Did you make it to the Kingsburg Swedish Festival last year, home of the big teapot in the sky? Neither did we, but it sure looked like fun. How about the launch of Los Banos Tomato Festival in 2011 to put it on the map as a tourist destination? Hopefully they’ll offer a repeat performance in 2012, because tomatoes are well worth eating and celebrating, and most of us never got a chance to try them.

Some of the crazy places and events that you probably missed visiting last year included the Poison Oak Show in Columbia, the Earthquake Festival in Winters with Shaking Bed Races, and Porterville’s famous Outhouse Races complete with the Outhouse Queen.

California is known for its beautiful beaches and stunning mountains with places such as Half Dome, but the lesser known and visited gems offer their own special treats. Maybe they aren’t real famous, don’t offer luxury hotels, and don’t even have a decent dog park to speak of. You might actually have to “ruff” it and forgo the couture pet massage for Buffy, but California’s simple pleasures are well worth checking out in 2012.

Let’s get it started:

• Camel Races – at the Indio Date Festival & County Fair Feb. 17-26, 2012 (datefest.org)
• Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest – First Saturday of April at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (borregospringschamber.com)