Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
February
Usually another rainy month for coastal California, but mountain ski resorts
stay busy. Low desert gets more visitors as wildflowers start blooming.
Valentine's Day is booked solid at hotels and restaurants.
Wildlife-Watching
Don't let winter storms drive you away from the coast. February is prime time for spotting
whales offshore, colonies of birthing and mating elephant seals, roosting monarch butter-
flies and hundreds of migratory bird species.
Modernism Week
Do you dig Palm Springs' retro vibe, baby? Join other mid-century-modern style aficion-
ados in
mid-February
for more than a week of architectural tours, art shows, films, lectures
and swingin' cocktail parties.
Academy Awards
The red carpet gets rolled out for Hollywood's A-list stars on Oscar night at the Dolby
Theatre in late February or early March. Mere mortals scream from the bleachers nearby
when stretch limos arrive.
March
Less rainy, so travelers head back to the coast, especially for spring break
(exact dates vary with school schedules and the Easter holiday). Desert
tourism peaks as wildflowers keep blooming. Ski season winds down.
Mendocino Coast Whale Festivals
As the northbound winter migration of gray whales peaks, Mendocino, Fort Bragg and
nearby towns celebrate with food and wine tasting, art shows and naturalist-guided walks
and talks over three weekends in March.
