-0075.

DANA POINT--As California gray whales migrate south along our state’s coast, the 22nd annual Festival of Whales honors them. It is centered around a Street Faire, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 20-21 and 27-28 in La Plaza Park, on Pacific Coast Highway near its intersection with Street of the Golden Lantern. Featured at the fair are a juried art show, hands-on children’s mural project, live entertainment, crafts, food and games. Nearby activities include whale exhibitions and films; a kite-flying exhibition, Feb. 20-21; a sand-sculpture contest, Feb. 27, and a surfing competition, Feb. 27-28. The Festival of Whales Parade is at 10 a.m. Feb. 27. Free. Interstate 5 south, exit at California 1 north. (714) 496-0593.

PISMO BEACH--The spirit of New Orleans fills Pismo at the 14th annual Mardi Gras Dixieland Jazz Festival, Feb. 26-28. Custer’s Last Band and Igor’s Jazz Cowboys are among the 13 groups scheduled to play in five downtown venues. A patron badge ($40) admits guests to all performances. Send check or money order to Mardi Gras Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 125, Pismo Beach 93448. U.S. 101 north to the Price Street exit. (805) 773-4382 or (800) 443-7778.

CAPAY VALLEY--The 79th annual Almond Festival fills the valley towns of Esparto, Capay, Guinda and Rumsey on Feb. 28. Activities run all day, starting with a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m. in Esparto. Arts and crafts booths, farmers’ markets, entertainment, almond booths, a balloon festival and classic car show are featured. Interstate 5 north to I-80 west to I-505 north; exit to California 16. Free. (916) 787-3405.