Autumn is a season of harvest, and it is once again time for foodies to revel in tasting seasonal delicacies. After immigrating to the United States, experiencing the autumn cuisine of the West Coast—picking fresh grapes, feasting on plump oysters, learning to make cheese, tasting wild mushrooms, and dining with world-renowned chefs—will be a truly wonderful experience. Below are 10 West Coast autumn food festivals listed in chronological order, all beckoning you to join; the culinary feasts are absolutely tempting!
1. Feast Portland
Date: September 18-21
Location: Portland, Oregon
Ranked first among Fodor's top 10 food festivals in North America, why? Simply put, pure talent! Portland is the ultimate city on the West Coast for gourmet restaurants, passionate culinary artists, food trucks, and craft breweries.
During this 4-day festival, outstanding chefs and food/beverage producers from Oregon will come together to host an indulgent culinary feast.
2. Washington Artisan Cheesemakers' Festival
Date: September 27
Location: Seattle, Washington
The community in Washington State, USA, is rich in dairy products, with over 60 artisan and farmstead cheese makers. Meet these renowned artisans and their cheeses at this festival. Additionally, craft beer and cider producers will also showcase Washington's fine beverages.
3. Hood River Hops Fest
Date: September 27
Location: Hood River, Oregon
Beer connoisseurs know that fresh hops make beer exceptionally delicious, but opportunities to taste fresh hops are rare; the autumn grape harvest season is the perfect time to do so. Attending the annual Hood River Hops Fest is a dream for beer lovers, with over 36 renowned brewers ready to help you drink to your heart's content. As for food, you will find delicious pizza, tacos, barbecue, and pretzels—immerse yourself in the culinary delights.
4. 2014 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
Date: September 28
Location: Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
You may know that the University of British Columbia (UBC) hosts an apple festival every year, but the Salt Spring Island Apple Festival is definitely worth the trip. Salt Spring Island has been growing apples since 1860, and there are now over 350 varieties on the island. 18 farms on the island welcome visitors to tour and taste apples; additionally, 12 different types of delicious apple pies made by the Pie Ladies are a must-try delicacy once you are on the island.
Tickets for the Apple Festival are only available for purchase on-site on the day of the event.
5. Fall Okanagan Wine Festival
Date: October 3-13
Location: Okanagan, British Columbia
October is the grape harvest season in the Okanagan and the best time to visit the wineries along the Okanagan Valley. Along the way, you can learn about local winemaking traditions and experiences, and enjoy the impact of fine wine and food.
During the Okanagan Wine Festival, over 165 events including tours, lunches, and dinners will be held throughout the Okanagan region.
6. Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Date: October 3-5
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Sonoma County is the wine hub of California and an Eden for food lovers. During the festival, over 150 local vintners, farms, and restaurants will allow you to experience the passion of a frantic harvest.
7. California Avocado Festival
Date: October 3-5
Location: Carpinteria, California
California avocado cultivation began in 1986, and the local area hosts this quirky, large-scale avocado festival every year, which currently attracts 100,000 visitors. The 3-day celebration includes competitions for the world's largest avocado, guacamole, and best-dressed avocado; there is also live music and displays of other avocado-themed products, including avocado ice cream. Admission to the festival is free.
8. OysterFest
Date: October 5-6
Location: Port of Shelton, Washington
OysterFest is not only the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship but also a festival to discover other hidden culinary gems, featuring authentic oysters, oyster barbecue, and over 100 other types of Washington seafood. 20 different Washington wineries will also help you find your perfect oyster pairing. The festival offers RV camping and live music.
9. Wild Mushroom Cook Off
Date: October 11
Location: Lincoln City, Oregon
Autumn is Oregon's official wild mushroom season, and wild mushrooms have become the most precious ingredient for gourmet chefs. During this wild mushroom season, Oregon chefs use matsutake, porcini, and golden and white chanterelles from the forests of the Pacific Northwest as ingredients to create tempting dishes.
Participants can purchase chef's samples ($0.75) or small portions ($3) to taste and vote for the best chef. Admission is free.
10. Cornucopia in Whistler
Date: November 6-16
Location: Whistler
Bringing together all food and wine merchants in British Columbia, must-attend events at Cornucopia include the Crush Gala Grand Tasting, the flagship tasting event of Cornucopia, and the Cornucopia Night Market, among others.
