October California Food Festivals

Are you looking for fresh apples, hot chili and tastes of Italy? Food, activities, arts and craft booths, bands, and eating contests are often part of the dining in California celebrations. Bon appetit! 

CYPRESS: Cypress Festival Chili Cookoff October 6-7, 2023
Oak Knoll Park
Cypress, Ca
cypressfestival.com for registration info
Annual Cypress Community Festival Chili Cook Off is part of a day of great entertainment, kids zone, vendors, car show and lots more!

FREMONT: Misson San Jose Chamber Olive Fest October 8-9, 2022, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
151 Washington Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94539
$, msjchamber.org

SAN FRANCISCO: Eat Drink SF Epic Food Festival October 21-30, 2022
Midway, 900 Marin St., San Francisco, California
$, eatdrink-sf.com
Highlighting local talent, regional ingredients and Northern Californian flair with tastings, classes, dinners, and events.  Presented by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.

 

APPLE FESTIVALS: Apple Harvest - Fortuna | Manton Apple Festival | Paradise Johnny Appleseed Days & more

SAN BRUNO: Tastes of San Bruno  4-8 p.m. Location: San Bruno Recreation Center  Tickets: $25-40.   sanbrunochamber.com

CARMEL: Taste of Carmel 
Taste of Carmel Front & Central Courtyards Event Mission

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival  2:30-6:30 p.m. Location: 100 Civic Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660  $150 Four days packed with VIP events ranging from private chef dinners to yacht parties,  Food Network & Top Chef stars, James Beard award winners, and celebrity chefs like Duff Goldman, Richard Blais, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Hubert Keller, among many others. The Grand Tasting event, taking place at the Newport Beach Civic Center on October 6th and 7th, features small plates from 40+ restaurants,  wines, celebrity chef cooking demos, live music, and more. $, newportwineandfood.com

NAPA: Cabernet Country: Cheeses for the King of Reds  5:30-7 p.m.
Ackerman Heritage House 608 Randolph Street, Napa, CA 94559 855-238-9463
$75, ackermanfamilyvineyards.com
Cheese authority Janet Fletcher is the publisher of the Planet Cheese blog, the author of three books on cheese and a member of the invitation-only Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. Ackerman Family Vineyards and Lloyd Cellars wines poured throughout the cheese course. 

CARPINTERIA: California Avocado Festival,   avofest.com

LOS ANGELES: L.A. Greek Fest The annual L.A. Greek Fest is held on the Grand Plaza of the St. Sophia Cathedral located in the Byzantine-Latino Quarter of Los Angeles. This event is LA's premier Greek festival featuring the best of Greek foods, pastries, music, and folk dancing along with exotic gifts and arts and crafts. | Location: 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles | St. Sophia Cathedral | lagreekfest.com

CORNING: Corning Olive Festival  
 corningcachamber.org 

LOOMIS: Loomis Eggplant Festival 
Downtown Loomis, CA

LOS BANOS: Los Banos Tomato Festival
Merced County Fairgrounds, Los Banos, CA lbtomfest.com

MANTON: Manton Apple Festival  Manton N. School Grounds, Manton, CA

MORRO BAY: Harbor Festival  Free admission | mbhf.com | Celebrate all things waterfront with a full day of live music, fresh local seafood, epicurean delights, wine and craft beer, dancing and family fun activities. 

PENNGROVE: Burningham  
Penngrove Park – 11800 Main St, Penngrove CA  burninghamsonoma.com
Bacon, beer and bands

PITTSBURG: City of Pittsburg Rib Cook-Off  11 a.m.-6 p.m.  Eat & Drink,  Shop, Play
Pittsburg Marina
51 Marina Blvd Old Town Pittsburg
FREE, pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com
Join City of Pittsburg first Rib Cook-Off with a twist of Zydeco music at the Pittsburg Marina! The Funky Gators band performs, food trucks galore, and the best ribs in town. Dance sessions where you can learn the latest Cajun and Zydeco dance moves.

SAN DIEGO: Solo Italiano Dinner in Rosso or Dinner in Red,  4-10 p.m. Curated, immersive dining experience in the recently opened Piazza della Famiglia features a five course mea. A portion of the event, the Luxury Galleria, will remain open for the public to enjoy starting at 6 p.m. as guests can engage with art, Italian vendors, the car show and more! Event presented by PenFed Credit Union. $202, soloitalianosd.com

SAN DIEGO: Good Food Community Fair  11 a.m.-4 p.m. World Beat Center, Balboa Park, San Diego.  $7-10, slowfoodurbansandiego.org

SANTA MONICA: Off the Hook Festival  4-7 p.m. Celebrate the sea during National Seafood Month on the Santa Monica Pier. $, offthehookseafoodfest.com

