Month by Month - Coastal California - page 53

Chinese New Year
Firecrackers, parades, lion dances and street food accompany the lunar new year, falling in
late January or early February. Some of California's most colorful festivities happen in San
Francisco and LA.
March
Winter rains start to end in California. Coastal travel picks up again, espe-
cially over spring break (exact dates vary, depending on school schedules
and the Easter holiday).
Mendocino Coast Whale Festivals
As the northbound winter migration of gray whales peaks, Mendocino, Fort Bragg and
nearby towns celebrate with food and wine tastings, art shows and naturalist-guided walks
and talks over three weekends in March.
Festival of the Swallows
After wintering in South America, the famous swallows return to Orange County's Mis-
sion San Juan Capistrano around March 19. The historic mission town honors its Spanish
and Mexican heritage with events ( www.swallowsparade.com ) all month long.
May
California's weather starts to heat up, although some coastal areas are
blanketed by fog ('May gray'). Travel peaks over the Memorial Day holiday
weekend.
Kinetic Grand Championship
Over Memorial Day weekend, this 'triathlon of the art world' involves a three-day race
from Arcata to Ferndale on the North Coast. Competitors outdo each other in inventing
human-powered, self-propelled and sculptural contraptions.