January in California offers endless new beginnings, whether you want to extend your holiday season or perhaps just recover from it. Play in the snow, check out the whales along the coast, or perhaps see some stars on the red carpet as awards season begins in Hollywood. January also brings the first Free Entrance Day of 2025 at the national parks—Jan. 20. Below are more than 20 ways to start making memories in 2025.
All Month: Restaurant Weeks
Many California cities and towns are hosting Restaurant Weeks this month—an ideal opportunity to enjoy prix fixe deals for lunch and dinner. In Gold Country, you can enjoy farm-to-fork specials during Sacramento’s Dine Downtown (Jan. 10–19) and Elk Grove Restaurant Week (Jan. 10–19), or experience the bounty of the Central Valley during Stockton Restaurant Week (Jan 17–26).
In the Bay Area, you can choose from a variety of different Napa Valley restaurant weeks (Jan. 6–Feb. 2) throughout the month; in Southern California, January brings both Dine LA Restaurant Week in Los Angeles (Jan. 24–Feb. 7) and San Diego Restaurant Week (Jan. 26–Feb. 2).
All Month: Whale Watching
It’s prime time to see California gray whales make their annual migration to Baja. See them along the Mendocino Headlands State Park and Point Arena Lighthouse, for instance, or book a spot on a whale-watching charter in Mendocino County. Near San Francisco, look for the leviathans at the tip of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Off the Central Coast, you can see why the Santa Barbara Channel was recently named a Whale Heritage Area by taking a tour from operators such as Condor Express. Visit Oxnard for a whale-watching tour near Channel Islands National Park or head south to Dana Point, where you can watch the mammals with operators such as Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching and Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale-Watching Safari.
Begins Dec. 29: Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Pasadena has been throwing this epic New Year’s Day party since 1890. Come on Jan. 1 to watch the famous parade or the Rose Bowl game, which this year pits Oregon against either Tennessee or Ohio State in one of the nation’s college football playoff quarterfinals. This year’s parade features Billie Jean King as the grand marshal, and performances by Debbie Gibson and Timothy Wayne.
Consider coming to town a few days early for the lead-up festivities, where you can see the horses of Equestfest (Dec. 29), listen to the marching bands at Bandfest (Dec. 29–30), or join the Lululemon Run with the Roses 5K, which begins at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. Another option: Stick around afterward to examine the parade masterpieces up close at Floatfest (Jan. 1–3).
Begins Dec 29: Sunday Polo Games at Eldorado Polo Club, Indio
During spring, this field in Indio is famous for hosting big-name artists at the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. During the winter months, though, it’s a legit polo field. Bring your own food to enjoy a picnic or sit at the clubhouse or VIP Polo Lounge to order food while watching matches. Admission starts at about $80 per parking spot. Runs through March 23.
Begins Jan. 1: Ride Under the Stars Night Sessions, Big Bear
Make the most of the shortest days of the year at Big Bear Mountain. The resort’s Snow Valley and Snow Summit host 12 different night sessions until 8:30 p.m. during January, more than any other time of the season. Choose from a wide variety of runs and enjoy select runs’ full evening grooms. You can add the night session on to your daily lift ticket. Check the events calendar for 12 more sessions throughout February and March.
Jan. 2–13: Palm Springs International Film Festival, Greater Palm Springs
One way to celebrate Hollywood's high season is to attend this star-studded festival in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, which showcases upward of 200 films from around the globe. This year’s opening and closing films are Better Man (a musical biopic about Robbie Williams) and The Penguin Lessons (starring Steve Coogan). The festival also features various film-inspired dinners. Awards will go to A-listers such as Nicole Kidman, Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet, and Kieran Culkin. Screening tickets start as low as $20 or you can buy a multiday pass starting at $397.
Jan. 4: Alpenglow Demo Day, Palisades Tahoe
If you enjoy backcountry snow sports such as alpine touring, telemarking, or splitboarding, head to this well-known demo day that also includes avalanche education, guided tours, and a huge raffle. Admission is free for anyone who has a lift ticket and parking reservation for that weekend at the North Lake Tahoe resort.
