In January, restaurants across the state will offer special menus with exclusive promotional pricing. California has a record number of 40 destinations in 2019, each with distinct programming, festivals and experiences.
“California’s ever-evolving food culture and innovative culinary offerings makes it the perfect destination during our ninth annual California Restaurant Month,” said Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta. “Communities across the state will showcase their dining highlights, serving up the best dishes and celebrations from Mendocino to San Diego.”
California Restaurant Month will showcase California-sourced produce, meats and seafood, along with dozens of talented chefs and restaurateurs who continue celebrate the state’s agricultural heritage while elevating its renowned dining culture.
Below is a sampling of some of the exemplary culinary experiences food-lovers can enjoy when visiting California in January:
Alameda - Restaurant Week
January 17-27
Alameda Restaurant Week is back for its second year! Participating restaurants are including a special dining menu, discounted prices and various other offers, including free items and happy hour promotions. Alameda is holding a multi-winner raffle, with stamp cards available at all participating restaurants. The more Alameda restaurants a guest visits, the better the odds of winning, as only completed cards will be entered into a drawing for culinary prizes.
Alhambra - Taste of Alhambra Restaurant Week
January 27-February 2
Downtown Alhambra, located in the San Gabriel Valley, is holding its second Taste Alhambra Restaurant Week. Throughout this week in late January, restaurants will present two- and three-course menus priced anywhere from $15 - $30 for lunch, and $20 – $50 for dinner. Diners can enjoy Italian, American continental, Asian Fusion, Japanese, Thai, Hawaiian, Korean, Irish, Peruvian, Indian, Mexican and so much more thanks to special menus at participating eateries.
Berkeley Restaurant Week
January 17-27
The seventh annual Berkeley Restaurant Week is offering special value lunch and dinner menus at more than 30 restaurants citywide to celebrate the fresh, seasonal fair of Berkeley's Cali-cuisine. Berkeley Restaurant Week participating kitchens spin a world of flavors from Asia, Italy, Mexico, France and Germany to Yemen, Africa and the Mediterranean using locally sourced, seasonal produce. Creative hors d'oeuvres and local libation pairings will sweeten the deal at many restaurants.
Butte County - “Perfect Pairings” Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Butte County is celebrating California Restaurant Month with an inaugural restaurant week, highlighting “Perfect Pairings.” Each pairing reflects nuances of the area’s culture, customs and culinary staples. From happily unexpected pairings to classic, complimentary favorites, Butte County is serving up a variety of dishes throughout the county during this themed restaurant week. With the Camp Fire now fully contained, Butte County is looking ahead to recovery and rebuilding by welcoming guests to local restaurants and hotels in celebration of California Restaurant Month.
Calistoga - Restaurant Week
January 20-27
Calistoga Restaurant Week is an incredible opportunity to experience tastes from the northernmost part of the Napa Valley. Guests can take advantage of some of the most authentic and exclusive culinary experiences in Calistoga, some of which aren’t available any other time of the year.
Concord - Comfort Food Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Concord is celebrating the second annual Comfort Food Week, where over 30 restaurants are featuring a unique dish or beverage that represents their idea of comfort. These special dishes and drinks feature special pricing, favors and seasonality of different ingredients. These unique culinary experiences make Concord a small-town destination with a big bite!
Dana Point - Restaurant Week
January 20-26
Dana Point restaurants are celebrating the unique cuisine, artisan cocktails and decadent desserts offered in the region by providing special menu options and promotions. Diners can share Restaurant Week photos using #DPRestaurantWeek on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to be entered to win a $20 gift card to a local participating restaurant.
El Dorado County - Fork In the Road
January 1-31
“Fork in the Road” is a collection of culinary gems along the highways of California’s Gold Country. This is the perfect opportunity to discover amazing cuisine, seasonal specialties, innovative chefs and unique experiences in this historic ‘Gold Country’ region of California. With a growing culinary scene and a relatively unknown wine region, El Dorado County may just surprise guests with an amazing restaurant experience this January.
