May 5th may be a Monday, but that doesn't have to stop you from celebrating Cinco de Mayo in style this year!  

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo

Flickr - --Mark--

The History of Cinco de Mayo

The mistake most people make regarding Cinco de Mayo is to think that it is a celebration for Mexico's independence. In fact, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory (over the French) of the Battle of Puebla which happened on - you guessed it - May 5 in 1862. Crazy to think we're still celebrating a battle won over 150 years ago! Flickr - San Diego City College So, why do we still celebrate it? That fact remains to be seen because, in most of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations aren't typical. Here in America (especially California) we don't need a good reason for a party though, so celebrate on!

Throw A Traditional Party

Decorations

Like this colorful street in Mexico, a great way to get your Cinco de Mayo celebration off the ground is with some authentic (or close enough) flags. You can find them at local party supply stores or you can make your own. This is a great activity to get your children in on by having them cut out snowflake-like designs on rectangular pieces of paper. Flickr - Alan

Drinks & Food

Really, what is a good party with out the food? This is a great time to get a little fancy by trying out new recipes or, if you aren't a fan of cooking, to cater through your favorite Mexican restaurant. Suggested traditional Mexican foods and drinks for Cinco de Mayo are:

• Tamales
• Chiles Rellenos
• Mole Sauce
• Authentic Mexican tortillas
• Home made chips
• Home made Pico de gallo
• Margaritas
• Horchata

Find more recipes here. Flickr - Debora is Lola

Activities & Gifts

When throwing a great party, having games planned in advance (even if you don't end up playing them) can make the difference between a boring party and something your friends will be talking about for the next six months. Try your local party supply store or check out Amazon for some great gift ideas that you can send your guests home with to remember your memorable and stylish Cinco de Mayo celebration. Flickr - Darla Dietz Toss up a piñata - the kids (and let's be honest, the adults too) will love it! Flickr-giveawayboy Get the family together and visit a traditional Mexican celebration. Check your local news website for celebrations near you. Flickr - Bisayan lady

 The Sounds of Cinco de Mayo

Last, but definitely not least, the music of the event must be traditional. For some of you who like to spare no expense, that means hiring your very own mariachi band! For the rest of us, that means picking the right Pandora station to set the mood. Either way, you better be blaring the rhythmic guitar and blaring trumpet sound that mariachi bands are best known for! Flickr - oklanica

Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If so, let us know in the comments below what you do to make it special!

  Source: WikiHow, About.com, Cover Photo: Flickr - --Mark--

The hottest Southern California Festivals for 2014 are here! It's time to get out your calendar and start marking in your weekend plans. Remember all those things you promised you were going to get around to doing? The summer of 2014 is the perfect time to do them! Check out this list of festivals and explore new foods, fun entertainment, live music, and even homemade crafts and art. No matter what your budget is, or your time-off, there is an option for you in this list.

Southern California Festivals

April 5-6 | Scandinavian Festival of Southern California in Thousand Oaks: Come explore all things Scandinavian: food, traditions, and art. Admission $7.50.  April 11 | The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio: Better known to music fans as Coachella, this three day festival will satisfy all of your musical cravings! Admission price ranges depending on show and seat location. Find tickets online. [caption id="attachment_517" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Flickr-Moby[/caption] April 18-20 | Catalina Art Fair and Exhibition on Catalina Island: This art fair known as CAFE lasts three days and will have a host of vendors showing off their handmade crafts and arts. April 25-26 | Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio: This festival is a must for Country music lovers. This year featured artists include Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan among other artists. Admission varies depending on ticket availability. May 8 | WorldFest in Lake Balboa: An earth-day festival to rival all others. Admission is currently $8 but goes up to $12 on May 1st so order online soon! May 25-26 | JazzReggae Festival in Los Angeles: LA is known for its music scene so it's only fitting that you plan on attending the JazzReggae Festival. Plus, their website is just amazing. Admission tickets go on sale in April. May 30, 31, June 1 | Balloon and Wine Festival in Temecula: From wine tasting to musical entertainment, not to mention the hot air balloons, this event is a must for your summer plans. Bring your kids and pretend you're in the movie Up. Admission varies but the range is between $15 and $25. [caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="580"] From Adventure Flights[/caption] [caption id="attachment_646" align="alignleft" width="300"] From Souplantation[/caption] July 25-27 | Garlic Festival in Gilroy: Vampires beware! The sixth annual Garlic Festival, titled the "Ultimate Summer Food Fair" will offer drinks, food, and local arts and crafts booths. You may consider bringing an extra box of mints...or two. Admission is $20. July 26-27 | Watermelon Festival in Pasadena: When it comes to summer, there is no better treat than ice-cold watermelon. Join in the fun at the Watermelon Festival. Admission is $8 if purchased online or $10 at the gate. Note that parking is $4. Which Southern California festivals are you planning on attending for 2014? Unfortunately, this is not an exhaustive list. Is there a festival you love attending that we missed? Share the details in the comments below! October 3 | Avocado Festival in Carpinteria: Have a love affair with avocados like we do? Then mark your calendars for the Avocado Festival. Admission is free. Cover Photo of Coachella from Flickr by Tana Ferguson

