Here are some editor-selected events you can enjoy within a two-hour drive of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Festivals and Shows

Santa Barbara area

Santa Barbara County Vintner's Festival
April 21, 1-4 p.m.
The Carranza, Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 688-0881
www.sbcountywines.com
The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival Weekend attracts wine lovers for an opportunity to meet member vintners, taste their wines, and enjoy great food and music. The festival will be held at The Carranza in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, just a short drive away from Santa Barbara. Must be 21 or older. Tickets $75.

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival
April 21, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., April 22 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-0583
www.sbearthday.org
From a cutting-edge green car show to more than 200 exhibitors, Santa Barbara's Earth Day Festival draws thousands of eco-minded greenies from across the South Coast every April. Two days full of live music, demonstrations and more. Free.

Ventura area

Ventura County Offroad Show
April 21, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., April 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-3376, (805) 585-5392
www.venturacountyoffroadshow.com
Experience the best in offroad motorsport manufacturers, retailers and dealers all in one location. ATVs, buggies, trucks, dirt bikes, toy haulers, camping accessories and apparel. $10 adults; children under 12 admitted free with paying adult. $2 discount with valid military ID.

Lancaster

California Poppy Festival
April 21-22, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Lancaster City Park, 43011 N. 10th St. West, Lancaster, CA 93534
www.poppyfestival.com
Four stages offering live musical entertainment and dance, plus live animal demonstrations and encounters, exhibits, food and crafts. Adults, $8, seniors $5, .children 6-12 $5, children 5 and under free

Greater L.A. Area

Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Saturdays and Sundays through May 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(626) 969-4750
www.renfair.com/socal
Twenty acres of pure fun. Thirteen stages offer variety entertainment all day long. Plus jousting, the Queen and her glittering court, amazing arts and crafts, delicious food, fine spirits, music, dance, parades, rides and games. Adults $23, children 5-12 $13.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
University of Southern California, 665 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90089
www.latimes.com/festivalofbooks  
Booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations sell and promote books and book-related merchandise and distribute related information. Many of the independent booksellers participating in the festival represent the diverse ethnic and cultural communities of Los Angeles and sell books of different languages and genres. Free.

Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. - Sunday, April 22, 6 p.m.
Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 307-1394
Take the time to see, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair. Other highlights of the Festival include games & crafts for children, and numerous cultural displays. Free.

Doo Dah Parade
April 28, 11 a.m.
East Pasadena along Colorado Boulevard
www.pasadenadoodahparade.info  
With inventive, zany art cars and floats, the parade will again bring its own brand of raucous eccentricity. Free.

Big Concerts

Gibson Amphitheatre
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(818) 622-4440
www.citywalkhollywood.com/concerts.php  
The Gibson offers a variety of musical styles this season, with an emphasis on Latin music, mixed with radio station-sponsored events and well known indie artists.
March 23, Hot 92.3 presents Funk-A-Palooza
April 28, KDAY Krush Groove

The Greek Theatre
2700 North Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-3215
www.greektheatrela.com
When the weather is mild, the Greek is the place to be. And this season, as usual, there are huge names on tap.
May 5, Los Lobos
May 6, REO Speedwagon/Styx/Ted Nugent
May 22, Sugarland
May 26, War
June 9, The Summer Soul Jam
June 10, Chickenfoot
June 30, The B-52s and Squeeze

Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com  
While the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performs often this season at the Bowl, there is a great mix of other concerts.
May 1, 2 and 4, Coldplay
June 2, Beach Boys
June 24, Glen Campbell, The Goodbye Tour

Honda Center
2695 East Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(800) 745-3000
www.hondacenter.com  
While the Honda Center fills most of its year with big sports events, there are also some big concerts coming up, including:
May 17, Rammstein
June 12, Van Halen

Nokia Theatre
777 Chick Hearn Court
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 763-6020
www.nokiatheatrelalive.com
The Nokia Theatre has only a few big names this season, but offers something for most musical tastes.
April 28, Celtic Woman
July 19, Il Divo

Staples Center
1111 South Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 742-7340
www.staplescenter.com  
Of course the Staples Center fills most of its evenings with sporting events, but there are several huge musical acts this year as well.
June 1 and 9, Van Halen
June 15, Nickelback
June 22, Scorpions