California's state tourism branch designates the month of January as Restaurant Month. Below are some events celebrating our culinary assets as experienced through Restaurant Week or Month. Editor's Note: We visited some of the participant websites just weeks before their events begin and found information lacking at quite a few. Hopefully details are in the works.
ALAMEDA:
Alameda Restaurant Week
January 17-27, 2019
Alameda Restaurant Week is back for its second year! Participating restaurants
are including a special dining menu, discounted prices and various other offers,
including free items and happy hour promotions. Alameda is holding a
multi-winner raffle, with stamp cards available at all participating
restaurants. The more Alameda restaurants a guest visits, the better the odds of
winning, as only completed cards will be entered into a drawing for culinary
prizes.
alamedarestaurantweek.com
ALHAMBRA:
Alhambra Taste of Alhambra Restaurant Week
January 27-February 2, 2019
Downtown Alhambra, located in the San Gabriel Valley, is holding its second
Taste Alhambra Restaurant Week. Throughout this week in late January,
restaurants will present two- and three-course menus priced anywhere from $15
$30 for lunch, and $20 - $50 for dinner. Diners can enjoy Italian, American
continental, Asian Fusion, Japanese, Thai, Hawaiian, Korean, Irish, Peruvian,
Indian, Mexican and so much more thanks to special menus at participating
eateries.
downtownalhambra.com
BERKELEY:
Berkeley Restaurant Week
January 17-27, 2019
The seventh annual Berkeley Restaurant Week is offering special value lunch and
dinner menus at more than 30 restaurants citywide to celebrate the fresh,
seasonal fair of Berkeley's Cali-cuisine. Berkeley Restaurant Week participating
kitchens spin a world of flavors from Asia, Italy, Mexico, France and Germany to
Yemen, Africa and the Mediterranean using locally sourced, seasonal produce.
Creative hors d'oeuvres and local libation pairings will sweeten the deal at
many restaurants. visitberkeley.com/ dine/ berkeley-restaurant-week
BUTTE COUNTY:
Butte County Perfect Pairings Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Butte County is celebrating California Restaurant Month with an inaugural
restaurant week, highlighting Perfect Pairings. Each pairing reflects nuances
of the area's culture, customs and culinary staples. From happily unexpected
pairings to classic, complimentary favorites, Butte County is serving up a
variety of dishes throughout the county during this themed restaurant week. With
the Camp Fire now fully contained, Butte County is looking ahead to recovery and
rebuilding by welcoming guests to local restaurants and hotels in celebration of
California Restaurant Month. explorebuttecounty.com/ restaurant-week/
CALISTOGA:
Calistoga Restaurant Week
January 20-27, 2019
Calistoga Restaurant Week is an incredible opportunity to experience tastes from
the northernmost part of the Napa Valley. Guests can take advantage of some of
the most authentic and exclusive culinary experiences in Calistoga, some of
which aren't available any other time of the year. visitcalistoga.com
CONCORD:
Concord Comfort Food Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Concord is celebrating the second annual Comfort Food Week, where over 30
restaurants are featuring a unique dish or beverage that represents their idea
of comfort. These special dishes and drinks feature special pricing, favors and
seasonality of different ingredients. These unique culinary experiences make
Concord a small-town destination with a big bite! visitconcordca.com/ events/
concord-comfort-food-week/
DANA POINT:
Dana Point Restaurant Week
January 20-26, 2019
Dana Point restaurants are celebrating the unique cuisine, artisan cocktails and
decadent desserts offered in the region by providing special menu options and
promotions.
