Unique Block Parties, Crazy Beach Events & Pirates And Wenches
On a day-to-day basis, California is not necessarily the best place to party in the USA.
In fact, it’s one of the most tame, certainly when compared to New York, Florida, New Orleans and Austin, Texas.
But California is known to the rest of the country – and world – to be a bit quirky and that’s certainly the case when it comes to quirky events. Here’s PubClub.com’s list of the wildest and most unusual fun party events in the state. And, yes, these are also top singles events.
Bay To Breakers San Francisco
The Mardi Gras of the West Coast, except to do-gooders have got rid of the floats and there are no beads. Still, it’s a foot race from the Bay Bridge to the Breakers on the other side of Golden Gate park tho most people walk,
Some are in costumes – often political, look for a lot of Donald Trump parodies this year – others go in groups with themes, and they drink their way through the “race.” Actually, the do-gooders also installed a “no alcohol” policy but that’s more show than go for this event because you can’t stop 75,000 people from having a fun time.
Plus, there’s bars and house parties along the way.
So, California turns a foot race into a festival.
Date: Sunday, May 15
Link: Bay To Breakers Party Guide
Over The Line, San Diego
This is a softball-type of event on Fiesta Island that has turned into the biggest beach party on the West Coast.
Here, city officials gave up on trying to make drinking on the beach illegal so they allow it on this day. A big part of that reason is because they are in the tournament and drinking on the beach.
This event is so huge it takes up not one but two weekends. It’s highlighted by the Miss Emerson contest on the second Saturday.
Dates: July 9 & 10, July 16 & 17
Link: OTL Site
Smackfest, Hermosa Beach
Similar in concept to the OTL, this takes a popular recreational sport and makes a party of it.
In the case of Smackfest, the sport is beach volleyball. Here, nearly 100 teams come up with team themes, dress in costumes and attempt to play beach volleyball. Needless to say, the quality of play deteriorates as the day progresses.
Technically, there’s no drinking on the beach so participants run in and out of the Hermosa Beach Pier bars – the players get discount drinks and shots at Sharkeez all day – and it’s one big beach party.
If you’re not playing you can still go and wander through the scene. Smackfeset gets more than 1,000 people on the beach for this unique California event.
Date: July 23, Hermosa Beach Pier
Link: Smackfest Review
Halloween Carnaval Block Party, Los Angeles
Halloween in Los Angeles brings about a carnival-type atmosphere. In fact, it’s called Carnaval and this is a huge block party along the Sunset Strip.
Officials claim there’s half a million people at it and it’s at least 250,000. A lot of them work on Hollywood movies in the costume departments so what they were is extravagant to say the least.
There’s no drinking in the streets – see what we mean about California not being a great party state!? – but there are beer gardens along the way, bands (Slash played one year) and bars.
This is biggest Halloween event in the entire USA.
Date: Oct. 31
Link: Hollywood Carnaval Party Review
Buccaneer Days, Catalina Island
Argggg!!!!
This sound can be heard off the decks of boats – along with occasional “cannon” shots accompanied by puffs of white smoke – as pirates and wenches from Southern California invade the water and land of Catalina Island for Buccaneer Days.
It’s actually only one day for most as special ferries run from the mainland as this tiny outpost usually reserved for sailboat skippers is turned into a real Caribbean carnival. It’s a wild day and night of dancing on an outdoor deck at the bar with people dressed up as pirates and wenches.
It’s important to note this takes place at Two Harbors on Catalina Island, not the popular town of Avalon.
Date: Oct. 1
Link: Buccaneer Days Party Review
Super Bowl 10K & Beer Garden, Redondo Beach
Exercise and Socialize! That’s a true criteria of the California culture.
You see here, we like to get in a workout before we party. And no other event demonstrates this like the Super Bowl 10K. It’s a 10K run through scenic Redondo Beach, followed by some 2,000 people pounding down beers in a beer garden.
And think about this: With that many people together, it’s the biggest Super Bowl party you’ll attend all day.
Date: Feb. 5, 2017
Link: Super Bowl 10K & Beer Garden Party Review
Hometown Fair & Beer Garden, Manhattan Beach
Nearly every American small town has a hometown fair in which kids bounce around on kiddie rides and adults eat bad food and shop for hand-made household items or clothing at a long lineup of pop-up tents.
There’s some of that here but the real draw – certainly among the many single people in the area – is the beer garden. Yes, a beer garden. Now THAT’S the way to have a hometown fair!
The beer garden is so popular there’s a line by 1 o’clock in the afternoon. The beer garden is so popular people who have lived in Manhattan Beach in the past come back every year for it as a party reunion. The beer garden is so popular that locals talk about it for weeks leading up to it.
Oh, and it starts with a 10K on Saturday morning. After which, people pack into the popular bar at the pier, Shellback Tavern. Then it’s onto the beer garden!
Date: Oct. 1-2
Link: Hometown Fair Beer Garden Party Review
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