Gilroy's 29th Garlic Festival | July 27-29 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Follow your nose, and taste buds, to one of the nation's top festivals. It's all thing garlic: crafts, games, art displays, activity booths, gift shops, child play area, cooking demonstrations, entertainment and lots of food. From Gourmet Alley's prize winning recipe dishes to service club favorites ranging from fried artichokes to garlic infused wine and ice-cream, there are no end of tasty choices.

Strawberry Park, Gilroy
408-842-1625, www.gilroygarlicfestival.com

"Back 40" Celebration | July 27-29

A 40th anniversary celebration of the Student Garden Project at the Alan Chadwick Garden.

Alan Chadwick Garden, UCSC Campus Farm
831-459-3240

Full Moon Madness | July 28 (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

Summer Saturdays at the Museum | July 28 (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

Moss Landing Antique Fair | July 28 (7:30 a.m.-dusk)

There are over 100 antique vendors plus the 20 Moss Landing antique shops offering a wide range of old and rare finds including art, glassware, books and furniture. There is a pancake breakfast and a selection of food booths available from mid-day.

831-633-4501, www.mosslandingchamber.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | July 29 (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

Creepy Crawlies: A Bug Hunt for Kids | July 29 (10 a.m.- noon)

A fun way to learn about insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies found along park trails. Free. All ages.

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