Capay Valley Almond Festival

For a couple of weeks every February, tree branches in orchards throughout Capay Valley appear as though they’re covered in slightly rose-tinted snow. The white petals creating this winter wonderland effect are almond blossoms, the delicate flowers of the persnickety namesake trees that are grown commercially in only five regions in the world—including here.

Sacramento, among its other nicknames, is known as the Almond Capital of the World, with the surrounding Central Valley yielding about 80% of all the almonds on the planet and sustaining a $9.2 billion statewide industry.

One of the most picturesque and productive of California’s almond-growing areas is the aforementioned Capay Valley in Yolo County, which has been celebrating its agrarian heritage since 1915. Its multi-town fest offers visitors an almond-themed array of treats and attractions as they meander along Highway 16 through Rumsey, Guinda, Brooks, Capay, Esparto and Madison.

“Doesn’t matter where you go,” says Randy Jacobs, president of the Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce. “You’re always going to find something you like.”

This February, after skipping last year due to Covid, the almond festival promises to return to its success in 2020, when the event boasted more than 70 purveyors and food trucks, as well as live music at the Esparto Fire Station, orchard tours and beer gardens. Past years have also included unique eats like almond blossom ice cream, and the presentation of the Almond Queen in Esparto. So rest assured that no matter the final 2022 lineup, there will be plenty of deliciously different ways to go nuts.

Sunday, Feb. 27. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Locations vary. espartoregionalchamber.com

MUST EAT

Don’t miss the homemade Almond Roca from the Western Yolo Grange organization in Guinda. But you’ll want to move fast—the group’s Granny Wyatt version made using a decades-old recipe sells out almost every year.