EL DORADO COUNTY:
El Dorado County Fork In the Road
January 1-31, 2019
Fork in the Road is a collection of culinary gems along the highways of
California's Gold Country. This is the perfect opportunity to discover amazing
cuisine, seasonal specialties, innovative chefs and unique experiences in this
historic Gold Country region of California. With a growing culinary scene and
a relatively unknown wine region, El Dorado County may just surprise guests with
an amazing restaurant experience this January. visit-eldorado.com/
fork-in-the-road/
ELK GROVE:
Elk Grove Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Explore Elk Grove's international flavor this January during Restaurant Week, a
partnership of Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce, the City of Elk Grove and and
Explore Elk Grove. $1 for each special offer meal donated to the Elk Grove Food
Bank. exploreelkgrove.com/ restaurant-week-2019/
ESCONDIDO: Dine Out Escondido!
January 27-February 2, 2019
Dine Out Escondido! has something for everyone, whether it be a craft beer and
burger pairing, local farm-to-fork delights, chef-owned culinary experiences,
high tea or home cooking. To give back to the community, Dine Out Escondido!
restaurants are donating $1 to the North County Food Bank's FOOD 4 KIDS Backpack
Program for every special they sell during Restaurant Week. visitescondido.com/
dine-out-escondido-restaurant-week/
GEYSERVILLE: Taste Geyserville
January 11-20, 2019
This January 11-27 restaurants in Geyserville are offering delicious menus and
unique culinary experiences. With five participating restaurants, a local winery
hosting a wine and food pairing, and even a winemaker dinner hosted at the
Hope-Merrill Bed & Breakfast Inn, there's no shortage of opportunities to taste Geyserville's Authentically Eclectic culinary scene.
visitgeyserville.com/ taste/
GILROY:
Gilroy Restaurant Month "Sip & Fit"
January 1-31, 2019
Raise a glass to the new year and a healthy new you for the whole month of
January! Pick up a bottle of wine at a local Gilroy winery, or dine at a Gilroy
restaurant to enjoy light and healthy menu selections like signature salads,
gourmet sandwiches and other low-calorie entrees. "Sip & Fit" is a delicious way
to keep New Year's resolutions and make healthy choices after indulging over the
holidays. visitgilroy.com / restaurantmonth/
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Surf City Dine Week January 21-27, 2019. The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to try local restaurants with prix-fixe menus. Restaurants provide lunch pricing at $11, $16, $21, and dinner pricing at $21, $31, and $41. Each meal includes a $1 donation to Bracken's Kitchen. surfcitydineweek.com
LOS ANGELES:
Los Angeles dineL.A.
January 11-25, 2019
Los Angeles's premier culinary event, dineL.A., takes place twice a year and
showcases the city as a premier dining destination. dineL.A's programs are
designed to introduce new customers to a variety of restaurants located in the
many neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County to encourage foodies to dine at
both old favorites and new hot-spots. dinela.com
MADERA COUNTY:
Yosemite Madera County Restaurant Month
January 1-31, 2019
The geographic heart of California has everything that foodies love about the
state: world-class wine, a bounty of produce, and great chefs who can make magic
with it all. During Yosemite Madera County Restaurant Month, visitors will have
the chance to explore everything in the region from innovative dishes to
award-winning beer through specialty menus. yosemitethisyear.com
MENDOCINO:
Mendocino County Winter Feast
January 18-27, 2019
Winter Feast Mendocino is a new 10-day extravaganza of events dedicated to the
county's favorite crustacean, the crab! Guests can indulge in fine seafood,
wine, beer and more at family-style crab and cioppino feeds, gourmet crab-themed
dinners, and more. Winter Feast also includes a wine competition showcasing
Mendocino's sparkling liquid assets and the ever-popular Crab Cake Cook-off
that highlights the talents of the county's chefs. visitmendocino.com
MONTEREY:
Monterey Bay Get Hooked
January 14-21, 2019
Monterey Bay's fishermen and restaurants are putting their best fish forward
this January! To raise the visibility of truly local seafood, Monterey is
highlighting restaurants that are offering locally-caught and sustainable
species on their menus to show that sourcing locally is not only feasible, but
also profitable. Get Hooked serves to connect both local and visiting
consumers with the fishermen who caught their meal, and encourage them to try
delicious, but potentially unfamiliar, species. gethookedmontereybay.com
NAPA:
Napa Valley Restaurant Week
January 20-27, 2019
Napa Valley Restaurant Week allows locals and visitors to dine and find delight
throughout the valley, while experiencing the region's legendary food and wine
culture through multi-course menus for lunch ($20) and dinner ($36 or $46).
Napa's farm-to-table practices and Michelin Star-rated restaurants make the the
region an epicurean's destination, and there's no better time to enjoy it all
than during Restaurant Week. visitnapavalley.com
NEWPORT BEACH:
Newport Beach Restaurant Week
January 14-27, 2019
Newport Beach Restaurant Week serves to showcase Newport Beach as Orange
County's premier dining destination, offering guests a wide variety of culinary
experiences. Participating restaurants are offering special prix-fixe menus with
lunches available for just $10, $15, $20 or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40
or $50. visitnewportbeach.com/ restaurant-week/
OAKLAND:
Oakland Restaurant Week
January 11-21, 2019
Participating Oakland restaurants are celebrating the most diverse restaurant
week in the region by offering foodies pre-set lunch and/or dinner menus at $10,
$20, $30, $40 and $50 price points. This year, Oakland Restaurant Week is also
offering some new exclusive dining events and experiences, including progressive
dinners throughout various neighborhoods where attendees can visit multiple
restaurants, wineries and breweries to try different food and drink. oaklandrestaurantweek.org
OJAI:
Ojai Restaurant Week
January 17-27, 2019
Ojai Valley is showcasing its incredible food and tasty wines during Ojai
Restaurant Week, where participating eateries are offering select sample menus
at discounted prices. Restaurants are also highlighting the finest
locally-produced wines from the region to pair with meals and inviting guests to
meet top chefs from the area. ojaivisitors.com
ORANGE COUNTY: Orange County Restaurant Week March 3-9, 2019. ocrestaurantweek.com
OXNARD: Oxnard Tacos, Treats, & Tastings
January 18-27, 2019
Highlighting
the city's culinary culture with signature taco menus, special treats, and
featured beverage tastings, participating eateries to date include Blaze Pizza, Cabo Seafood Grill
& Cantina, Clearwater at Riverpark, Coastal Grill, Fresh & Fabulous, Heritage Coffee
& Gifts, Kanaloa Seafood, La Dolce Vita, Missy's Cupcake Creations, Otani's Fish Market
& Restaurant, Palm Boy Coffee & Acai, PokeCeviche, Red Tandem Brewery, Scratch Sandwich Counter, the Shores Restaurant, Tierra Sur Restaurant, Ventura BBQ Company and Xielo Artisan Desserts. visitoxnard.com/ restaurantweek
PALM SPRINGS:
Greater Palm Springs DineGPS
January 1-31, 2019
DineGPS is taking over the Greater Palm Springs area with special events and
culinary offerings to showcase the amazing food of the desert. Some of the
unique culinary experiences include winemaker dinners, culinary tours, beer
tastings and more.
visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/ restaurantweek/
PASADENA:
Pasadena Cheeseburger Week
January 6-11, 2019
Celebrate Cheeseburger Week in the home of the Cheeseburger Pasadena, CA.
Dozens of burger purveyors will take part with special offerings, meals and
deals to honor Lionel Sternberger's 1924 culinary innovation putting cheese on
a burger at the Rite Spot in Pasadena. Restaurants of all sorts will be
showcasing their tastiest burgers, and guests can take the Cheeseburger
Challenge to vote for their favorite Pasadena burger. pasadenarestaurantweek.com
PLACER COUNTY:
Placer County Placer Celebrates Mandarins
January 4-13, 2019
Placer County is celebrating the signature citrus crop, the Satsuma Mountain
Mandarin, by featuring special menu items highlighting this versatile fruit.
