Press Kit

The peak of summer has arrived in California, buoyed by July 4th celebrations and America 250 festivities across the state. Beyond Independence Day, July brings plenty of classic fairs and rodeos, as well as long-running festivals. Here are 20-plus ways to build a summer getaway around a ready-made party in Northern, Central, and Southern California.

A legendary wine competition, Napa Valley, and opera may not sound like they belong in the same sentence. Inspired by the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting that changed California wine forever, this new opera is bringing one of the state's most iconic moments to the stage.

Two decades ago this July, the strains of Mozart wafting from Joshua Bell’s violin inaugurated the experience now known as Festival Napa Valley. The ensuing week of performances, dinners and parties paired classical music with regional food and wine to great effect. The festival sought to define Napa Valley as a cultural destination to match Napa’s world-class wine, and well it has.