Planning out your spring break? Thinking of switching up your summer vacation this year? Well, you're in luck! This list of Central California Festivals for 2014 is the best of the best! We've listed anything and everything from the popular Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopool to the state-wide event of the California State Fair in Sacramento. This list is great for weekend getaways or day trips. If you plan it right, you may be able to fit in several Central California Festivals before the end of the year. But first, if you're wondering what all the hype about festivals is, check out these these three reasons why you should attend one.

Don't miss out: attend a Central California Festival and find...

Fun handcrafted items that are great for gifts.

From - San Francisco Citizen

Amazing live music and entertainment.

From - San Francisco Citizen

Great food - and lots of it. (Sometimes it's free too!)

Flickr-The Food Film Festival Have we helped you make up your mind? See the list below and mark your calendars! Take note of festivals with free admission if you're looking for budge-friendly options.

Central California Festivals

April 4-5 | 46th Annual Bockbierfest in Sacramento: Enjoy an authentic German experience with traditional German dancing,  food, bock bier, wine, and live Polka music. Festival includes children's actives and crafts. Admission is $20/day and $5 for children. April 12-13 | Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopool:  Live music and fun for the whole family, the Apple Blossom Festival has it all. Admission is $10. Flickr-David Yu April 12-14 & April 19-20 | Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco: If you couldn't make it to the Apple Blossom Festival, stop by the Cherry Blossom Festival which is said to be the second largest Cherry Blossom Festival apart from the one in Washington, D.C. Honolulu Magazine May 17-18 | Oakdale Chocolate Festival in Oakdale: Seriously, who could pass up a chocolate festival? Nothing better than chocolate, live music, and a fun festival atmosphere. Admission $4 if you register by May 15. May 24 | Santa Cruz Blues Festival: Did If you love Blues or just live music in general, this festival is for you! Check out their website for a lineup of artists. Admission ranges between $25 to $190 depending on what you want to see. May 24-25 | Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande: This strawberry festival is one of the largest in California and features ethnic foods, booths filled with arts and crafts, and all things strawberry-related. Visit the website for admission information coming in May. From - San Francisco Citizen June 7-8 | Union Street Festival in San Francisco: This event spans six blocks and offers a different "world" for each block (like Fashion World or Tech World). Make sure and purchase tasting tickets online before hand and come hungry! Admission is free. July 11-27 | California State Fair in Sacramento: Experience the California State Fair with food, fun, and activities for the whole family. Admission is $12 and ride tickets are available for purchase online. July 19-20 | Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards 22nd Annual Catalan Festival in Sonoma: Enjoy Spanish food and wine, live classical guitar music, and flamenco dancing among other entertainment in the Spanish tradition. Admission is $65 and tickets can be purchased online. August 30-31 | Whisky Live at the Games in San Francisco: Are you a whisky connoisseur? Join the this Central California festival and enjoy the best whiskies from around the world. Admission not yet announced. Did we miss your favorite Central California festival? Comment below and fill us in! Do you live in Northern California? Check out our list of Northern California Festivals for 2014. Cover photo from Flickr-beppesabatini

This list of Northern California Festivals for 2014 can help you plan out your Spring Break and summer plans. Whether you like trying new foods or exploring local arts and crafts booths, these festivals will give you a vast range of options to choose from. Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival

Northern California Festivals

April 12 | Banff Street Festival in Redding: This Street Fair has it all: rock climbing, outdoor recreation groups, local outfitters, and various vendors all out on the streets in front of the Cascade Theatre where the Banff Mountain Film Festival is held. Admission is free. April 19 | California Nut Festival in Chico: Go nuts for the California Nut Festival! This Northern California festival is perfect for foodies of all kinds with food and beverage tastings. Admission is $25 in advance (online) or $30 at the door. May 31 - June 1 | Summer Arts & Music Festival in Benbow: This arts and music festival, located among the beautiful California Redwoods, is the perfect weekend getaway. Camp nearby and enjoy great music, food, and local crafts.   Admission is $15 a day or $25 for both days. May 15-16 | Arts Festival in Arcata: Hosted during Humboldt State's graduation week, this is the perfect festival to attend as a new graduate! It features art exhibits, local crafts, and food provided by local businesses. Admission is $10 for adults $5 for kids with free parking. Flickr-Daphne June 6 | Oyster Festival in Arcata: Love Oysters? Then you have to check out this festival that's ranked seventh out of the top ten food festivals in the world. That's saying a lot of this small town in Northern California! There is lot to see and do during this festival so make sure to check out their sweet website. Admission is free. Oyster Festival June 15 |Fish Festival in Trinidad: Ever wanted to go inside a real lighthouse? Attend the Fish Festival in Trinidad and you can! You'll also be able to eat all the fish you can at discount prices! Admission is free. June 14-August 3 |  Lavender Farms in Mt. Shasta: Rows upon rows of beautiful lavender, lavender products, and a scent you'll never want to leave! Not quite a festival but something you'll definitely want to plan on seeing if you're in Northern California. Flickr-slicedgeek July 4-6 | Artisan Market and Street Fair Mt. Shasta: Every 4th of July Mount Shasta hosts a walk/run celebration and parade coupled with a Street Fair the rest of the weekend. Plan your visit to walk or run in the morning enjoying live music and vendor goodies and then visit the Street Fair after. Admission to the Street Fair is free. Check out the Mountain Runners website for registration info for the walk/run. July 26-27 | Westhaven Blackberry Festival in Trinidad: Pick up some blackberry jam or a pie while enjoying live music. Or you can enjoy a hamburger at this even to benefit the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department.  September 20-21 | Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival in Guerneville: Admission is $50 with two day passes available for $80. Find events you're interested in? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments below! Source: California's Redwood Coast Events Cover Photo from Flirckr-Humbolt Sate University

You’re in one of the most popular, most artistic, and most culturally diverse cities in the country for a week, and you have no idea what to do or where to go. While there are countless of places you can check out for sure, most of them will require having more than that secret $20 you have wedged in between your library card and gym membership card you never use. Let’s face it – when you’re on a week-long trip and on a tight budget, your options are quite limited… JUST KIDDING! Sure, the city by the bay may in fact be one of the most expensive places to be in, but you don’t have to look under a rock to find things to do in San Francisco on a weekday for cheap. In fact, you can even find stuff to do for free! If you happen to be in the bay area this week to bid adieu to February and say hey to a (hopefully more climate-bearable) March, you can do so by enjoying a couple of these events with your friends or on your own.

Monday, February 24, 2014

If you love musicals and singing, then you should definitely hit up the colorful and historic Castro district in San Francisco for Musical Mondays at The Edge, one of the more prominent LGBT community bars in the neighborhood. The venue’s partnership with SHN: Broadway in San Francisco means that cast members of shows playing in the city are bound to make surprise visits, which can turn any boring Monday night into a par-teh! No cover charge, cocktails are 2 for the price of 1. Show starts at 7pm.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

To satisfy your indie sensibilities, you might want to check out Punk Rock Fancy premiering this Tuesday at The NWBLK as part of The Noise Pop Festival. Featuring DJ sets by Bob Mould, Shepard Fairey, and Jello Biafra, this free event requires attendees to RSVP for guaranteed entrance. Only those 21 and over are allowed.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Are you a fan of comedy and improv? Then Don’t Watch This Show! Scheduled every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Stage Werx theater in the Mission district, this comedic clique promises an entirely original routine each and every time they come on. Get there early and pay only $1 to get in.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Admire the universe and its magnificence in class by checking out Dark Universe Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences. You can wander the halls, check out the planetarium, and listen to a special set by Bee Mask and the ICEE Hot DJs while frequenting the open bar. Only 21 and over are allowed, and ID is required upon entry. Tickets can be purchased online for $12. Be there at 6pm.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Vegetarian? Then join the Volxkuche Free Supper Club as they celebrate their one year anniversary this Friday. You can get as involved as you want – from cooking and serving scrumptious vegetarian meals to simply mingling with the crowd and making everybody welcome. You get a free dinner as well as entertainment. Show up at 2079 Turk Street in SF on 6:30pm with nothing but a good attitude. Source: FunCheapSF