Pacific Fine Arts
(209) 267-4394
pacificfinearts.com

Arts and crafts festivals throughout California showcase works from award-winning artists across the nation are presented by Pacific Fine Arts Festivals (PFAF), a producer of California's highest quality art festivals since 1980. The roster includes a variety of two- and three-day festivals that take place from March to October, providing family-oriented events at some of the Golden State's most picturesque venues. All of the events feature a dazzling array of fine arts or fine arts and crafts and offer the unique opportunity to meet the artisans.

Pacific Fine Arts Festival bring together talents of artists from across the nation, including many award winners in the mediums of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, mixed media and much more. Sunshine Artist magazine has ranked several of PFAF's festivals in the top 200 outdoor festivals in the country, and while each festival has a distinctive look and feel, all promise to offer enjoyment for the entire family.

Here's the lists 2012:

MARCH 2012

BELMONT: (March 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) The Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival takes place at the Carlmont Village Shopping Center, an intimate venue featuring 25 artists at the corner of Ralston Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas on the Peninsula,south of San Francisco.

APRIL 2012

SAN FRANCISCO: (April 13-15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) The West Portal Sidewalk Fine Arts and Crafts Fair takes place on San Francisco's West Portal Avenue between 15th and Ulloa, near Sloat, Portola, and the San Francisco Zoo, showcasing 65 artists and crafters.

MENLO PARK: (Friday and Saturday, April 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) The 30th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival -- this "Celebrate Spring" event takes place along tree-lined Santa Cruz Avenue and plays host to 100 artists. Call: (209) 267-4394. pacificfinearts.com


WALNUT CREEK: (April 28 - 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) The 68th Semi-Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival includes 150 artists and crafters lining the sidewalk of Main Street and the closed street of Locust in downtown Walnut Creek. This event has been ranked as one of the top 100 outdoor fine arts shows in the country.

MAY 2012

MOUNTAIN VIEW: (May 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day) Situated 40 miles south of San Francisco and 10 miles north of San Jose, the Mountain View A la Carte & Art hosts 175 fine arts and crafts booths, specialty pre-packaged food booths, live entertainment, a kid's area, food, wine and beer and is the major fundraiser for Mountain View's Central Business Association.  Call: (209) 267-4394. pacificfinearts.com

OXNARD: (May 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day) This 29th Annual event attracts over 65,000 visitors from all over Southern California who converge on the scenic coastal town of Oxnard. The California Strawberry Festival celebrates the region's rich agricultural heritage while raising funds for numerous Southland charities. There will be 250 Arts and Crafts booths, specialty pre-packagedfood vendors, a children's area, and live entertainment as part of the Festival's 75 acres. strawberry-fest.org

JUNE 2012

OAKLAND – MONTCLAIR VILLAGE: (June 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) The Montclair Village Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival, located in the hills of Oakland in the Montclair Village Shopping district (on Mountain Blvd. at La Salle), continues to be among the most popular community events showcasing 90 artists from all over the Western United States.

LAKE TAHOE - SQUAW VALLEY: (June 30 and July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) This 4th of July Arts and Crafts Festival is held over the holiday weekend in the beautiful mountain resort of The Village at Squaw Valley USA. The festival, which features 60 artists and crafters, is nestled within the Village at the base of the majestic peaks of Squaw Valley. Storefronts take on the look of a charming European-alpine Village and boast cafes, shops and restaurants.

JULY 2012

LAKE TAHOE – KINGS BEACH: (Saturday and Sunday, July 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) The Kings Beach Fine Arts and Crafts on the Shore makes its appearance at beautiful Kings Beach State Park on the shore of North Lake Tahoe. The event features 40 artists displaying 2-D and sculptural works, fine crafts and jewelry in this scenic setting.

LOS ALTOS: (July 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day) The Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival in downtown Los Altos at Main and State streets features 340 booths including artwork and crafts such as paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, glass, textile arts, wood and ceramics. The event includes a variety of live entertainment on three stages and several street locations including genres such as jazz, rock, reggae, country and the oldies. There's also a KIDZONE with TV personalities, children's entertainers, interactive activities and hands-on arts.

MENLO PARK: (July 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day) The Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce hosts the Connoisseurs' Marketplace. This mid-summer extravaganza's excitement extends down charming Santa Cruz Avenue and includes 230 Fine Arts and Crafts booths, live cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, kids' area, food, wine and beer.

TRUCKEE: (July 28-29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) The Historic Downtown Truckee Arts & Crafts Festival is hosted by the Truckee Downtown Merchant's Association and features the original work of more than 60 artists and crafters in downtown Truckee's walkable historic mountain setting, on the closed street of Bridge Street between Donner Pass Road and Church Street. This is the first of three arts and crafts summer events in this location.

AUGUST 2012

MAMMOTH LAKES: (August 3-5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) The 40th Annual Mammoth Lakes Fine Arts and Crafts Festival is set in this attractive mountain resort town at Kittredge Sports (Highway 203/Main Street) and plays host to 40 artists.

TRUCKEE: (August 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday) The Historic Downtown Truckee Arts & Crafts Festival is hosted by the Truckee Downtown Merchant's Association and features the original work of more than 60 artists and crafters in downtown Truckee's walkable historic mountain setting, on the closed street of Bridge Street between Donner Pass Road and Church Street. This is the second of three arts and crafts summer events in this location.

LAKE TAHOE – TAHOE CITY: (August 17-19 and August 24-26 from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. each day) The Tahoe CityBoatworks Mall is a marvelous host for back-to-back August Fine Arts and Crafts Festivals. The event takes place inTahoe City right off Highway 28 (N. Lake Blvd.). on the lawn area beside the indoor Boatworks Mall, adjacent to Tahoe City Marina overlooking the lake.

SEPTEMBER 2012

TRUCKEE: (September 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday) The Historic Downtown Truckee Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival is the third of three Truckee summer arts and crafts events hosted by the Truckee Downtown Merchant's Association. The event features the original work of more than 60 artists and crafters in downtown Truckee's walkable historic mountain setting, on the closed street of Bridge Street between Donner Pass Road andChurch Street.

WALNUT CREEK: (September 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday) The 69th Semi-Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fall Fair, on the closed street of North Main between Civic and Mt. Diablo in downtown Walnut Creek. This year's event adds acoustic music and food elements has become one of the East Bay's most popular arts and crafts festivals featuring 175 artists.

OCTOBER 2012

SAN CARLOS: (October 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day) Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the San Carlos Art & Wine Faire attracts huge crowds who come to take in the sites, sounds and tastes of this premiere 22nd Annual event featuring 280 arts and crafts booths, wine and beer, food, live entertainment and a family fun zone.

OAKLAND – MONTCLAIR VILLAGE: (October 13-14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) The Montclair Village Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fest is sponsored by the Montclair Village Association and features more than 80 artists lining the sidewalks of this scenic district of Oakland.

MENLO PARK: (October 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) The Sidewalk Fine Arts & Crafts Fall Fest, comes to Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park with an exciting array of original works by 90 artists and craftspeople from throughout the West.