ASAP GETAWAYS : CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.

Byline: Daily News

Polish up your spurs and dust off your sombrero: California's gearing up for Cinco de Mayo.

The annual May 5 observance, which marks Mexico's 1862 victory over the invading French forces of Napoleon III, is celebrated in many communities with mariachis, dancing, food and games. Here are some of the celebrations planned so far (all take place May 5 unless otherwise noted):

Borrego Springs: The festival, which includes ballet folklorico performances, runs noon to 6 p.m. in Christmas Circle; admission is free. Information: [phone].

Delano: A grand marshal barbecue runs 6 to 9 p.m. May 2 in Memorial Park, a parade steps off at 10 a.m. May 4 along Main Street, and a carnival runs 4 to 10 p.m. May 2, 4 to 11 p.m. May 3, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 4 and 5 in Memorial Park; carnival admission is $3. Information: [phone].

San Francisco: The celebration begins at 10 a.m. with a parade from 24th and Bryant streets to Harrison Street, through the Mission District. The festival runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Civic Center; admission is $4. Information: [phone].

Santa Maria: Events, which include soccer games, run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the county fairgrounds; admission is $6. Information: [phone].

Shafter: A parade begins at 10 a.m. downtown and a festival runs noon to 9 p.m. in Mannel Park on May 4; admission is free. Information: [phone].

Sonoma: The festival runs 11 to 3 p.m. in Sonoma Plaza Park; admission is free. Information: [phone]. The celebration dovetails with Children's Day at the Mission, which runs all day at Mission San Francisco Solano. Information: [phone].

Truckee: Costumed actors will lead historical tours of downtown May 4 and 5, and ``Windows on History'' historical photos will be on display in local stores through May 28. The Truckee Trolley is scheduled to begin summer operations in mid-June, giving visitors an open-air ride through town to Donner lake and back again. Information: [phone].

Napa: The Napa Valley Wine Train offers themed tours and special excursions through May, including a Murder Mystery Dinner, Vintner's Luncheons and Champagne Brunches.

Vintner's Luncheons board at 11 a.m. and depart at 11:30 a.m. Prices are $72 per person and include train fare, a four-course luncheon with paired wines, tax and service charge. Luncheons are scheduled May 3, 10, 17 and 14.

Murder Mystery dinners, which include actors in early-1900s costumes enacting a murder-mystery drama, depart at 6:30 p.m. May 17. Dinner is $99 per person, including train fare.

Sunday morning champagne brunches aboard the train depart at 9 a.m. Price is $56.50 per person.

The Wine Train travels 36 miles past 26 wineries through the heart of California's wine country. Passengers dine aboard authentically refurbished 1915-era Pullman cars pulled by 1950s vintage Streamlined locomotives. During the week, the lunch train boards at 11 a.m., 12 noon on weekends; the dinner train boards weekdays at 6 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends. All trains depart from the downtown Napa station at 1275 McKinstry St. Reservations: [phone] or [phone].

Columbia: This Gold Country town will celebrate its heritage with a Fireman's Muster May 4 and 5, including displays of antique and historic fire equipment, games, food, entertainment and a volunteer fire department parade; admission is free. Information: [phone].

Geyserville: The town will celebrate May Day with a festival that includes dance, food and fire department water fights; admission is free. Information: [phone].

Kernville: Reservation deadline for participating in the 12th annual Kern River Raft Race, which runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4, is May 2. The race is billed as the largest slalom raft race in California, a Class IV whitewater ride. Teams will compete for best times down the limestone section of the Kern River. There's a barbecue after the race. Information: [phone].

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Photo: Dancing and mariachi music will mark most Cinco de M ayo festivals.