Start your summer right with multiple events along the Capitol Corridor! Get your pride on at a LGBT festival in Sacramento, immerse yourself in Indian culture in San Francisco, celebrate all things Portuguese in San Jose, and stroll around downtown Martinez while sipping wine.
Spring India Day: 6/9, San Francisco
Happening: 11am – 6pm
Join in the celebration of India’s rich history and culture at Spring India Day 2018 in Union Square in San Francisco. The event showcases India’s rich culture through fantastic traditional performances, beautiful artwork, amazing flavors, as well as unique shopping opportunities. Now in it’s fourth year, Spring India is a free event open to all!
Getting there: Take Capitol Corridor’s dedicated connecting bus from Emeryville to the SF Shopping Center stop, which is less than a third of a mile from the venue, or ride to the Temporary Transbay Terminal stop. You can also take the Capitol Corridor train to the Richmond Station or Oakland Coliseum Station and connect to BART for service to downtown San Francisco. From BART’s Montgomery Station, you can walk to Union Square or take MUNI.
Sacramento Pride Festival: 6/10, Sacramento
Happening: 11am – 5pm
Celebrate at an event promoting acceptance and pride when you attend the 33rd annual Sacramento Pride Festival. The parade begins at 3rd and N Street, along Sacramento’s symbolic Capitol Mall, with the State Capitol building on one end and the iconic Tower Bridge on the other. Following the parade, an outdoor party will ensue on the Capitol Mall with high-energy live music, a dance pavilion, an activity-rich kid’s zone, local vendors, and plenty of food trucks. Throughout the event visitors can access booths providing unique services, support, and information. The parade commemorates a pivotal moment in civil rights history – the Stonewall Riots of New York in June 1969 – representing the start of a movement to bring LGBT Americans out of the shadows and into everyday society. Festival admission tickets are $10 per person; children 10 and under are free.
Getting there: Ride to the Sacramento Station, which is just over half a mile from the Capitol. You can walk there or hop on the SacRT Gold Line with a free Transit Transfer.
Dia de Portugal Festival: 6/9, San Jose
Happening: 10am – 5pm
In San Jose you’ll find a yourself immersed in a Portuguese culture and heritage event, Dia de Portugal Festival. Enjoy a day of entertainment, savor a variety of Portuguese foods, and watch a traditional Portuguese parade. Activities will span a children’s carnival, books, crafts, novelties, and even museum exhibits. Taking place at History San José – the Portuguese Historical Museum – which is free!
Getting there: Take the train to the San Jose Diridon Station. History San Jose is accessible by the VTA, with a free Transit Transfer, or catch a cab, Lyft or Uber
Downtown Summer Wine Stroll: 6/9, Martinez
Happening: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Spend a relaxing afternoon strolling from business to business in Martinez at Downtown Summer Wine Stroll. Stop in at participating stores and restaurants to sample delicious treats and flavorful wines. Redeem your advance purchased ticket for a wine glass, tasting tickets, and a passport at Main Street Plaza before perusing the shops. Tickets are available online for $20 plus tax and service fee, or $30 in the plaza.
Getting there: Take the train to the Martinez Station, which is just a short walk from downtown.
Written by Sylvia Sheehan
Photo courtesy Sacramento LGBT Center