Rodeo competitions, Dixieland jazz, ethnic and historic celebrations, art fairs, and festivities celebrating everything from jumping frogs and racing crabs to wine, pumpkins, and garlic--lively events throughout the year showcase Northern California's diversity. Below are 15 of the regions most colorful celebrations. For a calendar of events throughout the state, contact the California Office of Tourism : 801 K St., Suite 1600 Sacramento CA95814 (800) 862-2543 

  1. AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm
  2. Chinese New Year
  3. World Championship Crab Races
  4. Mendocino Whale Festival
  5. Cherry Blossom Festival
  6. Jumping Frog Jubilee
  7. Dixieland Jazz Jubilee
  8. Carmel Bach Festival
  9. California Rodeo
10. Gilroy Garlic Festival
11. California State Fair
12. Monterey Jazz Festival
13. Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
14. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
15. Gold Country Christmas

1. AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm, late January-early February at Pebble Beach. Legendary golf tournament shows off the Monterey Peninsulas renowned golf courses. Sightseers have a field day as celebrities and high-profile sports figures team with top golfers for several rounds. Contact: (408) 372-4711 outside California or (800) 541-9091 within the state.

2. Chinese New Year, February in San Francisco. North America's largest Chinese community salutes the lunar new year with the Golden Dragon parade, Miss Chinatown USA pageant, martial arts demonstrations, and cultural events. Contact: (415) 391-2000.

3. World Championship Crab Races, mid-February (Saturday of Presidents' Day weekend) in Crescent City. Dungeness crabs claw their way down a short race course; the winner is returned ceremoniously to the sea. The celebration climaxes with a huge crab feed. Contact: (707) 464-3174.

4. Mendocino Whale Festival, mid March in Mendocino, Bring your binoculars to scan the sea for migrating whales, then join in wine tasting, boutique and gallery browsing, and other activities. Contact: (707) 961-6300.

5. Cherry Blossom Festival, mid- to late-April in San Francisco. This street party in Japantown celebrates spring with entertainment by kimono-clad performers, martial arts experts, and masters in origami (paper folding), ikebana (flower arranging), and bonsai (tree pruning). You can take in a tako drum concert, attend a Japanese film festival, and sample teriyaki, yakitori, sushi, and other treats in the food bazaar. Contact: (415) 922-6776.

6. Jumping Frog Jubilee, third weekend in May in Angels Camp. Mark Twain publicized the first frog jump in this gold country community; now hundreds of colorfully named frogs jump in various divisions. Contact: (209) 736-2561.

7. Dixieland Jazz Jubilee, Memorial Day weekend in Sacramento. Jazz takes over California's capital city for a 4-day jam session with lively performances by more than 100 bands from around the world. Contact: (916) 3725277.

8. Carmel Bach Festival, last three weeks in July in Carmel. Outstanding baroque music draws classical music enthusiasts to this coastal town each summer for performances of instrumental and choral works, young people's concerts, recitals, and lectures. Book 3 months ahead for weekends. Contact: (408) 624-1521.

9. California Rodeo, mid-July in Salinas. Top cowboys compete during one of North America's biggest rodeos. Other events include horse races, horse show, chili cookoff, barbecue, and square dancing. Contact: (408) 757-2951.

10. Gilroy Garlic Festival, last full weekend in July in Gilroy. Garlic-lovers by the thousands feast on garlic-seasoned recipes from appetizers to desserts in Gourmet Alley. Though food
is its main attraction, the festival also features lively entertainment, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and an arts and crafts show. Contact: (408) 842-1625.

11. California State Fair, mid-August through Labor Day in Sacramento. The state's largest agricultural fair (held at the Cal Expo grounds) includes a carnival, exhibits, and topname entertainment. Contact: (916) 924-2000 or (916) 924-2032.

12. Monterey Jazz Festival, third weekend in September in Monterey. Venerable 3-day event draws many top jazz performers. Contact: (408) 373-3366.

13. Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, late September in Sonoma. This oldest of California's wine festivals celebrates the harvest with the "blessing of the grapes," an oldfashioned grape stomp, and reenactments of events from Sonoma history. Wine tasting and food sampling take place in and around Sonoma's historic town square. Contact: (707) 996-2109.

14. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, mid-October in Half Moon Bay. You can pick out your Halloween pumpkin, then enjoy a giant street fair featuring regional artists and craftspeople, food booths, and varied entertainment. Contact: (415) 726-9652.

15. Gold Country Christmas, Thanksgiving weekend to mid-December in various towns: Placerville, Festival of Trees, (916) 621-5885; Columbia, Christmas Lamplight Tour and Miners' Christmas Celebration, (209) 532-4301; Auburn, Old Town Auburn Village Christmas, (916) 885-5616; Coloma, Christmas in Coloma, (916) 622-3470.