October: Santa Barbara’s Month of Food Festivals

Avocado Festival

Touting itself as three days of peace, love, and guacamole, the 26th annual Avocado Festival brings arts, avocados, kids' activities, and a giant vat of guacamole to the beachside community of Carpinteria. The free festival runs from October 5 through 7.

Beer Festival

Microbrews and home-brewed beer clubs take center stage at the Santa Barbara Beer Festival on October 20. Food, music, and fine cigars round out the offerings. Proceeds at this 21-and-over event go to two local nonprofits.

Wine-Tasting Tours

Off-road meets epicurean on Cloud Climbers Jeep & Wine Tours' Back-Country Wine Tasting Tour, on offer throughout the month of October. Small groups get a behind-the-scenes vineyard tour, a gourmet picnic lunch, and samples of wine and olive oil along the way.

Harvest Celebration

On October 13, join more than 100 local wineries for the 2012 Celebration of Harvest with the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association. Explore the beautiful Rancho Sisquoc Winery and sample award-winning wines and foods from some of the county's finest producers.

Chowder Festival

Santa Barbara seeks its annual "Chowder Champ" at Chowder Fest on October 28, when about 20 restaurants face off for the title. There's more than soup on this table, though, with wine, beer, cheese, chocolate, and other vittles on offer.

Local Seafood Spotlight

October brings Olio e Limone Ristorante's five-course chef's tasting menu spotlighting local seafood. Featured ingredients include local ridgeback shrimp, Santa Barbara sea urchins, and chanterelles foraged in the region.

Masterpiece and a Glass of Wine

Coax your inner artists out into the open with the promise of a glass of wine, good company, and music. The Painted Cabernet's Paint Santa Barbara event takes place every Thursday in October. Artists of all levels will get step-by-step instructions on creating a masterpiece.

Champagne and Southern Cooking

On October 20 at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, Bubbles with Some Really Good Southern Fare unites champagne and down-home cooking in one entertaining evening. Surprising pairings include sparkling wine and fried chicken.

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