Grizzly Bear Festival | Aug. 19 (1-4 p.m.)

Come discover the culture and history surrounding grizzly bears in our area. Learn more about the myths and truths about California bears. Watch as the stories unfold with local actors. There will be children's games, storytelling, and crafts.

Waddell Creek and Rancho del Oso Nature/History Center
Hwy. 1, 16 miles north of Santa Cruz
831-427-2288, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | Aug. 19 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Animal Adaptations | Aug. 19 (2-4 p.m.)

Dress up as animals and play games that have to do with animal adaptations. Learn about banana slugs, snakes, birds and other animals. Free. Ages 5-12.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Premium Pass Bring-A-Friend FREE Days! & Lotsa Card Bring-A-Friend for $9.99! | Aug. 23-24

Premium Pass holders can bring a friend to experience Gilroy Gardens for FREE during this one-week event! Present processed 2007 Premium Pass at designated ticket booth and receive one (1) free ticket for a friend. Lotsa Card holders must present processed 2007 Lotsa Card at designated ticket booth and receive one (1) $9.99 ticket for a friend. Special program tickets must be used on date of purchase.

Gilroy Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.org

Moonlight Dinner Train | Aug. 25 (6-11 p.m.)

Moonlight dinner, dancing, and train ride through a redwood forest lit by flashlight. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
Tickets/Info: 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Full Moon Madness | Aug. 25 (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Join a moonlit guided tour of the redwoods and moon gaze through telescopes. Activities include music, multi-media presentation about the park's nocturnal critters, crafts for kids and refreshments.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Rare Habitat Walk | Aug. 25 (2-5 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough Foundation Stewardship Director Kim Hayes will guide a group of 20 through breathtaking maritime chaparral perched high on the ridge tops of Blohm Ranch. Priority given to Elkhorn Foundation members.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reerve
1700 Elhorn Rd.
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Monterey Sea Canyon Birdwatching Tour | Aug. 26 (7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Travel just a few miles off the coast to the Monterey Bay's 6,000 foot deep canyon where more than 70 bird species travel from both hemispheres to feed on these rich waters. Monterey Seabird Tours are available during peak migration seasons, limits the number of travelers on a tour, and are led by expert naturalists and birders.

Monterey Boat Charters, Monterey Wharf
831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | Aug. 26 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu