California is the top producer of tomatoes in the U.S., providing approx. 95% of the country's tomatoes and 35% of the world's tomatoes, according to the California Tomato Research Institute in Escalon, Calif.

Sacramento TomatoFest  August 6, 2011  
Sacramento, California
theterracecuisine.com

2nd Annual Sacramento TomatoFest  goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prizes to winners in three categories: largest tomato, smallest tomato and ugliest tomato.  A number of local restaurant chefs will compete for a trophy and bragging rights as they prepare their best salsa, bruschetta and tomato soup  (hot or cold).  Wine-tasting, live music, demonstrations by Master Gardeners, and a Kid's Area. Town & Country Village sponsors event.

Fairfield Tomato Festival August 20 - 21, 2011.

Fairfield Tomato Festival August 20 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 30,000 visitors attend "Tomato Alley", with over 100 varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes grown in the Suisun Valley.  The festival features tomato eating contests, live entertainment, food court, artisans and crafters, cooking demonstrations, a variety of tomato-related vendors, children's activities, and a beer and wine garden featuring award-winning Suisun Valley wines. 20th Anniversary 2011 Wine & Food Pairing, family movie night, car show and concert to the festivities. Call: (707) 422-0103. Fairfielddowntown.com

Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival Saturday, September 10, 2011   11am - 4pm

337  Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, California 95448
707.433.7102  kj.com

The deliciously crafted flavors of Kendall-Jackson go far beyond your wine glass. The 15th Annual 2011 Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival is a celebration of all the wonderful tastes of Sonoma County.

Cotati Tomato Festival September 15, 2011

Held 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. in La Plaza Park, downtown Cotati, corner of Old Redwood Hwy. and W. Sierra Ave. The Heirloom Tomato Festival features tomato tasting.  Fresh local produce, specialty foods, flowers & plants, handmade crafts, and live entertainment.

Sponsored by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, (707) 795-5508. Cotati.org

Ojai - Boccali Vineyard & Winery Tomato Festival Sept. 17, 2011

Boccali's Oak View
3277 Santa Paula Ojai Rd
Ojai, CA
boccalis.com

Held at Boccali's in Oak View (Ventura Count) the evening event includes delicious samples, live music and wine. Rock & Roll band Blue Latitude performs. $10 wine tasting tickets at door. General admission to event is $25.

Los Banos Tomato Festival October 8-9, 2011 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Los Banos Fairgrounds,
403 F St.,
Los Banos, CA
Call: (209) 704-4384
losbanos.com

Celebrity Chefs, Heritage Cooking demonstrations (showing the use of tomatoes in a variety of different ethnic cuisines), Tomato Alley, The Tomato Patch kids fun area, entertainment both days, art show, vendors, ag displays showing the importance of tomatoes to our area (95% of the worlds' processed tomatoes come from our area!) and much more!

Sponsored by the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce

Oxnard Salsa Festival July 28 & 29, 2012

Salsa Festival 18th Annual Event in 2012.  This award-winning Festival is held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission and parking are Free. Pets and coolers are not permitted. For Festival info call (805) 247-0197 or oxnardsalsafestival.com. The event includes salsa food competitions, food vendors, arts & crafts, and plenty of dancing with spicy Salsa bands.

Woodland Tomato Festival August 13, 2011 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Freeman Park on Main Street in Downtown Woodland. woodlandtomatofestival.com

Events include  Woodland Farmer's Market held 9am - 2pm; Smoothie/Salsa Bikes  9am - 2pm; Face Painting; Heirloom Tomato Tasting  9am -12pm; Salsa Tasting Competition  10am -1pm; Tomato Toss
12:30pm; and  Tomato Chef Competition 11:30am -1pm. Entertainment in 2011 is provided by the lively band, Rolling Fork Blues Revue.  Good times are guaranteed.