California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

FORT BRAGG--Celebrate the journey of California gray whales at Saturday’s 12th annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival. Among the festivities: A 10K Whale Run (and 5K walk), 9 a.m. ($18); Seafood Chowder Contest and Tasting, 11 a.m. ($5 for four tastes), and Beerfest, noon-4 p.m. ($10). Of course, whale-watching trips are offered--by boat and by horseback. (707) 961-6300.

SAN DIEGO--Artisans from all over the country converge for Springfest ‘94, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday to next Sunday on the concourse around San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, 9449 Friars Road. $5, general; $2, kids 6-16; free for kids 5 and under. (619) 731-9358.

OJAI--Welcome spring with the gusto of a 16th-Century Elizabethan at the third annual Ojai Renaissance Festival, 10 a.m.-dusk Saturday to next Sunday at Lake Casitas. Parades, costumed performers, food courts and pirate villages are among the features. $5, general; $4, seniors and students with identification; $3, kids. (Parking: $2.) (805) 649-2233.

LAGUNA BEACH--Area artists show off their wares at the Laguna Craft Guild’s street fair, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 27 on Forest Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. Free. (800) 877-1115.

FRESNO--Quilts and antiques take center stage at the 27th annual Mennonite Sale and Auction, April 8-9 at Fresno Pacific College, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave. The event begins at 4 p.m. Friday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday. There’s a quilt auction Saturday. Free. (209) 638-6911.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.