The Red Hot Chili Peppers [ tickets ] return to the U.S. in late December to continue their "Californication" at four shows in the Golden state.

The driving funk-rock outfit will play San Diego (Dec. 26), San Francisco (Dec. 28), Sacramento (Dec. 29) and Los Angeles (New Year's Eve). The San Francisco and Los Angeles shows are on sale now; San Diego and Sacramento go on sale Nov. 20.

Writing from Switzerland, bassist Flea was pumped up about the band's sold-out November performances in Europe, which included the Stereophonics on most dates.

''The shows are just smokin','' he wrote. ''Our band is in top form.''

Still, he was eager to get home to converse with his daughter and play with his dogs. Most importantly, he got his prized, handmade turquoise fela pants back; some girls in Milan had stolen them, he wrote.

Funky ska-metal act 311 [ tickets ] and Bicycle Thief [ tickets ] open at all the shows. 311 is wrapping up a fall tour in support of its Capricorn album ''Soundsystem.'' Bicycle Thief is ex-Thelonious Monster Bob Forrest's new band, which recently released ''You Come & Go Like a Pop Song'' (Goldenvoice).