State Bliss Blog

The hottest Southern California Festivals for 2014 are here! It's time to get out your calendar and start marking in your weekend plans. Remember all those things you promised you were going to get around to doing? The summer of 2014 is the perfect time to do them! Check out this list of festivals and explore new foods, fun entertainment, live music, and even homemade crafts and art. No matter what your budget is, or your time-off, there is an option for you in this list.

Southern California Festivals

April 5-6 | Scandinavian Festival of Southern California in Thousand Oaks: Come explore all things Scandinavian: food, traditions, and art. Admission $7.50.  April 11 | The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio: Better known to music fans as Coachella, this three day festival will satisfy all of your musical cravings! Admission price ranges depending on show and seat location. Find tickets online. [caption id="attachment_517" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Flickr-Moby[/caption] April 18-20 | Catalina Art Fair and Exhibition on Catalina Island: This art fair known as CAFE lasts three days and will have a host of vendors showing off their handmade crafts and arts. April 25-26 | Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio: This festival is a must for Country music lovers. This year featured artists include Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan among other artists. Admission varies depending on ticket availability. May 8 | WorldFest in Lake Balboa: An earth-day festival to rival all others. Admission is currently $8 but goes up to $12 on May 1st so order online soon! May 25-26 | JazzReggae Festival in Los Angeles: LA is known for its music scene so it's only fitting that you plan on attending the JazzReggae Festival. Plus, their website is just amazing. Admission tickets go on sale in April. May 30, 31, June 1 | Balloon and Wine Festival in Temecula: From wine tasting to musical entertainment, not to mention the hot air balloons, this event is a must for your summer plans. Bring your kids and pretend you're in the movie Up. Admission varies but the range is between $15 and $25. [caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="580"] From Adventure Flights[/caption] [caption id="attachment_646" align="alignleft" width="300"] From Souplantation[/caption] July 25-27 | Garlic Festival in Gilroy: Vampires beware! The sixth annual Garlic Festival, titled the "Ultimate Summer Food Fair" will offer drinks, food, and local arts and crafts booths. You may consider bringing an extra box of mints...or two. Admission is $20. July 26-27 | Watermelon Festival in Pasadena: When it comes to summer, there is no better treat than ice-cold watermelon. Join in the fun at the Watermelon Festival. Admission is $8 if purchased online or $10 at the gate. Note that parking is $4. Which Southern California festivals are you planning on attending for 2014? Unfortunately, this is not an exhaustive list. Is there a festival you love attending that we missed? Share the details in the comments below! October 3 | Avocado Festival in Carpinteria: Have a love affair with avocados like we do? Then mark your calendars for the Avocado Festival. Admission is free. Cover Photo of Coachella from Flickr by Tana Ferguson

Planning out your spring break? Thinking of switching up your summer vacation this year? Well, you're in luck! This list of Central California Festivals for 2014 is the best of the best! We've listed anything and everything from the popular Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopool to the state-wide event of the California State Fair in Sacramento. This list is great for weekend getaways or day trips. If you plan it right, you may be able to fit in several Central California Festivals before the end of the year. But first, if you're wondering what all the hype about festivals is, check out these these three reasons why you should attend one.

Don't miss out: attend a Central California Festival and find...

Fun handcrafted items that are great for gifts.

From - San Francisco Citizen

Amazing live music and entertainment.

From - San Francisco Citizen

Great food - and lots of it. (Sometimes it's free too!)

Flickr-The Food Film Festival Have we helped you make up your mind? See the list below and mark your calendars! Take note of festivals with free admission if you're looking for budge-friendly options.

