July in California brings peak summer energy, with fairgrounds buzzing, concert venues filling up, and coastal towns making the most of long sunny days. From wine country evenings and rodeos to comic book culture, state fairs, surf contests, and Pride celebrations, this is one of the busiest and most fun months to be in the Golden State.Â
1. Friday Night Flights, Sonoma County: All Month
Some Sonoma Valley wineries are staying open later on Friday nights this summer for special tastings, food pairings, and reduced corkage fees at select restaurants. Participating spots include Gehricke Winery, Three Sticks Wines, Poppy Glen Ellen, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, and Hopmonk Tavern. Runs through August.
2. St. Helena Summer Concert Series, St. Helena: All Month
Spend a warm summer evening in Lyman Park with this family-friendly concert series. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy live music, food vendors, and all-ages activities in a relaxed Napa Valley setting. Runs through August 12.
3. Pick Your Own Bouquet at Park Winters, Winters: All Month
If you are in Yolo County, stop by Park Winters for pick-your-own flowers. The fields are full of sunflowers, dahlias, snapdragons, and blooming artichokes, and you can create your own bouquet for $38.
4. High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy: July 2–5
This Plumas County festival blends live music with a fun summer-camp feel. Expect family camping areas, costume themes, glamping options, and performances from acts like Don Was & the Pan Detroit Ensemble and Dumpstaphunk. It is part festival, part mountain getaway.
5. The Art of Taste, Napa: Starts on July 3
Napa’s Lewis Cellars hosts this monthly five-course wine and culinary experience, where each menu is created by the winery’s Michelin-starred chef. The event celebrates seasonal ingredients and includes exclusive library wines, plus appearances from the Lewis winemaking team.
6. Willits Frontier Days, Willits: July 3–5
This classic Mendocino County rodeo is one of California’s long-running July traditions. Started in the 1920s as a fundraiser for a local hospital, it now features professional rodeo action, a parade, local barbecue, and even horseshoe competition.
7. Festival Napa Valley, Napa: July 4–19
Napa Valley turns into a full cultural getaway during this summer festival. Enjoy music, wine, free concerts, and special events at venues like Charles Krug Winery and CIA at Copia. Highlights include Taste of Napa on July 11, plus elegant performance nights and a family screening of The Wizard of Oz with live orchestra.
8. The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ, Fort Bragg: July 5
This Fort Bragg favorite serves up salmon, live music, and local beer from North Coast Brewing Co. All proceeds support salmon restoration efforts in the Noyo River watershed, so it’s a fun event that also helps the local environment.
9. Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach: Begins July 7
Laguna Beach’s signature summer event returns with art exhibits and the famous Pageant of the Masters, where works of art are recreated live on stage. The Festival of Arts starts July 7, while the Pageant of the Masters begins July 9. The 2026 Passport to the Arts also gives visitors free admission to multiple art festivals and free parking.
10. MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest, Salinas: July 10–12
Head to Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey County for a weekend of superbike racing on the famous “Corkscrew” track. If you want to experience the course differently, check out one of the Twilight Cycling Nights.
11. San Jose Obon Festival, San Jose: July 11
San Jose’s Japantown hosts this joyful Buddhist celebration with dancers, game booths, food booths, and taiko performances. It’s one of the best cultural events of the month in Northern California.
12. Pechanga’s Whiskey and Wings Festival, Temecula: July 11
Temecula is known for wine, but this one-day festival puts whiskey and wings in the spotlight. Chefs at Pechanga Resort Casino will serve creative wing flavors paired with classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and whiskey sour. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.
13. Two Harbors Brew Fest, Catalina: July 11
This beachside beer event on Catalina Island combines live music, beer tasting, appetizers, and a silent auction. With more than 20 breweries involved, it’s a laid-back summer outing with island views.
14. West Coast Cub and Antique Aircraft Fly-In, Lompoc: July 11–12
This Santa Barbara County air show showcases antique, vintage, and experimental aircraft, along with fun flight proficiency games. It’s a great pick for aviation fans, and the local wine and tri-tip barbecue make it even better.
