Hey V
There is a really great race out the Danville way. I think it's called "tri for fun". I'm thinking Pleasanton maybe?? I think it's actually a series. It's just a fun race to get your toes wet.
Then I would move on to Oly distance. There is a series in the Sac area that has a sprint on Sat and an oly on Sunday. Tri for real I think it was called? I did it a few years ago and quite enjoyed it.
I also think there is a race at lake berryessa as well. I'm thinking it may be oly distance??
Now if you ever want to do a FUN race that is a bit of a challenge I HIGHLY reccomend the Vineman in Santa Rosa. - Well Windsor/Guerneville. You can't beat the swim and bike courses. Tho the run course is a bugger. It gives a new meaning to "rolling terrain".... But it sure is a fun race. I lived along the run course and voly'd every year. They also do "barbs race" when they do the full vineman in August. It's a half IM but is a womens only race dedicated to raising money for cancer.
Or you could just jump both feet in and do escape from alcatraz!!
You SAID you were a strong swimmer! lol