January is California Restaurant Month

Culinary travelers headed to California next month are in luck. January is the Golden State’s Restaurant Month.

Take, for example, DineLA Restaurant Week. Actually two six-day weeks, this is a great opportunity to check out a new restaurant in Los Angeles (map) while dining on a specially priced three-course meal. Dates are January 23 through 28, 2011, and January 30 through February 4, 2011. (Note that that Saturdays are specifically excluded from these Restaurant Weeks.)

Lunches will be priced at $16, $22 or $28, and dinners at $26, $34 or $44 (plus tax and tip — beverages are extra, too). Should you make a reservation? You betcha! Due to the popularity of the event, organizers note, there’s no guarantee that walk-in guests can be accommodated. You can make reservations online or contact the restaurant directly. Need a place to stay? Check out hotel packages for that week here.

LA not on your agenda? More than 20 destinations across California are hosting restaurant week events. Other participating towns in southern California are San Diego (map), Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Temecula Valley — but there are more.

Sacramento’s Restaurant Week (map) is early: set for January 7-16, 2011. In San Francisco (map), the Dine About Town is January 15-31, 2011. On offer at close to 100 restaurants, you’ll find a two-course lunch for $17.95 or three-course dinner for $34.95. Across the bay, Oakland’s Restaurant Week (map) is January 23-29, 2011.

In Santa Barbara (map), the restaurant week coincides with a movie festival, resulting in Film Feast, to be held January 27 through February 6, 2011. In Monterrey (map), they’re taking Restaurant Month quite literally. Participating restaurants will offer $20.11 specials throughout January.

WHAT: California Restaurant Month
WHEN: January 2011
WHERE: Cities and towns throughout the state

(Photo courtesy of VisitCalifornia.com)