Whether used in salads, as a sauce or a glaze, a delectable dessert or the star
of a vibrant cocktail, Placer Mandarins add a bit of sunshine to local cuisine
in the winter. Experience Placer Celebrates Mandarins for a taste of the
county's beloved crop! Also, in honor of California Restaurant Month,
PlacerGROWN will be supplying each participating restaurant with 100 pounds of
mandarins. placergrown.org
RANCHO CORDOVA:
Rancho Cordova Restaurant Month
January 1-31, 2019
During Rancho Cordova Restaurant Month, guests can taste and sip the best of
Rancho Cordova's local fare, which uses exclusively local ingredients and
reflects the warm spirit of the community. Rancho Cordova's culinary curators
treasure the bounty of northern California agriculture without downtown
prices. visitranchocordova.com
SACRAMENTO:
Sacramento Dine Downtown
January 11-21, 2019
Named the Next Great American Food City by Southwest Magazine, Sacramento is
quickly becoming an industry leader in the fine dining scene. In its thirteenth
year, Dine Downtown allows foodies to experience the Farm-to-Fork Capital's best
cuisine where local chefs create special 3-course dinner menus priced at $35.
One dollar from every Dine Downtown meal is donated to local social services and
food literacy programs. godowntownsac.com
SAN DIEGO:
San Diego Restaurant Week
January 20-27, 2019
During San Diego Restaurant Week, over 180 participating restaurants will offer
three-course dinner menus for $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and/or two-course
lunch menus for $10, $15 or $20 per person. In addition, guests can enter to win
two VIP tickets to the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance, or two restaurant gift
cards for even more delectable dining. sandiegorestaurantweek.com
SAN FRANCISCO:
San Francisco SF Restaurant Week
January 23-31, 2019
This year during SF Restaurant Week, more than 130 restaurants are featuring
two-course lunches and three or more course dinner menus at varying prices ($15
& $25 lunch menus, and $40 and $65 dinner menus). What's more, one special
winner will receive a year of dining out! Eligibility requires dining at four or
more participating restaurants during SF Restaurant Week, and posting a
qualified entry to the Facebook event page. Entrants will be eligible to win
$1,200 in dining gift certificates from various restaurants. sfrestaurantweek.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO:
San Luis Obispo SLO CAL Restaurant Month
January 1-30, 2019
Restaurants throughout San Luis Obispo are offering special pre-set menus of
three- and four-course meals for the price of $30-$40 per person. As a hotspot
for craft beer production and a hub of area wineries, guests can pair their
dining experience with local wine or craft beverage flights. SLO CAL is
showcasing the finest and most unique cuisine ranging from Moroccan food to clam
chowder! visitsanluisobispocounty.com/ restaurant-month
SANTA BARBARA: Dine Like a Local During the Second Annual Santa Barbara Restaurant Week
February 22-March 3, 2019, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. $25 two course lunch & $40 three
course dinner. SBRestaurantWeeks.com
Special prices on upscale food, wine and hotels during a 10-day event that benefits the next generation of foodservice leaders! Featured restaurants include: Olio e Limone Ristorante
| The Dining Room | Toma | Chuck's Waterfront Grill | Due Lune | Tre Lune | Lucky's Steakhouse
| Wine Cask | Convivo | Bella Vista | The Monarch Montecito | Bluewater Grill
| Los Arroyos | Cava for more details, including a full list of
participating restaurants, tasting rooms and hotels, helpful tools to plan
your visit, and options for business owners interested in sponsoring or
participating in the event.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY:
Santa Maria Valley Dine Out Santa Maria Style
January 16 26, 2019
Santa Maria Valley, a region known for its farmland and fresh food, is hosting
Dine Out Santa Maria Style, presenting farm-fresh flavors at participating
restaurants. Restaurants have specialized menu items featuring local, Santa
Maria Valley produce, which start at $20. santamariavalley.com
SANTA MONICA:
Santa Monica Restaurant Week
January 7-13, 2019
Santa Monica Restaurant Week is highlighting participating restaurants
throughout the city that will each craft nourishing, custom dishes, paying
homage to the city's healthy lifestyle and culinary scene. Throughout the week,
restaurant-goers will be invited to enjoy delicious dishes at many restaurants
throughout town, all created to highlight 2019's special ingredient the
persimmon! santamonica.com/ restaurantweek
SONOMA:
Sonoma Valley Delicious!