15. Santa Rita Hills Lavender Festival, Lompoc: July 11, 18, 25
Lavender is in full bloom in July, and this Lompoc farm celebrates the season with three Saturday festivals. Visitors can shop at artisan pop-ups, make wreaths, and enjoy lavender lemonade and food vendors. Admission is free.
16. Petaluma Art & Garden Festival, Petaluma: July 12
This free downtown festival brings together more than 100 exhibitors, live music, local drinks, food vendors, and gardening demonstrations. Kids can also enjoy bounce houses, face painting, and crafts in a dedicated family zone.
17. California Mid-State Fair, Paso Robles: July 15–26
One of Central California’s biggest summer fairs returns with rides, exhibits, fair food, and big-name concerts. This year’s lineup includes Ice Cube, Megadeth, and Three Dog Night, making it a major draw for both fair fans and music lovers.
18. Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day, Del Mar: July 17
Opening Day at Del Mar is famous for horse racing and fashion, especially the tradition of elaborate hats. The season also brings more fun events, including Tacos and Tequila on July 18 and Family Fun Day on July 26.
19. Bear Valley Music Festival, Bear Valley: July 17–August 2
Halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, this long-running mountain festival offers a mix of classical, pop, and rock performances. This year’s lineup includes tribute nights for David Bowie and ELO, plus an America 250 concert featuring Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein.
20. California State Fair, Sacramento: July 17–August 2
Sacramento’s state fair is packed with livestock shows, crafts, food, and local flavor. Visitors can explore the Save Mart California’s Kitchen exhibit, sample drinks at the Best of California Brewfest, and catch musical acts like Wyclef Jean, Trace Adkins, and Boyz II Men.
21. Summer Concerts at Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys: July 18
Ironstone Vineyards offers a beautiful outdoor amphitheater perfect for summer concerts. July shows include Gene Simmons Band, Sebastian Bach, Lita Ford, Quiet Riot, and Willie Nelson & Family. More concerts continue into August.
22. Comic-Con International, San Diego: July 22–26
San Diego’s biggest pop culture event returns with panels, cosplay, and celebrity sightings. Badges are sold out, but the energy downtown is still worth experiencing, and the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park is open to visitors. Preview night is July 22.
23. Lumberjack Fiesta Days, McCloud: July 24–26
This Siskiyou County tradition has been going strong for more than 75 years. Visitors can join logging competitions, including a Lil’ Logger contest, and try horseshoes, watermelon-eating, and dancing contests.
24. Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy: July 24–26
Gilroy’s legendary garlic weekend returns with cooking demos, live music, and plenty of garlicky dishes, from fries to garlic ice cream. Tickets usually go fast, so book in advance.
25. Farms, Fish, & Flowers, Half Moon Bay: July 25
This coastal event is a perfect mix of farm life and fresh seafood. Get behind-the-scenes access to local spots like Pillar Point Harbor, where you can buy fish straight from the docks, and Harley Farms, where you can meet the goats behind the cheese.
26. Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Long Beach: July 25
Held at Marine Stadium, this is one of California’s largest dragon boat festivals. Along with the race, visitors can enjoy Chinese dance, acrobats, and martial arts performances.
27. Lexus U.S. Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach: July 25–August 2
Surfing, skateboarding, and BMX take over Huntington Beach for one of the largest action sports festivals in the world. The pier becomes the center of concerts, surf clinics, sustainability panels, art displays, and public skate and BMX sessions.
28. Lazy Bear Week, Guerneville: July 27–August 3
Guerneville’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration mixes pride events, pool parties, hikes, miniature golf, and wine tastings. Visitors can buy a bear tag for access to activities, and nearby stays like The R3 Hotel keep the fun going all week.
29. International Surf Festival, Redondo Beach: July 29–August 2
This South Bay favorite celebrates surf culture with amateur competitions, a pier-to-pier swim, paddleboard races, and lifeguard fitness contests.
30. Dancing with the Stars Con, Palm Springs: July 31–August 2
Palm Springs closes out the month with a convention and live show for fans of the long-running dance series. Expect performances from pros and stars, fan meet-and-greets, and plenty of ballroom energy at Acrisure Arena.
July is one of the best months to explore California, especially if you’re planning a coastal weekend, a wine country escape, or a full summer road trip. From fairs and festivals to surf contests and cultural celebrations, something is happening in every corner of the state.
