SeeCalifornia.com

Planners say that up to 1 million people have attended the San Francisco Chinese New Year’s Parade in past years.  This year the event begins at 5:15 p.m. at Market Street & 2nd, and lasts approx. 2 hours. Lavish costumes, masks, floats, bands and hundreds of thousands of audience cheers  make this a fun event to see once in your life. The best way to experience if you are not a local is to book a hotel nearby and walk no more than a few blocks to the event. Hotel Nikko is one such hotel within range of the event.

This is a lovely Valentine’s Weekend in which you’ll see a lot of special menus and hotel bookings throughout California. For those who just want to have fun, here are some things to see & do:

• ALTURAS – Sweetheart Youth Powwow.  This is a non-profit event and for educational purposes. They host an exhibition powwow and will not hold competition or day pay for visitors. All dancers and drums welcomed  Location: Desert Rose Event Center, 901 County Rd., 56 Alturas CA. Call: (530) 233-2226 sanchezann_86@yahoo.com
• AMERICAN CANYON – SF Bay Flyway Festival, February 11 – 12, 2012.  Family Birding in American Canyon Wetlands. Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Cost: Free. Location: Eucalyptus Dr. & Wetlands Edge Rd. At the corner of Eucalyptus Dr. & Wetlands Edge Rd. American Canyon, California. ci.american-canyon.ca.us\
• BODEGA BAY – Chowder Day in Bodega Bay, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Start at the Bodega Bay Visitor’s Center, 850 Highway One, Bodega Bay, CA. Cost: $5. Call (707) 875-3866.
• CRESCENT CITY –   Crescent City Crab, Wine and Cheese   February 11, 2012 from 6 to 11 p.m.   the cultural center in Crescent City. Cost: $50/person. Location: Crescent City Cultural Center, 1001 Front Street. northcoastmmc.org
• ESCONDIDO –  For the Love of Chocolate Festival & ArtWalk . Time: 1-5pm Where: Downtown Escondido Admission: $20 for 10. Tel: (760) 745-8877. downtownescondido.com
• HOLTVILLE  Carrot Festival Feb. 3 – 12, 2012  Carrot Capital of the World celebrates carrots with a carnival, parade, carrot cook-offs, and the  Annual Dia de la Familia “Day of the Family”, in Holt Park at 11am until the food is gone! holtvillechamber.org.
• LAWNDALE Wildhorse 16th Annual Powwow, February 11 – 12, 2012. Location: 14901 Inglewood Ave., Lawndale, CA. Contact: Jorge Lechuga Phone: 310-987-1274.  wildhorsesingersanddancers.org
• LODI – Wine and Chocolate February 11 – 12, 2012, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  15th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend invites you to sip award-winning, handcrafted wines and taste decadent chocolates at over 40 wineries in the Lodi appellation. Be the lucky one to unwrap the Golden Ticket at any participating winery and win a Wine Country Getaway or one of over 100 other prizes! $45 pre; $55 day of. lodiwineandchocolate.com
• LOS ANGELES – Pan African Films and Arts Festival Feb. 9 – 20, 2012 Artistfest, Spokenwordfest, Studentfest.  Details… paff.org
• MORAGA – Moraga California Independent Film Festival Feb. 10 -16, 2012.  This star-studded event provides both local Bay Area residents and visitors with an opportunity to see world-class films, meet filmmakers from around the world and international celebrities. Locations: Zemrak Theatre, Winchell Auditorium, Marriott Hotel, Moraga, CA.  caiff.org
• SAN FRANCISCO – Community Street Fair in Chinatown Feb. 11 – 12, 2012. Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asia and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite-making and acrobatics. Time: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Saturday;  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: Grant Avenue from California to Broadway Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton; Washington & Jackson Street from Kearny to Stockton. chineseparade.com
• STOCKTON -Winter Benefit Powwow. Edison High School, 1425 S. Center St., Stockton, CA. 11th Annual Winter Benefit Powwow at from Noon to 10 p. m. All Drums & Dancers Welcome! Call: (209) 933-7075 ext. 8069. Free to the Public.  Authentic Native American Foods & Crafts.
• VENTURA – Putting Down Roots – Ventura County’s Early Immigrant Farmers , exhibit. Runs through May 20 in the Finch Family Gallery.   Location: The Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum,  926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, California. Hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. $4 adult, $3 senior, $1 age 6-17.  Call (805) 525-3100.  venturamuseum.org
• WEED – Sled Dog Races .  Two days of racing events as teams from across the continent and Alaska compete. Location: Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park, 17 miles east of Weed, CA.  siskiyousleddograces.com