January 1-31, 2019
Sonoma Valley Delicious! is presenting unique culinary events throughout wine
country as restaurants, wineries, farmers, cheese-makers, brewers, distillers
and food artisans create delicious experiences for diners. Guests will enjoy
special offers including preset menus, special food and wine pairings, signature
dishes and cocktails, and more at restaurants, tasting rooms and wineries across
the Sonoma Valley. sonomavalley.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE:
South Tahoe Elevate Your Palate
January 21-27, 2019
Elevate your Palate is South Tahoe's event where participating restaurants
will be offering special deals all week long, celebrating the best dining
experiences Lake Tahoe has to offer. In addition to tasting some delectable
foods, beer lovers can follow the South Tahoe Beer Trail to sample local pints
from nine different breweries. The first 100 guests to check in at all nine
breweries during this week will win a free pint glass, and there will be many
more fun giveaways for participants along the way.
STOCKTON:
Stockton Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Celebrating its tenth year, Stockton Restaurant Week is the most
highly-anticipated dining showcase in the area. Explore Stockton's culinary
creations by dining on unique fixed-price specialty menus from participating
restaurants, giving foodies and families the opportunity to experience unique
and flavorful menu items from chefs who showcase their passions through
excellent meals. visitstockton.org/ restaurants/ stockton-restaurant-week/
SUISUN CITY:
Suisun Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Suisun Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to experience some of the best
wine, beer and food in Solano County. Visit the Suisun City Waterfront District
for values you can't get at any other time of the year. suisunwaterfront.com
TEMECULA:
Temecula Best of the Best Menu Items
January 1-31, 2019
Temecula Valley chef's are presenting the Best of the Best on their menu!
Catering to virtually every personal palate preference, Temecula Valley Southern
California Wine Country offers a multitude of cuisines ranging from delectably
simple to extraordinary. Guests can indulge at a variety of restaurants
conveniently located throughout the Temecula Valley, where chefs share their
favorite culinary delights and top menu items throughout the month.
visittemeculavalley.com/ restaurant-month/
TURLOCK:
Turlock Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Come celebrate Turlock's second annual Restaurant Week for 10 days of foodie
heaven! Turlock's restaurants take advantage of local homegrown produce by
incorporating the freshest ingredients into their menu items. Restaurant week
participants can enjoy the flavors of Turlock from family owned eateries to
breweries and food trucks through weekly deals like discounted menu items,
special three-course meals, drink specials, and more.
turlockrestaurantweek.com
VACAVILLE:
Vacaville Restaurant Week
January 18-27, 2019
Vacaville Restaurant Week is highlighting the diversity of the Vacaville dining
scene. Restaurant Week provides all local foodies and out-of-town visitors the
opportunity to enjoy special pricing and menus from participating restaurants
throughout the city. visitvacaville.com/ vacaville-restaurant-week
YOLO COUNTY:
Yolo Taste of Yolo Restaurant Week
January 21-27, 2019
Taste of Yolo is focusing on farm-to-table dining from local Yolo County farms
and ranches. Participating restaurants will feature signature dishes
highlighting the freshest locally-sourced ingredients throughout the week. Yolo
County farms and ranches are famous for their outstanding quality, and that
truth shines brightly on every special plate of food served.
The restaurant week or month is a national event celebrated in many major cities throughout the U.S. Of the activities that tourists enjoy shopping, seeing museums and dining are among some of the favorites so California Restaurant Month is important to tourism. What typically is offered during this event are fixed menu offerings at set prices on a special menu. There are many variations on this theme but whatever you may find, you'll often get to try dishes that you wouldn't normally have opportunities to sample at the prices offered during the festival of food.
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.