Decided to come to the annual fog fest since the weather was cooperating with temps in the high…read more60's on day 1of this 2 day event. Usual cast of vendors from around the Bay Area. Solid 4 for today's visit along with a pic of my October Brat and garlic fries from Miller's Food stand.

There are many popular street fairs in the greater Bay Area. Popular fairs draw great crowds and…read morechallenging parking. (Unless you want to pay. $10 at Oceana H.S). It was no different yesterday afternoon. Coming from the City we took Skyline Blvd then Hwy 1 South. We decided to take the Sharp Park Rd exit thinking it'll be easier to find a parking spot. Luckily we found a spot in the neighborhood on the east side of Hwy 1 on Brighton St. We then hiked over to Fogfest on Palmetto. I'm guessing we walked 1 1/2 miles. This being our first street fair this year we took our time strolling along. What impressed me were the banners that identified which vendors were Pacifica local. Our intent was to catch a local band at the South stage besides strolling around. We found seating around 2:20pm for the band that was scheduled to perform at 2:45pm. Some folks brought their own folding chairs. The weather was overcast. It started to get chilly around 3:45pm. It was a festive atmosphere and a good size crowd. We chose a great street fair to go to.

Who knew there was a castle in Pacifica? A nice visit if you're into history, architecture and want…read moreto see some views. Built in 1908 by the San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey by the sea as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake. It was later sold by his wife after her husband's death in 1914 Up until 1959, it had a reputation as a speakeasy, an illegal abortion clinic, a brothel and Coast Guard barracks during World War II. The castle was purchased and restored in 1959 by the late Sam Mazza, commercial painter and real estate magnate filled it with items from old theaters (fixtures, props) and items he purchased at garage sales...so a lot of kitschy items can be found. Place was never used as a residence but hosting parties and used as an event space. The place isn't as grand as I had imagined but definitely back in the day when Pacifica wasn't quite developed. A bit worn on the outside with no greenery and can see it providing a creepy backdrop at night. The docents (dressed as Mr and Mrs McCloskey) and Jeanette Cool, Executive Director of the Sam Mazza Foundation provided rich history that made it interesting and fun. The tour is 1.5 hours with a 10min video from 2000 of Sam Mazza at age 94...energetic and a bit quirky, eccentric with unique taste. All his real estate holdings, including the castle, and his art was left to his foundation after he passed in 2002. So now the castle provides tours, afternoon tea, holiday events and even a Halloween event with a medium...yeah friend bought tickets for that! An enjoyable visit with light refreshments after so grab a bite to eat before or after your tour

Visited the Mazza Castle (aka Sam's Castle) on a Sunday evening for the Castle Music Salon. We were…read moreable to enjoy the extraordinary sounds of the Musical Art Quintet, talented musicians playing a wide range of tunes on string instruments including the cello, bass, violin, and viola (x2). The entire group was in good spirits and focused on their performance, yet also carefree as they spoke to the audience of their music and history. Refreshments were included with the ticket price, including various wine offerings. And guests were able to roam around the inside of the castle and explore a few of the different rooms before the show and during intermission. There was a steep hill on the drive up, but it wasn't too scary. The castle itself is beautiful, the structure simpler on the outside, but the inside, restored by Sam Mazza, is covered in quirky decor, furnishings, instruments, and artifacts collected from throughout the bay area (a lot of interesting paintings and sculptures, and even a suit of armour on the lower level). There's much to learn about this monument's incredible history, including its past as an illegal abortion clinic, its days as a speakeasy (Chateau Lafayette), and even its origin as a safe haven for Henry Harrison McCloskey's family when it was first built following the 1906 earthquake. Castle tours are available by reservation, organized by the Sam Mazza Foundation. They also hold a number of special events here occasionally, including the amazing Castle Music Salon that I recently attended. It's certainly worth a visit, I think moreso when you can view the castle in conjunction with an event.

What a fabulous street fair this is! Formerly the Burlingame Art and Jazz festival apparently, I…read morejust heard about it from a friend, and had to stop by since I was nearby. I was able to park about 3 blocks away, and since it was Sunday, didn't have to worry about staying too long. There's something for everyone here: 3 simultaneous music stages, beer, wine, margaritas, a mysteriously blue dry ice drink, barbeque chicken, links, fried donuts, all kinds of cuisine really, a Farmer's market, even a children's section with half a dozen different rides. Not to mention, a myriad of art booths up and down Burlingame Ave selling everything from new age jewelry and gemstones, to balsamic vinegars and mustards, to oil paintings and hand-glazed tiles to hammocks, wood-carved name tags and teak furniture, to crafted hand lotions and wine fudge. Even a Dunk-a-Cop! Although, I don't think anyone really hates the cops around here... only kids were throwing the balls, and there seemed to be a general mood of sympathy whenever a cop got dunked. The salsa band was hot, and the swing band really got everyone swinging! The latter was fronted by a cute blonde on guitar and one kool kat on keys... I'll have to look them up - their set was pretty tight. Also, for the dog lovers out there, I've also never seen a wider assortment of cute little toy dogs. Just be sure to bring enough cash, you'll be hard-pressed to find any food cheaper than $5, and most entrees are around $10.

