California Farm Festivals, Farm Shows

Agritourism is a special and unique festival division that once provided the signature festivals that towns and cities celebrated when most individuals were closer to their food sources than they are today. A resurgence of interest in farms and farm life has created a niche market and turned some farm operations around into more profitable ventures. The best example is the Halloween Haystack Haunt, Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. Here are some seasonal celebrations on the farm and about the farm life.

SANTA MARGARITA: Best of the West Antique Equipment Show Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 26 - Sunday, May 28, 2017
Historic Santa Margarita Ranch
9000 Yerba Buena
Santa Margarita, CA  
$10, $25 weekend pass | bestofthewestshow.com
Get an up-close and hands-on look at antique equipment, including: tractors, engines, cars, steam trains, airplanes and much more. Hosted at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, this unique event is fun for the whole family! Learn about manufacturing and operations of farm equipment; from modern-day tractors to 1800's steam engines. There is a tractor parade twice a day, and at 12 noon a salute to our armed forces with an airplane fly over. The Farm Bureau will be serving tasty BBQ lunches and Firestone Walker Brewing will be pouring a few of their signature labels. Don't forget to take a tour of the ranch aboard the authentic steam engine train, complete with passenger cars originally from Disneyland.

BROOKS: Seka Hills Olive Mill & Tasting Room
Hosts events throughout the seasons, see website
19326 County Road 78
Brooks, CA
Free admission
sekahills.com

RANCHO CORDOVA: Soil Barn Farms 
Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture & Education Project
2140 Chase Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
soilborn.org
Summer camps on the farm, community harvests, educational seminars and more take place throughout the year.

LIVINGSTON: Pick & Gather Festival  May 27-29, 2017, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Riverdance Farms - Merced Co.
209-761-0081
12230 Livingston Cressey Road
Livingston, CA 95334
$10 admission
riverdancefarms.com

DURHAM: Country Fair & Threshing Bee  June 10, 2017, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Patrick Ranch Museum
10381 Midway, Durham, CA 95938
(530)-342-4359
patrickranchmuseum.org

PALO CEDRO Honey Bee Festival September 9-10, 2017, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat) and 4 p.m. (Sun)
Bishop Quinn Community Center
21893 Old 44 Drive
Palo Cedro
palocedrohoneybeefestival.com

SEBASTOPOL: Enchanting Sweet Peas' Farm One Day Open House June 11, 2017, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Contact: (800) 371-0233
900 North Gravenstein Hwy
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Free admission
enchantingsweetpeas.com

Fun on the Farm - San Ramon- Contra Costa Co. most Saturdays during the summer, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Contact: (925) 973-3284
City of San Ramon, Forest Home Farms
19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd
San Ramon, CA 94583
SanRamon.ca.gov

COLUMBIA: Farms of Tuolumne County Farm & Ranch Tour June 11, 2016, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
209-928-3775
Sponsor: Farms of Tuolumne County
Price: $10
Tour
tcfarms.org
Visit farms and learn about the many facets of agriculture, try free samples of local food and wine; take a horse-drawn wagon ride and more. Presentations by Me-Wuk Elders, local beekeepers, weavers and spinners offer many insights into respect of nature and its bounty. Locations: Nature's Whole Food Depot Nursery, Ponsanorosa Vineyard, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indian Four Seasons Nursery, EvenTyrgaard Suri Alpaca Ranch, Mother Lode Ranch

SAN DIEGO: Farm Tour Day June 20, 2015, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
760-745-3023
San Diego County - Oceanside, Valley Center, Encinitas
Sponsor: San Diego County Farm Bureau
sdfarmbureau.org/FarmTour

GRATON: Open Butterfly Gardens Celebration June 25, 2017, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(707) 823-3420
Hallberg Butterfly Gardens
8687 Oak Grove Road
Graton, CA
Free! No Reservations Needed!
hallbergbutterflygardens.org

SANTA BARBARA: Coffee Tours by arrangement
goodlandorganics.com
Good Land Organics
Goleta, CA
1.5 hours walking tour

SACRAMENTO: Farm-to-Fork Taste of Summer June 3-4, 2017 times vary

Downtown Sacramento
farmtofork.com
Ticketed event

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.