January in California will see a variety of events across the state, offering residents and visitors multiple ways to start the new year. Activities range from restaurant weeks and whale watching to art festivals and sports tournaments.
Several cities will host Restaurant Weeks, where diners can enjoy fixed-price menus. Lodi is holding its first Restaurant Week from January 23 to February 1, featuring local ingredients and wines at venues such as Americana House, led by Chef Charlie Palmer. Sacramento’s Dine Downtown and Elk Grove Restaurant Week both run January 9–18, while Stockton’s event is set for January 16–25. Napa Valley offers specials throughout the month, Los Angeles holds Dine LA Restaurant Week from January 23 to February 6, and San Diego’s version runs January 25 to February 1.
Whale watching season is underway as gray whales migrate along the coast. Notable viewing spots include Mendocino Headlands State Park, Point Arena Lighthouse, and Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco. The Santa Barbara Channel has been recognized as a Whale Heritage Area, with tours available from operators like Condor Express. Other options include Oxnard’s tours near Channel Islands National Park and Dana Point excursions with companies such as Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching.
Northern California features several food- and wine-related events. Lewis Cellars in Napa hosts “The Art of Taste” dinners starting January 2. The Napa Truffle Festival takes place January 16–19 with orchard tours and cooking demonstrations. The Napa Lighted Art Festival begins on January 17 with illuminated installations downtown through February 15.
In Sonoma County, Winter Wineland on January 17–18 offers tastings at over sixty wineries along the Wine Road. San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center presents Fog Design + Art from January 21–25, showcasing contemporary art beyond traditional forms.
Chico hosts the Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway from January 22–25, featuring bird-watching trips and workshops during peak migration season for waterfowl in Butte County.
Mendocino celebrates fresh seafood with Seafood & Sips from January 30 to February 8.
Central California highlights include the World Surfing League’s SLO CAL Open in Pismo Beach (January 19–25) and Big Sur Foragers Festival (January 22–25), which includes mushroom hikes and culinary competitions. Heavenly Resort marks its seventieth anniversary mid-season celebration on January 31.
Southern California events begin with Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day—a tradition since 1890—with Magic Johnson serving as grand marshal this year. Related festivities occur in late December leading up to the parade.
Indio hosts Sunday Polo Games at Eldorado Polo Club beginning December 28 through March; Big Bear Mountain offers night skiing sessions throughout January; Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 2–12 featuring global films and celebrity awards; La Jolla’s Marine Room holds High Tide Brunches on January 3–4 during king tides; Pasadena Civic Auditorium hosts “A Concert for Altadena” fundraiser on January 7; Los Angeles Convention Center welcomes visitors to LA Art Show (January 7–11); SeaWorld San Diego offers behind-the-scenes conservation experiences on select weekends in mid-January; Oceanside launches Swell Plate Series highlighting local cuisine starting mid-month; Disneyland Resort starts Lunar New Year celebrations on January 23; Riverside hosts its own Lunar Festival later that month; finally, Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego presents the Farmers Insurance Open PGA tournament from January 29 to February 1.
These events showcase a range of cultural, culinary, outdoor, and sporting opportunities throughout California in early 2026.