Elk Grove - Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Explore Elk Grove's international flavor this January during Restaurant Week! When guests dine at participating restaurants, $1 for each special offer meal will be donated to the Elk Grove Food Bank. Explore Elk Grove has pledged to match every dollar donated to double the donations to the food bank, so you can enjoy some great food while supporting an even better cause.
Escondido - Dine Out Escondido!
January 27-February 2
Dine Out Escondido! has something for everyone, whether it be a craft beer and burger pairing, local farm-to-fork delights, chef-owned culinary experiences, high tea or home cooking. To give back to the community, Dine Out Escondido! restaurants are donating $1 to the North County Food Bank’s FOOD 4 KIDS Backpack Program for every special they sell during Restaurant Week.
Geyserville - Taste Geyserville
January 11-20
This January 11-27 restaurants in Geyserville are offering delicious menus and unique culinary experiences. With five participating restaurants, a local winery hosting a wine and food pairing, and even a winemaker dinner hosted at the Hope-Merrill Bed & Breakfast Inn, there’s no shortage of opportunities to taste Geyserville’s “Authentically Eclectic” culinary scene.
Gilroy - "Sip & Fit" Gilroy Month
January 1-31
Raise a glass to the new year and a healthy new you for the whole month of January! Pick up a bottle of wine at a local Gilroy winery, or dine at a Gilroy restaurant to enjoy light and healthy menu selections like signature salads, gourmet sandwiches and other low-calorie entrees. "Sip & Fit" is a delicious way to keep New Year's resolutions and make healthy choices after indulging over the holidays.
Greater Palm Springs - DineGPS
January 1-31
DineGPS is taking over the Greater Palm Springs area with special events and culinary offerings to showcase the amazing food of the desert. Some of the unique culinary experiences include winemaker dinners, culinary tours, beer tastings and more.
Los Angeles - dineL.A.
January 11-25
Los Angeles’s premier culinary event, dineL.A., takes place twice a year and showcases the city as a premier dining destination. dineL.A’s programs are designed to introduce new customers to a variety of restaurants located in the many neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County to encourage foodies to dine at both old favorites and new hot-spots.
Mendocino County - “Winter Feast”
January 18-27
Winter Feast Mendocino is a new 10-day extravaganza of events dedicated to the county’s favorite crustacean, the crab! Guests can indulge in fine seafood, wine, beer and more at family-style crab and cioppino feeds, gourmet crab-themed dinners, and more. “Winter Feast” also includes a wine competition showcasing Mendocino’s sparkling liquid assets and the ever-popular “Crab Cake Cook-off” that highlights the talents of the county’s chefs.
Monterey Bay - "Get Hooked"
January 14-21
Monterey Bay's fishermen and restaurants are putting their best fish forward this January! To raise the visibility of truly local seafood, Monterey is highlighting restaurants that are offering locally-caught and sustainable species on their menus to show that sourcing locally is not only feasible, but also profitable. “Get Hooked” serves to connect both local and visiting consumers with the fishermen who caught their meal, and encourage them to try delicious, but potentially unfamiliar, species.
Napa Valley - Restaurant Week
January 20-27
Napa Valley Restaurant Week allows locals and visitors to dine and find delight throughout the valley, while experiencing the region’s legendary food and wine culture through multi-course menus for lunch ($20) and dinner ($36 or $46). Napa’s farm-to-table practices and Michelin Star-rated restaurants make the the region an epicurean’s destination, and there’s no better time to enjoy it all than during Restaurant Week.
Newport Beach - Restaurant Week
January 14-27
Newport Beach Restaurant Week serves to showcase Newport Beach as Orange County’s premier dining destination, offering guests a wide variety of culinary experiences. Participating restaurants are offering special prix-fixe menus with lunches available for just $10, $15, $20 or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40 or $50.
