SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, USA -- Just because Maine is on the Atlantic coast and California is on the Pacific doesn't mean that Californians can't enjoy great Maine lobster. Summertime provides ample opportunity to do just that at two of our favorite venues: Newport Beach's Sutton Place Hotel and the annual Lobster Festival that takes place each September in the harbor town of San Pedro.

Lobster Cookout!

Every Saturday night from Memorial Day weekend through late September, the Sutton Place Hotel offers its famous Lobster Cookout to hotel guests as well as those who just want to have a great Maine Lobster dinner. 2003 marked the 13th year for this delicious event, served poolside at the Calypso Café.

The Sutton Place chefs grill split Maine lobsters over a charcoal fire, using bunches of fresh rosemary to brush them with herbed butter during cooking. The result is a succulent treat your tastebuds will not soon forget. The dinner comes complete with a Caesar Salad, tossed at tableside, baked potato, sweet corn on the cob and, of course, a 2-pound grilled Maine lobster. If that's not enough, your dinner is topped off with a tempting dessert buffet including beautiful pastries, tiramisu and other sweet indulgences.

If your looking to experience Southern California at its finest, this romantic poolside setting, the sun slowly sinking into the horizon and the light sounds of the Gerard Barbut trio filling the air, fits the bill perfectly.

The entire dinner is just $49.00 per person (as of this writing, 2003), plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are a must for the Sutton Place Lobster Cookout as the event frequently sells out.

Call the hotel at 949-476-2001, Ext. 3148 for more details or to book your dinner. The Sutton Place Hotel is located at 4500 MacArthur Blvd. in Newport Beach, CA. Visit their website at www.suttonplace.com.

Lobster Fest!

Lobster lovers who find themselves in Southern California in mid September will definitely want to make a side trip to the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival held in San Pedro. This year's dates are September 19, 20 and 21st, 2003.

This is one of our favorite food festivals, period. Visitors can feast on delicious Maine lobster dinners for the paltry price of around $12.00. In addition to lobster, many other seafood items are served, including steamed and fried clams, fried shrimp, shrimp cocktail, steamed mussels in wine and vegetable sauce, roast corn and all varieties of traditional fair food.

If seafood isn't your thing, you can dine on ribs, chicken, Jamaican, Chinese, Thai and other international foods, as well as all kinds of desserts and snacks. Beer and wine is also available.

In addition to the excellent food choices available there are many vendors exhibiting arts, crafts, and other goods that can only be found at the Festival.

The festival also offers lots of entertainment -- music that will keep your feet dancing and street performers that delight children and adults alike.

Most of all, be sure not to miss Saturday's Lobster Dog Parade where canine's dressed as crustaceans compete for grand prize of $500.00.

There's no better dining and entertainment bargain in and around L.A. than the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival. For more information, visit the Lobster Fest website at www.lobsterfest.com.

More on Maine Lobster

• How to Cook a Perfect Lobster: Advice from a Maine Lobster House
• Lobster Heaven! -- Clint Brownfield Visits the Maine Coast
• Lobster Bake in a Snap
• Lobster Spingrolls with Vietnamese Vegetables
• Traditional Boiled New England Lobster
• Coquilles St. Martin

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day. To learn more about Cheri, click here.