Fantastic lively annual summer festival! I was with a food truck vending there and the team…read moreorganizing it was super professional. Loved the live music and everyone dancing.

Who am I kidding? What's not to like about the idea of a lobster festival?…read more Here's a quick rundown of what you missed this past Sunday in Half Moon Bay: 1) FREE festival. That's right, no admission. Just walk on in and see what's being offered. You're free to leave if it just isn't your thing - and don't ask for a refund! 2) Hosted near the beach! You can hear the waves crashing on the shore. And it was a beautiful, sunny day to boot! 3) Lobster hats! For $5. One size fits all. 4) This event is a fundraiser for the Half Moon Bay July 4th fireworks display, so the proceeds go to help make other awesome local events happen. 5) Motherfucking lobster rolls. Full of claw meat and drenched in butter. I get a food boner just thinking about that delicious sandwich. If you missed out this year, mark your calendars for 2012 - you know I'll be there. With my lobster hat :)

I met our benevolent COmmunity Manager Abby S here with some of her friends for the lobsterfest…read more Was thinking there was going to be rainy and cold but the sun kept peaking it's face out making things somewhat warm. Lobster rolls, chowder, fries, beers, and ice cream sandwiches out in the ocean air. What's not to like? The smart thing they did or this which they should do for most any impacted food truck event is have people buy tickets and exchange them for food. This cuts down the time people have to pay, make change etc. It really speeds up the system. There's a train ride for the kiddies and make sure you ask Abby about her sweet lobster hat.

This was my first time at this festival…read more I went on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and it was very hot and very crowded. And it stretched all the way through downtown Millbrae on Broadway. Plenty to see here, lots of different types of vendors, live music, wine, beer, food, and carnival rides and a petting zoo. Also, all the businesses that are open along Broadway add to it, This seems to be a very popular festival, and if you're not going somewhere for the long weekend, this is definitely a great option!!!

Millbrae hosts its annual Art & Wine each Labor Day weekend. I've gone twice, 11 years apart, most…read morerecently for their 2025 event. It's okay-nothing overly memorable and definitely not a lot of actual art. There were some interesting jewelry and craft booths and some prints that caught my eye. Definitely not worth traveling for. We parked at BART, which was free on weekends and about a 15 minute walk to the festiva. Highly recommend not trying to drive too close to park-traffic was chaotic. Overall, it was okay, not great and not worth visiting from out of town.

What a nice Street Festival event during the summer season!…read more This is my second year coming to this event. This year was their 3rd San Mateo Downtown Summerfest! Located in the heart of San Mateo on B Street were tons of different things for children and adults to experience. The festival was on June 20th and June 21st from 10AM-6PM. The Festival is presented by the Downtown San Mateo Association, www.dsma.org . The DSMA produces and/or sponsors promotion and special events, business mixers, open houses, and fundraisers. FOOD AND DRINKS: -Bliss Pops-Popsicles (strawberry, pineapple, toasted coconut, mango habanero, fudgesicle) -Tea & Picklets-sliders, skewers, curry dishes, iced milk teas with toppings -Dragon Papa-Dragon Beard candy, mochi, ginger candy -Endless Summer Sweets-Funnel Cakes, Kettle Corn, Corn Dogs, Cotton Candy -Sweet Delights-burger and fries, pupusas, corn dog, hot dog, philly cheese steak, gyros -Sonoma Teriyaki-Gyros sandwich; Street tacos with chicken, steak or fried fish; Rolled chicken tacos; Quesadilla with chicken, steak or fried fish; Artichoke hearts with shrimp and crab; Fried zucchini/garlic fries.Teriyaki chicken with fried rice, chow mein or steamed vegetable; Teriyaki chicken on a skewer; Teriyaki chicken rice bowl; Sausage/hot dog on bun; Lemonade There was also a vender that was serving wine. VENDERS: Tons of venders that were selling their products: Organic clothing, Kitchen cooking tools and Fresh made Honey. ENTERTAINMENT: Saturday, June 20, 2015 Main Stage at B Street and Baldwin Avenue 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM Citizen Rhythm 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Tom Finch Group 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM The Bad Jones 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM JazzMaTazz (Teen Performing Troupe) 12:00 Noon Core Taekwondo Community Presentation 1:00 PM The Peace and Prosperity Ukulele Orchestra of San Mateo 2:45 PM Curious Blend (Adult Acapella Group) 3:45 PM Accel Gymnastics 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM American Line Dancers Sunday, June 21, 2015 North B Street 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Walking Mariachi Band Main Stage at B Street and Baldwin Avenue 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM Twice as Good 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Jay Buckaroo Bonet 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM DreamCycle Community Stage at B Street at 6th Avenue 11:00 AM 1:00 PM Scribble Me Happy Art Project 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Core Taekwondo Demo Team 2:00 PM School of Rock Overall, Good set up and tons for the children to do as well! I can't wait to see what next year has in store!