SUISUN CITY: Suisun City  Wine and Art Festival  Harbor Plaza at Suisun City Waterfront, Suisun City, CA

FORTUNA: Apple Harvest Festival  Sample some tasty apples and treats in northern California's Humboldt County every October. Apple sampling, cider tasting, as well as other food-tasting opportunities.  Admission Free.
735 14th St. Fortuna, CA 95540 Free admission,  fortunaappleharvest.org | apples

FREMONT: Historic Old Mission San Jose Museum Olive Festival   The Historic Mission San Jose | Mission Blvd. and Washington Blvd., msjchamber.org | olives

MANTECA: Pumpkin Fair  mantecapumpkinfair.org

PARADISE: Johnny Appleseed Days  Location: Terry Ashe Park 6626 Skyway  paradisechamber.com

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade and Festival  , Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach. | The city celebrates its Italian heritage with a lively parade through North Beach with food, music, entertainment and celebrities. sfitalianheritage.org

ENCINO: Taste Encino Family Festival  10 a.m. Encino Park, Ventura Blvd. between Balboa Blvd. & Amestoy Ave., Encino,CA   In the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the free admission event includes four stages music, ethnic and American foods, kids activities and more. Free admission, tasteofencino.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Chefs for Scholarships  4-7 p.m.
Golden West College Student Center and Gardens
15744 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
$45 pre, $50 door, $20-25 student, gwchbfoundation.com 
Annual Chefs for Scholarships fundraiser offers family fun in a event from 30 local restaurants, breweries and wineries. The indoor/outdoor venue includes entertainment, kids corner and silent auction items.  The Golden West College Patrons host this important fundraiser with proceeds helping thousands of students achieve academic goals.  

NAPA: Pie Baking  2-5 p.m.
Ackerman Heritage House 608 Randolph Street, Napa, CA 94559 (855) 238-9463
$95, ackermanfamilyvineyards.com
Join Chef Jennifer Smith, a classically trained pastry chef formerly with the French Laundry, to make a traditional buttery pie crust with seasonal fillings. Guests take home their two pies with recipe cards signed by Chef Jennifer.

RANCHO SANTA FE: Taste of Rancho Santa Fe  4-7 p.m. An event of the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe is in the heart of the Ranch. tasteofrsf.org

AZUSA: Taste of the Town  5-8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Company 1001 N. Todd Ave. $, azusachamber.com

CORONADO: A Taste of Coronado,  5-9 p.m. atasteofcoronado.com

SANTA CRUZ: Restaurant Week  santacruzrestaurantweek.com

YUBA CITY: Taste of Yuba Sutter  5:30-9 p.m. Food, beer & wine tasting $fee, tasteofyubasutter.com

FAIR OAKS: Fair Oaks Uncorked  6:30-9 p.m.
St. Mel's Parish Hall Fair Oaks, CA. $47.86, rotaryfairoaks.org

SAN FRANCISCO: Fur Ball  6:30-11:30 p.m.
 San Francisco Zoo Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway San Francisco, CA 94132 $100-175, sfzoo.org | Zoos

SOLVANG: Celebration of Harvest Weekend  Grand Tasting SOM III  at Solvang Festival Theatre. The highlight of the Celebration of Harvest Weekend is the Festival... a Grand Tasting and Silent Auction. celebrationofharvest.com

CARLSBAD: Wine & Wishes  6-10 p.m. Omni La Costa Resort, 2100 Costa del Mar. $200, sandiego.wish.org

LOS ANGELES: Taste of Italy  $60-up, 40+ of the region's best Italian Restaurants 100+ Wines Live Entertainment Chef Demonstrations italianhall.org

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Paella, Wine, Beer & Tequila Food Festival
Pershing Square
Los Angeles, CA
$52.73, paellawinefest.com
Annual Los Angeles Paella, Wine, Beer & Tequila Food Festival, features UNLIMITED PAELLA WINE & SANGRIA TASTINGS from 1 to 5 p.m., access to bar & tapas food stations purchases, and concert by Gipsy Kings by Andre Reyes.  This is a 21 & over event. 

McCLOUD: Apple Harvest Festival  10 a.m.-11 p.m.  Apple Pie Contest, Fresh Pressed Apple Juice, Artisan Crafts, Scarecrow Contest, Music, Vendors, Games. Free Main Street festival goes till 6 p.m. Free admission, mccloudchamber.com  Dinner & Dance tickets and events 5-11 p.m.

