Welcome to California Days Feb. 18 & 19, 2023
The Calico California Days event celebrates the historical timeline of the early settlements when California became the 31st state on Sept. 9, 1850. The event will coincide with National California Day that recognizes the Golden State every year on February 22. Calico Ghost Town will host this new event with educational displays about California’s history, games and contests for the entire family, live entertainment and more.
California Days is back February 18-19, 2023
San Bernardino County Regional Parks and Calico Ghost Town are excited to celebrate the second annual California Days event. California Days celebrates early California history with a focus on California’s admission to the union as the nation’s 31st state on Sept. 9, 1850.
This family-friendly event will precede National California Day, which lands on February 22 every year and will celebrate the people and culture of early California by hosting family activities, gunfight shows and educational displays on the state’s Bear Flag, Pony Express Trail, and Butterfield Overland Trail.
Serving as a natural backdrop to the Old West, Calico will travel back in time with a beard and mustache contest, arts & crafts, games and contests for all ages, pony rides, stories from the Pony Express, and a Pony Express relay for kids under 11.
Eventgoers can enjoy our fair food lineup with goodies such as pretzels, lemonade, and tater tot creations, or for very hungry appetites, the Calico Restaurant, Old Miner’s Café and Lil’s Saloon will be open.
Mining event sponsors include the Apollo Silver Corp., Cal Portland Company and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, who will be on-hand to provide educational mining information and displays. Local food franchise Raising Canes Chicken Fingers from Barstow will also be on-hand to provide prize giveaways to eventgoers.
Calico will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices are $10 per adult, $5 children ages 4-11, and 3 years and under are FREE. For more details and a daily schedule of events, visit parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-california-days.
Calico Ghost Town offers full and partial camping at the park. Reservations may be booked directly online at www.sbcountyparks.com.
Cabins and bunkhouses are also available. Please call 800-862-2542 to reserve. Calico Ghost Town is located off I-15 at Ghost Town Road in Yermo, just 10 miles north of Barstow.
2023 Event Sponsors
California Days 2023 Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023
Bring along your furry friend and enter the doggie scavenger hunt that will take you and your pal through town looking for clues. Each participating team will end up at Dorsey’s Dog House and receive a doggie goodie bag.
In 1885, U.S. Mail Dog Carrier “Dorsey” had a 3-mile route that led him up and down the mountain from Calico to Bismark. A special mailbag and leather booties were custom made for Dorsey. Dorsey retired in 1886 and was given to the Bismark mine owner and later moved to San Francisco.
The border collie has been memorialized by both Kenny Rogers in a 1972 song and by Walt Disney in a TV movie in 1974.
Listen to live music while strolling through town. Musical performances include:
Saturday & Sunday:
- Blue Henry’s
- High D Boys
- Mojave County Band
- Orange Town Revival
- Mockingbirds
Check the schedule for times & locations.
Strike up some competition by entering in one of our games or contests. There is something for the entire family to enjoy.
Games include:
- Egg Toss
- Horseshoe Toss
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- Pony Express Relay (kids under 11)
- Beard & Mustache Contest (Sunday only)
- Walk for a Cake Contest (Sunday only)
Check the schedule for times & locations.
Join us in some real ol’ gunfightin’ shows reminiscent from the wild, wild West. The Calico Mountain Volunteer Gunfighters will be staging shows throughout the weekend.
Saturday
- 9:30 a.m.
- 12 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
- 9:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m.
- 4 p.m.
Learn how resources were made, such as ropes, arrowheads, clothing, and other items with the live demonstrations taking place in town.
Calico Ghost Town Regional Park
36600 Ghost Town Road
Yermo, CA 92398
760.254.1123
Admission Prices
Adults (12 & over): $10
Youth (ages 4-11): $5
Ages 3 and under: Free admission
Camping
Visit www.sbcountyparks.com to make a reservation.
Event Contact
email: parks@parks.sbcounty.gov
phone: 909.387.2757