Spring in Northern California is an exciting time of year. The cold weather and rain slowly fade into the summer heat. Before it gets too hot, we can get outside and enjoy the spring weather. It’s the perfect time of year for a festival! The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is a popular festival in NorCal that takes place each year in May. The multi-day festival features so much more than asparagus, although you’ll find every asparagus dish you can imagine. 

The month of April kicks off the valley’s growing season, which lasts until about June.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Facebook Page
San Joaquin Valley is famous for the "delta queen" variety of asparagus. This variety has thicker stalks than other imported varieties.
The festival is held at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton and attracts people from all around the area.
Stuart Rankin/flickr
The festival didn’t happen for two years due to COVID, but made a grand return in 2022. We're forever grateful.
The main food area in the festival is called “Asparagus Alley.”
Stuart Rankin/flickr
There you’ll find treats like fried asparagus and unique creations such as asparagus ice cream!

Related Stories

Be On The Lookout, We May See More Ticks This Summer In Northern California

Be On The Lookout, We May See More Ticks This Summer In Northern California

 One Of America’s Largest Lakes Is Returning To California After 80 Years, But It's Not A Good Thing

One Of America’s Largest Lakes Is Returning To California After 80 Years, But It's Not A Good Thing

 Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Northern California

Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Northern California
The California valley is the breadbasket of the state, so you can expect lots of great, fresh food at the festival. Although asparagus is the star of the show, vendors serve classic county fair-style foods, too.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Facebook Page
Try the deep-fried asparagus served with ranch dressing. It's. AMAZING.
The event has tons of vendors, live bands, and lots of family activities.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Facebook Page
In the past, the fair has hosted a monster truck show, a petting zoo, a carnival, and a pageant.
Hundreds of vendors and thousands of guests flock to the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival.
San Joaquin Asparagus Festival
The three-day event packs in tons of activities and food to sample. Come out and experience it at least once - it's a must-do for locals and visitors alike.

Sometimes harvest festivals can be the most fun! They bring communities together and celebrate what they do best. Need a place to stay while you’re in Stockton for spring in Northern California? No worries – check out all the unique offerings from our friends at Booking.com. What do you think of the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival? What’s your favorite festival in NorCal? Tell us in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Spring in Northern California

Tori Jane | March 04, 2024

What are some of the best spring festivals in Northern California?  

Northern California is well-known for its tremendous beauty; in the spring, it becomes even more amazing, and there’s always something to do no matter where you go. Why not attend a festival? Some of the best spring festivals in Northern California are:  

  • Redding's Kool April Nites – This spring 50s-themed festival doubles as an amazing car show, and we love it.  
  • The Norway Day Festival – This amazing celebration in San Francisco is the essential must-do early spring festival.  
  • The Chico Wildflower Century Ride – This festival and race is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.  

Learn more about the best hidden gems in Northern California.   

What is spring in Northern California like?  

Spring in Northern California is an amazing time; everywhere you turn, flora and fauna burst into life. The temperatures are mild and beautiful. Some of the best things about our little corner of the world during spring in Northern California are things like:  

  • April and May are beautiful and tend to be dry following the rainy season of late winter. Temperatures are diverse and range from the upper 40s to the lower 70s, depending on your location. This makes it perfect for hiking.  
  • Festivals and events are popular, and they truly hit different in the spring – especially in NoCa.  
  • Tourist season has yet to come – Summer is when everything is crazy busy; spring is when wise folks visit.  

Discover all the wonders of spring in Northern California.   

What are some of the best things to do in Northern California in spring? 

Being such an amazing time of year, the list of things to do in Northern California in spring are amazing, and we can’t possibly mention them all in one short paragraph. But, some of our favorite things to do in NoCa in spring are things such as:  

  • Attend events and festivals – no matter what town you plan on being in, there’s definitely going to be something going on.  
  • Do all the best scenic drives – Springtime in California is a beautiful time of year, both weather-wise and scenery-wise.  
  • Go hiking – It's not too hot, and it’s not too cold. It’s perfect!  

Learn more about some of the best spring hikes in Northern California.   

Related Articles

Explore Northern California

Featured Addresses
Fairgrounds, Stockton, CA, USA