SAN DIEGO: Taste of North Park  11 a.m.-3 p.m. $20 beer | $40 food | $50 beer+food, tastenorthpark.com

LOS ANGELES: Taste of Italy  5-10 p.m. The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles invites you to share in a premiere Italian food and wine event. Location: Historic Downtown Los Angeles, 424 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost:  showclix.com/event/tasteofitaly2018 |  iamla.org

RIVERSIDE: IE Taco Festival  11 a.m.-6 p.m. tacos
White Park
3936 Chestnut St
Riverside, CA 92501
$10-20, plus VIP upgrade option, ietacofestival.com
Taco lovers unite! Taco Festival features live entertainment with Fat Joe, Mellow Man Ace, Caye, Juice Session B, A Lighter Shade of Brown and Mariachi Supremo de Mexico.  Beer and Wine Garden, Kids Zone, taco makers sell their favorite dishes and more.

SANTA BARBARA: Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival   10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Santa Barbara Main Harbor
132-Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA
Free, HarborFestival.org
The annual Harbor and Seafood Festival is Santa Barbara's signature Autumn event. Timed with the opening of lobster season, the festival is presented by the City, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Inc., Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants' Association, and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Festival-goers will meet local fishermen and enjoy fresh lobster, crab, prawns, and other local-caught seafood. Live entertainment and other family-oriented activities round out a full day of fun.

RIVERBANK: Riverbank Cheese & Wine Exposition   Free admission,  $ tasting fee, riverbankcheeseandwine.org

ORINDA: Olive Festival   11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. approx. time  Olive Oil Tastings, Arts & Crafts, Cooking Demos and Tours of the Historic Ranch with Turtles, Baby Goats and a Pond Wagner Ranch | 350 Camino Pablo, Orinda, CA | fwrna.org 

PASO ROBLES: Harvest Wine Weekend  Winemaker dinners, ceremonial grape stomps, barrel tastings, artisanal food pairings, live music and so much more! $, pasowine.com

PISMO BEACH: Clam Festival .  Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival A community tradition since 1946, the Pismo Beach Clam Festival features a live parade, best local chowder contest, surf contest, food, beer & wine garden, and Pier Pub. Enjoy music all weekend, pismochamber.com

CAMPBELL: Oktoberfest
campbellchamber.net
Oktoberfest held along the main streets in Historic Downtown Campbell features  savory food and beverages.

DIXON: Beer Stroll  4-8 p.m. $20 pre, downtowndixon.com

LOS ANGELES: Taste of Soul   10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Crenshaw Blvd (near intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.) between Stocker and Rodeo Rd. Los Angeles, CA. Free admission, tasteofsoul.org

GILROY: Downtown Halloween Beer Crawl  2-6 p.m.
$30-37.79, gilroywelcomecenter.org
The Halloween Beer Crawl in Downtown Gilroy includes pour stations featuring great craft beer for the over-21 crowd the weekend before Halloween. Costumes are highly encouraged.

HALF MOON BAY: Coastside Brewfest  1-5 p.m. $35.39, hmbbrewingco.com

LONG BEACH: Aquarium of the Pacific's Annual Sea Fare  7-11 p.m.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
$, aquariumofpacific.org
Featuring delectable tastes from over 25 local food and beverage providers, an open bar, live and silent auctions, the popular Go Fish opportunity game, great music, entertainment, and dancing with the fish!

LOS MOLINOS / DAIRYVILLE: Dairyville Orchard Festival  10 a.m.-4 p.m.  
Lassen View School
Los Molinos, California
dairyvillefestival.org
A Celebration of Local Agriculture. Free Admission & Parking, Live Entertainment & Music, Unique Arts & Crafts & Children's Activities, Bulk & Packaged Nuts & Fruits, Tri-Tip BBQ and Authentic Carnitas. Attendees can taste and buy California's finest and freshest Walnuts, Almonds, dried Plums, Pecans, Pistachios, plus Walnettos, Jordan almonds, Sunbursts, local olive oils and the now famous Dairyville Chocolate Dipped Prunes.

MENLO PARK: Farm Dinners at Madera   6:30 p.m. Heirloom Organics based in Hollister specializes in growing  select vegetables, fruits and crops with uniquely memorable tastes and standout quality. They principally grow Heirloom varieties. This is a communal table offering one seating. Reservations: (650) 561-1528. Location: Rosewood Sand Hill 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, maderasandhill.com

OAKDALE: Sconza Factory Sale  9 a.m.-2 p.m. Crafting fine chocolates and candies since 1939, three generations of candy makers have created unique confections that make great gifts. Location: 1400 S. Yosemite Ave, Oakdale, CA 95361. sconza.com

PESCADERO: Work Day & Barn Dance  1-10 p.m.
pieranch.org
Pie Ranch
2080 Cabrillo Hwy
Pescadero, CA 94060
RSVP required for the Band Dance.
Work Day Begins at 1 p.m. Please park past the roadside barn and check in at the roadside barn. Tour Begins at 4pm ($12-20 sliding scale, pay at the Roadside Barn.) Potluck Begins at 6pm The event is alcohol free. Dancing Starts at 7pm and ends at 10pm The barn dance is $15-20 (sliding scale) Children under 12 are free. The County Line band performs. Pies, fresh-from-the-field produce, and collectible offerings from the Farm Stand with partner Companion Bakeshop's bread and goodies. Pie Ranch Work Days and Barn Dances are held on the third Saturday of the month.

SAN FRANCISCO: Wharf Fest Chowder Competition  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fisherman's Wharf 100 Jefferson St. San Francisco, CA Free admission, $20-28.45 tasting, visitfishermanswharf.com . Chowder Competition & Tastings| Live Music at the Hard Rock Cafe Mainstage | Featuring the Three Best Local Bands from the Hard Rock Rising Contest| Live Street Performer Entertainment

VISALIA: Hands in the Community Dinner and Auction Fundraiser  6-9 p.m. at Visalia Convention Center. hnconline.org

YUBA CITY: California Beer and Wine Festival  1-5 p.m. $30-40, californiabeerandwinefestival.com

CAPAY: Pumpkin Patch Farm Tour   10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Capay Organic/Farm Fresh to You
23804 State Hwy 16
Capay, Calif. 95607
Free admission, farmfreshtoyou.com
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and home delivery service that provides fresh, local, organic produce to customers' doorsteps invites the public to its farm. Tour admission is $5, age 12 and under free

HOLLISTER: Northern California Renaissance Faire  Weekends  Location:10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister, CA. $, norcalrenfaire.com

SPRINGVILLE: Springville Apple Festival  
springvilleapplefestival.com
Springville, California
The annual event will include entertainment, crafts, the Apple Run, a mountain bike race, and apples!

 FOREST CITY: Forest City Annual Apple Harvest Celebration  11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location Dance Hall, Forest City, Pliocene Ridge, CA Celebrate the Annual Apple Harvest Celebration held at the Dance Hall features regionally famous apples. sierracountychamber.com

NAPA: Afternoon Tea  12 & 2:30 p.m.
Traditional English tea service is served with savory tea sandwiches, pastries and cakes by a former French Laundry trained pastry chef complete with antique silver and china. Location: Ackerman Heritage House 608 Randolph Street, Napa, CA. $75, ackermanfamilyvineyards.com

CULVER CITY: Maple Blocktoberfest  12-4 p.m. All you can eat BBQ. Maple Block Meat Co. 3973 Sepulveda Blvd (in the parking lot) Culver City, California 90230. 2 seatings 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. $60-70, mapleblockmeat.com | eventbrite tix

FOREST CITY: Forest City Annual Apple Harvest  11 a.m.-5 p.m. Location Dance Hall, Forest City, Pliocene Ridge, CA Celebrate the Annual Apple Harvest in Forest City. Featuring regionally famous apple dessert contest with prizes in 3 categories. Live Music, Stamp Mill firing, BBQ lunch available to purchase. Historical tours of the National Register townsite and Museum. Free admission, sierracountychamber.com

OJAI: Taste of Ojai  2 p.m. held at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa $78.62, tasteofojai.com

MONROVIA: Taste of Old Town  5-8 p.m. $50-75, age 21+, tasteofmonrovia.com

GUINDA: Taste of Capay  2-6 p.m. Full Belly Farm, 16090 County Road 93, $60, capayvalleyvision.net

LA JOLLA: Taste of La Jolla October 22, 2018, 6-8:30 p.m. Held on the streets of La Jolla Village. $50-55, foundationofljhs.com

LOS ANGELES: EAT. PLAY. MOVE Filipino Food Festival   10 a.m.-4 p.m. Come hungry and thirsty, we'll have over 30 delicious food and beverage vendors, all showcasing specialty Filipino dishes. Vendors include: Grub Life, White Rabbit, Wanderlust Ice Cream, Point Point Joint, Ninong's just to name a few.  VIP section offers indoor seating  Where: 700 Jackson St, Los Angeles, CA 90012  facebook.com/eatplaymoveLA/

PASO ROBLES: Golden Oak Honey Festival  9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
City Park
Downtown Paso Robles
Paso Robles, CA
pasoroblesdowntown.org
Free admission
Cooking with honey demonstrations, honey for sale, arts & crafts vendors with many honey - bee themed items, and more. No dogs allowed in City Park. Food & beverage vendors will be downtown merchants only.

CHERRY VALLEY: Olive Festival  11 a.m.-5 p.m. Highland Springs Ranch & Inn. Olive Pressing Demonstration & Lectures, Tours, Festive Food, Wine Tasting, Farmer's Market and Children's Games. Location: 10600 Highland Springs Ave. $5, hsresort.com

BROOKS: Olive Crush Festival  11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: Seka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room
19326 County Road 78 Brooks, CA 95606. No reservations or tickets required, sekahills.com

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