Festival Themes Include Whales and Tales

You don’t have to wait until the millennium to find a celebration in California.

For the third year in a row, the California Division of Tourism has put out a comprehensive list of festivals and special events happening all year long throughout the state.

This month, for example, begins the Festival of Whales in Dana Point. You can also check out the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off, the Flying Leap Storytelling Festival in Solvang and the World Championship Crab Races in Crescent City.

For a free copy of California Celebrations 1997, call (800) 862-2543, Ext. 60, or write to the California Division of Tourism, P.O. Box 1499, Dept. 60, Sacramento, CA 95812-1499.

Marla Dickerson covers tourism for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5670 and at marla.dickerson@latimes.com