California Corner

TEMECULA--The 17th annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival June 9-11 will offer hot-air balloon rides, kids’ activities, wine tasting, food, entertainment, and arts and crafts. Lake Skinner Recreation Area, exit Interstate 15 at Rancho California Road. 5-10 p.m. June 9; 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. June 10; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. June 11. $5 June 9, free 12 and under; $15 June 10 and 11, $5 ages 7-12, free under 7. (909) 676-6713.

COLOMA--Get a feel for the Gold Rush era at the June 10 Coloma Fest. There will be blacksmithing and gold-panning demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, one-hour river rafting trips ($10) and a dinner dance (4-9 p.m., $8). Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, California Highway 49. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission; $5 parking. (530) 622-3470.

SAN FRANCISCO--A fixture since 1954, the North Beach Festival on June 10-11 will again revisit the neighborhood’s beatnik past with a poetry stage, arts and crafts, and music. Washington Square Park and also on Grant Avenue and Green Street. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Free. (415) 989-2220.

FRESNO--On June 10-11 four Central Valley counties will present the first Raisin Country Festival. Festivities include wine and cheese tastings, an antique truck and tractor show, farmers market, and tours of a raisin processing line. Cal State Fresno. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 10; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11. $6; $4 seniors and ages 7-11. (559) 437-9094.

PLACERVILLE--Roll out the wheelbarrow--it’s time for the El Dorado County Fair, June 15-18. Wheelbarrow races, carnival rides, entertainment and livestock exhibits are among the highlights. Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. 11 a.m.-midnight June 15-16; 10 a.m.-midnight June 17-18. $6; $3 ages 7-12. (530) 621-5861.

Schenden’s e-mail address is lkschenden@msn.com.