Food Festivals & Events May31-June 1

Are you longing for something good to eat? Mmmmm. This weekend you can go healthy with cherries, artichokes and apricots at festivals celebrating these California food crops, or go straight for good stuff--the wine, beer & BBQ. That comes from California, too. Yes, life is good. No, it's great! We are one of the world leaders in food production. So much talent in one huge state!

ALHAMBRA: Taste of Alhambra downtownalhambra.com

BERKELEY: Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival

MENLO PARK: Sunset Celebration sunset.com/cw

MILPITAS: Milpitas International BBQ & Festival, May 31- June 1, 2014. Over 50 artisans, wineries, food, activities, rides for the kids, bands, entertainment on two stages, vendors, and City of Milpitas 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 50's Music, 50's Costume Party, Classic 50's Car Show. Time: Admission: free. Location: South Milipitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA. Call Milpitas Chamber: (408) 262-2613, milpitaschamber.org

MONTEREY: Artichoke Festival, May 31-June 1. Monterey County Fair and Event Center, $10, $5 children, seniors and military. artichoke-festival.org.

QUINCY: Dutch Oven Cook-Off. Dutch Oven Cook-Off Community Fun Day begins on May 31, 2014 at 1 P.M. and goes late at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch at 2116 Greenhorn Ranch Road, 10 miles East of Quincy. Free Admission Dutch Oven Cook-Off Rebels 16+ Years Skillet Cook-Off Outlaws 12 -15 Years Cowpokes 9 -11 Years Camp Treats Buckaroos 5 - 8 Years Additional prizes for best table presentation and people's choice. Wagon Rides, Bonfire, Horseshoes, Bands, Swimming, Tug-O-War, Fishing, Gunfighters, Petting Zoo, Bounce House, Fire Engines, Raffles, Horseback Riding, Sack Races, Line Dancing, Vendors Pulled Pork BBQ 5 P.M. Adult $12 Kids (6-15) $8 Under 6 Free. Time: 1 p.m. Location: Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, 2116 Greenhorn Ranch Road, 10 miles East of Quincy, CA. Call: 530-283-0930. GreenhornRanch.com

MENLO PARK: Sunset Magazine's Celebration Weekend. Seminars on gardening, cooking, travel, recreation and home decor; hands-on projects, food tasting, beer, wine. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 31-June 1. 80 Willow Road, Menlo Park. $20, $18 seniors, free for ages 12 and younger. sunset.com/cw.

MONTEREY: Artichoke Festival, May 31-June 1. Entertainment, food, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, wine and arts and crafts. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. May 31 and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. June 1. Monterey County Fair and Event Center, 10683 Merritt St. $10, $5 children, seniors and military. 831-633-2465, artichoke-festival.org.

PATTERSON - Apricot Fiesta, May 30-June 1, 2014. apricotfiesta.com

QUINCY: Dutch Oven Cook-Off. Pulled Pork BBQ on May 31, 2014 at 5 p.m. Adult $12. GreenhornRanch.com

SAN DIEGO: Bacon & Barrels Festival May 9, 2015. Location: Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego, CA, Noon-5 p.m. (Early Access to Festival from 12-5pm for VIP ticket) Access to all Food Sampling Access to all Libation Sampling $100+. baconandbarrels.com

SAN JOSE: San Jose Greek Festival, May 30-June 1, 2014. Food, music and dancing, crafts and art displays. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 30, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. May 31 and 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. June 1. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1260 Davis St. $5, free for children 11 and younger. 408-246-2770, saintnicholas.org

SANTA CLARA: Saint Clare Community Festival, May 30 - June 1, 2014. Friday Food Trucks, Tri-tip dinner Saturday evening Chicken BBQ Sunday afternoon. Carnival Rides and activities. Admission is Free. Hours: Friday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.. Saturday Noon - 10 p.m. Sunday Noon - 6 p.m. Location: Saint Clare Parish, 725 Washington, Santa Clara, CA, stclareparishfestival.com

SANTA ROSA: Wines and Canines May 31, 2014. an afternoon of food and wine featuring Bob Dog Winery, Chalk Hill, Clos du Bois, Kokomo, and Ravenswood, served with chef-crafted appetizers, entrees, desserts and salads. As an extra special offering, some barrel tastings will be included. Location: CCI Schultz campus, Santa Rosa. Time: 1 to 5 p.m. Location: Schultz Campus, 2965 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, lpcci.com

SANTEE: Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, May 23, 2015, 10 a.m. -7 p.m. 300 Food & Vendor Booths, 2 Stages of Live Music and Entertainment, Carnival Rides and Craft Beer Festival Saturday. Sunday features 5 brewers and 10 taps. Enjoy samples from 40 taps from regional brewers. Admission is free; Beer wrist bands $10-30. Time: Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Location: Santee Trolley Square Town Center, Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway Santee, CA, santeestreetfair.com

SUNNYVALE: Olson's Cherry Festival May 31, 2014. Games, contests, tours, face painting, cherry tasting, cooking demonstrations and prizes. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. May 31-June 1. New Cherry Stand, 348 W. El Camino Real and Mathilda Street, Sunnyvale. Free admission. 800-738-2464, cjolsoncherries.com

TEMECULA: Balloon & Wine Festival, May 29-31, 2015. tvbwf.com

TEMPLETON: Paso Pinot & Paella Festival June 7, 2015. Join the Pinot Noir producers of Paso Robles and 20 great chefs with live Latin guitar world fusion beats of Incendio. Time: 2-5 p.m. Cost: $75. Location: Templeton Community Park, Crocker & 6th St., Templeton, CA. pinotandpaella.com

TUSTIN: Tustin Street and Chili Cook-Off June 1, 2014. 30th Annual event time: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Old Town Tustin. tustinca.org

UPLAND: EggFest 2014 May 31, 2014. Smokin' It So Cal Style BBQ event. Enthusiasts of cooking with Big Green Egg Smoker. Time; 9 a.m. - 3-p.m. Cost: $30. Location: Cable Airport, 1749 W.13th St., Upland, CA. socaleggfest.com

WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival, May 31-June 1. More than 100 wines and beers, plus a craft beer garden; two stages of live entertainment, foods, arts and crafts booths and Kids Zone. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. May 31 and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. June 1. Heather Farm Park, 301 N. San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. Free admission. walnutcreekchamber