Featured Events
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
September 3-5, Sonoma
Food and wine lovers revel in style at this popular 3-day celebration of Sonoma’s bounty, combining Taste of Sonoma, exclusive winemakers’ dinners, and the 18th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction all in one weekend! The epicurean extravaganza brings together artisanal wine and food from more than 150 wineries and 60 chefs, and hilarious and high-stakes bidding at the auction, this year sporting a Hawaiian Beach Party theme. Profits raise funds for local charities. 800/939-7666; sonomawinecountryweekend.com
Great Reno Balloon Races
September 10-12, Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno, Nevada
The Great Reno Balloon Race is one local’s most loved events, and it’s entirely free. If you’re an early riser, watch the sunrise with hundreds of families during the popular Dawn Patrol, as the brightly-colored balloons take off for their morning adventure. From September 10-12, hundreds of balloons in all shapes and sizes will take over the breathtaking Nevada sky as the nation’s top balloonists compete for a prize purse. A comprehensive selection of food, crafts, art and souvenirs awaits spectators along with wonderfully uplifting music to complement the flight. Get your cup of cocoa ready; you won’t want to miss this. Website, Video
Virginia City Camel Races
September 10-12, Virginia City, Nevada
The first step is admitting we have a problem, and we’ll be the first to admit we may be just a tad bit competitive. What better way to break the ice in Reno Tahoe USA than with friendly rivalry? For the kind of race you’ll only see here, check out the Virginia City International Camel Races September 10-12. Yes, even the least agile beast is accepted here. Do we really race camels? Yes! And we even throw ostriches in the mix! What began as a hoax many years ago has become one of the silliest and most competitive races the Comstock has to offer. Saddle up! Website, Video
National Championship Air Races
September 15-19, Stead Airfield, Reno
The world’s lon¬gest running air race is the only place where you can see five days of real air racing among six classes of aircraft that reach speeds of more than 500 miles per hour. The event also features military static and historic airplane displays along with jaw dropping aerobatic ex¬hibitions. While enjoying the races, spectators can visit the pits and watch race teams work on the airplanes, get autographs from their favorite race pilots and browse hundreds of vendor booths and take pleasure in a wide variety of food and beverages. Website, Video
Muestra De Arte at Murrieta’s Well Tasting Room
September 18th, Livermore
On Saturday, September 18th from 11am to 5pm, enjoy works of fine art by local artists while sampling artisan cheese and wine tastings at the third annual Muestra de Arte, hosted in the historic barrel room at Murrieta’s Well. Admission is free. Wine tasting is $10, and complimentary for Silver Spur club members. For more information call 925/456-2395. www.murrietaswell.com
High Notes: North Lake Tahoe Summerlong Music
Woven into the summer skies that stretch from beaches to pines to lofty meadows is a medley of tunes ranging from reggae and rock to classic and pop. A summerlong lineup of free concerts and big ticket names appearing al fresco as well as in legendary showrooms and intimate pubs. And all accompanied by that class act known as North Lake Tahoe. For a schedule of music events click here.
GuitarTown on the Sunset Strip
West Hollywood
Like the giant hearts in San Francisco and life-size Peanuts characters in Santa Rosa, The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood is hosting its own public arts project by lining its legendary avenue with more than 25 ten-foot-tall fiberglass Gibson Les Paul guitars. Each oversized guitar is created by local and nationally acclaimed visual artists to commemorate a musician, personality, or artist unique to The Sunset Strips’s history and Gibson Guitar. www.visitwesthollywood.com
Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off
Sparks, Nevada, September 1-6
Thousands of visitors make their way to Victorian Square in Sparks each Labor Day to experience the biggest and most prestigious rib cook-off in the United States, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off from September 1-6. Bringing together 24 of the country's best cookers, hundreds of craft and vendor booths, and free entertainment—including nightly headline acts on the Main Concert Stage—the 22nd Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is a great way to say goodbye to summer. For more information click here.