Central California Festivals

April 4-5 | 46th Annual Bockbierfest in Sacramento: Enjoy an authentic German experience with traditional German dancing,  food, bock bier, wine, and live Polka music. Festival includes children's actives and crafts. Admission is $20/day and $5 for children. April 12-13 | Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopool:  Live music and fun for the whole family, the Apple Blossom Festival has it all. Admission is $10. Flickr-David Yu April 12-14 & April 19-20 | Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco: If you couldn't make it to the Apple Blossom Festival, stop by the Cherry Blossom Festival which is said to be the second largest Cherry Blossom Festival apart from the one in Washington, D.C. Honolulu Magazine May 17-18 | Oakdale Chocolate Festival in Oakdale: Seriously, who could pass up a chocolate festival? Nothing better than chocolate, live music, and a fun festival atmosphere. Admission $4 if you register by May 15. May 24 | Santa Cruz Blues Festival: Did If you love Blues or just live music in general, this festival is for you! Check out their website for a lineup of artists. Admission ranges between $25 to $190 depending on what you want to see. May 24-25 | Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande: This strawberry festival is one of the largest in California and features ethnic foods, booths filled with arts and crafts, and all things strawberry-related. Visit the website for admission information coming in May. From - San Francisco Citizen June 7-8 | Union Street Festival in San Francisco: This event spans six blocks and offers a different "world" for each block (like Fashion World or Tech World). Make sure and purchase tasting tickets online before hand and come hungry! Admission is free. July 11-27 | California State Fair in Sacramento: Experience the California State Fair with food, fun, and activities for the whole family. Admission is $12 and ride tickets are available for purchase online. July 19-20 | Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards 22nd Annual Catalan Festival in Sonoma: Enjoy Spanish food and wine, live classical guitar music, and flamenco dancing among other entertainment in the Spanish tradition. Admission is $65 and tickets can be purchased online. August 30-31 | Whisky Live at the Games in San Francisco: Are you a whisky connoisseur? Join the this Central California festival and enjoy the best whiskies from around the world. Admission not yet announced. Did we miss your favorite Central California festival? Comment below and fill us in! Do you live in Northern California? Check out our list of Northern California Festivals for 2014. Cover photo from Flickr-beppesabatini

The list includes Malibu, Napa Valley, and Sonoma Valley to name a few. These picturesque wineries are scattered throughout California and each are uniquely beautiful. The best part is that the views are free, though most people want their mouths to feel the same pleasure as their eyes.   Melville Winery & Vineyards Where: Santa Ynez Valley (Lompoc, CA) Relatively near to Santa Barbara, the grounds in the Santa Rita Hills are centered around a Mediterranean-style villa where the tasting room is. The French doors open to an extensive patio where you can enjoy a picnic lunch with a glass of small-lot estate-grown Pinot Noir. Melville’s specialties are clones of the Pinot Noir grapes, and they are pointed out by signs in the vineyards only steps from the patio. More Info: tel. 805/735-7030; www.melvillewinery.com

 Photo by Kirk Irwin

  Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards Where: Santa Ynez Valley (Buellton, CA) This laid back winery can be accessed by a long gravel road where at the end you are rewarded with perfect views of Santa Rita Hills. There is an outdoor tasting session on weekends in the quaint backyard with a fountain to only add to the casual ambiance. Bottles produced at Alma Rosa are mostly Pinot Noirs, which is what the area is famous for. More Info: tel. 805/688-9090; www.almarosawinery.com

 Photo by Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

  Stryker Sonoma Where: Sonoma County (Alexander Valley, CA) The glass-walled tasting room provides some of the best views of Alexander Valley and the terraced vineyards on the property. Following her dream, Pat Stryker opened this estate winery in 1999. Here you will experience a perfect afternoon trying out Bordeaux varietals, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay, all of which are primarily grown at Stryker. More Info: tel. 800/433-1944; www.strykersonoma.com

 Photo by Gordon Emberley

  Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery Where: Sonoma County (Healdsburg, CA) Some of the best views of Sonoma County are on right off of Dry Creek Valley Road at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery. Known for their Chardonnays, which come from a variety of regions such as Russian River Valley, Carneros, and Alexander Valley, this winery has a new underground tasting room called Enoteca Reserve Tasting Bar & Lounge. In the spring, don’t miss the five-acre gardens that are home to some 10,000 tulips each year.  More Info: tel. 707/433-6700; www.ferrari-carano.com

