If you've never been to a Greek festival, there are some things you learn after your first initiation. Greek Festivals feature great food-so go hungry and try everything. There are probably more than 100 California Greek festivals throughout the year if you dig your way through the listings and discover that there's usually one around the bend. Festival season runs Feb through September primarily. The admission fees are affordable, the food is great, there are Greek bands and dancing, beverages for young and old, and often a carnival. Below is a list of some we've discovered. Many do not have dates assigned till closer to the time. Most festivals are filled with decades of tradition, experience, and volunteerism. These events are usually fundraisers. Opa!

Palm Desert is having a Greek Fest this week and the chances are pretty good that it will be sunny and 76 degrees. It's the peak time to visit the desert before it gets too hot. Good food, great weather, music, dancing, and entertainment for the family is assured.

San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival March 5, 2011
27129 Calle Arroyo, Suite 1803, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675. Phone: (949) 542-3445

Oakland will host a Greek Festival May 13 - 15, 2011 oaklandgreekfestival.com

Valley Greek Festival (Northridge) Memorial Day Weekend May 29 - 31, 2011. valleygreekfestival.com

Orange County Greek Festival May 20 - 22, 2011

Marin Greek Festival Usually in May -nativityofchrist.org

San Luis Obispo Greek Festival Usually in June -greekfestivalslo.com

Ventura County Greek Festival June 24 - 26, 2011 -vcgreekfestival.org

Santa Barbara Greek Festival Usually in July -santabarbaragreekfestival.com

South Bay Greek Festival (Redondo Beach) Usually in July -sbgreekfestival.com

Fresno Greek Festival Usually in August -fresnogreekfest.com

Long Beach Greek Festival Usually Labor Day Weekend -lbgreekfest.org

Belmont Greek Festival Usually Labor Day Weekend -goholycross.org

Monterey Bay Greek Festival Usually Labor Day Weekend -montereybaygreekfestival.com

Cardiff Greek Festival Usually September -cardiffgreekfest.org

Sacramento Greek Festival Usually September at Sac Convention Center -annunciation.ca.goarch.org

Pasadena Greek Fest (Arcadia) Usually September -pasadenagreekfest.org

San Fracisco, A Taste of Greece September 23 -25, 2011 -annunciation.org/festival

Castro Valley October 7 - 9, 2011 -greekfestivalcastrovalley.org