California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

MAMMOTH LAKES--Heading to the mountains for the long weekend? Check out the annual Arts and Crafts Show, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 19-21 in the Minaret Village Mall, Old Mammoth Road and Meridian Boulevard. Free. For information on the show, or on Winterfest ’94 (March 18-20), call (619) 934-2712.

SOLVANG--The third annual Flying Leap Storytelling Festival, Feb. 25-26, starts Friday with ghost stories at the Sidestreet Cafe, Los Olivos; and wine tasting and fireside stories at Carey Cellars, Solvang. Storytelling events start at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Royal Scandinavian Inn and nearby venues, ending with a storytelling concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $4-$20. Advance purchase recommended. (805) 688-9533.

DANA POINT--It’s the season of the California gray whale, and this community honors the endearing sea creature with a celebration, Feb. 25-March 6. The Dana Point Festival of Whales, held at venues throughout the city, includes daily whale watching excursions, films and marine exhibits. A free street faire in La Plaza Park is featured, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and March 5-6. Also scheduled: A parade, scuba and sea kayaking demonstrations, sandcastle workshops, tide pool hikes. (800) 290-DANA.

SAN LUIS OBISPO--Masters of the grill show off their expertise at the 12th annual SLO Rib Cook-Off, 6:30 p.m. March 3. The competition is part of the evening farmers’ market on Higuera Street, between Osos and Nipomo streets. (805) 541-0286.

HEALDSBURG--Taste new vintages of more than 50 wineries at the 15th annual Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tasting, March 5-6. Wineries of the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander valleys offer free samples during their tasting room hours, roughly 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (707) 433-6782.