August in Northern California is hit and miss. It’s still hot as Hades here, and most people have had enough of the hot summer sun. Many families hunker down, just trying to get through the month before school starts up again, while others head to the mountains and the coast for their last summer trips. If you’re ready to wrap up summer in style, here are my ideas for what to do in Northern California in August.
Free outdoor concerts
San Francisco: For the past 82 years, the Stern Grove Festival has hosted free outdoor concerts, and the lineup of performers is always impressive. This year’s lineup includes the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Mitski, Toots and the Maytals, and the Psychedelic Furs. More info here.
When: Sundays at 2:00 through August 19
Where: Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Blvd., San Francisco
Calistoga: The town of Calistoga hosts a summer concert-in-the-park series. Alcohol is allowed and wine (from a different winery each week) is available for purchase. More info here.
When: Every Thursday evening 6:30-8:30 through August
Where: Pioneer Park, 1308 Cedar St., Calistoga
Napa: Lawn Hour Saturdays in Downtown Napa and concerts in the Grove every Friday and Saturday at the CIA Copia in Napa
Lake Sonoma (northern Sonoma County): The new Sunset Music Series at The Ranch at Lake Sonoma features local food, beer, and wine all with a view from the scenic Redwood Barn, perched high above Lake Sonoma. Second and fourth Sundays 4 p.m. to sunset. Free, benefiting local nonprofit groups.
Wide Open Walls street art festival
This month a few dozen street artists from around the world are converging on Sacramento to paint new murals for the annual Wide Open Walls festival. You can bike or walk around the center of Sac to see the artists as they work or attend the Street Party on Aug. 17. If you’re in the area for more than one day, try viewing the mural as artists make progress from one day to the next, or try hitting up a different area of town since artists will be working on different days — some start on the first day while others are here toward the end of the festival.
When: Aug. 7-17
Where: Various locations in Sacramento but most are in downtown and Midtown (see Instagram for more info)
Cost: Free, or $20 to attend the street party on Aug. 17
Outside Lands Festival
This huge annual three-day concert will feature not just amazing music but also more than 80 restaurants, 40-plus Northern California wineries, nearly 30 breweries, a comedy/improv stage, cocktail and kombucha lounges, and DAVE (Discussions about Virtually Everything) with guests like the hosts of NPR’s All Things Considered. Music headliners include Paul Simon, Childish Gambino, The Lumineers, and many more amazing acts. Check here for information on using public transit and the shuttle to access the festival.
When: Aug. 9-11
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Cost: 1-day passes are $155, 3-day pass is $385
Andy Warhol exhibition at the SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has a big exhibition of the Pop Art legend Warhol’s work in “Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again.”
Where: The SFMOMA, San Francisco
When: Daily but closed Wednesdays
Cost: $25 for each adult but tickets for the Warhol exhibit are $35 total (that includes general admission to the rest of the museum)
Paul Bunyan Days
Paul Bunyan Days is a 4-day festival that’s been held in Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast for over 75 years! This event is always held over the Labor Day weekend and is a great idea for families. The festival includes a logging show with an ax throw, pole climb, etc. On Labor Day there’s a parade on the streets of Fort Bragg.
When: Aug. 30-Sept. 2
Where: Fort Bragg, just north of Mendocino on the N. CA coast
Cost: Free
Lodi’s Tour of Albariño
Take a self-guided tour in Lodi and find out more about how Mediterranean varieties are being grown in California’s Central Valley. This tour focuses on albariño, the white wine grape that’s grown in Spain and Portugal, and you can expect special experiences as the wineries showcase the diversity of Lodi’s wine country. You can pick up a tour booklet at any of the participating wineries For more information and a list of participating wineries, click here.
When: Aug. 9-11
Where: A self-guided tour at 8 participating wineries in Lodi
Cost: Tasting fees vary. Some wineries will offer complimentary tastings. At others, the tasting fee is usually $10 per person, which is waived with the purchase of a bottle.
Other winery events
Wineries love to have events for the public in the summer. Look for outdoor evening concerts, food events and other special days by checking the visitors bureau of the area you’ll be visiting (e.g. Visit Napa Valley or Visit Lodi). To get you started, here are a few wineries that have events during this time of year; check their websites for their current events:
Matchbook Wines west of Davis
m2 Wines in Lodi
Bogle Winery in Clarksburg, south of Sacramento
Various wineries in Napa Valley hold Music in the Vineyards concerts in August
Wente in Livermore Valley has a music festival on August 31
Napa’s Artisan Market
Featuring Napa Valley farmers, artisans and purveyors, The Village’s Artisan Market is an opportunity to get to know the wine, food and other products made by the people of Napa Valley home. There will also be live music, a BBQ curated by Executive Chef Vincent Lesage, wine tasting with several local wineries and a kid’s corner with arts and crafts for the little ones.
Where: The Village, 850 Bordeaux Way, Napa
When: Sunday August 18, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free but wine and food will be available for purchase
Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol
I love Sebastopol so much that I’ll take any excuse to go there, but this 45th annual apple fair sounds like a nice event for anyone who loves good food and drinks and fun. Under the shade of beautiful old oak trees, there will be live music on two stages, arts & crafts vendors, contests, and activities such as the Children’s Corner, Artisan Tasting Lounge and Life on the Farm. Local food, craft beer, cider and wine will be served. Of course the real focus will be Sebastopol’s famous heirloom Gravenstein apples.
When: Saturday August 17 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 for kids, free for under 6
And if you’re in the Sacramento area, check out Gather Nights in Oak Park on Thursday, Aug. 8 and Gather Movies at the historic Sutter’s Fort on Saturday, August 10, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
What do you plan to do in Northern California in August? I’d love to hear!
