Saturday

CHICO - Diamond W National Bull Riding Championship. Diamond W Western Wear presents, the Annual National Bull Riding Championship Finals at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico. Tickets and information available at Diamond W Western Wear, 181 E. 2nd Street, Chico. Time: 5:30 p.m.  Call: (530) 891-1650891-1650.

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Surfboards in the Sand. A photo opportunity to have your board and yourself or group pictured next to Huntington Beach Pier. Time: Noon. Cost: $10/person, $20 day of. Location: Pacific Coast Highway at Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA. Call: (714) 969-3492. surfboardsinthesand.com

JULIAN - Fall Apple Harvest. A San Diego tradition, the Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest runs through November 15. This year, the Apple Harvest celebrates its 100th birthday as thousands of visitors venture to this historic East County mining town, nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains, to sample fresh crisp apples, homemade apple pies and ciders. Visitors can also enjoy acres of colorful fall foliage, charming bed and breakfast inns, art shows, quaint antique shops and live entertainment. julianca.com

LAKE ELSINORE - KFROG 95.1 Wagon Wheel Country Music Concert. Huge country music festival at Lake Elsinore stadium includes car show, BBQ Cook-off, Mechanical Bulls, Pancake Breakfast, RV Camping, Country Music Memorabilia, live auction, A Cool Zone, Vendors, Budweiser Beer Garden, BMX Demo and more. Cost: $55 -150/person. wagonwheelfestival.com

LAKEPORT - American Triple-T Triathlon.  Event offers participants intimate camaraderie and a "red-carpet experience" rarely found in traditional triathlons. Dates: Sept. 18 through 20. Cost: $300/person. Location:  Library Park, 222 Park Street, Lakeport, California. Call:  (614) 371-9453. americantripletcali.com

LOS ANGELES - LA County Fair. Time: Opens at 10 a.m. weekends, Noon on Wed.-Fri. Event runs through Oct. 4. Cost: $17 general, $12 age 6-12; Free under 6. Parking: $10 car.  Location: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA. Call: (909) 623-3111. lacountyfair.org

MARIPOSA - Blazin' Hog BBQ & Zydeco Music Festival. The annual festival includes great food, hot music and dancing, a fun time. BBQ enthusiasts prepare their specialties, with samplings, plus beer, wine, soda or juice to wash down the food. Arts & Crafts vendors, kids' activities, and the highlight--bands. Bands include Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Mark St. Mary and his Louisiana Band, The Blues Box Bayou Band, and others. Time: 12 Noon. Cost: $10 for adults, $7.50 seniors, $5 kids 5 - 17, under 5 Free! Location: Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Hwy 49 1 1/2 miles south of Mariposa downtown, CA. blazinhog.com

MORRO BAY - Avocado & Margarita Festival. Did you know that avocados grow abundantly in the Morro Bay region? And Margaritas are the perfect cocktail to accompany this delicious food. Contests will include best guacamole recipe, and the hilarious kids' event, best dressed avo! Live music with great bands, booths, food, and a full day of Morro Bay's seaside beauty are expected for this culinary affair. Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Location: 714 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA. Call: (805) 772-4467. morrobay.org

NEWPORT BEACH - Taste of Newport. This is the premier Orange County/Southern California food sampling event that features hot bands, cool nights and food and beverage galore. Last year the event featured Styx, UB40 and other top bands. Time: 4 to 11 p.m. Cost: $25. Location: Fashion Island, Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA. tasteofnewport.com
OCEANSIDE - Oceanside Harbor Days. Oceanside Chamber of Commerce presents Oceanside Harbor Days. Event will have arts and crafts, food and vendor booths. Special entertainment programs and participation events including: live entertainment, static displays, nail and sail, and wandering pirates. Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, CA. Call: (760) 722-1534.ci.oceanside.ca.us

