Jetsettersblog

California has no shortage of gastronomic delights from artisan cheeses to sustainable seafood to the freshest in organic produce and locals are eager to showcase these offerings to visitors. Food tours and festivals are becoming an increasingly popular motivation for visitors to travel to the Golden State. Here is a ‘taste’ of some highlights on the California culinary calendar:

The barbeque is an Australian ritual and travellers heading to the Point Reyes peninsula can experience the famed oyster barbeque. Point Reyes is home to some of the most productive oyster farms in the USA and Tony’s Seafood in Marshall has been serving barbecued oysters since 1948.

The barbecue is just as popular further south in the Santa Maria valley where it is more than a food but a way of life. The origins of Santa Maria barbecue date back to the mid-1800s, when local rancheros would host Spanish-style barbecues each Spring for their vaqueros, or cowboys, as well as family and friends. A few tried and true gems offering the Santa Maria-style barbecue are the Far Western Tavern, Hitching Post, Shaw’s Steak House and Jocko’s Steak House.

Even the most amateur cook can recognise the wonderful impact garlic has on a dish, but in Gilroy they take things to a whole new level. At the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which is taking place from July 24 – 26, attendees celebrate garlic and its inspired recipes with cook-offs, a Gourmet Alley and the Miss Gilroy Garlic pageant.

Dining out every day can get expensive so many travellers are opting to take advantage of the countless farmers markets around the state and stock up on fresh produce, baked goods and provisions. San Diego has more small family farms than any other county in the USA and visitors can purchase directly from the growers, alongside San Diego’s preeminent chefs, at roadside farm stands. The produce grown at Chino Farms is especially popular.

Fallbrook in Southern California is a quiet hamlet most of the year, but every April the city in inundated by 70,000 avocado lovers who converge on the town for the Fallbrook Avocado Festival. Visitors can take in culinary demonstrations and buy funky avocado-themed gifts.

For some of the freshest fruit in the Golden State, visitors can follow the self-guided Fresno County Fruit Trail. Running through California’s agricultural heartland, the fruit trail season is May through September and visitors can purchase a huge range of fruit from local fruit stands or pay a small fee to pick fruit straight of the tree.

All-you-can-eat crab feeds, winemaker dinners, crab cruises, cooking classes and a crab cake cook-off are all highlights at the Crab & Wine Days in Mendocino County. The festival showcases some of California’s best seafood and was ranked as one of the best 10 seafood and wine festivals in the United States by Coastal Living magazine. The next festival will run from 22 – 31 January, 2010.

California’s raw food movement is gaining momentum, and visitors can take part in all things raw at the 5th Annual Vibrant Living Expo and Culinary Showcase, August 21 – 23 in Fort Bragg. Dozens of health experts and gourmet raw food chefs will present culinary demonstrations including one of the more unusual events – the gourmet raw pie contest.

For a full list of California culinary events visit www.landoffoodandwine.com

To order your California Travel Brochure and Drive Guide call (02) 9361 0660.