Anytime is a good time to travel in Northern California, but September is definitely one of the best months. It’s still warm in much of the state, there’s no rain, but now that school’s on, the summer temps are starting to drop and crowds have thinned.
September is perhaps the best time to visit the Northern California coast, which is typically cool and foggy in summer but gets more warm, sunny days in early fall. In fact, many people claim that September is the nicest month to be in San Francisco. If you’ve been wanting to visit places like Mendocino, Bodega Bay, Monterey and Point Reyes, this is a good time to do so. While inland it’s still very hot, the Gold Country and Apple Hill will soon start to show early signs of fall, and Lake Tahoe is gorgeous at this time of year.
You’ll notice that there are tons of events related to food, wine and beer in Northern California in September. Who doesn’t love that? Here are my picks for what to do in Northern California this September:
Chalk It Up! festival (This weekend!)
One of my favorite local events, the Chalk It Up! festival showcases the work of local artists (both amateur and professional) as they make beautiful chalk drawings over the course of Labor Day weekend. The festival includes local vendors, kids’ activities, live music and lots of food trucks. The festival’s Midtown location means you can walk some of the city’s nicest shade-lined streets to see Victorian architecture, browse local shops, spot some of the city’s hundreds of murals, and see what’s new at the Ice Blocks.
Where: the park at 16th & Q Streets, Midtown Sacramento
When: Saturday-Monday of Labor Day weekend
Cost: Free
Architecture and the City Festival
Such a cool festival: a month of events celebrating art, architecture and design in San Francisco, including walking tours, home tours, exhibitions, talks and films. See Programs and Tours for more details.
When: Sept. 1-30
Where: Various locations in San Francisco
Cost: Ticket prices vary, and some events are free.
With beers and ciders from over 100 breweries and cideries to try, this festival celebrates one of the region’s specialties. The beer includes some of the state’s big name breweries, such as Lagunitas and Modern Times, as well as local favorites like Sudwerk, New Helvetia and Knee Deep. Ciders, kombucha, and local wine from nearby Bogle Winery will also be served. Besides trying many types of beers, you can check out local artisans’ wares at the Vendor Fair, live music, local food trucks and a Fun Zone for grown-ups (think giant Jenga, chair massages and painting supplies).
When: Saturday, September 21 1:00-5:00
Where: Discovery Park, Sacramento
How: Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for $45.
El Dorado Hills Brewfest
Like the California Brewers Festival (above), the El Dorado Brewfest will feature dozens of brewers and a few cideries, meaderies and wineries from the local region and across the state. You’ll see some big names, like Drake’s, Pizza Port and Modern Times, but this region is so rich in local breweries that that’s where your focus should be. Don’t miss Knee Deep, Track 7 and Solid Ground. Local food trucks and music/entertainment will also be available. Note that this is a 21 and over event.
Where: Village Green / Serrano Visitor Center Lawn, El Dorado Hills (east of Sacramento off Hwy 50)
When: Saturday, September 14th, 2019 from 2-6PM
Cost: $30-35 the day of (early bird tickets are sold out)
Pueblo Pottery Exhibition at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento
A history of Pueblo pottery through family artisans from the past and present is on display at the beautiful Crocker Art Museum. More info here.
Where: Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento
When: Beginning September 22, 2019
Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, college students and military, $6 for youth ages 6-17
Legends of Wine
If you love California wine, this event is for you. As part of the Farm to Fork Festival in Sacramento, Legends of Wine showcases 30 of the region’s best wineries with small food bites outside the beautiful state capitol building. Some wines will be poured by the winemakers themselves, so this is a great chance to learn more about their craft. Don’t miss Bokisch Vineyards, Fields Family Wines, Boeger, and Matchbook Wines. Only adults 21 & over allowed. More info here.
Where: Capitol Park, 10th & Capitol in Downtown Sacramento
When: Thursday, September 19, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Cost: $70 per person
SF Cheese Fest
Artisan cheese? Of course! If you need more info than that, the website describes this event as follows: “SF Cheese Fest is the premier urban cheese festival in California…The annual SF Cheese Fest features samples of amazing craft cheeses from more than two dozen California cheesemakers. If you love food, you’ll want to attend this event celebrating local food pioneers in the art of preservation, which also includes cured meat, jams, pickles, and more. More info here.
Where: Social Hall, San Francisco (or for cheese seminars, it’s Sept. 15 at the Cheese School of SF)
When: Sept. 14 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $94
Farm to Fork Uncorked
Just south of Sacramento is the Delta, a quiet area of farms, old homes and tiny towns like Clarksburg. It’s here you can find the Old Sugar Mill, a restored beet sugar refinery that’s now home to 15 local wineries. To celebrate Farm to Fork month, the mill is hosting tours that include wine education, special tastings, and a deeper look at the historic building. Live music happens on Saturdays. More info here.
Where: Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg
When: Saturdays and Sundays in September
Cost: Free
Farm to Fork Street Festival
Sacramento celebrates its place as the “farm-to-fork capital” with ten days of events every September, including this two-day street festival. This free event includes dozens of local food and drink vendors as well as a big area with kids’ activities and cooking demos, all with a view of the Capitol in one direction and the Tower Bridge in the other, but be sure to catch the live music with this year’s headliner, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (Neil Young’s band and the band that played in “A Star is Born”). They’re scheduled for Saturday, 9/28 4:30-6:00. Keep in mind that it can be hot and sunny in late September, so bring your sun hat!
Where: Capitol Mall in Downtown Sacramento
When: September 27 4:00-9:00 and September 28, 11:00-6:00
Cost: Free
Shows at the Harris Center, Folsom
When I think of regional shows, the Mondavi Center and the Broadway Series usually come to mind, but I’ve been reminded lately of the quality offerings of theater, speakers, and live music at the Harris Center at Folsom Lake College, east of Sacramento. This month you can see “Rent” the last weekend in September and Cirque Mei, a Chinese circus production by a company of 40 elite circus artists and acrobats on September 21-22, as well as several other offerings.
Where: Harris Center, Folsom Lake College
When: on going
Cost: Tickets are typically $35 and up per person
Barbera Festival
Taste Barbera and other wines from nearly 70 California wineries, try local craft beer, learn about sustainability at the winery, and shop local artists’ work among the old oak trees at Terra d’Oro winery in Amador County. Proceeds benefit the Amador Community Foundation. More info here.
When: September 14 11:00-4:00
Where: Terra d’Oro winery in Plymouth
Cost: $55, Tickets should be purchased in advance because they will be sold at the gate only if there are some still available.
Other wine festivals in Northern California:
Besides the above mentioned wine events, there are many other wine festivals in Northern California. See the full list of wine events in California.
And if you’re in the Sacramento area, check out Gather Nights in Oak Park on Thursday, Sept. 12 and Gather Movies at the historic Sutter’s Fort on Saturday, Sept. 14, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
What ideas do you have for things to do in Northern California in September?
