Dahlia days and cypress nights
The dahlia lobby is powerful in Morro Bay — it has twice gotten the showy bloomer named the official city flower, once in the 1960s and again in 2005 (long story). This year’s annual Dahlia Daze celebration includes a nod to the cypress, which was elevated to official city tree status last year. The event still revolves around dahlia exhibits, sales, demonstrations and floral arrangements. Dahlia experts and master gardeners will share tips for fellow dahlia gardeners; the wine, cheese, live music and dancing are for one and all.
Vitals: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free. 209 Surf St., Morro Bay. (805) 772-4467, www.morrobay.org/events.
Dogs have their day at Squaw: Squaw Valley’s annual Peaks and Paws puts a twist on the typical wine festival. While tastings from the lineup of boutique wineries may not be advisable for Fido, the local art takes on an animal theme, and the vendors sell doggie accoutrements. You can both enjoy the bluegrass bands; special activities for human/ canine pairs include a Mutt Strut, guided hikes, a Fetch Fest and a Bark-B-Q. Saturday-next Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $5 Humane Society donation; wine-tasting tickets $25. (800) 403-0206, www.squaw.com (select Things to Do, then Events Calendar).
Biggest brew bash in the north: Beer aficionados who are anywhere near redwood country next weekend might want to make Fortuna’s acquaintance. Hops in Humboldt, the county’s biggest beer festival, hosts more than 35 breweries from all over the country. Visitors can try unlimited samples from hundreds of microbrews, pacing themselves by browsing local art and craft vendors’ booths, testing their skill at goofy games, noshing on a variety of treats and voting in the tasters’ choice contest. Saturday , 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Prices vary. (707) 443-5097, hopsinhumboldt.com.