I've been to all sorts of fairs, markets, wine walks, and festivals and this Summerfest was as…read moreclose to a collection of junk vendors as I've ever seen. It was deceptively large, and yet only contained - at most - couple handfuls of true 'art' tents. The rest of the blocks were made up of extremely aggressive sales people for vegetables, cruises, newspapers, and other misc junk. Warm, badly mixed Jamba was being upsold at the large size price for medium sizes drinks, and while they had incredibly helpful people at the information booth, the music on the fifth ave stage was really really bad. The teenager on the base was quite a good player, until she opened her mouth and you caught on she was tone deaf. I sat a block away and finally had to put on headphones. The second stage near first ave was much better, with a vocalist who worked the crowd - it really was a pleasure to listen and she was the saving grace of this event for me. All in all, there really isn't much reason to come to this unless you live nearby - the vendor selection was the worst I've ever seen, so if you stay home, you probably won't be missing much.

Wow, what a fun event! Haven't reviewed it until now because I had bookmarked it wrong, but it was…read moresuch a blast. Loved all the tasty foods, and the incredible wines... The sparkling sake was such a fun surprise! We got to know DTSM so much better, and ending at the shoe store with the orthotic saleslady was a great choice-- both my fiance and my friend's boyfriend got brand new orthotics that they love! Vino, nibbles, and shoe inserts... What more could you want??!

Such a blast! I received tickets to this even as part of a Yelp promo and I am SO happy that I had…read morethe opportunity to attend. I would gladly buy tickets to this wine walk in the future. The way that the wine walk was structured was that wineries were hosted by different facilities around San Mateo. The facilities ranged from an eye glasses shop to a chocolate shop - really provided a great scope of different places you can go in San Mateo. There was a TON of great food, but the stand out place was Sharona's... my goodness if I lived in San Mateo you would need a forklift to get me out of Sharona's. Wine + Chocolate = taste bud magnificence.

My boyfriend and I are big fans of fairs and carnivals. We never been to the San Mateo County Fair…read morebefore, so were were like, "let's check it out!" To be honest, the fair had very similar foods, vendors and exihibits as other fairs around. We had a good time though. Would we go again? Maybe? Also, expect to spend a lot of money. Admission, parking, foods and whatever else you decide to spend your money on.

This place seems to be getting smaller and smaller every year. But nice to see they still have a…read morebunch of farm animals and cheesy pig races. Shopping concourse is basically the same - felt a bit harassed by some of the vendors there as they basically chased us down as we were walking by and they still have some of the basic judged events like photos and table setting and cooking and plants, etc. But, mainly seems to be about food and rides now. A little disappointing compared to some other county, fair and state fair experiences.

I attended the Pacific Islanders' Cultural Association (PICA) Aloha Festival for the first time…read morethis summer! It was a fun and entertaining event, despite the heat. I enjoyed watching the musical and dance performances, eating the delish foods, and learning more about Pacific Islander culture through the vendors. The event was free, but parking can be costly. Luckily, there is street parking available if you don't mind walking a few blocks. Overall, I had a nice time. It's family friendly, educational, and laid back!

What do you expect? Of course it's going to be a bit pricey at a festival like this. But of course,…read moresometimes it's always nice to have some fun, and buy some stuff here and there, even if you're not going to the South Pacific anytime soon. I would still go crazy, because this is where I can be myself and just buy frangipani everywhere. LOL I actually got a good amount of stuff. Still would go every year if I can.

The Ocean Beach Music and Art Festival is a like a big block party spanning a couple avenues of…read moreNoriega in the Outer Sunset! It's awesome to see the neighborhood celebrated, bringing in the community of residents, local vendors, food trucks, and local artists/musicians. Fun for the family with the jumpers, pumpkin patch, and weird puppet show (haha). But also fun for adults as there's beer, cocktails and booze available to enjoy with the music. There are two main music stages at opposite ends of the festival. Really liked the set up of the Bandwagon SF Stage. Snazzy set up. Shout out to Hibbity Dibbity for putting on a good set, as well as DJ Platinum Patton for keeping the good dance vibes goin'. From what I've learned, the event has expanded from last year. I hope that it continues to grow and garner support. All in all, enjoyable and chill time with friends, over drinks, food, and music. Helpful tip. Make sure to bring cash. Some of the vendors only accept cash, so to avoid paying a fee at the ATM in the local taqueria, come prepared!

Love all the local vendors and food trucks. Gus's put out a small pumpkin patch with hay that was…read moregreat for play and photos. There was a great variety of food trucks from coffee to poke to falafel to beer gardens in addition to local restaurants in those 3 blocks being open (Devil's Teeth, Papa Mak's, pizza place, etc). They had two stages with bands playing. There were lots of people without it being overly crowded. The only disappointment was that it advertised a bouncy house but there wasn't one there!