Jan. 11–20: SeaWorld Inside Look, San Diego
Get an up close look at conservation efforts at the San Diego theme park and zoological institution. Check out special exhibits to learn about the daily work of the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team and their colleagues who care for the park’s orcas, dolphins, sharks, and more; included with park admission. Starting Jan. 25, celebrate the park’s version of Mardi Gras with live music, costumed performers, and special Creole and Cajun menu items (runs through March 2).
Begins Jan. 17: Lunar New Year Festivities
The Year of the Snake officially begins on Jan. 29, but parties and parades will start early and keep rolling all over California. Disneyland Resort, for instance, kicks things off on Jan. 17 with Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession parade, the Hurry Home—A Lunar New Year Celebration, and special cuisine and merchandise (runs through Feb. 16).
San Francisco starts its festivities with the Flower Market Fair (Jan. 25–26) in Chinatown, followed by the huge Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Festival & Parade on Feb. 15.
In Riverside, stroll downtown’s Mission Ave. on the last weekend in January when the free Riverside Lunar Festival (Jan. 25–26) features local artisans, restaurant pop-ups, and cultural performances, including fire dancers and Taiko drums.
Jan. 17–20: Napa Truffle Festival, Napa
January falls in the middle of “Cabernet Season” in Napa Valley, with events and dinners that celebrate the beloved red wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon really goes well with truffles too, which get the spotlight during this festival that features orchard tours, cooking demos, meet-and-greets with truffle dogs, and a special dinner at La Toque. Be sure to check out the Festival Marketplace (with more truffles and cooking demos) at Oxbow Public Market.
Begins Jan. 18: Napa Lighted Art Festival, Napa
Missing those holiday lights? Come to this free, open-air, illuminated art walk created by local and international artists in Downtown Napa. This year’s installations include a display of giant architect lamps and projected artwork on the sides of three downtown buildings. Runs through Feb. 16.
Jan. 18–19: Winter Wineland, Sonoma County
Taste limited-production wines, new releases, and library wines at this annual event along Northern Sonoma County’s Wine Road. Buy a one-day pass or stay for the whole weekend and choose from one-hour tasting experiences at more than 60 participating wineries, including Baldassari Wines, Colagrossi Wines, and Viszlay Vineyards.
Jan. 20–26: World Surfing League’s SLO CAL Open, Pismo Beach
Watch men’s and women’s divisions compete for cash prizes at this World Surfing League qualifying event. A good nearby home base in Pismo Beach is the Vespera Resort, perched just above the sand, which often hosts a sunset-watching party during the event.
Jan. 22–25: Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego
Experience this historic PGA tour tournament held at Torrey Pines Golf Course, known for its amazing coastal views and feathery-needled pine trees. Consider getting an up-close view by staying at the neighboring Lodge at Torrey Pines, which is offering a special that bundles in tickets as well as breakfast and parking.
Jan. 23–26: Fog Design + Art, San Francisco
Contemporary art goes beyond framed works and sculpture at this festival based at Fort Mason Center. Check out the furniture, visual art, and other design pieces affiliated with dozens of art galleries and SFMOMA. Browse the event’s FOG MKT for artisan-made arts and crafts with a Bay Area theme.
Jan. 23–26: Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, Chico
During winter, Butte County becomes a serious magnet for snowbirds—waterfowl, raptors, and tens of thousands of snow geese. This four-day festival in Chico offers more than 60 different bird-watching field trips, workshops, and activities, as well as the art exhibit Birds, Birds & More Birds at the Museum of Northern California Art.
Jan. 24–26: Big Sur Foragers Festival, Big Sur
Whether you love mushrooms, the sweeping views along Highway 1, or both, this weekend in Big Sur is full of fun and fungi. Festivities include various wine and mushroom-cuisine pairings plus four guided mushroom hikes starting at the Big Sur Lodge.
Jan. 25–Feb. 2: Seafood & Sips, Mendocino
Winter is high season for fresh crabs in Mendocino. This 10-day seafood-fest includes a Crabcake Cook-Off, a cioppino dinner, and an afternoon dedicated to pairings of sparkling wines and oysters.
Jan. 27–Feb. 2: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach
Watch as an all-star lineup of top golfers and A-list celebrities take to the manicured, ocean-hugging greens of Spyglass Hill and other classic courses along the Central Coast’s Monterey Peninsula. As of press time the roster of celebrities was still pending but past attendees include Jason Bateman, Darius Rucker, and chef Thomas Keller.