Visit Tropical California
In addition to the Sacramento Banana Festival mentioned in a previous post, this weekend another toast of the town for tropical celebrations is the largest and longest-running Tiki gathering in the world. Tiki Oasis in San Diego Aug.8-12, 2018, features Tiki Marketplace and Tiki Oasis car show open to the public on Saturday and Sunday!
Events that require tickets include pin-up photo sessions, Miss Tiki Oasis contest, Burlesque shows, Tiki Tots & Teens, and concerts with bands such as Martini Kings, Aloha from Hell, Kimo, and Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.
This full immersion Tiki festival includes seminars and classes in Hula dance, history of the leopard print, the art of Trader Vic’s, tiki fashion, ukulele sing-alongs, understanding rum, home bar techniques, South Seas cinema and so much more.
Californians love Tiki and Polynesian lifestyle, touting the largest population of Pacific Island natives of any state, including Hawaii! Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans, and Chamorros are among those representing close to 200,000 individuals in California, while Hawaii numbers less than 150,000. Demographics vary according to sources, but the surprising statistics are explained by Hawaii being the only state where Asian Americans identify as the largest ethnic group.
Tropical California August Events
- SAN MATEO: San Francisco Bay Area Aloha Festival
- SAN DIEGO: Heiva San Diego-Solo Ori Tahiti Dance Competition
- ELK GROVE: Heiva Ma’ohi O’ Patitifa
- LONG BEACH: Tiki Beach Festival
- SANTA CRUZ: Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival
- LONG BEACH: Weekend in Polynesia
- ROHNERT PARK: Pacific Islanders Festival
- LONG BEACH: E Hula Mau
