Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | July 15 (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

Art on the Wharf | July 15 (9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Dozens of artists display original paintings, photography and other works in an outdoor showcase of fine art and live jazz. The kids will enjoy balloons, print making and face painting. Free event.

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831-420-5273, www.santacruzwharf.com

Shakespeare Santa Cruz | July 16-Aug. 31

July 16 - Aug. 31: Romeo & Juliet, William Shakespeare at Festival Glen theater
July 27 - Aug. 31: All’s Well That Ends Well, William Shakespeare at Festival Glen theater
July 15 - Aug. 31: Bach at Leipzig, Itamar Moses at Mainstage theater
July 30 - Aug. 31: Burn This, Lanford Wilson at Mainstage theater

UCSC Festival Glen and Mainstage theaters, Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-459-2159, www.shakespearesantacruz.com

Star Parties at Quail Hollow - Jupiter & Deep Space | July 17 (8 p.m.-midnight)

Indoor video presentation followed by outdoor hands-on activities and telescope viewing. Rain and cloudy skies cancel the program. Free. All ages.

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

Twilight Concert at Esplanade Park | July 18 (6-8 p.m.)

Free concert featuring Orchestra Gitano - Salsa Orchestra. A family event. Bring your own beach chairs and picnic. No alcohol.

Esplanade, Capitola Village
831-475-6522, www.capitola.com

Youth Carnival | July 18 (1-4 p.m.)

BBQ, games, crafts, face painting and educational presentations from community businesses, service groups and government.

Brommer Park, Live Oak
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

California Rodeo Salinas | July 18-22

This is the state's oldest rodeo and one of the top five rodeo money events in the world. There are pre-rodeo activities which includes "Grand Bulls on Fire," 7/18 at 7 p.m.. This is a PBR USSTC Challenger Tour Event, paying a $40,000 winner purse. The rodeo opens each day with a traditional horse parade through downtown Salinas, there is entertainment, a cowboy poetry event on Sat. night at Sherwood Hall, and a carnival open 7/13-22 from 4 p.m.-closing.

Salinas Sports Complex
(Info.) 800-771-8807, (Tickets) 800-549-4989. www.carodeo.com

Thursday Night Downtown | July 19

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | July 20 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Golden State 410 Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, 4 Bangers.

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466,. www.oceanspeedway.com

Summer Saturdays at the Museum | July 21 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Youth under the age of 18 are invited to join the museum's Sensational Snakes program. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free for children and normal admission fees apply for adults.

Museum of Natural History
831- 420-6113, www.santacruzmuseums.org