January in California brings a variety of events and activities across the state, offering residents and visitors opportunities to explore local culture, food, nature, and entertainment.
Several cities will host Restaurant Weeks throughout January. Lodi is holding its first Restaurant Week from January 23 to February 1, featuring menus with local ingredients and wines at places like Americana House led by Chef Charlie Palmer. Sacramento’s Dine Downtown and Elk Grove Restaurant Week run from January 9–18, while Stockton hosts its event from January 16–25. Napa Valley Restaurant Month takes place all month long, and both Los Angeles (Dine LA) and San Diego will hold their restaurant weeks later in the month.
Whale watching is also highlighted as gray whales migrate along the coast. Locations such as Mendocino Headlands State Park, Point Arena Lighthouse, Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco, Santa Barbara Channel (a designated Whale Heritage Area), Oxnard near Channel Islands National Park, and Dana Point offer tours for those interested in observing these marine mammals.
In Northern California, Lewis Cellars in Napa begins “The Art of Taste” dinner series on January 2. The Napa Truffle Festival runs January 16–19 with events including orchard tours and cooking demonstrations. The Napa Lighted Art Festival starts on January 17 with illuminated art installations downtown through February 15. Sonoma County’s Winter Wineland offers wine tastings on January 17–18 at over 60 wineries.
San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center hosts Fog Design + Art from January 21–25, showcasing contemporary works beyond traditional mediums. Chico’s Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway occurs January 22–25 with bird-watching trips and workshops. Mendocino holds Seafood & Sips from January 30 to February 8 featuring crab-focused culinary events.
Central California features the World Surfing League’s SLO CAL Open in Pismo Beach from January 19–25. Big Sur Foragers Festival takes place January 22–25 with mushroom hikes and culinary competitions. Heavenly Resort celebrates its mid-season anniversary on January 31 with special events for skiers.
Southern California has several notable happenings starting late December into early January: Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl take place on New Year’s Day; Eldorado Polo Club begins Sunday polo games in Indio; Big Bear Mountain offers night skiing sessions throughout the month; Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 2–12 featuring films such as Calle Malaga and Glenrothian as well as appearances by Amanda Seyfried, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Ethan Hawke.
Other Southern California highlights include high tide brunches at La Jolla’s Marine Room (January 3–4), a fundraising concert for Altadena at Pasadena Civic Auditorium (January 7), LA Art Show at Los Angeles Convention Center (January 7–11), SeaWorld Inside Look in San Diego (January weekends), Oceanside’s Swell Plate Series food tour beginning mid-month, Lunar New Year festivities starting at Disneyland Resort on January 23 followed by Riverside Lunar Festival (January 24-25), and the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course (January 29-February1).
These events provide diverse ways for people to enjoy winter months across California through food experiences, outdoor activities like whale watching or surfing competitions, cultural festivals celebrating art or heritage holidays such as Lunar New Year.
