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A Wine Lover's California Wine Festival List
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items I love wine and wine festivals! Festivals are a great way to experience new wine and food. Here is my top list of festivals I try to visit every year, the best hotels, and recommended items to bring for a great time.
Sections
3
Festival
Hotels
What to bring and wear
Festival
Here are some popular festivals from Northern, Central and Southern California. These happen every fall so if you're looking to go, get your tickets and hotels now! Maybe I'll see you there :-)
Grace Pavilion, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa. Happens in October when the weather has (fingers crossed) started to cool down in Santa Rosa.
Harvest Fair
Healdsburg is a delightful town and this is so fun!
Healdsburg Crush
I love to visit Paso any time of year but in October, there is so much to see and do at all wineries in the area. Its not just one day or weekend, any time in October you'll find harvest events at almost every winery. Highly recommended!
Harvest Wine Month
Want a wine festival in a cooler climate? Then this festival in Avila Beach / Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo Coast is for you.
Slocoastwine
A classic festival that's happened in Newport for many years and definitely one worth checking out.
Pacific Wine & Food
Hotels
You may live close enough to one of these festivals and won't need a hotel. If you don't or maybe just want to make a weekend out of it, here are some recommendations for places I like to stay. Most of these places are under $200/night in the low sea...
On-site diner, big rooms, dated but clean and consistently the best value in town.
Best Western Garden Inn
7-10 minute walk to the plaza, spotless rooms, best budget pick in an expensive town.
Fairview Inn & Suites
Big clean rooms, pool and hot tub, genuinely affordable.
Adelaide Inn, Paso Robles
This used to be a Best Western but was converted to a Marriott property a few years ago and is a really comfortable, convenient and reasonably priced stay.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Atascadero Paso Robles
Close to the beach and a comfortable stay.
Hampton Inn & Suites Arroyo Grande/Pismo Beach Area
I recently stayed at the Sonesta Irvine John Wayne Airport and had a really great stay. Its 15 minutes to the Newport Beach Festival and a good option for a more affordable stay and not too far away from the venue.
Sonesta Irvine John Wayne Airport
Free parking and breakfast and only 10 minutes to Newport Dunes for the Pacific Wine + Food Classic Festival.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach
What to bring and wear
For a good wine festival, expect to be there most, if not all, of the day. So, dress appropriately and comfortably! And prepare for the heat by staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen!
Toms shoes - A must have for me are comfortable and hopefully cute shoes for a long day of walking
TOMS.com
Daytime tastings are largely unshaded, so make sure to bring a nice sun hat.
sun hat at REI | REI Co-op
If you can swing it, get a hands free holder for your wineglass. You'll want to keep your hands free for snacks and your phone.
Wine glass holder necklace
Can't forget the sunscreen! I really like Supergoop. The full size is expensive so buying the travel size is a great alternative.
Supergoop! The Best Skincare with SPF and Sunscreen
Elf sunscreen is an excellent alternative to Supergoop and works just as well in my opinion and costs half the price!
e.l.f. Cosmetics
You'll also want to stay covered to protect from the sun and have a jacket that will keep you comfortable after sunset.
Uv Protection Jacket
No shoulder bags that slide off while you're holding a glass.
Crossbody Bag
If you don't already have one, you need a portable charger. Long day, lots of photos, and you'll need the phone for the ride home.
Portable Charger
Most festivals will have water stations and water for sale. But bring your own bottle just in case.
Collapsible Water Bottles
Another option for a folding sun hat. Don't forget the hat!
Packable Sun Hats UPF 50+