 Photo by Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

    Flowers Vineyard & Winery Where: Sonoma Coast, CA This property was bought with the intent to make wine back in the late 1980s by Walt and Joan Flowers. It works, as the vineyards today produce award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, however, the view is the real winner. Tours are available and will take you through the vineyard, and then on to the tasting room to try two or three wines where spectacular views of moss-covered tress and tall pines are abundant. More Info: tel. 707/847-3661; www.flowerswinery.com

 Photo by David Keatley

  HALL Wines Where: Napa Valley, CA HALL has two different tasting rooms in two different locations. The first is along Route 29 and it sees more visitors. The second is up on a hill on Auberge Road. It is smaller and therefore more intimate, and looks like a stylish home with its windows facing the vineyard. There is room is the elegant underground cellar for private tastings and events. The place is decorated with unique modern art. Visitation is only allowed if you phone ahead. More Info: tel. 707/967-0700; www.hallwines.com

 Photo by Hall Wines

  Sterling Vineyards Where: Napa Valley (Calistoga, CA) Sterling Vineyards adds an interesting twist to traditional wineries. The tasting room is only accessible by aerial tram because it is so high up. Along with an elevated tasting room, the facilities also have elevated walkways so that visitors can see the wine making process through glass windows. The architecture follows the white buildings found in Crete, Greece, and there are also some art galleries. More Info: tel. 800/726-6136; www.sterlingvineyards.com

 Photo by Sterling Vineyards

  Domaine Carneros Where: Napa Valley, CA The French-style estate sports a wide deck with awesome views. Domaine Carneros is actually owned by Tattinger, a well-known French Champagne producer, and therefore is ranked among the best sparkling-wine houses in California. It also offers uncommon table service on its terrace. Not only can you order sparkling wines or bottles, but also European-style pastries, caviar, cheese plates, and smoked salmon. It doesn’t get much better than that. More Info: tel. 800/716-2788; www.domainecarneros.com

 Photo by Rocco Ceselin

  Yorkville Cellars Where: Mendocino County (Yorkville, CA) 1,000 feet above sea level but still close to the coast, Yorkville boasts magnificent oak trees, under which you can relax in the shade, snack on some artisan-farmstead cheese, and take in the view of the fruit orchards, redwood forest, and close by sheep ranches. The walkway to the estate is lined by about five hundred red roses. This small production winery produces Bordeaux-style blends, Malbec, and Semillon. More Info: tel. 707/894-9177; www.yorkville-cellars.com

 Photo by Yorkville Cellars

  Semler Malibu Family Wines Where: Los Angles (Malibu, CA) Malibu is a smaller scale version of the famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions, but it has a lot of potential. It’s more accessible as it is very near to PCH and Santa Barbara, at the peak of the Santa Monica Mountains. Semler is situated on 65 acres of land filled with wildflowers, beautiful views of the countryside, and some old barns. In the tasting room visitors can sip on an ice wine, a sparkling wine, a light Sauvignon Blanc, or an intense red Semler King of the Mountains Cuvee. There is plenty of variety for all types of wine drinkers. More Info: tel. 818/865-0605; www.malibufamilywines.com

