February in California brings a variety of events and natural phenomena, including the blooming of wildflowers in the desert, blossoming fruit and nut trees in the Central Valley, and the annual “firefall” at Yosemite National Park. The month also marks the first Free Entrance Day of 2026 at national parks on February 16.
Black History Month is observed throughout February, with museums, monuments, and events celebrating African-American history across cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. In Los Angeles, visitors can attend exhibits at the California African American Museum or participate in the Los Angeles Black History Month Festival on February 21 at La Brea Tar Pits. San Francisco offers an African-American Freedom Trail that includes stops like the Museum of the African Diaspora and The MLK Memorial.
Lunar New Year festivities begin early this year, with celebrations extending into March. Orange County’s Vietnamese community will host its USVA Tet Festival from February 13–15 in Garden Grove. San Francisco starts its festivities on February 14 with a Flower Market Fair and continues with the Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Festival & Parade on March 7. Theme parks such as SeaWorld San Diego and Disneyland Resort are also holding their own Lunar New Year celebrations.
Northern California features several food- and wine-related events. Mendocino hosts Seafood & Sips from January 30 to February 8, while Napa’s Chandon winery offers romantic sparkling lunches throughout the month. Super Bowl Week activities take place across the San Francisco Bay Area from February 2–8, culminating in the game at Levi’s Stadium.
Other notable Northern California events include Modesto’s Almond Blossom Cruise starting early February, Fresno County’s Blossom Trail beginning mid-month, and Yosemite National Park’s Firefall phenomenon predicted between February 8–23. Additional highlights are Cloverdale Citrus Fair (Feb. 13–16), Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend (Feb. 14–15), International White Wine Festival in Anderson Valley (Feb. 14–15), SF Beer Week (Feb. 20–Mar. 1), Clam Chowder Cook-Off in Santa Cruz (Feb. 21–22), Capay Valley Almond Parade & Festival (Feb. 21–22), Almond Blossom Run in Durham (Feb. 22), Sonoma County Restaurant Week (Feb. 23–March 1), California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco (Feb. 27–March 1), St. Helena Mustard Celebration (Feb. 27), Alpenglow Demo Day at Palisades Tahoe (Feb. 28), and Winter Wine Adventure in Placerville (Feb. 28).
Central California hosts several major gatherings such as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival from February 4–14 featuring tributes to celebrities including Adam Sandler and Michael B Jordan; World Ag Expo in Tulare from February10-12; AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament from Feb12-15; Whiskey Flat Days festival in Kernville from Feb13-16.
In Southern California, Temecula Valley Wines Barrel Tasting Weekend runs Jan31-Feb1; Knott’s Peanuts Celebration takes place through Feb22; San Diego Museum Month offers half-price entry to over seventy museums all month long via passes available at city libraries; Surf City USA Marathon occurs Feb1 along Huntington Beach; Griffith Park Run is held Feb1 benefiting LA Parks Foundation; Laguna Beach Music Festival runs Feb2-7 featuring violinist Stefan Jackiw.
Other Southern California events include Palm Springs Modernism Week from Feb12-22 celebrating midcentury architecture; Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival running Feb12-March1; Genesis Invitational PGA tournament returns to Riviera Country Club Feb19-22 after last year’s wildfires forced relocation—Tiger Woods’ debut course; Slamdance Film Festival for emerging filmmakers takes place Feb19-25 in West Hollywood with qualifying status for BAFTAs/Academy Awards short films; Riverside Dickens Festival is scheduled for Feb21-22 focusing partly on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.
These activities provide residents and visitors numerous opportunities to experience culture, nature, sports, food festivals, film screenings, historical observances, museum visits and more throughout California during February.
