SACRAMENTO — There’s no shortage of ways for Canadian travellers to mark and celebrate Black History Month this February in the beautiful state of California.
Travel data shows that a significant number of Canucks travel stateside throughout February. So the timing is ideal for an opportunity to honour Black History Month during their trip.
The programming begins with launch events like Santa Monica’s Black History Month Kickoff on Feb. 1. Subsequently, here are five great ways for Canadians to commemorate Black History Month in Cali …
Found in Old Town San Diego, the Casa Del Ray Moro African Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient, colonial and contemporary periods of African history. The museum also features a research centre, a travelling exhibit program and international tours to African nations.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is a converted water tower that is now a non-profit arts organization commemorating African diaspora and Indigenous world cultures through art exhibits, concerts, dances, outdoor festivals and educational virtual events. The vegan-friendly eatery inside the centre serves Caribbean-inspired dishes prepared with ingredients from their own garden.
- Black roots in Oakland
Oakland features over 50 Black owned shops and 60 Black owned restaurants. Visitors can take a Black Food Tour or join the Black Panther Party Legacy City Tour. Or they can enjoy events like the Black Joy on Wheels community bike ride, a showcase of Black owned wineries called Black Vines and the Black Joy Parade that revels in the experience and cultural contributions of the Black community. The Black music scene is also thriving with live shows at Yoshi’s, the Oakland Coliseum and the Fox and Paramount theatres. Additionally, there’s Oakland’s African American Museum & Library and the Oakland Museum of California.
MoAD is marking Black History Month with a month-long menu of film screenings, fashion and food. In-person and online events, many of which are free, will connect audiences with the museum’s programs, voices and art.
This city invites visitors to celebrate Black excellence until March 3 with the 38th annual Black History Month Exhibit on display at Seaside City Hall. Visitors can also enjoy the artist-enclave known as Sand City for craft brews at the Black-owned Post No Bills, or they can create their own works of art at Johnny Wicks’ Locally Lit candle-making studio in Monterey.
It will soon be even easier for Canadians to reach California as Air Canada is set to introduce flights to the state capital. Starting June 1, Air Canada will fly direct from YYZ to Sacramento International Airport four times per week. Sactown, as it’s affectionately known, is one of Cali’s most sustainable destinations and is ideal for accessing surrounding areas such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and Napa Valley and Sonoma wine country.
Those looking for ideas for once they reach Cali can catch up with Visit California’s recently launched web-series called ‘Keeping Up with the Canadians.’ The content features notable Canadians sharing can’t-miss California attractions and destinations. Episodes of the ‘Keeping Up with the Canadians’ series, like the premiere episode featuring Canadian-born actor Andrew Walker, are released on Visit California’s Facebook page.
For more info on sights and attractions in Sacramento and all other parts of California, visit VisitCalifornia.com.
