This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
California Restaurant Month returns to the Golden State this Jan. 1-31, 2016 with an expanded program that builds upon traditional restaurant week promotions with a broader range of culinary happenings.
For 31 flavor-filled days, dining establishments throughout California will not only feature gourmet prix-fixe menus, but also behind-the-scenes tours, wine-pairing specials, chef-led events, and all of the seasonal ingredients one would expect from the state that produces nearly half of all American-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables.
“From food trucks, fine dining and farm tours to wineries, breweries and distilleries, there’s no place like California to live out the biggest foodie dreams,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “In 2016, our expanded California Restaurant Month promotion will showcase the state’s agricultural diversity and allow visitors to follow California cuisine from the farm to the table.”
Throughout January 2016, foodies are invited to combine a passion for healthy, locally-sourced meals with iconic Californian vacation experiences to start the new year off right; enjoying everything from prix-fixe restaurant promotions and chef tastings to foodie events and wine samplings.
Below is a listing of celebratory culinary happenings in Northern, Central and Southern California during California Restaurant Month 2016. For destination updates and a list of all participating destinations visit: www.DineinCA.com.
Northern California:
- Berkeley – Berkeley Restaurant Week
Jan 21. – 31, 2016For all their edible diversity, Berkeley’s restaurants share a passion for great taste. With more than 350 restaurants citywide, there’s a vast array of dining options ranging from casual to candlelit. - El Dorado County – El Dorado Epicurean Collection of Culinary Adventures
Jan. 1 – 31, 2016Indulge in this month-long celebration packed with delectable deals; exclusive seasonal offerings; wine-pairing specials; gourmet prix-fixe dinners; farm tours; vineyard hikes; cooking demonstrations with amazing and innovative chefs; and special discounts on food, wine, accommodations and transportation. - Humboldt Bay – Free Oyster
Jan. 1 – 31, 2016Known for some of the best oysters in the United States, Humboldt Bay produces 60 percent of California oysters. Tour and taste at one of the area’s many oyster farms, including Aqua-Rodeo Farms and Hog Island Oyster Co. Receive a free oyster and pint of beer with any social media check-in to Humboldt Bay Tourism Center. - Napa Valley – Napa Valley Restaurant Week
Jan. 24 – 31, 2016Through multi-course prix-fixe menus at $20 per person for lunch and at $36 or $46 per person for dinner, try out the latest culinary hot spots or revisit old favorites all week long. - Oakland – Oakland Restaurant Week
Jan. 14 – 24, 2016Over 100 participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menus at $20, $30, $40 and new $50 price points. The promotional prices reflect up to 25 percent off regular a la carte items. - Sacramento – Dine Downtown
Jan. 7 – 16, 2016Now in its 11th year, Dine Downtown continues to spotlight innovative restaurant concepts and culinary experiences that can only be found in Sacramento. For 10 days, enjoy special three-course dinner menus showcasing fine dining in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital for just $35. - San Francisco – SF Restaurant Week
Jan. 20 – 31, 2016More than 100 restaurants citywide will offer special multi-course prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus, ideal for exploring San Francisco’s culinary scene. Lunch menus are offered at $15 or $25 and dinner menus are offered at $40 or $65. - San Jose – San Jose Celebrates California Restaurant Month
Jan. 5 – 15, 2016Combine fresh produce with one of the most diverse cities in America, and you’ll discover an appetizing selection of culinary offerings from Oaxacan, Ethiopian and Vietnamese to Afghan, Burmese and beyond. Taste for yourself from January 5 – 8, and 12 – 15, 2016. Mention “California Restaurant Month” at participating restaurants and receive 15 percent off the final bill. The promotional website,www.sanjose.org/californiarestaurantmonth, is slated to launch at the end of December. - Sonoma County – Individual Restaurant Offerings
Throughout JanuaryWhile Sonoma County’s Restaurant Week is occurring March 7-13, French Garden Restaurant and Zazu Kitchen + Farm are also participating in California Restaurant Month. Individual restaurant details and pricing can be found online. - Stockton – Stockton Restaurant Week
Jan. 15 – 24, 2016During this 10-day dining event, participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe meals showcasing some of the region’s most talented chefs along with the city’s culinary diversity. Three-course dinner menus will be priced at $15, $20 or $25 per person, and two-course lunch menus will be available for $10 at some restaurants (all exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted). - Suisun City – Suisun Waterfront Restaurant Week
Jan. 15 – 24, 2016Several of the diverse restaurants on the Suisun Waterfront will offer a prix-fixe menu with three-course dinners or two-course breakfasts and lunches (unless noted, excludes tax, beverages and gratuity). - Tahoe South – Made With Altitude
Jan. 8 – 16, 2016Dine at any of the cozy restaurants offering specially priced and prix-fixe menus featuring alpine-inspired signature dishes and mixologists’ creative concoctions. - Tri-Valley – Secret Somm
Jan 9 – 31, 2016Participate in the most delicious online treasure hunt every Friday and Saturday in January – a roving Secret Sommelier may pick up your tab when you dine at a local restaurant with Livermore Valley wine on the menu! - Vacaville – Vacaville Restaurant Week
Jan. 15 – 24, 2016From delis and fro-yo shops to four-star dining, many of Vacaville’s diverse, locally-owned restaurants will be offering discounts up to 50 percent off.
