SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec. 10, 2018) – California will kick off 2019 with the ninth annual California Restaurant Month, celebrating the restaurants, chefs and culinary creations that have cemented the state as a world-class “foodie” destination. In January, restaurants across the state will offer special menus with exclusive promotional pricing. California has a record number of 40 destinations in 2019, each with distinct programming, festivals and experiences.

“California's ever-evolving food culture and innovative culinary offerings makes it the perfect destination during our ninth annual California Restaurant Month,” said Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta. “Communities across the state will showcase their dining highlights, serving up the best dishes and celebrations from Mendocino to San Diego.”

California Restaurant Month will showcase California-sourced produce, meats and seafood, along with dozens of talented chefs and restaurateurs who continue celebrate the state's agricultural heritage while elevating its renowned dining culture.  

Below is a sampling of some of the exemplary culinary experiences food-lovers can enjoy when visiting California in January:

Butte County: “Perfect Pairings” Restaurant Week

Jan. 18-27

Butte County is celebrating its first-ever California Restaurant Month with a restaurant week event  featuring “Perfect Pairings.” Pairings will reflect the community's culture and culinary staples. As the area recovers from the recent Camp Fire, Butte County looks forward to amplifying recovery efforts by welcoming guests in for a special meal.

Mendocino County: “Winter Feast”

Jan. 18-27

Winter Feast Mendocino is a new 10-day extravaganza of events dedicated to the county's favorite crustacean – Dungeness crab. Guests can indulge in fine seafood, wine, beer and more at family-style crab and cioppino feeds and gourmet crab-themed dinners, and more. “Winter Feast” also includes a wine competition showcasing Mendocino's sparkling liquid assets and the popular “Crab Cake Cook-off” that highlights the talents of the county's chefs.

Monterey Bay: “Get Hooked”

Jan. 14-21

Monterey Bay's fishermen and restaurants will put their best fish forward in January. To raise the visibility of truly local seafood, Monterey will highlight restaurants serving locally-caught and sustainable species. “Get Hooked” connects locals and visitors with the fishermen who caught their meal, and likely will inspire diners to try delicious new species.

Santa Monica Restaurant Week

Jan. 7 - 13

Santa Monica Restaurant Week will highlight restaurants across the city, each serving its own spin on menus, many paying homage to the city's healthy lifestyle. Restaurant-goers will find many delicious dishes crafted to highlight the city's special ingredient for 2019: the persimmon.

Other participating destinations include: Alameda, Alhambra, Berkeley, Calistoga, Concord, Dana Point, El Dorado County, Elk Grove, Escondido, Geyserville, Gilroy, Greater Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Madera County, Napa Valley, Newport Beach, Oakland, Ojai, Oxnard, Pasadena, Placer County, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, San Francisco, SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County), San Diego, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez, Sonoma Valley, Stockton, Suisun City Waterfront, Tahoe South, Temecula Valley, Turlock, Vacaville, Yolo County. Find program details for all participating destinations here.

For expanded culinary content including local events, chef interviews, culinary guides and an interactive map, visit DineInCA.com.

ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA:

Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state's travel industry – that inspire travel to California. Travelers spent $132 billion in 2017 in California, directly supporting more than 1.1 million California jobs and $10.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.