 Photo by Lisa Semler

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There are approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., and Hearst Castle is one of the largest of them. It also has some of the most refined guided tours. The estate, now ran by California State Parks and once home to William Randolph Hearst, prides itself in keeping up the appearance of a residential home. Also known as “The Enchanted Hill”, Hearst Castle gives visitors an inside look at how William Hearst and his family lived, their lifestyle, and the architecture and gardens they were surrounded by at the Castle. The tours given at this magnificent site are led by only the best after having gone through guide training and realized to have excellent interpretive experience. Origin of the Tours In 1952, UC Berkley President Sproul suggested that the Hearst ranch should be given to the Division of Beaches and Parks as a monument. The trial tours started in September of that same year and after two years, were cut down to one hour plus the bus trip up and down San Simeon. In 1957, the official name of the mansion and estate became the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument after it was donated to the People of the State of California by the Hearst Corporation. Tours departed daily at 1 p.m. on a first come first served basis. Only one tour was available at that time; today there are three different daytime tours that explore different areas. The Evening Tour After the public expressed interest in viewing the estate at night, the evening tour was developed, and first started in April of 1989. The idea is to recreate a typical evening at Hearst Castle in the 1930s. Guides play the part and share an accurate history, focused on the social side of things. This tour is held on most Friday and Saturday nights in the spring and fall. Take a Tour Take a tour to explore this rich and wonderful place. The Castle is open all year round with three distinct tours during the day and the seasonal Evening Tour. To check out more and to reserve times and tickets visit www.hearstcastle.org http://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-c...  

California’s history is defined by the 1849 Gold Rush and the event is quite possibly one of the most important in the early 19^th century. Sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in Sacramento Valley a year prior to the big rush, thousands of miners and common men alike trekked across the United States in hopes of striking it rich themselves. In 1848, non- native Californians totaled 1,000, and only a year later it rose to 100,000. The peak of the Gold Rush was in 1852, and from start to finish a total of $2 billion worth (or 750,000 pounds) of gold was mined. The Original Discovery   James Wilson Marshall was the first to discover gold on January 24, 1848. He was originally a carpenter from New Jersey and found flakes of gold in The American River, located at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains. His purpose for being at the river in the first place was that he was working to build a water-powered sawmill owned by a Swiss citizen named John Sutter. Marshall later recalls his historic finding, saying, “It made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold”.   Not Secret For Long   As much as Marshall and Sutter tried to keep the big news to themselves, the word still leaked out. At least one newspaper was putting out the news that large amounts of gold were being extracted by mid-April. Most did not believe it, but when a storekeeper from San Francisco rode through the town with a vial of gold found in Sutter’s creek the frenzy began.  The number of miners in the area reached 4,000 the following August, of which was about three-quarters of the men who had been living in San Francisco but uprooted.   The news of fortunes being made and still more to come brought migrants by boat from Oregon, Hawaii, and international migrants from Mexico, Peru, Chile, and China as they somehow got drift of what was happening in northern California. Those on the East Coast arrived a bit later because the press was doubtful at first, but then they too got hit by gold fever and joined the crowds.   The ‘49ers   All throughout 1849, people everywhere, though the majority were men, gave up everything they had, and also what they didn’t have when they went to borrow money, to make the journey to California. They were all caught in the craze and ended up leaving their wives and children behind. Therefore, women began to run the household as the men would (now in charge of farms and businesses) in addition to caring for their children. Thousand of future gold miners, who were given the name ‘49ers, traveled up and down North and South America looking for the riches that only California’s land claimed at the time.   Gold mining towns popped up all over the area in order to house the miners. The overcrowded small towns with saloons, brothels, shops, and other businesses started to run wild with the lack of enforced laws. Meanwhile, San Francisco prospered and became a central city of the new frontier with a booming economy. The Gold Rush’s Lasting Impression   The Gold Rush definitely sped up the process of California becoming part of the Union. In 1850 California was admitted as a free state. After 1850, the presence of gold in California greatly declined, but new miners still came. Mining in general is dangerous and labor-intensive work. Finding gold required just as much luck as it did skill. With the declension, miners turned to wage labor instead of remaining independent. Hydraulic mining was introduced as a new mining technique in 1853, and although it was very profitable, it destroyed a lot of the region’s landscape.   Gold mining still continued through the 1850s with its peak in 1852 when around $81 million was extracted. After that though, the pull gradually went down to an average of $45 million a year by 1857. People still flooded in and the state’s population by the end of the decade was 380,000. http://www.history.com/topics/gold-rush-of-1849