ORANGE- Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch. Fun for all ages, but designed for kids. Ride the train, play carnival games, hay rides, maze, haunted house, and pumpkins. Pumpkin Patch time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: No admission, parking fee at Irvine Regional Park is $3 weekday, $5 weekend. Location: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Celebrity makeup artist Eric Jimenez. ULTA in Rancho Cucamonga is giving FREE makeup consultations and master classes. Additionally, Eric will be giving consumers a sneak peak at the never before seen 2009 Urban Decay holiday collection. Call (858) 202-0612. Location: ULTA Beauty is located at: Victoria Gardens, 7905 Kew Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 ulta.com

SACRAMENTO - Carved Elegance: Woodies, Wheels, and Waves Car Exhibit.  Runs through September 19. California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, CA. Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 6 p.m. Extended hours on Thursdays from 6pm – 9pm through the Summer. Museum admission: $8 Adults, $7 Seniors, $4 Students, children under 5 free. For more information, call (916) 442-6802.  calautomuseum.org.

SAN DIEGO - Old Town San Diego Art Festival. Lively masterpieces and works of art along the historic streets of Old Town fill the streets with over 150 contemporary artists from around the world. A showcase of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, chalk art, fashions, furniture and jewelry, plus flavors from over a dozen local restaurants and the finest wines offer something for everyone! Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Call: (619) 233-5008. oldtownartfestival.com.

SAN FRANCISCO - 2009 Festa Coloniale Italiana. Sponsored by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, it's a celebration of Italian culture, tradition and community friendship in the heart of San Francisco’s historic North Beach district. Italian music including opera, traditional instrumentalists and a variety of show-stopping bands, plus mouth-watering Italian cuisine, a demonstration of Italian dances and much, much more will be featured. Time: Noon to 7 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Location: 1630 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94133. Call: (415) 781-0165. sfiac.org/festa.html

SANTA BARBARA - Sandcastle Festival. Live music, surf-a-duck race, food, bouncy house, contests, prizes, more! Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Free to watch. Location: East Beach, 1118 E. Cabrillo, Santa Barbara, CA. sandcastlefestival.com

SANTA CRUZ - That's Entertainment, musical. The Follies annual theatrical event with a large cast of performers - all 50 years and older - performs smoldering cabaret with a couple of dueling divas from the Broadway stage. Time: Sept. 16-19, 2009 at 1 p.m. Special Friday night show, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Cost: Adult: $18; Under 12 free. Location: Civic  Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA. Call:  (831) 423-6640Tickets $18 (kids under 12 are free). santacruzfollies.net

SOLVANG - Danish Days. Solvang's big annual street event offers Danish food, costumes, entertainment and dancing. Get out and share the culture of this Danish Capital, USA! Danish Parade is featured at 2:30 p.m.

SONORA - Certified Farmer's Market. Amnesia is featured entertainment. Fresh produce, crafts and live entertainment. Location: Theall and Stewart St., Sonora, CA. Time: 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Call: (209) 532-7735. sonoraca.com

SUNSET BEACH - Sunset Beach Chili Cook-Off. 12th Annual Sunset Beach Chili Cook-off heats up your September. $5 donation suggested for admission and sampling at this fundraiser to raise money for Sunset Beach Woman's Club Scholarship Program & Sunset Beach Community.  Time: 11 a.m. Cost: Donation requested, $5. Location: 12th Street (behind the Fire Station) Sunset Beach. Call or email Jennie Griffin (562) 505-7558 - jenniegriffin@verizon.net .

WESTMINSTER - Westminster Foursquare 11th Annual Car Show. This car show is to benefit the youth program at Westminster Foursquare Church. There will be classic cars, Santa Maria style BBQ, raffle prizes, and fun for kids and teens! Please come and join us for this FREE event! You'll be glad you came! If you would like to register a car you can pre-register for $20. If you sign up the day of the event it is $25. Time: 9 am- 1 pm. Location: Westminster Foursquare Church is located on the corner of Jackson and 23rd. Right off the 22 and Beach Blvd., 8091 22nd St., Westminster, CA. Call: (714) 891-5869. westmin4sq.org

Sep 18> Sep 20