Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Santa Barbara revives its early Spanish, Mexican and American
rancho
culture with flashy
parades, cowboy rodeo events, arts-and-crafts shows, live music and dancing in early
August
.
September
Summer's last hurrah is the Labor Day holiday weekend, when everywhere
is extremely crowded. Afterward, the beaches and cities start seeing fewer
visitors.
Miramar Air Show & Fleet Week
San Diego's military pride is on display during this
week
(more like a month) of parades,
concerts, shipboard tours and the USA's largest air show in late September or early Octo-
ber.
Tall Ships Festival
In early September, the West Coast's biggest
gathering
of historical tall ships happens at
Dana Point in Orange County, with knot-tying and scrimshaw carving demonstrations.
October
Despite beautifully sunny and balmy weather, coastal travel slows down.
Shoulder-season deals abound at beaches and in cities as temperatures be-
gin to cool off.
Vineyard Festivals
All month long under sunny skies, California's wine countries bring in the harvest with
gourmet food-and-wine shindigs, grape-stomping 'crush' parties and barrel tastings.