Sausalito Art Festival
Sausalito, September 3-6
The Sausalito Art Festival features more than 20,000 museum-quality original works of art by 275 artists including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, 2- and 3-D mixed media and photography. More than 32,000 fine arts lovers flock to Sausalito each year to enjoy entertainment, activities for the family, gourmet food, premium beers and fine wines – all in a postcard perfect setting. www.sausalitoartfestival.org
145th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
September 4-5, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
One of the world's largest Scottish festivals convenes at the Alameda County Fairgrounds this Labor Day Weekend. Get your “Scot” on with bagpipes, Whisky tasting, six stages of entertainment, sheep dog trials, traditional Scottish, Irish and English food, and much more! www.TheScottishGames.com
Shakespeare In The Park
San Francisco, September 4-26
Shakespeare in the Park will present a free production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, Sept. 4-26, on Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays and Labor Day at 2:30pm at the parade grounds at the Presidio of San Francisco. Shakespeare’s tale of Valentine and Proteus, the gentlemen in question, and their romantic entanglements is a zany comic caper with some ‘60s music tossed in for more fun. www.sfshakes.org
29th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration
September 5-6, 2010
Come celebrate the harvest season in Livermore Valley Wine Country! Over 40 wineries share their wines, hospitality, and unique experience. On Sunday, hop aboard complimentary shuttle buses and listen to music while sipping wine at the wineries. On Monday, enjoy an intimate afternoon with unique activities and wine tasting at wineries. Ticket includes winery entrance, wine tasting, glass, Sunday shuttle service, entertainment, winery activities, and even wine discounts. www.lvwine.org
Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival
The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary September 10-12 at the Village-at-Northstar.™ Through the cobbled streets, music will fill the air, chefs will engage in friendly battle at the Blazing Pans© Mountain Chef Cook Off, and fine wine and delicious food will reign supreme. Join noted celebrity chefs, presenters and vintners as they complement a festive atmosphere of fun and food to usher in autumn in style. Make plans for this three-day spectacular. For tickets, event schedules, venues, and lodging information, click here.
Heirloom Tomato Festival
September 11, Fulton
Is there anything as enticing as the smell of a sun-kissed tomato? Sample more than 170 varieties of garden-grown fresh-picked heirloom tomatoes—purple brandywines to Aunt Ruby’s yellow cherries—at the 14th Annual Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival, 11am-4pm in the walnut grove behind the Chateau at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center. Enjoy gourmet food, a chef’s challenge, wine seminars, and a tomato growing contest—all paired with Kendall-Jackson wines. 800/769-3649; www.kj.com/events/tomato-festival
Opera in the Park
September 12, San Francisco
Each year the San Francisco Opera launches its season with a free al fresco concert in Golden Gate Park starting at 1:30pm. This year Musical Director Nicola Luisotti will direct the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Arrive early for the best viewing spot. Bring a picnic, blanket, and low lawn chair; food and beverages will also be available for sale at the event. www.sfopera.com
2010 Sonoma Valley Crush
September 15-19, Sonoma County
Have you ever romanticized about getting involved in a wine harvest & crush? Find out what it's like this September in the Heart of Sonoma Valley. The Weekend Harvest Tasting Pass gives you access to activities and tastings at 16 tasting rooms the weekend of September 18-19 from 11am to 4pm each day. Enjoy various other harvest events September 15-19 as well. Purchase tickets online at www.heartofsonomavalley.com or call 866/794-9463.
Guitar Player Live!
September 17-18, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Livermore
Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition 2010 will be the closing concert event of Guitar Player LIVE!, a two-day celebration of guitars, music, and gear presented by the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. Enjoy concerts at the Bankhead Theater, exhibits, free clinics, free performances by well-known regional bands, while the Vine Cinema & Alehouse will show cult guitar films. Music Festival and clinics are free. For $5 off tickets to performances call 925/373-6800 and mention password “Getaway”. www.guitarplayerlive.com
Harvest Tour & Tasting at Wente Vineyards
September 18th & 25th, Livermore
Wente Vineyards invites you to experience their winery as never before with this rare behind-the-scenes tour and tasting during the upcoming 2010 harvest. Learn how Wente Vineyards produces world class wines, see the processing first hand, and sample some current vintages from their small lot winery as well as a barrel sample from an upcoming vintage. Reservations are required and tour space is limited. Saturday tour times are 10am, noon, 2pm, and 4pm. Tickets are $20, $15 for wine club members. For more information call 925/456-2305 or click here.
Fleet Week
October 7-12, San Francisco
Thousands of locals and visitors gather along the Marina Green, The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, and other vantage points to watch incredible (and loud!) aerial performances by the Blue Angels. Bring a lawn chair and picnic basket to watch the Parade of Ships and take a free warship tour as well. fleetweek.us
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