The Scottish Highland Gathering and Games

Run by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, this Labor Day weekend gathering bills itself as California's largest and longest-running Scottish Games, with more than 160 annual editions behind it. Competitions and displays include heavy athletics, piping and drumming, highland dancing, archery, sheepdog trials, a kilted mile race, 5-a-side football, birds of prey, Celtic animals, living history, classic cars, clans and societies in the Glen of the Clans, vendors and whisky tasting for those 21 and over. Grandstand and box seating is free; tickets are sold online only, including free tickets for children five and under and serving military. Parking is ample and can be bought in advance.