Oakland - Restaurant Week
January 11-21
Participating Oakland restaurants are celebrating the most diverse restaurant week in the region by offering foodies pre-set lunch and/or dinner menus at $10, $20, $30, $40 and $50 price points. This year, Oakland Restaurant Week is also offering some new exclusive dining events and experiences, including progressive dinners throughout various neighborhoods where attendees can visit multiple restaurants, wineries and breweries to try different food and drink.
Ojai - Restaurant Week
January 17-27
Ojai Valley is showcasing its incredible food and tasty wines during Ojai Restaurant Week, where participating eateries are offering select sample menus at discounted prices. Restaurants are also highlighting the finest locally-produced wines from the region to pair with meals and inviting guests to meet top chefs from the area.
Oxnard - Tacos, Treats, & Tastings
January 18-27
Restaurants of Oxnard are joining together for a week-long fiesta highlighting the city’s culinary culture with signature taco menus, special treats, and featured beverage tastings at special price points. “Tacos, Treats, & Tastings” is a vibrant multicultural experience that’s perfect for all foodies!
Pasadena - Cheeseburger Week
January 6-11
Celebrate “Cheeseburger Week” in the home of the Cheeseburger - Pasadena, CA. Dozens of burger purveyors will take part with special offerings, meals and deals to honor Lionel Sternberger's 1924 culinary innovation - putting cheese on a burger - at the Rite Spot in Pasadena. Restaurants of all sorts will be showcasing their tastiest burgers, and guests can take the “Cheeseburger Challenge” to vote for their favorite Pasadena burger.
Placer County - Placer Celebrates Mandarins
January 4-13
Placer County is celebrating the signature citrus crop, the Satsuma Mountain Mandarin, by featuring special menu items highlighting this versatile fruit. Whether used in salads, as a sauce or a glaze, a delectable dessert or the star of a vibrant cocktail, Placer Mandarins add a bit of sunshine to local cuisine in the winter. Experience “Placer Celebrates Mandarins” for a taste of the county’s beloved crop! Also, in honor of California Restaurant Month, PlacerGROWN will be supplying each participating restaurant with 100 pounds of mandarins.
Rancho Cordova - Restaurant Month
January 1-31
During Rancho Cordova Restaurant Month, guests can taste and sip the best of Rancho Cordova's local fare, which uses exclusively local ingredients and reflects the warm spirit of the community. Rancho Cordova's culinary curators treasure the bounty of northern California agriculture - without downtown prices.
Sacramento - Dine Downtown
January 11-21
Named the “Next Great American Food City” by Southwest Magazine, Sacramento is quickly becoming an industry leader in the fine dining scene. In its thirteenth year, Dine Downtown allows foodies to experience the Farm-to-Fork Capital’s best cuisine where local chefs create special 3-course dinner menus priced at $35. One dollar from every Dine Downtown meal is donated to local social services and food literacy programs.
San Diego - Restaurant Week
January 20-27
During San Diego Restaurant Week, over 180 participating restaurants will offer three-course dinner menus for $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and/or two-course lunch menus for $10, $15 or $20 per person. In addition, guests can enter to win two VIP tickets to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, or two restaurant gift cards for even more delectable dining.
San Francisco - SF Restaurant Week
January 23-31
This year during SF Restaurant Week, more than 130 restaurants are featuring two-course lunches and three or more course dinner menus at varying prices ($15 & $25 lunch menus, and $40 and $65 dinner menus). What’s more, one special winner will receive a year of dining out! Eligibility requires dining at four or more participating restaurants during SF Restaurant Week, and posting a qualified entry to the Facebook event page. Entrants will be eligible to win $1,200 in dining gift certificates from various restaurants.
San Luis Obispo - SLO CAL Restaurant Month
January 1-30
Restaurants throughout San Luis Obispo are offering special pre-set menus of three- and four-course meals for the price of $30-$40 per person. As a hotspot for craft beer production and a hub of area wineries, guests can pair their dining experience with local wine or craft beverage flights. SLO CAL is showcasing the finest and most unique cuisine ranging from Moroccan food to clam chowder!