Central California:
- Madera County – Savor the Tastes of Madera County, California’s Gateway to Yosemite
Jan. 1 – 31, 2016Get a taste of Madera County throughout the month of January at four participating restaurants in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range including the award-winning Ducey’s On the Lake. - Oxnard – Dine & Discover Oxnard
Jan. 22 – 31, 2016Enjoy a fusion of global cuisine and local flavors at Dine & Discover Oxnard, during which participating restaurants will feature special offerings including prix-fixe menus, $20 per person deals, two for $20 options and 10 percent discounts off regular menus. - San Luis Obispo County – San Luis Obispo County Restaurant Month
Jan. 4 – 28, 2016Participating restaurants will offer special prix-fixe three-course menus, ranging from $30-$40 per person. California Restaurant Month will also be celebrated at local Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Wineries with various “Go Local Wine Deals.” - Santa Ynez Valley – Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week
Jan. 24 – 30, 2016More than 20 restaurants throughout the Valley – from the region’s up-and-coming establishments to long-time favorites – will offer special three-course tasting menus, all for the modest price of $20.16 (excluding tax, tip and beverages). - Yosemite/Mariposa – Chef’s Holidays
Jan. 10 – 31, 2016Each Chef’s Holiday session includes a “Meet the Chefs” reception; three cooking demonstrations and tastings in the hotel’s Great Lounge moderated by culinary experts; a behind-the-scenes tour of The Ahwahnee’s 8,000-square-foot kitchen; and a gala dinner prepared by the session’s headliner chefs in The Ahwahnee Dining Room.
Southern California:
- Encinitas – Downtown Encinitas Restaurant Week
Jan. 17 – 23, 2016Take advantage of special prix-fixe menus and other limited-time offers during this 2nd Annual Restaurant Week. - Escondido – Dine Out Escondido!
Jan. 24 – 30, 2016Savor a showcase of artisanal foods and the creativity of fantastic chefs and restaurateurs at over 25 eateries. - Los Angeles – 2016 Winter dineL.A. Restaurant Week
Jan. 18 – 31, 2016This biannual 14-day dining event showcases participating restaurants in various neighborhoods throughout LA offering specially priced lunch and dinner menus. dineL.A. will also feature a new tier of experiential menus from the city’s top chefs via the dineL.A. Exclusive Series presented by Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express. - Newport Beach – Newport Beach Restaurant Week
Jan. 18 – 31, 2016Orange County’s longest running restaurant week event, this 14-day dining event features special prix-fixe menus with lunches available for just $10, $15, $20 or $25, and dinners for $20, $30, $40 or $50 at participating restaurants. - Oceanside – Participating Restaurant
Jan. 1 – 31, 2016At The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza, enjoy a lunch of the Privateer Salad and Margherita Pie for $20, or the Privateer Lunch Combo and a house-made lemonade for $28 during California Restaurant Month. - Pasadena – Cheeseburger Week in Pasadena
Jan. 10 – 15, 2016Celebrate the birth of the cheeseburger in Pasadena, the home of the cheeseburger. Forty restaurants, lounges, burger joints and roadside stands commemorate the day in 1924 when young Lionel Sternberger first put cheese to burger and served it to a customer at his father’s roadside stand, The Rite Spot. - Redondo Beach – Redondo Beach Restaurant Week
Jan 11 – 17, 2016Delve into the diverse dining of Redondo Beach through prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus, or by downloading VIP cards for special discounts at participating restaurants. - San Diego – San Diego Restaurant Week
Jan. 17 – 24, 2016More than 180 of San Diego’s finest restaurants participate in this annual celebration of local cuisine. Three-course prix-fixe dinner menus will be available for just $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person along with two-course prix-fixe lunch menus at $10, $15 or $20 per person. - Santa Monica – Santa Monica Eat Well Week
Jan. 11 – 17, 2016Santa Monica restaurants will be offering a specially crafted artichoke dish in honor of Eat Well Week. Consumers are invited to vote for their favorite Eat Well Week artichoke dish and in the end, the chefs of the top three restaurants with the most votes will win prizes. - Temecula Valley – Temecula Valley Restaurant Month
Jan. 1 – 31, 2016Celebrate Temecula Valley Restaurant Month by indulging in prix-fixe menu items and local farm-fresh ingredients at participating restaurants. Additional events, workshops and activities will also be available, enabling locals and visitors to experience some of the best wine and food Temecula Valley has to offer.