Munch All Month: California Restaurant Month Has Arrived

Restaurant Week may have originated in New York, but it’s safe to say that California has claimed it as its own. Here, restaurant month is an annual celebration of the incredible cuisine, plentiful harvests, and hard-working artisans that make the Golden State a craveable foodie destination. While most cities host their own weeklong events, you can enjoy the best sweet and savory bites all month if you’re ready to set out on an epic road trip. 

In case you haven’t attended one of these gastronomic experiences before, California restaurant week showcases a city or county’s most unique eateries. It’s also an opportunity to snag a discount on lunch and dinner with prix-fixe menus that are sure to surprise your palate—offering the perfect excuse to dine out, even if you live in one of the state’s most expensive cities. Many of the events are sponsored by OpenTable, so restaurant week reservations are incredibly easy to make. 

Road Trip to Restaurant Week 2020

Make the most of California Restaurant Month by attending some of the best restaurant weeks across the state. While it’s difficult to attend every single event, this 11-stop itinerary will allow you to see the biggest and best representations of California cuisine. (Can’t make it to all 11? Each event runs for 7 to 31 days, so savor your city’s best dishes for less.)

1. San Luis Obispo

What: San Luis Obispo County Restaurant Month 

When: January 1–31

Also read: Getaway Guide: San Luis Obispo

2. Oakland

What: Oakland Restaurant Week 

When: January 9–20

Also read: Forget Everything You Think You Know About Oakland

3. South Lake Tahoe

What: Elevate Your Palate at Tahoe South Restaurant Week 

When: January 10–17

Also read: Getaway Guide: Everything You Need to Know for an Epic Vacay in South Lake Tahoe

4. Sacramento

What: Dine Downtown

When: January 10–20

Also read: Sacramento County Combines the Best of Old and New

5. Newport Beach

What: Newport Beach Restaurant Week 

When: January 13–26

Also read: Spice It Up: 7 Romantic Winter Getaways in California

6. Los Angeles

What: dineL.A. Restaurant Week

When: January 17–31

Also read: One Day in L.A.

7. San Diego

What: San Diego Restaurant Week

When: January 19–26

Also read: Foodie Flights: The San Diego Food Trend You Have to Try in 2020

8. Santa Ynez

What: Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week 

When: January 19–31

9. Berkeley

What: Berkeley Restaurant Week 

When: January 21–31

Also read: Discover Alameda County's Surprising Treasures

10. San Francisco

What: San Francisco Restaurant Week 

When: January 22–31

Also read: Getaway Guide: San Francisco

11. Napa

What: Napa Valley Restaurant Week

When: January 26–February 1

Also read: Hold The Wine: 11 Thinkgs to Do in Wine Country that Don't Involve Drinking

Have you been to a restaurant week event in California? Let us know in the comments below.