Santa Maria Valley - Dine Out Santa Maria Style
January 16 - 26
Santa Maria Valley, a region known for its farmland and fresh food, is hosting “Dine Out Santa Maria Style,” presenting farm-fresh flavors at participating restaurants. Restaurants have specialized menu items featuring local, Santa Maria Valley produce, which start at $20.
Santa Monica - Restaurant Week
January 7-13
Santa Monica Restaurant Week is highlighting participating restaurants throughout the city that will each craft nourishing, custom dishes, paying homage to the city’s healthy lifestyle and culinary scene. Throughout the week, restaurant-goers will be invited to enjoy delicious dishes at many restaurants throughout town, all created to highlight 2019’s special ingredient - the persimmon!
Sonoma Valley - Delicious!
January 1-31
Sonoma Valley Delicious! is presenting unique culinary events throughout wine country as restaurants, wineries, farmers, cheese-makers, brewers, distillers and food artisans create delicious experiences for diners. Guests will enjoy special offers including preset menus, special food and wine pairings, signature dishes and cocktails, and more at restaurants, tasting rooms and wineries across the Sonoma Valley.
South Tahoe - Elevate Your Palate
January 21-27
“Elevate your Palate” is South Tahoe’s event where participating restaurants will be offering special deals all week long, celebrating the best dining experiences Lake Tahoe has to offer. In addition to tasting some delectable foods, beer lovers can follow the South Tahoe Beer Trail to sample local pints from nine different breweries. The first 100 guests to check in at all nine breweries during this week will win a free pint glass, and there will be many more fun giveaways for participants along the way.
Stockton - Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Celebrating its tenth year, Stockton Restaurant Week is the most highly-anticipated dining showcase in the area. Explore Stockton’s culinary creations by dining on unique fixed-price specialty menus from participating restaurants, giving foodies and families the opportunity to experience unique and flavorful menu items from chefs who showcase their passions through excellent meals.
Suisun - Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Suisun Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to experience some of the best wine, beer and food in Solano County. Visit the Suisun City Waterfront District for values you can't get at any other time of the year.
Temecula - Best of the Best Menu Items
January 1-31
Temecula Valley chef's are presenting the “Best of the Best” on their menu! Catering to virtually every personal palate preference, Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country offers a multitude of cuisines ranging from delectably simple to extraordinary. Guests can indulge at a variety of restaurants conveniently located throughout the Temecula Valley, where chefs share their favorite culinary delights and top menu items throughout the month.
Turlock - Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Come celebrate Turlock’s second annual Restaurant Week for 10 days of foodie heaven! Turlock’s restaurants take advantage of local homegrown produce by incorporating the freshest ingredients into their menu items. Restaurant week participants can enjoy the flavors of Turlock - from family owned eateries to breweries and food trucks - through weekly deals like discounted menu items, special three-course meals, drink specials, and more.
Vacaville - Restaurant Week
January 18-27
Vacaville Restaurant Week is highlighting the diversity of the Vacaville dining scene. Restaurant Week provides all local foodies and out-of-town visitors the opportunity to enjoy special pricing and menus from participating restaurants throughout the city.
Yolo - Taste of Yolo Restaurant Week
January 21-27
“Taste of Yolo” is focusing on farm-to-table dining from local Yolo County farms and ranches. Participating restaurants will feature signature dishes highlighting the freshest locally-sourced ingredients throughout the week. Yolo County farms and ranches are famous for their outstanding quality, and that truth shines brightly on every special plate of food served.
Yosemite Madera County - Restaurant Month
January 1-31
The geographic heart of California has everything that foodies love about the state: world-class wine, a bounty of produce, and great chefs who can make magic with it all. During Yosemite Madera County Restaurant Month, visitors will have the chance to explore everything in the region from innovative dishes to award-winning beer through specialty menus.
For expanded culinary content including local events, chef interviews, culinary guides and an interactive map, visit DineInCA.com.
ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA:
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that inspire travel to California. Travelers spent $132 billion in 2017 in California, directly supporting more than 1.1 million California jobs and $10.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.